Much Wenlock and Shipton LJC met on 29 January 2014

On Wednesday 29 January 2014 many local residents attended the Much Wenlock and Shipton Local Joint Committee (LJC) meeting to hear how volunteers are working in the community, and to have the opportunity to raise concerns and ask questions about issues affecting the community. 

Residents heard from Much Wenlock Town Councillor Robin Bennett, a First Responder, who gave a presentation about how they can help in medical emergencies before an ambulance arrives.  Robin and his colleague, Colin Marlow, cover a five-mile radius around the town and need a second defibrillator in order to be more effective.  These machines can make a vital difference to the survival of heart failure victims.  They are also appealing for more volunteers to join them. 

Paul Weeden, who leads the Much Wenlock Flood Action Group, spoke of the need for a data-logging device in order to alert householders at risk of surface water flooding at times of heavy rainfall.

Other organisations including the police, Walkers Are Welcome and the Wenlock Poetry Festival also addressed an attentive audience.

During public question time, two issues of concern were raised.

The first was directed at Much Wenlock Town Council on the delivery process of the Much Wenlock Neighbourhood Plan, and in particular its apparently exclusive stance on its approach to the Plan in recent months.

Another speaker asked about the certainty of Environment Agency funding for Much Wenlock’s flood defences.  Since the meeting, Shropshire Council’s flood and water manager has indicated that, whilst there will be increased pressure on national flood defence budgets due to the recent flooding, the mechanism for funding will remain the same.  That is, schemes will be prioritised depending on their cost:benefit ratio.  Even with the increased cost of the Much Wenlock Flood Alleviation Scheme, the figures still stack up and it is still cost beneficial.

Much Wenlock Town Council will provide a public response to the Neighbourhood Plan questions.

Shropshire Councillor David Turner, chair of the LJC, said:

“It was pleasing to see such interest in local projects, represented in a good attendance at the meeting.  It provides an opportunity for local people to discuss issues, raise concerns, ask questions about local services and call service providers to account.”

For further information on the committee, call Kerry Rogers, community action officer (south), on 07582 003401.