Agenda item

Councillors and the Community Area Manager will provide an update on community issues and progress on area board projects.  This will include:

·         Update on Highways

·         Highways Working Group (CATG)

·         Campus Working Group

·         Westbury hospital site

·         Waste Minimisation Programme

·         Dementia Awareness Campaign

·         Issues raised at the last Area Board meeting

The Area Board received updates on community issues and progress on the following area board projects:-

·                Community Area Transport Group (CATG) – On considering a report by the Community Area Manager,

DECISION

(1)  To allocate £200 to fund pedestrian route signage at the White Horse Health Centre.

(2)  To allocate £50 to fund a horse warning sign on Hollow Road leading to Lower Westbury Road, Bratton.

(3)  To allocate £300 for white lining on Station Road opposite and adjacent to the entrance to the care home and flats.

·                Campus Working Group – It was reported that arrangements had been made to meet with an officer from Wiltshire Council to meet shortly to start drafting a scoping exercise.  The need to maintain the momentum and regular updates would be made at future meetings.

·                Westbury Hospital Site – This issue generated considerable questions and discussion. It was reported that the STOP Campaign had been established to try and maintain some health provision on the hospital site.  There was considerable support for the need of some health facilities on this site with about 2,000 members of the public signing a petition.  It was noted that there were more 85 year old people living in Westbury than the average for the County and it was felt that this should definitely be recognised in the future provision of health facilities in Westbury. Hospital beds were urgently needed in Westbury to cope with the need for these facilities which would help alleviate bed blocking at other hospitals, including the Royal United Hospital, Bath.   There was a need for an updated health assessment of the area.

·                Waste Minimisation Programme – Cllr Jerry Wickham, Wiltshire Council Portfolio Holder for Waste & Recycling, reported that about 58,000 people had requesting green bin collection facilities.  It was noted that a number of bid lids were in need of replacement and these could be repaired by phoning Wiltshire Council at 0300 456 0102.

Cllr Wickham went on to report on the Waste Minimisation Programme which was a 12 month project to encourage recycling and waste prevention in Westbury and surrounding villages.  These resources had been provided by Wiltshire Council and the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust through the Recycle for Wiltshire Joint Venture.  The programme would focus on community events and activities and working with local schools.

Two fully qualified education officers would work with some local schools to deliver fun waste and recycling workshops and assemblies, including making recycled paper, scrap crafts, waste free lunch, composting creatures and litter picks. Schools could learn more about what happened to waste in Wiltshire by visiting Wiltshire’s recycling facilities and landfill site. Events were also being held in the schools to waste less, including swap shops.

It was noted that two community waste officers would be working with the community to help people recycle as much as possible and hold fun events to help reduce the waste produced. These would include family play events, fun litter picks, recycling doctor drop in sessions and clothes swishes. They would be organised to give people the skills to reduce their waste, including repair cafes and cookery workshops.