Agenda item

An update from the Community Area Manager and leaders of the groups working on existing issues.

If you would like to raise an issue please contact the Community Area Manager whose details are available on the front page of this agenda or report the issue on the Wiltshire Council Website by using this link.

The Chairman will invite those attending to raise any urgent items of public concerns and will also invite any questions from the floor.

1. The Community Area Manager reminded people that they could either report or track issues on the Wiltshire Council website or contact her directly on 07771 844 530 or email jacqui.abbott@wiltshire.gov.uk.

She was glad that a number of issues were being raised, especially as so many of them could be resolved, even if for some of the more complex issues it sometime could take a while to reach a solution.

2. Susan Jones, a Chapmanslade resident, raised the issue of the re-opening of the lay-by on Black Dog Hill and expressed her concern and anger at the impact this had on her and her husband’s lives. She explained that the lay-by had been reopened after an 18 months temporary closure. Since then Mrs Jones felt that there had been a number of issues such as joy-riders, anti social behaviour and illicit activities taking place at the lay-by. She also stated that their mail was no longer being delivered due to access issues and that she had been made aware by the refuse collectors that they may also be unable to collect refuse should there be any further issues with access.

Councillor Pip Ridout arrived at this point.

It was clarified that the re-opening (as well as the temporary closure) had been a decision of the Highways Agency who were responsible for the lay-by, not Wiltshire Council. The Board could understand Mrs Jones’ concerns and felt that some of the issues raised could benefit from further clarification, especially whether or not Mr and Mrs Jones had been consulted with regards to the reopening of the lay-by and the access issues for services such as mail deliveries and refuse collections. The Community Area Manager offered, and the Board agreed, to open discussions with the Highways Agency as well as to get some clarifications regarding the consultation, mail deliveries and refuse collections.

ACTION: Jacqui Abbott

3. The issue of cars and lorries parked on the pavement in Warminster was raised, the Community Area Manager invited the gentleman who had raised the issue to speak to her after the meeting so she could get more details. Although it was not a police matter as such, Inspector Winter also invited the gentleman to give her more details outside of the meeting.

ACTION: Jacqui Abbott and Inspector Winter

4. Speeding was also raised as an issue especially in areas where a 30mph limit changed to 60mph for a short while then back to 30mph again (such as the road near Turnpike Cottage). It was established that the road in question was an unclassified road. Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and

Transport, explained that a review of all A and B roads had just finished and a review on C and Unclassified road would start. Suggestions of changes or work to be undertaken would be sent to all Area Boards and each Area Board would be asked to identify the priorities for their area. It was planned for two projects per area to be undertaken per year. This would be a lengthy process as there had to be a consultation, consideration of the result of the consultation, proposal of projects, another consultation then the orders could be raised.

People were encouraged to inform the Area Board of the areas they felt should be considered as priorities.