Issue - meetings

1. Introduction of Area Board Members and Cabinet Members Cllr Stuart Wheeler and Cllr Dick Tonge
2. Health Fair and Workshop - 24 April at The Paragon
3. Flooding Consultation
4. Review of Special Educational Needs Provision
5. Gypsy and Traveller Review
6. Contaminated Land Strategy
7. Air Quality Consultation

The Chairman, Councillor Russell Hawker, welcomed everyone to the fifth meeting of the Westbury Area Board and explained that it provided the opportunity for people to ask questions on local issues.

Councillor Hawker introduced his role and that of the councillors and officers present. He also welcomed to the meeting two Cabinet members; Councillor Stuart Wheeler, with responsibility for Leisure, Sport and Culture and Councillor Dick Tonge, with responsibility for Highways and Transport.

There were a number of Chairman’s announcements, as follows:

Flooding Consultation

Two Operational Flood Working Groups had been set up to collate information on flooding and drainage issues around the County. Parish and Town Councils were being invited to contribute to the collation of local data, and to assist this, flood packs were available from the Community Area Manager.

Review of Special Educational Needs Provision

A consultation was underway on the provision of services to children with Special Educational Needs. There was an opportunity to meet with officers to discuss the proposals at Salisbury City Hall on Tuesday 4 May 2010 from 7.00 pm. The closing date for the consultation was 12 noon on Monday 24 May 2010 and any questions should be directed to Tracey Gates on 01225 756170 traceygates@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Gypsy and Traveller Review

An eight week consultation on the issues and general approach to identifying land for new gypsy, traveller and showpeople sites began on Tuesday 6 April and would end at 5.00 pm on Friday 4 June 2010.

All information relating to the consultation would be available from the end of March on line at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gypsyandtravellersitesallocationsdpd and in the main Council offices in Chippenham, Devizes, Salisbury and Trowbridge and available at local libraries. Consultation drop-in events were being held at the following locations between 4pm and 8pm:

Wessex Room, Corn Exchange, Devizes, Tuesday 11 May 2010

Salisbury, City Hall, Thursday 13 May 2010.

Contaminated Land Strategy

A draft Contaminated Land Strategy for Wiltshire was currently being developed and consultation on the document would remain open until 10 May 2010. Any comments on the proposals should be emailed to publicprotectionnorth@wiltshire.gov.ukor sent to the Specialist Environmental Protection Team at Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER.

Air Quality Consultation

Views were being sought on the Air Quality Strategy, which had been developed as an over-arching document detailing the approach to air quality. The consultation on the document would remain open until 18 June 2010.

Those wishing to submit comments should contact Gary Tomsett, Environmental Protection Specialist Team Manager, on 01722 434340 or           gary.tomsett@wiltshire gov.uk.

Health Fair

Sally Hendry, Westbury Community Area Manager, reminded everyone that the Westbury Health Fair would be taking place on Saturday 24 April 2010 from 9.30 am until 12 noon at the Paragon Hall in Westbury. People were encouraged to attend the Health Fair, followed by a one hour workshop, as it would provide an opportunity to discuss health issues and have free health checks.