Mini Round-Up June 2007

So much is going on at the Council and in the District that I felt a ‘’Round Up’’ was appropriate at this time to keep you all informed. Training is a high priority for all Councillors old and new and none more important than the Planning sessions.

An Executive Board (Cabinet) is now in place consisting of the leader, Paul Middlebrough, and five councillors who hold various portfolios. My cabinet responsibility is leisure, culture and regeneration, including community safety. 

We continue to make the headlines!

Council of the Year Award

The prestigious Local Government Chronicle (LGC) Council of the year award came to Wychavon in March this year. The award recognises excellence in councils who take their work beyond the normal level of service provision and to that we can add the,

National Best Value Satisfaction Results

Every three years  local authorities undertake a prescribed survey of residents and the results are then compared nationally. The results of the latest one (2006/7) have just arrived and we have fared   well –

Overall satisfaction – 65%, up 2% Top Quartile

Street Cleanliness – 77%, up 8% Top Quartile

Waste Collection – 84%, down 6% Above Average

Waste Recycling – 80%, no change Top Quartile

Sports and Leisure - 66%, up 2% Top Quartile

Parks and Open Spaces – 81%, up 4% Top Quartile

Complaint handling – 45%, up 2% Top Quartile

Closer to Home - Fladbury Ward

Julie De Paris - Fladbury Ward Police Officer (PC 1968)

The initiative by our local officer, Julie De Paris, to take time out to meet and discuss policing in the Ward with a new Councillor was appreciated. The crime figures in the ward are exceptionally low and our parishes are a good place to be ‘’safe and secure’.  Julie advises that,

 “.....  later in the year we will have a community support officer (CSO) committed to the area.”

The commitment to our ward by Julie and her colleagues is recognised as they concentrate resources in serving the needs of all the community.  Contact details are as follows:

eveshamruralwest.lpt@westmercia.pnn.police.uk
www.westmercia.police.uk 
NON-Police Emergency  08457 444 888
Emergency Services Txt - 80992
For people who are deaf, hard of hearing or speech impairment
Wychavon Community safety Partnership 01386 565301
Crime Stoppers 0800 555 111
National Victim Support Helpline 0845 30 30 900
Worcester Domestic Violence Helpline 0800 980 3331
Pressure Point, Local drugs helpline 0800 652 9664

Community Wardens Serving the Fladbury Ward

Wychavon Community wardens are based in Evesham and Droitwich Spa. They are not a substitute for the police but provide that extra link between the local community, landlords, the district, town councils and the police. Their main aim is to help improve the environment by assisting agencies in reducing anti-social behaviour, the fear of

crime and crime itself. They can also assist with issues such as fly-tipping, litter, graffiti and abandoned vehicles, and also help with community projects. They are mobile and provide a highly visible presence, in their distinctive silver vehicles, that ensure residents in rural areas can receive the same service as those in towns. The local warden for the Evesham area is Francis Haley who can be contacted on 07786 335125 and I welcome the initiative that warden(s) will be present on Sunday 8^th July at the Fladbury walkabout.

For more information about your Community Wardens contact David Hemming, Community Safety Manager (01386) 565301.

The Wick Conservation Area (CAR) comes under review

The Wychavon Conservation Team is currently revisiting all 66 conservation areas in a phased programme of review that will continue to the end of 2008, after which Cropthorne and Fladbury are to be considered. The Wick conservation area is currently under review and an initial briefing has been made to the Parish Council. The review looks at whether a conservation area boundary is still appropriate, and the need for the preparation of a CA character appraisal and management plan.

For more information about the Conservation Review contact Jim Burgin, Heritage Manager on (01386) 565366.

Good News on Recycling

Recycling services are to be extended to all homes within the Ward in 2008 and, yes, that service will also apply to the caller who rang me from Charlton.

The Vexed Issue of Waste Collection

The Council still awaits receipt of tenders which include costings for both our current waste collections and an option for a weekly alternating service. No decisions have as yet been taken.  The recently issued National Waste Strategy with it’s hoped for guidance on the best ways to collect waste say that collection methods are a matter for local authorities.  Sounds like the buck stops with us!

Speed Limits

and the A44 at Fladbury Cross

A number of recent traffic accidents on the A44 have resulted in a delegation from Fladbury Parish Council meeting with Paul Middlebrough to discuss enforceable speed limits on the road.  A campaign to raise awareness of the current situation will start with a petition-signing at the Fladbury Walkabout. I share your concerns about this road and indeed the B4084 through Cropthorne.

Evesham Matters

Evesham Hospital is important to us all, we keep saying it louder and louder and for the moment it is secure. However, Wychavon has made a firm commitment to work with the Primary Care Trust and other partners to develop a case to see if a new hospital can be provided to meet the needs of local people.

The new Leisure Centre for Evesham comes closer to reality after a recently submitted planning application was approved (subject to some consultation).  Wychavon will be funding this exciting project that will redevelop a brownfield site. Work is expected to be complete by 2009.

Tom McDonald

Conservative District Concillor

PS:    Not in our patch but why not take a dip in the Lido in Droitwich – finally opened