Dear Sir,
I was both surprised and concerned to read the recent coverage relating to volunteers feeling cheated out of a campus in Westbury. My surprise is that we have stated openly and on several occasions that no funding has been allocated or approved for the provision of a campus in Westbury.
My concern is that the former working group met me and I clearly updated and explained that the council had approved £80m for the provision of 7 health and wellbeing centres (formerly campuses) across the county and that these would be based in Corsham, Cricklade, Calne, Melksham, Pewsey, Salisbury and Tisbury. I also explained that any further funding to deliver more health and wellbeing centres, in towns such as Westbury, would need be aligned to future growth and development and contributions from developers, as set out in the Core Strategy.
The volunteers, on behalf of the local area board, updated me on the work they had undertaken in the local community. Based on the feedback they had received, they produced a report that focused on retaining the town’s current facilities; particularly Leighton Sports Centre and grounds, the swimming pool and the library and the continuation of these services. I provided reassurance that Wiltshire Council is committed to the provision of all these services.
On a recent visit to Westbury, I met with the area board chair to look at these facilities and future requirements for the town. I was extremely impressed with all the facilities, but also I recognised that there is a need for additional community space; particularly in the town centre, to use for meetings and events and activities. On this basis, I agreed that a feasibility study to improve the library to provide community space be undertaken, and that the community should be able to access the building out of the current library opening hours. This work is now underway and, subject to the feasibility, will be implemented to improve the existing central library site.
The council will continue to review the requirements on Westbury as part of the future growth of the town, but in the meantime, I will ensure that a vibrant hub for use by the local community is provided.
I hope your readers will find these facts both helpful and reassuring and that the volunteers will realise they have not been cheated.
John Thomson,
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing Centres
