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Wiltshire Council to transfer of grounds maintenance services and community assets to Westbury Town Council from January

Wiltshire Council is handing several services to Westbury Town Council from January to enable local people to have more of a say on how their services are run.

Published 23 December 2024
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The transfer of services will commence in January and will see Westbury Town Council assuming responsibility for litter collection, grounds maintenance and streetscene services in the town, as well as the management of all future markets, allotments, the town's open cemetery and parts of amenity land. The agreement grants the town council autonomy to manage these services and facilities as it sees fit, giving it an opportunity to focus on local priorities without any input from Wiltshire Council.

Cllr Richard Clewer, Leader of Wiltshire Council, said: We are pleased to collaborate with Westbury Town Council and transfer these local services to enable local people to have a greater say on how grounds maintenance and streetscene services are run in the town.

As our role continues to evolve, much like the town councils, we are increasingly focusing on strategic areas such as adult care services, children's services, planning, highways, and other county-wide responsibilities. 

One of the key priorities in our Business Plan is to create vibrant communities. As part of this, we are focused on supporting town councils to take on more ownership of their local environment, including transferring assets where appropriate, to ensure towns can enhance services and better meet the needs of their residents.

Cllr Michael Sutton, Chair of Service Devolution and Asset Transfer Working Group, Westbury Town Council, said: Westbury Town Council is pleased to take on more responsibility for managing services that benefit our local community. While we know it won't be without its challenges, we are confident that our systems and team are ready to provide a great service.

We understand the increasing pressures on Unitary authorities and believe that managing services locally is better for democracy and accountability.

We are excited to take on this opportunity and look forward to serving our community in this new way.

Westbury Town Council is added to the growing list of town councils who have already taken on more local services and has joined Chippenham, Salisbury, Bradford on Avon, Devizes, Pewsey and Trowbridge in taking on grounds maintenance services and community assets in their towns.

Wiltshire Council has also supported its town centres and high streets through the Wiltshire Towns.

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