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  • Science park opens in Wiltshire
    Article: Sep 21, 2018
    By Your WC

    This is a press release from your WC. It's been edited to remove clichés, jargon and verbiage.

    ..........................................................

    A multi-million pound science park for businesses specialising in health and life sciences has been opened in Wiltshire today (21 September).

    The Beech-Allen Building, the first phase of Porton Science Park, will support new jobs and businesses linked to the established centres of science and technology at the Porton Down Campus. These include health, biopharma, life sciences, defence and security technologies.

  • Return your electoral roll form or get a 'friendly visit' from your WC
    Article: Sep 19, 2018
    By Your WC

    Wiltshire Council canvassers visit homes to sign up voters

    Friendly Wiltshire Council canvassers began visiting homes on 18 September to invite residents to join the electoral roll.

    A team of 60 canvassers will tour the county talking to people who haven't yet returned the household enquiry form that was sent to every address in the county in the summer.

  • Costa Coffee for Trowbridge Retail Park
    Article: Sep 19, 2018

    The West Wilts planning committee met this afternoon (Sep 19) in County Hall to consider an application for a "Proposed Coffee Shop unit with external seating area, and associated alterations to car parking and landscaping" next to KFC on Bradley Road.

    The scheme was recommended for permission. It was called to committee at the request of Graham Payne to consider the visual impact upon the surrounding area, the relationship to adjoining properties, car parking and environmental/highway impacts.

  • Take your weapon to a police station
    Article: Sep 18, 2018

    This is knives amnesty and knife crime prevention fortnight.
    As part of Op Sceptre - the national knife crime prevention initiative, Wiltshire Police are appealing to people to hand in unwanted or illegal knives and bladed weapons during the period of the amnesty: Monday 17 - Sunday 30 September.

    Their two week campaign will also feature case studies from people whose lives have been affected by knife crime - from the victim to the police officer who had to deal with a serious stabbing.

    Special amnesty bins are available at six locations across the county: Swindon's Gablecross Police Station, Marlborough Police Station, Melksham Police Station, Chippenham's Monkton Park, Trowbridge Police Station and the Temporary Police Station at the rear of Five Rivers Leisure Centre in Salisbury.

    The knife amnesty gives people the chance to dispose of knives and weapons by simply taking them to one of the specified police stations and dropping them in to an amnesty bin.

    During the period of the amnesty those handing in knives and weapons will not face prosecution for possession of a knife or weapon and can remain anonymous.

    Between August 2017 and July 2018, there was a total of 800 offences in Wiltshire, where a knife or blade was used.

    Assistant Chief Constable Gavin Williams said: "We want to raise the awareness of the dangers of carrying a knife or owning an illegal weapon.

    "As a county Wiltshire cannot be compared to what is happening in cities like London or Manchester but we cannot be complacent; we must take action to educate the public and do what we can to remove knives from our streets.

    "Most people in Wiltshire or even in the country don't carry a knife; it should not be considered the 'norm'. A very small minority choose to leave the house with a knife or blade, but the reality is they themselves are more likely to get injured.

    "We hope this fortnight will give people a chance to safely dispose of knives they no longer use, and think about the knives or weapons they may have in the house.

    "They may not know a knife is illegal or haven't considered the risk of an ornamental knife or weapon they own.

    "I would also like to appeal to parents across the county to talk to their children. We know that some young people carry knives for what they consider to be protection, but it is placing them and those around them in danger.

    "During the amnesty we are encouraging people to hand in illegal knives such as Zombie knives, Butterfly knives, Flick knives, Machetes and Lock knives. This is a chance to avoid prosecution by disposing of knives safely in an amnesty bin.

    "Even one knife off the streets is one less that can be used to harm or threaten our communities."

    Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: "Knife crime wrecks lives - not only the life of the victim but their families and friends. There are many people directly and indirectly linked to just one incident - not just the victim and perpetrator.

    "The amnesty is a great way to encourage people to do the right thing and hand in any illegal weapons.

    "The reality is that the police cannot tackle this alone and need to draw upon the strength of communities to play an equal part. People giving the police intelligence and information to help them build a case against individuals and subsequently tackle the issue.

    "Parents and schools can do their bit by checking what their children are carrying in their bags; it's a good way to educate youngsters too that being caught with a knife could mean they end up in serious trouble as well as risking being injured themselves.

    "Long term - good education and prevention means the wider community becomes a safer one."

    Anyone handing in a knife or weapon during the amnesty is advised to check the opening times of their station by visiting the Wiltshire Police website or calling 101.

    If you have information about someone who carries a knife or is involved knife crimes please call 101 or 999 in an emergency. Information can also be left anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
  • Sunday parking charges coming
    Article: Sep 15, 2018

    Wiltshire Council Conservatives have confirmed that, despite objections during the formal consultation period, charges will be extended to include Sundays in all WC pay and display car parks.

    There will also be increases for season tickets and for residents' parking permits.

    The legal process for implementing charges at Southwick Country Park will go ahead, but the car park will remain free for the moment. The same applies to Westbury Leigh car park and Devizes market place, where asset transfers to the town councils are being considered.

  • Natalie Sherman
    Talk about the power of social media
    Article: Sep 12, 2018
    By Your WC

    Wiltshire Council is hosting a talk about how social media can be a positive force for change.

    Natalie Sherman, founder of the Naturally Social communications agency, is speaking at County Hall, Trowbridge, on 25 September from 5:30pm.

    The company has supported over 150 businesses with their social media strategies since it was founded in 2015.

  • Trowbridge cemetery to be checked for unsafe headstones
    Article: Sep 10, 2018

    Wiltshire Council has a legal responsibility to check memorials in its graveyards. Any memorials found to be unsafe will be laid down to ensure they do not fall and injure visitors.

    The council is responsible for seven open cemeteries, all in West Wiltshire.

    The largest open cemetery to be inspected is The Down in Trowbridge. The contractor undertaking the inspections has identified several sections in Trowbridge cemetery where they anticipate the percentage of unsafe memorials will be significant.

  • Christie Miller killed off
    Article: Sep 6, 2018
    By Your WC

    WC has announced that the Melksham sports centre is to close. As with other closures of public facilities they're using maintenance costs as an excuse. Here's what your WC says about the loss of yet another service:

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    "The closure of Christie Miller Sports Centre has always been planned as part of the overall scheme of investment in the town and the provision of a new community campus at the Melksham House site. A recent inspection of facilities at the sports centre and the adjacent Highways Depot has confirmed that significant investment of up to £1m over the next three years - with an immediate investment of £350,000 - is required to enable the building to continue to operate and ensure the safety of both staff and centre users and visitors.

  • New rules for animal licensing
    Article: Sep 5, 2018

    A new regime for animal licensing is taking effect from 1 October 2018, with significant implications for new and existing licence holders

    Links to the new regulations and DEFRA guidance documents are available on Wiltshire Council's website http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/licences-permits-animal

    The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals)(England) Regulations 2018 define the animal based activities that require licences as follows:

  • Motorist fined for littering
    Article: Sep 4, 2018
    By Your WC

    A Devizes woman was ordered to pay £400 in fines and costs for throwing litter out of her car window.

    Laura Dunnill, of Flax Mill Park, was asked to pay a £75 penalty charge after Wiltshire Council officers witnessed her committing the offence. She was prosecuted after failing to respond.

    Ms Dunnill failed to attend Swindon Magistrates Court and was convicted in her absence.

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