Community engagement top priority for new Council Deputy Leader
Cllr Mel Jacob has been telling us about her ambitions for Wiltshire's new Lib Dem administration
The Deputy Leader of Wiltshire says she wants to improve the county's engagement with the authority.
Cllr Mel Jacob is part of the new Liberal Democrat administration, the first in the history of Wiltshire Council in its current guise.
Cllr Jacob says the Council, lead by Ian Thorn, is "very excited" to find ways to make a difference in Wiltshire.
She said: "We obviously have a manifesto in things that we want to deliver for the people of Wiltshire, but there's also learning and finding out about what's already in progress. We don't want to throw the baby out with the bath water."
Cllr Jacob told us there a many "fantastic" project they're aiming to continue, while they're looking for others that might need tweaking or mending as they learn more about them.
Upon being elected as Leader in May, Cllr Thorn said he'd be tackling potholes across the county's roads, insisting that he had to don a Hi-Viz jacket and help out, he would do so.
But Cllr Jacob has a slightly different priority.
She said: "I would say my priority is more about community engagement.
"From talking to people on their doorsteps, I know lots of people feel a bit disenfranchised from local government. They don't understand what it's about or they feel that it doesn't make a difference.
"So I'm really wanting to improve our communication with residents and make sure that people feel that they're listened to, that they've really got an opportunity to have a Council that works for them."
Cllr Jacob did say that she's also help the Council Leader fix Wiltshire's roads.