2025/26 budget proposals published – public webinar on 4 February

/in /by

Following this week’s publication of Wiltshire Council’s draft budget proposals for 2025/26, a public webinar is taking place soon for people to find out more and ask questions.

Wiltshire Council Leader Cllr Richard Clewer and Cabinet Member for Finance Cllr Nick Botterill will be hosting the webinar on 4 February from 6pm to talk through the proposals in more detail.

For a link to the draft proposals and information on how to join the webinar people should visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council-democracy-budgets-spending. People can submit any question in advance to .

Wiltshire Council: Cost of living support

/in /by

Please see attached flyer

Press release from the PCC: Extra is needed for continued investment in policing – how much would you be prepared to pay?

/in /by

Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner is asking all residents to use their voice and identify how much extra they would be prepared to pay for policing – and why.

PCC Philip’s Wilkinson’s annual Use Your Voice: Budget and Precept survey seeks the views of residents and stakeholders as the budget for policing and commissioned services for the next financial year (2025/6) is developed.

Respondents are asked whether their household would be prepared to invest more in policing through the police precept element of their council tax.

This, alongside a grant from the government, accounts for the entire budget for policing in the county. As it stands, due to the national police funding formula, Wiltshire Police is the third lowest funded police force in the country per head of capita.

A Band D household currently pays £269 per year for policing and Mr Wilkinson is looking at options to increase this by just over 5% – £14 per year extra, or an additional £1.16 a month. This is the most that can be asked for without a Local Referendum.

The survey runs until Friday 31 January 2025 and is available here 

Storm Darragh advice

/in /by

Wiltshire Council today sent the following advice to communities:

Storm Darragh is due to bring strong winds and rain to Wiltshire in the coming days. There is currently a yellow warning of wind in place for later today (5 December) and further yellow warnings of both rain and wind in Wiltshire in place for the coming days, though this may change.  As this follows Storm Bert and the recent heavy rain, there may be a risk of some localised flooding as the ground is already saturated.

Please remind your communities to keep an eye on the Government’s flood alerts and warnings webpage for the latest information. They can also sign up for flood warnings and find out about what to do when warnings/alerts are in place.

It’s important that people take care on the roads and drive to the conditions. Anyone driving on Wiltshire’s roads over the coming days should remain vigilant of surface water and not attempt to drive through any floodwater.

Please report any weather-related issues such as fallen trees or flooding to us using MyWilts.

Useful links:

People encouraged to check if they’re eligible for Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payment

/in /by

We are continuing to encourage people over the state pension age to check their eligibility with the Government for Pension Credit and the Winter Fuel Payment.

Pension Credit gives people extra money to help with their living costs if they’re over State Pension age and on a low income.

Checking entitlement is easy with the government online calculator.

In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Payment and other support such as help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

Winter railway work starts Christmas Eve

/in /by

Network Rail is gearing up for four weeks of railway upgrades, replacing a junction next to Westbury station, improving signals and strengthening a viaduct on the line towards Salisbury. Taking advantage of the opportunity, GWR are also making minor improvements at Westbury station.

The big track renewal gets underway after 11pm on Christmas Eve and runs through until the early hours of Friday 24 January.

It means, following the usual shut down for Christmas Day and Boxing Days, buses will replace trains between Westbury, Frome, Yeovil Junction and Yeovil Pen Mill, Salisbury, Trowbridge and Chippenham, from Wednesday 27 December until Thursday 23 January. Services resume Friday 24 January. For more information, please see this factsheet.

Please note, London Paddington is also closing for essential work this Christmas. Between Friday 27 and Sunday 29 December, the line between Ealing Broadway and London Paddington will be closed for work in connection with the construction of Old Oak Common station.

Please check before you travel: www.nationalrail.co.uk or www.GWR.com/upgrade
Network Rail is holding community drop-in sessions during November and December. Pop in any time while they’re there:

  • Tuesday 26 November, 12pm – 2pm, Wiltshire Library, Edward Street, BA13 3BD
  • Wednesday 27 November, 4pm – 7pm, Wiltshire Community Project, Eden Road, BA13 3NY
  • Monday 2 December, 4pm – 7pm, Wiltshire Community Project, Eden Road, BA13 3NY

Council makes decision on kerbside recycling changes from 2027 

/in /by

Report from Wiltshire Council:

At its meeting on 19 November, our Cabinet agreed its future approach to collecting recycling when our current contracts to carry out this service come to an end in 2026.

Once the changes are introduced in 2027, which will see us start to collect flexible plastics from the kerbside, it should result in a significant reduction in annual revenue expenditure, increased income from commodity sales, improved recycling rate, simplification of the recycling sorting process and significant reduction in carbon emissions.

As confirmed previously, we will also commence food waste collections from the kerbside in 2027.

 

More information is here 

Reporting internal floods

/in /by

Following the weekend storm, Wiltshire Council asks that individuals report any properties that have suffered internal flooding. This can be either homes or businesses.

This helps us build a picture of the nature of the flooding and enables to access any funding if it because available from Central Government.

Please send all reports to :

‘Techie Tea Party’ 26th November, Cotswold House, Lyneham

/in /by

Full details are in the flyer below, for this Wiltshire Council-run event.

Marlborough flood fair

/in /by

This event may be of interest to anyone who has been flooded, is at risk of flooding or worried about flooding; all are welcome to go along and find out more.

Details attached below.