This project has been progressing well and the site is quite transformed. Cemex had agreed a method of working with WCC that did not require any demolition other than by mechanical means. However, it has become apparent, principally for safety reasons, that the partial demolition of three remaining structures using explosive charges is necessary. Cemex have consulted with WCC and this has been agreed.

Although very minor, the use of explosive charges requires a very strict procedure and this has been the subject of notification to all the emergency services. There will be a strict exclusion zone for all site personnel but as the zone remains within the boundary, this will have no implications for any of the local communities.

The dates and times are shown below:-

Monday, January 16th 2 p.m. No. 6 Kiln Precipitator

Thursday, January 19th 2 p.m. No. 7 Kiln Precipitator

Wednesday, January 25th 2 p.m. Pre heater tower

These will be extremely minor applications of explosives and will be barely noticeable beyond the site boundary.

The consultation is looking into the opening hours of the county’s main libraries and can be accessed via the Warwickshire Library and Information Service blog www.libraryconsult.wordpress.com. There is an online survey, and general library opening hours proposal document, or the individual library plans.

The consultation got underway on Monday, November 14, and runs for four weeks and ask local people to decide on the opening hours of 16 libraries including:
• Leamington
• Lillington
• Rugby
• Southam

The consultation is on the future pattern of opening hours for libraries remaining under the Library and Information Service control.

The public consultation, is offering two options. The majority vote from the public will decide the future opening hours of the library
- the library customers will decide. It is therefore important for as many people as possible to engage with this consultation, either via the web, or by popping in to your local library and completing a survey.

The new opening hours will be introduced from March 31. More details will be available at www.warwickshire.gov.uk/libraries and www.libraryconsult.wordpress.com

Meanwhile, Warwickshire County Council continues to work closely with community groups around the county developing new community libraries. All of these should be open and operational by April 1, 2012.

If you have a specific concern or problem, then drop in to the local surgery from 6.30pm – 7.00pm where you will be able to speak to your Neighbourhoods Policing Team, Fire and Rescue, Councillors and Officers from Warwickshire County and Stratford-on-Avon District Councils. During this time you can also join us for a cup of tea and a mince pie.

Free transport can be provided to and from the forum (contact: Ali Mainey on 01789 260134 by 12th December)

You will be able to find regular updates on the project on this page and find out how you can get involved.

Please print copies for circulation to those who may not have email, as these are often the very people who would most benefit from being able to access on-line services through faster broadband in the future

Project Updates

Update – October 2011 (PDF)

Further updates will be issued monthly (or more regularly if necessary)

For more information about the project:
please visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/superfastbroadband
or email: econdev@warwickshire.gov.uk

We have our Annula General Meeting on Monday 26th September at 19:30 in the Buck & Bell and this will be followed immediately by the monthly meeting. Anyone who is interested in joinig the committe or taking one of the officers roles are invited to contact Russ Wheatley or come along to the meeting.

Contact details
Telephone: 07540 454500
EMail: russ.wheatley@btinternet.com

There is FREE Community Transport – to book please call Ali Mainey on 01789 260134 by 14th September 2011.

COMMUNITY FORUM  BACKGROUND

Community Forums are local informal meetings for residents to come along to. They offer you a straightforward way to raise your views and concerns that matter most to you.  At the Forum the Safer Neighbourhood Team gives a presentation regarding the previous quarter and looks at any new priorities that the public vote for us to take on for the next quarter.

The Southam/Feldon Community Forum meets at least 4 times a year, usually on a Wednesday evening, at venues chosen by you.  All the meetings start with a half hour drop-in surgery from 6.30pm with the Forum starting at 7.00pm. 

During the surgery you can drop in and chat to offices from your Neighbourhood Policing Team, you local councillors and Council Officers and have a cup of tea.

The dates for the remaining meetings in 2011/2012 are:
Wednesday 21 September 2011, 6.30pm at Southam Primary School
Wednesday 14 December 2011, 6.30pm at Southam Primary School
Wednesday 21 March 2012, 6.30pm at Napton Village Hall

Further information can be found at: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/southamforum

View the proposals in full and take part in the consultation at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/hwrc_consultation

The survey closes on Sunday 14 August.

Find out more about the project, the proposed route that HS2 will take through the local area and respond to the consultation online at:  http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk.

If you are in favour of HS2 then you will find plenty of supporting advice on the Department for Transport website.

If you want to object, why not visit the Southam Area Action Group website for advice on how to answer the consultation questions? You can also see where the proposed route will go (metres from Bascote Heath) and find out about an alternative to HS2 called Rail Package 2.

Also, it’s been suggested that responses from people not living in the direct vicinity will have more weight as they will not be seen as ‘NIMBY’ responses – so ask your friends and family what they think.

Warwickshire County Council resolved last December to oppose HS2 and is one of 13 local authorities that have joined the 51M Group – a consortium opposed to the HS2 proposals – that will submit a co-ordinated response to oppose the scheme.

Councillor Alan Cockburn, the County Council’s Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Communities, said: “Warwickshire is opposed to the proposals and we do not believe that the benefits of HS2 outweigh the cost and impact on the county. We urge residents to take five minutes to look at the facts on our new website and make their minds up about whether high speed rail is right for Warwickshire.”

As well as responding to the consultation online at:  http://highspeedrail.dft.gov.uk, you can write to:

Freepost RSLX-UCGZ-UKSS
High Speed Rail Consultation
PO Box 59528
LONDON
SE21 9AX

Alternatively, if you would like a paper copy of the consultation form phone: 020 7944 4908.