Thank you and goodbye

As I leave the council as Leader after 16 years I just wanted to thank you all for everything you do for the people of Wiltshire but also for the support and kindness you have shown to me over those 16 years.

This has been an amazing journey and a great privilege to lead the council for so many years and I wish you all the very best into the future.

With kind regards

Jane

Outgoing deputy leader and leader John Thomson and Jane Scott alongside new leader Philip Whitehead

The time is right to step down as Wiltshire Council Leader

After much consideration I have decided that the time is right for me to step down as Wiltshire Council Leader.  

My last day will be on 9 July and it will be a big moment for me personally and my family.

I have been privileged to be in the role of leader of both Wiltshire Council and Wiltshire County Council since 2003 and the time now feels right to pass the honour onto somebody else. This is a job that cannot be done half-heartedly – it’s all or nothing, and for me it’s always been all.

I like to think that I leave the council in a good position and that’s in no small part to you the staff. Now, and over the past 16 years, you continue to be the heart of the council and I thank you for helping us achieve our vision over the years; we simply couldn’t do it without you.

I leave with many cherished memories. It was so exciting being a part of a brand new authority in 2009. How many councils are afforded that opportunity? It took us a while to really establish the ‘Wiltshire Council’ identity but given the council’s reputation among our peers and on the national stage, there is no doubt that we’ve achieved it. From the historic 2012 events that saw both HM the Queen and the Olympic Torch come to Wiltshire to repositioning ourselves as a modern approachable part of the community through our three main hubs, I hope in my time our reputation has enhanced.

Of course there have been some challenges along the way, and dare I say mistakes have been made. I do not claim to be perfect by any means, but every decision the council and I have made has always been with the best intentions and I hope people recognise that. My time as leader has coincided with the age of austerity and that’s put enormous pressure on our services, but our forward planning and innovative thinking has put us in really good stead, and leaves us in a good place for the future.

I won’t be putting my feet up and become accustomed to daytime TV. I will be continuing my role at the House of Lords and there’s still lots for me to do, and I will always pride myself on being an ambassador for the county of Wiltshire and the council, even if I’m no longer leader.

I wish my successor all the best and I’m sure they will bring with them a fresh perspective and some new ideas which will benefit our communities.

Jane

Calling on our communities

In the decade since we made the bold step to become a unitary authority we were under no illusion that if we wanted to make a successful transition we would need the support of our communities.

Communities are the lifeblood and bedrock of any county and that’s particularly the case in Wiltshire.  We have had the need to call on them over the last 10 years and they have stepped up to the challenge each and every time. From supporting us in our libraries, with children in care, and counting at our elections, to being a friendly face warmly welcoming refugees from Syria – they have played a vital role that we never take for granted.

With the national spotlight going to be on Wiltshire this summer with our spectacular National Armed Forces Day Celebration Event, we are once asking for help. Just like the memorable six weeks or so in 2012 when Her Majesty the Queen visited Wiltshire, quickly followed by the equally iconic Olympic Torch, we need volunteers to help make our event a success and one that will live long in the memory. It’s not often that events of this scale are on Wiltshire’s doorstep and we hope this inspires people and they will be excited, keen and proud to be involved.

Of course, your support is also very welcome. Working at an event means you get to spend time with staff that you wouldn’t normally, it helps build positive working relationships that you can take forward into your day to day jobs. Stepping out of one’s comfort zone and doing something new from time to time is by its very nature a little nerve-wracking, but the sense of achievement afterwards is well worth it. It’s no surprise that year after year we see the same familiar faces offering to provide support because when they’ve done it once, it’s something they want to keep on doing. Momentum is really starting to build towards 28 June, when the celebrations get underway, so please get in touch and get yourself right in the thick of it and experience the atmosphere first hand, not on the sidelines.
Email AFD2019@wiltshire.gov.uk to get involved and I look forward to seeing you there.

We are our own community here at Wiltshire Council, you are our lifeblood and bedrock, and we can’t do this without you, nor would we want to.

A year on...

Salisbury – an astonishing year 

March 4 2018 is a date that will live long in the memory for this county, and in particular Salisbury.

It was of course on that fateful day that Sergei and Yulia Skripal were found slumped on a bench in the Maltings and Wiltshire quickly found itself firmly in the spotlight right across the world. From Wellington to Washington, Salisbury was what everyone was talking about.  Last week marked 12 months since the incident and it has certainly been the most challenging time since our council was formed 10 years ago. The sheer scale of what we’ve had to do deal with has been incredible and at times overwhelming, but we learned quickly and worked so positively with our local and national partners, with bonds and working relationships formed that will be so beneficial in all areas of our work.

The Prime Minister visited Salisbury to mark the year anniversary and it was pleasing to see that it is still very high on the government agenda. We have pushed them hard for support during the last 12 months as we have seen for ourselves the impact this has had on the local communities in Salisbury and Amesbury – and we couldn’t let them down. I saw lots of people who were very pleased that Theresa May took time out to meet businesses and those involved in the recovery process, and she had some very kind words for how everyone responded.

The resilience of the communities affected has been inspiring and despite the tests they have faced, they have stuck together and kept their spirits intact. Now that a year has passed, we are focusing our efforts on ensuring Salisbury, Amesbury and the entire south of the county has a bright future. The Armed Forces Day National Event will be a great opportunity to showcase Salisbury in the most positive of lights and it will be great to see the city make headlines again, but this time for much more positive reasons.

These incidents affected a lot of people, but none more so than those exposed to the nerve agent, which caused such a devastating impact on their lives. Our thoughts are always with them, particularly Dawn Sturgess, who tragically lost her life, and her friends and family.

Delivering a balanced budget, as we always do

As we head towards the end of the financial year, it would be remiss of me not to mention the budget. As you know, it was recently agreed at full council as proposed, but I was very sorry to miss the meeting itself due to illness, particularly as this year is Wiltshire Council’s tenth anniversary.

During that decade we have always returned a balanced budget and as leader that’s something I’m extremely proud of. When we formed in 2009 it coincided with the era of austerity so we have faced many tough challenges in ensuring people continue to get the support and services they expect from their council. However, we have constantly evolved, tried to stay ahead of the curve and have been brave, and that has put us in good stead. That’s not to say we’ve not had to make tough decisions, all councils do, but we hope people have a good understanding of the reasons behind the decision-making, even if some don’t necessarily agree with us. Over the course of the next year we will be spending £332m on hundreds of services and as always, the budget is aligned to our key priorities.

The budget reflects increasing demand for care for the vulnerable but we will also be investing in highway improvements and creating a new local plan to ensure the homes, jobs and infrastructure needs of Wiltshire communities can be met. Our Digital Programme also continues to gather pace and we’re excited by the possibilities it gives us.

Thank you as always for your hard work in delivering those hundreds of services I referred to earlier, it’s always appreciated.

It’s time to banish the blues and look ahead…

A new year brings resolutions and a sense of a fresh start and new beginnings. I’m sure like me you may have resolved to achieve a new and better you and to make changes to improve your general health and wellbeing.

This week saw what’s nationally known as “Blue Monday”.  Apparently evidence shows that it’s the day when we realise just how much we spent, or more often overspent, over the Christmas period. It’s also the day that most of us give up on those well-intentioned new year resolutions and, perhaps most disturbingly, it’s the day when many people feel most lonely, whatever their age and life situation.

The Samaritans, via the media, are encouraging us all to view Blue Monday as a day to be in the company of others and to have tea and a chat. Across the country independent cafes and coffee shops opened their doors to welcome customers to pop in and do just that. What a simple, yet effective idea.

It prompted me to think that while Wiltshire is blessed with local communities that include others, and offer support to those who are vulnerable - there is no doubt that we can all do more.

Loneliness can affect anyone, at any stage in their life, at school, college, work, or at home, or all of these. I’m sure like me, you’ve had occasion when you’ve just needed someone to talk to, and to listen, and just be there with that unconditional and non-judgemental support.

So this year (2019), I am resolving to try and do that bit extra for others - to offer support when I can see that it could help. After all it’s not really asking much is it? To give some time and have a cup of tea and a chat with someone who just needs some kindness and human interaction.

After all if we all resolved to do a little more for others it would go a long way to rekindling those core values that help communities to become strong and self-sufficient.

And, surely if by a small act – such as tea and a chat - we could reduce loneliness, which is known to be the biggest cause of mental ill-health and many other ill-health conditions, then that’s a great resolution for a new year!

May be if we all did this Blue Mondays or other blue days wouldn’t exist, or have a label. I’m sure Wiltshire will embrace “tea and a chat” and, do you know what - I feel better already having this chat via my first blog of 2019 – so here’s to a bright year ahead for all of us!

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.