Playing fields at Redhills – your views.

Dear Broad Town Parish resident

 

For many years, and this year coming year is no exception, the play area in Redhills has consumed a large part of the Parish Council budget. The budget is funded by the Parish Precept which is collected in the Council Tax we all pay and is used for designated parts of the village running costs, maintenance and upkeep, which includes the Redhill’s play area.

In the coming year, 2024/25 the village will receive £10,146.00 for these running costs, maintenance and upkeep. The grass cutting bill for the Redhills play area is forecast to be £3,181.00 The Parish Council are mindful this represents 31.35% of the community’s collective contribution to the running of the whole village and also that not all residents use this facility. If, whilst continuing to maintain the play area, the football pitch and their immediate surroundings, we were able to reduce the grass cutting costs by repurposing a portion of the remaining playing fields which comprises around two acres, savings could be made and diverted to other projects and the site might benefit more residents than it does now.

We therefore seek your views. You may feel that both the cost and the usage are acceptable and need no revision or you may feel that the money might be better spent elsewhere.  For example: A community wilding project, including wild meadow and woodland, or allotments?

This issue will be published on the Broad Town Parish Council website however, we are aware that not all residents may be able to access the internet. Therefore, this communication is sent to all residents as everyone’s views are important and valued.

The issue will be discussed in a public forum at the Annual Parish Meeting on 20th May and all residents are reminded that you are welcome to attend our regular Parish Council meetings, held in the Village Hall, on the second Monday of each month at 6.30pm. Alternatively you can contact the Parish Council Clerk, by email, at .

The deadline for receiving comments is end of May.

 

Many thanks for your help,

Broad Town Parish Council


 

Briefing Note 25-06 – Management of Council business and publicity during the pre-election period

See below Wiltshire Council’s latest Briefing Note 25-06, which includes guidance from the Monitoring Officer on pre-election periods.

Wiltshire Flooding Support Resources

Following the exceptionally wet autumn and winter in Wiltshire, Wessex Water and the Environment Agency have published a flood action guide with preparedness information, and a recovery guide for those recently affected by flooding – available below.

Briefing Note 24-05: Wiltshire & Swindon Local Nature Recovery Strategy

Attached below is Briefing Note 24-05 which provides more information on the council’s role in the development of a Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Swindon and Wiltshire, and some details on upcoming workshops.

If you have any questions, please get in touch 

Briefing Note 24-04: Development of Cultural Strategy for Wiltshire

Briefing Note 24-04 on the development of the Cultural Strategy (see attachment) the public survey it referred to is now live and can be found at Wiltshire Cultural Strategy public survey (office.com)

 

University Bursary Grant – Wiltshire & Swindon Young People

Are you starting university this year?

Wiltshire Community Foundation offers grants to young people in Wiltshire and Swindon who need support with the costs of studying an undergraduate degree at university. The One Degree More bursary is £1,600 for each year of the course to help with general living expenses, course costs, books and equipment. We are now open for applications for those stating university this year.

 

Who is eligible to apply – young people can apply for a university bursary if they:

• are under 24 years old

• have lived in Wiltshire or Swindon for at least 2 years

• parents or guardians receive 2 means-tested benefits (2 elements of Universal Credit)

• eligible for funding through Student Finance England

• studying for first undergraduate degree at a UK university or college

Or:

• are a young person in the care of Wiltshire or Swindon Borough Council (LAC)

 

Applications close on 5 April 2024. Apply today by visiting: www.wiltshirecf.org.uk/grants-and-support/individuals/university-bursary-one-degree-more/

White Horse Liming

It’s that time of year again when preparations start for weeding and liming the White Horse.  The coordinator Andre Law has identified Sunday 19 May as an appropriate date and hope we will have a great turn out as in previous years. Please put the date in your diary and I will provide more details in the April edition of the Broad Town News.
For the past few years Bob Clarke and I have worked as a pair with Bob undertaking the paperwork
and me the organisation on the day. Bob has decided he wishes to call it a day and we thank him for
all of his efforts, especially for keeping things going in 2015 when the previous team of organisers
retired. If anyone would like to offer their services, we will include them in all correspondence for
the 2024 activity with a view to stepping up to an active role in 2025.

Contact:
07841381301

Community Governance Review

Attached below is Briefing Note 24-03 regarding recommendations from the Electoral Review Committee. These are mostly relating to minor boundary issues.

Wiltshire Cultural Strategy public survey

Following Briefing Note 24-04 last week on the development of the Cultural Strategy, the public survey it referred to is now live and can be found at Wiltshire Cultural Strategy public survey

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority – Consultation of draft Community Safety Plan 2024-28

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority is consulting on a draft Community Safety Plan, which sets out the key challenges and risks facing us over the coming years.

With future financial uncertainty, the plan details what we intend to carry on doing and what we intend to review and do differently, in order to continue to provide a high level of service to our communities.

Working with others is central to how we deliver our services, and this will continue to be at the heart of everything we do. For that reason, we invite you to view our draft plan www.dwfire.org.uk/draft-csp-2024-28-consultation and the accompanying video, which provides a short overview.

The consultation period runs from 9 February until 3 May 2024, and we would welcome your feedback, through a short set of questions on our website. Alternatively, you can call our freephone 0800 0213022

If you wish to raise anything specific, or require any further assistance in accessing the information, please email us directly at .