Magazine Spring
2012
2012
Inside
A year of celebration in Wiltshire
Our communities active health to arts events – page 4
A budget that makes a difference – pages 6/9
Your local council – pages 10/11
Celebration special – pages 12/15
Parking perks and permits – save with season ticket offers Wiltshire Council recently reduced the price of a standard season ticket by approximately 20%, meaning they are even better value than before. When you take advantage of a one, three, six or 12 month season ticket, the savings on the daily charge are significant. For example if you were to park at Bath Road car park in Chippenham from 9am-5pm, five days a week for 50 weeks of the year then you would spend £1,350 on an annual basis. A season ticket for the same period of time would cost you £430. This gives an incredible saving of £920 per year! We currently offer two convenient ways of obtaining a season ticket: paper application and the virtual service. Full details of our season ticket scheme and application forms can be found on our website www.wiltshire.gov.uk/parkingtransportandstreets or by phoning the number below. The virtual service offers greater flexibility as users are able to amend the details, such as a change of vehicle registration, without incurring any additional administration costs. If you would like to apply for a virtual season ticket, full details can be found on www.wanttopark.com/wiltshire We also offer season tickets that are specifically designed for businesses. This type of permit can be shared between employees of a company and can provide considerable savings. Full details are available on our website. If you require any further information regarding our season ticket scheme please call the parking team on 01249 706131 and they will be happy to assist you.
sure Centre i e L l a c o l Make a splash at your Are you ready to take the plunge and try a new fitness activity? How about water exercise?
This is one of the best non-impact fitness activities around and just about anybody can participate; you don’t even have to be a good swimmer to take part and have fun.
We offer a varied swimming programme to suit all ages and abilities including: lane and general swim early bird, lunchtime and moonlight swim family splash, fun and floats 50 plus aquafit group and one-to-one lessons for children and adults
For more information please contact: Devizes Leisure Centre
01380 734880
Durrington Swimming and Fitness Centre 01980 594594 Five Rivers Leisure Centre, Salisbury
01722 339966
Marlborough Leisure Centre
01672 513161
Pewsey Sports Centre
01672 562469
Tidworth Leisure Centre
01980 847140
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisureandsportscentres
Follow your local Leisure Centre on Twitter
Welcome Dear Reader, Our priority at Wiltshire Council has always been to work with you to deliver what’s best for the people of Wiltshire; to look after our growing ageing population and our vulnerable children, to manage the challenging economic situation we continue to face and to keep council tax low. Last month we set the budget for this year and even though our funding from government will be reduced by £3.2 million this year and we will need additional funding to meet the needs of Wiltshire’s growing number of older people and children, as well as rising costs, we will continue to invest in our key services. Like many councils we face these challenges head on. However, unlike many other councils, we are in a unique position. We are still a relatively new council and we can take advantage of the efficiencies a merger of five councils into one brings. I know that all of you are also facing financial pressures and that we need to do everything we can to help boost our local economy in the current climate. I am really pleased that in this year’s budget we will continue to invest in frontline services, protect the most vulnerable people in our communities, and make the savings and efficiencies needed so that we can do this. We have agreed to: • freeze council tax at 0% for the third year running • provide free swimming for young people under 16 during school holidays • provide funding and support for communities to celebrate and take part in this year’s once-in-a-lifetime events, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Torch relay route. Our vision – to create stronger and more resilient communities – is at the forefront of everything that we do. Last year was a year of delivery and we worked hard to inspire and
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
encourage our communities to participate in what we do and, with our support, to deliver more in their local areas. We want to continue this work as we recognise that by doing this we can achieve so much more. We are transforming the council and you may be aware of some of the changes we are making. We recently introduced our new weekly waste and recycling service. This will have an impact on the amount we recycle and it is vital that this figure continues to rise. Currently, we are recycling around 40% of our waste. This figure must increase if we are to avoid the ever increasing land fill tax that is imposed on us. We have kept all our leisure centres and libraries – including the mobile libraries – open and, with the help of more than 600 volunteers, some are open for longer hours. We launched a radical approach to how we will provide older people’s accommodation to meet the growing need and we opened Florence Court in Trowbridge, a state of the art building providing more than 40 older people with quality independent living, which is the blueprint for this type of accommodation across the county. We are also radically reducing the number of offices and buildings we occupy and we are moving towards a new community service campus model – ‘for the community, in the community, by the community’. In the current economic climate, it is vital we continue to assist and support our local economy to bring inward investment and to create new jobs. This magazine highlights the activities and investments that we will deliver to boost the economy. But it’s not just what we do – it’s how we do it that matters. We are developing a culture where we are always willing to help and we adopt a can-do approach in everything that we do. I am really pleased to announce that our recent household
survey ‘what matters to you’ showed a significant increase of 16% in our customer satisfaction levels. The Place Survey in 2009 showed a satisfaction level of 40%. The new figure of 56% is reassuring and gives us confidence that we are improving. We will continue to change and we will keep looking at the way we deliver our services, working even more closely with you in our local communities. We will always place our customers at the heart of everything that we do. This year will be a year of further delivery and improvement and I look forward to working with many of you.
Jane Scott OBE Wiltshire Council Leader
Inside this issue Special features 4 Our communities eBooks, Active Health, recycling, Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra 6 A budget for the community No increase in council tax 10 Your local council How we are working more locally 12 Celebration special Olympic and Diamond Jubilee highlights 16 New support services 17 Disabled Children and Adults Pathfinder
Regular features 18 Waste and recycling Have your say 19 Partner updates
Your Wiltshire Magazine Welcome
3
Communities
eBook lending service
launched in Wiltshire People can now access books day and night with the launch of an exciting new library service. After receiving feedback from customers, Wiltshire Council has launched an eBook lending service for downloading books electronically.
The initial selection is 1,500 books. Titles available include popular novels for adults, as well as plenty of crime, a selection of books for children and teenagers, and non-fiction for adults. Readers will enjoy library favourites and perhaps discovering new authors.
Customers, using their library card number and PIN, can download up to three books at a time by visiting the council’s digital library. The downloaded books can be read on a PC, a laptop, some mobile phones and dedicated eReaders. Instead of having a due date the downloaded book will simply expire after the loan period has finished. Any eBooks borrowed will not count towards people’s borrowing limit on their library card. For more information, please visit the library section of the council’s website, or ask about this exciting new service at your local library. http://wiltshire.lib.overdrive.com www.wiltshire.gov.uk/libraries
Tell Us Once Active Health A physical activity referral programme for Wiltshire People with existing medical conditions are being offered the opportunity to take part in a range of fitness activities. Active Health enables GPs and other healthcare professionals to refer people with specific medical conditions to a range of physical activity programmes in order to improve their health. It incorporates a traditional 12-week GP referral programme to assist with a variety of medical conditions. It offers specialist exercise classes for those who have suffered from a stroke or have a heart condition. Each programme is individually tailored and can include gym sessions, swimming, walking, or attendance at a specialist class.
4
Your Wiltshire Magazine Communities
Many people taking part are already reaping the benefits. One woman was referred to Active Health following a fall. She was lacking in confidence, rarely venturing out of her home and needing a walking stick. The class has improved her mobility, balance, co-ordination and flexibility. Now she rarely uses a walking stick and is able to undertake her daily jobs and the social element has boosted her self-esteem and dramatically improved her quality of life. People wanting to participate in the Active Health programme should arrange an appointment with their GP to discuss if they are suitable for referral. For more information: 07971 893182
rhys.schell@wiltshire.gov.uk www.wiltshire.gov.uk/activehealth
Wiltshire Council has recently launched a service called ‘Tell Us Once’ in partnership with the Department for Work and Pensions and other government agencies. This service will enable customers who are recently bereaved to notify government, both central and local, of a death just once. Following registration of the death, customers will be able to access ‘Tell Us Once’ in person by appointment at one of our council offices, or by ringing the Department for Work and Pensions. An on-line version of the service that will enable people to input the data electronically is also planned in the near future.
0300 456 0100
Wiltshire Council has introduced a free garden waste collection service for residents in east, north and south Wiltshire who requested it. Residents in west Wiltshire already receive this service.
Dvorák in a Day – a community music project
This is an optional service and residents have to sign up to receive a garden waste bin, if they don’t already have one. New garden waste bins are being delivered to those people who signed up last year to receive this service and collections are starting in March and April. Don’t worry if you missed the first roll out of bins, you can still sign up now to receive a garden waste bin this summer. You can sign up online or by calling the council: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/waste 0300 456 0102
Residents in west Wiltshire who currently receive this service and residents in east, north and south Wiltshire who already have a garden waste service do not need to sign up again. Simply check your collection calendar to find out when to put your garden waste bin out for collection.
Buy with confidence Wiltshire Council has joined an approved trader scheme called ‘Buy With Confidence’ to support legitimate businesses and to protect people from rogue traders. It brings together local traders such as gardeners, plumbers and builders, individually checked.
Members are listed on the Buy With Confidence website, visited by more than 50,000 consumers every month. Let us know of any trustworthy trader you think would benefit from joining our scheme: bwc@wiltshire.gov.uk www.buywithconfidence.gov.uk
Make a date for health advice at your local library A health information support service that provides advice and information is a regular feature in 12 of our libraries. ‘Health Matters’ is a weekly, half day, drop-in session where you can have a chat with a health professional and access books, leaflets and general health information.
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
The drop in sessions focus on a particular health issue and are hosted by a health professional funded by the Public Heath Department of NHS Wiltshire. Details of each health session can be found at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/healthmatters
Communities
Free garden waste collection service has started
A leading symphony orchestra is visiting Wiltshire to work with local people on a series of community music events. Wiltshire Council, Chippenham Town Council, Chippenham and Villages Area Partnership and Chippenham Borough Lands Charity are jointly funding and working with the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra (BSO), on a six month community music project for the Chippenham area. Workshops led by the orchestra’s musicians have taken place in schools and young people performed alongside the BSO brass in November 2011. Families also enjoyed a mini BSO concert, which was a pirate adventure, full of sea songs, stories and dance. Chippenham residents and amateur musicians with some instrumental experience now have an opportunity to take part in the ‘Dvorák in a Day’ project, otherwise known as the ‘rusty and not so rusty musicians’ project. It offers a chance to dust off old instruments and join a one day workshop with 15 BSO players at the Neeld Hall on 22 April 2012. To apply, please contact arts development at Wiltshire Council on: 01249 705531 arts@wiltshire.gov.uk
Your Wiltshire Magazine Communities
5
Budget
Delivering what’s best for
a budget that makes a Like many councils we face challenging times. Our funding from government will decrease this year by £3.2 million and this, combined with the rising costs of goods and services and the need for additional funding to meet the
needs of Wiltshire’s growing number of older people and children, means we have to make efficiencies of £32.6 million over the next 12 months. Unlike many other councils, however, Wiltshire is in a unique position. As a relatively new council we have been able to
take advantage of the efficiencies brought by a merger of five into one. We recognise that families across the county are also facing financial pressures and that we need to continue to help boost our local economy in the current climate.
We will continue to invest in key services:
This year we will:
What else will we do?
• freeze a council tax increase at 0% for the third year running
We have a clear vision: to create stronger and more resilient communities, and goals: to provide high quality, low cost customer focused services; to prioritise local issues; to be open and honest in our decision making; and to work with our partners to support Wiltshire’s communities, remaining at the forefront of everything that we do.
• £9.7 million in adult services • £4.9 million in children’s services • £152 million to deliver more affordable homes, road improvements, and superfast broadband across the county and new service campuses in local communities.
• provide free swimming for young people under 16 during school holidays • provide funding and support for communities to celebrate and take part in this year’s once-ina-lifetime events, the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Torch relay.
Last year, we translated our vision into a four-year business plan. The plan set out our key priorities:
We will find the £32.6 million of efficiencies by continuing to work For details of your council tax: innovatively. We will save £17 million • to invest in frontline services www.wiltshire.gov.uk/ctaxhowmuch by selling some of the properties we • to protect the most vulnerable inherited and we will make savings people in our communities of £4.5 million per year by 2014 by For details of the council’s reducing the number of our office • to make the savings and financial plan: buildings from 95 to three efficiencies so that we can do this. www.wiltshire.gov.uk/budgetsandspending main hubs.
6
Your Wiltshire Magazine Budget
0300 456 0100
difference...
Budget
the people of Wiltshire – Our plan allocates £349.8 million for investment in Wiltshire over the next three years. This will include investing: • £7.1 million in services for older people and mental health services for vulnerable adults • £2.5 million to support other vulnerable adults • £3.85 million in support for vulnerable families and individuals • £273 million in our capital programme: • £41.3 million to build new affordable homes and improve the council’s social housing • £35.7 million to deliver three new community campuses, in Corsham, Melksham and Salisbury • £18.7 million in improvements to our roads and highways • £500,000 in local community transport schemes. We are also working to ensure that wherever possible this spend is retained in the county with local businesses delivering the work, thus creating more jobs for local people and boosting the local economy as contractors spend more in local shops.
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
We are an ambitious, visionary organisation – and we knew that we had to do things differently if we were to deliver what’s best for Wiltshire.
Your Wiltshire Magazine Budget
7
Budget
What did we deliver last year? In the last 12 months – the first year of our plan – we have made major progress.
Protecting vulnerable people • We provided 349 additional vulnerable adults with support services. • We opened two family resource centres in Trowbridge and Devizes, providing quality support for our most vulnerable families. A new centre will open in Salisbury in March 2012.
• GCSE results across Wiltshire have improved by 4.5%.
• We commissioned a new family and parenting support service from Action for Children to provide support for vulnerable families.
• We filled 1,200 more potholes.
• We launched a 10-year £200 million project to deliver extra care homes in Wiltshire and we opened Florence Court in Trowbridge. • We helped to build 450 new affordable homes.
Children and young people • We worked with area boards to retain open access youth provision in all community areas. • We did not close any youth centres. • As part of our nationally acclaimed military integration programme, the MoD supported our children’s services department in Wellington Acadamy providing the excellent Wellington Academy, delivering top quality education and sports facilities for children and young people in the Tidworth area.
8
• Schools will now be responsible for providing universal information, advice and guidance on careers. To avoid any duplication we will target our resources to the most vulnerable young people, those with disabilities and those who are not in employment, training, or education.
Your Wiltshire Magazine Budget
• We are reducing the number of office buildings from more than 95 to three high-quality hubs in Trowbridge, Salisbury and Chippenham. • We are rationalising more than 280 operational buildings into approximately 35 community based facilities, including the new campus programme, which will deliver £85 million of savings over the next 10 years.
Roads, recycling and Promoting the environment the local economy • We maintained an additional 180 miles of roads. • The rollout of the new weekly waste and recycling service, which is well underway, puts Wiltshire on target to recycle 50%. • Usage of more environmentallyfriendly street lights is delivering benefits for the planet and a saving of £180,000.
New buildings in our communities • The new library opened in Pewsey. • Work is underway on a new library for Trowbridge, Pewsey Library which will open in its new location in County Hall in September 2012. • We did not close any libraries or mobile libraries – more than 600 volunteers have helped to keep them open and, in some cases. for longer.
• We secured major inward investment of £150 million which resulted in 632 new jobs, plus 1,000 in the pipeline. • We worked with 623 businesses and safeguarded 2,719 jobs. • We secured £130,000 in funding to deliver the Castledown business incubation centre project.
• We were chosen as a government pilot area for superfast broadband and allocated £4.5 million of government funding to support the £16 million investment we are making. • Working with the Employment and Skills Board, we introduced an incouncil apprenticeship programme. Working with Wiltshire College and other locally based training organisations, we are helping employers to create 1,000 new apprenticeship opportunities across Wiltshire by July 2013. • Through the Future Jobs Fund programme we secured £3.2 million, creating 495 new jobs for long-term unemployed young people. • We are supporting Job Centre Plus to help create work experience placements for up to 300 young, unemployed people across Wiltshire.
0300 456 0100
Millions of pounds will be reinvested into services thanks to a programme that will change the way staff work and improve your access to vital services. The number of council office buildings will be reduced from 95 to three main hubs in Salisbury, Chippenham and Trowbridge and four customer service points in Salisbury, Chippenham, Trowbridge and Devizes. This will save the council £4.5 million a year by 2014. That money will be invested into frontline services including supporting and helping vulnerable children and older people and investing in our roads. These radical plans are well underway. The new town centre customer service centre in Devizes will bring more people into the town and the re-location in Trowbridge of customer services to the refurbished County Hall will provide a new library, a café, and community space. The registrar’s office will also move there in 2013. The council’s offices in Browfort, Devizes, and Bradley Road, Trowbridge, will close, and there will be ideal
opportunities for new business or appropriate development like extra care housing for older people. The future shape of the non statutory Adult Education Service that has been provided from Urchfont Manor will be considered later in the year after consultation with service users, area boards, local communities and partners in line with Department for Business Innovation and Skills’ recently published strategic proposals for Further Education and Skills. Officers are to work with the community and take whatever steps are necessary to ensure continued community access and management of Oakfrith Wood, appropriate ongoing access by the school and community to the playing fields to the north of the Manor House and, as far as is practicable, long term use of the existing cricket pitch by the Cricket Club. Consultation with these existing community groups is ongoing with a view to structuring these arrangements with the successful purchaser in a manner that allows the council to achieve the maximum capital receipt whilst ensuring
ongoing community use and access. Agents will be appointed to market Urchfont Manor openly for sale during the summer, but the College will continue to operate normally until 2 September 2012.
Budget
Radical plans will improve access to key services and save millions
Factfile: • Wiltshire Council will be investing in Devizes town centre with a new council customer centre. The new Devizes office will enable residents to make appointments for all frontline services like planning, housing and benefits. • Residents will also be able to register births and deaths at the new location. Discussions are taking place with Devizes Town Council to relocate civil ceremonies to the Town Hall. • The Browfort offices in Devizes will either be sold to another public sector organisation, or sympathetically redeveloped, possibly to provide extra care dwellings.
Wiltshire Police move into Monkton Park
Chippenham residents are seeing joined-up public services in the town as Wiltshire Police officers and staff, currently based in the Wood Lane Police Station, move into Wiltshire Council’s Monkton Park offices. The Chippenham neighbourhood policing teams, response team officers and enquiry office staff will be co-located with council staff. These moves are part of a wider programme of work between Wiltshire Police, the council, and other public agencies to join services, share accommodation and save money, whilst improving services to the public.
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Your Wiltshire Magazine Your local council
9
Your local council
Your area board – making a difference in your community We are working closely with communities across Wiltshire through the 18 area boards to help meet their local needs. Area boards, which meet around eight times a year, give people the chance to raise issues and ideas that are important to them.
The aim is to help find ways to make communities become stronger and more resilient.
These boards bring together Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, NHS, the military, housing associations and city, town and parish councils.
You are welcome to attend
You can report anything from speeding to Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB). You can also see what else has been reported by following the link for: ‘track an issue in your community area’, and you can ‘report an issue in your community area’ online by visiting: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/areaboards
Spring/summer area board meetings April May June Note: Venues, times and dates may be subject to change. Please check for any updates. Meetings start at 7pm unless stated otherwise.
10
Date
Area board
Venue
4 April
Melksham
Melksham United Church, High St, Melksham, SN12 6JU
5 April
Southern
Morgans Vale and Woodfalls Village Hall, The Ridge, Woodfalls, SP5 2HU
10 April
Calne
Lansdowne Hall, Petty Lane, Derry Hill SN11 9QY
11 April
South West Wiltshire
Charlton Remembrance Hall, The Remembrance Field, Charlton, SP7 0PL
19 April
Westbury
The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury BA13 3EN
30 April
Chippenham
Abbeyfield School, Stanley Lane, Chippenham, SN15 3XB
9 May
Malmesbury
Brinkworth Village Hall, The Street, Brinkworth, SN15 3XB
10 May
Warminster
Chitterne Village Hall, Village Green, Chitterne
14 May
Pewsey
Coronation Hall, East Grafton, SN8 3DB
16 May
Bradford on Avon
St Margaret’s Hall, St Margaret’s St, Bradford on Avon, BA15 1DE
17 May
Trowbridge
The Atrium & Octagon Lounge, Bradley Rd, Trowbridge
17 May
Salisbury
City Hall, Salisbury SP2 7TU
21 May
Tidworth
Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall, Chicks Lane, Collingbourne Ducis, SN8 3UH
24 May
Corsham
Colerne Village Hall, Martin’s Croft SN14 8DT
24 May
Amesbury
Winterbourne Glebe Village Hall, Winterbourne Earls, SP4 6HA (6pm)
28 May
Devizes
Sports Club, London Road, Devizes SN10 2DL (6.30pm)
29 May
Marlborough
St Michael’s School, Back Lane, Aldbourne, SN8 2BP
30 May
Royal Wootton Bassett St Bartholomew’s CofE Primary School, The Rosary, Royal Wootton Bassett, and Cricklade SN14 8AZ (6pm)
6 June
Melksham
Semington Village Hall, High Street, Semington BA14 6JR
7 June
Southern
Coombe Bissett and Homington Village Hall, Shutts Lane, Coombe Bissett, SP5 4LU
12 June
Calne
Beversbrook Sports Facility, Beversbrook Road, Calne, SN11 9FL
13 June
South West Wiltshire
Bishopstone Village Hall, Bishopstone, SP5 4AD
14 June
Westbury
Heywood Village Hall, Church Road, Heywood BA13 4LP
Your Wiltshire Magazine Area boards
0300 456 0100
Campus projects offering greatly improved, new and sustainable facilities in Corsham, Melksham and Salisbury have been given the go ahead. The campuses will see the major improvement and refurbishment of current facilities alongside the development of new purpose-built areas. They will provide a centralised location for services that communities are helping to tailor to meet their needs. The campuses demonstrate Wiltshire Council’s commitment to providing high quality, modernised facilities that benefit the local economy. The spotlight will be on the three campuses as the blueprint for other local projects which are still in the design and consultation stages. The Corsham Campus is likely to be the first to be developed.
Proposed Corsham Campus
It will include an all weather football pitch, an improved health suite and fitness facilities. When completed, there
will be new library facilities and a number of multi-purpose activity spaces. The Melksham Campus will see the rugby and football club relocated and the council is working with the clubs to achieve this. Several projects earmarked for Melksham, including the cemetery extension and market place improvements will now be funded. There will be a competition standard 25 metre swimming pool, plus learner pool, and increased sports and fitness facilities, a new library with an improved IT suite, youth facilities and meeting areas. The Salisbury Campus will have outdated facilities replaced. It will include the learning disabilities and the youth services, a flexible music space, areas for various additional youth functions, and significant extensions and improvements to the fitness facilities at Five Rivers Leisure Centre. Multi-purpose, flexible activity spaces for community based activities are also planned. It should be complete in late 2013. Work is planned to start this year.
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communitycampuses
Helping you shape your community Residents in four Wiltshire communities are being given the chance to shape future development in their area. The government’s Localism Act aims to give local people greater influence over decisions which affect their communities and allows neighbourhood plans to be prepared. The council is supporting four pilot projects which have been given government funding. The pilots will help communities and Wiltshire Council understand how to develop plans at community area, town, village and site level and involve Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade, Malmesbury, Sherston, and Warminster community areas. The pilots will help develop and roll out best practice, and local communities will be involved through consultation and able to vote in a referendum on whether they agree with the proposals. Underpinning this work is the draft Wiltshire Core Strategy which gives a strategic overview of where new homes are needed and where new jobs can be created. The strategy was approved by Full Council on 7 February and has been published for consultation up until 2 April 2012. To find out more visit:
Communicating locally Because there are different issues and different stories to tell in each Wiltshire community, we are developing ways to communicate at a local level.
Your local council
Campus go ahead
The council is developing ‘blogsites’ for every community area in Wiltshire. These sites will enable the council and its partners, local organisations and residents to publicise what is happening in their area and to have an online conversation about issues and ideas that are relevant to their community. Unlike more traditional websites, these blogsites will be fully interactive and local people will be able to post stories and have their say on what other people are talking about. They will also provide a free channel for local organisations to publicise community events. The first site will be for Salisbury in April and sites across the rest of Wiltshire will be rolled out throughout 2012. Ahead of the rollout of these sites the council will be working with local groups in each area to show them how they can use the new blogsites. These blogsites are part of the council’s innovation with social media to find additional ways to talk with local people about what matters to them. Social media is being used across a range of council services already, providing our communities with information that’s relevant, up to date and instant. Find and follow Wiltshire Council today on Facebook and Twitter: www.facebook.com/WiltshireCouncil @wiltscouncil
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirecorestrategy
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Your Wiltshire Magazine Your local council
11
2012 Celebrations
Celebrating your community A guide to organising a street party or small community event
Making it happen This year will be a year of events celebrating Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, London Olympics and the Olympic Torch Relay. These events provide a real opportunity for all of us to celebrate 2012, to bring together our local communities and reinvigorate our local economy. We intend to showcase what we have and what we do so well and to ignite our strong and vibrant community spirit. 2012 will be a year of celebration and Wiltshire Council, working with other public services, hopes that all communities in Wiltshire will make the most of this double celebration with events and parties across the county. To help you organise street parties, community events, sporting events and any other type of small-scale event where groups of residents get together, we have created a special toolkit with hints and tips. This is a shortened version and the full kit can be found online. www.wiltshire.gov.uk/2012celebrations 01225 713152
12
Your Wiltshire Magazine 2012 Celebrations
Community events and street parties are a communal activity and need to be organised communally.
What do you need? Organising small community events or a street party is very simple. A community event is an event that’s solely for the residents of a particular street, village or town and is held in a communal area such as the village hall, recreation park, street, road, pavements, or a communal green open space. For street parties, it is traditional that the road is closed to traffic for safety. Food is usually eaten together, as a community, and it is customary for everyone to contribute. Often a number of activities or sporting games will take place, such as sack races, street cricket or live music from a local musician. The traditional community event or street party is a private party and it is, therefore, open only to the residents of a particular village/town or street. However, many communities may wish to hold a community event/street party that is open to all residents in the wider neighbourhood. These ‘open’ events could be held on a village green, in a communal park, or at a community centre or church car park.
The best way to plan one is through a small working group, where the members share the tasks, thereby lightening the load and bringing different expertise and skills. Before you can start planning for your event you will need to speak to your community – ideally to as many residents as possible as they will have many great ideas. With a ‘road closure’ community event it is preferable to contact every resident to make them aware of your plans and so, hopefully, they will also help out with the arrangements. If your event is on council-owned land you must let the council know of your plans by using an application form: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/streetpartiesandfetes
If you want a pay bar or to provide entertainment to the wider public, or charge to raise money for your event, you will need a Temporary Event Notice which costs £21. For more information about temporary event notices and organising large public events contact: 2012celebrations@wiltshire.gov.uk
0300 456 0100
2012 Celebrations
Entertainment The entertainment at your community event is really where the talents and abilities of your neighbourhood will come into play. There will be people who live in your community who have hidden talents, from music to juggling. You can organise a treasure hunt, a ‘know your neighbourhood’ quiz, plant swaps, sports, hobby and craft displays and demonstrations, competitions and much more.
Fundraising Funding need not be one of the biggest worries and most requirements can be provided from within your community for little or no cost. Ways to raise money for events include raffles and tombolas with donated prizes; penny races and home grown plant and produce sales with optional donations for charities and overheads. You could also approach local businesses for sponsorship or donations or your local area board.
Closing your road: While it is not possible to close key roads, you can apply to the council to close a road. There is no charge for small street parties. Publicity: First think of who you need to contact then consider the best way of reaching them – this might be a meeting, a letter to local residents, flyers, or approaching the local paper about your event. Communication: One thing you must do is send a letter to residents who might be affected in your road and in neighbouring roads. Make sure those who do not wish to take part are still kept regularly informed. A copy of your letter must be submitted to Wiltshire Council, along with your application form to close the road. Emergency: One person must be appointed to co-ordinate action in the event of an emergency. You must also ensure there is access for emergencies and that hydrants remain accessible.
Guidelines for organising event
Barbecues: Use only manufactured barbecues; ensure it is always supervised and cordoned off and there is a fire extinguisher nearby.
Here are pointers about a number of key issues in organising a successful event – more information and details are available in our toolkit.
Fireworks and bonfires: Unless your event is being held on private land, it is not permissible to have bonfires or fireworks.
Insurance: If you are looking at bouncy castles, inflatables or fairground rides and stalls you will need public liability insurance, otherwise it will not be needed. Outside contractors will need their own insurance.
Wet weather: If you are holding an outdoor event, it is worth having a ‘plan B’ such as gazebos, marquees, or booking local community buildings for example a church hall.
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Street decorations: By all means put up street decorations, but do not hang bunting from telegraph poles, or across roads from lampposts, and ensure it is at least 18 feet from the ground and is easily breakable. Intoxicating liquor: No licence is needed when people are supplying their own alcohol, but if you wish to sell alcohol you will need to apply for a Temporary Event Notice from the council. www.wiltshire.gov.uk/temporaryeventnotices
Charity street collections You will need to apply for a street collection permit. An application form can be found at the following link: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/streetcollections
Noise: Remember to be considerate and keep music to reasonable level. You should not use loudspeakers or PA systems after 9pm. Litter: You are responsible to a reasonable level for clearing up at the end of the event. Remember, rubbish from street parties has to be disposed of by those attending the events through the normal waste collections. Don’t forget to recycle: tidy as you go. For more information: 2012celebrations@wiltshire.gov.uk Publication: Wiltshire Council toolkit Hints and tips: www.streetparty.org.uk www.thebiglunch.com
Your Wiltshire Magazine 2012 Celebrations
13
2012 Celebrations
Wiltshire
Wiltshire
2012
2012
n Celebratio Festival of
Festival of Celebration
Flying the flag 2012 promises to be an amazing year that everyone in Britain will remember and it looks as if Wiltshire will be no exception. Whether you attend the big Festival of Celebration in Hudson’s Field, Salisbury, on 11 July, cheer the torch through your town, or celebrate with your own street party, there will be lots to do. Here we provide a quick tour around some of the major events that are taking place to mark the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympic Torch Relay.
The Olympic Flame is coming! Wiltshire
2012
Festival of Celebration
On Wednesday 11 July, Hudson’s Field in Salisbury will be the setting for the Wiltshire 2012 Festival of Celebration. A full programme of exciting events is planned for the day, the highlight of which will be the arrival of the iconic Olympic Torch as it continues its journey through Wiltshire, before carrying on its way around the country to arrive in London for the start of the Olympic Games.
14
Your Wiltshire Magazine Recycling
To mark the arrival of the Olympic Torch, the festival will feature a variety of free entertainment starting from lunchtime. To encourage people from all over Wiltshire to come to this once-in-alifetime event, there will be a host of activities to entertain the crowds, including live music and other entertainment acts, a fun fair, exhibitions, and food and drink stalls. During the evening, the London Organising Committee of the Olympic Games (LOCOG) will be at the event for two and a half hours. The crowds will be amazed by spectacular performances provided by the Olympic Games’ main partners – Lloyds TSB, Samsung and Coca-Cola.
A highlight will be the performance by yet-to-be-confirmed, well known music talent and the arrival of the Olympic Flame. A number of local acts will also be staged. For more details go to: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/2012celebrations www.facebook.com/wiltshire2012 www.twitter.com/Wilts2012AYOC
Other performers will then step into the spotlight for the rest of the evening and the event will be closed with a spectacular firework display. Attention will be drawn to Salisbury for this event and we hope that as many people as possible from all over Wiltshire will attend what we are sure will be a truly memorable occasion.
0300 456 0100
Wiltshire
2012
Festival of Celebrati on
e
Wiltshir
of Festival
2012 Celebrations
2012
tion Celebra
Wil ts
201hire 2
Fest ival of
Wiltshire celebrates Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee To celebrate Her Majesty The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, Lord-Lieutenants across the country have been asked to organise an event in their county for communities to come together. Wiltshire’s event will be in Cathedral Close, Salisbury, on 1 May. It will focus around the Magna Carta because of its links to the history of the English democratic monarchy. Buckingham Palace has confirmed that Her Majesty the Queen, accompanied by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh, will be visiting the south west, including Salisbury, on 1 May and 2 May. We look forward to showcasing Wiltshire’s history. Representatives from the community areas in Wiltshire, through the 18 area boards, together with voluntary and other
organisations, have been invited to occupy medieval tents at the event. As well as showcasing their history, they will highlight examples of community initiatives that make their area unique. A medieval theme is to be created in Salisbury Close with individuals in period costume, musical contributions and displays. Armed Services personnel will also participate in the event, contributing with a band display, inflatable assault course and other items. Inside Salisbury Cathedral there will be young musicians and groups of children doing practical work around elements of the Magna Carta. There is a plaque near the Magna Carta in the cathedral commemorating the Queen’s visit in 1974.
2012 events 1 May Diamond Jubilee event in Salisbury 22 –23 May Olympic Torch relays 30 June Wiltshire White Horse – two horses to be illuminated with candles and flames 10–12 July Fire Garden at Stonehenge 11 July Olympic Torch relay 2012 Festival of Celebration at Hudson’s Field in Salisbury 12 July Olympic Torch relay 12 – 13 July The Wiltshire school games May to July Community events, street parties and sporting events
For more information on all these events, please visit:
Royal Wootton Bassett Chippenham
Dates the Olympic Torch will be carried through Wiltshire
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/2012celebrations www.facebook.com/wiltshire2012
23 May Calne
22 May
Marlborough
Bradford on Avon Trowbridge Southwick Ludgershall Tidworth
11 July Amesbury The Winterbournes Barford St Martin Wilton Fovant and Ludwell
Salisbury
12 July
www.twitter.com/Wilts2012AYOC 2012celebrations@wiltshire.gov.uk
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Your Wiltshire Magazine Recycling
15
Cele brat ion
Communities
Helping people to stay safe at home The council’s ‘Help to Live at Home’ service, developed in partnership with NHS Wiltshire, delivers a range of new support services to help people to live in their own homes for longer. One of these services is a 24-hour telecare response service provided by Wiltshire Medical Services (WMS), supported by Aster Living, an organisation which supplies and installs the equipment. Telecare customers have equipment at home which, in an emergency, triggers an alarm at the WMS call centre in Chippenham. This can be responded to in a number of ways; a conversation with the customer via the telecare equipment, contacting a key holder, or a WMS responder visiting the customer. Telecare equipment includes a wide range of electronic devices to help people in their own homes. This includes gas, water and carbon dioxide detectors, personal alert pendants, fall detectors, automated medication alerts and door sensors which record when a customer leaves their home at an inappropriate time. A telecare service without the facility to visit customers has restrictions. When an alert is triggered, the call centre may be able to do little apart
from calling an ambulance and this can lead to an inappropriate hospital admission. The benefit of the new response service is that it allows customers to receive the most appropriate response to a telecare alarm.
the telecare response service: 01249 815052 info@asterliving.co.uk www.asterliving.co.uk
Wiltshire Council anticipates a threefold increase in the use of telecare over the next 12 months, offering Wiltshire residents the opportunity to remain independent for longer. These services will be available to the whole population of Wiltshire; to those eligible to receive Wiltshire Council support and to those who fund their own care. The council is committed to ensuring that everyone is able to access the care that they need when they need it. Making it simple to receive assistance and support when required helps people to retain independence and boosts self-confidence. If you’re not eligible for Wiltshire Council support and you’d like to know more, please contact –
Customer case study
Medequip provide community equipment, telecare and other adaptations for Wiltshire Council, enabling people to remain in their own homes safely.
Aster Living is the new name for the care and support services previously provided by Ridgeway Community Housing Association.
Wiltshire Medical Services (WMS) provides GP out-of-hours medical care across Wiltshire. It employs GPs and nurses who advise, see and visit patients when their GP surgery is closed.
People with chronic illnesses
What was happening:
Mrs D had a tendency to walk about in the night and leave items unattended. Mr D cares for his wife, but this can be very stressful and their family are concerned about how they are coping.
What telecare was put in place: A system was installed that alerted Mr D if his wife did not return to bed in the night. An alert system informed the family if the front door was opened between 10pm and 9am.
Monitor people’s health to enable them to be cared for at home
Mental health Help those who suffer panic attacks or phobias to know they can contact someone immediately
People with physical disabilities and sensory impairment Help people react to alerts and stay in touch with carers
Mr D said: “It has given us back a part of our lives we wouldn’t otherwise have had.’’
Help to support people and keep them safe at home 24 hours a day
Some telecare solutions
What they thought: A family spokesman says: “I can’t stress enough how it has released us. It’s like a circle of safety in there.”
Older people
People with dementia Help to keep people safe at home and provide reassurance and support to their families
People with learning disabilities Help with managing environmental, safety and security risks
Image © of Tunstall Healthcare (UK) Ltd.
16
Your Wiltshire Magazine Communities
0300 456 0100
In the September 2011 issue of ‘Your Wiltshire’ magazine we told you about the work done on the Disabled Children and Adults Review. We understood the issues that customers and staff face and improvements required. The decision was made to have a service supporting 0-25 year olds with disabilities and special educational needs and their families.
During the same time as the review, the government launched a consultation on a green paper ‘Support and Aspiration: A new approach to special educational needs and disability’. Wiltshire Council has been asked by the government to be one of the councils to test the aims listed in the green paper. We are one of 20 chosen to become a ‘Pathfinder’. The aims of the two pieces of work are very similar and will now be managed by the Disabled Children and Adults Pathfinder, which will carry out all the work identified by the DCA review and green paper. As a Pathfinder we have been asked to test the following main areas: • Offering personal budgets for families by 2014 This means that families with eligible needs are offered a budget and flexibility in arranging what support they require. • A single assessment process and plan covering education, health and social care This will mean that assessments look at all aspects of a child or young person’s life and that information is shared with other professionals involved to reduce repeat assessments. • How parents with children who have disabilities and/or special educational needs can be supported better • How vulnerable children with disabilities and special educational needs are supported better • How to improve the current process when a child with a disability is transferred to adult care.
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Communities
Disabled Children and Adults Pathfinder
The DCA Pathfinder has held workshops to develop what the 0-25 service could look like. Representatives in the workshops included council staff, health staff, parent carers, and members from the voluntary and community sector. We have developed the purpose of the service and values which the service will follow. The notes from these workshops are available to look at on an e-forum at: https://wiltshiredcapathfinder.org.uk/home
Please register and join in on the discussions. The DCA Pathfinder understands the importance of early identification and prevention. By supporting children and families with mainstream services as soon as possible, involvement by specialists at a crisis point could potentially be reduced. This approach is better for children and their families who will be supported earlier in a more efficient way. The voluntary and community sector, along with mainstream services, has a vital role to play in this. For further information please contact: communications@wiltshire.gov.uk
or write to DCS Programme Office, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN
Your Wiltshire Magazine Communities
17
Recycling
Waste and recycling update Your say on waste recycling sites Following the success of the new improved waste and recycling collection services in Wiltshire, some of the other recycling facilities in Wiltshire are being used less. Therefore, we aim to save around £250,000 by making changes to other services. Thanks to residents using their blue lidded bins, we now collect more than 700 tonnes of plastic bottles and cardboard from households every month. We are now asking for your views on how you prefer to use your local recycling facilities and how savings can be achieved.
Have your say If you would like to comment on the proposals, please complete our questionnaire at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/waste or call 0300 4560102
for a paper copy. Please reply by 28 May 2012.
Household recycling centres – summer opening hours Everyone in Wiltshire can now ask to have a free garden waste collection from the kerbside, making it easy to recycle garden waste from home. During recent summers, the household recycling centres have been open until 7pm on Wednesday and Thursday evenings, to help residents to recycle their garden waste in particular. Now the new free kerbside collection service is in place, it is proposed that household recycling centres will be open during the summer until 5pm, seven days per week. (This change will affect all sites except Salisbury household recycling centre, Churchfields, where current opening hours are different and will not alter.)
Local mini recycling sites Paper, glass, cans, clothes, foil, plastic bottles and cardboard are now collected direct from every home in Wiltshire and the use of local mini recycling sites has significantly reduced. In particular, we expect sites with plastic bottle and cardboard bins to be used much less, due to the popular new blue lidded bin collections. Therefore, we propose to remove some local mini recycling sites, while keeping a good network for you to use in addition to kerbside collections.
We are proposing to review local mini recycling sites based on the following: • How much recycling is
collected from each site • Distance from the nearest
alternative recycling sites • Number of homes the site
is serving • Ease of use, for example
access and parking • Ease of emptying the bins • Condition of the site • Amount of flytipping or
non-residents’ waste dumped.
18
Your Wiltshire Magazine Waste
0300 456 0100
The Special Constabulary is voluntary and plays a vital role in achieving this goal by providing uniformed officers at key times. Being a Special Constable is a positive way of contributing to your community. You will receive first class training and, having full police officer powers, gain exposure to experiences that can enhance your personal and professional development. We are looking for keen, sensible and dedicated people to become Special Constables. For more information visit: www.wiltshire.police.uk
or contact the recruitment team on: 101 ext 7202314
Put it out – right out Statistics show that smoking materials cause more fire-related deaths than any other domestic fires.
The golden rule is simple – never smoke when you are feeling tired, especially in bed or lounging in a chair. Remember that alcohol and medication will make you feel drowsy. Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service has the following advice for staying safe: • Always use an ashtray that is placed on a solid surface.
101 – the new
non-emergency number for Wiltshire Police
Communities across Wiltshire should now dial 101 – the new national nonemergency number for the police service – when calling in a nonemergency situation.
Partners
Do something special
Wiltshire Police is committed to delivering safe, satisfied and confident communities.
101 has replaced the old 0845 number. You should use 101 to report less urgent crime or disorder, to contact the police with a general enquiry, or to speak to a local officer. Remember, in an emergency you should always call 999, such as when a crime is in progress, when there is danger to life, or when violence is being threatened. To find out more about 101, visit: www.wiltshire.police.uk and click on ‘contact us’
• Empty ashtrays before going to bed. Check around the house for ashtrays used by visitors or other members of the family. Make sure the contents are fully extinguished – run them under a tap. • Do not leave your matches or lighters around for children to play with.
For further home fire safety advice, visit: www.wiltsfire.gov.uk 0800 389 7849
• Do not smoke when dealing with flammable liquids/gases/aerosols. • Make sure you have working smoke detectors in your home. Consider fitting extra detectors in living rooms and bedrooms.
Got 20 minutes to spare for a free NHS Health Check?
www.wiltshire.gov.uk
GPs in Wiltshire are now inviting people aged 40 – 74 to a free health check. Don’t miss out, find out how your body is handling your lifestyle! The check, more like a body MOT, will take approximately 20 minutes and keep you running like clockwork.
that these conditions can often be prevented – even if you have a history of them in your family. Health Checks are free, quick and easy and your GP will provide you with simple, practical and realistic steps to help you reduce any health risks and stay healthy.
Everyone is at risk of developing heart disease, stroke, diabetes or kidney disease. The good news is
If you want to live a longer and healthier life, make a health check appointment when you receive your letter.
Your Wiltshire Magazine Partners
19
Find your perfect treat... A Bird in your Ear
Bo o
king
ticke ts
0172 24
3443 cityh allsa 4 lisbu ry.co .uk
Tuesday 3 April, 2pm Genies in teapots and hat-munching squirrels are just some of the characters that feature in this brilliant show full of stories for children, written by children.
Chinese State Circus
Friday 20 April 7.30pm, Saturday 21 & Sunday 22 April 2.30pm & 7.30pm High flying acrobatics, plate spinning, sword fighting, ballet, martial arts and an overall exhilarating display of athleticism - not to miss!
That’ll Be The Day
Saturday 19 May, 7.30pm This show takes you through the best of the music from the 1950s, 60s & 70s, intertwined with some brilliant comedy routines that will keep you smiling throughout.
Stewart Francis
Thursday 14 June, 7.30pm The Mock The Week and Live at the Apollo favourite returns, “A brilliant comic brain... some of the best one-liners I have ever heard” The Guardian.
Join our e-news or visit our
and
sites to get extra info and special offers.
Information about Wiltshire Council services can be made available on request in other languages including BSL and formats such as large print and audio. Please contact the council by telephone 0300 456 0100, by textphone 01225 712500, or email customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk ﺍﻟﺤﺼﻭل ﻋﻠﻰ ﻤﻌﻠﻭﻤﺎﺕ ﺤﻭل ﺨﺩﻤﺎﺕ ﻤﺠﻠﺱ ﺒﻠﺩﻴﺔ ﻭﻴﻠﺘﺸﻴﺭ ﻭﺫﻟﻙ ﺒﺄﺸﻜﺎل )ﻤﻌﻠﻭﻤﺎﺕ ﺒﺨﻁ ﻋﺭﻴﺽ ﺃﻭ ﺴﻤﺎﻋﻴﺔ( ﻭﻟﻐﺎﺕ، ﻋﻨﺩ ﺍﻟﻁﻠﺏ،ﻴﻤﻜﻥ ﺃﻭ ﻤﻥ ﺨﻼل ﺍﻻﺘﺼﺎل ﺍﻟﻨﺼﻲ )ﺘﻴﻜﺴﺕ ﻓﻭﻥ( ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺭﻗﻡ٠٣٠٠٤٥٦٠١٠٠ ﺍﻟﺭﺠﺎﺀ ﺍﻻﺘﺼﺎل ﺒﻤﺠﻠﺱ ﺍﻟﺒﻠﺩﻴﺔ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﺭﻗﻡ.ﻤﺨﺘﻠﻔﺔ
customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk :( ﺃﻭ ﺒﺎﻟﺒﺭﻴﺩ ﺍﻻﻟﻜﺘﺭﻭﻨﻲ ﻋﻠﻰ ﺍﻟﻌﻨﻭﺍﻥ ﺍﻟﺘﺎﻟﻲ٠١٢٢٥) ٧١٢٥٠٠
如果有需要我們可以使用其他形式（例如：大字體版本或者錄音帶）或其他語言版本向您提供有關 威爾特郡政務會各項服務的資訊，敬請與政務會聯繫，電話：0300 456 0100，文本電話：(01225) 712500，或者發電子郵件至：customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk Na yczenie udostpniamy informacje na temat usług oferowanych przez władze samorzdowe hrabstwa Wiltshire (Wiltshire Council) w innych formatach (takich jak duym drukiem lub w wersji audio) i w innych jzykach. Prosimy skontaktowa si z władzami samorzdowymi pod numerem telefonu 0300 456 0100 lub telefonu tekstowego (01225) 712500 bd za porednictwem poczty elektronicznej na adres: customerservices@wiltshire.gov.uk
This magazine is produced by Wiltshire Council, printed on recycled paper. If you would like to contact someone about the magazine, you are welcome to: email: yourwiltshireletters@wiltshire.gov.uk telephone: 0300 456 0100 write to: Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN