Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Another 'improvement' under the new WC.
The intention was that the brave new world of WC would have 'Area Boards', where councillors and interested residents could talk about local problems. These were to be organised on the basis of traditional 'Community Areas' (CA). The Community Areas reflect which market town the various villages look to for their services.

The problem for WC is that the boundaries for the new electoral divisions for the unitary council don't follow the boundaries of the Community Areas. This fact was pointed out to them many months ago.

One of the villages I represent will be affected - Staverton, which will move move from Trowbridge to Bradford-on-Avon.

If you wish to comment on the proposals please email Steve Milton at the County Council on stevemilton@wiltshire.gov.uk

Another problem that I foresee is for the Trowbridge Area Board. This will have ten WC councillors sitting on it - seven from Trowbridge and only three from the surrounding villages!

My response was short and sharp as follows :-Dear Mr. Milton,

Two comments.

1) It's a disgrace that parishes within the new Divisions all have to look to the same Area Board. In the new Holt & Staverton Division, Staverton will be expected to have some sort of empathy with the Bradford-on-Avon board whilst, for planning purposes, most of the parish falls under the planning policies relating to Trowbridge. Apart from that, the village abuts Trowbridge in a far more physical way than it does BoA, and 99% of bus services convey Stavertonians to Trowbridge; I'm not actually sure that there is a direct bus to BoA.

2) In the Trowbridge AB, the three 'rural' councillors will be heavily outnumbered by the seven Trowbridge councillors. Let's guess where most of any grants etc. will go. I would hazard a wild guess at Trowbridge, and tough luck to the surrounding villages.

Ernie Clark,

WWDC Avonside Ward

WCC Holt & Paxcroft Division.