Warminster Town Council Are Seeking A Town Development Officer

Friday 30th October 2025

Warminster Town Council And Civic Centre

J𝐨𝐛 𝐀𝐝𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫

Do you want to work as part of a friendly, growing team which will help deliver our vision for Warminster? If so, then we are looking to recruit a: 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐨𝐩𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫

• 30 hours per week

• Salary on the Local Government Pay Scale SCP18 – 23 (£31,537 to £34,434 per annum pro rata) £16.35 – £17.85 per hour

• The post includes entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme

You will be working on issues such as Town Centre Regeneration and vitality, the Neighbourhood Plan, the Climate Change Action Plan, and others. A full job description and person specification is available with the application form.

If you are interested in applying for this challenging and exciting opportunity, please contact the Deputy Town Clerk, for an application form and job description:

Warminster Town Council, Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road BA12 8LB

Email: jhalls@warminster-tc.gov.uk

Telephone: 01985 214847

or they can be downloaded from www.warminster-tc.gov.uk

Closing date for all applications is: Friday 21st November at Midday.

No Objections By Warminster Town Council To A Planning Application For Converting The Old Kennels At Battlesbury Road Into A Children’s Nursery

Monday 13th October 2025

From the MINUTES of the Planning Advisory Committee
of Warminster Town Council,
held on Monday 13th October 2025 at 7.00pm
at
Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster BA12 8LB.

Membership:
Cllr Allensby (West) Vice Chairman *
Cllr J Kirkwood (Broadway) *
Cllr Carter (West) A
Cllr Lee (Broadway) *
Cllr Hawker (West) *
Cllr Robbins (East) *
Cllr Keeble (West) Chairman *

Key: * Present A Apologies AB Absent

In attendance:
Officers: Tom Dommett (Town Clerk), Judith Halls (Deputy Town Clerk).

Attendees:
Visiting Councillors: Cllr Stephen Kirkwood
Members of the press: None
Members of the public: One

PC/25/059 Public Participation
Cllr Stephen Kirkwood spoke regarding planning application PL/2025/0403 Kennels, Battlesbury Road. In particular he was concerned about how close the site was to the sewage treatment works.

PL/2025/04603 Kennels, Battlesbury Road, Warminster, BA12 0DL
Convert the old kennels into a children nursery purposes for ages from 9 month – 4 year olds. To introduce open canopies to both sides of the main building, provide external single story timber units within the grounds to accommodate a yurt, an open play barn and 2 compost toilet units, convert the single garage into an admin office and provide staff and customer on-site parking.

It was resolved that there was no objection to the application, but comments were made about the issues close proximity of sewerage works and odour. The lack of car parking also needed to be
addressed.

Warminster Town Council Objects To Reserved Matters PL/2025/04323 Phase 4, Jubilee Gardens, Warminster

Monday 13th October 2025

From the MINUTES of the Planning Advisory Committee
of Warminster Town Council,
held on Monday 13th October 2025 at 7.00pm
at
Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster BA12 8LB.

Membership:
Cllr Allensby (West) Vice Chairman *
Cllr J Kirkwood (Broadway) *
Cllr Carter (West) A
Cllr Lee (Broadway) *
Cllr Hawker (West) *
Cllr Robbins (East) *
Cllr Keeble (West) Chairman *

Key: * Present A Apologies AB Absent

In attendance:
Officers: Tom Dommett (Town Clerk), Judith Halls (Deputy Town Clerk).

Attendees:
Visiting Councillors: Cllr Stephen Kirkwood
Members of the press: None
Members of the public: One

PL/2025/04323 Phase 4, Jubilee Gardens, Warminster
Approval of Reserved Matters (Appearance, Landscaping, Layout and Scale) for Phase 4 comprising the Erection of 266 Dwellings, Public Open Space, Landscaping and Associated Infrastructure following Outline Planning Permission 15/01800/OUT
Amended Plans/Additional Information

Members unanimously objected to the application on the following grounds:
The committee supported the comments made by:
The Urban Design Officer
Natural England
The Ecology report
Wiltshire Council Highways
and wanted them resolved prior to approval.

The committee wanted reassurance as to the accuracy of the Nutrient Neutrality Assessment and Mitigation Strategy.

Warminster Town Councillors Will Not Adopt An Allowance Scheme

Tuesday 22nd July 2025

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

Warminster Town Councillors 𝐮𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬𝐥𝐲 𝐯𝐨𝐭𝐞 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭 𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐬𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞.

Warminster Town Councillors will not adopt an allowance scheme as they “remain absolutely committed to serving the town and seek no remuneration for doing so.”

The Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel of Wiltshire Council suggested that if so minded, Warminster Town Council could introduce a basic allowance for all councillors of £1,320 per annum (pa).

However, members resolved to unanimously reject the scheme following discussions at a Full Council meeting on Monday 21st July.

Mayor of Warminster, Cllr Andrew Cooper said: “I am delighted that as a council we have unanimously rejected the introduction of allowances. I am incredibly proud to report to the people of Warminster that their councillors remain absolutely committed to serving the town and seek no remuneration for doing so.”

For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk

Warminster Town Council Gives Grants To 18 Local Groups

Wednesday 9th July 2025

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐫𝐝 £ðŸ‘𝟎,𝟎𝟎𝟎 𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟖 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐠𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐩𝐬 📰

Warminster Town Council has awarded a record £30,000 to 18 local groups “which will undoubtedly benefit our town” after increasing the budget available in 2025.

Each year the town council allocates funding to projects which, in the council’s opinion, are in the interest of its area or part of its area, or in the interest of all or some of the inhabitants of that area.

Councillors gave full consideration to the grant applications received and agreed grants following discussion at the council’s Finance and Audit Committee.

Cllr Mark Carter for Warminster West, Vice Chair, said: “Having increased the grant budget from £25,000 last year to £30,000 this year, it was a real privilege to be able to support a variety of causes including a range of sports, mental health and wellbeing and music-related programmes which will undoubtedly benefit our town. Thank you to all of the applicants, who gave us some very difficult decisions to make.”

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐚𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐝:

Westbury and Warminster youth club, which runs term-time youth clubs, with activities including cooking, baking, arts and crafts, and quizzes were awarded £2,000 to take their members on two activity days, one in the winter and one in the summer.

Dogs for Health, who take dogs to individual homes or to public places such as hospitals, workplaces, care and nursing homes and schools, was awarded £2,000 to build a team of volunteers and handlers in Warminster.

Warminster Area Health and Wellbeing Forum was awarded £1,500 to fund a three-hour Health Fair in May 2026 and 1,000 copies of their free Health and Wellbeing booklet.

Warminster Town FC was awarded £1,300 to replace existing goal posts with safer, modern alternatives to meet current standards, creating a safer playing environment, making the stadium more accessible and attractive to use.

Warminster Cricket Club was awarded £1,500 to renew and refurbish the fascia, soffits and gutters of the pavilion to help build a sustainable club for the future.

We Are Men (WAM) who run a weekly meeting to promote and protect the mental health of local men, was awarded £2,500 for the creation of a website, marketing and advertising.

Open Door Warminster, which offers drop-in support groups for people needing greater social connection, was awarded £800 to purchase a dedicated laptop plus software and digital personal listeners plus headphones.

Warminster Running Club – WRC was awarded £200 to purchase a set of multi-coloured reflective running bibs making the club runs safer, more inclusive, and better organised.

Wiltshire Rural Music, which takes live music into care homes and community clubs for older, vulnerable and isolated people and those living with dementia, was awarded £1,500 to provide at least six ‘Keep Music in Mind’ sessions.

Alzheimer’s Support, Warminster’s dementia-friendly day club, was awarded £2,000 for new flooring, which will allow members to continue to join in small group activities, re-discover hobbies, enjoy live music or just enjoy their own time in the company of others – all in a safe, friendly and unpressured environment.

Wessex MS Therapy Centre, which helps residents living with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), was awarded £2,500 to purchase an Ultra Tesla Seat, a highly innovative piece of physiotherapy equipment.

Warminster and District Stoke Club, which provides support and activities for people affected by a stroke, was awarded £1,000 to pay for entertainment – musicians, speakers, and four legged visitors- plus room hire and equipment.

Warminster Rugby Football Club was awarded £1,500 to add a section of glass balustrade to allow wheelchair users and smaller children to enjoy the game without the need to be pitch side.

Warminster Action Group (WAG) was awarded £2,500 to help cover the core running costs of WAG House for six months. This will keep the doors open and make sure people in Warminster and the surrounding villages have a safe, welcoming space to turn to.

The Wellbeing Hub Warminster was awarded £2,500 to continue to expand the vibrant programme of events and services that support wellbeing, celebrate cultural diversity and build meaningful connections across the community.

Café Concerts CIO, who provide live music concerts to people with restricted mobility, was awarded £1,500 to cover the cost of running the concert series next year.

Warminster & District Amateur Swimming Club was awarded £2,000 to allow extra pooltime to benefit members and allow them to accept more children at Junior Squad Level.

Warminster & Flers Town Twinning was awarded £1,200 to help with the costs of the annual visits as well as ensuring members who are financially disadvantaged can afford to participate fully in the twinning.

Messages of thanks have already been received from some of the organisations given a grant explaining the difference which the grant will make.

All grant recipients are required to attend the Annual Town Meeting in April 2026 to explain how the grant has been used.

For more information Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk

Two Councillors Co-Opted To Warminster Town Council

Tuesday 24th June 2025

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

𝐓𝐰𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐬 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐚 𝐜𝐨-𝐨𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧.

Warminster Town Council has two new councillors after vacancies were filled via co-option following a Full Council meeting on Monday 23rd June.

Four candidates gave a short statement in support of their application, with existing councillors deciding to co-opt Bill Parks as the new councillor for Warminster North Ward and Simione Tuisinu as the new councillor for Warminster East Ward.

Warminster Town Council would like to thank all the candidates who put themselves forward for co-option and it is hoped that unsuccessful candidates would find a way to work with the town council or join the council sometime in the future.

Above: Bill Parks.

Bill Parks has always lived in Warminster and is an Incorporated Civil Engineer by profession.

Bill has a sound understanding of the work and administration of the Town Council having previously served as a town councillor for the North Ward in the previous election term (2021-25) but also serving in previous terms. Over this time, he has been a member of all the committees.

Bill served as a councillor on West Wiltshire District Council and on Wiltshire Council and is currently Wiltshire Councillor for Warminster North and Rural.

During his former employment by Wiltshire County Council’s engineering department, Bill has gained a thorough appreciation and understanding of the working of local government and knows the officers to turn to for help.

Bill said: “I know of the charities, voluntary organisations and groups in Warminster having worked and supported them over many years through my time as a councillor.”

Above: Simione Tuisinu.

Originally from Fiji, Simione Tuisinu joined the British Army in 2000. He spent 24 years in the Army, finishing last June. He was based in Germany for five years, then came to Tidworth and has lived in Warminster for about 10 years.

Simione is married to Ana, who works in Battlesbury Barracks, with two adult children – Seru and Amelia.

He said: “My aim is to listen to local communities’ concerns from age groups and look for ways to improve the quality of life of the community as a whole.”

“We decided to settle here when I finished my Army career. Warminster has been good to me and the family; it’s time now to give back.”

Furthermore, Cllr Stacie Allensby and Cllr Jack Jones have once again been appointed as Youth Champions at Warminster Town Council.

Cllr Allensby and Cllr Jones will act as contacts for young people and will continue to liaise with youth organisations in the area to improve youth activities available in the town.

Warminster Town Council remains committed to working with the local younger population including a renewed agreement with Westbury and Warminster Youth Club to provide youth outreach workers in the town for four days a week.

For contact details for all current Warminster Town Council councilors visit: www.warminster-tc.gov.uk/administration/

For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk

Warminster Town Council – Vacancy For A Facilities Maintenance Operative

Monday 23rd June 2025

From Warminster Town Council:

𝐒𝐭𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐲 – 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐌𝐚𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞

21 hours per week: working 3 out of 7 days as required.

Salary on the Local Government Pay Scale SCP18 to SCP24, (£15.84 per hour to £17.79 per hour).

Warminster Town Council is growing – come and join our friendly team.

A town council spokesperson said: “The Facilities Maintenance Operative will be responsible for the upkeep and repair of Warminster Town Council’s buildings and facilities.

“This varied role includes tasks such as routine maintenance, minor repairs, painting and decorating, basic plumbing and carpentry, and ensuring facilities are safe and operational.

“The postholder will also conduct regular checks and report any issues to the Estate Manager.

“The successful applicant will be part of a small team and should possess a full driving licence, basic trade skills, and practical experience in facilities or building maintenance. Important personal attributes include problem-solving ability, good communication, teamwork and a commitment to high standards of customer service.”

This post includes entry into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

An application form is available from Warminster Town Council, Warminster Civic Centre, Sambourne Road, Warminster BA12 8LB.

Email: stuart.legg@warminster-tc.gov.uk, Telephone: 01985 214847 or it can be downloaded from www.warminster-tc.gov.uk. 𝐂𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐝𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: 𝐅𝐫𝐢𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟐𝟕𝐭𝐡 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐨𝐧.

Warminster Town Council is an equal opportunities employer.

Former Mayor Presents Over £2,600 To Two Local Charities

Wednesday 18th June 2025

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

𝐅𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫 𝐂𝐥𝐥𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 £ðŸ,𝟔𝟎𝟎 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬.

Former Mayor of Warminster, Cllr Stacie Allensby, has been delighted to present her charities for 2024 to 2025 with more than £2,600, following a successful year fundraising across the town.

Cllr Allensby’s two chosen charities were Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity and the Westbury and Warminster Youth Club, who were both presented with cheques of £1,341.51 after £2683.02 was raised in total during her mayoral year.

Cllr Allensby said: “I’m really pleased to raise more than £2,600 during my year as Mayor. I thank all my local councillors for their help at various events throughout the year as well as the residents of Warminster for their generous support.

“I chose Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance because of the amount of amazing work they do across Wiltshire, and I know probably more people than I should that have needed their assistance.

“I supported the Westbury and Warminster Youth Club as I’m passionate about youth work and there just aren’t enough facilities for our youngsters at the moment, compared to what I had when growing up – we are seeing youth clubs disappearing.

“The detached youth work provision is doing an amazing job, and I want to keep initiatives like that running.”

The Wiltshire and Bath Air Ambulance Charity is a helicopter emergency medical service (HEMS) which provides vital critical medical care by land and air, across Wiltshire and Bath.

The Westbury and Warminster Youth Club works with young people for two hours an evening, four evenings a week all year round, working with schools, Wiltshire Police and other agencies.

The team helps develop resilience to youth offending and anti-social behaviour, as well as providing the young people of Warminster with an outlet for some much-needed fun.

Cllr Andrew Cooper, Town Mayor for the 2025-26 municipal year, will support local charities Mind and Open Door Warminster.

For more information contact Warminster Town Council, Tel: 01985 214847 or email: admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk

Pictured: Sarah Harris, Cllr Stacie Allensby and Nykki Brown.

Warminster – Annual Town Meeting, 2025

Monday 31st March 2025

MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL TOWN MEETING
Monday 31st March 2025 at 7pm
held at the Civic Centre

Councillor Stacie Allensby, the Mayor of Warminster.

Present:
Councillors: S Allensby, A Cooper, A Davis, S Fraser, J Jones, P Keeble, J Kirkwood, E Lee, P Macfarlane, B Parks, and C Robbins.

Officers: T Dommett (Town Clerk), J Halls (Deputy Town Clerk), P Clover (Committee Clerk), W Bradley (Communications Officer).

Public and press: 34 members of the public and one member of the press.

  1. Welcome and Apologies
    Apologies were received from Cllr Brett, and from Geoff Thomas from Westbury and Warminster Talking Newspapers, Bethan Matthews from Wiltshire Search and Rescue, Jacquelyn Bevan from Trio Paradis Café Concerts, Cathie Sale from St John’s Hall, Annie Davis from Warminster Action Group, and Barry Mole from Warminster Community Radio, all of whom provided written reports which were read out during the meeting.
  2. Minutes from last Annual Town Meeting
    The minutes of the last Annual Town Meeting held at the Civic Centre on Monday 8th April 2024 were accepted and signed as a true record.
  3. Chairman’s Report
    Cllr Allensby looked back on her incredible year as Mayor of Warminster which she spent delivering for Warminster and its residents with her fellow town councillors and officers.

One of Cllr Allensby’s personal highlights was her appointment as a council Youth Champion as one of her passions is helping and supporting Warminster’s young people. She explained that last May the council had entered into an agreement with Warminster and Westbury Youth Club for 50 weeks a year of detached youth worker provision. This had proved to be such a great success that the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Community Action Fund agreed to provide additional funding to increase the number of hours of youth worker provision in Warminster.

Cllr Allensby stated that it had been an honour for her to lay a wreath on behalf of the town council at the annual Remembrance Day service, expressing her pride in the number of Warminster residents standing in support of the brave members of the town’s armed forces.

Cllr Allensby was delighted by the number of exciting events organised by the council in 2024, the highlight being the centenary celebrations for the Lake Pleasure Grounds which saw thousands of people enjoy fantastic live music and an amazing airborne pyrotechnic display. She commented that the Ice Cream and Bubbles Festival and Pumpkins in the Park had been huge successes mentioning the responsibility of judging over 100 pumpkins and the incredible number of different flavours of ice cream!

Cllr Allensby thanked her fellow councillors, the town’s volunteers and the council’s officers for their ongoing hard work for the residents of Warminster as the town looked forward to the elections on 1st May.

The Full Warminster Town Council Annual Report is available from:
https://warminster-tc.gov.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/03/Annual-Report-2024-2025 Final.pdf

  1. 2024 -2025 Grant Recipients

4.1 Warminster Alzheimer’s Support – Julian Roberts
Julian Roberts spoke to the effect of the grant received from the Warminster Town Council on Wiltshire’s homegrown dementia charity, thanking the council for the funding which had been used to provide 60 days’ worth of daytime activities for those living with dementia, respite for their carers, and support groups which are held in the Old Silkworks.

4.2 Westbury and Warminster Youth Club – Cllr Jack Jones
Cllr Jack Jones explained that the grant received from Warminster Town Council had enabled 39 activity sessions to be run during term time, providing various activities for young people in Warminster.

4.3 Warminster and Westbury Talking Newspapers
Geoff Thomas was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written report explaining that the Talking Newspaper had recently ceased and donated its equipment and remaining funds – Appendix A.

4.4 Warminster Walkers – Heather Yates
The grant provided by Warminster Town Council had been used to purchase additional first aid kits and to facilitate more regular updates on the Warminster Walkers’ website, attracting more walkers.

4.5 Warminster and District Stroke Club – Gwen Kent
Gwen Kent thanked Warminster Town Council for the grant which had been awarded to the Stroke Club. The club offers various weekly events involving speakers, musicians and entertainment, and providing activities such as board games, astronomy, and flower arranging.

4.6 Wessex MS Therapy Centre – Sarah Folker
Wessex MS Therapy Centre has recently celebrated its 40th anniversary. The grant had been used to fund the counselling service offered by the centre which was described as a wonderful cause and a lifeline for members.

4.7 Group Five – Martin Sandford
Group Five is a 35-year-old charity serving the five market towns of west Wiltshire. Their aim is to address bed, kitchen and furniture poverty by collecting donations of furniture, small electrical items etc. and distributing them to those in need based on referrals. This means that items are saved from landfill and recycled/ reused. 74 individuals and families in Warminster were helped by the charity last year.

4.8 Warminster Town Football Club – Shirley Moriarty
Shirley Moriarty explained that following concerns over the security of the club’s premises, an application for grant funding had been made to Warminster Town Council which was used to replace the building’s windows.

4.9 Wiltshire Search and Rescue
Bethan Matthews was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written report thanking Warminster Town Council for their generosity which had enabled them to begin the design of a bespoke interior set of shelving, lights and racking for their new equipment vehicle – Appendix B.

4.10 Warminster and Westbury Visually Impaired Club – Steve Kervell
Steve Kervell expressed gratitude for the grant provided by Warminster Town Council which had helped the club to avoid imposing an increase to their subscriptions which have been eld at 2022 levels, repair the club’s speaker system, and maintain a high standard of entertainment at the weekly meetings for members.

4.11 Open Door Warminster – Mark Wilson
Mark Wilson, a volunteer for the Prostate Cancer Chat Café, gave an update on the peer help and support provided by the group which meets twice a month at The Athenaeum. He expressed his thanks to Warminster Town Council for the grant which has been used to help fund the support group.

4.12 We Are Men (WAM) – Zanne Marchmont
WAM was set up in 2023 and is open to any male aged over 18 going through difficult times or with mental health issues. WAM’s aim is to create friendship groups and to get people talking. Meetings are held at Warminster Football Club, who provide the venue free of charge. The majority of the grant awarded by the council has been spent on more regular marketing mostly through social media, which has resulted in a 57% increase in attendance at meetings. 72% of the group’s followers are now male and engagement with social media had increased to 23,000 views and visits last month.

4.13 Trio Paradis Café Concerts
Jacquelyn Bevan was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written report thanking Warminster Town Council for the grant awarded to them which had been used for venue hire and travel costs particularly at the Athenaeum – Appendix C.

4.14 Salisbury Plain Rights of Way Volunteers – Nigel Linge
Nigel Linge thanked Warminster Town Council for their ongoing support which had funded the ongoing maintenance of local Rights of Way (ROWs), the purchase of 40 destination signs and a new lawn mower, which is used to mow 15 ROWs. An additional seven signs and a cycleway sign had been installed with funding from Wiltshire Council’s Area Board and Longleat. Nigel Linge recognised the contribution made by the council’s Basil Brushes which clears ROWs 91 and 89.

4.15 Warminster Bowls Club – Claire MacCarron
Claire MacCarron described Warminster Bowling Club as a hidden gem. Health and wellbeing are at the forefront of the club’s activities, helping with social isolation. A celebration of bowls is being held in May 2025; the club welcomes everyone over the age of 16 and is aiming to attract new members. The grant awarded by Warminster Town Council has helped to fund the installation of a new irrigation system which is in place for the 2025 season.

4.16 St John’s Hall
Cathie Sale was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written report expressing her gratitude for the grant awarded by Warminster Town Council which had been used towards the cost of a new boiler in the hall – Appendix D.

4.17 Warminster and Flers Twinning Association – Stewart Buckingham
Stewart Buckingham expressed gratitude for the grant from Warminster Town Council which has been used to promote and publicise the twinning association, to support events and to support the twinning visits between Warminster and Flers.

4.18 South West Ambulance Service Trust Fund – Vicky Griffiths and Kit Kline
As community first responder volunteers in Warminster, Vicky Griffiths and Kit Kline had launched a fund-raising campaign to buy a pulse oximeter and a raizer chair, used to lift people from the floor after a fall. The grant received from Warminster Town Council has made a really big difference and the equipment purchased genuinely helps to save lives.

4.19 Park Run Thoulstone Park – Cllr Jack Jones
Cllr Jack Jones spoke on behalf of Cllr Steve Jeffries. He explained that the weekly Park Run had been set up using the funding received from Warminster Town Council but was now self-funding. The event attracted 189 participants last weekend including an 85-year-old.

4.20 Warminster Action Group
Annie Davis was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written report explaining that the grant awarded by Warminster Town Council had been used to equip and furnish the upstairs space in their new premises, to expand and support the services offered by the group and to begin developing new programmmes – Appendix E.

5. Other Groups

5.1 St Lawrence Chapel – Ian Frostick
Ian Frostick expressed his thanks to Warminster Town Council for providing 50% of the funding towards a major overhaul and upgrade of the chapel’s clock to improve its reliability and future proof it. The balance of the cost had been match funded. He explained that tours of the chapel and tower are provided on market days and ImberBus day; the clock and bells will be operational for the next independent market on 29th June. A celebration service will be held on 13th July.

5.2 The Athenaeum Centre – Jon Ellis
Jon Ellis thanked Warminster Town Council for the grant received which had been used to complete an upgrade of the stage technology including the lighting stage, microphones and dimmer packs, to support an inhouse group created to generate local talent and to pay for emergency repairs to the roof of the dance studio. He believes that the theatre is now one of the best equipped performance venues in the southwest.

5.3 Warminster Community Radio
Barry Mole was unable to attend the meeting but provided a written report explaining that the Community Infrastructure Levy funds awarded by Warminster Town Council had enabled the station to upgrade and improve its studio equipment, thereby future-proofing it – Appendix F.

5.4 Warminster Cricket Club – John Powell
The grant received from Warminster Town Council, plus grants received from the England and Wales Cricket Board and Wiltshire Council’s Area Board, had enabled the club to replace its toilet facilities and to provide disabled facilities. John Powell mentioned that the club now has over 90 5–11-year-old members and over 60 11–16-year-old members.

5.5 Warminster Rugby Club – Rob Rowbotham
Rob Rowbotham thanked Warminster Town Council for the grant which had been awarded to the club which had been used to purchase additional dark sky compliant temporary floodlights meaning that younger members could now train in the evenings and not just at weekends; the club has training groups for under 5s and under 17s and can also be used by other organisations.

5.6 Inspire Music Festival – Mike Heaton
Mike Heaton explained that the Inspire Music Festival is a one-day free music festival in July which showcases talent in Warminster. The grant awarded by Warminster Town Council was used to pay for hire of PA equipment, hire of toilets, security and Public Liability Insurance.

5.7 Warminster Book Festival – Mark Thorpe
The first Warminster Book Festival was held two years ago in the Park and the Civic Centre. Ongoing investment in authors, events, and stalls, which has been facilitated by the grant received from Warminster Town Council, will lead to a substantially bigger event which will appeal to the whole community.

5.8 Warminster Business Network – Matt Towl
Matt Towl explained that the support and funding received from Warminster Town Council is raising the profile of Warminster and its businesses, with increased footfall. The network has over 200 members and new shops are opening in the town. It is estimated that an additional £750,000 has been generated for the local economy by the quarterly markets. Grants totalling £1,000 from Warminster Town Council’s Tidy up Smarten up scheme have led to £10,000 investment by 10 local business in tidying up their shop fronts.

5.9 Warminster Carnival – Sam Ryall
Sam Ryall thanked Warminster Town Council for their ongoing support. The carnival costs £11,000 each year to organise. The grant is used to pay for marshals, stewards, first aiders, and advertising banners.

5.10 Warminster Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group – Cllr Phil Keeble
Cllr Phil Keeble explained that a consultation for housing site allocation is under way as part of the review of Warminster’s existing Neighbourhood Plan (NHP). This has been prompted by a change in legislation which now gives five years’ protection from speculative development to towns with a NHP which includes a housing site allocation. The results of the consultation will be incorporated into the draft NHP.

  1. Forum
    Cllr Allensby invited questions from members of the public on any subject related to the town or the Warminster Town Council.

The following questions were asked:

  • What is the council doing about the provision of a banking hub in Warminster?
    Response:
    Warminster doesn’t meet the criteria for a banking hub at present – an additional cashpoint machine has been provided in Iceland and the town already has a post office and a building society.
  • What does the council know about the closure of the branch of WH Smith in
    Warminster?
    Response:
    The business may be sold as a going concern.

Len Turner gave his thanks to councillors at the end of the current four-year term of office and to officers, recognising the enormous contribution made by Warminster Town Council in supporting the local community and working together for the benefit of the town.

Cllr Allensby closed the meeting by thanking all the organisations that had taken the time to provide an update on the spending of the grant monies received by them and the positive impact it had on the residents of Warminster.

Meeting ended: 8:14pm.

Local Elections Webinar For Prospective Local Election Candidates

Monday 20th January 2025

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫’𝐬 𝐥𝐨𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬?

Wiltshire Council (Our Wiltshire) is hosting a local elections webinar for prospective local election candidates.

The webinar held on Tuesday 11th February 2025 from 6pm to 7pm, will give prospective candidates and agents all the information they need ahead of May’s local elections.

A spokesperson said: “The webinar will be an opportunity for those considering standing for election and their representatives to hear from our election team directly, including the Returning Officer, and have any questions answered.

“This will be a useful session for all those considering standing for election this year. We’ll have people on hand to answer any questions and talk through the process of nominating and everything to consider so that the election is as smooth an experience as possible for everyone involved.”

To sign up click here: https://bit.ly/4gZNgEO

The Wiltshire Council Unitary Election and town/parish elections take place on Thursday 1st May 2025.