Wishing you and yours a truly wonderful Christmas…

This is my last blog before the Christmas break, and just ahead of the festivities and some precious time with our loved ones, I wanted to reflect a little on the year we’ve experienced.

In many respects it has been a truly tough, challenging and totally unexpected 12 months.
The first weekend in March we were hit with the Beast from the East bringing heavy snowfall that brought the A303 to a grinding halt leaving hundreds stranded overnight in their cars and others unable to leave their homes due to such severe conditions. 

Then on that same weekend of such extreme weather the nerve agent incident in Salisbury occurred and we encountered the most surreal experience of seeing our usually quiet city become the lead news story all over the world.

Where once Salisbury was famous for its glorious cathedral, ancient lanes and quaint shopping quarters – now its name was synonymous with spies, nerve agent and diplomatic intrigue.

Then in June, just as we thought we were heading back towards normality in the city, the second incident in Amesbury hit.

This time we moved from spies and intrigue to the sad and tragic death of one of our community; Dawn Sturgess. 

What followed was a time when the cohesion of the local communities directly affected by these incidents was tested. And, how they stood up and responded.

They endured. They worked together. They got through it. They were stoic. 

The shared values of community, cooperation and caring for others emerged in their true colours.

At the end of another year, it’s always rewarding to reflect and to count your blessings.

We are lucky to live in Wiltshire. It is a peaceful, prosperous and pleasant part of the world – and its communities know how to manage a crisis – even one that’s the most unpredictable and surreal. 

For that we should be thankful, reassured and blessed.

As slowly normality returns and life rebuilds following the crisis and tragedy in South Wiltshire, we can rest in the knowledge that we have gained. In spirit, in our support for others, and in our determination to get our city and town back. 

And, most importantly in our focus and belief that there is a positive future.

May I wish you and your family a wonderful Christmas, and a more peaceful 2019!

A county that’s proud of its heritage

I have always advocated that we really do have so much to be proud of in Wiltshire. Whether that’s the outstanding countryside, the resilience and strength of our community spirit that is visible across the county, or our wealth of wonderful historic buildings and architecture that makes us not just unique, but a place that people seek to live and work in, and visit.

It’s vital therefore that we look after our history and our historic buildings and that we protect and enhance what makes Wiltshire the beautiful place that it is.

You may not be aware of an Irishman named Thomas Henry Wyatt. But you will almost certainly have seen his work as he was a hugely talented and industrious architect who made a greater mark on our county than just about any other architect in history.

In the 1800s he designed grand buildings, bridges and churches right across England, Wales and as far away as Portugal. In Wiltshire he designed 47 churches, two mansions and a hospital. But it was his first project in the county that served as his grandest statement – the Assize Court in Devizes.

This fine imposing building has fallen on hard times in recent years. For as long as most of us can remember the building has stood derelict, with weeds sprouting through steel security barriers, and its noble façade shuttered and neglected. The scene inside even more devastating and derelict – a sorry state for all to see.

But that changed recently.

Thanks to support from the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust and a generous cash benefactor, the recently established Devizes Assize Court Trust has taken over ownership.

I was delighted to support the trustees in announcing a rescue plan that will breathe new life into this landmark and hopefully restore it to its former glory. The plan of restoration will include galleries to host Wiltshire Museum’s displays and artifacts, a café, a lecture theatre and community space.

The Assize Court, with the support of the trust and the local community, will be restored and stand proud as an attraction for visitors far and wide to Devizes and Wiltshire.

It will be a glorious and historic adornment to the future regeneration of the Wharf area in the town. This worthwhile project demonstrates the tangible passion in the county to preserve and restore iconic and historic buildings and to keep Wiltshire a special place.

A place that we enjoy as residents and want to share and showcase to visitors from further afield.

Countdown to Christmas – remembering what matters

December is almost here and signs of the festive season remind us that it’s only a few weeks until the big day. All around us we’re seduced by the twinkling Christmas lights and music that is reserved for this time of the year.

This week saw Salisbury transform into a winter wonderland with the opening of the artisan Christmas market and for the first time an ice rink encouraging Christmas shoppers and visitors to enjoy the seasonal experience. High streets across the county are decorated and ready to welcome us to purchase those gifts and stocking fillers that are part of a long-established tradition.

The story of the first Christmas 2,000 years ago says so much about age-old human values which never date.

It is a parable about the pull of home; our craving for companionship; and the life-changing capacity of the kindness of strangers.

It is about a man and a woman in search of warmth and shelter; the instinct of travellers to gather at the birthplace of a child; and about a caring innkeeper who offers the family a safe haven.

It is rich in what it means to care for our neighbours – and that instinct to look after those in need and vulnerable is never more apparent than now – this time of the year.

That is why it gives me so much pleasure to extend the annual invitation for people to join us at County Hall where a community lunch is hosted on Christmas Day.

For those who would otherwise be lonely on this special day we can promise a delicious dinner, a warm welcome, plenty of entertainment and a friendly afternoon spent in the company of people who care.

County Hall is a place for the people, it is a public building, and it is totally appropriate that we use this space to offer support to those who need it most on Christmas Day of all days.

If you – or anyone you know – would like to join us please email christmaslunch@dwfire.org.uk or phone 07734 483881.

No-one should be alone on Christmas Day.

• The eighth annual Christmas lunch will be organised by volunteers from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service and Wiltshire Council
• Last year 250 guests and volunteers enjoyed a special day together in the Atrium
• Thanks to Apetito who donate all the meals, and Elior, who provide the dining facilities

We will remember them…

Armistice Day honoured the memory of the millions of men and women who gave their lives in the Great War of 1914-18.

Almost a million across the country.

More than 10,000 in Wiltshire.

Last week was dedicated to acts of remembrance across the county and the country. I was honoured to be invited to attend the moving and emotional projection of falling poppies at Salisbury Cathedral on Thursday evening and attend Remembrance services at both Imber village and Salisbury on Sunday (11 November).

On Sunday evening I  joined the local community at Westbury. Like many other communities across the country they gathered to light a beacon as part of the thousand points of light illuminating the awesome sacrifice of those years.

The flame was bright but not as bright as the courage, self-sacrifice and fortitude of those who gave up their lives in France, Flanders and further afield. In Wiltshire the 10,000 men and women are named on the Wall of Remembrance, which has been throughout the county for the past four years, and is currently proudly displayed at County Hall.

Each cross on the wall is in memory of those who gave their lives for us. In their names, across the county, communities are planting 10,000 trees as a living tribute to them – a legacy to the fallen.

We, their grateful descendants, owe our freedom and our own lives to their service and sacrifice.

We are among the few counties without a Thankful Village, the name given to those rare communities which did not endure a single fatality.

Every hamlet, village and town in Wiltshire lost sons and daughters in the conflict.

Grief came to every corner, no matter how remote.

Yet today, every village and town in the county is thankful.

Thankful for the selfless devotion of our brave ancestors.

Next year we will host National Armed Forces Day in Salisbury and it will be a fitting tribute and thank you to the military personnel and emergency services who protect and keep us safe - particularly this year in Salisbury and Amesbury.

More than ever we will show our gratitude.

We owe them so much.

We will recognise and remember them.

Caring for our care leavers

This week I’d like to recognise and commend a very special group of young men and women.

They are our care leavers who recently visited County Hall to discuss and find out more about a new package of support that has been designed to meet their needs.

All of us who are parents know that when children grow into maturity and adulthood it can often be a challenging and tough time. It’s a time of uncertainty when young people are still finding their feet, making their way in the world, and starting to test their independence for the first time.

It usually means a new job, new life and new challenges.

It is a hard enough time for young adults who have a family support network to fall back on. 

Consider then what it must be like for those who have spent their early years in care, and are venturing into the adult world without that wrap around family to fall back on.

They deserve and need all the support that we - as their corporate parent - can provide.

That is why I am so pleased that the new Care Leaver Promise is now in place. It offers all our care leavers a personal advisor to assist with all those practical matters including help with their finances, the benefits that they are entitled to, where they will live and where they will work, including apprenticeships and job opportunities.

Our care leavers are an inspiration to us all and a reminder of how determined young people are, and while we can’t take the place of a family, we can offer the care and support that they need and give them the best start into adulthood and beyond.

No care leaver should ever feel abandoned, forgotten or neglected.

That’s our Promise, and it’s one that I’m so proud to support and uphold.

A living memorial to remember them…

Inscribed on war memorials across Wiltshire are the names of the fallen from WW1.

For each of those names there were families, just like our own, who were stricken with grief.

You only have to reflect on the same suffering in every village and town across Wiltshire to understand why the memory of 1914-18 still provokes so many emotions of sadness, regret and respect.

This week, Wiltshire Council once again displayed the giant poppy at the front of County Hall, and additionally to mark the centenary, four haunting Tommy Silhouettes were unveiled and stand proud at the entrance to the building.

It’s important that all of us commemorate and remember the centenary of the Armistice.

I was invited to Tidworth Garrison last week to plant a beech tree to mark the start of a countywide community project that will see 10,000 trees planted as a dedication to honour those who sacrificed their lives in WW1.

Like the 10,000 crosses that form the Wall of Remembrance, created by Wiltshire school children in 2014, each tree represents a native of Wiltshire who set out for France, Flanders or further afield to serve their country, and never returned.

Through our communities their legacy will live on and we will remember them.

Rapid response offers hope

In my view the last week has seen the best of our council at work, and it came in response to some upsetting news for Melksham.

Last Wednesday the shock announcement that 300 people at Cooper Tire in Melksham were at risk of redundancy sent ripples of uncertainty and fear through the local community.
After all, this business in its various guises has been at the centre of the town’s economy for more than a century.

Generations of men and women have known ‘the Avon’ as a source of employment and also a place of companionship and community. It was and is part of the fabric of Melksham.
Geographically and culturally it is at the heart of the town.

No wonder that the announcement cast a shadow over the whole of the Melksham area.
At least there was a silver lining to the grey clouds. Cooper Tire announced its future remained in the area and it gave a fresh commitment to keep its European base in the town, and some specialist manufacturing will carry on here.

We are working closely with Cooper Tire to guarantee its future in the area. We were already talking with them about lots of practical ways to work together as partners, for the benefit of the business, the town, and the whole of Wiltshire and those conversations and efforts will continue.

But what made me really proud was how we responded to this announcement.

Within an hour of the first whisper of potential redundancies, our tried-and-tested economic taskforce was meeting to discuss how the affected employees could be supported.

In cases like this one, we pull together a rapid response group with colleagues from the Department for Work and Pensions, the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Wiltshire College, the National Careers Service and more. 

It has the expertise to work with the company, offering help with training for new careers, and advice across a whole range of employment issues.

We also have close links with all the county’s big employers, and can put staff in touch straight away with local firms that need their services.

Though this action, we soften what might have felt like a hammer-blow.

For that reason it was especially pleasing to see that the ITV local evening news led its bulletin not with tales of doom and gloom about Melksham’s future, but on the positive steps that we, Wiltshire Council, are taking to help our people when they need it most. We shared a message of hope, help and real optimism to dispel some of the anxiety.

Our response at troubled times such as this is simple.

We abandon nobody.

We forget nobody.

Everybody really does matter.

An early present from me to you!

In recognition of everyone’s hard work in 2018, it is my pleasure to declare that Christmas 
Eve will be an extra day of leave for all employees.  

Well earned by all!

Fair’s fair for disabled jobseekers

When we say that Wiltshire is a county where everybody matters, it’s more than just words.

Last week’s EmployAbility Fair held in the Atrium at County Hall was a good example of this.

The event puts disabled jobseekers in touch with recruiters searching for staff, and the results it delivers for individuals, for businesses and for our economy is truly heart-warming.

The first fair was held last year and was such a success, it returned last week. It was clear from the numbers crowding the Atrium that it has already become a popular fixture in the recruitment calendar.

It was wonderful to see so many people – many of whom had been on the jobs market for a long time – talking to employers, chatting about opportunities, and accepting offers of work right there on the spot. It showed what we are about – creating chances for people to thrive, prosper and build a future in our county – especially residents who may have been excluded from opportunities in the past.

From a personal point of view I understand just how much getting a break into work can mean. As some of you may know my own daughter is disabled. She has always worked and strived for the independence that working and earning brings. But as we all know, the early days in a new job aren’t always that easy. There are often issues to overcome. For some people these include accessibility.  What matters is that employers see beyond the disability, and are ready to welcome new recruits regardless of any stigma which in the past might have been attached to disability.

It was good to talk to so many visitors on the day as well as guests including Dr Andrew Murrison MP, and a couple of comments really made me think.

The first was by Maurice Menghini from our co-hosts JobCentre Plus.

“There is a job out there for everyone,” he said.

And in Wiltshire, where we are blessed with largely full employment and employers urgently seeking staff – that is true.

The second was by Wendy Wood, from The Order of St John Care Trust, who was seeking staff for 19 residential homes all over Wiltshire.

“Good employers need good employees and disability doesn’t affect that,” she said.

It summed up a brilliant day which made a huge difference to many people’s lives.

My thanks go to everyone who worked so hard to stage one of the most important, most effective, and most beneficial dates in our council calendar.

I’m looking forward to next year’s event already and to hearing how successful the new recruits have been…

Jane

Official opening of Porton Science Park and the Year of Engineering

September 21 marked the start of the autumn equinox, and doesn’t it feel like the summer months are a distant, albeit warm, memory.

Autumn is one of my favourite seasons – it’s the time of year when nature makes its colourful transition towards the colder winter months. Wiltshire, in particular, becomes a glorious canvas of rich autumnal shades as the trees shift from vibrant greens to yellow, gold and warm glowing fiery reds. The transition is quite breathtaking and reminds us all just how beautiful the place we live and work in really is.

I have always said that we have so much to celebrate in our county from our beautiful countryside steeped in history, to the modern world of science and engineering that we are leading the way in.

Our tradition of technical brilliance stretches way, way back - as far as the West Kennet Long Barrow in 3500 BC, right up to Dyson in 2018 AD.

This awesome legacy came to mind last week at the official opening of Porton Science Park, near Salisbury, which is a new state of the art centre dedicated to the advancement of health and life sciences, which has been a decade in the planning.

I am proud that Wiltshire Council led the way in finding the funding for this project – working with the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory, Public Health England and the Swindon and Wiltshire Local Enterprise Partnership.

Even before I had the honour of unveiling the plaque to officially open the centre, three-quarters of the units have been occupied by pioneering enterprises who are pushing back the frontiers of science and re-engineering the 21^st Century and creating prosperity and jobs in the county.

It’s humbling to think that in the not-so-distant future, the world will welcome scientific discoveries that were conceived right here in Wiltshire.

That’s why it’s so good that we will be hosting the Science and Engineering: What Wiltshire has to Offer exhibition in County Hall next month (16 October).School and college students, along with teachers, recruiters, leading scientists and engineers and business bosses will participate in presentations and practical, hands-on experience of engineering. The aim is simple - to inspire children to pursue engineering and science as a rewarding, stimulating and satisfying career.

It also offers us a great chance for us to discuss how we can work with them to nurture the next generation of engineers – including our industry-leading apprenticeship programme, which has already set many youngsters on the path to an exciting future.

I’d love to think that the innovators of tomorrow will be as a result of stimulating their interest at this event fuelling an ambition to shape the future and that they will have come from our wonderful, historic and progressive county.

Jane

Summer helping put a spring in the step of the county

What a summer we are having this year – who would have thought that it was as hot here as many tourist destinations abroad. And, wasn’t it just the boost we all needed? The sun and warmth has such a positive impact on everyone, putting a spring in their step and a smile on their face; and with a ray of sun everywhere definitely looks brighter and better.

After the recent events in Salisbury and Amesbury a glorious summer couldn’t have been more welcome. Whilst things aren’t quite back to normal, there are real signs of business as usual and since my last blog - and my apologies for not penning a few words sooner – I have visited and attended meetings in both the city and the town and it’s so good to see everyone out and about and getting on with life.

In my view it’s now time to look forward and focus on getting fully back to normal after what’s been a truly unprecedented period and one which I hope we never encounter the like of again. Life is never predictable and we all know that change is inevitable, but what’s important is how we deal with those changes; particularly those that are least expected. The resilience of our local communities has been a credit to Wiltshire and it’s their strength and determination that will enable normality to be resumed.

The last few months have had an impact on council business and I’m keen that after the summer break we can refocus on the future and our immediate priorities. As we start to plan for next year’s budget and service provision we need to strike that difficult balance of doing what’s needed in local communities against service demands and growing pressures.

Next year Wiltshire will host National Armed Forces Day to recognise and celebrate the work of the military and emergency services that put their lives on the line to protect our country, and this year - closer to home - to protect and support the communities of Salisbury and Amesbury. It promises to be a major event for all the communities of Wiltshire and I’m sure it will mark a positive milestone and give everyone something to look forward to. Let’s hope the sun shines as bright next year too!

Jane

Update regarding the incident in Amesbury

It almost seems unbelievable that in my last blog I was recognising the progress in Salisbury’s recovery and the impending visit of The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall to mark their support for the city.

Salisbury four months on from the poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal was getting back to normal and footfall was starting to improve.

So the shock of the tragic death of Dawn Sturgess has reverberated throughout the city and now in Amesbury, and our thoughts and sincere condolences are with her family and friends.

Her partner Charlie Rowley remains in Salisbury hospital in a critical condition. Our thoughts are also with him, his family and friends during what is clearly a difficult time for them all. 

Having a death occur in our local community; particularly in such extraordinary circumstances will have a huge impact on those who live and work there and our role is to do everything possible to support our partners whilst they carry out their investigation into this dreadful crime.

The incident is being investigated as a murder and is being led by the UK’s Counter Terrorism Policing Network supported by Wiltshire Police.

We are a vital link to the local communities and I will make sure that we continue to keep people informed and updated of the latest information. Last night a community meeting was held in Amesbury and more than 250 people attended to hear updates from a panel of local and national agency representatives. They were able to ask their questions and receive answers from those directly involved and leading this investigation. I gave my assurance that further community meetings will be arranged in both Amesbury and Salisbury to keep these communities up to date.

This is a fast-moving and changing situation, the like of which we have never experienced in Wiltshire before, and we understand that people are concerned; particularly those in Salisbury and Amesbury.

We will provide support to those directly affected and to those who are most vulnerable in our communities. Reassurance and calm needs to continue and the resilience of our local communities is being tested now – more than ever before.

The current advice from Public Health England is that “if you haven’t dropped it - don’t pick it up” - the wider risk to public health remains low and health advice can be accessed on a helpline set up to offer reassurance and advice on 0800 092 0410.

It is vital that we continue to assist local businesses to assess their needs and provide support where it is needed throughout this extremely difficult period. On Monday I announced that in Amesbury we have lifted the parking charges on our Central and Church Street car parks to reflect the situation in Salisbury and do what’s right for these communities.

We will continue to work with Amesbury and Salisbury to support them during this testing time. Since the first incident occurred in March Salisbury has shown just how resilient and determined it is in the face of an unprecedented challenge and I am sure that this will continue and that Amesbury will be just as stoic.

We will do all we can to help both these communities get back to normal and move forward.

Jane

Royal visit to Salisbury

Wiltshire has always welcomed the Royal Family and I look back with fondness to the many visits over the years that they have made to the county.

I can still vividly recall the sea of smiling faces, Union Jack flags, and what seemed like mile upon mile of bunting that greeted the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh when they visited Salisbury in 2012, as part of the Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

These visits engage communities, and all ages turn out to catch a glimpse of the Royal Family members on days that create everlasting memories.

When The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall visit Salisbury tomorrow (Friday 22 June) I have no doubt that it will be another of those days and, personally, I can’t wait.

I’m delighted that Their Royal Highnesses are visiting to support the city’s recovery programme, which is making good progress. Amesbury ambulance station is the third site to be handed back this week and Salisbury is getting back to normal.

The city’s ongoing recovery has involved many people from many local and national organisations, and many will be personally thanked for their efforts by Their Royal Highnesses at a special reception at the Guildhall.

Their visit includes a walk through the city’s Market Place and it is hoped that hundreds of visitors will attend to give the Royal visitors a very warm welcome. It will be another day in Wiltshire’s history and a real milestone for the recovery programme. It will showcase Salisbury worldwide as more than forty media outlets will be in attendance, including Australian TV and will help to promote that the city is safe and that visitors and tourists are also very welcome.

This week there is another milestone – as the corporate team and others – including the Chief Constable Kier Pritchard, participate in a cycle of 130 miles around the county for the inaugural Bustard Ride and to raise money for Wiltshire Mind, a charity that does truly exceptional work for the people of our county.

This event will raise a lot of money, at the time of writing this blog £1,550 has been pledged – but perhaps more importantly it will help to raise awareness of the importance and understanding of the issue of mental health. With mental health affecting one in four of us – and loneliness being as damaging to physical health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day – this is a serious issue which needs to be openly discussed and supported.

The EPIC staff engagement group have also joined in to try and beat the 130 miles, but on exercise bikes located in Trowbridge, Chippenham and Salisbury hubs. I wish everyone taking part – in whatever form – the very best of luck! Please do pledge your support by visiting the donation page at www.justgiving.com/fundraising/bustard-ride-wiltshire.

Jane

Maltings reopens and a personal achievement

Hello,

Last week saw a significant milestone achieved in the recovery of Salisbury. The walkway and shops in the Maltings shopping centre, reopened to the public over the Bank Holiday weekend and people can now access the city centre from Central Car Park through the Maltings, and support the shops and businesses that have started to reopen.

The site has been thoroughly cleaned following the incident almost three months ago, to ensure that any traces of nerve agent found have been removed by specialists. Working with Salisbury City Council and the Maltings Shopping Centre team we pulled out all the stops to make improvements to this site including brickwork repair, grass cutting, painting and routine maintenance so that it could reopen for the holiday weekend.

It has always been a priority to reopen this main economic thoroughfare, which takes visitors and shoppers from the main car parks to the city centre past the shops in the Maltings that have been directly affected. We hope that people will now visit and support the businesses that were affected and their patience and stoicism during the investigation and clean-up work has to be commended. This reopening reflects the hard work of all the local and national partner agencies who cleaned the site to enable it to reopen and is a big step forward in getting Salisbury back to normal.

On another milestone – but this time a personal one - I am a firm advocate for new challenges and for pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

Last week I did just that and completed my first ever wing walk in aid of Hope for Tomorrow!
I’ll admit to being a little nervous beforehand – and, who wouldn’t be? – But I have to say being strapped to the wings of a plane and 1,000 feet in the air was the most exhilarating experience - and one I would love to do again and would recommend to anyone given the opportunity.

I’m told that more people have climbed Everest than done a wing walk - so I am delighted with my achievement. My thanks go to all of you who pledged support – if you would still like to do so, my fund-raising page can be found online.

So far my five friends and I from the Wings of Hope fundraising team raised more than £16,000, and there is still money coming in.

Hope for Tomorrow is a charity I have supported for many years, and I was pleased to be able to give back a little to an organisation that gives so much to others and to do something new and challenging and feel that sense of achievement.

There are a few pictures here, and you can also watch a short video.

Jane

Salisbury is recovering

I’m pleased to say that slowly but surely Salisbury is starting to recover. The clean-up of the nine sites potentially affected is well underway and it never ceases to amaze me how flexible and accommodating that people are when faced with the most challenging circumstance.  Wiltshire Police and council staff based at Bourne Hill relocated to vacate the new extension almost two weeks ago and the impact to service users was seamless. This was due to the positive attitude and flexible approach adopted by all concerned and I would like to say thank you. The demonstrable resilience is a credit to all of you and to both organisations. In the circumstances we had to displace some wedding parties and the patience shown by these parties reflected their understanding of what Salisbury has faced and the need to make sacrifices for the greater good and recovery of the city.   

This month – and it’s now May – is a month of events and celebrations – and in my view we all need a little of that right now!

Salisbury Live, which starts this Friday (4 May) and runs until 1 June, is a city-wide celebration of live music and offers five weekends of free live gigs in venues across Salisbury – in total there are more than 100 different acts in 20 venues. From pop,rock and blues to jam nights, there’s something to suit all tastes; download the full programme.

The Royal Wedding on 19 May, will see the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral turn red, white and blue as a free, fun-filled party to celebrate the marriage of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. The event, starts at 9am and is packed with activities and live entertainment for the whole family to enjoy including a chance to write good luck messages to the Royal couple, and children’s craft sessions with Salisbury Cathedral and CBBC. And, of course, the ceremony will be broadcast live on a 50-foot screen.

Throughout May and June, the Cathedral is also hosting a major art installation, Les Colombes by multimedia artist Michael Pendry, which carries a message of resilience, peace and hope. The installation features a flock of around 2,500 white origami doves that ‘fly’ the length of the Cathedral nave – definitely worth a visit. 

And on 31 May as part of the recovery programme, Salisbury will host cycling’s Grand Final of the OVO Energy Tour Series. Working with Salisbury City Council we are supporting Britain’s leading televised cycle race series which will take place in Wiltshire for the first time, and will showcase Salisbury. This is a free-to-attend event and the race action from the 1.2k Salisbury City Centre circuit will be shown in two hour-long highlight programmes on ITV4 in the UK, as well as in over 100 countries worldwide. Previous competitors include four-time Olympic champion Laura Kenny CBE, Ed Clancy OBE (three-time Olympic champion) and Dame Sarah Storey, Britain’s most successful female Paralympian. I know a call out has been made to encourage volunteers to get involved and to help to marshal the event and I hope you will get involved as this is a real one-off event for Wiltshire and will be a really exciting evening with the races starting in the Market Place at 6pm.

And finally, can you believe that on Monday 21 May, along with five friends from my Wings of Hope fundraising team, I will be taking off from Rendcome Airfield in Gloucestershire on the top wing of a bi-plane to swoop over the Cotswolds at speeds topping 130mph to raise money for Hope for Tomorrow, a charity I have supported for many years. Hope for Tomorrow does an excellent job helping to provide cancer care closer to patients’ homes in mobile cancer units across the country rather than in a hospital and this makes a real difference to people’s lives at a time when they really need it. This Wing Walk experience will be a slightly daunting experience for me and something totally different that I never thought I would do – but, it will be well worth it if it helps to raise funding to support this great cause. If any of you would like to support me in raising as much money as possible for Hope for Tomorrow please pledge your support.

Pictures to follow! 

Enjoy May and celebrate a little…

Update on Salisbury

Following my previous blog, I am pleased to update that the recovery of Salisbury is now well underway and this week plans to decontaminate and clean-up sites affected were revealed and will be discussed at a community meeting in the city this evening.

I have to say that the response from the local community has been so positive given the circumstance that it has faced. The tolerance and resilience shown by everyone will be tantamount to the city’s recovery.

Last weekend I attended the special service at St Thomas’s and was heartened at the energy and passion expressed by so many local people. The reclamation of their city was both cathartic and needed as we move into the clean-up phase of recovery. I was both proud and humbled when thanks were passed onto the council and its staff at the service, for the support and work that’s being undertaken to help Salisbury return to normal.

There is no doubt that it will take some time before things are fully back to normal, but it’s so encouraging to hear that many local businesses and community leaders have said that this is an opportunity to build on the incident and showcase what the city has to offer to a worldwide audience both now and in the future.

For a short period of time both Wiltshire Police and council staff will need to move out of the new building at Bourne Hill offices. This is to allow the clean-up team to carry out the work that’s needed. Services will be relocated during this time and staff were only informed yesterday and have been exemplary in their response; both understanding and can-do and reflecting the community of Salisbury in helping its recovery.

It’s at times such as this extraordinary event in Salisbury that you realise how people come together and respond to what’s needed.

This community bonding at every level whether that’s businesses, community groups, staff working with other teams, partners and national and local agencies that relationships are formed and common goals become the focus.

There is no doubt in my mind that the focus in Salisbury is to get back to normal and its getting there…

Wiltshire needs this beautiful city to thrive and continue to be an anchor for local, national and international visitors. I am totally confident that given the tangible unity and approach across the city that this is happening.

Salisbury is being reclaimed and returning to be even better.

The strength of local communities

I have often talked about how Wiltshire is unique – based on its strong communities that consistently come together to make a positive difference. This is based on the many willing volunteers that help to deliver local events and offer a helping hand to others; particularly those who are older and often less able to cope.

And, as I have also previously stated - if all of us could do a little or a small act; what a big difference we could make.

The shocking incident that happened one month ago today in the beautiful city of Salisbury has highlighted that even in the most difficult of circumstances, the local community has come together to support and help and demonstrate its outstanding resilience.

As I’m sure you are aware, the council is leading the programme to help Salisbury recover. This has meant working closely with local businesses and residents as well as a number of local and national agencies, to do all we can to help the city return to normal.

The health and wellbeing is the absolute priority and DEFRA’s recent message that Salisbury is safe for residents and visitors, outside of the cordoned areas, is extremely reassuring.   

The recovery work needed to decontaminate and remediate the sites affected will take time, but it is essential that this is thorough and carefully planned work to ensure the sites are clean and safe for the future.

The free car parking in the centre car parks and the five park and ride sites was implemented to encourage visitors and shoppers to the city centre and its working!

Investment in marketing will encourage tour operators and visitors to choose Salisbury. We will host these visitors with pride reflecting what makes Wiltshire and the city of Salisbury great.

Strength comes from unity and a common cause; and resilience comes from standing up to what you believe in. Working with the local community we will help Salisbury to recover and go from strength to strength.

Jane

Tackling loneliness and isolation in older people

Having to make tough choices is part and parcel of life in local government these days and you would think that with all the difficult decisions we’ve had to make over the years that we’d get used to it.
Yet, the reality is that it gets tougher.

Deciding how we prioritise the services to fund and how we continue to protect those who are most vulnerable, with less money and rising demand, is a real challenge.

Last week we set the budget for 2018/19 and as I said at the Full Council meeting I’m really proud of what this council has achieved and continues to achieve in the toughest and most challenging of times.

The budget set out proposals to find savings and where investment will be made to provide new community facilities and improve services. The media coverage following the meeting largely focused on the increase in council tax (2.99%) and the social care levy (3%), and whilst we didn’t want to put up council tax, or have to charge the additional levy for social care services, the reality is that the extra money this generates won’t raise anywhere near enough to cover the demand and increasing costs.

So what’s the solution?

In my view the only solution is to be radical and we’re good at that - being radical.  

Nine years on from becoming a unitary council - can you believe that it’s almost ten years? - We’re more financially stable than many other local authorities across the country. But, there is no doubt that we still need to do more. We have to stem cost and look at prevention, early intervention and closer working with our partners; particularly health, if we are to reduce the pressure and rising costs in social care services.

Our recovery and transformation of children’s services (following the Ofsted inspection in 2012) was recognised by the LGA peer review team as an exemplar of cross council working.

The first phase integrated children’s services, bringing Early Help and Safeguarding and Assessment together. The next phase, which is underway, will engage staff, partners and service users in delivering integrated, family-focused provision and better outcomes for children.

The earlier we can intervene and provide the support that’s needed, the greater the benefits including a reduction in the escalating costs.  This approach is helping to guide the adult transformation programme, which is also well underway.

Across the whole country there are huge challenges in meeting the needs of the increasing number of older people. It’s a fact that we are living longer and that this brings with it a rise in the need for health and care services. Did you know that Wiltshire has the third largest older population in the country, with 100,000 of the 475,000 residents aged over 65, and this is set to increase?

A recent national study showed that more than 200,000 pensioners had not had a conversation with a friend or relative in more than a month – I think that’s really shocking.

And, right now more than nine million people in the UK say they regularly feel lonely. The impact of loneliness and isolation is one of the biggest demands and costs to the health service and recent research has evidenced that loneliness can be as bad for your health as smoking 15 cigarettes a day. So what can be done to help combat this really serious and costly issue?

Let’s face it – most tax payers want and expect the roads to be in good condition, to have their bins emptied and to live in safe and pleasant environments, with access to a good range of community facilities and shops. And, whilst some may not need health or social care services right now, it’s almost a certainty that they will in the future.

So, we have no choice other than to do things differently.

The transformation of adult social care sets out a vision to support independent lives in local communities and make our adult care the best in the country by 2020. And while this will save money - it’s not about cost-cutting. It’s about helping people to live for longer in their own homes and local community – which is their preferred option – so that they can benefit from support and stay in a place that’s familiar and safe.

The answer also lies in each of us doing what we can to help others. No one can do everything but, everyone can do something. Wiltshire benefits from communities that care and communities that are happy to take action. I’m sure that they will rise to this growing challenge and offer support to those who need it; whether that’s a cup of tea, an offer of transport to a club, or activity, or the shops, picking up a prescription, or a library book, or some shopping, or just time to chat and take an interest. All of us can all play a part to help combat loneliness and isolation and offer the warmth of being a good neighbour, to help people to stay in their local community and in the place that is their home.

By being radical and working together we will be able to continue to deliver the services that the people of Wiltshire deserve.

Jane

Proposals for next year's budget

It’s already February, and even though it’s dark, cold and wet it’s so good to see glimmers of spring with snow drops appearing and daffodils not far behind. 

January and February are always really busy months, as we work through the proposals for the next year’s budget. Over the past few years this has become an increasingly tough task as the reality of the growing demand and cost of some services; particularly those services for older people and children, combined with the reducing central Government grant means we need to find another £25 million of savings – which is never easy.

Having to choose between increasing taxes and reducing, or maybe having to stop some services, or grant support, is so difficult and is never an easy choice. 

Thank goodness this council has the benefit of staff who rally to find the best possible solutions to deliver the savings we need to find and protect the services that are needed for those who are most vulnerable in our communities. 

Whilst we are proposing to take up the Government’s offer to increase Council Tax by a further 1% to 2.99%, plus we have the Government’s Adult Social Care Levy (a further 3%), this increase only goes part of the way to meeting the demand costs and finding the savings that we need. The solution to meet what’s needed, is our ability to deliver change – change that makes a positive difference – the type of change that Wiltshire Council is acclaimed for. 

We will be focused on becoming even more business-like, but we are not a business! We will however look at every opportunity to be more commercial and to generate more income and we will shift more towards digital channels enabling our customers to self-serve. It’s about continual change and transforming our services. Our adult and children’s services are changing, in recognition of the changing demographics and trends, and we know that to meet demand we need to offer services as early as possible and reduce the need for more high cost services. A recent example is the acute hospitals in Wiltshire. A major issue for us and them over recent weeks - which has been well publicised - has been the delayed discharges and, the pressures on accident and emergency. Interestingly, the admissions of people from Wiltshire with respiratory problems - one of the major pressures on the health service at this time of year - has been much lower than many other counties. This has been attributed to the high take up of the flu vaccine in Wiltshire, which is one of the highest in the country. This is an example where our public health team have done a great job working with GPs, schools, communities and businesses to encourage people to get vaccinated. 

It demonstrates the major impact that we can have, not just on our own health and wellbeing, but also on the overstretched health service, and that by encouraging and taking preventative action we can avoid high costs and service pressures.

I recently saw a quote that said; “The power of a community to create good health is far greater than any physician, clinic or hospital”. It made me stop and think that as a community we can make such a positive impact. 

A budget is allocating money to provide services. But the driver for our budget is our vision; strong communities. To achieve this we need to continually change, transform and be different and by working together as a focused and cohesive community we can, and are, doing just this.

That’s where we excel, and I know despite the tough choices that need to be made we will continue to make life better for people in Wiltshire.

Jane

Acts of kindness

It’s 2018 and a new year that will inevitably bring a host of opportunities and challenges. I have no idea where 2017 went - it totally flew by, and I don’t know if it’s just me, but do the years seem to get shorter the older you get?

Last year certainly had its ups and downs. There were dreadful and devastating terrorist attacks that stole the lives of so many innocent and young people, and in London there was the tragic impact of the Grenfell Tower fire that affected young and old and so many families that lived in, and close to, the now infamous tower block. Such sad events and Grenfell for me in particular, acted as a reminder of just how volatile and precious life is.

In the face of such events and at the start of a new year, we often reflect on what matters to us and it helps us to gain perspective and focus on where we live and the lives that we lead. 

To me Wiltshire is a sanctuary – it’s a place that offers community spirit, support, calm and kindness. In a troubled world with its unpredictability there is something extremely grounding that this beautiful county provides.

Last year thousands of individuals and community groups across Wiltshire volunteered and gave their time to improve local areas and the wellbeing of others; from litter picks, to walking, cycling and many other activity groups, to sewing, singing, knitting and yarn bombing to cheer us all, to helping provide so many invaluable services including local transport schemes and libraries. Wiltshire is good at volunteering, and its local residents are proud – of the place they live, and themselves.

It’s well known that we all need to feel part of something and to have a sense of belonging to help avoid social isolation and loneliness, and to improve our overall wellbeing. The impact of loneliness often results in mental ill-health and poor wellbeing, which is one of the largest costs in today’s health system.

Wiltshire is a place that provides support to those who need it most, and we cannot allow anyone to become lonely or isolated. If we all did something – even the smallest act or commitment – to help those who need support, just think of the impact we could have. 
It’s being aware of those who are on their own and could benefit from some human kindness, interaction and conversation. It’s a fact that people are living longer and as a result the aging population is growing, and in today’s society, it’s highly likely that many older residents won’t have immediate family to wrap around them and provide the support that they need. 

This is a role that we can all do; small acts that could make a huge difference. Just checking on someone, or picking up some basic shopping items, collecting library books or prescriptions, or inviting them to a local club, activity, or offering a seat at our table to have Sunday lunch maybe? These acts, amongst many others, will help to improve the quality of life for those who need some support.

 And what’s in it for us?

Well they do say that a small act of kindness is hugely beneficial for our mental wellbeing and releases those positive endorphins that really do make us feel good – surely, that’s a good reason?

Inevitably this year will be another busy one reflecting the reality of life in public service. We need to be strong and hold true to our vision and priorities and to continue to help our communities be strong and to support those who are most vulnerable.

I propose that 2018 is a year for acts of kindness, helping in our communities, supporting our neighbours, and to making a positive difference that’s of benefit all round.

Jane