It’s now well into October and it’s definitely really autumnal. This year has been exceptionally busy and there continues to be a lot of activity and it’s always good to hear about achievements from our services. I’d like to personally congratulate the Salisbury Shopmobility scheme, which has beaten more than 300 other outlets to be announced best in the UK for customer service. The staff and volunteers will be presented with their award on Monday in recognition of their excellent service following positive customer feedback – well done to the team.
Early this week, I spent a couple of days in Birmingham at the Conservative party conference. One of the announcements made at the conference, was that the government is supporting the council tax freeze for another year. For us this means we will receive approximately £2.4 million in additional funding, which will go some way towards helping with the budget pressures we face next year.
It was interesting to hear all the speakers at the conference focusing on how important this year has been to the country and there was a lot of talk about a legacy. I was really pleased that Wiltshire is already on the case of creating a legacy and we are working with communities and partners to take action. David Cameron’s closing speech included a poignant and emotional piece about his late son Ivan. He said that before this year people would look at the wheelchair and not the boy. After the events of 2012 people would now see the boy. This year has achieved so much in changing people’s attitudes about disability and our legacy work must focus on how we can maintain this shift in attitude.
If you’re a regular reader of my blog you’ll remember I spoke a couple of weeks ago about the new apprenticeship scheme. The launch of this scheme took place in Salisbury on Tuesday and Lackham College last night (Thursday). I attended the launch last night and as you may be aware I am totally in support of the apprenticeship scheme and passionate that through our work with local businesses we can support young people to develop their skills, learn a new trade and get into the employment market.
I have also been discussing the plans for the official opening of new County Hall on 1 November. It looks as though more than 300 people will be invited to attend. The opening will include our first exhibition, which will be located in the atrium adjacent to the entrance to the library. The first exhibition, which will run for four weeks, will be the gallery of all Olympic Torchbearers who ran in Wiltshire this summer. Salisbury City Council has kindly agreed to lend us their Olympic Torch to showcase for this period, and people will be provided with an opportunity to have their photograph taken with the Torch during lunchtimes throughout the exhibition period. On the 1 November a video booth will also be installed to capture people’s experiences and views of this year and what it has meant to them and/or their community. This will provide an historical record of this amazing year.
I’ve also attended parish council meetings in Hullavington and Nettleton this week. I particularly enjoy these meetings as it allows me to hear their views and to discuss local issues and matters.
Next week I’m really looking forward to officially opening our new customer centre at Snuff Street in Devizes. The first wedding takes place in this new facility on Monday afternoon and although it’s early days for statistics on the numbers of visitors, I understand it’s been really busy with lots of interest in particular from local businesses.
Also, next week will be the staff forums in Salisbury and I look forward to seeing some of you there and hearing your views and thoughts on how we’re doing.
Jane.
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