St Stephens By Launceston Rural Parish Council

We want to reassure our patients that we recognise the difficulties many of you are experiencing in accessing services at the Medical Centre.  We appreciate how frustrating it is to either be waiting in a queue for your prescription or on the phonelines to get through to Reception. We would like to thank you for your patience during this difficult time.

As with other NHS organisations, demand has increased greatly and although this is out of our control, we continue to try to improve our services and would like to take this opportunity to let our patients know what we are doing to increase capacity, what we offer as a practice and alternative ways of accessing medical help:

• Paramedic and Nurse Practitioner – within the last 2 months we have taken on additional clinicians to help support the GPs and see more patients.
• GP Registrar – as a training practice we have the benefit of having a newly trained doctor with us who not only helps our patients but gets the experience necessary to hopefully increase GP numbers in the future.
• Advertising – we are currently advertising for new GPs to join the team.  This is an ongoing recruitment campaign.
• HR Manager – we have also created a new role within the practice to help with communication and the wellbeing of our staff.  She will assist with recruitment and retention of staff which will in turn help our patients with accessibility.
• Livi – this is a remote service which we have offered for some years now and can be accessed out of hours to help those who work long hours or who are unable to easily attend the Medical Centre.  Due to the success of the app, we have now expanded our Livi services and have daily (Mon-Fri) remote clinics bookable through the Medical Centre.  This has given us the equivalent of an additional GP every day to help take the pressure off the system.
• E-Consult – these have been re-enabled and can be accessed via our website.  Again, this is an electronic service for routine issues.  This frees up our GPs and support team to see more patients face to face or over the telephone including those who do not have access to a computer.
• NHS 111 – this organisation gives advice on where to get help for your symptoms if you are unsure what to do.  They also help you to find general health information and advice.
• Pharmacist – local pharmacists can give some medical advice and will recommend over the counter medication for many minor ailments.
• Action Plan for Dispensary – this is ongoing and is looking at all aspects of the department.  Most importantly we do not expect anyone to have to queue outside for their medication or wait more than 5 days from ordering for their prescription to be ready.  We are looking at ways of managing this and of course in reducing the queues altogether. Staff are working regular Saturdays to keep up to date with dispensing your medication.  We will shortly be releasing a patient information sheet to help patients understand the specific challenges we face and how we can all help to improve the situation.
• Action Plan for Reception – This week we have re-initiated an ‘all hands on deck’ approach to answering the calls into the practice.  Our busiest times are 8.30am-10.30am, particularly on a Monday.  All staff will be available to take calls and administration tasks will be done later in the day.  If you are ringing for results or have a routine enquiry, please avoid these busiest times.  Staff are also working extra Saturdays to clear administration tasks that were previously done during the working week to ensure phone lines are answered as quickly as possible.
• Delivery Service – this was introduced during the pandemic but we have continued to offer this service to those in most need in the outlying areas.  Currently we deliver to over 300 of our most vulnerable patients.
• Daily Sit and Wait Clinic (Mon-Fri) – we have reinstated this clinic in the past few months. The reception team will book you in if necessary – this is not a drop-in clinic.  It allows many patients with non-routine issues to be seen face to face and reduces the pressure on the Duty clinics at the end of the day.  We have several GPs, Paramedics, a Nurse Practitioner or Minor Illness Nurse involved in this clinic to ensure patients are seen by the most appropriate person.  If, as a result of your Sit and Wait appointment, a blood test/ECG is required, this can be done there and then as we have a Health Care Assistant available to avoid you having to make a return visit.
• Duty Team Clinics – these are there to ensure anyone with an urgent medical condition is seen that day.  Our reception team will signpost patients to the appropriate clinician.
• Flu and Covid Vaccinations – the practice made the decision to prioritise the roll-out of both vaccines again this year as we know how essential it is for some patients to be able to access the boosters locally.  We have currently given 2100 flu and covid vaccines and have clinics up until Christmas to try and cater for as many of our patients as possible.
• EPS (Electronic Prescribing Service) – This has not yet been enabled, our supplier has informed us this will be available shortly. When enabled this will allow all prescriptions to be sent electronically to our local chemists.
• PPG – we have a very supportive Patient Participation Group who are always on hand to pass on information and ask general questions at their regular meetings which are attended by our Practice Manager.  Please note however, they cannot ask specific questions regarding individual patients.
• Communication – we are aware that a small number of patients will regularly express their frustration and occasional anger on social media.  Unfortunately, often the messages they portray only serve to spread inaccurate information and can often upset or make many of our patients anxious about what is happening within their community, and especially their Medical Centre.  We would urge anyone with an issue to follow the correct channels and contact the Medical Centre direct.  We can then answer your query and often solve your issue very quickly.  We are always very willing to consider constructive ideas that may improve systems and encourage our service users to make contact if they think they can help. (ciosicb.letterslaunceston@nhs.net).

Launceston Medical Centre

The Devon and Cornwall police rural affairs team highlight rural issues throughout the year to focus problem solving activity for police, partners and public.

We have produced a series of short videos with key messages and prevention activity and in April we are looking at farm machinery, plant and vehicle theft.

You can find the latest video in the series at the following link.

https://www.devon-cornwall.police.uk/advice/your-community/rural-crime/

The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has joined the Local Government Association (LGA) in endorsing a statement from the political leadership of the Council of European Municipalities and Regions (CEMR), which strongly condemns the multiple attacks and violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. The statement also expresses full support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people and their peers in local and regional government.

The statement reads as follows:

European local and regional governments strongly support their peers in Ukraine

We, local and regional leaders across Europe, strongly condemn the multiple attacks and violations of the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Ukraine. We express our full support and solidarity to the Ukrainian people and our peers in local and regional government. We will not accept that our European values and integrity be attacked again by the Russian Federation after the violation of Georgian territories by Russia in 2008. We are firmly opposed to the dismemberment of a free and democratic state in Europe.

The escalation of violence, repeated bombings and attacks on Ukrainian cities and territories are a serious threat to the preservation of peace and democracy across Europe. We call on the Federation of Russia to cease its attack, to leave the national territory of Ukraine, to respect all international treaties and fundamental principles of international law and to recognise the full sovereignty of Ukraine over all its territories, including Donbas and Crimea.

Firmly convinced of local democracy and city diplomacy, based on the values of peace that unite our municipalities across Europe since 1951, we stand by the Ukrainian municipalities, cities, hromadas, districts, raions and their representative associations. They are in the front line to protect the population and provide basic services to offer them good quality living conditions and daily survival. The destruction of infrastructure by the belligerents jeopardises the efficient and safe maintenance of basic public services provided by Ukrainian local and regional governments to their citizens.

As European local and regional governments, representing 60 national associations across 40 European countries, including Ukraine, we will continue to work to support them in their efforts. Not only are we ready to support our peers in the country with the materials and expertise they may need in the days and weeks to come. Municipalities and regions will probably have to face soon the human consequences of such a tragedy for Europe, probably resulting in a flow of humanitarian refugees. Coordination with our national governments will be essential.

As the European section of UCLG, let us hope that city diplomacy will soon unite us all again!

The register of interests for St Stephen by Launceston Rural Parish Councillors can be viewed on the Cornwall Council Website by following the link below.

St Stephen by Launceston Rural Parish Council – Register of Interests of Parish Councillors

St Stephens by Launceston Rural Parish Council

Statement of facts re Langore Village Green VG630

• This land was allotted to the Churchwardens and Overseers of the Poor and their successors (the Parish Council) in trust as a place of Exercise and Recreation for the inhabitants of the Parish under an Inclosure Award of 1849.  The area has since been registered as a Village Green.  Recreation Allotments, such as this one, may not be encroached upon, in any way, and even if they so wished the Parish Council is not empowered to grant any sort of vehicular right of way over the area of the Green.  Only the Secretary of State for the Environment has such authority.

• St Stephens by Launceston Recreation Grounds Trustees have responsibility to manage the Village Green; the Parish Council holds the Land and is Custodian Trustee. As such they are responsible for upholding the laws regarding the Village Green.

• Motor vehicles are crossing the Green to access Virginia Cottage

• This is not covered by the insurance policy for the Village Green or vehicle driver’s road insurance

• Village Green legislation prohibits the use of motor vehicles on them without specific authority

• Land Registry for Village Green title does not show any vehicular rights on the Village Green

• Land Registry documents for Virginia Cottage title do not show any vehicular rights over the Village Green

• It is reasonable, therefore, to assume there are currently no vehicular rights over the Green to Virginia Cottage, despite unsubstantiated assertions to the contrary by the residents of Virginia Cottage.

Possible solutions

• Erect signage indicating that vehicles cannot drive on the village green

• Take legal action against the owners of Virginia Cottage to stop driving over the Green.
• Problem: probably very expensive

• Owners of Virginia Cottage obtain an easement from Secretary of State
• Problem: despite support from Parish Council, owner not prepared to seek easement

• Block access with a physical barrier
• Problem: if barrier is removed remover can be prosecuted for criminal damage. Any legal action taken to remove barrier will need defending; this should be a police matter.

Valued Lives Pop Up Hubs and Support Groups

Valued Lives are hosting Mini Pop Up Hubs and Support Groups for people who are currently experiencing mental health challenges. You can find information on these events by downloading the document below.

You can report potholes to the relevant County Council by following the links below.

Report a Pothole in Cornwall

Report a Pothole in Devon

We thought that visitors to this website might in interested in the Devon and Cornwall Horse Watch newsletter, which gives a glimpse into the work undertaken through the partnership between Devon and Cornwall Community Watch Association and Devon and Cornwall Police to provide crime prevention and community support for all horse owners and riders, as well as stable/livery/yard owners and users across both counties.

Topics Covered In The Newsletter;

• Latest news around EHV.
• Good work story – North Devon.
• Crime round-up.
• Member focus – meet this issue’s HW member.
• Advice on getting your transport ready for the show/event season.

ST STEPHEN BY LAUNCESTON RURAL PARISH – a gem to the north of Launceston Town

St Stephen by Launceston Rural Parish has a ‘made’ Neighbourhood Plan after successfully going to Referendum on 14 November 2019.  With a turnout of 43.7%, there was a vote of 85.3% in favour of a Neighbourhood Plan.  The community had worked for several years to collect the evidence and work on policies that would be of benefit to the parishioners.  It was a true communal effort.  Helped by an excellent Planning Consultant, the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Committee produced a document which has statutory weight and which must be referred to, along with the NPPF (National Planning Policy Framework) and the Cornwall Local Plan, when assessing planning applications.  It can be found at https://ststephensruralnp.org.uk/ and we are immensely grateful for the time and effort gladly given by parishioners to produce it.  Funding was available from Locality and the Referendum was paid for by Cornwall Council, so this valuable document cost the parishioners nothing financially, an important consideration in these austere times.

A Neighbourhood Development Plan gives people a voice in their ‘place’. It does not mean that they can prevent development ordered by central and local government, but they can have a say in the where and how that development is planned.  Getting the balance right between the pressing need for appropriate housing and economic development with preserving our green spaces is essential for our health and well-being.  We can address design and green technologies now so important to the massive environmental challenges facing us all.  Cornwall Council declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 and is encouraging Towns and Parishes to formulate Neighbourhood Plans which include policies on energy efficiency and renewable energy provision for all homes and businesses.  St Stephen by Launceston Rural Parish Council declared a Climate Change Action Plan in mid 2019.  The community is committed to safeguarding its locality for future generations. 

St Stephen by Launceston Rural Parish surrounds Launceston Town to the north, east and west. It includes the designated Area of Great Landscape Value based on the Kensey Valley and now has three Village Greens, the latest registered in December 2019 at Truscott Pond.  Many parishioners are keen environmentalists and local historians and wanted to conserve and increase biodiversity around Truscott Pond, the most ancient drover’s pond in North Cornwall.  The Parish Council had already obtained a Licence to Plant and Maintain the area from Cornwall Council and the verges are a delight for walkers, visitors and parishioners in spring, summer and autumn.  The pond and associated hedgerows have Historic Environment listing. We have sighted a kingfisher by the pond and now I hear that a resident has recently seen a heron.  There is also a pair of mallard – in 2018 a pair bred on the pond.  Our parishioners have planted over 300 trees in the parish and they are now managing them, being mindful of the advantages for biodiversity in the area.   

But, not content with just ‘sitting back and smelling the roses’, the parishioners now have a plan to establish a Local Nature Reserve in the area around Truscott Village Green Pond.  The Parish Council has appointed a Working Party to gather the information and we are enrolling our knowledgeable experts to help us along.  Local Nature Reserve status would give the Parish the right to care for and protect the area for wildlife and flora biodiversity management and environmental education.  It adds extra weight for protection. The parishioners of St Stephen by Launceston Rural Parish certainly care about their environment and they are doing their best for Climate Change.  They deserve every success.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund last week published The Village Survival Guide, a vibrant, entertaining manual featuring case histories, checklists and practical advice. The guide is intended to help those living in the countryside to utilise the talents available in their own communities to tackle some of the social and economic challenges they face.

It follows on from the Fund’s 2018 research Recharging Rural, which saw over 3000 people tell the charity about the challenges they faced living in rural areas, and how they were pulling together to overcome these.

Claire Saunders, Director of The Prince’s Countryside Fund said: “Over the past nine years, the Fund has distributed more than £10 million in grant funding, to hundreds of inspiring community groups and charities. We realised that what people had learned from these successful projects could help to inspire others to take the initiative and transform their local community; the projects run by these groups deliver essential services at a local level, often making up for shortfalls in other provisions.

“The 100-page handbook covers everything from how to set up a committee, to installing digital infrastructure, and where to go to get funding for your project. We hope that this is a really useful, empowering resource that makes it easier for people to put their ideas into practice.”

The guide covers topics including how to set up shops, pubs, and hubs; rural housing; transport; business development; digital infrastructure; and how to get help when you need it. There is also a Village Sustainability Top 10, which looks at the key things’ communities must do to safeguard their future viability.

The Prince’s Countryside Fund would like to thank all those who contributed their expertise and story to The Village Survival Guide, and also players of People’s Postcode Lottery for their support of the digital version.

Read the online version of the guide here: Read VSG