Agenda item

To receive the following announcements through the Chair:

·       Ask Angela Campaign Relaunch

·       Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2-5 June 2022

·       Reminder of Changes to the Highway Code from 29 January 2022

·       Changes to residual waste collection days from 28 February 2022

·       Wiltshire Youth Council

·       Dates for Non-Business Area Board Themed Meetings

·       Local Successes

The chairman gave the following updates:

·       Ask Angela Campaign Relaunch

The Chairman drew attention to a briefing note attached to the agenda which was a reminder of the Ask Angela Scheme. It was outlined that the scheme helps to keep people safe on a night out and to protect anyone feeling vulnerable while on a date or with someone they have met. Further information and posters can be found on the Ask for Angela webpage Ask for Angela - Wiltshire Council.

·       Queens’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations

The Chairman drew attention to a briefing note attached to the agenda which outlined that Wiltshire Council has a system in place to ensure that communities wishing to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee are signposted to the council’s web page (Platinum Jubilee celebrations - useful information and guidance - Wiltshire Council)where they will find the appropriate tools, support and guidance to apply to hold a street party.

·       Reminder of Changes to the Highway Code from 29 January 2022

The Chairman referred to the report attached to the agenda which outlined changes to the Highway Code, which had taken place. Such changes included:

• The introduction of a hierarchy of responsibility of road users.
• Priority for pedestrians at junctions
• Priority for cyclists, riders and horse-drawn vehicles at junctions.
• Clarification on road positioning for cyclists
• More information on safely overtaking motorcyclists, cyclists, horse-riders and horse-drawn vehicles and filtering  by cyclists.
• Adopting what is known as the ‘Dutch Reach’ technique when opening the doors of a parked vehicle.

·       Changes to residual waste collection days from 28 February 2022

The Chairman noted that from 28 February the household waste collection days for nearly all Wiltshire properties will change, however it was stated that there is no change to recycling or garden waste collections, which will still take place on their usual day for all residents. From 31 January and for the following two weeks, all households will receive a letter that explains the changes and details their new collection day. Further information about waste collections www.wiltshire.gov.uk/waste

• Wiltshire Youth Council

The Chairman updated those in attendance that the Wiltshire Youth Council election was currently underway, with the election closing on 4 February and results expected in the near future. Further information about the Wiltshire Youth Council can be found via the following link: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1451/Children-and-young-people-s-voice

• Dates for Non-Business Area Board Themed Meetings

Community Engagement Manager, Graeme Morrison, informed the Area Board that there are plans for two events, with the themes of youth and military/civilian integration. The youth themed event is set to take place Tuesday 17 May, venue to be confirmed. Additionally, the Military Garrison is set to hold a large community event on 27 July and therefore whilst the Area Board is keen to hold its own military themed event, a date is yet to be set in order to avoid any duplication.

• Local Successes

Congratulations were offered to the following individuals, for their respective achievements:

·       Tom Dommett for being appointed to the position of Warminster Town Clerk.

·       To Old Silk Works Manager, Lou Gover who had been nominated to be a finalist in the local hero category of the Alzheimer’s Support Wiltshire Awards for selfless work and generosity in lockdown and beyond.

·       Adrian South, Deputy Director of Clinical Care for the South West Ambulance Foundation Trust, who was awarded the Queen’s Ambulance Service Medal for distinguished service.

·       Chapmanslade resident and Olympic gold-medallist, Kate French, who was awarded an MBE in the New Year Honours 2022 list for her services to the sport of modern pentathlon.

·       Green and Blue Strategy

The Chairman noted that on 1 February, the Wiltshire Council Cabinet approved to adopt the Green and Blue Infrastructure Strategy, to help shape the Council’s carbon reduction plans for the next 5 years. This document is now pending approval at Full Council on 15 February, with both documents to be used as a framework for all forthcoming Council plans, to ensure that progress is on track to be carbon neutral by 2030.