www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Members Update - 8th February 2008
On Wednesday evening 6 February the House of Commons voted on the Structural Change Order to create a unitary authority in Wiltshire. The Order was voted through by 269 votes to 158. Local Government Minister John Healey said the new countywide authority could prove to be a "flagship" for the rest of the country to follow. The Order will now be put before the House of Lords.
The Judicial Review appeal for Congleton Borough Council was heard in the High Court on 28/29/30 January. We hope to hear some news on the decision soon.
George Batten
Transition Programme Director
Do you want to know more about One Council?
We want to make sure that you have the information you need to inform your parishes about the transition to One Council. It would be really helpful if you would let us know the questions that you would like answered or if you would like to discuss any issues please telephone the Programme Office on 01225 713017 or email onecouncil@wiltshire.gov.uk. Don’t forget you can visit the One Council for Wiltshire website for information.
Monthly Members Seminars
A proposed programme of monthly Members seminars has been drawn up and will be presented to the Implementation Executive on 13 February. Details of the February seminar on the boundary review process can be seen below in workstream news under Community Leadership and Governance. We hope to publish more seminar dates in the next newsletter in two weeks.
One Council for Wiltshire Website – Members Area
We are currently developing a Members area on the One Council for Wiltshire website where we will be posting details of seminars, meeting papers, newsletters and much more. If there is any information you would like to see in the Members area on the website please contact onecouncil@wiltshire.gov.uk or telephone Claire Adams on 01225 756177.
Implementation Executive
The next Implementation Executive meeting will take place on 13 February 2008. You can view the papers on the One Council website in the Members Area.
Workstream news…..
Resources Workstream:
Many teams of staff from all over the county are getting together at meetings and workshops to start to look at how their services will be shaped in the future, drafting protocols and policies and discussing how they can work together towards and beyond April 2009.
Business Management Programme:
Final tenders were submitted on 21st January and they are currently being evaluated by a team of 20 people made up from all five councils. Cabinet will decide final approval on 11 February and the aim is to sign a contract with the chosen supplier by the end of February.
Frontline Services Workstream:
Frontline Services Board membership has been extended to include Tracey Carter (WCC) and Mark Smith (KDC).
Community Leadership and Governance (CL&G):
The Boundary Committee has recently informed the County Council that it hopes to commence the boundaryreview by the end of February. The review can go ahead once final approval of the Structural Change Order has been given in the House of Lords.
It was originally hoped that the County Council would sign off the submission to the Boundary Committee at a meeting on 18 March 2008. However in view of the delay in starting the review, work is now underway to identify an additional date for a special Council meeting in April to sign off the submission. This would allow more time for consultation with District, Parish and Town Councils.
The Boundary Committee has also offered to briefall District and County Councillorson the review process and this will take place on 15 February 2008at 10.00am in the Council Chamber at County Hall.
Electorate forecast data for 2012 broken down to polling district level has now been finalised. This is the essential building block for the boundary review and if any member would like a copy please contact John Quinton 01225 713054 or Abbi Gutierrez 01225 713931 in Democratic Services.
Customer Focus
Terms of reference have been drafted and recruitment for the Customer Focus team will begin soon.
Work is now taking place to prepare for workshops and public consultation.
Contact Details
By Post
Programme Office
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By Email:
By Telephone:
01225 713017
Notes:This is a communication from the Towards One Council Implementation Team on behalf of Kennet District Council, North Wiltshire District Council, Salisbury District Council, West Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire County Council. Minutes of the Towards One Council Joint Implementation Board are available on the extranet or by contacting us at the Programme Office.
