2014 Little Shelford council tax survey

Bus service- It is great to hav ethe facility so wouldn't like to see it go.However i don't use it and see the commercial dilemma. But i do reckon it isa service that is good for the village. Traffic - calming and prevent cut through traffic. Keep up the Great Job.

1/23/2014 9:03 AMView respondent's answers

Pavilion development plans shouldbe modified to be accommodated by the sums available

1/23/2014 9:03 AMView respondent's answers

1/23/2014 9:02 AMView respondent's answers

Maybe on support Parish Council

1/22/2014 5:13 PMView respondent's answers

The reason that I've ticked no response to a proposed loan is because this whole cricket pavilion project seems to have been ridiculously elaborate and financially is fast turning into a wembley stadium style opportunity to spend more and more money. Does the village cricket team really need such a lavish mansion.

1/22/2014 5:12 PMView respondent's answers

We would not support the parish council in raising a loan of £60,000. We would prefer to see a less ambitious development take place, preferably within their present budget, although we would support raising a much smaller sum unnecessary.

1/22/2014 5:08 PMView respondent's answers

This support should be equal to that given to the village hall Perhaps willing to support developments

1/22/2014 5:05 PMView respondent's answers

Should build within amounts received which I believe to be adequate at present to deliver a reasonable building. The latest costs are much more than originally budgeted. There is not enough information on this questionnaire about the pavilion generally (e.g. amounts raised to date, use, cost, etc) also need info on costs etc. I personally have no interest in sports whatsoever and appreciate the recreation ground as a peaceful place to walk and relax. I would be very upset to see it constantly filled with sports groups cars and lots of people coming from outside the village. It needs to be recognized that the rec ground has much value for people in many different situations, an interest in sports being just one of them. It would be very infuriating for the village to lose the recreation ground was a peaceful, attractive green area to be still and enjoy. A cheap pavilion is needed because of the state of the old one but let's not get in over our heads.

1/22/2014 5:01 PMView respondent's answers

Since my wife Angela passed away in August 2012 I have received a single person discount 0f 25% on my council tax bill. For 2013 this amounts to £461.32. This is very much appreciated but I should like to donate part of it to the PC for the Sports and Community Pavilion project, which I know Angela would have been keen to support. Please advise on how I go about this and provide any necessary form.

1/22/2014 3:47 PMView respondent's answers

£60,000 should cover the outstanding amount for the pavilion and leave money for other things such as the play area.

1/22/2014 3:43 PMView respondent's answers

Firstly, this should be anonymous, why should people be named. Secondly, we are not all big earners or double income households and finally, I am on a Band E home and you have based this on Band D. I think this development should go ahead but not at the cost of the village. I have to save up for what I want and if I cannot afford it I cannot have it. The development should be via the budget restraints. In this day and age we have to budget. This has clearly not been thought through and the committee has already asked for a handout. What happens if it costs more? Are the Council going to come round again and ask for more money!

1/22/2014 3:41 PMView respondent's answers

Personally I think the development of the sports pavilion and the associated costs is very ambitious given its current usage and the present economic climate. I would only be willing to support the idea of increasing the precept is the majority of parishioners agree.

1/22/2014 3:37 PMView respondent's answers

Is there a contingency plan if the required sum is not raised? Could a reduced scheme be thought of?

1/22/2014 3:34 PMView respondent's answers

I support the development of the new pavilion in practice, but do not think that an increase in the parish element of the council tax is an appropriate way to do this. Councuil tax should be spent on amenities used by a large number of village residents, which is not the case with the cricket pavilion. This is used by a very small group of people, the great majority of whom come from outside the village.

1/22/2014 9:18 AMView respondent's answers

We think the plan was so perhaps unaffordably too grand. Support with reservations- see graph about rise in council tax compared to marginal increase in pensions. Thank you for all you are doing.

1/21/2014 7:56 PMView respondent's answers

As indicated we would support a limited increase in the precept but we feel that the parish council should be prudent with this whilst the local authority loan is still being paid off on the village hall. We are concerned that with the unfortunate escalation in building costs, the existing bespoke pavilion design may be looking rather ambitious. It is a sham but the ongoing maintenance and security costs also need to be considered and will the income from the intended use of the building be sufficient to cover these in years to come - we should remember that the village hall is already a venue for functions and we have all supported the increased use of the village hall for years to keep it financially viable. There are several manufacturers of suitable factory built timber frame buildings if the grants can be kept in place would it be an idea to look at one of these as a cheaper alternative? Any left over funds couldbe used to help cover future maintenance and improvement costs.

1/21/2014 7:53 PMView respondent's answers

We would support any loan amount or period. We believe that any amount raised must be specifically devoted to the building of the new pavilion and for no other purpose. If other significant projects are proposed, they should be the subject of separate considerations

1/21/2014 7:46 PMView respondent's answers

I would oppose any reduction in the funding of the village hall. I am surprised that the budgeting for this venture is so different from the actual cost of the build as now. I am relatively recently widowed and live on a pension and therefore the monies that I have have to be firstly for my own use and also available should I need to pay for extra help and care in the future. Were I younger it would be a different matter. I think the Parish Council should seriously consider the provision of transport to and from Little Shelford to Cambridge. A number of areas/councils in England support a fleet of smaller buses (10-15 seaters) which provide a regular and reliable service which is, according to reports, very well used.

1/21/2014 7:44 PMView respondent's answers

We feel that the current pavilion needs to be replaced but with a smaller version than that proposed. We are also concerned about the cost of maintaining a new pavilion and how this would be met

1/21/2014 7:39 PMView respondent's answers

I think it is a good idea to take out a loan to finish the pavilion. I am not concerned if it is 60k or 70k or for how long the loan is but choose the most economical route you can. You have my support.

1/21/2014 7:37 PMView respondent's answers

A no vote will: Fail to meet the objectives of the village plan split the community cast doubts about the ability of the PC to fulfil their elected role lead to the decline in sport and use of the rec miss the opportunity of securing a £400k asset A yes vote would: Meet the objectives of the village plan provide much needed facilities and promote sports and recreation Take advantage of the grants currently available Not throw away 4 years of hard work (Probably never to be repeated)

1/21/2014 7:34 PMView respondent's answers

Play area refurbishment should be a priority as the current toy furniture reflects badly on the village

1/21/2014 7:29 PMView respondent's answers

The present cricket pavilion is an absolute eyesore on one of the most attractive recreation grounds in the county. The interior of the building is a disgrace unfit for purpose and reflects badly on the whole village. The play area is a valuable resource for the children of Little Shelford - it does need updating and the equipment regularly monitoring for health and safety.

1/21/2014 7:24 PMView respondent's answers

I feel it would be a good idea if we can finish the pavilion as soon as possible and get it in use.

1/21/2014 7:21 PMView respondent's answers

The High speed of traffic on Whittlesford Road and Bridge Lane is becoming a problem.

1/21/2014 6:04 PMView respondent's answers

Support- but only for a smaller sports (cricket) pavilion NOT as planned, a large community hall. My support is also to support improving the playground for children. I agree that we need a new sports pavilion but not such a large one as of the plans. A pavilion that large will cost a lot to keep in good repair and maintain as we know from raising money for the village hall.

1/21/2014 5:59 PMView respondent's answers

Whilst we would very rarely use the pavilion we have no objection to the concept of increasing the precept to improve village facilities - you get nothing for nothing! However, we would also expect that other basic village requirements, such as maintaining Garden Fields to a safe standard, would also be undertaken...

1/20/2014 7:58 PMView respondent's answers

We have already made a donation for the pavilion. Completing this should be the first priority. Happy to pay increased council tax to help in general.

1/19/2014 10:58 AMView respondent's answers

In my view whilst the council has a liability to repay a circa £60k mortgage on the village hall it would be financially irresponsible to take another loan for a similar amount. If the council has to have money to pay for the necessary works to the parish then the amount needed should be identified along with the work required. I cannot find any list or record of the cost of these necessary expenses. I regard the new pavilion as a nice to have and not part of the works mentioned above The council should also consider whether the parishioners would be willing to donate to village charities such as the village hall trust, which in their case may then be willing to help with the mortgage repayment. This could be more financially efficient for the donors, trusts and council. Finally whilst the suggested 15 yr repayment on a £60k loan is not a large amount of money it does represent a 30% increase on the current precept which in turn was an 11.1% increase on the previous year. At a time when the government is trying to limit the council tax increases to less than 2% this proposal seems to me politically unacceptable.

1/18/2014 3:22 PMView respondent's answers

I believe that it would be totally irresponsible of the PC to commit to another financial liability when they are unable to fulfil their current commitments. I refer to a recurrent expense for the maintenance of the exterior of the proposed "Sports and Community Pavilion"as stipulated at the November 2013 meeting. Not withstanding this, Garden Fields maintenance is already a financial responsibility that the PC appears unable to adhere to. Finally, I question whether such a "Community Pavilion" is at all necessary considering the Village Hall (again a burden on PC funds) is more than adequate for such a small village as Little Shelford. This leads me to suspect that the sole use will be for the Cricket Club and young footballers. (a full size pitch could not be accommodated) of which village resident numbers are very low in the extreme. Should we subsidise residents of surrounding villages who wish to play sport at Little Shelford?

1/13/2014 9:33 PMView respondent's answers

After four years of extremely hard work by the LSSRT committee and nearly £100,000 being raised from donations and functions within the village and with overwhelming support for a new pavilion from residents recorded in the Parish Plan, I cannot see how the Parish Council could possibly not support an increase in the precept to support this project.

1/11/2014 1:10 PMView respondent's answers

The Pavilion team are doing an excellent job putting together the build project. The materials and specifications are high and therefore expensive, but this will give longevity and low maintenance costs and match the typical building quality in the village. This off road building with plenty of outside space will be a great asset to all generations and help further develop community relations. We travel to Haslingfield and Barrington to use the up to date and (more importantly) the much safer childrens play area. The Little Shelford area is very poor and, in fact, embarrassing to our visiting guests. Present Villagers should invest now for future generations, after all previous generations did for us, especially the Wale family. David Munro, 40 High St.

1/9/2014 10:38 AMView respondent's answers

We have already made a donation to the Parish Council and might support specific projects in the future.

1/8/2014 4:27 PMView respondent's answers

Why should parish council pay for repair to garden fields roadway if residents are legally responsible for repairs? Make them fulfil their obligations as the road is not used by anyone else. I live in an unadopted road and the residents pay for all repairs.

1/7/2014 10:07 PMView respondent's answers

Parish Council should also start seroiusly thinking about increasing the villages 'social capital' and not just focus on it's physical amenities. The villages population is increasingly aging and intiatives like TimeBank/LET schemes are clearly worth investing in, see the example of Somersham. The money raised for the Pavilion is staggering and indicates the villages capacity to 'give', it just needs some community leadership to direct it.

1/7/2014 8:05 PMView respondent's answers

The possibility of securing an interest free loan from the cricket authorities should have serious consideration.

1/7/2014 7:51 PMView respondent's answers

Do not really understand how taking out loan to pay off the loan is being considered here. Surely the PC should be looking for the best updated mortgage for existing village hall - and existing precept is enough (it seems) to pay existing mortgage commitments, so why equate the repayments for the 'new' loan to 'additional' 'council tax'.? However, we are aware that PC also has other liabilities to cover - not least the regular (not frequent but regular) maintenance of Garden Fields, for which a separate account should be set up, funded by the income from allotments and annual payments from the PC's general funds.

1/6/2014 11:19 PMView respondent's answers

I'd like to know a little more as to ongoing responsibilities for the Sports Pav, and who gets to use it. Park also needs a larger play frame for 5-10 year olds.

1/6/2014 6:27 PMView respondent's answers

We must get the village into the 21st century and be realistic about how much this costs. Am surprised that playground equipment is not already on precept. Hedges encroaching on pavements/pavement parking infuriates me as a pedestrian! This is minor compared to the current issues but still needs to be addressed.

1/6/2014 5:18 PMView respondent's answers

I very much appreciate the opportunity to give input on this. Great work by the PC. Also very much appreciate the efforts on getting broadband for the village which is actually a much more important issue for me than having a sports pavilion

1/3/2014 11:24 AMView respondent's answers