www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Parish Newsletter - October 2007
Towards One Council
You will be aware that the five councils in Wiltshire are now working together towards becoming just one authority following government approval of the proposals. Now county councillors have agreed the new council will come into existence in April 2009 and will be called Wiltshire Council. Elections will be held in May 2009. The proposals were agreed at an extraordinary meeting of the county council that was also attended by district council representatives and will now be forwarded to the Government for consideration. Two representatives from each parish council (one can be the parish clerk) have been invited to find out more about the transition by attending a parish meet and greet session. Contact Emma Vowles on 01225 713017 for more details.
Budget Consultation Meetings
There is still time to book a place at one of the five consultation meetings organised by the county council to give people the opportunity to comment on how the council’s budget should be spent. The county council wants people to give their views on what the priorities should be when the budget for 2008/09 is set by councillors in February 2008. The consultation meetings are being held across the county in November. You can check availability of spaces and book a place by ringing 01225 713000 or emailing customercare@wiltshire.gov.uk by 19th October.
The meetings are:
- Thursday, 1st November at Chippenham Town Hall
- Tuesday, 6th November at Salisbury City Hall
- Thursday, 8th November at Marlborough Town Hall
- Thursday, 15th November at St. James Hall, Union Street, Trowbridge
- Monday, 19th November at Devizes Corn Exchange
All meetings will start at 7.00 p.m. and finish at around 9.00 p.m.
Community Emergency Volunteer Training
The next evening training session for new volunteers is Monday, 8th October. The training is held at County Hall, Trowbridge and will last approximately three hours starting at 6.30 p.m.
If you would like to attend or if any parish wishes to nominate a volunteer to fulfil this role, please contact the emergency planning unit on 01225 713159 or emergencyplanning@wiltshire.gov.uk We would appreciate nominations by Wednesday, 3rd October if possible.
Wiltshire Homeshare Scheme
A new scheme is being launched by Wiltshire County Council which will support older and disabled people to stay in their own home and supports people who need accommodation and are willing to give some help. A Homeshare involves two people with different sets of needs, both of whom also have something to offer. Homeshares are agreed between two people – a householder and a homesharer. The homesharer receives free accommodation in exchange for providing around ten hours of unpaid help each week. This could range from shopping to DIY and from gardening to cleaning but would exclude any type of personal care. If you would like to know more about the homeshare scheme, email homeshare@wiltshire.gov.uk or call Susan Verity on 07733 091915.
Minor Injury Units
The Minor Injury Units currently located at Devizes, Savernake, Warminster and Melksham hospitals and at Eastleigh Surgery in Westbury will close on 30th September. From 1st October, there will be two minor injury units in Wiltshire; one in Trowbridge (open 24 hours, 7 days a week) and one in Chippenham (open 7.00 am-1.00 am, 7 days a week).
Minor injury services will also be available from the Clover Unit adjacent to the Great Western Hospital in Swindon as well as at Andover Minor Injury Unit, at the walk-in centres in Bath and Swindon and a range of other locations. More information is available on the PCT website and a leaflet and poster are included for those who receive this bulletin by post
Wiltshire celebrates Black History Month
A series of events are being held in Wiltshire to promote awareness of Black History Month. This annual event is celebrated every October to promote knowledge of Black history and experience. Wiltshire County Council is working with partners to help promote the aims of Black History Month which seeks to highlight positive black contributions to British Society. Events are being held or hosted throughout October by a number of organisations. One of the highlights of the month will be a celebration of Black arts, music and culture at the Civic Hall in Trowbridge on Saturday, 13 October which will feature community information stands, Caribbean food, live music, workshops and a fashion show.
To find out more about Black History Month visit www.Black-History-Month.co.uk .
News in Brief
Parish Stewards
Details of the parish steward autumn 2007 programme is now available to view on the county council’s website.
Wiltshire’s Adoption Panel
We are looking for a new independent member for Wiltshire’s Adoption Panel. If you might be interested, please contact Jane Dobson on 07768 555610 or email janedobson@wiltshire.gov.uk for further information.
All aboard for Connect 2 Wiltshire
From 1st October, the Connect 2 Wiltshire network of flexible transport services will officially expand to include the Vale of Pewsey, Calne and Mere. The areas were previously covered by the Wigglybus network but all the services have been reviewed and alterations made to fit them into the new Connect 2 Wiltshire structure. The change to the new look services will be followed up by a series of road shows across the county to highlight the service changes. More information will be available from libraries, tourist information and on board the buses during early October.
For more information contact Tim Reynolds on 01225 713371.
No barriers
3rd December, 2007 is International Day for Disabled People. We are going to be celebrating this across Wiltshire under the name of ‘no barriers’ in order to break down the barriers faced by disabled people. Look out for the events taking place all across the county. If you would like to find out more or get involved, please contact Rhian Bennett on 01225 718061 or rhianbennett@wiltshire.gov.uk.
Towards One Council – Future ICT Support Service
As we move towards One Council for Wiltshire, our preliminary investigations into the ICT service provided by both district and county councils (computers, internet, telephones etc.) has shown that many town and parish councils receive ICT support services from their local district authority. So that we may make the right decisions relating to the ongoing ICT support service to town and parish councils in the future, we will be contacting you by phone over the next month to find out what ICT you currently use. The call should take no longer than 10 minutes. We do hope you are able to assist us.
Latest Information and Quick Links
- Streetscene services
- Wiltshire’s road works
- Bridges currently under construction
- Agendas and papers for cabinet and other meetings
Contact Details
By post
Communications Unit
County Hall
Bythsea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By email
