www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Parish Newsletter - March 2008
One Council announcement from Jane Scott
The Order creating One Council for Wiltshire has completed its passage through both Houses of Parliament. The Order provides that the new unitary council will come into being on 1st April, 2009. Elections will be held a month later on new boundaries to be recommended by the Boundary Committee.
We are already well advanced in our preparations for the new council but the order will now enable us to take key decisions through the Implementation Executive, which is made up of 17 councillors from across the five authorities of Wiltshire.
The change from five councils to one is a massive organisational change but it is only a means to an end. One Council will help us to provide services of lower cost and higher quality; it will enable us to improve our services to the customer, making them easier to access, easier to understand and co-ordinated for the user. It will also enable us to strengthen our relationship with Wiltshire's communities, taking more decisions locally and developing a shared understanding of what we, local government and local people can achieve together.
Boundary Review Update
The presentation by officers of the Boundary Committee on 15th February was attended by approximately 30 representatives of parish and town councils.Copies of the presentation and the main points arising from it have been sent to all parish and town councils but if you haven't received these details,a copy is available on the county council website.
Now the Structural Order which creates the new unitary council has been made, the following revised timeline for the boundary review has been agreed:
17th March- boundary review working party to agree draft proposals for consultation with district, parish and town councils.
3rd April- boundary review working party to consider representations received from district, parish and town councils and to recommend final submission to the county council.
18th April- special meeting of the county council to consider recommendations and any additional views received from district, parish and town councils.
The Boundary Committee will be sending out posters and flyers to publicise the boundary review shortly.
Slipper exchange!
In the UK, 28-33% of over 65s and 32-42% of over 75s will fall each year leading to serious injuries such as hip fractures. The county council is organising a series of "slipper exchange" events; the aim of which is to promote the well-being and health of older people living in their own homes and an opportunity for older people to see the range of services that are available tosupport them.
People can bring along a pair of old, worn-out slippers and exchange them free for a new pair which will be fitted by trained fitters. The new slippers are comfortable, warm and safe and will help reduce the risk of falls. The first two events will be held in Neeld Hall, Chippenham on 27th March and Banqueting Hall in the Guildhall, Salisbury on 8th April. Both events will open to the public between 10.30 a.m. - 3.00 p.m.
Delegation to Town and Parish Councils
Richard Munro has just been appointed as the project manager of the Delegation to Town and Parish Councils project. Part of the unitary council plan was the development of Community Area Boards (now termed Community Boards). Town and parish councils will play a crucial part in those boards. In addition we want to strengthen our direct relationship with each town and parish council building on initiatives such as the parish steward scheme.
We will be offering councils the opportunity to work with us in providing services through delegation of responsibility and funding. The overall objective is to encourage the delegation of key local services to town and parish councils according to local needs. Richard will be writing to individual town and parish clerks early in March with more information.
New parking penalty charges in Kennet, North Wiltshire and Salisbury
As a consequence of the Traffic Management Act coming into effect as from 31st March, 2008, new penalty charge levels will be enforced for on street parking conventions in Kennet, North Wiltshire and Salisbury. The Public Notice relating to this will appear in the local press on 6th/7th March, 2008 depending on the newspaper circulating in your area. The full notice can also be viewed on the county council website
Parish Exercises - 20th and 27th October 2008
The next round of parish exercises are scheduled for the evenings of Mondays 20th and 27th October, 2008, between7.30-9.00 p.m. The format is the same as previously; all that is needed is a venue with a telephone where your group can meet. If your council would like to take part in the exercises, please contact the emergency planning uniton 01225 713159 or email emergencyplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk Places are limited so early booking is advisable.
Parking changes set to benefit West Wiltshire
Wiltshire County Council, in partnership with West Wiltshire District Council, is preparing to introduce a system of civil parking enforcement (CPE), previously known as DPE decriminalised parking enforcement. For a fact sheet and FAQs, visit the county council website.
Review of relationship with the voluntary and community sector
Wiltshire County Council and Wiltshire Primary Care Trust have conducted a review of their relationship with the voluntary and community sector (VCS), the primary aim of which is to improve the way in which the county council and the PCT work with the sector to improve the quality of life for people living in Wiltshire. A draft report with 13 recommendations is now out for consultation.
Two consultation events are being held:
- Wednesday, 16th April from 11.45 - 2.00 pm at Melksham Assembly Rooms and
- Monday, 19th May from 11.45 - 2.00 pm at City Hall, Salisbury.
They will follow the same programme so you only need to attend one meeting.
A questionnaire survey will also go to all VCS groups across Wiltshire.
For further information, to complete a questionnaire or to book onto one of the events, please contact Jacqui Abbott on 01225 718037 or email jacquieabbott@wiltshire.gov.uk
News in Brief
Westbury Bypass - update
The public inquiry into the Westbury Bypass originally set to start on 29th April has been postponed. A new date for the inquiry will be circulated as soon as it has been confirmed.
Annual Highways Presentation
In late April and early May, we will be hosting our annual highways presentation. In recent years, these events have proved very helpful to parish councillors. Participants have seen new equipment, new processes and met new team members. This year we are likely to be hosting these events at our depots. Details of the events will be circulatedduring March.
Street Scene
Valentine's Day gave the ideal opportunity to organise a "Love Your Environment" clean-up around the county to raise awareness of the work carried out by the street scene partnership. Find out more.
Find out more each month on individual street scene topics from our new street scene fact sheet page on the county council website. This month we are featuring weed control.
Want to know more about your back yard?
Cranborne Chase West Wiltshire Downs AONB is planning an informative, enthusiastic historic landscape talk.
So if you are a member of a historic or heritage society, a history enthusiast or interested in archaeology, why not get in touch so that you can be invited to this free event at the Nadder Hall, Tisbury at the end of March.
Telephone 01725 517417 or email emmarouse@cranbornechase.org.uk to book your place.
Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre shortlisted for award
Having been delivered on time and under budget, the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre is one of nine projects countrywide to be shortlisted for the SCALA (Society of Chief Architects of Local Authorities) Civic Building of the Year Competition 2008.
Members of the SCALA assessment panel will be visiting the project between April and July and awards will be made at the SCALA conference in Nottingham in November 2008.
Parish Steward Programme
The parish steward 2008 spring programme will be sent to all town and parish councils during the second week of March and will include dates for the April and June visits and some notes on what the stewards will focus their attention on in May. This programme also includes some notes on how the efforts of the stewards are becoming more closely linked to many of the county's other resources and those of our colleagues who work in the district councils. We hope that you will find it interesting and informative. The programme willbe placed onto the county council website one week after it is sent out.
Community Emergency Volunteers
The next evening training session for the new community emergency volunteers (CEV) is on Monday, 28th April, 2008 at County Hall, Trowbridge. It will start at 6.30 p.m. and lasts for approximately 3 hours. If any parish wishes to nominate a volunteer to fulfil this role, they should contact the emergency planning unit at County Hall.
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
