On Monday I was on the interview panel to select a new Deputy Chief Constable (DCC) for Wiltshire. This is an important role that supports the leadership of Wiltshire’s police and helps to shape future services. I was delighted to be part of the interview process and the standard of candidates was extremely high, but the panel unanimously agreed to appoint Mike Veale, who has been the acting DCC for the last year. Mike impressed the entire panel with his leadership skills and his vision for managing the changes and challenges that public services face in the future. Mike will continue to work with us on sharing services, facilities and resources.
On Tuesday morning the library at County Hall hosted the Gruffalo and lots of children arrived to meet him. It was the second time Julia Donaldson’s creation, the Gruffalo, has visited us and it was really good to see so many parents and children enjoying the library and the atrium which was buzzing. I’m told that the Gruffalo also visited the staff floors which surprised a few of you!
In the afternoon, the Corsham community operational board (COB) invited me to attend an event to mark the start of work on the new Corsham campus. The event, which was hosted by the COB and the newly appointed contractor Midas, marked the start of work on the refurbishment and extension of the existing leisure building and the demolition of the existing community centre. This campus, the first of many, is part of the transformation programme where community campuses will be developed in consultation with local people, ensuring each campus is as individual as the community it serves. Work starts on site in the next month and is due to complete in October 2014.
In the evening I was delighted to be invited as the after dinner speaker at the Trowbridge Traditional Cricket Club. I felt honoured to join a list of past speakers including Charlie George, former Arsenal FC and England football player and Sir John Keegan OBE, a British military historian and former Telegraph correspondent. The evening was entertaining and provided an opportunity for me to talk about the council and answer some challenging questions. It is good to know that organisations like this club, with a long history, continue to be supported by local people.
On Wednesday morning we handed over the keys to Urchfont Manor to the new owners. The building will be restored to a family home and the local village will continue to access the cricket pitch and the adjacent woods. I am so pleased that this sale has been finalised and that this unique listed building will be restored within the community.
In the afternoon we hosted a visit from Bob Neil, a former government minister with special interest in local government. Bob was keen to see the newly refurbished County Hall and to hear about the new ways of working, our plans to reduce the number of offices and buildings and to see how we have created community space right at the heart of our council offices. He was extremely impressed. It’s always good to welcome government ministers and to let them see for themselves the great work that we are doing.
In the evening I attended the Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce for their Annual General Meeting. I was interested to hear a presentation by Lance Allan from Trowbridge Town Council on 2013 – a year of opportunity for Trowbridge – which focused on the major redevelopment including the new cinema and the former Bowyers site and the importance to see the opportunities ahead and how by working together we can continue to improve our county town.
And finally, I hope you have a good Easter break. I can’t believe its Easter already! It has come round so quickly, but I am looking forward to a long weekend and the opportunity to catch up with family and to try and recharge a little so that I’m ready for the busy weeks ahead.
Whilst enjoying Easter eggs, spare a thought for those competing in the Devizes to Westminster canoe race. This year’s race will be the 65th and will be supported by over 300 volunteers who give up their time to support this community event. If you are competing in the race or you, or a family member is volunteering, I wish you all the best for a great race and I hope you stay warm!
More next week and let’s hope that spring arrives,
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