Hawkhurst - Hawkhurst Happens is a broadly based inclusive community group set up to look at Hawkhurst and the surrounding area

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Following the prioritisation of the issues affecting us - as below, we now have put an Action Plan together. Your views are important to us. See the plan below, again set out under the main headings as before :

Proposed Action Plan – Hawkhurst, Kent – November, 2007

* Priority definitions 1. Immediate 2. Within two years 3. Within five years H = high M = medium L = low

TOPIC and Project ID	Strategic Objective	Project Summary	Priority *	Lead Body	Partners	Estimated cost and Potential Funders	Additional Information
ECONOMY (EC)
EC 1	Enhance economic viability of Hawkhurst centre	Influence private sector owners to improve maintain properties, especially the Colonnade. Seek funding to subsidise work.	M 2	Healthcheck Economy group	TWBC , HPC, Private sector	Time £15,000 for small grants fund
EC 2	Strengthen economic viability of area	Create local business forum to encourage partnership working between local businesses	M 1	Healthcheck Economy group	TWBC and HPC and local businesses	£2,000 Private sector fundraising and volunteer time
EC 3	Strengthen economic viability of area	Create business support facility for home-workers and other businesses in a community building.	H 1	HPC	TWBC and Healthcheck Economy group	£30,000 Kent Rural Towns?	Could form part of new community building or new community hub
EC 4	Strengthen local produce sector – reduce environmental impact	Work with local producers to promote local food, increase availability in local shops etc. Investigate potential for Farmers’ Market (See ENV 1)	M 1	Healthcheck Economy group? Environment group?	TWBC, HPC and local producers	£30,000 Kent Rural Towns?
TOPIC and Project ID	Strategic Objective	Project Summary	Priority *	Lead Body	Partners	Estimated cost and potential funders	Additional Information
EC5	Strengthen economic viability of area	Provision of Day Nursery	H 2	Healthcheck Economy Group	Private sector, TWBC	Rental of £30K per annum	Space required = 200 square metres
EC6	Raise profile of all commercial opportunities	Expand www.hawkhurst-happens.org.uk website	H 1	Healthcheck Economy Group	Private Sector, TWBC	£10,000	Possibility of revenue-sharing possibility to be explored
EC7	Strengthen tourism earnings and links	Raise awareness of importance of tourism opportunities; create effective visitor information; training/workshops for existing and potential tourism providers	H 2	Healthcheck Economy Group	TWBC, KRT, HPC, Private Sector,TSE, N.T.	£5,000 £5,000 £ xxx	To include ear-off paper pads w/ possible advertising revenue Workshops and training Additional tourism initiatives to form part of wider tourism project

ENVIRONMENT (ENV)
ENV 1	Increase community spirit and integration	Explore potential for outdoor spaces for · small groups on public/private land · weekly market (See EC4)	M 1	HPC, Village Society	TWBC, KCC, Private Sector, N.F.U.	£5,000	Suitable sites to be identified
ENV 2	Improve Environment Reduction of pollution/emissions	Establish Hawkhurst environment group	H 3	New environment group	HPC, KCC, TWBC, local organisations and other environmental groups	£2,000	Should also be website-linked
ENV 3	Environment awareness	Encouragement of re-use/recycling	H 3	New environment group	HPC, KCC, TWBC, local organisations and other environmental groups	£25,000	Link to ENV 2

SOCIAL & COMMUNITY (SC)
TOPIC and Project ID	Strategic Objective	Project Summary	Priority *	Lead Body	Partners	Estimated cost and potential funders	Additional Information
SC 1	Develop a more inclusive society with increased access to learning and culture	Community facility, including hall and library, offering a one-stop-shop service and improved availability of information	H 3 (t.b.c.)	HPC	Healthcheck Steering Group, TWBC, KCC	£ 2.4 m KRT, HPC, Lottery, TWBC, Private Sector
SC 2	Increase use of local resources and take-up of opportunities by local people	Regular provision of information on community groups, activities and opportunities, using the H-H website, HPC and other notice boards, publications and events	H 2	Healthcheck Social & Community Group	HPC and local organisations	£500	To be website linked
SC 3	Creation of harmony, reduction of anti-social behaviour in the village	Identify most successful ways of provision with/for young people Set up exploratory activities Visit/learn from other communities	H 1	Healthcheck Social & Community Group	Local schools, youth groups and representatives, HPC, Kent Police, TWBC, KCC.	£10,000	Work with existing leaders to build upon existing initiatives where appropriate
SC 4	Improve health and well-being of the community	Improved medical services, including NHS dentist provision	M 2	Healthcheck Social & Community Group	PCT, Cottage Hospital	As of 2007, some HCH League of Friends funding available	Lobbying
SC 5	Improve quality of life for older people	Provide or improve services for older people, e.g. Community Bus, volunteer car service Encourage use of such services	M 3	Healthcheck Social & Community Group	Faith Groups, The Friendship Club, HPC, TWBC, KCC	£10,000	Comprehensive review of current level of provision. Encourage use of website. Provision of computer training for older people
SC 6	Affordable housing and a balanced society	Continue to address the need for affordable housing for young people and key workers	H 3	Healthcheck Social & Community Group	HPC, TWBC, Housing Assns., Private Sector		Lobbying

TRANSPORT & ACCESSIBILITY (T)
T 1	Increase use of public transport	Lobby for improved services with all public transport providers. Address problems with cross-border providers	H 1	Healthcheck Transport & Accessibility Group	HPC, KCC, Transport providers	£30,000	Funding of 1-year officer post to integrate a sustainable transport strategy for Hawkhurst and its hinterland (inc. new hospital & tourist links)
T 2	Improve accessibility for all user groups	Carry out accessibility audit, with help of Access Group Lobby, for pavement improvements and repairs.	H 1	Healthcheck Transport & Accessibility Group	HPC, TWBC, Private sector	£50,000	Link to T3
T3		Footpath & accessibility improvements Possible creation of cycle-paths	H 1	New environment group	HPC, KCC, TWBC, local organisations and other environmental groups		Link to T2
T4		Lobby for additional street-lighting where needed and desired	L 3	HPC	KCC
K Blank

The Economy- Bruce Cova
This Group looked at retail and commercial businesses in the area. A survey of retailers and shoppers was undertaken to ascertain the health of local businesses, and to identify trends and gaps in the market. The need for a website for the area came through very clearly. Make sure you have your say about what you feel the area needs, whether it is about particular types of shops, business premises, jobs or training. Click here to view the discussion forum on this issue.

1. Empty Units in prominent position reduce the attractiveness of the village.
2. There are no full time day nursery facilities
3. There is a lack of earning from the vast tourist market. Tourism is not seen as important.
4. Busses don't link with stations or many of the tourist attractions.

The Environment- Jacqueline Schalburg
Our Environment is important to us. We asked : do you care about your surroundings? Do you have concerns about the streets and buildings of Hawkhurst and the wider community? Or the environmental issues facing us? And what about the countryside, our natural environment, how it looks, our access to it. What are the impacts of how well it is maintained. What are the threats to our environment? Click here to view the discussion forum on this issue.

1. HGV's cause damage to the environment on raods not designed for them. Some roads and lanes are in a poor condition.
2. There is low level and sporadic vandalism
3. Some areas are looking unkempt.
4. In the village there is a) a lack of space or place to meet and chat at the Highgate end and b) there is a lack of signposting and information for visitors to venture further than the cinema/supermarket.

Social & Community- Alec Travers
This section covered the kinds of facilities and services which we have in Hawkhurst and asked : hw do you feel about issues such as housing in Hawkhurst? Doctors and Dentists? Facilities for our young people? Green spaces – or somewhere to play and exercise? Policing? Other thoughts? Tell us what you think. Click here to view the discussion forum on this issue.

1. There is no community centre or central focus for community activity and the library which is popular and well located is far too small for its purpose
2. There are no NHS dentist services. Although the Cottage Hospital has been reprieved, there is a need for local doctors' surgeries to be available at weekends and in the evenings.
3. There is a higher retired population than regional and national profiles. Older people need a) transport to health, leisure and cultural activities and b) social opportunities to reduce isolation.
4. House purchase is unaffordable for average and low income residents.

Transport - Peter Hodges
Being able to get to our shops and services is essential for everyone who wants to. Some of the comments we received in this section included “Can’t cross the road. Too much traffic. Buses never on time. Nowhere to cycle. Inadequate footpaths.”. Click here to view the discussion forum on this issue.

1. Public transport services are limited, e.g. poor bus connections to Etchingham train station, no evening bus service connecting Tunbridge Wells or Hastings to Hawkhurst and poor to hospitals in Hastings, Tunbridge Wells and Maidstone.
2. Access for disabled to use shops is poor, particularly to parts of the Colonnade.
3. Footpaths/pavements needed at certain locations around the village, i.e. Queens Road and Post Office Road in particular.
4. Existing footpaths in certain locations need repairing/maintaining.

If you would still like to express your views on any of the above subjects, then click here to go to the discussion forum.

TOPIC and Project ID

Strategic

Project Summary

Priority *

Lead Body

Partners

Provision of Day Nursery

H 2

Private sector, TWBC

EC6

H 1

EC7

H 2

ENV 1

M 1

ENV 2

Improve Environment Reduction of pollution/emissions

H 3

ENV 3

Strategic

Objective

Project Summary

Priority *

Lead Body

Partners

Additional Information

H 3

H 2

H 1

SC 4

M 2

SC 5

M 3

SC 6

H 3

T 1

H 1

T 2

H 1

T3