Agenda item

To receive the following announcements through the Chair:

·       The 2023 Boundary Review

·       Ash Dieback

·       Wiltshire Council Draft Climate Strategy Consultation

·       Local Successes

·       A303 Stonehenge Scheme

The chairman gave the following updates:

·       The 2023 Boundary Review

Last month the Boundary Commission for England published its initial proposals for new constituency boundaries, with the proposals and maps for the nine English regions published on their website. Though the consultation window has now closed, area specific information can be found on the linked website within the agenda pack by entering a post code or region. This can be used to view the current constituency and local authority boundaries as well as the proposals for the new constituency boundaries.

·       Wiltshire Council Draft Climate Strategy Consultation

Consultations on both the draft Wiltshire Climate Strategy and Our Natural Environment Plan started on 1 September and run until 23.59 on 17 October 2021.Information about both consultations are available through the links in the agenda supplement and comments can also be submitted through the two online surveys that are included.

• Local Successes

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

·       Kate French, an athlete from Chapmanslade, who won an Olympic Gold Medal in the Modern Pentathlon at the Tokyo 2020 summer Olympic Games.

• The villages of Sutton Veny and Bishopstrow, which won the best kept Medium and Small villages in award in Wiltshire for 2021. Additionally, to Maiden Bradley which came second in Newcomer villages award.

·       The churches of Warminster who together held the “Warminster Open Fair” in the park on 1^st August to raise awareness of businesses, clubs and groups.

• The Warminster Royal British Legion, which celebrated its Centenary birthday on 2 July 2021.
• Makenzie Leckie a Year 12 student from Kingdown School, who was nominated for and won the Diana Award.

• A3030 Stonehenge Scheme

The Chairman informed those in attendance that the Government is currently considering whether or not to appeal the High Court decision which ruled out the A303 Stonehenge Scheme. As the scheme would have implications for villages to the north of the A303, the outcome of this decision will be awaited with interest.

·       Ash Dieback

The announcement was introduced by Community Engagement Manager, Graeme Morrison, which was then followed by a video covering the issues of Ash Dieback. A link to the video can be found in the agenda pack as part of the attached Ash Dieback report. The following useful web links were provided within the presentation:

Wiltshire Council, www.wiltshire.gov.uk/recreation-trees-forests 

The Tree Council, www.treecouncil.org.uk

Woodland Trust, Woodland Trust www.woodlandtrust.org.uk

Forest Research, www.forestresearch.gov.uk

The Arboricultural Association www.trees.org.uk 

The Forestry Commission www.forestrycommission.blog.gov.uk   

Following the announcement there was time for the following points to be raised:

• Councillor Neil Carpenter (Corsley Parish Council) emphasised the need for each parish to look at their local Ash trees and gain an understanding of the number and size of them. Councillor Carpenter also stressed the need to fell Ash trees quickly as otherwise it becomes expensive, especially those near to playing fields or roads.
• Sarah Jeffries updated that the parishes of Horningsham and Maiden Bradley have worked with tree specialists to identify and then deal with ash dieback. Councillor Bill Parks also updated that the parish of Heytesbury has also undertaken a similar exercise and that a big help with the problem is parish councils knowing landowners and farmers, who can then act on advice.