Community Plan & Action Plan
The Community Plan for Bootle Parish
Introduction
This community plan was commissioned by Bootle Parish Council. Parish Councils are civil local authorities and the first tier of local government. Their activities fall into three categories: representing the local community, delivering services to meet local needs, and improving quality of life and community wellbeing.
The aim was to consult the community to understand their concerns and aspirations. The plan consolidates these into a clear action plan that can be used when lobbying stakeholders and funders.
The plan has three parts:
- Part One – a historical and current overview of Bootle Parish
- Part Two – analysis of survey and interview findings
- Part Three – the community action plan
Index
Part 1 – Location of Bootle …………………………………………………….. 4
Part 2 – Gathering of Information ………………………………………. 12
Part 3 – Action Plan ………………………………………………………… 14
Appendix 1 – Review of Community Action Plan 2009 …………. 18
Appendix 2 – Review of 10 conversations ………………………….. 22
Appendix 3 – Survey questionnaire and analysis …………………. 23
Appendix 4 – Survey grid …………………………………………………. 30
Appendix 5 – Overall rating and comments ………………………… 31
Part One – Location of Bootle Parish
Bootle Parish includes Bootle, Bootle Station, Hycemoor, Eskmeals and outlying farms and dwellings. It lies in south-west Cumbria, within the Lake District National Park. The parish sits on a narrow band of low land between Black Combe and the Irish Sea.
Nearby centres include Millom (8 miles) and Egremont (20 miles). Whitehaven is the Borough Council base, and Carlisle the County Council base.
History of Bootle Parish
- Parish established c.1150 with St Michael and All Angels Church.
- Received its charter in 1347 as Britain’s smallest market town.
- George Fox visited in 1651.
- Wordsworth visited Bootle and Black Combe in the early 1800s.
- Noted for Magistrates Courts in the 18th century.
- Agriculture has always been central to the parish.
- Captain Shaw’s School founded in 1829.
- Railway arrived in 1850; electricity in 1964.
- Village once had 28 shops; now only one remains, plus a Post Office.
Structure of the Parish
Population approx. 1,315 (2019). Housing includes Main Street, Beckside, Chapel Lane, Church Lane, Summerhill estate, Combe View, Victory Gardens, Pikingthorn, Bootle Station, Hycemoor, Monk Moors and numerous farms.
Transport Links
Bootle railway station has improved services with later trains and Sunday services. School bus services run to Millom School and Captain Shaw’s. The Muncaster Microbus Scheme operates locally.
Education
Captain Shaw’s School (ages 2–11) is a listed building. The nursery shares the site. A hall is available for community events. Children move to Millom School at age 11.
Employment and Economic Activities
Agriculture is the main base, alongside commuting to Sellafield, BAE, and Eskmeals. Various SMEs operate locally. The village shop/Post Office is vital and was especially important during Covid-19.
Emergency Services
Police services are based from Whitehaven with a Millom hub. Bootle Fire Station is staffed by on-call firefighters. Ambulance cover is from Millom. Bootle & District First Responders provide critical support, including defibrillator access.
Health Care
Bootle Surgery provides NHS primary care. Nearby hospital is West Cumberland Hospital (Whitehaven).
Alexander House (Abbeyfield)
A small supported-living home on Chapel Lane.
Sports Field
Located at the south entrance to the village. Facilities include football pitches, bowling club, pavilion, children’s play area and BMX track. Leased by BDSSC.
Religious Sites
St Michael’s Church (Anglican), an Evangelical Chapel, and the ruins of Seaton Priory.
Flood Resilience Group
Created after flooding in 2012 and 2016. Work has included gravel management (removing over 500 tonnes), natural flood management (leaky dams, bunds, tree planting) with WCRT, Environment Agency, and others. Monitoring continues.
Car Park
Located on Church Lane; owned by Copeland Council. Issues remain regarding drainage.
Public Toilets
Owned by the Parish Council since 2014. Fully refurbished in 2020 with added commercial space.
Millstone Barn Complex
Includes The Byre Café, a gym, Buzz Cycles, and the World Owl Centre. Adjacent to the Blackcombe Country Fair site.
Wellbank
Outline planning permission granted for housing, hotel, and business units. Demolition occurred in 2014 but development has stalled due to market conditions.
Path from Village to Station
An important proposed safety improvement. Progress has been slow due to funding and design constraints.
Village Hall
Located near Bootle Station; refurbished in 2014; available for events.
Bootle Shoreline
Erosion is a long-term issue. Various failed attempts at protection since the 1970s. Shoreline management included in the Cumbria Coastal Strategy.
Eskmeals (MOD Range)
Conducts trials for large calibre ammunition systems.
Communication
Improved broadband since 2016. Parish Council website: bootleparishcouncil.com. Notice boards at Captain Shaw’s, Bootle Station, and Hycemoor.
Waste Recycling
Expanded kerbside collections since 2017.
Bootle in Bloom
Volunteer group enhancing village appearance with planting and displays.
Lighting
Streetlights owned either by CCC or CBC. Some replaced at Parish Council expense.
Bootle Fitness Club
Not-for-profit fitness group offering classes and virtual sessions.
Green Areas
Several green spaces maintained by the Parish Council, with additional areas owned by CCC or BDSSC.
England Coastal Path
Project underway since 2013 to improve access along the coastline.
Section Two – Gathering Information
Three components:
- Review of the 2009 community plan
- Ten structured conversations across 11 topic areas
- A detailed questionnaire delivered to 300 households (70 responses)
Survey Findings
Most valued:
- Village shop/Post Office
- The Byre
- Captain Shaw’s School
- Fire Service
- Alexander House
Most important but low satisfaction:
- Safety walking between village and station
- Surgery opening times / lack of face-to-face appointments
- Tidal defences
- Speed limit enforcement
- Litter collection
- Main Street maintenance
- Parking
- Lack of bus service
- Employment for young people
Section Three – Action Plan
The action plan is structured by topic: Communication, Transport, Environment, Amenities and Other Issues.
Action Plan – Communication
| A1 | Lack of information | Maintain website/noticeboards; publicise | Mid 2021 | PC / Councillor |
| A2 | Broadband | Monitor FTTC gaps; work with CCC/BT | Ongoing | Community & PC |
| A3 | Better communication | Publish council info, contacts, updates | Mid 2021 | PC |
| A4 | Recruit councillors | Continue recruitment | Ongoing | PC |
Action Plan – Transport
| B1 | No taxi service | Assess demand; support volunteer drivers | Early 2021 | PC |
| B2 | Footway/cycleway | Continue work with CCC & landowners | Mid 2021 | Councillor |
| B3 | Speed issues | Work with CCC & CRASH group | End 2021 | Councillor & CCC |
| B4 | Safety improvements | Zebra crossing; parking proposals | End 2021 | CCC & PC |
| B5 | Highway maintenance | Work with CCC; publish reporting links | Ongoing | CCC & PC |
Action Plan – Environment
| C1 | Support Bootle in Bloom | Continue support | Ongoing | Bootle in Bloom |
| C2 | Reduce litter | Work with CBC on education, bins, dog waste, volunteer groups, lengthsman proposal | 2021–2022 | Councillors / CBC / PC |
Action Plan – Amenities
| D1 | Doctors surgery | Work to ensure access | Ongoing | PC / Patient Group |
| D1 | No pub | Survey community | End 2021 | Councillor |
| D2 | Toilet block | Complete upgrade | End 2020 | Councillor |
| D3 | Swimming pool | Support committee; funding | 2021 | Councillor & BDSC |
| D4 | Footway lighting | Monitor & lobby | 2022 | Councillor / PC |
| D5 | Car park | Develop extra parking | 2022 | Councillor & CBC/CCC |
| D6 | Defibrillators | Expand network | End 2021 | Councillor |
| D7 | Safety at play parks & BMX track | Ensure adequate condition; update BMX | 2021–2022 | Councillor / PC / BDSSC |
| D8 | Electric car charging | Establish demonstration point | End 2021 | Councillor |
| D9 | Book Bank maintenance | Work with Captain Shaw’s School | Early 2021 | Councillor |
Action Plan – Other
| E1 | Wellbank delays | Continue liaison | Ongoing | Councillor & Developer |
| E2 | Beach access & erosion | Seek funding; support beach cleaning | 2022 / ongoing | Councillor / CCC / CBC |
| E3 | Flood resilience | Monitor NFM features; develop enhancements | 2021 / ongoing | Councillor & WCRT |
| E4 | Improve housing stock | Promote schemes; monitor occupancy issues | Ongoing | PC |
| E5 | Crime prevention | Promote neighbourhood watch | Mid 2021 | Councillor |
Appendix 1 – Review of Community Action Plan 2009
Detailed review of 18 areas, including progress on transport, eating-out opportunities, housing, Wellbank, greenways, beach improvements, flood resilience, communication, energy efficiency, recycling, tourism, village hall, public toilets, swimming pool, car park, broadband, and defibrillators.
Appendix 2 – Summary of 10 Conversations
Most comments were positive in employment, leisure and social activities; concerns highlighted internet at Monk Moors, environmental issues, litter, erosion and flooding.
Appendix 3 – Survey Questionnaire & Analysis
Full questionnaire reproduced, covering ratings, priorities, satisfaction, and demographic information.
Key themes from comments included: walk/cycle route, speeding, lack of appointments, public toilets, swimming pool progress, Wellbank, skills training, parking, tide defences, litter, recycling, broadband, play park maintenance, shoreline access, and more.
Appendix 4 – Survey Grid
(Data table summarised in original document.)
Appendix 5 – Bootle Parish Overall Ratings
2009 vs 2020 comparison:
- Poor: 2% → 0%
- Average/Good: 82% → 78%
- Excellent: 16% → 22%