Town council slated for inaction (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

Town council slated for inaction

CIVIC leaders in Cirencester have been accused of missing an opportunity to help some of the town's most deprived areas.

Two county organisations geared towards helping market towns have questioned why Cirencester has not pursued its Market Towns HealthCheck.

Tetbury, Lechlade and Fairford are all well-advanced in the HealthCheck process, but a breakdown of relations between Gloucestershire First, Gloucestershire Market Town Forum (GMTF) and Cirencester Town Council has left Cirencester well behind.

This week councillors were spurred into action after the council was accused of being "an uncaring organisation".

Town clerk Andrew Crook told councillors "the question has been raised as to why Cirencester is not proactive in community development".

He said: "I believe we could be in a position where we could address areas of deprivation in Cirencester - that's why I am really upset about this.

"There are sometimes indications that this town is well off and we would not benefit from this HealthCheck process, but Chesterton falls within the national top 25 percent in the deprivation index for education, skills and training."

Relations between the council and GMTF soured in May 2004 after some councillors felt the HealthCheck was too bureaucratic.

But areas such as transport, heritage and housing in Cirencester could all be aided by grants born out of the HealthCheck.

And now a new working group has now been formed to revitalise the process.

Cllr Deryck Nash, who is chairing the new working group, said: "I regret the working group had not been formed, but there have been very good reasons for that.

"There is a considerable body of evidence these HealthChecks work better if they are led from the community rather than the council."

Cllr Nash recommended the council return a £3,000 grant from the GMTF so another organisation could lead the HealthCheck.

He also suggested donating a further £2,000 to meet administrative costs.

Cllr Brenda Potter said: "I am very sad to hear about the HealthCheck. I was very enthusiastic about this when it started and I hope to be able to come back now and get my sleeves rolled up and do something about it." Co Now an independent chairman is being sought to lead the Cirencester HealthCheck