News

Unitary Councillor’s report – January 2025

Devolution White Paper

An Extraordinary Full Council meeting of Wiltshire Council has been called for this Thursday (9th) regarding the Heart of Wessex devolution proposal. It is clear from the Government’s recently published Devolution White Paper that all of England is going to end up in Strategic Authorities with mayors at their head.  Whilst many, including me, are not convinced of the need for a mayor in a rural area, Government has made it clear that if strategic authorities are going to maximise the funding opportunities available, devolution deals will require a mayor. Wiltshire Council has therefore essentially been forced by Government to either look now to create a Strategic Mayoral Authority in a geographical footprint that works for Wiltshire or wait and be forced by the Government into an authority in a few years that may not suit our needs. Therefore Wiltshire has joined with Somerset and Dorset to express an interest in forming “Heart of Wessex” combined authority. As I explained at the December meeting, this does not mean that the Councils are merging. They will remain independent unitary councils, but will form a combined authority under an elected mayor for strategic regional matters, much like the current West of England Combined Authority which sees B&NES, Bristol and South Gloucestershire work in a similar arrangement.

 

As part of this process, along with colleagues in Dorset, Somerset Councils, Wiltshire has been invited to meet with the Minister in January to discuss our potential inclusion in the Devolution Priority Programme. This invitation underscores the Government’s desire to progress at pace.

 

Leaders have been asked to confirm if they wish to be considered as part of the Priority Programme by 10 January 2025 and therefore Wiltshire Council will be holding an extraordinary full council meeting to discuss devolution at 6pm on 9 January 2025. This will provide members with the opportunity to discuss the Heart of Wessex devolution deal and ensure all views are heard before we formally indicate if we wish to be considered as part of the Devolution Priority Programme.

 

Looking ahead, if we are invited to take part in the Priority Programme a public consultation on the proposed decision-making framework for devolution is scheduled for early next year. This will be run by central government in all priority areas and provide a vital opportunity to engage with stakeholders and the wider community, to ensure they are involved in shaping a vision for the future.

 

If the Heart of Wessex is included in the Devolution Priority Programme this could lead to the establishment of a new strategic mayoral authority and election of a mayor for the region in May 2026. Contrary to some media reports before Christmas, it is not anticipated that there will be any delay to the regular Wiltshire Council elections scheduled for May 2025.

 

You can view the paper’s for Thursday’s meeting here: Agenda – Democratic Services – Wiltshire Council

 

Reminder of support available to help with cost of living this winter

Financial support is available to some groups and more than £2.7m has been allocated from the Government’s Household Support Fund to support low-income households that would otherwise struggle to buy food, pay essential utility bills or meet other essential living costs. This funding will primarily be used to help people in crisis in partnership with local charities. More information about the Household Support Fund can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/10672/HSF6-overview-eligibility-and-how-funds-can-be-used.

There is cost of living advice and support (https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/6665/Council-tax-benefits-and-financial-support) available on the Wiltshire Council website, covering a range of topics including advice on energy costs, housing and a directory of warm spaces throughout the county.

 

Anyone over the state pension age is encouraged 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, which can be found at www.gov.uk/pension-credit-calculator. In addition to Pension Credit, those who qualify could also receive Winter Fuel Paymentand other support such as help with housing costs, help with Council Tax and a free TV licence for those aged 75 and over.

 

Wiltshire Council’s libraries continue to be warm spaces where residents can sit and stay, chat with the volunteers and connect with people. There are activities including board games, crafts and book chat groups available and some libraries also offer hot drinks. Library staff can also refer people to Warm and Safe Wiltshire for advice and support. All the usual library services, including free access to books, newspapers, computers, Wi-Fi and digital support, continue as normal.

 

The council also provides a home library service for people who are housebound or struggle to get to a library. Anyone interested in this service should contact their local library.

 

The council’s Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub continues to be available to anyone who needs it. Anyone can access the Hub, originally established during the pandemic, and it can provide confidential advice, information, and signposting from the council’s friendly team. The Hub is available on normal working days Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm and Friday from 9am to 4pm. People can email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk or phone 0300 003 4576.

 

Frustration at lack of Government funding to support flood recovery

Following Storm Bert, which caused widespread flooding to both businesses and residential properties around the county and especially in Bradford-on-Avon in December, Wiltshire Council was very frustrated that there was no extra funding from the Government to support with the recovery efforts as there had been in previous storms.

 

Anticipating some funding being made available, the council had originally asked both residents and businesses that had experienced flooding as a result of Storm Bert to contact them. The council then planned to get in touch with all affected residents and businesses to let them know of the Government grant funding and how they could claim this funding, should it be forthcoming. Funding had been made available from the previous Government in similar circumstances.

 

However, the new Government confirmed that there will be no grant funding available to residents or businesses following the Storm Bert floods, which was hugely disappointing.

 

New Trowbridge Leisure Centre secured planning permission in December

The proposed new Council leisure centre for Trowbridge received planning permission in December. Now that planning permission has been granted, a report will be presented to Cabinet early next year and they will be asked to consider the final plans. Construction partners can then be confirmed, and it is then expected that construction work will begin in 2025.  

 

To support the council’s target of being carbon neutral by 2030, the project has been designed with a fabric first approach to ensure it will be as energy efficient as possible. Solar panels will be installed on available roof space, helping to power the all-electric building. This will be further supported by the external landscaping that will create a green island in Trowbridge with walking, cycling and wheeling travel routes woven in.

 

It is proposed that the new facility will contain the following:    

 

  • A six-lane, 25m swimming pool    
  • 7m x 13m learner pool    
  • Gym with 120 exercise stations    
  • Two studios    
  • Immersive spin studio   
  • Community meeting room    
  • Café    
  • Adventure play – providing activities for young peoplein the form of TAGactive (main target age group 12-16yrs)
  • Live well suite – providing a dedicated space for older people to exercise