Healthcheck

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What is a Healthcheck?

In March 2002 work on a market towns healthcheck commenced. The Healthcheck is a research project put together by the Countryside Agency in response to the Government White Paper of November 2000. Its aims are market town regeneration through encouraging the local community to put forward its own voice on what their town and surrounding Hinterland needs. Consequently, Cranbrook Rural Partnership projects will be very much community based following a ‘bottom up’ approach

Hinterland

The concept of the Hinterland acknowledges that market towns have a specific role to play in the life of a wider community. The following are regarded as the Cranbrook Rural hinterland for the purpose of the Healthcheck:

Cranbrook

Hawkhurst

Goudhurst

Benenden

Frittenden

Sissinghurst

Sandhurst

Issues from the Social & Community Sub Group

	Cranbrook needs a New Community Centre to act as a focal point for community involvement and social inclusion.
	The Toy library (currently housed in the Jockey Lane clinic) should be extended to give more choice and re housed. Consideration should be given to a mobile facility or improved transport links to provide access from rural areas.
	Family support facilities should be improved to provide more ‘parenting skills’ classes, to promote ‘good citizenship’, develop social support networks and mentoring schemes.
	Youth drop-in café facility is needed in Cranbrook and this should be considered in conjunction with youth workers.
	Weekly Cranbrook disco for young people (no alcohol or drugs) will provide a regular focal point of interest.
	Weekly lunch club for the elderly should be extended to cater for more elderly people and people with disabilities. This requires a new venue, more volunteers and more funding.
	Facilities for adults with learning disabilities should be improved locally to offer, employment opportunities, a meeting place and appropriate training.
	Generate more community involvement through a Community Resource and Information Centre to serve Cranbrook and the Hinterland.

o Community Diary

o Skills and volunteers database

o Administrative support for local groups

o Meeting room

	Housing Needs Survey
	Gain a greater understanding of the effects of the topography of the Crane Valley, splitting the community and to find ways of improving social cohesion.
	Improve the appearance of Crane Lane, which is a main thoroughfare for people walking to and from the Frythe Estate and the Regal car park.
	Develop Neighbourhood Watch to include more schemes
	Increase the choice for cultural events in Cranbrook to include six professional performances each year in the Queens Hall.
	Explore ways to prevent social isolation and associated problems.

Issues from the Transport Sub Group

	Cranbrook is remote form any major town (1/2 hour by car and ¾ hour by bus)
	Cranbrook is remote form the major road network (A21 dual carriageway north is almost 11 miles).
	Lack of adequate dedicated cycle and walking routes in and around Cranbrook, especially safe routes to school.
	Some dangerous narrow footpaths in Cranbrook (Stone Street and Carriers Road)
	Cranbrook is not served by a railway station.
	Limited options to access railway network. Bus service patchy leaving the car as the only viable option for many.
	Cranbrook is not served by a bus station.
	There are no buses to Etchingham station
	Bus information is poor – timetables not displayed in bus stops and ‘Traveline’ coverage is poor.
	No bus services to and from Frittenden.
	Bus access to Cranbrook from outlying villages is patchy.
	Poor access to hospitals, cinemas, job centre etc.
	Isolation of people without access to private transport.
	Big gaps in bus services during the day for some small communities
	Demand for transport is dispersed throughout the rural area making bus services uneconomic and journey times long.
	No regional or local strategic transport authority. KCC is the only strategic level of planning.
	There is a need to ensure core public services are maintained.
	Probably a low level of awareness of services. Transport Needs Survey should help clarify this.
	No services for the disabled.
	Late night buses limited.
	No covered bus shelters in Cranbrook town centre.
	Hawkhurst Crossroads subject to congestion and presenting safety issues.
	No strategy for car park use in Cranbrook. Priority should go to shoppers, tourists and social events.
	Need a disability audit to examine facilities for the disabled.
	Audit of signage in Cranbrook (toilets etc)
	Any cycle paths should be well lit at night.
	Ensure the standard of lighting in the Crane Valley is up to the standard of surrounding roads.

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Cranbrook Rural Partnership.
For problems or questions regarding this web contact partners@cranbrook-consulting.com.
Last updated: Monday, 28 October 2002.