Mobile: 0794 120 1995
The meeting yesterday started at 10.30 and finished just before 6.00.
All the Wiltshire schemes were put before full council with differing outcomes.
All the Trowbridge area schemes were referred back to the Working Group for further consultation and consideration.
For a couple of the areas (Hilperton Gap and the land around the sewage farm off Bradford Road) that seems an odd recommendation as the Working Group already knows the opinions of the relevant councils and there are no residents in the Gap and only three houses in the sewage farm area.
More interesting will be the Paxcroft Mead area as it was suggested that the whole of the development should be looked at. To add some spice to the mix it was further suggested that perhaps a new Community Council (the equivalent of a new Parish Council) could be established for part of Paxcrfoft Mead plus the housing being built now plus the planned housing along West Ashton Road.
The Working Group had been accused of making 'safe' recommendations; if this is progressed I think it is more 'nuclear' than 'safe' but might represent the most democratic and 'open government' outcome for residents.
I was successful in proposing that for all schemes referred back to the Working Group, Wiltshire Council will write to every house which could be transferred to a different parish. The letter will advise the residents that the review is taking place and how they can comment and on what grounds. This will ensure that there is no repeat of the recent consultation whereby affected Hilperton residents had letters deliverd to them (by me as their councillor) whilst others seemed to have no idea that a consultation was even taking place.