Glen Parva

Parish Plan – 2014 and beyond - updated April 2017

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What is a Parish Plan? A Parish Plan is a strategic vision with specific objectives designed to improve the quality of life for both current and future generations of Glen Parva parish residents. The plan has been carefully constructed by analysing the feedback and suggestions from residents resulting in a programme that targets the main topic that is important to them. Each topic is sub-divided into specific recommendations and each has been assigned proposed actions and specific timescales. These will be managed by the Parish Council or by members of the Steering Group to hopefully successful outcomes. The Parish Plan’s content is decided and put into practice by local residents who want to make a difference to the community and ensure that Glen Parva is a happy, safe and inspiring place in which to live. The Plan is not a static thing and it will be revisited and modified in the light of future events and changing circumstances. Our Parish Plan In order to produce the Glen Parva Parish Plan, the Parish Council, with assistance from the Rural Community Council, compiled a questionnaire that focused on a number of different social and environmental topics that affect each and every resident. Each topic contained a further series of relevant issues and opportunities for residents to answer or contribute to with the objective of establishing their views on the quality of life in Glen Parva. The questionnaire was sent to all households in the parish and could be completed on paper or on-line. An abridged version concentrating on issues affecting young people was used at Glen Hills Primary School and South Wigston High School. The Questionnaire was sent to 3000 dwellings within the parish of which 277 households responded. The youth questionnaire had 54 responses. What forms our Plan? The Plan must have specific achievable objectives which are either within the powers of the Parish Council to deliver directly or are able to be influenced by it indirectly. In addition, the outcomes must benefit a substantial segment of the community. Inevitably there were many responses which were individual opinions or were outside the Parish Council’s powers but it was felt that as these formed a significant picture of residents’ likes, dislikes and aspirations they merited inclusion within the Plan.

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History of the Parish of Glen Parva Glen Parva is a civil parish in Leicestershire with a population today of over 5,000 people. It is bordered to the north by Aylestone and to the east by Eyres Monsell and South Wigston; to the south and west is open countryside. The Parish Council has its offices at the Memorial Hall on Dorothy Avenue. The Hall was built to commemorate residents of the Parish who fell in World War II.

The Grand Union Canal passes to the south of the village where it runs parallel with the River Sence before to the west of the village the canal turns north and runs parallel to the River Soar. The Sence is a tributary of the Soar which in turn is a tributary of the River Trent. “GLENN-PARVA, a township in Aylestone parish, Leicestershire; on the river Soar and the Union canal, 4 miles SSW of Leicester. Real property, £1,894. Pop., 119. Houses, 30.” (Imperial Gazetteer of England and Wales 1870-72) Glen Parva was originally included in the Aylestone Ecclesiastical Parish but under the Local Government Act of 1894 it became a civil parish within the rural District of Blaby. It is generally accepted that the original settlement of Glen Parva was situated near ‘The Ford’ on the River Sence, an area which is now known locally as ‘Glen Ford’. There is limited evidence of prehistoric activity in this area but excavations in 1962 on the site of a moated enclosure some 150m to the south-east of the area exposed a possible roundhouse, with a hearth, an oven and a cobbled surface associated with Late Bronze Age pottery. Romano-British activity is also represented in the study area by a small number of stray finds including pottery shards, late Roman coins and a fragment of flue tile.

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Anglo-Saxon activity is recorded at a single location approximately 750m north-west of the site, where a small number of burials were found from 1886 onwards in a gravel pit off Rye Hill Close. The known burials include one richly furnished male burial, one richly furnished female burial (see Glen Parva Lady below) and one unfurnished burial.

1886 OS map – Original site of the village

There is no reference to Glen Parva in the Domesday Book of 1086. There is abundant evidence for medieval settlement activity and small scale excavations in 1963 exposed collapsed mud walls associated with 13th to 14th century pottery, but no other evidence was recovered to refine the date of construction or its function. There are also numerous earthworks, medieval pottery and building material scatters recorded to the south and east of the site which have been interpreted as the remnants of the former medieval village of Glen Parva. Approximately 120m east of Glen Ford is the early post-medieval Glen Parva Manor.

The building is a timber framed structure of late 16th/early 17th century date with brick panel infill and a large rear wing erected in 1861. The building is still in use as a restaurant and pub.

The Industrial Revolution of the 18th century witnessed a massive and nationwide expansion of industrial activity and the necessary development of improved transportation networks, by road, water and eventually rail. One component

of this network, the Grand Union Canal, passes through Glen Parva.

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In 1793 an Act of Parliament approved the construction of the Leicestershire and Northampton Union Canal from the Soar Navigation to the River Nene near Northampton but by 1797 the funding had run out, by which time the canal had reached Debdale Wharf Bridge, near Foxton. The canal was not financially successful as it relied heavily on through trade heading for London, rather than local traffic. In 1894, it was purchased by the Grand Junction Canal, which was in turn purchased by the Regent’s Canal in 1927, to form a branch to the then ‘new’ Grand Union Canal network connecting London to Birmingham. This consolidation of the canal network stimulated trade once again on the canals until increased competition from road freight forced their closure in 1969. The place name ‘Glen Parva’ is of uncertain origin; the ‘Glen’ element is probably of Old English derivation, referring either to a river name or simply a valley. ‘Parva’ is of Latin origin meaning ‘small’ and refers to its inferior status to a neighbouring settlement, perhaps Blaby immediately to the south, or Great Glen further to the east. http://glenparva.leicestershireparishcouncils.org/moat-land-and-alisons-acre.html Well known residents The late Sue Townsend, who wrote the Adrian Mole books, grew up here and it is speculated that many of the characters and locations in her books were based on local people and places. Snooker player Tom Ford, was born in Glen Parva and at the time of writing is listed as Number 33 in the world. The Glen Parva Lady Possibly Glen Parva’s most famous resident was the ‘Glen Parva Lady’, a rich Anglo-Saxon, whose remains are now displayed at the Jewry Wall Museum in Leicester. The National Monuments Record refers to a single female burial found in 1866 and aligned north–south. Grave goods with this burial included a glass cup, a necklace of 28 glass beads, a piece of crystal and several bronze rings and brooches, which dated the burial to the late 5th century CE. The Glen Parva Lady is significant because her burial is a gateway to our understanding of Anglo-Saxon colonisation in Leicestershire, which developed through the sixth century. Due to her early date, evident high status, distance of the burial from any known church sites and lack of ecclesiastical objects, it is most likely that she was a pagan. Her burial is of interest not only as being representative of pre-Christian religion in the UK but also demonstrates that the early Saxon period was far from being a technological or cultural ‘Dark Age’. http://www.honour.org.uk/node/70 Amenities – Glen Parva Today The Great Central Railway used to pass through Glen Parva until the Beeching cuts of the 1960s. The route is now a paved walkway which leads directly into Leicester city centre and is popular for walking and cycling.

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Glen Parva (Glen Hills) Local Nature Reserve is west of the village and is jointly owned and managed by Blaby District Council, Leicestershire County Council and Glen Parva Parish Council. Glen Hills Primary School is also situated within the Parish. Glen Parva, as we know it today, is mainly a residential area with only a few shops located at ‘Carver’s Corner’ and ‘The Parade’, but no large shopping or leisure centres. It is a good centre for easy access to Fosse Park, one of Britain’s largest out-of-town shopping parks, Blaby town centre, South Wigston and Leicester city centre, thus combining the benefits of a semi-rural environment with close links to urban facilities and amenities. The Role of Parish Councils It is clear from residents’ responses that there is some confusion regarding the respective roles of the layers of Local Government and hence it was it might be useful if the report included a brief explanation of the role of Parish Councils and who does what within the three tier structure of Leicestershire County Council (LCC), Blaby District Council (BDC) and the Parish Councils. Parish Councils are the lowest tier of local government with discretionary powers, laid down by Parliament, to represent their communities and provide services for them. Glen Parva Parish Council is one of 19 Parish Councils in Blaby District and they have a mandate to speak on behalf of the people they represent. They act as a focus for local opinion and provide a way to get things done in a way that is best suited to their local community. Parish Councils have a wide range of powers under different acts of Parliament but must act within the law. They can only raise money, or spend it, if it has the statutory powers to do so.

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A ROUGH GUIDE TO WHO DOES WHAT

Leicestershire County Council Blaby District Council Glen Parva Parish Council

Planning Development - at the County level

Planning Development - at District level

Planning – as consultees

Education and Youth Services

Benefits Payments War and other memorials

Social Care

Car Parks Memorial Hall

Highways and Transport

Community Safety Public Open Spaces

Street Lighting

Council Tax and Business Rate Collection

Playing Fields

Waste management - strategic level

District Parks Public seating

Libraries and Museums

Waste Collection & Recycling

Litter bins and Litter Clearance

Register Services Elections & Electoral Registrations Licensing - as consultees

Trading Standards Environment health/protection

Grants to voluntary bodies

Housing Services

Leisure Services

Licensing

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1 & 2: Best and Worst Things about Glen Parva

3: Travel and Transport

Roads and highways provoked a strong response especially with the advent of the new bus lanes on Leicester Road to which the majority of residents objected. Unfortunately the Parish Council has no powers to halt or overturn such decisions and all submissions by it and by District and County councillors on behalf of the residents were ignored. 65% of the respondents had issues regarding transport.

‘Best’ Analysis Quality of Life

Security

Cleanliness

Rural Access

Access to Leicester

Access to Local Towns

Access to Shops

Access to Road Network

Access to Public Transport

Access to Local Schools

Good District Authority

Good Parish Council

Access to Cycle Routes

Miscellaneous

‘Worst’ Analysis Crime & ASB

Bus Lane

Traffic

Road Condition

Road Use

Pavements/Walkways

Public Transport

School Specifics

County Arms

Specific Areas

Lack of Amenities

Geographic Deficiencies

Community Identity

Councils, etc.

Miscellaneous

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Although there are community transport services available in Glen Parva more than 50% of those replying were not aware of their existence. 44% of the respondents felt that improvements could be made to enhance access to local footpaths and bridleways; and 23% felt that access to cycleways could be enhanced. Common themes in both of these topics were maintenance, publicity and signage and lighting and security. A large range of traffic issues were raised but the main concerns were traffic congestion and inconsiderate parking.

4: Environment

60% of respondents are satisfied with the state of hedges, trees and verges, 18% were not.

50% are satisfied with the number of litter bins, public seating, road signs, etc. 48% of the respondents considered dog fouling to be a problem. 42% of the respondents considered that the roads were in need of maintenance. A major concern is the lack of progress on the reconstruction of the County Arms.

5: Communication

Although 66% of the respondents rely on the Parish Newsletter as the main source of local news and information many say that it could be made more effective.

Parish notice boards play an important part but they need to be visible and look good as well as being up to date. 80% of respondents have access to the Internet at home.

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6: Library

92 of the respondents use Glenhills, Blaby, South Wigston or Wigston Libraries. The most significant suggestion to enhance access and encourage use was longer opening hours followed by comments about better book selection including adult non-fiction. There were also suggestions about tea and coffee facilities, lack of publicity about the location of the libraries and lack of transport to get there.

7: Community Facilities

This topic sought to quantify residents’ sense of community within Glen Parva.

In general the responses indicated that local residents felt that Glen Parva does have a community spirit, but it needs to be improved with the introduction of better communication of events and increased or improved facilities that can bring the community together.

The most used facilities are, in order, the nature reserve, Dorothy Avenue recreation ground, the Memorial Hall and Dorothy Avenue play area. There were a large number of suggestions for improvements to amenities; the major ones being better management of litter/dog fouling, better equipment on Dorothy Avenue Recreation Ground and more evening classes at the Memorial Hall. The most significant item is the sense of isolation felt by residents in the Little Glen Rd area as the lack of a bus service in this area is a major issue. 8: Crime and Safety

92% of the respondents felt safe around Glen Parva during the day; 74% felt safe at night. The main area of concern is the lack of a visible Police presence; 45% of respondents would like more patrols. There is also a perception that groups of young people are inherently dangerous and should be controlled. 12% of respondents expressed this concern.

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Lighting was also an issue as people think there is a direct link between lack of lighting and crime levels. These concerns have been exacerbated by the County Council’s recent decision to switch off streetlights in the early hours of the morning.

49% of the respondents were not aware how to contact the local Police or Community Support Officer and 31% said they would be willing to attend a public/Police liaison meeting. CCTV in public places was the most favoured method of tacking crime and improving safety, closely followed by neighbourhood watch schemes.

9: Health and Social Care

Around 12% had someone in the house requiring help, with some indication of a need for additional help. Around 40% had no one to turn to for help or were unsure of where to get help which probably contributed to 54% seeing a need for a good neighbour scheme. Most suggestions for improvements to local health and social care services focused on the difficulty of getting appointments and limited surgery hours.

10: Children and Young People

Opinions from young people were gathered using a questionnaire distributed at Glen Hills Primary School and young people resident in Glen Parva who attend South Wigston High School. We would like to thank the staff at both schools for their help in distributing and collecting the questionnaires. Children from Glen Hills would like to see more provision for children and young people. A number of suggestions were made, including a BMX skateboarding park, holiday play schemes and local sports teams.

Young people at South Wigston High School were also very keen to have additional facilities for young people. 69% of them liked living in Glen Parva but the remainder were concerned about the lack of activities. Other concerns were traffic issues, dog fouling and personal safety.

11: Community

Only 28% of the respondents felt there was a strong community spirit in Glen Parva. 22% felt it was weak but the remainder had no firm opinion. Suggestions for improving community spirit include a vegetable growing scheme, Sunday religious services at the Memorial Hall, afternoon social events and improvements to the area around Carver’s Corner shops.

12: About You

277 households returned the main questionnaire - 105 males (37%) & 179 females (63%).

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ACTION PLAN

PC = Parish Council BDC = District Council LeicsCC = Leicestershire County Council LNR = Local Nature Reserve SG = Steering Group

Short term (ST) = 0 - 6 months Medium term (MT) = 6 - 18 months Long term (LT) = 18 months - 3 years

No Recommendation Current Position Future Actions Implementers Timescales

1 Transport Although the Parish Council has no resources to subsidise any bus service it should make every effort to represent the concerns of the residents about the inadequacy of public transport in some areas.

The PC has met with LeicsCC and Arriva to discuss issues relating to current bus services and the introduction of bus lanes. Concerns were noted and a number of actions agreed.

Contact Tesco, ALDI & Waitrose and discuss the provision of a local “hopper” bus which could service not only Glen Parva but other surrounding parishes/villages with similar transport limitations. Discuss with LeicsCC the negative impact of the removal of the 73 bus service and the means of mitigating this, for example by supporting the Commbus Project.

PC/SG PC/SG

MT ST

2 Roads Liaise with appropriate agencies to raise residents’ concerns about congestion and seek to reach practical solutions.

The PC has met with LeicsCC to discuss concerns relating to New Bridge Road. No improvements currently possible due to LCC financial constraints.

Continue to liaise with appropriate agencies to discuss improvements and additions to traffic lights; additional zebra and pelican crossings; installation of low bridge height warnings and the need for considerate parking.

PC/LeicsCC/ BDC/ Police

MT

3 Alternative Transport As many local residents are unaware of the various community transport services available to them, these should be researched and publicised.

Investigations are underway to identify all alternative transport schemes in the area.

Formulate & distribute advice for residents. Publish details on website and include in Newsletter.

SG/BDC

ST

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No Recommendation Current position Future Actions Implementers Timescales

4 Paths, Cycle Ways and Bridleways Improvements should be made to enhance access to local footpaths, cycle ways and bridleways

The Local Nature Reserve (LNR) is in the process of applying for Green Flag status which will address some of the issues raised.

LNR to continue reviewing existing publicity about paths, cycle ways and bridleways Examine how to provide a walkers/cyclists “news headline” feature on the Council’s website to keep people informed.

PC/LNR PC

ST MT

5 Environment The number of litter and dog bins needs reassessing

Position of current litter and dog bins is known. The PC employs and has volunteer litter pickers and BDC empties the dog bins.

Analyse the need for more litter and dog bins Discuss with BDC whether they can be more proactive in general and quicker to clear up dog mess. Discuss with BDC the possibility of passing a local by-law applying stiffer fines for creating dog mess. Work with BDC to design a revised dog owner leaflet and clearer dog owner signs for installation throughout the district.

BDC/PC

MT

6 Communication The provision of information from the PC should be improved.

Redesign of existing newsletter has been reviewed by the Steering Group. Parish Council has approved the new design.

Review all forms of communication currently available and make recommendations to ensure that the distribution of information covers all appropriate areas Review distribution points for the future for newsletters and event adverts – e.g. local businesses, shops, health centres/doctors, dentists & opticians.

SG/PC

MT

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No Recommendation Current position Future Actions Implementers Timescales

7 Library LeicsCC Library Services should be informed of the comments about opening hours and library services.

The LeicsCC are conducting a public consultation on the future of libraries. There is the possibility of closure of a number of community libraries, this includes Glenhills & South Wigston libraries; the aim is to explore opportunities e.g. being run by local volunteers.

Ensure publicity about the location and opening hours of Glenhills, South Wigston and Blaby libraries, as appropriate, is included in relevant publications Take an active part in consultation and respond appropriately.

PC/LeicsCC PC

ST/MT ST

8 Community Facilities & Events Publicity of community facilities and events and the role of the PC should be considered.

New signs have been installed in the Nature Area and new parish notice boards have been installed.

Review design & distribution of paper & electronic communications & implement improvements. Consider acquiring land packages in the South Ward for potential play areas. Review provision of parish events and publicity

PC/LNR PC PC/BDC

ST/MT MT ST

9 Crime and Safety Provide information about:

• Police website

• Details of personnel & how to contact them

• Problems in the area

Regular meetings take place between the Police & the PC and there is a continuing effort to make our communications more effective.

Disseminate information in newsletter and via other media.

SG

ST - MT

10 Liaise with Police re:the problems/perceptions highlighted in the survey.

PC has met with the Blaby Local Policing Unit (LPU) to provide a briefing on areas of concern.

Provide information from the survey where appropriate

PC/SG

LT

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No Recommendation Current Position Future Actions Implementers Timescales

11 Crime & Safety (continued) Provide up to date information on Neighbourhood Watch

Disseminate information in newsletter and via other media

PC/SG

ST

12 Improve people’s feeling of safety

Blaby Police Volunteer Team has carried out a ‘patch walk’ with a number of councillors. A number of actions agreed including the appointment of a Crime Reduction Parish Councillor.

Instigate awareness campaign about how people can improve security and resist crime

PC/SG

ST

13 Monitor concern in relation to street lights/information provided by police

LeicsCC have presented details of scheme to the Parish Council.

Review crime statistics and liaise with appropriate agencies

PC/SG LeicsCC

LT

14 Health and Social Care Assist residents to access medical facilities. Publicise available alternative transport services.

See sections on Transport and Alternative Transport.

PC/SG/BDC

ST/MT

15 Research the operation of Good Neighbour schemes and feasibility/need for such a scheme in Glen Parva.

Rural Community Council (RCC) has given presentation to PC on the Good Neighbour scheme initiative. Steering Group reviewing existing Blaby Befrienders and Good Neighbour schemes.

Make contact with an existing GNS to help research. Make contact with Blaby Befrienders to determine usage by Glen Parva residents and discuss possible GNS. Decide whether to develop GNS in Glen Parva.

SG SG SG/PC

ST ST ST

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No Recommendation Current Position Future Actions Implementers Timescales

16 Children and Young People Investigate improved holiday child care and activities for children.

Add to and improve existing play schemes during school holidays.

Existing providers. LeicsCC

MT

17 Investigate improvements to child care facilities.

Assess demand for local child minder services. Add to and extend ensuring quality assurance.

Existing providers LeicsCC

MT

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Investigate the feasibility of providing a BMX skateboarding park.

Mobile BMX was attraction at Annual Gala in 2013. Booked for 2014 Gala.

Rent BDC mobile facility during school holidays, as a pilot and review use.

PC LeicsCC BDC

LT

19 Community The provision of religious services to be considered.

Annual Remembrance Service held in the Memorial Hall.

Investigate demand and use Memorial Hall for regular religious service use.

PC

MT

20 The provision for a local “drop in centre” to be considered.

Investigate demand to use Memorial Hall for weekly/fortnightly drop in centre with offer of refreshments.

PC

MT

Acknowledgements:

The following members kindly reviewed the responses from the questionnaire and consolidated the most popular and pressing subjects into the action plan for each category.

Alan & Rosemary Methven – Crime and Safety; Maureen Jerman – Environment; Jon Sutcliffe – Children and Young People/Community;

Stan Sidorowicz – Travel and Transport/Communication; Chris Merrill – Health and Social Care/Communication;

Linda Sidorowicz – Library/Community facilities; David Breese – Health and Social Care/Environment; Ron Archer – Crime and Safety;

Matthew Wennington – Communication; Sue O’Connell - Alternative Transport and Communication & Jane Taylor and Sam Howlett of the RCC

for their advice and guidance.

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GLEN PARVA PARISH COUNCIL – PARISH PLAN

ADDENDUM No 1. APRIL 2017

No Recommendation Update

1 Transport Enquiries have been made to extend the 83-bus service into areas of our Parish. The service was funded by Leicester City and Leicestershire County Council (LCC). LCC removed funding as the service was not cost effective.

3 Alternative Transport

Details of alternative transport published in the Newsletter. Link added to Parish website.

4 Paths, Cycle Ways and Bridleways

New Nature Reserve signs installed Green Flag award underlines improvements to the area. Upgrade to bridle way through park is being considered.

5 Environment Blaby DC have introduced new measures to tackle dog fouling. Regular meetings with dog warden introduced. Bins replaced and new ones added.

6 Communication The Parish has a new and improved website. Facebook and Twitter accounts have been set up. Newsletter is brighter and informative.

7 Library Parish Council supported by volunteers now manage and run the community library and café.

8 Community Facilities and Events

New banners purchased to promote events. Social media is used to advertise and promote events.

9 Crime and Safety Ongoing regular feature in the newsletter.

14/15 Health and Social Care

Good Neighbour Scheme published in Newsletter. BDC / RCC held a potential volunteer information session in the library. Scheme not yet set up.

16 Children and Young People

Mobile BMX and football coaching is available during August.

19 Community Links have been forged with Glencroft Church. Memorial Hall used by a religious group on a regular basis

20 The provision for a local ‘drop in centre’ to be considered

The Community Library and Café is evolving as a community hub and providing a local drop in centre.