Agenda item

(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 and allow opportunities for questions and interactive discussions on the implications for Wiltshire. The Chairman urged Councillors to attend.