Front Cover
Lilley Parish Survey Autumn 1992
Please Click on the Headings To the left to see that page of the report
Introduction
I would like to thank the parishoners who gave their time to fill in and return the Lilley Village survey questionaire. 150 surveys were sent out and a pleasing 71% -106 forms - were returned, and it has been encouraging to find so many people in the village enthusiastic about the appraisal.
A lot of time was put into designing, distribution and collection of questionaires, the analysis and evaluation of the returns, and the drawing up of the presentation. However the end product has been well worth the effort and I hope that all Lilley residents will find the result interesting to read.
Special thanks must go to the Village Appraisal Committee comprising:
Paul Adams
Judith Smedley
Chris Jackson
Tony Evans
for their effort in drawing this project together.
It has already given the Parish Council a more informed guide to village opinion over several subjects, and this is important when we are taking decisions on your behalf. Thank you also for all your comments you enclosed on the questionaire,they will furthur encourage us to pursue the matters that gave you cause for concern.
This survey represents a fair cross section of village views at present, but both people and opinions change with time, and this presentation must always be considered in that light.
Hugh Sheppard
Chairman
Parish Council Function
Lilley has 7 Parish Councillors, they are elected every 4 years. The Clerk deals with all the paper-work upon direction from the Council and receives a small fee each year. The Council meets monthly in the Cassel Hall, except for August. Notices of these meetings are displayed in its own notice board situated at the Farm Shop.
The Parish Council is responsible for the maintainence of:-
The Recreation Ground
The Bus Shelter
The War Memorial
The Green
Additionally we act as a liason point with Herts County Council on such matters as, Highways, traffic, grass cutting, education, footpaths and the environment.
We are the liason point with the North Herts District Council on matters of planning, upon which we are asked for our comments but have no part with the decision making, housing, street lighting, litter collection etc. We also talk with the Police, Bus Companies, and any other authority on matters of importance to the village.
Our funding comes partially from a precept from all Resident Council-Tax payers and partially from a grant from the North Herts District Council to cover those services they give the towns but we arrange ourselves.
Names of councillors:-
Chairman Hugh Sheppard
Vice Chairman Judith Smedley
Clerk Paul Adams
Robin Clark, Tony Evans, Chris Jackson, Beryl Rowe, Betty Offer
Population
The current population of Lilley is about 380.
Approximate age (of householder):-
a) 18 - 30 = 6%
b) 31 - 50 = 40%
c) 51 - 65 = 25%
d) 65+ = 29%
Of the replies received there were 60 children in the village under the age of 18 - there are probably about 70 in all.
We decided that one form per household was adequate to give us a rough guide for this survey so this must be treated as an estimate. It is pleasing to see that we have a good hard-core of householders in the group b) with families but as a counter-balance our Senior Citizens d) are also an important part of the community.
How long have you lived in Lilley?
a) Under 5 years = 24%
b) 5 - 10 years = 15%
c) 10 - 20 years = 18%
d) 20 - 40 years = 15%
e) 40+ years = 28%
This shows us that we have a high proportion of people who have recently moved to the village and equally of those who have been here a long time. About two thirds of the residents have lived here for over 10 years. This survey has led us to try to do more to integrate those in group a) into the village goings-on.
From Where To Lilley And Why
a) Born in Lilley = 14%
b) Came from Luton area = 27%
c) Came from other parts of Herts = 41%
d) Came from further away = 18%
Why you came?
a) 14% were born here.
b) 40% came because they like the village and area.
c) 13% came for housing reasons.
d) 16% came for work reasons.
e) 15% came for family reasons.
f) 2% other reasons.
It is interesting that most people came here from a 20-mile radius and that they came because they liked Lilley and the area. Convenience for work was another important factor.
Transport And Travel
Distance travelled to work?
Work in or near Lilley = 22%
2 -10 miles = 47%
10 - 20 miles = 13%
Over 20 miles = 18%
Form of Transport:-
Car = 84%
Bus = 7%
Rail = 6%
Bicycle/walk = 3%
Of Bus users about half use them daily and half just weekly - most use them during day-time. Obviously some people use all combinations of transport so this is a rough guide - but the car is all important!
Schools
Of school age children it was interesting to see that there is no main school that children attend (having no school in the village). The spread is wide which does present a problem of communication with the young of Lilley.
Offley 16% Hitchin Various schools 38%
Hexton 12% Letchworth Various schools 10%
Pirton 2% Luton
Preston 2% Bedford
Cockernhoe 4%
75% go to school by bus or school coach and 25% by private transport.
Shopping
It was encouraging to see that over 80% use the village shop regularly as follows -
daily 23%
weekly 56%
seldom or never 21%
We hope more will use it to keep this vital village facility in business.
Main shopping was spread as follows -
Hitchin 49%
Luton 26%
Stopsley 15%
Other Towns 8%
Offley & Lilley 2%
Ameneties
What do people do in Lilley?
The church is used by 42%.
The Cassel Hall is used by 60%.
The pubs are used by 50%.
The Recreation Ground and football pitch is used by 49%. The Cricket Ground is used by 16%.
We feel that you do appreciate what we have here and hope to build on your response.
Public footpaths and Bridleways are used regularly by two thirds of the community as follows -
8% Daily
43% Weekly
15% Monthly
34% Seldom or never.
We obviously appreciate that we are lucky enough to have a wonderful network of well kept up bridleways and footpaths in this neighbourhood.
The village Clubs and organisations are, disappointingly, not very well patronised by village people but the responses were a little vague.
The W.I. is supported by 12% of households.
The Bowls Club is supported by 10% of households. The Cricket Club is supported by. 6% of households. The Football Club is supported by 3% of households.
We omitted to ask about Lilley Golf Society which has active support of about 3%.
We hope to try and re-generate interest in these activities which are the life-blood of the Community.
Animals
We are a strong animal-owning community.
39% own dogs. 27% own cats. 5% own horses.
14% own a variety of others including hamsters, ferets, rabbits, pigeons, budgies and a snake!
Green Belt
A strong 90% felt that the Green Belt was extremely important which is very helpful to the Parish Council.
Houses
At present there are about 150 houses in Lilley.
Questions of new housing inevitably generate high feelings. We got the impression that people who had lived in the village longer were happier to see some limited development with the view of keeping the village young and alive, while those who had come more recently were usually against any form of development - This is of course a generalisation and not all the questions were answered fully.
These are the answers you gave:-
Further housebuilding in Lilley?
57% Some
40% None
3% Lots
The following questions caused some confusion and not everyone answered them all. These are the answers from those that did.
A housing scheme for local people? 40% would object. 50% do not object. 10% more information.
Should there be more houses to rent? 60% said yes 40% said no.
Should there be more retirement homes? 63% said yes 37% said no.
Do we need more low-cost houses? 62% said yes 38% said no.
Luton Impact
We asked how you felt regarding expansion of Luton towards the Hertfordshire boundary - 90% of you were against any further expansion and 10% did not mind. This is helpful to the Parish Council when commenting on Luton Borough's future plans.
Car Parking
70% thought there was a parking problem. 30% did not think there was.
The majority response about problems came from those who live in parts of the village where week-end parking can cause major inconvenience. The Parish Council is in a quandary as the only areas they own where car parks can be made are the Recreation Ground and the Green. They are reluctant to use either of these green areas -it is a problem that will not go away.
Other traffic problems are addressed in the Summary of your Comments.
Policing
Only 29% felt that the village was adequately policed and 71% felt that it should be improved with a higher police presence.
After the heavy spate of thefts from homes cars and farms this is perhaps a predictable response from the questionaire.
This reply is not to be confused with the quality of policing that the villages have. At the present time this is very good. They are however short of manpower.
Social Life in Lilley
We wondered whether the Social activities were enough for a small village -
60% felt that we could do with more and 40% felt there was enough going on.
We did note that there is a void in activities for the young, partly because we have no school and maybe a Youth Club could be re-started. (See comments).
Church And Village Hall
Our buildings require a lot of village finance for upkeep and the Committees responsible for them asked that we should find out how much you valued them, and to follow on, would therefore potentially be prepared to help if approached. We are much heartened that only 2% of you would not mind if the Church or Village Hall fell down!
Your responses -
The Church is:
Very important 53%
Quite important 45%
Not important 2%
The Cassel Hall is:
Very important 69%
Quite important 29%
Not important 2%
Hospital Visiting
20% have difficulty in visiting hospitals without asking for lifts because of the inadequacy of the bus service. This applies both to the Lister and the L & D.
We shall continue to pursue this with the bus companies.
Your Comments:- A summary
Number of questionaires with additional comments:- 29 which equals 27% of total return.
The most significant and prolific comment by far being with regard to traffic movement through the village, this being mainly the need for speed restrictions to be extended to include Hexton Road.
There is also a feeling that the present restrictions are not enforced. Number of traffic related comments was, 14 = 48%.
Of these 10 regarded speeding through the village as a serious nuisance.
5 thought that parking should be restricted in various ways.
3 considered that traffic calming measures should be employed and 1 person thought that there was sufficient parking in the village and that any more would encourage further traffic.
Your Comments:- Transport
Transportation related considerations were made on 4 survey returns giving approximately 14%.
All 4 persons commenting thought that the village should be more effectively covered by both the existing service and possibly by the introduction of "Hopenstopper" type units. Of the 4, two also thought that the regularity of buses should be increased and 1 person requested that the Hertfordshire pass should extend to include Luton.
An additional comment that may be included within this section is the objection by one person to introduction of parking charges at hospital car parks.
Your Comments:- Housing
On the question of Housing 5 survey forms had additional comments equalling 17% of comments received. Of these 60% (3) suggested that possible new developments within the village should be small, select, for local people and if possible at low cost!
One other person commented that existing housing should be made available for the use of young village residents.
Your Comments:- Police
With regard to Police activities within the area 4 particular comments were made (14%) together with 2 observations on vandalism within the community.
Three parishoners considered that a more active or higher police profile was required and that a neighbourhood watch scheme should be introduced. (It is already but needs volunteers). One of the above persons requested the name of our local policeman and one other asked the name of our M.P.
Emergency services provoked a single comment relating to local problems. (Now sorted out).
Your Comments:- Other
Various diverse comments were received on variety of aspects relating to Social Activities.
One person considered that the village was a segregated community with a low percentage of inhabitants using any of the organized functions or amenities that are available.
Two comments received thought that a Youth Club should be formed. Any volunteers to start one?
One parishoner felt the need for a Sunday school facility. This is happening but likely to die from lack of support.
Village amenities provoked 3 additional comments:-
One for each of the following:-
Footpaths
Street Lighting
Grass Cutting
The footpath related comment considered that a new footpath should be constructed from West St to the Offley Rd bus stop - The Parish Council have requested this - Response "No way!"
As for street lighting one person felt it to be inadequate and one that the timing was at fault. (This has been resolved as new automatic all-night lighting is now being installed).
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