Barrow Island Community Plan - FINAL - Local Trustlocaltrust.org.uk/assets/downloads/plans/Barrow Island Community... · Version Control: 2 Dec 2012 5 Executive Summary This Big Local

Version Control: 2 Dec 2012

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Barrow Island Community Trust

(BICT) Big Local Profile & Community Plan


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Contents Foreword by the Chairman 4

Executive Summary 5

Introduction 6

About Big Local Trust 6

About the Steering Group 6

About Barrow Island 7

Housing 8

Ownership 8

Housing Type 9

Vacancy Rates 9

Typical Back Street on the Island 9

Environment 10

Employment 10

Deprivation 11

Health 11

Access to Services 11

Education 12

Key Issues and Opportunities 12

Waterfront Development 12

Sports Facilities 12

The Rec 13

Stanley Road Play Area 13

Egerton Court Play Area 13

Visioning 14

Barrow Island Community Drop in Centre 14

Data Collection Activities. 14

Data Tables from Drop in 15

Consultation results. 17

A Vision for Barrow Island 18

Looking to the future 18

Our Aspirations for Barrow Island 18

Community Plan for Barrow Island 2012 – 2016 19

Focus Tables 20


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4 Year Focus 24

Our Priorities 25

The Recreation Park. 26

Community Chest 26

The Cavendish Park and Community Building 26

Changing Room/Community building 26

Funding Support 27

Our Priorities - Year One 27

Action Planning - Year 1 27

Our Priorities - Year Two 27


Our Priorities - Year Three 28


Our Priorities - Year Four 28


Costing’s for the 4 Year Focus. 29

Partners 30

Sources of Information 30


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Foreword by the Chairman

The Barrow Island Community Trust Steering Group is privileged to have the opportunity to be involved in the decision making process for the Big Local Lottery grant awarded to the area. Our aim is to spend the grant as directed by the community in order to enhance the lives of the people of Barrow Island; we are committed especially to reach those that are not involved in the current activities in the area because of the lack of a social focus point.

Our Community Chest process will allow the setting up of small projects on the Island and enhance the community groups in the local area in order to build up the profile of the groups and in return the Island itself. The Steering Group are committed to building a lasting and sustainable legacy through the award of the Big Lottery Grant and thinking beyond the ten years of the programme. We remain accountable to the wider community of Barrow Island for the delivery of the plan which reflects the desires of the people identified in our vision documents and data collection exercises undertaken within the community we represent. The community of Barrow Island has been promised several large multi-million pound developments including the Barrow Dock Waterfront and improvements to roads and infrastructure over the recent past; it is into this environment that the Big Lottery grant has come. One of the biggest challenges the Steering Group must overcome to meet the objectives set by the people of the Island will be the apathy of a community ignored and let down so often. The Steering Group are determined to meet these challenges and develop the Island to be a better place to live and grow with a sustainable future.

Dave Armistead, Chairman Barrow Island Community Trust Steering Group


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Executive Summary

This Big Local Profile and Community Plan is a vital document which will assist the Barrow Island Community Trust Steering Group (BICTSG) in achieving its vision to develop a developing, pleasant, healthy and safe environment for the residents of the Island. Implementing the strategy will demonstrate that the Barrow Island Community Trust (BICT) is committed to addressing the wishes expressed through consultation with the residents of the Island and community groups and that the needs and wellbeing of our community are fully considered. The overarching aim of the strategy is to ensure that all the people of Barrow Island, both the Ferry Road Triangle and larger Island road area, have access to a range of quality social, play and recreational facilities within practical walking distance from their homes. In creating the facilities for the Island, as directed through our consultation exercises, we will develop a place that is more attractive to live, work and enjoy recreational time. It is therefore of utmost importance for the economic, social and environmental wellbeing of the residents and partners for the future of the Island community. The Steering Group are proud to represent the community we all live in in this venture and are committed to the future of Barrow Island its people and environment. It is recognised that there are two distinct areas of the Island split by the BAE Submarines site with unique challenges to be met in each. By working with community groups and individuals in each of the two sections the Steering Group are determined to reach an optimum solution for the whole of the Island


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Introduction

About Big Local Trust The Barrow Island Community Trust (BICT) was established as part of the ‘Big Local’ Programme, set up by the Big Lottery Fund (BIG). BIG has awarded up to £1 million funding to Barrow Island, which has to be spent over the next ten years. Barrow Island is one of the first round of 50 pilot areas to receive this award and is currently one of only two such schemes in Cumbria. The national programme is managed by the Community Development Foundation (CDF) on behalf of BIG and they will continue to roll out this programme out nationally over the coming months. Barrow Island Community Trust is at present a non-constituted body, which is funded through a ‘Getting People Involved’ Development Grant from CDF. This funding has been set aside specifically to aid the development of the trust and engage local people to be part of it. The project is coordinated locally through Barrow and District Council for Voluntary Service (CVS), which is based in Hartington Street Barrow and which provides funding support, advice and guidance to voluntary and community groups and organisations working in Barrow and the surrounding areas. The Big Local Trust Project is programmed to last for ten years following award. At the end of this period, we expect that the £1 million funding awarded by the Big Lottery Fund will have made a significant difference to the lives of people living in on Barrow Island.

About the Steering Group The participation of local residents living in the Barrow Island area is an essential part of BLT’s work. During 2011, a promotional campaign attracted local people to sign up to being involved as a member of the Steering Group. All Steering Group Members live on Barrow Island and represent the varied age group and professions from the local community. The Steering Group are the local decision making body for the BLT and are currently progressing through an intensive training and development programme through workshops and meetings, which will help to support this role. The steering group worked with various partners and groups to develop community visions and plans that meet the needs of the people of Barrow Island as identified in consultation exercises, data gathering functions and workshops. Further information on the membership of the Steering Group events, background information and resources, can be found on the BLT website, www.Barrowislandcommunity.com and on:-

Follow us on twitter: twitter.com/BICT1

Follow us on facebook: www.facebook.com/BICT


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About Barrow Island Barrow Island forms part of the Borough of Barrow-In-Furness in the County of Cumbria. Barrow Island is located to the south of Barrow Town Centre and looks out over Morecambe Bay to the south. Barrow Island is one of the Islands off the West Cumbria coast (along with Walney, Sheep, Roa, Piel and Foulney Islands) and benefits from its direct road link to the nearby town centre and through to Walney. It has a population of 2,5041 and had a loss of population of 4.4% between the 2008 and 2010 census making it the 9th most populated island in England. The island is home to one of the largest shipyards in the UK - Barrow Shipyard, now owned by BAE Systems, one of the biggest employers in Barrow. The shipyard physically dominates the island, effectively splitting the residential areas into two communities – the Ferry Road Triangle and the main residential area around Island Road. The map below clearly indicates this division with the light brown area illustrating the shipyard buildings

Barrow Island contains one primary school (179 pupils) which is currently undergoing renovation and a nursery, 2 pubs, half a dozen shops, 1 church and 2 working men’s clubs. There is a limited library service which will shortly be lost due to council cut backs and may relocate to the local school once the school is refurbished. There are two take-aways and a chemist which offers alternative remedies. Barrow Island has good bus links to the town centre and Walney and two large supermarkets are within walking distance of the Island this has resulted in local shops (butchers and bakers) closing through lack of trade. There is no

local doctors surgery but the Atkinson Health Centre is on the local bus route into the town centre and easily accessible from the Island. For many years the Island had a Community Centre in an old church hall. This had a basement which regularly flooded and was in need of major renovation or replacement. The Centre closed in 2007 as NRF funding was withdrawn and the church sold the building to a private investor who turned the building into flats for sale. There is a small recently refurbished community room in Dundalk St. This is suitable for small meetings but has restrictions on use for young people as it is in the middle of a residential street. There is also a recently closed ‘arts centre’. This was previously the shipyard canteen. The primary school and Nursery (which is also a Children’s Centre) hold various family events. The nursery is a private venture open to the whole of Barrow with a minority of Barrow Island children having places, there is no priority given to local children There are a number of community groups operating in the ward but little in the way of co-ordinated activity, a major failing is the lack of a suitable venue to hold large meetings.

1 2010 Census Cumbria Observatory.org.uk


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Housing The area includes 800 privately owned tenement flats. The majority of properties are terraced housing stock which were built in the late 19th century and have no garden space, there is a small

amount of semi-detached properties with small gardens, however there has been little or no new build on the island for over 60 years. The tenement flats have recently been awarded a government grant to upgrade them to attract new tenants as hundreds have remained empty for long periods. The flats are owned by three private landlords and split across separate areas on the Island. The mean house price for the Island is recorded as £65,359 in relation to the mean income of £18,492 giving an affordable ratio of 2.7 as against an average of 5.9. Prices on the Island

are lower than that of the town as a whole, the town prices are 33% lower than those in Cumbria, 29% lower than those in the region and 49% lower than those nationally. As can be seen from the following 1908 photograph and the one on the previous page very little has changed in the 104 years between photographs apart from modern cars taking the place of the hand cart.

Ownership There is a lower rate of home ownership within Barrow Island than elsewhere in Barrow and a significantly higher proportion of private rented accommodation.2

Barrow Island (%) Barrow-in-Furness (%)

2 Housing Stock by Tenure 2001 census


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Owner Occupied 59 76.2

Local Authority Rented 4.6 10.1

Private Rented 30 8.4

Housing Association Rented 4.9 2.1

Other Rented 0.3 2.9

Shared Equity 0 0.2

Housing Type As with much of Barrow there is a high proportion of terraced housing within the area. However, reflecting the number of tenement buildings, there is also a much higher percentage of flats than elsewhere in the borough. Critically, there is a very low percentage of lower density housing choices within the area and virtually no modern housing.3

There is an extremely high proportion of properties within the lowest Council Tax band. This is a direct reflection of the predominance of smaller, high density homes4.

Vacancy Rates The vacancy rate on Barrow Island is the highest in the Borough with vacancy being a particular issue in the tenement flats. According to the Council Tax records 6.3% of homes in the Borough were vacant with the rate on Barrow Island being 20.6%

Typical Back Street on the Island The Island has suffered from lack of investment on the roads and streets for several years across different local councils and national governments and are currently at such a state as to make them dangerous for transit on foot. These streets require significant investment from the county council and despite several requests over the last few years remain badly maintained.

3 Housing Type 2001 census

4 Council Tax Band ONS 2003

Barrow Island (%) Barrow-in-Furness (%) North West (%)

Detached House 3.56 11.1 17.63

Semi-Detached House 10.94 28 36.55

Terrace 37.27 49.15 31.74

Flat, maisonette or apartment 46.77 8.58 10.23


Band A 93.55 60.17 43.79

Band B 1.53 16.72 18.06

Band C 1.59 13.3 17.19

Band D 1.96 6.45 9.63

Band E 1.1 2.43 5.66

Band F 0.25 0.69 2.77

Band G 0 0.21 1.9

Band H 0 0.03 0.19


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Environment Barrow Island has very little green space open to residents use as it is situated in an industrial area between shipyard buildings. Children are brought up playing in the back streets and can often be seen playing on the main roads. Part of the dock development was given over to the provision of children’s play area’s and as an environmental space. Now funding has been withdrawn for this project these facilities will not be forthcoming. As mentioned earlier the backstreets are becoming even more dangerous to play on due to their deteriorating condition. The large areas of underused, derelict and contaminated land, coupled with the general decline in the condition of the build fabric in the area, particularly in the residential area of the Island means that the Island currently presents a poor environment for all. This has contributed to population decline (-4.4% between census dates) and there has been limited opportunity to attract new business or investment.

Employment The tables below illustrate the economic activity of people in the area5 The figures highlight the high levels of long term sickness in the area which is noticeably higher than that of the town and nearly double the regional figure. Recent studies indicate the percentage of working age residents claiming Incapacity benefit shows that the Borough at 12.1% has the highest rate in Cumbria and well above the national average of 9.4%6. The area suffers from much higher unemployment than the Borough average. The rate of job seeker allowance claimants in the Barrow Island ward in March 2008 was 5.2% compared to the Borough figure of 2.4% and 1.7% for Cumbria.7

Barrow Island Barrow-in-Furness North West

Full Time Employment 34.45 35.55 38.77

Part Time Employment 14.61 14.1 11.87

Self Employed 4.23 5.18 7.1

Unemployed 6.84 4.23 3.63

Full Time Students 1.41 1.78 2.54

In terms of the mix of employment for those residents within the area it is clear from the table below that there are very few employed in the ‘higher value’ management and professional occupations and a preponderance of those working in a lower supervisory and routine occupation or skilled technical workers. The major employer for the Island remains the shipyard which has changed names over recent history and currently is owned by BAE Systems. The majority of the population work within 2km of their residency and a very high percentage (31%) of workers travel by foot.

5 Percentage of persons economically active (ONS 2001)

6 DWP via NOMIS Feb 2008

7 ONS via Nomis June 2008


Retired 14.61 15.44 14.28

Student 2.34 2.71 4.62

At home with Family 4.24 6.95 6.12

Long Term Sick 13.4 10.81 7.75

Other 4.35 3.25 3.32


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Deprivation The 2007 Indices of multiple deprivation (MDI) identifies Barrow Island as a super output area. Deprivation data is based on income, employment, health, education housing and access to services.

Health The table below illustrates the perceptions of the areas population of their general health (as a percentage from the 2001 census). It shows that the residents of the area believe their general health levels to be poorer than the rest of Barrow which in turn is poorer than the than the wider North West Regions perceptions8.

Access to Services Car ownership in the area is particularly low when compared to the Borough and wider region. This reflects the location of the Island with regards to ease of walking access and distances requiring covering coupled with the availability of public transport.9


Households with no car 49.63 33.49 30.21

Households with 1 car 40.09 49.05 43.54

Households with 2 cars 10.26 17.44 26.25

8 Health perceptions (ONS Census 2001)

9 Vehicle ownership (ONS Census 2001)


Higher Managerial and professional occupations 3.62 8.63 10.66

Lower Managerial and professional occupations 11.37 22.3 24.83

Intermediate occupations 5.26 11.49 13.4

Small employers and own account workers 5.62 7.66 9.14

Lower supervisory and technical occupations 13.9 14.04 10.43

Semi-routine occupations 12.59 18.35 15.82

Routine occupations 18.1 14.59 12.07

Barrow Island Barrow-in-Furness North West National

Overall IMD Score 48.94 30.92 21.06 21.54


Good Health 61.02 63.12 66.89

Fairly good health 23.44 23.63 22.16

Poor health 15.53 13.25 10.95


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Education The following table illustrates the level of qualifications of the residents of the area as a percentage.10

Key Issues and Opportunities

• The identified economic and environmental issues are reflected in the areas declining population.

• There is a lack of housing choice and the existing stock is facing high vacancy levels and physical deterioration.

• There is a fundamental need to widen the economic opportunities to the benefit of the Island and area as a whole.

• There are significant limitations in the current ability of the area to provide the kind of recreational and leisure opportunities that a sustainable resident community will require.

• Enhanced leisure facilities, open spaces and improved housing could help address the health issues for new and existing residents.

Waterfront Development In recent years there has also been the start of the Waterfront development. The first part of the Waterfront development has been mainly infrastructure for industry. Unfortunately this development has been halted before the proposed community investment or infrastructure took place. Promised road improvements and community spaces in the local area were the first casualty of the loss of funding and is indicative of the underlying suspicion by local residents and community groups to Cumbria County Council and local Borough Council initiatives

Sports Facilities Cavendish Park is situated on the north end of the Island and is home to the very successful Barrow Island Bowling club, it also houses three football pitches. The area is owned by the Borough Council and is sublet to the Playing Field Association who manage the pitches as part of a package across several other council owned sports fields across the borough. Cavendish Park was once the home of the local rugby league club, Marsh Hornets, but they were removed off the park in favour of providing another football pitch for hire. Subsequently local Barrow Island players now have to play off the Island to continue playing rugby. Barrow Island football teams also have no priority for the pitches and have been refused permission to play in favour of teams from the town. Barrow Island FC have been refused promotion to higher leagues on several occasions as they do not have their own pitch effectively this means players wanting to progress to a higher standard must leave their local team.

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Qualifications (ONS Census 2001)


No qualifications 36.32 32.82 31.89

Level 1 qualifications - 1 'O' level/GCSE 20.29 19.4 16.71

Level 2 qualifications - 5 'O'

level/GCSE/'A' levels20.18 20.3 19.43

Level 3 qualifications - 2 'A' levels 5.93 6.56 7.75

Level 4 qualifications -

Degree/HND/qualified specialist8.85 12.98 17.17


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The Rec The rec is situated in the centre of the Island and used to contain children’s roundabouts, slides and swings. It is now restricted to a climbing frame, children’s play area and a small kick around/basketball court. The facilities have not been replaced as they have become unmaintainable leaving behind their concrete bases which are a danger to those children using the Rec. This is a much under used area, due to its location surrounded by housing it would be difficult to develop the area into anything containing facilities for the youth to use.

Stanley Road Play Area A small area has been made available on Stanley Road primarily for the use of children in the Ferry Road area of the Island. It is aimed at small children; there is a concrete kick about area adjacent to it.

Egerton Court Play Area A small area has been set aside in between the flats in Egerton Court this area is primarily for the use of children of the flats and contains minimum facilities. Because of the reputation of Egerton Court flats parents are very reluctant to allow their children to use this play area.


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Visioning

Barrow Island Community Drop in Centre A disused office space on the corner of Island and Anchor Roads was rented for an initial three months duration to act as a focal point in the data collection and community GPI activity. This office quickly developed into an office for various agencies such as a drop in for the local community police, Shelter consultations, Local Councillor Workshops and Office for the CVS Community Worker. Over 260 residents of all ages have given their views in the centre, the preschool children utilising the wishing well and picture wall to give their requirements and wishes. Children’s consultation exercises were held through the local schools to capture their views. These figures are not included in the data tables below but mirrored the results and visions.

Data Collection Activities. The Steering group have organised various activities for the local community to enjoy, these included free fun nights at the St Patricks club, drop in crèches at the local nursery, a Gala day at the Rec in conjunction with the council provided sports co-ordinator. These reports are separate but reflect the findings below. The steering group intend to continue to provide activities aimed at bringing the community together in the future. .


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Data Tables from Drop in

under 16 17 to 19 20s 30s 40s 50s o.a.ps no age given total

The community 5 7 7 23 13 11 11 0 77

people 8 5 5 14 13 7 17 1 70

local shops/location to town 6 3 0 0 6 0 0 0 15

local pubs 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2

nothing 4 1 3 4 2 0 2 0 16

bowling green/allotments 0 0 0 1 1 3 4 0 9

boat club/location/safe place 9 4 4 3 3 5 6 0 34

total 33 20 19 45 39 26 40 1 223

what do you like about barrow island

dog muck 12 4 5 19 21 10 20 10 101

rubbish 4 1 5 1 8 7 7 7 40

drugs 1 0 3 4 3 1 1 5 18

Other/Flats/Roads etc 2 6 11 11 3 0 9 2 44

lack of facilities 19 7 5 1 6 1 7 5 51

state of back streets 3 2 4 9 3 2 5 2 30

parking 0 0 2 2 3 0 1 2 10

total 29 16 30 28 26 11 30 23 294

what do you dislike about barrow island

community centre 5 6 13 11 10 8 13 10 76

sports facilities 7 13 11 11 8 8 10 4 72

play area for kids in / out 18 9 11 8 5 4 12 7 74

clean up the litter 0 0 0 2 1 0 1 0 4

youth club 1 1 1 1 0 1 1 1 7

land scaped area for dogs 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2

more flat occupency 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1

gardens / allotments 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 2

skate park 4 1 2 2 2 0 0 0 11

more bins for dog poo 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

other 2 3 2 3 3 0 0 0 13

get rid of druggies 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1

doctors surgery 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1

total 37 33 40 38 30 22 43 22 265

what would make barrow island a better place to live

people to pick up dog poo 7 4 3 6 5 5 7 5 42

rubbish 4 3 4 6 4 4 6 4 35

the state of pavements 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 2 6

state of back streets 0 0 0 2 1 2 1 2 8

Bae parking on grass verges 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 3

other/speed limit/CCTV 0 0 0 0 0 2 1 2 5

need more dog bins 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 2

lack of street cleaning 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

druggies 4 1 0 1 3 1 0 0 10

total 8 4 4 10 9 10 9 16 112

have a rant board


play area (kids) 6 1 1 4 0 2 1 4 19

flats for o.a.p's 0 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 4

sports facilities & Park 5 3 6 8 2 1 7 8 40

allotments 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 2 4

the shops 2 0 1 1 0 1 1 1 7

library 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

dock development/Marina 1 0 1 1 2 0 5 4 14

youth club 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 2

Clean the streets/alley gates 0 0 0 3 0 2 1 1 7

Health Services/Doctor 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 2

Education/training 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 3

total 14 4 11 19 6 10 18 21 156

Area' I would invest in


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From the question “what would make Barrow Island a better place to live” and as a recurring theme throughout the other categories it was clear that there were three strong candidates that the steering group should be concentrating on; namely Play area’s for kids both indoor and outdoor, the provision of a community centre and sports facilities. The main complaint across the board and one that is not unique to this community is the nuisance of dog dirt and rubbish on the Island. The steering group have become active in resolving this problem by working with outside agencies such as the local council and North West Evening Mail big clean initiative and provision and issue of dog poo bags from the drop in office.

the flats 13 2 3 5 4 2 7 24 60

allotments 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1


bowling green 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

car parks 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

housing 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1

skate board park 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1

pie in sky idea's/others 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 3

total 15 3 3 5 5 2 7 29 69

area's I would NOT invest in

0.26 0.265 0.27 0.275 0.28 0.285 0.29

community centre

sports facilities

play area for kids in / out


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Consultation results. From the consultation exercises and events undertaken it is clear residents want the community to be:

• A more cohesive community, breaking down the barriers and promoting a positive image for Barrow Island.

• A place where the aspirations of young people are high and where investing in potential to develop new skills and create new opportunities will provide a platform to showcase their capabilities

• A place where older people, people with disabilities and vulnerable people are considered and valued, where the barriers of social isolation do not exist

• A place where younger and older generations can live side by side with mutual respect, appreciating the value that both can bring to a community

• A place where community facilities are well used, providing a range of activities for all ages, faiths and cultures

• A place which encourages people to be involved, participate and take ownership, forging a strong community spirit and a sense of pride in our surroundings

• A place where people live happy, healthy lives

Following the initial consultation event, until August 2012 and information gathered in the Barrow Island Community Drop In Centre (BICDIC) this Barrow Island Community Plan has been drafted, When the community plan has been finalised, it will be used by the Steering Group as the basis for their decision making in relation to any awards for funding as part of the Big Local Trust Project. Sustainability and legacy are our watchwords – these will underpin our thinking for the duration of the programme, to enable us to bring about long and lasting change to the Barrow Island community. It is intended that this plan will be refreshed on a three year rolling basis and not cover the whole ten year period of the project. In effect, the plan will be reviewed annually to ensure that the priorities continue to reflect the needs of the area. It will also enable us to see what has been accomplished in terms of meeting early priorities.


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A Vision for Barrow Island

Barrow Island will be a place where people want to live both now and in the future. A thriving community with good well managed facilities and services that meet the needs of the residents of all ages and stages of life.

Looking to the future

To develop a vision for Barrow Island and prepare this Local Community Plan we have engaged with individuals and local groups covering a wide range of ages, interests and experiences, as well as the organisations and businesses that provide services to the community, to discover what they thought was important for the future of the Island. Throughout this process a number of key themes kept recurring which together summarise the communities priorities for the Island. � Sustainable Communities - which are well connected, thriving places where people

want to live now and in the future. � Attractive and well resourced neighbourhoods – which are well maintained and meet

the needs of the local community at all ages and stages of life. � Safe communities – where people feel safe and confident living, working, visiting and

moving around.

Our Aspirations for Barrow Island At various consultation events held, local residents, set out their aspirations for how they want Barrow Island to be like as a place to live and work at the end of this ten year project. These aspirations will act as the basis to achieving positive lasting change for Barrow Island and the people living in it.


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Community Plan for Barrow Island 2012 – 2016

This community plan is about developing a shared vision for the future of Barrow Island and identifying what needs to be done locally to realise this vision. The plan will help guide activities by;- � Focussing attention on agreed priorities and outcomes as identified by the local

community. � Bringing existing groups together to form new partnerships with the intention of

taking forward the issues identified by the community. � Influencing the delivery of public services that impact on the local community. � Providing a structure through which progress and achievement can be measured,

recorded and reported.

� How will the plan be delivered?

The Plan will be delivered by the Steering Group and the objectives for each year measured by partners and community feedback. Feedback will be taken through regular sessions within the Community gathering information on progress, the feedback may indicate a change in priorities as the plan is executed to meet future funding opportunities. As stated earlier the plan will be reviewed at regular periods to ensure the Steering Group are meeting the requirements of the community.

� How will you know what has been achieved?

The community have decided the priority projects they would like to see delivered on the Island, each project will have its own sub group consisting of partners and steering group members to manage it through from conception to handover to the community.

� How will the wider community be involved?

Sports groups will be brought under one umbrella called the Barrow Island Sports Association whilst retaining their individual identity it is recognised that they can go forward stronger with a combined approach. Basing the BISA at the Cavendish Park will provide a central focus point. We will consider changing the name of the Cav Pk to the Community Fields or similar to retain the ideas of this initiative on the Island.

� How will it tackle some of the deprivation issues in the area?

The deprivation of Barrow Island has been going on for years, probably since the years following the fall of communism and cessation of the cold war and its associated loss of defence jobs (down from 14,000 to 5,000) in the shipyard. The Big Lottery Grant should improve the area and give a focus for the community to move forward.


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Focus Tables

Our Focus: Barrow Island Environment Objective 1: Cleaner, Safer, More Attractive Place to live

Current Situation:

Actions: Vision: Year

Dog Fouling problems

• Further work with PCSO’s and Management team.

• Increase dog poo bins.

• Possible dog walking area.

• Reduction in dog fouling on pavements and parks

• Responsible dog owners

• Increase in poo bins and emptying regime.

• Cleaner place to live

1 - 4

State of Pavements and streets

• Negotiate a programme of repairs and improvements with council..

• Safe and pleasant streets for the use of the community

1 - 4

Parking on grassed areas

• To work with PCSO’s/BAE Systems to resolve parking issues adjacent to the shipyard..

• No parking on grassed areas, identify problem areas with BAE

1

Speeding issues

• To work with the local council and police to reduce the speed limit on the Island as requested from the consultation comments

• To reduce the speed limit on roads adjacent to the school to 20mph.

1

Litter, Fly Tipping.

• Further work with PCSO’s.

• Increased community awareness of responsibility and consequences of actions.

• Periodic litter pick initiatives.

• Investigate the possibility of community bins.

• Reintroduce recycling facilities/communal areas

• Reduction in litter on Island

• Better recycling facilities

• Less environmental impact

1 - 4

Safety and crime rate low, increased concern over drug use.

• To work with the local council and police to improve. the current crime rate

• To reduce the crime rate and provide a safe happy place to live

1 - 4


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Our Focus: Community amenities, facilities and services

Objective 2: To establish sustainable communal facilities that are well used. Current

Situation: Actions: Vision: Year

Lack of community facilities.

• Investigate provision of community facilities as identified in the consultation process.

• Undertake feasibility study into the possibility of combining sport and community centre on one site so centralising the effort into one sustainable location.

• Support existing community groups and encourage new groups

• Update the equipment in the Rec and landscape the area

• Provision of required community facilities

• Enhanced leisure facilities, open spaces to help address the health issues identified in profile.

• One facility providing sports, recreation and wellbeing for the good of the community

• Community groups go from strength to strength

1 - 4

Local shops shutting down

• Encourage a “Buy Local” initiative

• Local shops staying open 2

Our Focus: A place where older people, people with disabilities and vulnerable people are considered and valued, where the barriers of social isolation do not exist.

Objective 3: To provide the necessary support to older people to tackle social isolation, maintaining physical and mental health.

Current Situation:


Possible social isolation for those older /vulnerable people on the Island.

• Liaise with local authority to support projects which focus on reducing the risks and causes of social isolation for those older /vulnerable people.

• Investigate possibility with health authority of providing clinic for the Island.

• Include the provision of dedicated services for the old/vulnerable on the Island.

• Investigate education programme to support drug, alcohol and other addictions.

• Improved social links for individuals, happier people.

• Clinic/drop in office located in the proposed Community Centre.

• Kitchen in Community Centre to provide subsidised meals on a weekly basis.

• Education classes for all addictions as identified by local authority

2-4


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Our Focus: A place where younger people, people with small children/toddlers are considered and valued, where the barriers of social isolation do not exist.

Objective 4: To provide the necessary support to younger people/families to tackle social isolation, maintaining physical and mental health.

Current Situation:


No dedicated indoor play facilities exist for young mothers and families. No support organisation for young families..

• Liaise with local authority to support projects which focus on reducing the risks and causes of social isolation for young mothers/parents and guardians

• Investigate possibility with health authority of providing clinic for the Island.

• Include the provision of dedicated services families on the Island.

• Incorporate provision of mother toddler groups into proposed community facilities to provide support

• Improved social links for families and networking, happier people.

• Clinic drop in office located in the proposed Community Centre for children’s services.

• Kitchen in Community Centre to provide affordable healthy meals on a weekly basis.

• To provide play areas and landscaping for the Rec

3-4

Our Focus: A place where younger and older generations can live side by side with mutual respect, appreciating the value that both can bring to a community.

Objective 5: To increase interaction between older and younger people living in the Barrow Island area.

Current Situation:


No focal point on the Island where all groups can get together and interact

• To support a range of inter-generational activities which bring older and younger people together.

• Enable people in the community to interact by creating mechanisms allowing increased participation in the decision process for Island life.

• Raised awareness of the needs of both generations, by both generations

• Mutual respect

• Improved community cohesion

• Reduced fear of young people and anti social behaviour

• Improved social links between generation

• Community Buildings used to their full potential, which are thriving

3-4 1-4


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Our Focus: A place where people live happy and healthy lives

Objective 6: To encourage healthy lifestyles through a variety of approaches to reduce the risks of ill health.

Current Situation:


From the ONS general health levels to be poorer than the rest of Barrow which in turn is poorer than the wider North West Regions

• To support activities which focus on improving health and fitness

• Increased use of community facilities

• Increase in the number of people taking up exercise

• Increase in the number of people eating healthier diets

2-4

• To provide educational resources to promote healthy lifestyles

• More people understanding the impact of behaviour on health

• More people taking steps to change unhealthy behaviours

1-4

• To support activities which focus on the promotion of a clean, green and pleasant environment

• Reduced litter and dog fouling

• Less incidents of fly tipping

• Increase in recycling

• Safer, cleaner environment

1-4

Local community planning is an on-going process and this plan is only a beginning. Consultation with the community will continue as we work through the actions in the plan; some things will be completed, new initiatives will be added and new priorities may emerge as more and more people have the chance to get involved and contribute to the process


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4 Year Focus

Our Focus: Barrow Island Environment

Objective 1: Cleaner, Safer, More Attractive Place to live

Action Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Dog Fouling problems Continuing work/

leaflets and

information

Continuing work/

leaflets and

information

Continuing

work/ leaflets

and information

Continuing work/

leaflets and

information

State of Pavements and streets Work with County

Council Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Parking on grassed areas PCSO Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Litter, Fly Tipping. Local Community

and Borough Council Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Concern over drug misuse. Education and

reporting Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Our Focus: Community amenities, facilities and services

Objective 2: To establish sustainable communal facilities that are well used.

Current Situation: Actions: Vision:


Lack of community facilities

Location Study Feasibility

Study/Funding

Develop plan Ongoing

Local shops shutting down Investigate

opportunities

Subsidize shopping

basket Ongoing Ongoing

Update facilities in Rec Provide

equipment/landscape Monitor Monitor Monitor

Our Focus: A place where older people, people with disabilities and vulnerable people are considered and

valued, where the barriers of social isolation do not exist.

Objective 3: To provide the necessary support to older people to tackle social isolation, maintaining physical and

mental health.


Social isolation problems Community events Ongoing Community Centre

opportunities to be

investigated

Ongoing


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Our Focus: A place where younger people, people with small children/toddlers are considered and valued, where

the barriers of social isolation do not exist.

Objective 4: To provide the necessary support to younger people/families to tackle social isolation, maintaining

physical and mental health.


No indoor play facilities.. Location Study Feasibility Study/Funding Develop plan Ongoing

Location decision Funding Build Ongoing

Our Focus: A place where younger and older generations can live side by side with mutual respect, appreciating

the value that both can bring to a community.

Objective 5: To increase interaction between older and younger people living in the Barrow Island area.


No focal point on the

Island

Location Study Feasibility Study/Funding Develop plan Ongoing

Our Focus: A place where people live happy and healthy lives

Objective 6: To encourage healthy lifestyles through a variety of approaches to reduce the risks of ill health.


Improve general health

levels

Provide

landscaping

and play

equipment

for the Rec

Monitor play

areas

Include health care clinic in

Community Centre plan

Carry out education

classes into healthy

lifestyles

Our Priorities Throughout the consultation exercises and data gathering functions undertaken by the Steering Group the response of the community has overwhelmingly been for three key areas, namely;

1. the provision of Play area’s for kids both indoor and outdoor,

2. the establishment of a community centre

3. Setting up of sports facilities.

Play is one of the ways children and young people learn how values, beliefs and traditions come to life through their actions and engagements with other people. This type of understanding cannot be taught, it is the difference between being able to quote a moral code and learning to live by one. The BICT will strive to ensure that play is properly represented on the Island and supports play opportunities wherever possible.


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The Recreation Park.

In order to provide impetus to the programme it is felt that the provision of a children’s play area in the “Rec” should be the priority in year one. Workshops have been held with the Borough Council representatives and several good ideas were put forward that will be incorporated in the design and implementation of provision of play areas. This would demonstrate to the community of Barrow Island that the Steering Group were putting into action the agreed priorities from the consultation exercises undertaken. Research and funding opportunities into key area’s two and three would be pursued during

this time and the Steering Group continue to follow the plan to bring these online by year five.

Community Chest At the Steering Group meeting of 29th November it was agreed that a community chest would be set up to support the groups on the Island with grants to an agreed maximum figure of £500. This will be reflected in the first year’s action planning budget.

The Cavendish Park and Community Building Currently the Cavendish park is used for football pitches only, 3 full scale pitches and a small size area for Barrow Island Junior Football Club are provided and managed on behalf of Barrow Council by the Playing Fields Association. There is no priority given to the sports teams on Barrow Island. Barrow Island Bowling Club have a green sited on the Cavendish Park which was funded by the Bowling Club membership and is very successful, integrating all age groups. Marsh Hornets Rugby League Club, which is made up from the Barrow Island community, had a pitch on the Cavendish Park until the Playing Fields Association deemed that they would be better served by turning it into another football pitch. Marsh Hornets, a Barrow Island team, are now forced to play their games away from the Island. The possibility of taking over the existing football pitches and developing the Cavendish Park area to meet the requirements and provision of various clubs on the Island should be investigated, and other separate funding avenues are pursued.

Changing Room/Community building A small brick built changing room building is used by all the groups using the Cavendish Park

facility. A small kitchen is situated within the changing room building but has not been used for several years, a boiler provides hot water for showers, the boiler will require replacing in the near future. The building footprint would provide the ideal site for a Community building on Cavendish Park which could be tailored to provide several facilities identified in the consultation process. An updated building providing kitchen and viewing areas, changing rooms and function

facilities including indoor play areas could replace the existing changing rooms on the Cavendish


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Park. This building could be run and managed by a “Barrow Island Sports Association” providing a base for current and future sporting events plus providing a community building.

Funding Support A budget of £25K has been agreed to support the retention of a Funding Specialist to cover management and administration costs and support the continued development of the resident members. It is our intention to seek and secure sources of external funding to reduce this overhead or match funding to support other areas of the plan.

Our Priorities - Year One The Steering Group will establish sub groups of partners with the associated experience to manage each priority area and develop the project from design to final handover to the community. For example the updates to the Rec will be undertaken with the local council parks committee and the Cavendish Park work will include the Playing Fields Association who currently manages the sports facilities. Our emphasis would be to incorporate the use of the proposed community buildings to sustain an income to keep the Cav Park running during the periods when there is no income from the sports fields’ ie extended bad weather or out of session periods. The Localism Act of 2011 introduces stationary powers to the Community and gives individual groups more of a say in the development of their local areas; we intend to work within the framework of the acts roadmap and involve the Local Borough Council in taking forward our Community Plan

1. Update the Rec with landscaping and replacement play facilities. 2. Undertake a feasibility study into the provision of sports facilities and community building in

the current footprint provided on Cavendish Park and identification of available match funding or separate funding opportunities with partners. .

3. Continue to work with our partners into resolving or reducing the dog fouling problem on the Island.

4. Work with the County Council to identify the priority area’s on the Island for remedial action regarding pavement and street repairs.

Action Planning - Year 1 Provision of Play Area - £200K Community Chest – £10K Community events - £2K Communications and operation - £5K Feasibility Study of Cav Park/Community Centre facilities update with funding opportunities £10K Hiring Funding Specialist to investigate and secure available funding - £25K

Our Priorities - Year Two The intention for year two is to develop the leisure facilities and Community Building planning as identified in year one feasibility study. The feasibility study will identify the users that require to be housed within the facility and how they will be supported. A pricing strategy will be developed that will balance the needs of the groups using the facilities with the need to sustain the Community buildings in a business case.


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It is recognised that local shops on Barrow Island are closing down as supermarkets adjacent to the Island take the trade away from specialist shops. The local bakery and butchers have closed down and the greengrocer is struggling to survive. It is our intention to endorse local shops through a promotion scheme which will support individual businesses and stimulate spending within the community.

Action Planning - Year 2 Barrow Island Shops Promotion Scheme - £1K Community events - £2K Hiring Funding Specialist to investigate and secure available funding - £25K Communications and operation - £5K

Our Priorities - Year Three By year three areas on the Island will have been identified allowing the group to start to build a Community Centre on the stipulated location taking into consideration the requirements identified by our consultation/feasibility study.

Our aim to generate healthy lifestyle targets with the assistance of the local Health Authority will be augmented by having a base to deliver health advice and clinics from. Sports facilities will be enhanced during this period aiming to generate funds from bodies such as Sporting England and The Rugby League by a separate working group containing representatives from the diverse group of sports on the Island. Develop sports facilities further to include minority sports such as Taekwondo, judo and introduce clubs already established on the Island identified in the original consultation exercise ie cubs, brownies and scouts

Action Planning - Year 3 Community Centre/Leisure - £590K Hiring Funding Specialist to investigate and secure available funding - £25K Communications and operation - £5K

Our Priorities - Year Four Fully open all Community Buildings/facilities and provide separate areas within them to house classes and workshops with an emphasis on bringing the community together in one focal point Continue to actively seek funding by utilising match funding as available.

Action Planning - Year 4 Support to the community facilities - £10K Hiring Funding Specialist to investigate and secure available funding - £25K Communications and operation - £5K.


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Costing’s for the 4 Year Focus.

The table below shows our proposed costing’s in £k for the first four years of the programme, the figures will be reviewed annually and adjusted to take into account funding opportunities and spending in the preceding 12 months.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4

Provision of Play Area 200 Barrow Island Shops Promo 1 Community Centre 590 Support 10

Community Chest 10

Community Events 2 Community Events 2

Communications and operation 5 Communications and operation 5 Communications and operation 5 Communications and operation 5

Feasibility Study 10

Hiring Funding Specialist 25 Hiring Funding Specialist 25 Hiring Funding Specialist 25 Hiring Funding Specialist 25

Total for year 252 33 620 40

Whats left 748 715 95 55


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Partners

Cumbria CVS Barrow Robin Battersby [email protected]

Barrow Island Primary School Janet Dixon [email protected]

Barrow Borough Councillor Alison Johnson [email protected]

Barrow Borough Council Steve Robson [email protected]

Cumbria Police Authority [email protected]

Action for Children Dave Morrison

Sources of Information

1. ONS Census 2001

2. Barrow Port Sustainability Plan 2007

3. Barrow Island residents consultations undertaken by the Steering Group

4. Cumbria Atlas - Area Profile web site

5. Cumbria County Council Instant Access Web site

6. Barrow in Furness Local Development Framework Action Plan.

7. Barrow Borough Council Sports Plan.

8. The Localism Act 2011

Documents

Barrow Island Community Plan - FINAL - Local Trustlocaltrust.org.uk/assets/downloads/plans/Barrow Island Community... · Version Control: 2 Dec 2012 5 Executive Summary This Big Local