Wycombe Liberal Democrats » Ryemead

Gypsy and Travellers site consultation for Abbey Barn – Cllr Trevor Snaith

Trevor Snaith — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 18:51:31 +0000

The consultation on Gypsy and Traveller sites has now finished. There has been concerns raised by residents about the poor communication of the consultation and the fact it was promoted as a web based consultation . Ray and Trevor send out an emergency leaflet to those most affected by the proposed Abbey Barn site to raise awareness of the consultation.
Trevor submitted a statement on behalf of residents to council “ We cannot support Abbey Barn North as a site for Gypsies and Travellers -In the Imagine the Future consultation it was recommended that the area should not be used for homes and should remain as natural area and meadow. The only area of Abbey Barn North to be utilised was for the reinstated of much needed town allotments . We expect WDC to respect this . In addition access to Abbey Barn North has been identified on numerous occasions as problematic due to the terrain and the road, which apart from being a rat run, is not fit for larger vehicles and caravans.”
We will update residents once the results are published by WDC

Do we need a new Doctors surgery in Wycombe Marsh? – Cllr Trevor Snaith – August 2008

Trevor Snaith — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:06:54 +0000

There has been a need identified for additional doctors in the Wycombe Marsh area to meet the increased demand from the influx of new homes and residents; unfortunately this need has been ignored to date.
Local Councillors Trevor Snaith and Ray Farmer have recently initiated discussions with a doctor’s practice and have found interest in bringing a new practice to the area. Ideally it will be situated to rear of Fitness First in the Wycombe Marsh Retail Park on land set aside for community use /doctors surgery.
Ryemead and surrounding wards have seen over 400 new homes in the last ten years – a massive increase! Over 150 more are in progress – and another 480 are to be built in the next four years in the Marsh area alone. That’s without the ever increasing building we now face in back garden and knockdown rebuilds. We now have a situation where Ryemead has the “accolade” of being the ward with the highest density of homes per hectare and highest growth of new homes in High Wycombe!
The Heart of Ryemead Community Association (HoRCA) and local councillors met the Chief Executive of the doctor’s practice and discussed what needs to be done to deliver a new surgery in Ryemead. To be viable a doctor’s surgery needs about 3000 patients. Discussions are at an early stage and research needs to be conducted to ascertain how many existing residents across Micklefield, Ryemead and Totteridge would switch to a new local practice. Once this figure is added to those coming into the new homes, we will have a good idea of local need. The challenge then is to get councils and Primary Care Trust to invest funding to assist the Doctors deliver a new service to residents.

Cllr Trevor Snaith and Cllr Ray Farmer are asking for Bucks County Council, Wycombe District Council and the Primary Care Trust to come together with the Doctors so they can plan the necessary funding and resources to bring a new Surgery to the area
Your local councillors would like to know residents’ opinions.

Meet your Liberal Democrat Councillors on Rye on Saturday 9th August – Cllr Trevor Snaith

Trevor Snaith — Thu, 07 Aug 2008 18:56:09 +0000

The Liberal Democrats district councillors have agreed with organisers of event to run a stand “MEET YOUR LOCAL DISTRICT COUNCILLORS “ at the Rye community event on the Rye on Saturday 9th August
Cllr Trevor Snaith the Liberal Democrat District Councillor for Ryemead said “ Its about time councillors reintroduced local ward surgeries to meet local residents. This event will allow for councillors to meet local people and discuss local issues.”
Confirmed councillors are Cllr Julia Wassell , Lib Dem, Bowerdean. Cllr Chaudhary Ditta Lib Dem , Bowerdean. Cllr Ray Farmer, Lib Dem, Ryemead. Cllr Trevor Snaith Lib Dem Ryemead.
Cllr Ray Farmer said “ If this proves successful we plan to propose that the council adopts this form of activity at community events across the town wards”

Controversial Rye playground – Cllr Trevor Snaith – July 2008

Trevor Snaith — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 22:50:14 +0000

Do your councillors listen to local residents? That is the question I am often asked, I answer that your Local Liberal Democrat councillors do. Regrettably, I am constantly being told that the Tory controlled Council and Tory cabinet do not appear to be in touch with the needs of the Town.

To date I have seen over 30 comments from concerned residents on the new children’s play area.
The main issues being raised by residents are:-
• Lack of consultation with local residents and groups.
• Concerns over location of the play area.
• Area not easy to monitor and police.
• Will become a late night magnet for drinking and antisocial problems.

There is a perception that the council don’t listen to local people! Your Liberal Democrat councillors have raised the issues of the Play area on numerous occasions and more recently at a full council meeting . The Tory majority and Tory Cabinet continue to push ahead saying the Play area is needed for the District!
The real questions remain unresolved;
• Where on the Rye do the residents of the Town want the play area ?
• Have the local residents been able to make comment and influence the decision?

This week sees the footings for the play area being laid — what message of comfort is this sending to the residents who are telling me that the council doesn’t listen to them?

It again raises the question that if we had a Town Council with local people making decisions for the residents of the Town would decisions be more widely supported?

Consultation on Guide to Developer Contributions

Trevor Snaith — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:57:43 +0000

Consultation on Guide to Developer Contributions

A consultation will take place to the Developer’s Guide to WDC’s Developer Contributions Supplementary Planning Document. This is important as it ensures that wards and areas of the town that bear the pain from new building get their fair share of the benefits in terms of spend on schools/transport/community provision/ect.
The Town to date has been the main recipient of the pain from new building . The question is has the Town received the full benefit in terms of developer contributions. Have we seen the resulting spend being directed to the areas that have seen the pain of the new developments? In Ryemead we have seen massive development but little reinvestment back into the area in terms of investment in community centres, alleviating traffic congestion or addressing parking problems.

Residents are commenting that they dont see real tangible benefits in terms of better community and leisure services, new and improved community centres, more allotment provision, more buses (when they want them), easing of traffic congestion and better parking —Your Liberal Democrat councillors are asking the Tory council to explain with all the additional funds coming in from developers why are we not seeing a massive improvement in services?

This is your opportunity to find out whats been happening and whats planned for the future
The guide is the document which outlines programmes and schemes to which developer contributions will be put, and highlights how much different types and sizes of schemes will be expected to contribute to different categories of infrastructure.

The guide is reviewed annually to take account of the latest project and building costs, and the latest information about gaps and shortfalls in community infrastructure.

The consultation will take place from 4 June-2 July. As part of this, a seminar for stakeholders about the proposed changes will take place in the Council Chamber on Tuesday 24 June, at 4.30-6.30pm. This event is open to all stakeholders/community groups and individuals representing groups

If you would like to attend the seminar please contact Carol Courcha by email carol_courcha@wycombe.gov.uk or phone 01494 421277.

Your Liberal Democrat councillors encourage you to attend the event to find out how these contributions will be used in the future and make comment on what you want for your town

State of Art playground opens in Kingsmead- Cllr Trevor Snaith -May 2008

Trevor Snaith — Thu, 01 May 2008 23:03:00 +0000

The latest state-of-the-art children’s playground – the biggest of its kind in High Wycombe – was opened at the end of April, at Kingsmead Recreation Ground.
The £167,000 play area includes fantastic equipment for children from toddlers to teens, and the seaside theme for younger children was developed after consultation with local families.
The new play area, off Fennels Road, replaces an older playground. Wycombe District Council’s Play Strategy last year identified the eastern side of the town most in need of improved play facilities, and WDC’s Play Partnership agreed.
It has been funded by a £127,109 grant from the BIG Lottery and a £40,000 contribution from the Thames Water Wycombe Marsh housing development.
Cllr Trevor Snaith and Cllr Ray Farmer were at the opening when children from the Marsh First School were the first to use the new equipment. There are two distinct areas – one designed for children from two to 12, and the other for children from 12 to 16.
Cllr Trevor Snaith said, “This is a great boost for families in the east end of Wycombe. It’s something that the council should be investing in for other wards across the town “.
Cllr Ray Farmer said, “The area for older children includes a teen shelter as well as exciting new features like Aeroskate and Skysurf. The area for younger children has all the latest equipment designed to let children play energetically yet safely.”

Now lets see the similar level of new child play areas across the other Town Wards

Tory Councillors say NO to local democracy!

Trevor Snaith — Sat, 22 Mar 2008 14:59:00 +0000

Tory Councillors say NO to local democracy!
At a meeting of the High Wycombe Town Committee on March 11th the Tory councillors voted against true local democracy by blocking a review, proposed by Councillor Snaith, to consider the advantages of a town council for High Wycombe.

Councillors Green, Lambourne and other Tory councillors had obviously been “whipped” to argue that a town council would cost more. The reality is that the financial numbers that the Tory group came up with are based on “a finger in the air” and guess at the cost. The Tory arguments were based on supposition and not fact. In fact, a town council carrying out duties performed everywhere else by parish or town councils could probably be more efficient than the District Council – and therefore less expensive!

Conservative councillors want to deny the 46,000 people in High Wycombe town the local democracy they are entitled by law to have!
Its unfortunate that the Tory members who have expressed support for a Town Council are being gagged by the Wycombe Tory party!

Councillor Snaith and Councillor Farmer are working with other political parties and local groups to deliver a truly non-political Town Council for the Town of High Wycombe. —- We welcome all councillors who want to be part of High Wycombe’s future to be part of a non-political team – even Tory councillors when they overcome their fears of the party whips!

Rye Management Plan Consultation Document – Cllr Trevor Snaith – February 2008

Trevor Snaith — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 11:51:05 +0000

Response to the Rye Management Plan Consultation Document

I have had a number of residents complain that the consultation document did not purport to be a management plan for the future, just a description of the area, with summary of current actions. This is useful as a base for consultation, but confusing to people who wish to comment.

Holywell Mead Swimming Pool
Concerns have been raised that Holywell Mead Swimming Pool is not seen as part of the Rye plan. It costs a considerable sum to keep it open three months or so of the year. The facility lies dormant for far too long, and consideration should be given to some form of year round use before the Rye Management Plan is finalised. Otherwise, Wycombe District Council could find that enormous changes have to be made rendering much of the plan obsolete.

Based on key learning’s and resident feedback –
• The Pool must remain in Current ownership – not a profit/private club!
• It needs refitting including improved showers with dual use for the park and pool (in which case the ugly changing rooms could be removed)
• An addition of spa pools, sauna and steam room would be an attraction
• Heated pool with roof, ideally capable of pulling back would ensure use in summer and winter.
• It would complements fully the outdoor activities and we would then have all year use leisure pool.

Signage around the whole area needs reassessing and upgrading.

Holywell Mead south
Could well be enhanced ecologically, especially habitat creation or restoration. I believe The Environment Centre has made recommendations for
• a marshy area at the zone below the waterfall, complemented by a reed bed
• moving the “stepping stones” in the pool below the waterfall to make a line
• a deeper pool below the waterfall
• a gentler mowing regime, especially at the margins and in areas little used by the public to enable the development of ‘field margin’ habitats and an area of wildflower meadow
• a wildflower meadow between the line of the former Carrington estate and the Back Stream.

The Dyke and Wendover Way
When is something going to be done about the swans on the Dyke? There always used to be just a pair, which would nest every year. Since the public have been overfeeding them, there have been more than 50, which is killing the plants and fish. They are also aggressive and could be dangerous to small children. The vast amount of bread thrown to the swans and ducks contributes to the number of rats in the area. The rat catcher‘s sterling work is thwarted by this overfeeding.

Parking in Wycombe Marsh is becoming a nightmare! – Cllr Trevor Snaith – Feb 2008

Trevor Snaith — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 17:27:16 +0000

Parking in Wycombe Marsh is becoming a nightmare!

There are serious parking issues in Wycombe Marsh – parking provision must be improved.

Lib Dems say YES! Tories say NO!

At a recent Development Control Committee meeting the new St James development was approved by the Tory controlled committee. The required parking provision level was passed with “minimum”. parking provision for the estate. An area set aside for affordable homes will be faced with a “first come first served” fight for parking.The rest of the estate could see dispersed parking onto the roads around the Marsh and surrounding areas.

Your local Lib Dem councillors presented the case to show that lack of adequate on road, off road public and resident parking in the area was a growing problem.

The new St James housing development design does not deliver adequate public on road or off road parking. The Development meets minimium standards but really needs to offer more space for residents/public/visitors /local workers to park – perhaps an all day public car park is the answer within the Marsh area? Ideally it should be across from Fitness First close to the existing flats.

Cllrs Farmer and Snaith have shown there are serious traffic and parking problems in this area. The new St James development will increase the traffic problems through Abbey Barn Road/Wrights Meadow access, London Road retail park access and London Road/Curry’s access

The issues we face may appear to be as a result of St James making. It isnt the developers at fault.They are working with local groups to minimise issues. The truth is the developers are simply delivering what our District and County councils are allowing.

The underlying issue remains that District and County councils are not putting in place the necessary services for the local community. Crucial services to meet the increased density of the homes, increased traffic and parking needs are not being met.

Your local Liberal Democrat councillors are challenging the Tory controlled councils to improve local on street and off street parking provision in Wycombe and also increase the number of parking spaces provided for new homes and developments.

SPOTLIGHT now reaches all of Ryemead – Cllr Trevor Snaith – January 2008

Trevor Snaith — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 21:35:32 +0000

We have some great news for Ryemead residents. Spotlight has agreed to extend coverage to the whole of Ryemead.

The editor of Spotlight says –”Spotlight is a community magazine run by local residents which has been covering the communities of Micklefield and the Wycombe Marsh – part of Ryemead – since 2002. From March this year a new publication, Spotlight East Wycombe is expanding to cover Micklefield, Totteridge, Bowerdean and the whole of Ryemead.
See www.spotlightmagazine.org.uk

Frances Alexander will be coordinating the Ryemead submissions to the Editor. Send stories to Frances – Frances5Walex@aol.com

We have a number of residents who will deliver in Ryemead – we are seeking more – would you deliver the magazine to your street? Please let us know! Contact: trevor_snaith@wycombe.gov.uk or Raymond_farmer@wycombe.gov.uk

Councillors Ray Farmer and Trevor Snaith wish “Spotlight East Wycombe” all the best for the future!