WESTBURY will benefit from a second community fridge, to help any resident in need, after the town council approved funding.
Policy and resources committee members gave the nod to town clerk, Deborah Urch’s recommendation at their latest meeting, after hearing how well used and popular the current community fridge at the Crosspoint premises has proved.
The second fridge will be managed by the Westbury Area Network (WAN), the charity that runs the new food bank scheme, and will be housed at its premises.
Deborah explained. “This is a recommendation to council for £480 plus £120 for wall sockets to purchase a second community fridge.
“The Westbury Area Network is looking to move to new premises in the high street. All being well, the new fridge will go to the new premises. If it doesn’t go according to plan they may need to move to the Westbury Community Project (WCP) until new accommodation can be found. And we would take the fridge to WCP in the meantime.”
Cllr Mike Sutton asked, “Are we purchasing this fridge for the use of another organisation or will it be our fridge? I’m very much for this, but we need to make sure it’s done properly.”
Deborah responded that the council would own the fridge and it will be manned by WAN.
Members requested that an audit process be set up so the fridge is regularly checked after hearing the current fridge had been moved from one point to another, destroying the chemicals in the back. Deborah said there was a policy in place for WAN to sign, which would cover those types of things.
The money for the fridge is coming out of community support grant money the council has received.
WAN trustee, Michael Amos, said, “We are delighted that the town council has agreed to fund a second fridge – the new fridge will greatly increase the capacity to store perishable items and help ensure that we minimise waste and maximise reuse. “The Westbury Area Network charity, founded by many of the volunteers who assisted in the Westbury Food Project, have agreed to take on the running of the fridge, which remains the property of the town council.
“The fridge will be available to any resident and is a great community resource.”
