Westfield Parish Council had a busy year of 2022, with environmental developments and residents wants at the forefront of the plans, here’s how they improved your area:

Waterside Valley has been a key focus this year, with a summer of consultations which have shaped our Management Plan.

Accessibility and bio diversity are important features, encompassing paths, entrances, signage and grass cutting.

Funding opportunities have been investigated in detail, with huge thanks to B&NES and Somer Valley Rediscovered for including Waterside Valley in their successful WECA bid, securing some £100,000 for Waterside Valley.

New play equipment continues to replace old and this year, thanks to grants from Awards for All and Sperring Charity, we have commissioned new swings at Norton Hill Play Area. These take the form of a ‘you and me’ swing which allows adults to sit opposite their toddler and a five way swing.

A new brick planter at Wesley Avenue was commissioned to replace the rotting wooden one. This will continue to hold a hanging basket tree, with shrubs in the planters underneath.

The ever-popular Christmas Lights Switch On event goes from strength to strength. This year, three new lampposts were commissioned to extend the lights display down to Bath College on the A367.

Youth Services continued to thrive and the Parish Council was pleased to continue to support the provision financially.

We continued to support local organisations with grant donations, including Bath Area Play Project which provides a Play Day in Westfield during the summer, Midsomer Norton Dial-a-Ride, Midsomer Norton and Radstock Silver Band, Radstock Museum, small Stuff Baby Bank, Swallow, Swan Advice Network, Trinity Girls Brigade, Trinity Methodist Church, West of England Rural Network, Westfield Allotment and Garden Society, Westfield Voices, 1st Radstock Scout Group.

The fifth annual Inspirational Citizen Award was awarded to Rachael and Eddie Liddiard (pictured right) for all the work they did to make the lives of their neighbours so much easier in times of need.

The annual Front Garden competition was won by Mr and Mrs Holcombe of Waterside Road for their strikingly beautiful front garden.

The winner of the special Jubilee prize went to Ms Helen Moon for her bright red, white and blue display and the Container prize went to a beautiful hanging basket display in Highfields.

The Christmas Decorations award 2022 went to Mr and Mrs Holcombe at Waterside Road. The garden and their house were an absolute riot of colour, and the judges were particularly impressed by their attention to detail.

We have a Neighbourhood Plan which directs future developments in the Parish ensuring the standards of development as well as affording the Parish a 25% portion of the community infrastructure levy which it uses to fund projects for the benefit of Westfield. The Neighbourhood Plan is due for Review in the year ahead and if anyone would like to become involved in this process, you will be very welcome.

Within the boundary of the parish, the Parish Council has examined with enthusiasm the plans for the renovation of the Shambles and the adjacent new homes and shops at the site of the former ‘Radco’. We look forward to seeing both these building works come to fruition.

Winter maintenance of the pavements is as important as ever and our heartfelt thanks to the unsung heroes who voluntarily go out in the severest of weather to grit some of the pavements in the parish. Thank you for looking after our community.

If you can join this lovely group of people and give a few hours in the cold weather, please contact the Parish Council office: [email protected]

What’s new for 2023/24?

Plans are being made to start increasing the bio diversity at Waterside Valley with some scrub clearance and grass cutting. We hope too that we can go out to tender for some accessible pathways.

The Parish Council is looking to move office to Norton Hill Recreation Ground. Fully funded from reserves, this should reduce the Parish Council’s outgoings significantly.

The Parish Council is working with Westfield Sports and Community Centre to create changing rooms at Westhill Recreation Ground.

We continue to budget cautiously and to ensure we have contingency reserves to maintain a healthy financial balance of providing for the community whilst anticipating future demands on its resources.

We positively encourage your views and suggestions for the future of our Parish.

Residents are welcome to attend meetings of the Parish Council and you can view our meeting dates on our: www.westfieldparishcouncil.co.uk