Instow School
Consultation
Report on Possible Community Facilities at Instow New School
The new Instow and Yelland School sites and possible community facilities which the public might want will be discussed. Views are being sought on every aspect of this project and all Instow, Westleigh, Yelland leisure activities will be displayed.
To Members of Instow Community Facilities/School Steering Group
Notes of meeting held at the Parish Hall on September 12th 2001 at 7.30pm
Present: M Kidson Chairman, R. Day, A Marsden, I Chalk, P Mullen, A
Dipper, K Wright, P Cantle, E Orton, K.Lewis DCC, J Bodley Scott CCD.
Apologies:R Taylor, R Cann, V Mearden, L Wilmington. C Leworthy was not
notified of the meeting (note not on e mail).
1. Matters arising from notes of last meeting on 23.7.01
1. Alison Marsden gave a report of the findings she had made of the CF
questionnaire analysis and the earlier Parish Appraisal of 1998. She
reported that the results should be treated with caution as the survey had
probable not taken place at the best time of year i.e. July and the
response was skewed by a positive response from retired persons and did
not as a result reflect an entirely accurate view of the community.
Certain areas where the survey had been distributed were also not
represented in the replies. The 1998 Parish Appraisal had indicated a need
for Short Mat Bowling, Keep Fit and IT Classes. Pam Cantle stated these
had been set up at the request of the Parish Council and had been
successful. IT could be held again in the hall or elsewhere but there were
problems with e-mail instruction due to provision and cost of phone lines
wherever held. ND College had reported trying to solve this aspect but
nothing further had been heard. There was an indication of interest in
education courses run in the village and mention of the need for a tennis
court, football pitch and outdoor playing facilities. Indoors, badminton
was mentioned. The most positive agreement was for a children's
playground. A copy of the analysis was distributed to those present. (
Action: copies to those unable to attend A Marsden)
2. The response of organisations approached so far with regard to facility
at the school were reported: ND Hospice committee- only for exceptionally
large meetings and queried whether the kitchen would be made available;
NDYC could not identify any need for the facility; Flower Club met in the
full parish hall in the afternoons only and did not envisage any use;
Short Mat Bowling met in afternoon twice weekly and were happy with the
parish hall: Preschool did not anticipate access being possible every
weekday morning, storage requirement and could not meet extra costs; WI
was not interested on grounds of restrictions envisaged and costs;
Saturday Club and Youth Club not interested on grounds of costs and
village's access on foot to the parish hall and wished to remaining there
; Toddlers at present not active would be interested for parking but
access in daytime to hall and storage would be adverse factors; Twinning
meets in houses or books venues for social events such as YC or hotels;
Parish Council might use hall for a very big public meeting in the
evening. Replies still needed from NDCC, Keep Fit, Causeway, Ladies
Skittles and Table Tennis league, ? any others. ( Please identify who is
to action this) Seniors' lunches were mentioned, cooked by the school
kitchen as a possible facility.
2. A visit to be arranged to the Orchard Vale Commmunity School together
with the school governors as soon as possible. Action M Kidson and R Day
3. J Bodley Scott pointed out that there was a requirement to identify
indicators of community need from any sources the group could think of. It
was agreed that Mark Kidson should approach Colin Evans to establish what
information was available from data gathered by NDDC Planning as quoted by
him at the initial meeting and what had become available as a result of
the recent work carried out to prepare Community Plans. Members of the
group were asked to approach any person or group including such categories
as the elderly, disabled, young or single mothers. residential homes,
young persons, younger age groups i.e. 20's 30's 40's. families. It was
noted that consultation had to be in greater depth and coverage.
Action:everyone in the group who lives in Instow/Yelland.
4. The list of organisations has been updated in July by R Day. It was
noted there was a need to check carefully on Yelland/Fremington
organisations.
5. Keith Lewis DCC Education Department then outlined progress on choice
of site. Of 5 sites, 3 had been rejected and he explained why and in
particular detail was able to demonstrate why the option of developing the
present school site in conjunction with a lower playing field or as an
upper playing field to a new lower school was not feasible. An information
sheet on this was circulated, for copies contact K Lewis. He then outlined
what would be possible on a site behind the lay- by directly below the
present school or on a site beside Welch's Lane. This latter site being
the preferred site at the present time because it is much more level and
would provide space for a junior football pitch and netball/tennis court.
It was agreed that the pros and cons of all five sites would be clearly
displayed with plans or maps where appropriate at a public exhibition. He
was able to answer questions put by the group such as who owned the
present site (not DCC); that Highways DCC would insist on proper provision
for safe access and egress from the site, turning circle within the site
etc.; and that active work was being carried out prior to application for
planning permission and eventual purchase of the land. He stated the
minimum provisions, which would be made within and without a new JMI
school, and that any add on rooms would not be funded by DCC.
6. There was some discussion of the civil parish boundary being on the
wrong side of one site by a few yards yet the proposed site was within the
ecclesiastical parish. R Day and A Marsden pointed out there had been a
strong desire to site the school within Instow parish. I Chalke identified
half the children as coming from Yelland. E Orton and P Cantle expressed a
view that the children's needs and and best site rather than any name or
boundary, should be the prime consideration. R Day was concerned that
parish charity monies might not be able to be spent outside the parish
boundary. It was pointed out that parish boundaries are reviewed and can
be changed.
7. It was noted that an adult size pitch was deemed inappropriate for
children by DCC and would not be provided. A mini soccer pitch would be
provided, 30 by 35 metres. It was pointed out that access by children to
the outside facilities out of hours was desirable and noted this happens
at Orchard Vale.
8. The school would be single storey. There would be a hall big enough for
badminton etc. and a changing room for sports, a small library room and an
IT room, 5-6 classrooms. The pupils would be admitted in accordance with
DCC policy, that is a preference for children from the catchment area at
all times, a preference by parents living outside that area would not be
encouraged.
9. It was agreed that the group's task was to identify what were the
community needs and whether they would be met by what would be provided.
The feeling was that at this stage the school seemed likely to meet the
needs identified to date,
10. It was agreed that a real effort must be made to consult the community
now. An Open Day to be held at the end of November in the Hall and at the
School to publicise the site choices and to enable the public to comment.
P Cantle to action date and bookings. (Note School November 23rd PM from
2.30pm. and Hall Saturday 24th from 10.30 am until 5pm say).
11. J Bodley Scott and K Lewis stated there would be help with producing
the display materials from County. It had been mentioned earlier that the
children may like to contribute material.
12. It was agreed to meet on three Wednesday evenings in October; namely
the 3rd, 17th and 31st in the Parish Hall at 7.30pm to plan the event and
complete consultation initiatives. A meeting would be called ,probably on
the following Wednesday after the event, to assess the findings and any
further action required of the group. (Confirmation of the date to be
decided at the next meeting)
Notes By P Cantle 20/9/01 Approved by the Chairman
INSTOW PARISH COUNCIL
INSTOW SCHOOL & COMMUNITY FACILITIES
Notes of Meeting between Representatives of Community Organisations in
Instow, Devon County Council, North Devon District Council and Community
Action for Rural Devon
Held at Instow Parish Hall on Wednesday 27th June 2001 at 7.30 pm.
Present: -
Cllr Mrs R M E Day (Chairman Instow Parish Council), Cllr M H Kidson
(Instow Parish Council), Roger Jacob (Clerk to Instow Parish Council),
Lester Willmington (DCC), Colin Evans (NDDC), John Bodley-Scott (Community
Council of Devon), Cllr R Cann (DCC), Cllr Mrs L Brown (NDDC), Cllr R
Ellerton (Chairman Fremington Parish Council), Cllr P Mullen (Vice
Chairman Fremington Parish Council), Michael Clayson (Clerk to Fremington
Parish Council), Roy Staddon (Instow Parish Hall), Mrs Pat Staddon (Instow
& Yelland W.I)., Isobel Chalk (Deputy Head Instow Community Primary
School), Mrs Pam Cantle (Chairman Instow Parish Hall), Alan Slade (Instow
Table Tennis Club & Parish Hall Committee), Ethne Orton (Instow Short Mat
Bowling Club), Sylvia Edwards (Instow & Westleigh Church Fellowship), Rev
Roy Taylor (Instow & Westleigh Parish Churches), Amanda Speed (Instow Pre
School), David Lea and John Phillips (North Devon Cricket Club), Cheryl
Leworthy (Instow Methodist Church), Peter Yeo (Instow In Bloom), and
Margaret and Christopher Johns (Inter-Town Taxi).
Introduction: -
Cllr Mrs R M E Day outlined the reason/structure of the meeting and
introduced those persons who were to provide presentations in order to
later facilitate discussion namely, Lester Willmington (DCC), Colin Evans
(NDDC) and John Bodley-Scott (Community Support Worker for Community
Council of Devon). She explained that she had developed a database of all
organisations in Instow but that she appreciated it was not exhaustive.
She distributed a copy to each delegate and asked to be informed of any
amendments/additions. Representatives then introduced themselves.
Presentation by Lester Willmington (DCC): -
Lester Willmington addressed the following issues: - How did we get here?
Why ask us? People and Community Expectations, Community Planning,
Preparing Community Strategies, Planning for Real, and Community
Involvement such as what events might be planned, ensuring an
understanding of the process and of the outcomes.
Presentation by John Bodley -Scott (Community Council for Devon): -
John Bodley-Scott spoke of his work as a Community Support worker and
explained the Community Development Process (what is needed by the
community?).
Presentation by Colin Evan (NDDC): -
Colin Evans provided a breakdown of local data concerning issues such as
deprivation, the elderly, health, employment, access to services, present
use of the Parish Hall and the current school. He also spoke of funding,
touching on some areas where funding might be available, and of Village
Plans as a direct result of the recent Rural White Paper.
General: -
A general discussion then ensued as a result of which it was decided to
form a steering group to take the process further on behalf of the
community of Instow. The following persons agreed to form that group: -
Cllr Mrs R M E Day, Cllr M H Kidson, Mrs Pam Cantle, Ethne Orton, Rev Roy
Taylor and Cheryl Leworthy.
It was resolved that a similar presentation to the meeting ought to be
given to the Instow Parent Teacher's Association (Fremington and Westleigh
Parishes to do likewise?) and that this should take place as soon as
possible. It was also resolved that a further Community Organisations'
event needed to be arranged within the next 6 months. It was noted that
currently a sum of money had been set aside by Devon County Council for a
new School with Facilities at Instow but that this only applied to the
current financial year which ended as of 5th April 2002. It was agreed,
therefore, that the steering group needed to work with some urgency if
this current opportunity was to be availed of.
Finally, it was resolved that the steering group needed to concentrate on
coming up with answers to three questions namely, "Where do we think we
are at the moment?" "Who else needs to be involved?" and "Where do we go
from here?"
There being no other business the meeting closed at 9.30 pm.
COMMUNITY STEERING GROUP
INSTOW - YELLAND - WESTLEIGH
Notes of the meeting held at Instow Parish Hall on Monday, 23rd. July
2001.
Present: John Bodley-Scott (Devon Community Council), Lester Willmington (DCC),
Mark Kidson (Instow Parish Council), Rose Day (Instow Parish
Council/Instow School Governors), Ethne Orton (Short Mat Bowls), Cheryl
Leworthy (Instow Methodist Church), Revd. Roy Taylor (Instow and Westleigh
Parish Churches), Alison Marsden (Instow School PTFA), Isobel Chalk
(Deputy Headteacher of Instow School/Governor), Joanne Bell (Residents'
Association), Veronica Meardon.
Apologies: Pam Cantle (Instow Parish Hall), Peter Mullen (Fremington
Parish Council), Karen Wright (Instow School Governor/Parent)
It was reported that a meeting had taken place at Instow School on Monday,
19th. July and representatives from the school and PTFA were welcomed to
the Steering Group. John Bodley-Scott had circulated the agenda, and led
the disussion:
1. What do we know already?
A general discussion ensued regarding the:
1998 Instow Parish Appraisal
1999 Instow School and Community Facilities Appraisal
1999 Meeting between NDDC and Instow School Parents
A. Marsden and R. Day undertook to circulate information to Steering Group
members on the 1998 Instow Parish and the 1999 School/Comm.Fac.
Appraisals, respectively. A. Marsden offered to do an analysis of the
data.
2. What needs to be assessed?
A survey was made of the current community facilities:
(a) Instow Parish Hall - no car-parking, cramped, limited sporting
facilities, no adult
education. Well used.
(b) Westleigh Village Hall - smaller than Instow. Under-used.
© Instow Church Room - very small
(d) Methodist Church Room
(e) North Devon Yacht Club - private club
(f) North Devon Cricket Club - private club - closed in Winter
(g) Possible playing field at Yelland Power Station site
Analysis will be needed of which activities take place at which venue in
order to identify any gaps in provision.
3. What sites are under consideration?
Mr Willmington explained the options:
Layby site - only site of original three sites now being considered
Seaward site - now discounted on planning grounds
May's Field site - now discounted due to overhead high-voltage cables
Site adjoining Welch's Lane - now being looked at, but even this is not
within the development boundary and would be in Yelland.
On being asked why it was not possible to put the new school on the
existing site, with the playing field further down the hill, Mr.
Willmington said he would relay this suggestion to the LEA.
It was pointed out that, in 1998, parents had strongly expressed the wish
for the school to be sited in Instow.
4. What exactly is being offered?
Mr. Willmington outlined how this was the opportunity for the community to
say what it wants, which will impact upon the choice of site. The new
school could be multifunctional for all age groups: School - 9 a.m. to
3.30 p.m.; Community 3.30 p.m. onwards during term-time, and during
weekends and holidays. The Community must say how it wishes the facilities
to be used. There was discussion over the potential for conflict between
the security of the school and daytime community use, and whether the hall
would be a shared or separate facility. Strategies would have to be
devised to overcome demarcation conflicts. There was also discussion over
who would run the community aspect of facilities at the school. It was
suggested that a visit to Orchard Vale School at Whiddon Valley should be
organised to see a community school in operation.
5. What needs to be done?
It was agreed:
(a) the appraisal data should be analysed
(b) a survey should be carried out of the current facilities, and what
gaps need to be filled.
© a trip to Orchard Vale would be organised to research the options
(d) the public would be kept informed on what is happening
(e) efforts would be made to get other groups involved
(f) an on-going record of pros and cons would be compiled
(g) a community planning event will be organised - provisional date: end
of November.
6. How is the Steering Group going to work?
Mark Kidson was unanimously elected as Chairman of the Steering Group
Each member of the Steering Group is to contact three other organisations
on the Community Organisation database to find out:
(a) what facilities they use now, and
(b) what facilities they would hope to use in the future
The present database is for Instow, and needs to be updated to include
Yelland and Westleigh.
Date of next meeting:
Thursday, 30th. August 2001 at 7.30 p.m.
The venue was to be confirmed.
COMMUNITY FACILITIES STEERING GROUP
Instow Parish Council:
Mark Kidson - (Chairman)
also: Roger Jacob [Instow Parish Clerk] -
2, Sticklepath Court, Lake, near Barnstaple. EX31 3HN
Telephone: (01271) 372408
e-mail: kernow@rwjacob.free-online.co.uk
Instow Parish Hall Committee:
Pam Cantle - Two Rivers, Anstey Way, Instow. EX 39
Telephone: (01271) 861165
e-mail: pc@instow.net
Instow Parish Council/Instow School Governors:
Rose Day - The Crow's Nest, Marine Parade, Instow. EX39 4JN
Telephone: (01271) 860686
e-mail: geoff.rose.day@ukgateway.net
Short Mat Bowls:
Ethne Orton - Windrush, Worlington Hill, Instow. EX39 4LW
Telephone: (01271) 860680
e-mail: eorton@connectfree.co.uk
Instow Methodist Church:
Cheryl Leworthy - The White House, Lane End, Instow. EX39 4LB
Telephone: (01271) 861407
Instow/Westleigh Parish Church:
Rev. Roy Taylor - The Rectory, Quay Lane, Instow. EX39 4JR
Telephone: (01271) 860346
e-mail: roytaylor@eurobell.co.uk
Fremington Parish Council:
Peter Mullen 6 - Allenstyle Gardens, Yelland, Fremington. EX31 3EA
Telephone: (01271) 860214
Also: M. Clayson - Fremington Parish Clerk
Council Offices, 12, Higher Road, Fremington. EX31 BG
Telephone: (01271) 321063
e-mail: fremington_parish_council@northdevon.gov.uk
Instow School PTFA:
Alison Marsden - Bridge View, Instow. EX39
Telephone: (01271) 860302
e-mail: mrsamarsden@bridge-view.freeserve.co.uk
Instow School Parent/Governor:
Karen Wright - 143, Yelland Road, Yelland. EX31 3EE
Telephone: (01271) 861428
Instow School:
Isobel Chalk - Instow School, Instow. EX39 4LU
Telephone: (01271) 860545
e-mail: isobel-chalk@instow-cps-devon.sch.uk
Parent:
Sarah Felgate - ?? 2, Cleave Cottages, Instow Town ??
Telephone:
Residents' Association:
Joanne Bell - The Conifers, 38 West Yelland. EX31 3HF
Telephone: (01271) 860989
e-mail: c/o Veronica Meardon
meardon@csma-netlink.co.uk
and:
Veronica Meardon - Foxgloves, 40 West Yelland. EX31 3HF
Telephone: (01271) 860625
e-mail: meardon@csma-netlink.co.uk