South West Wiltshire Liberal Democrats

Apologies for the ambiguity in the headline, which is the product of WC's very expensive PR department. It's not the pupils who are going to cabinet but the proposals. The press release below is partly disingenuous, in that it talks of three-school solutions though still two of those schools are to close. The good news is that the new school won't be a nationalised academy. Under government rules new schools have to be nationalised: someone has realised that if you pretend not to close the existing schools you can get round that. The bad news though is that for all practical purposes special needs education based in Trowbridge and Chippenham will cease, and everyone will have to travel to Rowde. This is still a financial and educational cut by WC Conservatives.

Young people are being encouraged to make sure they're registered to vote and have their say in the upcoming European Parliamentary Election.

The election takes place on 23 May and people only have until 7 May to register to vote, if they aren't already registered.

This will be the first major election people born in the 21^st century will have the opportunity to vote in, and members of Wiltshire's Youth Parliament (MYP) don't want young people to miss their chance.

354 Wiltshire families have not got their primary school preference for this September with only 93% being offered their first preference.

Parents who applied online can see which school their child will attend by going to https://admissions.wiltshire.gov.uk/prefs.php

Terence Herbert, Wiltshire Council executive director children and education said: "Preparing your child to start their school days is a big milestone for every family and I'm pleased that once again we are able to provide so many with one of their preferences.

The British Government keeps failing to meet air quality targets and has been taken to court on a number of occasions by the EU. Of course if we leave the EU we'll be able to be as filthy as we like without anyone telling us otherwise. Wiltshire Council also has been trying to clean up its air, and is considering an updated Strategy.

Yet a further climb-down by Jane Scott's disturbed administration. This time it's the Calne to Chippenham cycle path which was scheduled for closure, but has now been saved following a public outcry. The pattern is that each U-turn is accompanied by a self-congratulatory press release saying, "How wonderful we are for not closing this facility which we wanted to close before the public got in the way." And here it is:

Here's a WC press release:

Wiltshire Council has submitted 'expressions of interest' for the government's Future High Street Fund to boost the town centres in Chippenham and Trowbridge.

The Future High Streets fund is a £675m central government hand-out that is open for applications from towns and cities throughout England. The fund recognises the continuing importance of high streets as places where commerce and community meet, and aims to support high streets as they change to meet the needs and expectations of communities now and in the future.

Faced with a legal challenge to their proposal to shut Larkrise School in Trowbridge and St Nicholas' in Chippenham, Wiltshire Council Conservatives have backtracked on the scheme and agreed to do some more effective consultation.

Here's the WC release (edited):

A group of families had taken a case to court about the process and had been granted a hearing to consider elements of the case, scheduled to be heard next month.

Real Madrid, one of the world's best football clubs, is giving young English football players the opportunity to experience top-class coaching this summer.

The Real Madrid Foundation Clinic will be at the Nadder Centre, Tisbury from 26-30 August.

Coaching sessions will be available to boys and girls aged 6-16 of any footballing ability. The once-in-a-lifetime experience offers an educational programme with top quality coaching, both on and off the pitch.

20mph speed limits are to be introduced to Studley Green and Drynham. Wiltshire Council wants to increase road safety and reduce vehicle intimidation in the areas. Here's a list of the roads affected: