BUILDING communities is a matter of action, not talk for Phil Bixby, of York.

Mr Bixby is the sole proprietor of Constructive Individuals, an architectural firm in Holgate Road which specialises in advising whole communities about how to make a better environment.

His portfolio of successes has been entered in the Best Environmental Company and Small Business of the Year categories. This includes numerous self-build schemes throughout the North of England in which he has advised on design, project management, training, group recruitment and development, liaison with funding bodies and troubleshooting. Examples? Working with national charities to create young people's self-build projects in Maltby, near Rotherham, and North Tyneside, and creating an energy-efficient scheme with young people in Holgate Park, York. He has also helped as a consultant to focus ideas and local action in crucial and complex projects - getting together with residents in Bell Farm and New Earswick to decide on local community facilities; and liaising with York residents over the master plan for the 45 acres of ABB carriageworks land in York.