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Wiltshire Magazine - Summer 2008

Wiltshire Magazine - Summer 2008 edition - News

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Remembering their gift

A PARADE WAS held in Trowbridge to thank the Armed Services for the dedication they have shown during their work in the Middle East. It was organised by Wiltshire County Council with the support of West Wiltshire District Council, Trowbridge Town Council and the Royal British Legion. Around 400 troops representing armed forces from all the units from 1 Mechanised Brigade took part in the parade. County council chairman, Brigadier Robert Hall, said: “Wiltshire has strong links with the Armed Forces and this parade has been organised to enable us to formally say thank you to them for their dedication and hard work in both Afghanistan and Iraq.”

The soft shoe shuffle…

Hundreds of older people are stepping out in style with safe new slippers thanks to a recent Wiltshire County Council led campaign. The council hosted slipper exchanges in Chippenham and Salisbury where people aged 65+ could bring along old, worn-out slippers and exchange them free for a new pair fitted by trained fitters. The new slippers – supplied by partner Natureform – are comfortable, warm and safe and will help reduce the risk of falls of which there are currently around 1,000 a year in the county. Head of commissioning for older people, Nicola Gregson, said: “We had great feedback and people were delighted with the slippers and information on offer. Watch out for further exchanges this autumn.”

Look, no barriers!

International Day for Disabled People will be marked with a huge variety of events across Wiltshire under the banner No Barriers. They will focus on promoting disability equality and breaking down the barriers faced by disabled people.

The events take place on and around December 3 and will involve community groups, schools, libraries, businesses, councils and other public organisations.

  • For details about disability equality in Wiltshire and tackling social and attitudinal barriers towards disability contact the Equality and Diversity Team on equalities@wiltshire.gov.uk

One Council developments

WILTSHIRE COUNCIL IS the name of the new council for Wiltshire. This brand new council, which will take effect from 1 April, 2009, will replace the current county and the four district councils currently functioning in Wiltshire.

As you can imagine, lots of work is going on behind the scenes to make sure that there is a seamless service provided for the residents of Wiltshire. District and county councillors and staff have been looking at how services are currently delivered and how these will be merged and improved in the future.

Under one council people across the county will still have access to local council offices. In fact, the new council is planning to improve access to frontline services at a local level. There will also be a new website and one main phone number for general enquiries.

The new council will have a customer-focused approach which will continue to improve the way people are treated when they approach the council.

Work has also started on developing and testing area boards. These boards will develop new ways of engaging local people in making local decisions and will encourage greater involvement from town and parish councils. A team has now been put together to develop pilot schemes across the county to see how these boards will work. (See page 10.)

Keeping business buzzing

The Wiltshire Strategic Economic Partnership has recently launched a new website www.investinwiltshire.org.uk. The website provides a wealth of information for any business looking to expand or relocate. It includes information on locations, sectors, local economy, workforce, services and available commercial premises and sites.

Positivity top of agenda

A three-year plan to help make life better for children and young people in Wiltshire has been launched. It aims to improve the well-being of children and young people and help ensure they are healthy, stay safe, enjoy and achieve, make a positive contribution and attain economic wellbeing.

CarbonFree TV

Wiltshire County Council has signed up to Global Business Television’s (GBTV) new CarbonFree TV channel, a dedicated online TV channel, which provides advice and information on reducing energy consumption and carbon emissions for homes and businesses. All programming is free to view and immediately accessible in every household and business at the click of a mouse. To make the most of this resource, visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk and follow the CarbonFreeTV link on the home page.

New services network

Wiltshire County Council is supporting the introduction of a Local Involvement Network for Wiltshire. This network has replaced patient and public involvement forums and is an independent body covering the whole county. This new system is intended to review, monitor and visit

You say, we listen

Passengers using Wiltshire County Council’s Connect2 RUH service are now able to make use of an additional early morning journey following requests from users of the service.

The new timetable, which started in May, will provide hourly arrivals at the RUH from 7.20am to 5.30pm, Mondays to Fridays.

This is one of a number of improvements to the service, which have included four new accessible vehicles and expansion of the service to include Colerne. There are also now pick-up points in Devizes and Chippenham town centres.

Passengers can book on 08456 52 52 55 by choosing option 2. For block booking enquires or to request a leaflet passengers should ring the Connect2 Wiltshire enquiry line on 01380 860 100.

Open for business

Rural businesses have been given a boost thanks to the continuing development of Castledown Business Park in Tidworth. Wiltshire County Council worked with the South West of England Regional Development Agency, Tidworth Development Trust and the military, and put £1.4 million funding into an ‘incubation centre’ which aims to help develop small businesses and encourage them to stay in the county. The new business park is expected to create more than 100 new jobs, widening the range of opportunities for local residents, including business owners who are related to army members. These businesses will be able to employ army leavers and draw on their specialist skills.

  • For further information about Castledown Business Park contact agents Stratfords Commercial on 01264 351622 or St Modwen on 0117 316 7780.

Waste not, want not – continued

PEOPLE IN WILTSHIRE are sending more of their waste to be recycled than ever before, putting the county among the top 25 per cent of authorities in the country for its recycling. The household recycling rate now stands at 36.67% – only a few years ago the county was recycling just a quarter of its household waste.

The success comes after a series of improvements to services including offering discounted food waste digesters and extending the black box kerbside recycling collection so that it now covers 98% of the county.

Where do people recycle?Many people use the ten household recycling centres in the county with almost half of our recycling passing through them.

With longer opening hours until October 31, to help people avoid the peak time rush, and some three dozen different items that can be left there the council is continuing to invest in this service.

Library line-up

It’s all happening at libraries in Wiltshire this summer! Since June people have been able to access a number of police services from all 31 libraries in the county.

The innovative partnership between Wiltshire County Council and Wiltshire Police means people will be able to report lost and found property, gain information about the police and use a dedicated non-emergency phone line. In Trowbridge work is due to start in autumn on a new town library as part of the Waterside re-development. The existing lending library will remain open until the new library opens in 2009.

Throughout the summer, libraries will be running a number of reading initiatives for people to get involved such as the annual reading challenge for children and young people.

  • For information about reading more, visit your local library.

Book a marriage

From castles to stone circles, there is no shortage of simply stunning places to tie the knot in Wiltshire.

Where can we have a civil marriage service? The Wiltshire Register Office in Trowbridge, Chippenham, Devizes and Salisbury registration offices and many other council-licensed venues.

What’s the notice period? In Wiltshire there is a provisional booking service so you can reserve the date and time of your marriage up to 18 months in advance.

Couples must give their legal notice of marriage and produce relevant documents to the Superintendent Registrar in the district where they reside. This can be done up to 12 months in advance and must be done by at least 17 days prior to the ceremony. It is usual to give notice soon after making your provisional booking.

What do we need for the service? You will need proof of your identity, nationality and address. Special provisions apply if you are subject to immigration control. If either party is under 18 there needs to be proof of the parents’ or guardian’s consent. For all information on the legal requirements please go to www.wiltshire.gov.uk

What will it cost? For each notice the cost is £30, marriage ceremony and registration costs will depend on where and when it is held.

  • To contact the Wiltshire Registration Service call 01225 713007 or go online

School dates for 2008/09

  • Term 1: Wednesday, 3 September – Friday, 24 October
  • Term 2: Wednesday, 5 November – Friday, 19 December
  • Term 3: Monday, 5 January – Friday, 13 February
  • Term 4: Monday, 23 February – Friday, 3 April
  • Term 5: Monday, 20 April – Friday, 22 May
  • Term 6: Monday, 1 June – Friday, 24 July
  • The 2009 summer holiday ends on Monday, 31 August.

Have a go!

Paula Slow is chair of governors at Princecroft Primary School in Warminster. We ask her what she does in her role and what she enjoys about it…

Q. How long have you been a school governor?

A. Six years, first as a parent representative governor and, for the last three years, as chair.

Q. Do people have a good idea what a school governor does?

A. Those within our school community have some idea as we attend the children’s school events, help with fundraising, serve refreshments at parents’ evenings and more. I feel that the general public do not realise the valuable part we play in the school community.

Q. What kind of people are your fellow governors?

A. We come from all different walks of life, bringing with us a variety of experiences and skills.

Q. How much time does it take up?

A. We are all voluntary but it’s the kind of role that can be tailored to the individual’s spare time

Q. Why are governors important?

A. Governors play a pivotal role in the life of the school as, together with the senior leadership team, we lead the school, acting as a questioning friend, to ensure the best possible education and a safe and caring environment for the whole of the school community.

Q. What do you think makes a good governor?

A. You need the firm belief that children are entitled to an excellent education as a stepping stone to life long learning; you need to be an organised team player with integrity and, of course, having a sense of humour always helps!

Q. What do you find most enjoyable about being a governor?

A. I am passionate about education. It’s really enjoyable celebrating the children’s successes and feeling that, in a small way, I have contributed towards this.

Q. What are you most proud to have achieved in your time as a governor?

A. Most of all, I’m proud that every day that I go into school I feel I’m part of such a great community.

Find out more

Go online to find out further details www.wiltshire.gov.uk/school-governors.htm or speak to your local school.

Paula Slow is chair of governors at Princecroft Primary School in Warminster. We ask her what she does in her role and what she enjoys about it…

Wiltshire’s new history centre given the royal seal of approval

HRH, Princess Anne, officially opened the Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre in May. Based in Cocklebury Road in Chippenham, the centre has been designed to make researching a family tree and investigating local history both fun and approachable. It was built on time and under budget by Wiltshire County Council and Swindon Borough Council.

Princess Anne saw some of the conservation work being carried out, including the restoration of maps, conserving ancient remains, recording of important documents and its vast collections of records. To celebrate this formal opening she cut a cake and unveiled a plaque commemorating the event. In return, ten-year-old Monkton Park Primary School pupil, Eleanor Thomas, (pictured left), presented her with flowers.

Just ‘Ask’

Wiltshire County Council is helping parents who want to go back to work or undertake training to find relevant childcare for their needs.

Almost one third of Wiltshire parents find childcare issues have prevented them or their partner keeping or starting a job. Almost half say they would be encouraged to use formal childcare if it were less expensive.

Parents have different ideas and expectations of how they want their child to be cared for. Wiltshire’s children’s information service holds a wealth of data on all Ofsted-registered childcare in the county, including those who take children with difficulties and disabilities.

It’s also clear that many parents are not aware of the financial help available to pay for childcare.

Ask is the agency contracted by Wiltshire County Council to provide advice on different childcare issues. You could also turn to page 23 to find out more about Children’s Centres…

New programme up and running

A new specialist Court programme is running in Wiltshire to give more support to people affected by domestic violence, following government approval.

This programme enables arrangements to be made for victims and witnesses attending court such as separate entrances and waiting areas, as well as the opportunity to give evidence by video link and access to specialist support.

The initiative has been put in place by the Wiltshire Criminal Justice Board and Wiltshire Community Safety Partnership, of which Wiltshire County Council is a member.

Trowbridge ‘riviera’ is one step closer

The £90m Waterside project will breathe new life into seven acres of land along the River Biss.

The proposed development will be built on land that is currently part of the County Hall complex together with Court Street car park, owned by West Wiltshire District Council. A development agreement between the county and district councils and the developer, Modus, has been signed and in March the district council gave planning approval for the first phase of work. In addition to a cinema and bowling complex on the east-wing campus, a new library with apartments above, will be constructed on Court Street car park. Modus is confident that it will be in a position to commence work on site later this year.

A day in the life...

In each issue we explore the role of someone who helps deliver our services across the county.

The day begins early for Jane Scott, leader of the county council, with an hour of farming before heading into the office.

“I usually leave home for county hall around 8am and use the journey to talk with cabinet colleagues or return messages over the in-car phone. "

“Most days are filled with back to back meetings either in Trowbridge or around the county. They vary considerably from induction or ‘face-to-face’ meetings with staff, to cabinet, political group and full council meetings. I work closely with the Chief Executive and senior officers and meet with them regularly. Other meetings may be with the Chief Constable, Chief Fire Officer, the head of the army in Tidworth, PCT officials or business leaders. "

“I drive around 20,000 miles a year on council business, the majority within Wiltshire and I believe I now know every bit of the county. "

“Many of my evenings are spent attending parish council meetings (I have 16 in my division), to update them on council matters, listen to their ideas and complaints. Other evenings recently have been spent explaining our unitary proposals to town and parish councillors across the county."

“I try to keep Friday evenings free but on other week nights I am usually home between 9 and 10pm for dinner and then close up my daughter’s chickens while she is away at Vet college."

“I do constituency work at weekends and relax by travelling to Old Trafford to watch Man United’s home games!”

Contact Details

By Post

Corporate Communications
Wiltshire County Council
County Hall
Bythesea Road
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN

By Email

communications@wiltshire.gov.uk

By Telephone

01225 713110 / 713003

By Hand

County Hall, Trowbridge

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