your wiltshire magazine - winter 2012
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Wiltshire residents magazineTRANSCRIPT
Winter
2012
Magazine
2012 A great year for Wiltshire
FREE extra
Christmas
parkingSee inside front
cover for voucher
details
Are you feeling inspired to get active following the Olympic and Paralympic games?
Visit your local Leisure Centre to try a variety of Olympic sports including tennis, football, gymnastics, badminton, swimming, trampolining plus many more...
For more information please contact your local leisure centre:
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisureandsportscentres
Follow your local leisure centre on Twitter
FREE extra hour Christmas parking voucherTo help take some of the stress out of the last minute rush, Wiltshire Council is again offering the ‘Pay for one hour, get one free’ tokens which were introduced last year.
Readers are being given an extra hour parking for free at any Wiltshire Council-run car park during the last week before Christmas. Cut out your voucher below, follow the instructions and display this on your dashboard when you pay for any time period. Then add one hour to the time on your ticket to calculate your new return time. Please read the terms and conditions of this offer on the voucher.
Terms and conditions of use:The Christmas parking permit must be clearly displayed with a valid Pay and Display ticket or MiPermit www.mipermit.com payment with a minimum period purchased of one hour.
Incorrectly marked or defaced Christmas parking permits may result in a penalty charge notice being issued.
The Christmas parking permit is valid in all Wiltshire Council Pay and Display car parks including Cross Hayes in Malmesbury and the central parking places in High Street in Marlborough. They are not valid for on-street parking in Salisbury.
The use of the Christmas parking permit entitles the vehicle to exceed the maximum stay of the car park by one hour only when a valid Pay and Display ticket shows a purchased stay that equals the maximum time indicated for that car park.
One hour Christmas parking permit voucher
Valid for as many visits as you like from Monday 17 December until the shops close on Christmas Eve. Place this voucher on your dashboard.
www.mipermit.com
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/carparking.htm
Your Wiltshire Magazine
Welcome3www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Welcome2012 – A year to remember A year of creating a legacyHello everyone,
Can I start by saying what a year this has been! Even though we are now in the autumn of the Diamond Jubilee year and the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympics Games are over the impact of this unique year is still tangible within our communities and continues to be talked about by many of us.
The success, enthusiasm and spirit of camaraderie and celebration are still palpable. In Wiltshire we embraced 2012 and seized every opportunity for our communities to come together; to showcase our wonderful county in front of the worldwide media and to provide a well-needed boost to the local economy.
And, together we did this really well; more than 225,000 people – half the population of Wiltshire – turned out to see The Queen and to welcome the Olympic Torch Relay as it ran through sixteen of our towns and villages.
Wiltshire Council took the decision to invest resource to support the events of this year, and in return, our communities delivered. They organised street parties and concerts, animated and lined the torch route, showcased local talent and entertainers, marketed and promoted local suppliers and producers, and thousands of school children made torches, crowns, banners and flags and participated in the events.
The return on investment is substantial. The boost to the local economy on the five event days is estimated at well over an additional £1 million being spent and the publicity promoting Wiltshire is currently estimated at nearly £3.8 million, which is more than we could have ever anticipated. The film footage of many of our towns and of the iconic pictures of former Olympic Gold medal sprinter, Michael Johnson at Stonehenge were broadcast across the world with more than 350 million
people seeing our county. And, we are still evaluating the impact on the number of visitors to the county and the increase in tourism. What is more challenging to quantify is the lasting relationships that were built across the county with our communities – as these are already adding significant value. It has been proven that a community that comes together is stronger and happier and more able to cope with local issues and challenges.
But the real challenge is how we maintain the success of this year and deliver something tangible for the future. It’s easy to talk about a legacy, but delivering one is far trickier. What we learnt this year is that our communities are strong and that given a focus and purpose they will rally together and deliver. Keeping the momentum and focus that this year ignited is vital as we need to continue to boost the local economy, to improve the health of all our residents and to continue to make our communities stronger. We want to take the opportunity to build on what happened this year and deliver a real legacy.
That is why the council has established a legacy steering board – to make things happen – not a talking shop – but a focused group with energy and ideas and the ability to turn the ideas into real actions that will make a difference.
Working with businesses we will deliver unique and interesting networking events, we will stimulate growth through these networks, and we will showcase the wealth that Wiltshire has to offer. We will challenge our eighteen local communities to hold at least one significant community event in 2013 and we will support and enable these events to take place.
We will encourage local people to get involved in these events and to participate in local sports and activities for all (both able and disabled) in our communities. This
year definitely inspired many people to get more active and we want this to continue. More than 25,000 young people took advantage of free swimming in the school holidays and we need to look at other ideas and opportunities to encourage activity for all ages.
With a growing ageing population, a rise in childhood obesity and an economy that continues to struggle, it is vital that we make things happen. That’s what we did this year. We grabbed the opportunities; we worked with all our communities; businesses; schools and partners to deliver a vibrant and highly successful programme of events. Now we need this to continue.
Wiltshire has shown what it can do and all our communities should be extremely proud of what has been achieved. I hope that the visual images of this summer on the next four pages remind you all of the celebrations we enjoyed.
Our aim now is to continue to work together to turn this pride into a legacy that will last, and will make our county stronger and more resilient for whatever challenge it may face in the future. We welcome your views and ideas on how we do this as this year it was your vision, ideas and involvement that made more than half our population proud to be part of their local community. Please send any thoughts, comments and ideas to [email protected].
I look forward to hearing from you and thank you for a year to remember!
Jane Scott OBE Wiltshire Council Leader
4 0300 456 0100Your Wiltshire Magazine
2012 Celebrations
2012 – a year to remember
2012 is proving to be an historic year for Wiltshire. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebrations, the Olympic Torch coming to Wiltshire on two separate occasions and a huge community festival means this year will live long in the memories of the thousands of people involved. Here’s our look back at 2012 – A year of celebration in Wiltshire.
A lasting legacyThe scale and scope of this year’s events has been unprecedented for Wiltshire. The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration, the Olympic Torch Relay and finally the Wiltshire Festival of Celebration, were all hugely successful. The events were filled with many happy people enjoying themselves. It’s a sight Wiltshire Council want to see continue beyond this year. The events of 2012 have brought communities closer together and provided businesses with the platform to promote their services to thousands of people. Wiltshire was the only county in Britain to have the torch come through on two separate occasions. This honour brought with it fantastic media coverage and the chance
Tuesday 1 May Queen’s Diamond Jubilee event – Salisbury
Tuesday 22 May 2012Southwick – first time torch in Wiltshire • Trowbridge – passed County Hall • Bradford-on-Avon
to showcase Wiltshire to a global audience. Gold medal-winning Olympian, Michael Johnson, carried the torch through Wiltshire and the iconic footage of him at Stonehenge was prominently featured in the BBC’s Olympic coverage. The local economy had a positive boost as people came from far and wide to witness these once-in-a-lifetime events. There was additional money spent in the county and in the week leading up to the Festival of Celebration, hotels and accommodation were fully booked in the Salisbury area.
Wiltshire Council now wants to help create a lasting legacy for the county harnessing all the excitement, enthusiasm and creativity these events and the games have generated.
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5Your Wiltshire Magazine
2012 Celebrations5www.wiltshire.gov.uk
2012 – a year to remember
BusinessLocal businesses have really embraced the opportunities this year has provided. At the Festival of Celebration a business breakfast was held with more than a hundred local businesses represented. This allowed the business owners to talk to each other, make links and learn from one another. After the breakfast more than thirty local businesses set up stalls in the business marquee promoting a variety of services to the public including childcare, fitness, recruitment, photography, cleaning and accommodation. The marquee was visited by thousands of people during the day.
Wiltshire Council will continue to work with businesses to deliver unique and interesting networking events, which will showcase the wealth that Wiltshire has to offer.
CommunityThere has been a real of sense of community spirit shown throughout all this year’s festivities. At the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebration in May all 18 community areas in Wiltshire were represented. They each had a tent packed with activities, artefacts and a lot more showing just what makes each community unique.
More than a 100 community parties were held across Wiltshire to mark both the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.
The commitment shown by Wiltshire’s local communities involved in the Olympic Torch relay was also fantastic. With great creativity they organised street parties, showcased local talent and made sure when the torch passed through their town, village or city there was a huge excited crowd to cheer it on.
Wiltshire Council leader Jane Scott will be speaking to the communities to talk to them about how the council can support them in holding more events to promote business and bring local people together.
SportOf course, this being the year of the Olympics, it’s important that a sporting legacy is left. The council will continue to encourage residents to get involved in local sports and activities providing funding and grants to make opportunities inclusive for all. Free swimming for all under sixteen in the school holidays is one such initiative that has been an overwhelming success this year. The area boards will continue to help get local projects off the ground and the council’s leisure services team will ensure a variety of sports are accessible and fun across the county, ensuring anyone bitten by the Olympics bug can get immediately involved.
Tuesday 22 May 2012Southwick – first time torch in Wiltshire • Trowbridge – passed County Hall • Bradford-on-Avon
Wednesday 23 May 2012Chippenham – Huge crowds, great sunshine • Calne • Marlborough • Royal Wootton Bassett – another special occasion for the time
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6 0300 456 0100Your Wiltshire Magazine
2012 Celebrations
Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations
Wiltshire 2012 Festival of CelebrationThe Wiltshire 2012 Festival of Celebration took place on 11 July with peak crowds of more than 30,000 who had travelled from far and wide to gather at Salisbury’s Hudson’s Field to enjoy the occasion.
The festival was held to celebrate the Olympic Torch coming back to Wiltshire and the opportunity it presented to unite communities and boost the local economy.
Headline acts, including Wretch 32, and local performers entertained throughout the day before the Olympic Torch was carried to the event by local community worker Dolly Burnett and the iconic cauldron was lit, which signalled the torch’s overnight stay in the city.
The event finished with a spectacular firework display.
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The year of celebration began on May 1 with Her Majesty The Queen visiting Salisbury Cathedral as part of her Diamond Jubilee Celebrations. Thousands of people, who had braved the morning rain, welcomed Her Majesty The Queen and His Royal Highness, The Duke of Edinburgh. The sun shone brightly in the afternoon and more than 25,000 people came to Salisbury to enjoy the Diamond Jubilee event which celebrated
Wiltshire’s heritage with a wide range of activities in which every community was reflected. The event brought together communities from across Wiltshire and included 18 community-inspired displays, music, performances, re-enactments and Morris dancing. The Queen and Duke of Edinburgh enjoyed lunch at the Rifles Regimental Museum and visited a handful of the tents to give them a taste of Wiltshire’s rich culture and heritage.
Wednesday 11 July 2012Ludgershall • Tidworth – big army presence in the town • Amesbury • The Winterbournes • Salisbury – Hudson’s Field event
How we celebrated the summer of 2012
77Your Wiltshire Magazine
2012 Celebrations7www.wiltshire.gov.uk
Olympic TorchThe Olympic Torch visited the county on two separate occasions placing Wiltshire in a unique and privileged position. On 22 May thousands of people lined the streets of Southwick, Trowbridge, including a lunchtime stop at Clarendon College, and Bradford on Avon to see the torch’s first visit to the county.
The following day, again, thousands of people gathered to cheer the torch as it travelled through Chippenham, Calne, Marlborough and Royal Wootton Bassett.
The torch continued its journey across Britain and then returned on 11 and 12 July where it was carried by local heroes who were nominated to be torchbearers. It travelled through Ludgershall, Tidworth, Amesbury and The Winterbounes and on 12 July, legendry athlete, Michael
Thursday 12 July 2012Michael Johnson carried the torch from the cathedral and posed with it at Stonehenge • Wilton • Barford St Martin • Fovant and Ludwell
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Johnson started the torch’s last journey through Wiltshire by carrying it from Salisbury Cathedral. It was then carried though Wilton, Barford St Martin, Fovant and then finally Ludwell before it continued its journey into Dorset.
Throughout the torch’s visit to the county communities celebrated by holding street parties and sporting events and activities, businesses reported a boost in trade and crowds lined the streets.
How we celebrated the summer of 2012Fact file:Approximately a total of 225,000 people, which equates to half the county’s population, attended the Diamond Jubilee event at Salisbury Cathedral, witnessed the Olympic Torch as it passed through Wiltshire and attended the Wiltshire 2012 Festival of Celebration at Hudson’s Field, Salisbury.
The Wiltshire 2012 Festival of Celebration had visitors from places such as Doncaster, Norwich, Plymouth, Land’s End and even further afield including Norway, Latvia, Denmark and Canada.
Early evaluation suggests that more than £1 million was spent in the local economy during the relay, jubilee and festival.
massive thanks to #wilts2012 and @SalisburyCath and anyone else who hoped to make the #Olympic torch relay such a success
A wonderful evening at Hudson’s field #Olympic #torch
The past few days have been such fun! Great to see so many people at all the events sharing in the spirit of the Olympics #wilts2012
#wilts2012 amazing day, amazing torches, amazing weather....considering! Congratulations to all concerned
8 0300 456 0100Your Wiltshire Magazine
Business
Market entrepreneurs Selling goods on a market stall has been the start of many a successful business.Budding entrepreneurs in Wiltshire are offered a number of incentives to try this out for themselves.
Tables for a tenner days, introductory offers for new traders and reduced rates for traders at difficult times of the year are ways Wiltshire Council supports fledgling businesses. A free market day held in Devizes recently attracted more than 20 would-be businesses.
For more information:
Incubator officesIncubation units are another example of how Wiltshire Council is supporting new business. The units provide office space to fledgling companies alongside regular business advice. Supported with external funding, the units will be a base for clusters of new companies, with the potential for sharing of ideas and ventures. Centres are being developed in Royal Wootton Bassett, North Bradley, Salisbury with further development at the successful Castledown Business Centre in Ludgershall.
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Wiltshire Council is committed to helping create a vibrant economy and works with key organisations and partners to support the diverse needs of businesses in the county.
Here we outline some of the ways the council is helping businesses, supporting those finding work and ensuring that Wiltshire’s economy thrives.
Having a great business idea and then putting it into action can be a challenge, but for those wanting support to start up in Wiltshire the council is ensuring help is at hand.
Wessex Chambers of Commerce is working for Wiltshire Council to help provide a service to businesses giving advice on a range of issues including how to plan your business, use technology to your advantage, how to employ people, find customers and access finance.
Called Wiltshire Business Support Service, the initiative is one example of how the council works side by side with key players to help encourage business.
The council is tackling issues of employment and by July 2013 is aiming to create 1,000 new apprenticeships in the county following the combined efforts of the council, the college, local training providers and the National Apprenticeship Service. Work is also ongoing with JobCentre Plus to source high quality, structured work placements for young unemployed people.
As well as offering help to those starting out there is a real impetus to promote local trade and the Buy Wiltshire website highlights contract opportunities with public sector organisations and business initiatives in Wiltshire. The Wiltshire Investment Service is another useful tool for businesses looking to set up a base here. The website has a free commercial property database and the service can offer tailored help to those businesses who need it.
Wiltshire means business
As Wiltshire is poised to have faster broadband, Wiltshire Online, the council’s initiative to improve internet connections, is urging businesses to be at the heart of everything by being online and there is support for those wanting to know how to benefit from this.
0300 0456 0100
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/markets
“Wiltshire is a wonderful place to live and work. The initiatives Wiltshire Council has helped set up are the result of working with
key economic and education partners. This means our support
is targeted and relevant as we play a key part in supporting our
local economy.”Fleur de Rhe Philipe,
cabinet member for economic development
www.buywiltshire.co.uk
www.investinwiltshire.org.uk
99Your Wiltshire Magazine
Protecting the vulnerablewww.wiltshire.gov.uk
The Disabled Children and Adults (DCA) PathfinderThe disabled children and adults project has continued its work to develop a 0 –25 year old service for children and young people with special educational needs or a disability. The team have also been developing a single assessment process and plan that enables families and professionals to work together with a young person which will reduce the amount of paperwork and assessments that a family might experience.
A new role called a Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) lead worker will coordinate the assessments across social care, education and health, requesting specialist advice and expertise when it is needed. They will also act as a key contact for families which is something families have told us they would really appreciate.
The assessment process and plan and the SEND lead worker role are about to be tested during a pilot phase. Testing will run for three months and approximately 40 families will be
approached to be involved in this exciting and creative assessment process.
Some families in the pilot may choose to test having a personal budget, which could give more choice about the way they are supported and who provides this support.
The government is still committed to amending the Children and Families Bill so that by 2014 it intends to take forward legislation to require the implementation of a single assessment process and plan across education, health and social care. This would replace many current assessments and processes.
Further information can be found on the DCA Pathfinder e-forum and the health and social care pages of the council’s website or contact us at:
Protectin
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Do you or someone you know need some extra help in the home?
01225 712553
The council has created the Help to Live at Home service to ensure everyone can get that extra help if and when they need it, ensuring people can remain in their own homes as long as possible.
A range of services are available to support people that include:
• care and support services, providing personal care and help in the home provided by Leonard Cheshire, Aster Living, Somerset Care and Enara Complete Care
• an alarm and response service provided by Wiltshire Medical Services
• equipment and practical help in the home service provided by Medequip who supply the equipment and working in partnership with Aster Living
• help with planning your care from the council
• financial advice to enable people who are not eligible for support from the council, to pay for the care that they need.
Are you interested in the quality of care services in Wiltshire?
To be sure that all these services are ‘up to scratch’ a group of older
people and others, supported by the Wiltshire and Swindon Users Network (WSUN) are talking to customers and care
providers about their services. If you are interested in joining this group or would like more information contact:
Help to live at home
Safety tests
https://wiltshiredcapathfinder.org.uk/home
Safety testing sessions for electric blankets and Christmas lights are being held across Wiltshire this autumn.
You can get your electric blanket tested for free between 9.30am and 4.30pm at Corsham Fire Station on 23 October and at Salisbury Fire Station on 24 October. Fire and rescue staff will also be on hand to offer safety advice to book call 01225 713248
Indoor and outdoor Christmas lighting can be tested for free at drop in sessions this winter.
The sessions will be held at Chippenham fire station on 20 November, Devizes fire station on 23 November and Salisbury fire station on 28 November. No appointment is necessary – just drop in between 10am and 4pm.
Your Wiltshire Magazine
Transformation
0300 456 010010
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Community facilities on your doorstep
Latest news:• The Corsham Campus is due to open
in early 2014 and includes improved leisure facilities, all-weather pitch, community hall, activity rooms, meeting rooms, café, youth and learning disability facilities, crèche, climbing wall and library.
• The Salisbury Campus at Five Rivers Leisure Centre is going through the feasibility stage that will lead to detailed designs. It is set to house learning disabilities and youth services, music space, café, extended fitness facilities and activity rooms.
• The Melksham campus at Melksham House includes proposals for swimming facilities, sports hall, activity rooms, indoor bowls, a library, youth centre and meeting rooms. Feasibility studies are underway and a detailed design is expected in spring 2013.
• Three potential sites are being looked at for Calne: a town council facility, an independently-run leisure centre and a central site.
• In Tisbury the shadow Community Operations Boards (COB) is proposing developing improved leisure services and community facilities at the Nadder School site.
• Cricklade is looking at different options, including a leisure centre site and a town centre site.
• In Pewsey the shadow COB is developing a split site proposal including the new library and the leisure centre site.
• Proposals for Calne, Tisbury, Cricklade and Pewsey will be considered by the council in October. shadow COBs in Chippenham, Trowbridge, Tidworth, Westbury and Bradford on Avon community areas are developing plans to consult with local residents with outline campus proposals due over the coming months.
Major changes that will lead to better services and save millions
The first community campus to bring improved local facilities together is being developed in Corsham.
Community campuses will bring together a wide range of services and local organisations will be able to make use of them.
Crucially, community campuses will be developed in partnership with local people to ensure each campus reflects the needs of the community it serves.
This means from day one, ideas for the campuses are coming direct from the local community.
This year has heralded more innovative changes that will transform and improve the way you receive our services.
The community campuses, which will bring together many local facilities and services in community areas across Wiltshire, is now well underway.
In September the redeveloped County Hall and library in Trowbridge was opened to mark another step towards the council reducing the number of offices it runs from 95 to three main hubs and saving £85m over 25 years.
The Corsham Community Campus at the Springfield Sports Centre site will be followed initially by campuses at Salisbury and Melksham.
Proposals for four further campuses are being developed with the help of local people at: Cricklade, Calne, Pewsey, and Tisbury.
And shadow Community Operations Boards (COB) have been set up to begin consultation work for campuses in Chippenham, Trowbridge, Tidworth, Westbury and Bradford on Avon.
For more information on how community campuses are developing near you visit:
*Community Operations Board
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communitycampuses
www.wiltshire.gov.uk 11Your Wiltshire Magazine
Communities
www.ourcommunitymatters.org.uk
Our community matters
Our Community Matters blogsites are being launched across Wiltshire to help strengthen community areas by making it easier for local people and groups to talk to one another online.
We have already launched sites in Salisbury, Melksham, Malmesbury and south west Wiltshire. By early 2013 there will be a site for every community in Wiltshire.
You can visit these sites at:
People can use these virtual noticeboards to find out about local news, local debates, events, jobs, and volunteering.
These blogsites are interactive and local people can post stories and have their say on what other people are talking about and start their own conversations. They are also a free channel for local organisations to publicise community events and residents to have discussions.
There will also be the opportunity to get involved and act as local volunteer community reporters who
will be trained and equipped to post stories, photos and videos featuring anything from concerts and events to oral histories and interviews with local people.
We are also holding launch events and training sessions for community groups and local people before each site is launched and details of these will be provided through local area boards or by emailing [email protected]
Wiltshire Council is developing these sites with the support of NHS Wiltshire, Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service and Salisbury City Council, as part of its commitment to help strengthen local communities.
These blogsites are part of the council’s online and social media presence to find additional ways to talk with local people about what matters to them.
If you would like to get involved contact:
Community Matters blogsites launched across Wiltshire
01225 713114
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Keeping Wiltshire in touch through social mediaWe are also using other social media such as Facebook, twitter, flickr and YouTube to build on the existing ways we communicate with you to keep you informed about what the council is doing, such as our roadshows, Your Wiltshire and our website.
You can follow us on social media:
www.facebook/WiltshireCouncil
www.twitter/wiltscouncil
www.flickr.com/photos/wiltsirephotos
www.youtube.com/user/wiltshirecouncil
Ourcommunitymatters
12 Your Wiltshire Magazine
Welfare reform
0300 456 0100
WELFAREREFORM
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On 8 March 2012 the Welfare Reform Act 2012 was approved, this will be the biggest change to the welfare system for over 60 years.
This government change to welfare is designed to simplify the benefit system and encourage people to work, while protecting the most vulnerable in our society. It will affect many people across the country and if you are in receipt of benefit, or if you are an employer, then it will affect you too.
These changes are complex which is why we are on hand to help and support those of you who will be affected.
Bedroom tax and housing benefitIf you are on housing benefit, are of working age (16 to 64) and have one or more spare bedrooms, your housing benefit will be reduced from April 2013. You will either have to find the money to pay the difference between your housing benefit and your rent, or look for a smaller property that is right for your family’s size. A mutual exchange or a transfer could be considered. Your housing provider can give you further information on this.
Children of the same sex who are under 16, or two children aged under 10 regardless of their sex, can share a bedroom. A disabled tenant or partner who needs a non-resident overnight carer will be allowed an extra bedroom.
The reduction will be a fixed percentage of the amount of housing benefit people receive. The government has said that this will be set at 14% for one extra bedroom and 25% for two or more extra bedrooms.
Universal creditUniversal credit will be introduced in 2013. It will replace all the existing welfare benefits, including housing benefit. The government intends to introduce it gradually over the next five years.
This is intended to simplify the benefit system and give people more control over how their money is budgeted. It will be paid monthly and will go directly to claimants who will have to make more decisions about how they run their household budgets, and will be responsible for ensuring they can make rent payments. People who are vulnerable or over 65 may still be able to have the benefit to cover their rent paid directly to their landlord.
Couples living in the same household will make a joint claim for the benefit payment, meaning they will no longer receive individual payments of money for different needs.
From October 2013, when universal credit is introduced, if either member in a couple is under the qualifying age for pension credit then the couple will be treated as working age.
It can either be viewed at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/counciltaxsupportscheme
or for a paper copy contact customer services: 0300 456 0100
Council Tax consultationWiltshire Council spends around £27 million on council tax benefit and this is currently funded in full by central government. It is a national scheme for low income households which receive the benefit if they pay council tax and their income and savings are below a certain level. From April 2013, the government is stopping the national council tax benefit scheme and asking councils to introduce and run a new discount scheme to support low income households.
When the new scheme is introduced the amount of funding available from the government will be reduced by about 10%.
We have set up a consultation to explain these changes and ask you for your opinions on the new scheme. The consultation closes on 30 October.
1313Your Wiltshire Magazine
Welfare reform13www.wiltshire.gov.uk
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How will this affect businesses?For employees paid through PAYE, universal credit payments are to be calculated and adjusted automatically using a new system giving ‘real time’ information on earnings from employers
Benefit capFrom April 2013, the government will introduce a cap on the total amount of benefits that working-age people (16 to 64) can receive. This means households where no one is in work should not get more in benefits than the average wage paid to people in work. A household includes you, your partner (if you have one) and any children you are responsible for and who live with you.
If you’re already getting benefits and could be affected by the benefit cap you’ll be contacted by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). They will help you understand what the cap might mean for you. The DWP will help you to get information about the changes and to think about what you can do now to get ready.
From April 2013, your housing benefit may go down to make sure that the total amount of your benefit is not more than the cap level. If this happens you may have to use money from your other benefits to pay towards the rent for your home.
PIPThe government plans to replace Disability Living Allowance (DLA) with a new Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which will have a new structure and new assessment process. All new claims will be assessed as Personal Independence Payment claims after this point.
From 2013 the government will start to reassess everyone who is already on DLA to begin to transfer people to the new PIP. Existing DLA claimants will have to apply for the new benefit and evidence will be gathered from a range of sources on their condition.
Help and supportOur advice is not to be tempted to seek short-term, high-interest loans from either legal or illegal loan companies. It is unlikely that they will help solve your financial problems. In fact a loan from one of these lenders is more likely to make your financial position worse.
Your local Credit Union may be able to provide a lifeline if you are grappling with your finances. They are non-profit making co-operatives, where members pool their savings to lend to one another at minimum interest and help to run the credit union in a not-for profit way.
Wiltshire Community Bank is an organisation run through Wiltshire Money and jointly funded by Wiltshire Council. It provides a range of services to its members including affordable loans, budgeting advice and top up debit cards. For more information call:
Wiltshire Money aims to help people make informed financial choices and be in control of their money. It helps those in economic need through improved financial capability and access to free money advice, financial products and services. Wiltshire Money has produced a DVD giving an overview of the Welfare Reform Act. It can be viewed at:
Remember the council is on hand to support people who may be affected by the changes. For more information contact customer services on:
Enquiries about benefit and benefit cap issues should be directed towards your local Job Centre plus or the helpline set up by the DWP:
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/welfare2012reform
01249 248323
0845 6057064
0300 456 0100
Your Wiltshire Magazine
Police elections14 0300 456 0100
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In September 2011, as part of a national roll-out, the non emergency police number ‘101’ went live in Wiltshire. Since the start of 2012, 101 has been live across all police forces in England and Wales. A year on from the launch, Wiltshire Police are reminding people to call 101 for all non emergencies.
101 is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is an easy to remember number that enables you to speak directly with your local police force for non emergency calls for example:
• if your car has been stolen;
• if your property has been damaged;
• if you suspect drug use or dealing;
• if you want to report a minor traffic collision;
• if you want to give the police information about crime in their area; or
• simply if you’d like to speak to a local police officer
In an emergency, please dial 999
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Safe Drive Stay Alive is led and primarily co-ordinated by Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service, and is well supported by other major partners, including Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Police, SWIFT Medics, Swindon Borough Council, NHS Wiltshire and Honda UK.
It uses powerful personal testimony and dramatic video footage to make the audience aware of the tragedy and suffering caused by road traffic collisions – firefighters, medics, police officers, bereaved parents and people who have been directly involved in road traffic collisions recount their stories, often in heartbreaking detail.
This year’s schools programme, targeting Year 11 students, started in September with shows in Swindon. The Wiltshire schedule – running from October into December – includes dates in Trowbridge, Salisbury, Devizes, Marlborough and Chippenham.
Last year, for the first time, a public Safe Drive show was held at Chippenham – this was a great success, and led to requests from two of Wiltshire’s Area Boards for free public events in their areas. These will be held at Marlborough College on 28 November and Malmesbury School on 11 December, both at 7.30pm.
To find out more visit the official Safe Drive on Facebook – just search for Safe Drive Stay Alive Wiltshire – and click the ‘like’ button.
Elections
Safe Drive Stay Alive
0300 456 0112
www.homeoffice.gov.uk/police/police- crime-commissioners/
www.wiltshire.police.uk
There are 41 Police and Crime Commissioner elections taking place, with a total of 37 in England and four in Wales. The role of Police and Crime Commissioners is to help ensure the policing needs of their communities are met as effectively as possible, bringing communities closer to the police, building confidence in the system and restoring trust.
PCCs will make and influence key strategic decisions that will impact on how your local area looks and feels – from CCTV, street lighting and graffiti to tackling gangs and drug-dealing.
Their job is to listen to the public and then respond to their needs, bringing more of a public voice to policing and giving the public a name and a face to complain to if they aren’t satisfied.
Wiltshire Council will be working with Swindon Borough Council to organise and conduct these elections. However, Swindon Borough Council will be responsible for receiving nomination papers from prospective candidates as well as declaring the overall election results.
Nominations for candidates will close/closed on 19 October
Canvassers hit the doorsteps earlier than normal this year to give local people their chance to register to vote in the next elections.
This is because of the upcoming Police and Crime Commissioner elections on 15 November.
For the first time ever, residents in the county will have the opportunity to elect a Police and Crime Commissioner for the Wiltshire Police force area. Police and Crime Commisioners will replace police authorities and will be accountable for how crime is tackled in their police force area, while Chief Constables will remain responsible for operational matters.
Your Wiltshire Magazine
Public health151515www.wiltshire.gov.uk 1515
Spotlight on health in Wiltshire• On average woman live 83.7 years and men live 79.6 years – both higher than the national average
• Children are less likely to be obese and there are lower than national average rates of teenage pregnancies.
• Adults exercise more, smoke less, and eat a more healthy diet than the national average. There are also lower levels of early deaths from cancer or heart disease.
• However, there are higher than average road deaths and injuries, higher levels of self harm and skin cancer.
• One of the key issues facing Wiltshire is the aging population and the health needs this results in.
To find out more visit:
Delivering public health services in Wiltshire
Every year more than 32,000 people are invited to take part in health checks and more than 50 per cent are attending. This countywide initiative is helping to provide heart disease, stroke, diabetes and kidney disease.
Since the launch of a slimming-on-referral scheme nearly 150 people have registered and those completing the scheme have lost between half and two stone each.
More than 650 people took part in a walking challenge, monitored their daily steps with a pedometer culminating in a 3-day walking festival in Lacock in July. Participants averaged an increase of 25.2% in daily activity or just over 40 million extra steps in total during the 10 week challenge.
Healthy eating / cooking sessions are taking place in 11 children’s centres during 2012/13www.smokefree.nhs.uk
Quit smoking helpThis October thousands of people across England are taking part in a new 28-day challenge to stop smoking. If you can stop for 28 days you are five times more likely to stop for good.
Our goal is to encourage and support as many smokers as possible in Wiltshire to pledge to stop smoking. To give yourself the best chance of success, go online and order the full Stoptober pack at:
or contact your local NHS Stop Smoking Service for free one-to-one, or group support:
www.apho.org.uk
www.intelligence network.org.uk/health/
01380 733891
Public h
ealth
People in Wiltshire do well at living a healthy lifestyle and this helps to ensure they will live well for longer.
But, there are still areas of concern and more can still be done to improve public health in the county.
The responsibility for promoting and improving public health is changing. From April 2013 this important work will move from the NHS to Wiltshire Council.
NHS Wiltshire and Wiltshire Council are continuing to work closely together to ensure the changeover is a smooth transfer which will ensure high-quality public health services continue to be delivered.
There will be no interruption in service and public health will continue to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
Public health covers a wide range of services that help to improve the quality of life in Wiltshire. These range from providing help for people to stop smoking and make healthy decisions about their lifestyles to focusing on the big killers such as
cancer, stroke and heart disease. The service is also responsible for a wide range of screening and vaccination programmes and ensuring the county is prepared should there be a public health emergency such as instances of infectious diseases or widespread flooding.
Maggie Rae, the corporate director of public health and public protection in Wiltshire, said: “The NHS and the council have a history of working closely and this will continue to ensure vital public health services continue to be delivered 365 days a year.
“Local people can be confident public health will remain in safe hands when Wiltshire Council takes over this service in April 2013.”
Keith Humphries, cabinet member for public health and public protection, said: “The hard work and dedication of the public health professionals in Wiltshire is ensuring this changeover is progressing smoothly and means we will have the opportunity to continue to improve public health in Wiltshire in the future.”
Keeping Wiltshire healthy
Your Wiltshire Magazine
Travel
0300 456 010016
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gritting
Taking a few simple precautions before driving is essential this time of year. Here we look at how to be prepared for wintry conditions and how we work to keep the roads safe.
Winter preparation
Treating roadsBeing prepared for winter is an all year occupation for Wiltshire Council. Preparing vehicles, reviewing salting routes, training drivers and ensuring enough salt is in each depot is all part of the preparation. There is no guarantee roads will always be completely clear of ice or snow. It takes time for the salt to become effective, requiring tyre action to help it become active. In severe weather, with temperatures below -8°C, salt will not be as effective. If it’s raining, salt will wash off of the roads. To avoid this happening the teams salt after it has rained.
When is salt used?Decisions are based on road temperatures, rather than air temperatures and salting is likely whenever road temperatures are near freezing. Other factors such as moisture, heat retention and time of day or night will influence the decision. Treatment by salt is normally carried out after the evening peak traffic period or before the morning rush. Usually it takes two hours to complete a salting route.
Which routes are salted?All key routes in Wiltshire will receive precautionary salting when ice is forecast. This will include all motorways, trunk roads, class A and B roads and more important lower class roads. If temperatures are predicted to remain below freezing after the morning rush, then a larger network may be salted. Once a salting run has been completed the majority of road users will live within a reasonable distance of a salted road.
Safe DrivingIf the weather is bad then consider if your journey is really necessary. If it is, then being prepared is key. Give yourself plenty of time and let someone know where you are going and how long it will take. Check your windscreen wipers and make sure all lights are working and lenses are clean. Check your tyres, making sure they are in good condition and properly inflated.
In your car, carry a warning triangle, hands-free mobile, warm coat, first aid kit, a torch, seat belt cutter, fire extinguisher, travel rug, tow rope, drinking water, recovery service contacts and pen and paper.
Keep your speed down and increase your safety gaps between yourself and the next vehicle when the road is wet or icy. When you brake, steer, accelerate, decelerate and gear change do it smoothly and gradually.
Important information for holders of Wiltshire Bus Passes that expire on the 31 March 2013
The Wiltshire Council website has gritting maps and a bad weather leaflet to print at:
It is important you complete and return the renewal form we will send you this autumn. If you do not reply your bus pass will not be renewed.
A large number of passes are being renewed and we ask for your help in returning the renewal forms promptly. Your new pass will be posted to you by 31 March 2013.
Please update your details on the form. A new photo is optional. If you have the bus pass due to disability then also ensure you send a recent copy of how you qualify for the bus pass. Do not return your valid bus pass.
Trav
el
01225 713004Contact Customer Services:
Could you make the difference to a child’s life?“If you’re thinking of fostering... go ahead and start the ball rolling, because you’ve got nothing to lose and an awful lot to gain”
Bea Meadows, Wiltshire Council foster carer
Foster with Wiltshire Council and we will provide:• children placed to suit yor skills and
family circumstances
• a generous allowance
• excellent on-going training
• your own support worker and access to 24-hour help
Contact us today on 0800 169 6321 or email [email protected]
Come along to one of our information sessions to find out more. All start at 7pm.
Salisbury City Hall 30 October, 9 January
Trowbridge, County Hall 27 November, 26 Februarywww.wiltshire.gov.uk/fostering
Find your perfect treat...Hairy Maclary and FriendsTuesday 30 October, 1.30pm & 3.30pm‘Out of the gate and off for a walk, goes Hairy Maclary from Donaldson’s Dairy’. This children’s story favourite comes to life on stage. Great for Half Term!
We Will Remember ThemSunday 4 November, 3pmA show in aid of the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal starring the Salisbury Plain Military Wives Choir, Rosemary Squires MBE and the Woodfalls Band.
The Big 80s Night OutFriday 9 November, 7.30pmYou are invited to party with us and Spire FM as we go back to the 80s. Live music, cocktail bar, photo booth and a rubik’s cube or two.
Russell KaneWednesday 14 November, 8pm’Extremely funny, poignant and fuelled by real intelligence and passion.’ Time Out. The Live at The Electric host comes to City Hall.
01722 434434cityhallsalisbury.co.uk
Bookingtickets
Join our e-news or visit our and sites to get extra info and special offers.
Your Wiltshire Magazine
Environment
0300 456 010018
Even if your property is not directly at risk from coastal or river flooding, flash flooding remains a threat wherever you live. Flash flooding occurs after a large volume of rain falls in a short space of time meaning the ground is unable to absorb this amount of water, causing rivers and watercourses to overflow. This form of flooding is hugely difficult to predict, can often
be devastating and there is little that can be done to stop it.
Here in Wiltshire the threat of flooding is taken very seriously and the council works closely with many organisations to identify and reduce the risk of flooding to residents.
Although it is difficult to be completely ‘flood proof’, there are many ways of reducing
potential damage such as installing flood doors and air bricks, and placing valuable items high up.
For more information and a full guide of what to do if a flood strikes contact us on:
All households in Wiltshire can now recycle more than half their waste from home, making it easier for us all to do our bit for recycling. Here’s a quick reminder about what goes in which bin.
Recycling reminder
food tins &drink cans
mixed glass paper aerosols mixed textiles & clothes
foil cardboard plastic bottles
garden waste
Recycling bins and boxesContact the council if you don’t have a black recycling bin, a bin for plastic bottles and cardboard or would like to sign up for a free garden waste collection.
If you are struggling to fit all your waste in your bin or you do not have a bin then please contact the council.
Envi
ron
men
t Flash flooding
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityinfrastructurelevy
Planning levy consultationThe council is consulting on a charge to be placed on new homes and buildings which will fund infrastructure such as roads and secondary schools.
Between 1 October and 12 November 2012, consultation is taking place on Wiltshire Council’s proposals for a Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL). For further information on CIL, the consultation and next steps:
0800 23 23 23
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/floodinganddrainage
Remember all household waste must be put inside your bin with the bin lid closed.
www.recycleforwiltshire.com
Autumn/winter area board meetings
Note: Venues, times and dates may be subject to change. Please check for any updates.
Meetings start at 7pm unless stated otherwise.
Your area board – making a difference in your community
www.wiltshire.gov.uk/areaboards
We are working closely with communities across Wiltshire through the 18 area boards to help meet their local needs.
Date Area board Venue
5 Nov Chippenham Council Chamber, Monkton Park, Chippenham, SN15 1ER
8 Nov Warminster Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster, BA12 8LB
8 Nov Salisbury South Wilts Grammer School for Girls, Stratford Road, Salisbury, SP1 3JJ
12 Nov Pewsey Burbage Village Hall, Eastcourt Road, Burbage, Wiltshire, SN8 3AJ
15 Nov Trowbridge Atrium, County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN
19 Nov Tidworth Phoenix Hall, High Street, Netheravon, SP4 9PJ
21 Nov Bradford on Avon Cereal Partners, Staverton, Trowbridge, BA14 6GP
22 Nov Amesbury Antrobus House, 39 Salisbury Road, Amesbury, SP4 7HH (6 pm)
22 Nov Corsham Corsham Community Centre, Beechfield Road, Corsham, SN13 9DN
26 Nov Devizes Devizes Sports Club, London Road, Devizes, SN10 2DL (6.30pm)
27 Nov Marlborough Kennet Valley Hall, Lockeridge, Marlborough, SN8 4EL
28 Nov Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade
St Bartholomew’s C of E School, The Rosary, Royal Wootton Bassett, SN4 8AZ (6pm)
29 Nov Southern Wiltshire Trafalgar School, Breamore Road, Downton, SP5 3HN
5 Dec South West Wiltshire Wilton Community Centre, West Street, Wilton, Salisbury, SP2 0BG
11 Dec Calne Hilmarton Community Centre, Poynder Way, Hilmarton, SN11 8SQ
12 Dec Melksham Melksham Oak Community School, Devizes Road, Bowerhill, SN12 6QZ
13 Dec Westbury The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury, BA13 3EN
7 Jan Chippenham Sheldon School, Hardenhuish Lane, Chippenham, SN14 6HJ
9 Jan Bradford on Avon To be confirmed
10 Jan Warminster Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster, BA12 8LB
10 Jan Salisbury Alamein Suite, City Hall, Malthouse Lane, Salisbury, SP2 7TU
14 Jan Pewsey Burbage Village Hall, Eastcourt Road, Burbage, SN8 3AJ
17 Jan Trowbridge Atrium, County Hall, Trowbridge, BA14 8JN
21 Jan Tidworth To be confirmed
23 Jan Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade
Bradon Forest School, The Peak, Purton, SN5 4AT (6pm)
24 Jan Corsham Corsham Town Hall, High Street, Corsham, SN13 0EZ
28 Jan Devizes To be confirmed
29 Jan Marlborough The Courtroom, The Town Hall, Council Offices, 5 High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1AA
31 Jan Amesbury To be confirmed (6pm)
31 Jan Southern Wiltshire Winterslow Village Hall, Middleton Road, Winterslow, SP5 1PQ
November – January
www.wiltshire.gov.uk 19Your Wiltshire Magazine
Area boards
Your lo
cal coun
cil
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 [email protected]
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: [email protected] telephone: 0300 456 0100 write to: Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge BA14 8JN
Waste and recycling collection changes this ChristmasYour waste and recycling collection days will change this Christmas, please check your collection calendar or visit our website for more information.
No garden waste collections over ChristmasGarden waste collections will be suspended between 24 December 2012 and 6 January 2013. Collections will start again on the 7 January.
If you have a real Christmas tree you can put it in or alongside your garden waste bin for collection on your normal collection day from 7 January. Christmas trees will only be collected throughout January.
Alternatively you can recycle your real Christmas tree at any of Wiltshire’s 11 household recycling centres. To find your nearest centre please visit:
All Wiltshire – household waste, black box, plastic bottles and cardboard collections. Normal collection day: Revised collection day:Monday 24 December – Christmas Eve Collected as normalTuesday 25 December – Christmas Day Thursday 27Wednesday 26 December – Boxing day Friday 28Thursday 27 December Saturday 29Friday 28 December Monday 31Monday 31 December Wednesday 2 JanuaryTuesday 1 January 2013 – New years day Thursday 3Wednesday 2 January Friday 4Thursday 3 January Saturday 5Friday 4 January Monday 7All collections including garden waste resume on 7 JanuaryMonday 7 January Tuesday 8Tuesday 8 January Wednesday 9Wednesday 9 January Thursday 10Thursday 10 January Friday 11Friday 11 January Saturday 12Monday 14 January Back to normal
www.recycleforwiltshire.com
Your kerbside waste and recycling collections will change this Christmas and New YearYour scheduled waste and recycling collection day will change as there will be no collections taking place on Christmas day, boxing day and new years day.
Please note there will be no garden waste collections between 24 December and 6 January.
Please check your collection calendar opposite, for information on how this affects your collections, or online at:
Please remember to put your bin out by 7am on your scheduled collection day and make sure all your waste fits inside your bin with the lid closed. Additional side waste will not be collected.
Household recycling centre Christmas openingAll Household Recycling Centres are closed from 1pm Christmas eve, and all day Christmas day, boxing day and new year’s day.
At all other times the recycling centres are open during normal winter opening times.
Monday – Sunday, 9am – 4pm*
*Except Salisbury which is open Monday to Sunday 9am – 6pm
Waste calendar
www.wiltshire.gov.uk