Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

WCC's parish steward scheme is celebrating its first birthday.
The 20-strong parish steward team has been patrolling the county on a rolling programme and has visited every parish at least six times.

To aid the stewards in their work, they have been reaching their destinations using satellite navigation in purpose-built, distinctive yellow Landrovers. The parish stewards have undertaken minor repairs identified by the parish or town councils, or through the county council's highway reporting service, CLARENCE, on 0800 232323.

Nick Pothecary, who recently became a steward, said: "I have worked at the council for a few years now in the customer care unit. When this job came up, the idea of sorting out problems that I previously just passed on really appealed to me, so I went for it. Every day is different and we have a really good team spirit."

The stewards have carried out various aspects of non-urgent highway maintenance, including road sign cleaning, clearing of small ditches, repair of handrails, removal of weeds and clearance of overgrown roads and footways.

As well as carrying out minor repairs themselves, the stewards report larger issues to their local office by means of a sophisticated global positioning system. This allows them to pinpoint exactly where the problems exist. The area highway offices then programme the works with the drain cleaners, patching gangs, construction gangs or the multi-purpose uni-mog vehicle.

George Batten, director of environmental services at Wiltshire County Council, said: "The people of Wiltshire have been calling for a more visible presence in their parishes for some time. This scheme has fused traditional values with modern technology to create a great service."