www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Parish Newsletter - September 2007
Welcome to the September issue of the parish newsletter.Budget Consultation Meetings 2007
As we mentioned in last month’s parish newsletter, this is the time of year when the County Council sets its budget for the coming year. Please find attached to this newsletter a personal invitation from the Leader of the council, Mrs. Scott, to the five consultation meetings which have been arranged during November. We really hope representatives from your council will be able to attend and booking details are contained within the letter. If you would like to display this information in a poster format, please contact Communications on 01225 713110 and we will post one out to you.
One Council for Wiltshire
You will already have received a separate letter from the Leader of the council about the five parish meet and greet evenings that have been arranged during October. We look forward to discussing the implications of moving to One Council for Wiltshire with your councillors on one of these evenings. Please contact Emma Vowles (emmavowles@wiltshire.gov.uk ) or telephone 01225 713017and let her know which evening your Council representative(s) wouldlike to attend.
Waterside Project, Trowbridge
The Waterside project in Trowbridge aims to breathe new life into seven acres of land along the River Biss with the creation of a multiplex cinema, bowling alley, restaurants and other leisure uses, new library, offices and high quality apartments. The preferred developer, Modus, have now launched a Waterside website and a link to this site is now available from the county council website.
Weeks of Action
During September and October, the Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership is planning Weeks of Action around the county. For more information visit the county council website.
Food Waste Digesters
A pioneering scheme launched by the county council to tackle kitchen waste has proved popular. Food waste makes up about 30 per cent of the average household bin but there is no easy recycling option and it usually ends up buried in landfill where it produces the greenhouse gas methane. So Wiltshire County Council has linked up with a company called Green Cone to supply a limited number of food waste digesters to residents, heavily subsidised by the council. A limited number of these digesters are still available at the subsidised prices of £15 for a Green Cone and £20 for a Green Johanna. More information can be found on the Recycle for Wiltshire website or ring 0800 0192064.
Aggregate Minerals Site Allocations
The county council and Swindon Borough Council have started the process of preparing an Agregate Minerals Site Allocations Development Plan Document with the publication of topic papers for informal consultation. These documents represent the start of a process to determine where sand and gravel extraction will take place over the next 20 years to meet the government’s forecasts for aggregate provision. Consultation on these documents is running from 13th August to 5th October, 2007 and to assist with this initial consultation exercise, a series of “drop in” sessions have been arranged for local residents. Dates and venues are:
- Friday, 7th September; 9.00 – 12.00 noon at Cricklade Information Point
- Wednesday, 12th September; 9.00 – 2.00 p.m. at Whiteparish Village Hall
- Friday, 14th September; 9.00 – 2.00 p.m. at Calne Information Point
More information can be found on the county council website or contact Sophie Davies on 01225 713429; the topic papers are available for inspection at county, borough and district council offices as well as selected libraries.
The Co-ordinated Woodfuel Initiative
This is a project in the south west that aims to bring the benefits of wood heating to premises such as schools, community buildings, farms and large domestic properties. Those who are interested in finding out about wood heating have a local rate phone line (08450 740674) as a first point of contact. All callers receive free information and advice on woodfuel systems and on their property’s suitability for such installations. For larger premises, there is the option of a site visit from a woodfuel expert who can assess a building’s capacity to accommodate a wood-fired boiler. More information is available on the Centre for Sustainable Energy website.
Emergency Planning Exercise – Volunteers required
The county council’s emergency planning unit is holding a live rest centre exercise at Leighton Recreation Centre, Westbury on Sunday, 23rd September. The aim of the day is to allow voluntary agencies and the county council’s department of community services to practice rest centre procedures in preparation for any real emergencies. As a volunteer, you would be given a card with some role play details and would go through the process of being registered and cared for. The exercise is being run in two stages; from 10:00-13:00 and from 13:00 to 16:00.
If you would like to be a volunteer, please contact Jane Browning on 01225 713153 or janebrowning@wiltshire.gov.uk
Step by Step Newsletter
Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has distributed the latest edition of the Step by Step newsletter which provides an update on progress with reforming community services in Wiltshire. It can be found by following this link.
News in Brief
Beyond the Immediate
"Beyond the Immediate" (BTI) is a major research project supported by an alliance of organisations supporting older people in Wiltshire. The research aims to explore and then quantify the needs, issues and aspirations of older people in Wiltshire now and in the future. More information is available on the county council website.
Reducing Junk Mail
Did you know that half a million tonnes of junk mail is generated every year in the UK with the average household receiving over 220 pieces of unwanted junk mail?
If you wish to reduce the amount of junk mail that you receive through your door, register for free with the Mailing Preference Service and remove your name and address from up to 95% of mailing lists.
Visit www.mpsonline.org.uk or call 0875 703 4599
Launch of new Devizes mobile library
The county council's fleet of modern, bright mobile libraries has now been joined by a new addition based in Devizes. Since the beginning of June, it has been taking a much-valued service to people in communities around parts of Kennet. The mobile library has a computer terminal on board for the public to use at the longer stops and holds about 2,000 items. It also has a lift for wheelchair users.
Captivating images go on show
Wiltshire County Council is showcasing the work of Wiltshire photographer, Ali Pearce, at Warminster library between 10 and 29 September. Ali, who was born with Down's syndrome, is developing a career as a photographer. She is also the first person to successfully apply for a Small Sparks grant from the county council that aims to help people become more involved in the local community.
Your details
It is important to us that our contact database is kept up-to-date, especially as we wish to keep parish councils informed of progress on the move to One Council for Wiltshire. We would be very grateful, therefore, if you could kindly confirm or update your contact details with name of parish clerk, address, telephone and email. Please send them to Wendy Packer wendypacker@wiltshire.gov.uk or ring 01225 713018. Thank you for your help with this
Latest information and Quick Links
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Contact Details
By post
Communications Unit
County Hall
Bythsea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
By email
