Announcements by the Chairman
Minutes:
A. New Wiltshire councillors
The Chairman took the opportunity to thank ex-councillors Nick watts and Liz Bryant for their service during their time at Wiltshire Council.
He also offered a warm welcome to Councillor Melody Thompson, who would be representing the Chippenham – Hardenhuish Division and to Councillor Anna Cuthbert, who would be representing the Bromham, Rowde and Potterne Division.
B. Death of former Councillors
The Chairman drew the meetings attention to the news of the sad deaths of three Wiltshire councillors, as follows:
Mr. Colin Read was a Wiltshire councillor from 2001-2005 in mere, serving his community with dedication and commitment. In addition to being a Mere parish councillor, he was also chairman of the Wiltshire rugby football union.
Mr. George Applegate was an active councillor in Trowbridge in the 1960s-80s, including a former chairman of Trowbridge town council and West Wiltshire district council (1981-83). He ran several local businesses (heating engineering), farming and water divining throughout the world. He was also a founder member of the Trowbridge rotary club.
And finally, Major Colin Stone who was a former Kennet district councillor who gave dedicated service to his electorate.
C. Big pledge engagement opportunity
The Chairman stated that the previous day had seen the launch of the 2015 Big Pledge – make a difference campaign. He went on to state that this year there were 12 pledges that people could make as an individual, a group, a business or a community. Wiltshire’s big pledge was a county-wide campaign endorsed by Wiltshire Council’s Legacy Board.
This was part of the ongoing work to encourage Wiltshire residents to lead healthier and more active lives. The campaign aimed to make a difference to an individual’s health and wellbeing; and make a difference in the local community. Wiltshire’s Big Pledge would challenge people to get healthy, volunteer, or make a positive change in 2015.
Council officers would be on hand during the lunch break and after today’s meeting to help Councillors who wished to make a pledge including participating in a photo opportunity to support the campaign.
D. Members’ Training on The Sap Portal
The Chairman stated that a training session would be available to members in the Kennet room after this meeting on the use of the SAP portal system for submitting members’ expenses.
Announcements by the Chairman
Minutes:
(a) Royal Visits
The Chairman reported that the County had been fortunate to have had two Royal visits in recent months.
In April, Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal visited Coombe Castle Creamery in Melksham to formally open their new premises and to present them with the Queen’s Award for Enterprise for International Trade. She then went on to Devizes where she presented the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust with the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service, visited the Wiltshire Museum to formally open their new galleries, and then attended a Save the Children Reception for volunteers in the Town Hall.
In early May, Their Royal Highnesses The Earl & Countess of Wessex made a full day visit to Wiltshire. Their visit began at the new Visitor Centre at Stonehenge and the Stones before attending the rededication of Airman’s Cross, now relocated at the top of the path to the Visitor Centre. They then journeyed to Salisbury to open the new Wessex Gallery in Salisbury Museum and visit St. Thomas Church in the City centre. His Royal Highness then attended to a Duke of Edinburgh Award event held at St. Edmund’s Girls’ School in Laverstock where he present badges to Gold Award winners; whilst Her Royal Highness visited the Wiltshire South Guide Centre in Berwick St. James in her capacity as President of Girl guiding. The day ended at the Royal Wessex Yeomanry where a Reception was held with employers and reservists followed by a dinner with representatives from both the Royal Wessex Yeomanry and the Wiltshire Yeomanry.
All the organisations involved were delighted to be able to welcome the Royal visitors to their events and it was good to be able to welcome them to Wiltshire.
(b) Cycle Event May Bank Holiday
Cycle Wiltshire proved to be a big success on 3rd and 4th May with more than 500 people taking part in a sportive cycle ride from Five Rivers Leisure Centre. lots of people also took part in the many activities that were available at the Cycle Wiltshire Village with many commenting on the special atmosphere.
The following day saw an elite cycle race start and finish in Wilton with more than 120 riders competing and a big congregation of people in the Market Square to cheer them on. Cycle Wiltshire was part of Wiltshire Council’s a legacy for Wiltshire Partnership.
(c) The Care Bill – Members’ Briefing 10 June
The Care Bill (soon to be an act) had been described as one of the most important pieces of legislation since the establishment of the NHS in 1948. It would radically extend the Council’s responsibilities and bring our social care staff in contact with a much larger proportion of the local population. As such it would have a clear impact on the Council’s long term financial and workforce planning.
Given its significance, the Chairman invited all Councillors to attend a briefing on the Bill, in the Council Chamber, at 3pm on the 10 June. The briefing would finish by 5pm ... view the full minutes text for item 33