www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Parish Newsletter - April 2008
What do you want to see on the One Council website?
We want to make sure that you have the information you need about the transition to One Council. It would be really helpful if you would let us know what information you would like to see on the One Council for Wiltshire website. We want to improve the site and your input is really valuable to help us achieve that. Please send any feedback to the transition communications team at onecouncil@wiltshire.gov.uk or by telephoning Claire Adams on 01225 756177.
Reminder Parish and Town Council Meet & Greet Sessions - Spring 2008
Mrs. Scott, Leader of the Council, wrote to all clerks recently notifying them that a further series of ‘meet and greet’ sessions will be held during April and early May to update parish and town council representatives and discuss the progress towards One Council for Wiltshire. There will be five evening eventsstarting at 6.30 p.m. and lasting for approximately two hours. Please remember that representation is limited to two councillors.
Major consultation on Mineral and Waste Policies for Wiltshire and Swindon
The county council and Swindon Borough Council have reached the final preparatory stage of building the Wiltshire & Swindon Minerals and Waste Core Strategy Development Plan Documents (DPDs). These documents help to shape the direction and broad location for future minerals and waste development and have passed through various preparatory and public consultation phases since November 2005. There will be one final period of consultation running from Monday, 31st March to Wednesday, 14th May before the independent planning inspector issues a binding report setting out his or her recommendations. More details can be found on the county council website or contact Geoff Winslow on 01225713213.
Boundary Review - Update
Hopefully by now all parish and town councils will have received the formal notification from the Boundary Committee announcing the commencement of the review and a consultation paper from the county council outlining a draft option for the proposed new electoral divisions within your area of the county.
The timeline for responses to the consultation is as follows:
To influence the proposals before the boundary review working party recommends them to the county council – send your comments to the county council by 3rd April (c/o J. Quinton at County Hall) These will then inform the county council’s discussion on 18th April when it meets to discuss its submission to the Boundary Committee. You can also write to the Boundary Committee directly and this needs to be by 21st April. (c/o J. Metheringham, Electoral Commission, Trevelyan House, Gt. Peter Street, London SW1P 2HW)
Changes to Malmesbury area bus services
As the current contracts for bus services in the Malmesbury area are due to expire on 6th April, the county council has made a number of changes and improvements to timetables resulting in what is hoped to be a much more co-ordinated network of bus services. These come into effect from Monday, 7th April, 2008. More information can be found on the county council website and a special Malmesbury area timetable book is currently being produced to publicise these changes and these should be available shortly from libraries and tourist information centres in the areas served and on the buses themselves. Timetables can also be ordered from the council’s customer care centre on 01225 713000 or buses@wiltshire.gov.uk
National Bus Pass for the Elderly and Disabled
From 1st April, 2008, the Wiltshire Bus Pass will become part of the National Pass scheme which means it can be used for free bus travel anywhere in England. Bus pass holders resident in Wiltshire will still be able to use their pass at any time in Wiltshire but outside of Wiltshire, it will only be valid during off-peak hours from Monday-Friday and all day weekends and bank holidays. New plastic cards will be issued by the district councils during March to replace all existing cards from 1st April. There will still be a facility for a companion to travel free within Wiltshire where this is necessary due to disability. Tokens or railcards will continue to be available as an alternative in some districts.
Enquiries about bus passes should be directed to the district council in which the person resides and appropriate phone numbers are: Kennet 01380 734669; North Wiltshire 08456 010487; Salisbury 01722 336272; West Wiltshire 01225 770380.
Household Recycling Centres open for longer
People in Wiltshire can recycle for longer now that the county's household recycling centres (HRCs) have started their summer opening hours.
From 1st April, all ten HRCs are open at least eight hours a day, every day, until 31st October. For more information on opening hours and waste and recycling, visit www.recycleforwiltshire.com
Is there anything about One Council that you would like to know?
If you have any questions in relation to One Council or if you would like to discuss any issues, please telephone the programme office on 01225 713017 or email onecouncil@wiltshire.gov.uk
Town Path Salisbury - Footway Improvement Scheme
The town path in Salisbury has wonderful views across the water meadows to the Cathedral and it has been described as "Britain's best view!" The county council's highways department appreciate how important this area is to residents and visitors and will be starting work soon on a footway improvement scheme for the area. This will include resurfacing, renewal of some fencing, new lighting columns and refurbishing of the street furniture.
Westbury By-Pass - Update
The enquiry into the Westbury By-Pass has now been rescheduled and it will take place from 17th June for approx. six weeks. It will be based in the Laverton in Westbury.
Invest in Wiltshire
The Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership has recently launched a new website www.investinwiltshire.org.uk. This provides a wealth of information for any business looking to expand or relocate and includesinformation on key locations, sectors, local economy etc.
Civil parking enforcement comes to West Wiltshire from 16th June, 2008
You can download the WWDC 'Think before you park' information leaflet on CPE from the county council website(follow link below)
Safety Camera Survey 2008
Wiltshire & Swindon Safety Camera Partnership recently commissioned a survey amongst residents of Wiltshire. The purpose of the survey was to investigate opinions of speed limits, speeding drivers and safety cameras. To see the full survey report visit the county council website (at link below).
New bus enquiry number
0871 200 22 33 is the new traveline number for all bus times. The old number will soon be taken out of use as will the Wiltshire Busline. If you produce public transport information or advice, please check that you are quoting this new number. If you know of any bus stop signs or timetables showing old numbers, please email buses@wiltshire.gov.uk with their location and we will arrange for it to be changed. The telephone number for Wilts. & Dorset 01722 336855 is still valid.
Free insulation for over 70s
A new scheme, funded by energy companies, has recently made loft and/or cavity wall insulation free to anyone aged over 70 who owns or privately rents their home. Installers will top up your loft insulation to the recommended amount of 11" for free, provided the existing depth is 4" or less. If you are 70 or over and would like to discuss having free loft and/or cavity wall insulation installed or if you have any queries, call the Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) on freephone 0800 512012 to speak to an energy advisor.
Food waste digester offer extended
The county council has extended a trial scheme to tackle food waste. The council if offering discounted food waste digesters to residents. The digesters can deal with raw and cooked waste including fruit, vegetables, bones etc. There are two types of digester available and prices start at just £20. You can order one by ringing a special free hotline number 0800 019 2064 or via www.greencone.com
Quick Links
New Look Annual Highway Maintenance Meetings
At the end of April, we will be springing into action with the ever popular annual highway maintenance meetings. This year, the meetings will have a brand new look and feel. To find out more, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/potholes-road-maintenance.htm
Wiltshire County Council Speed Limit StrategyJuly 2007
This is available to view or download at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/speed-limit-strategy.pdf (pdf 1745Kb) 
Wiltshire Street Scene
The Wiltshire Street Scene Partnership has produced an A-Z of Wiltshire Street Scene booklet which can be downloaded at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/street-scenes-a-to-z-final-web.pdf (pdf 3256Kb) . If you would like paper copies of this publication, please contact clarence@wiltshire.gov.uk or telephone 0800 23 23 23.
Find out more each month on individual street scene topics from our new street scene fact sheet page on the county council website at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/streetscene-fact-sheet.htm
This month we are featuring street lighting and associated street furniture.
This newsletter is also available on the county council website and from there you can access relevant information referred to above.
Contact Details
This newsletter is produced by the corporate communications team at Wiltshire County Council. We welcome your comments - please contact
By post
Communications Unit
County Hall
Bythsea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By email
