Colin Winder

District Councillor - Wincanton

Education: Ensure we have the secondary education and the skills training in Somerset that enable our young people to progress to gainful employment

The skate park and walkway from the Recreation ground to the supermarkets, are now a well used recreational facility within Wincanton.

We need to know what further improvements can be made to improve Wincanton.

Planning is changing.

 

 

The planning system is changing under the new Government, to bring decisions closer to the community.

Wincanton needs to look at the current plans going ahead and where new business, houses and local facilities should be sited.

The high street pavement around HSBC is narrow and dangerous. We need to change this for the safety of pedestrians.

We have great shops in the town centre which we need to encourage others to use.

The draft Core Strategy is being put together with consultation throughout South Somerset to define the way the district will develop in the years up to 2026. We have to get this right, or the town that we inherited will not be fit for our children.
 Below are some notes I presented to the Town Council Last week, which shows my research in to the problems of the town and the possible way forward with regards employment.

There is an apparent obsession with housing numbers within the South Somerset “Core Strategy”, whereas in Wincanton we have reached saturation point, with unsold houses and flats lying empty.   In order to rebalance the work/living lifestyle of Wincanton residents we need to address the employment potential of the town.   We should always remember that the unemployed ratio in Wincanton (3%) is lower than elsewhere in South Somerset (3.3%), and considerably lower than the National figures (5.8%).   Wincanton is by its nature and proven history a town that works for its living despite all the adversities.
To read my response to the core strategy click here
South Somerset District Council Core Strategy
Deansley Way site