Agenda item

Peter Dunford - Community Area Manager

 

To receive a report on feedback arising from the recent JSA event.

 

Peter Dunford – Bradford on Avon Community Area Manager reported back on outcomes arising from the recent “What Matters To You in Bradford on Avon” event at St Laurence School.

 

Children and young people

 

1. Youth centre greater investment and open to all with extended hours. 31%

 

2. Increase sports and Arts participation by eliminating costs and increasing transport availability.21%

 

3. A "one stop shop" for all information about all available activities,(Youth centre, Sport, Clubs). 21%

 

4. St Laurence school ‘Here to Help’ support service - further improve and extend the service. 7%

 

5. Opportunity to engage in discussions about what YP want. 20%

 

 

Community safety

 

1. Maintain Low ASB by targeting persistent offenders better lighting on pathways/alleys, hedge cutting and Youth Service provision for young people. 18%

 

2. Road Safety, speeding on key routes, Moulton Drive, Trowbridge Rd, New Town, A363 Cumberwell, Wingfield. Community Speed Watch. 20pmh Town limit. 29%

 

3. Core Zone, Full understanding needed. Pedestrian crossing and Safety, loss of pavements, increased traffic significant ageing population. 31%

 

4. Vulnerable Persons at home. home fire/security checks, dementia risk, missing persons, Welfare checks, Cocoon Watch. 23%

 

 

 

 

Culture

 

1. Better statistics required as currently portrays a distorted image of low engagement due to narrow definition of culture. 2%

 

2. Need to capture vast range of culture i.e. ad-hoc events/festivals with fuller detail of groups on asset base. 20%

 

 

3. Celebrate local social history, involving locals, helping community integration and less gentrification of arts. 28%

 

4. Building on tourism as biggest employer in area. Strategy/package needed to capture tourists. 36%

 

5. Potential of campus in increasing or best utilising volunteers, communication of local culture. 15%

 

 

Economy

 

1. Do something about parking in the centre to encourage bigger footfall
2. Move wilts council market way from a car park that actually discourages footfall in the town. 18%

 

3. Re brand the town - independent, fair trade, quirky just 6 miles from bath. 10%

 

4. Superfast broadband now to encourage innovators into the town encourage IT crowd. 24%

 

5. Do something about safety aspects of the town to encourage people to visit. 18%

 

6. Events manager - awareness of what we have to offer, trade shows, mini Crufts. 15%

 

 

Environment

 

1. Flooding, including drain maintenance and development control to mitigate flooding i.e. sustainable urban drainage systems. 33%

 

2. Traffic, providing sustainable transport including community buses, delivery/collection services and a footbridge. 39%

 

3. Climate change.  Renewable energy e.g. hydropower at Avoncliff., more support for energy efficiency e.g. with Selwood.14%

 

4. Protecting wildlife, improving our declining SSSI's, facilities for birds on buildings. 2%

 

5. Support sustainable local food production, including working with farmers to reduce flooding. 12%

 

 

Health and wellbeing

 

1. Getting the right care for vulnerable people - both paid and unpaid. 38%

 

2. Poverty: Supporting vulnerable people. 17%

 

3. Improving access to information and advice. 8%

 

4. Improving mental wellbeing: tackling loneliness and social isolation. 36%

 

 

Housing

 

1. Affordable housing need more particularly in Villages, ensuring they stay as affordable homes in the future. 48%

 

2. Developing a quality measure for future proofing houses, larger rooms, accessibility for older and disabled people. 12%

 

3. Homelessness, especially hidden, overcrowding living with parents, can’t afford to buy or rent locally. 15%

 

4. Private rented rate very high in Bradford on Avon. 5%

 

5. Housing stock, identifying what private home owners need now and in the future, ensuring homes are maintained well. 20%

 

 

Leisure

 

1. Communication and raising awareness of existing leisure offer within the town. 9%

 

2. Improving swimming pool & incorporating gym to get better facility. 26%

 

3. Informal space (bandstand) in the park - recreational gathering bringing the music into the community. 14%

 

4. Youth provision such as skate park and including youth shelter / cafe. 25%

 

5. Protecting all the existing leisure / green space offer from developers. 26%

 

 

Transport

 

1. Developers to address the transport impact of new development with new transport infrastructure. 23%

 

2. Support the aim of the Historic Core Zone to improve the environment for pedestrians. 29%

 

3. Public transport to meet the needs of the community. 37%

 

4. Reduce vehicle speeds outside of town centre limits. 12%

 

Project ideas of how to deliver on these priority themes were also set out.    

 

It was agreed that the Community Area Manager and Area Board members in association with BoACAN would work up proposals to bring back to the next Area Board meeting in May for agreed action.

 

Support was expressed from the audience for the Historic Core Zone as a vital project for Bradford on Avon which should be driven forward.