Last week was another interesting and varied week. You may have seen the media attention when we launched our online talent competition ‘Shine 4 Wiltshire’ and you are probably also aware that we decided the future of our Browfort and Bradley Road offices and Urchfont Manor.
The Shine 4 Wiltshire competition was launched with the help of a group of three year old ballerinas and talented gymnasts form the Melksham Gymnastics club and urban dancers. We had a lot of interest and to date 18 acts have been uploaded onto our YouTube channel. We will ask the community to vote on which of these acts they want to appear on stage at the 2012 Festival of Celebration, which takes place on July 11 at Hudson’s Field in Salisbury. It will be really interesting to see who gets chosen as they will support the headline act performing as part of the Olympic Torch evening event.
Exciting plans for 2012 continue to move forward - the 2012 year of celebration steering board, which I chair, also met last week and discussed plans for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee event in early May in Salisbury. The theme will be the Magna Carter and democracy. All the communities in Wiltshire have been invited to participate and showcase what makes them unique and special.
As I mentioned previously, my cabinet met and made some tough decisions. It was good to see so many members of the public at the meeting, who attended to hear the debate on the future of Urchfont Manor and to share their views on adult education. Others were there to ask questions regarding the core strategy and future plans for growth in our market towns.
You may be aware that we decided to close the Bradley Road and Browfort offices and create a new customer access point in the centre of Devizes. This will obviously have an impact on some of you and we will make sure that those of you who are affected are provided with regular updates.
We also approved the draft Wiltshire Core Strategy - a document that sets out the council’s plans for the development of employment and housing for the future and manages how our communities will change and grow, ensuring they continue to be both vibrant and sustainable. This will now go to Full Council in February where I expect and welcome more debate.
We also agreed to plans for an enhanced service for older people to help them live independently in their homes for longer. These decisions have a real impact on the lives of many local people and are part of protecting the most vulnerable in our communities.
The staff forums were also launched last week and it was good to talk and find out more about what’s important to you, to hear your ideas and to answer your questions. More staff forums will take place this week and I’m looking forward to seeing some of you there.
This week looks like being just as busy and varied as the last. I’ll be going to public budget consultation forums in Trowbridge and Devizes. We’ve made this an interactive meeting asking the public to make real and tough decisions about how they would spend an extra £1.5m on services in their areas, but also where they would save £1.5 m. Their feedback will help to influence next year’s budget.
And, on Thursday it’s the annual corporate staff awards ceremony. Congratulations to all those who have been shortlisted – this is your night. The event has been sponsored and it’s a real opportunity to celebrate the excellent work being carried out by so many dedicated staff. Well done!
Jane
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