Category: Local Government

Information and pictures about local government for Warminster, Wiltshire.

Warminster Town Council Gives £28,000 From The CIL To Warminster Community Radio

Saturday 29th June 2024

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

Town Council Contributes Significant Investment To Warminster Community Radio

Warminster Community Radio (WCR) has been awarded £28,000 by Warminster Town Council from the Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Fund.

CIL is a planning charge payable by developers on any new development. The Warminster Town Council policy is that its share of the CIL should be spent on investment in the public realm and public facilities that support the community.

The upgrade should keep the community radio station going for the next 15 to 20 years.

Representatives from WCR emphasised the need for a modern studio and equipment to ensure the future longevity of the radio station, highlighting the importance of the work carried out by WCR volunteers in giving and receiving information for the community thereby improving community resilience, especially in times of crisis as demonstrated during the Covid 19 pandemic in 2020.

The money will be spent on:

• Replacement of an obsolete broadcast mixing desk for studio three

• Replacement of the old 105.5 transmitter with new model and antennas

• A software update

• External air conditioning system to cool transmission equipment and studio

Members of Full Council voted unanimously to award the full amount requested by WCR and recognised the worthwhile service provided by the organisation to the community. WCR will report back to the Annual Meeting of the council next April about the completion of the project.

Warminster Community Radio has around 60 volunteers and works with the local community on outside broadcasts as well as providing public address systems for events. As well as specialising in recording and producing CDs, WCR also does voice overs and radio adverts.

WCR broadcasts to Warminster and the surrounding areas on 105.5FM. You can also listen to them on the WCR app which is available via both the App Store and on Google Play.

You can listen online wherever you are via the WCR website or on smart speaker, to listen live on your device, simply say: “Alexa, Play Warminster Community Radio.”

𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐃𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐭𝐭, 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐤, 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐥, 𝐓𝐞𝐥: 𝟎𝟏𝟗𝟖𝟓 𝟐𝟏𝟒𝟖𝟒𝟕 𝐨𝐫 𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐢𝐥: 𝐚𝐝𝐦𝐢𝐧@𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐮𝐤 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐓𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐲𝐨𝐫, 𝐂𝐥𝐥𝐫 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐞 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐲 𝐜𝐥𝐥𝐫.𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐛𝐲@𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫-𝐭𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐮𝐤

Multiple Steps Being Taken To Enhance Warminster Town Centre

Thursday 27th June 2024

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

Multiple Steps Being Taken To Enhance Warminster Town Centre

Warminster Town Council continues to work with the Warminster Business Network and others to improve the town centre and make Warminster a place to be proud of.

The aim is for the town to maximise the benefits of the new independent market days, supporting these events and ensuring they grow and become even more successful in the future.

Warminster Town Council is undertaking a number of initiatives to improve the vibrancy and appeal of the town centre:

• Smartening-up the town centre – rubbish bins, fingerpost signs and street signs are being repaired and repainted

• Cleaning-up the streets – the team remain busy removing weeds and litter

• Promoting local tourism – themed town trails on the Explore Wiltshire App have been developed and promoted, with prizes that encourage people to visit the town centre

• The seasonal return of hanging baskets

• Steps to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour

• Encouraging businesses to take part in a “Tidy up, Smarten Up’ campaign, to enhance the look of their premises

• Written to owners of empty building to encourage them back into use

The town council has recently hand delivered a newsletter update to all businesses in the town centre to help them keep in touch and engage in the process. This can be found/downloaded on the town council website.

Cllr Jack Jones said: “I warmly welcome these initiatives and hope we will build some real momentum behind a positive vision for the town centre.”

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

South West Wiltshire Area Board Revised Grants Policy

Wednesday 26th June 2024

Karen Linaker writes:

As discussed at the May Area Board Business Meeting, Councillors would like to clarify what their policy regarding the funding of fetes, festivals and events is:

The South West Wiltshire Area Board will not ordinarily consider applications to fund annual fetes, festivals and events, preferring instead to allocate grants to causes with lasting/ongoing impact or where longer term sustainable community benefit can be evidenced, with the following possible exceptions:

Where a brand new fete, festival or event requires seed corn funding

For one off special occasions e.g. to mark coronations or significant anniversaries.

Let me know if I can help with any queries you have regarding the above.

Kind regards,

Karen Linaker
Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager
Salisbury, Southern and South West Wiltshire
Leisure, Culture & Communities Department
Tel: 01722 434697 Email: karen.linaker@wiltshire.gov.uk Web: www.wiltshire.gov.uk

Warminster Town Council Objects Again To Bore Hill Farm Development

Thursday 20th June 2014

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

Town Councillors Renew Objection To Bore Hill Farm Planning Application

Warminster Town Councillors continue to oppose planning for 84 dwellings, associated landscaping and access and drainage works on land at Bore Hill Farm, Deverill Road, Warminster.

Councillors discussed the proposal at the Planning Advisory Committee meeting on Monday 17th June 2024, with concerns raised due to potential overdevelopment of the site as well as a lack of facilities to meet the demands of the new properties.

It was noted that many of the statutory authorities had already objected to the application citing the proximity to the Malaby Biodigester and proposals for a bulk energy storage system, raised by the Environment Agency. Concerns were also raised over potential problems with drainage and access.

Members unanimously objected to the application on the same grounds to which they had objected to the previous planning applications adding their objection to the bulk energy storage system and its associated environmental risks.

The comments from Warminster Town Council are only advisory, any decision on whether to grant planning permission and any associated conditions will be made by Wiltshire Council.

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

Warminster Neighbourhood Plan Update

Monday 15th April 2024

Press Release from Warminster Town Council:

Warminster Neighbourhood Plan Update – April 2024

Work continues with the ongoing review of the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan (WNP). Good progress has been made by the Steering Group in drafting the Plan document itself and working on important elements such as the protection of green spaces through the Plan.

With recent changes to national planning policy by the government, the WNP Steering Group has decided to explore Site Allocation as part of the review process.

Site Allocation is the process of designating specific areas or sites for particular land uses such as residential purposes. One of the key changes in the national policy extends the protection period from speculative development to five years for Neighbourhood Plans that allocate a site to meet housing requirements. This is up from the previous two years.

The first phase of the Site Allocation process involves issuing a Call for Sites. This step aims to compile an initial list of potential development sites within the parish boundary. Landowners and members of the public are encouraged to submit their suggestions for consideration.

Proposed sites will then undergo a thorough evaluation based on an established assessment criteria. Only those that are assessed to be potentially suitable for housing, and that could meet our local objectives and need, will be progressed to stages where our community will have their say on allocation. As the WNP will be voted on at referendum, community input and support are fundamental to the Plan.

Further details regarding the Site Allocation process and how residents can participate will be released in the coming weeks. In the meantime, individuals interested in receiving further information are encouraged to sign-up by emailing admin@warminster-tc.gov.uk.

Councillor Phil Keeble, Chair of the WNP Steering Group, emphasised the importance of community involvement in the Neighbourhood Plan review, stating, “This process presents an invaluable opportunity for residents and stakeholders to contribute to the long-term vision for Warminster. By working together, we can ensure that future development is aligned with our shared values and aspirations for the town.”

For more information and updates on the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan review, please visit the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan website www.warminsterplan.com.

James Kirkwood Elected Unopposed As New Warminster Town Councillor For The Broadway Ward

Tuesday 19th March 2024

From the Facebook page of Warminster Town Council:

New town councillor elected for Warminster Broadway.

James Kirkwood has been elected unopposed as the new town Councillor for Warminster Broadway Ward.

James replaces the late John Syme and joins the other town councillors for Broadway, Andrew Cooper and Russell Hawker.

James has lived in Warminster since the early 1960’s and has always lived on the Broadway Ward. He remembers Broxburn Road and its estates being built, and playing in the brook that gives Brook Street its name as a child.

James has a particular interest in the village of Imber and is involved in the Imber Bus Day.

James said; “I am looking forward to putting forward ideas and suggestions to my fellow town councillors.”

James’s first official meeting will be the Full Council meeting on Monday 25th March 2024.

James Kirkwood

Russell Hawker – Comments About John Syme

5th January 2024

Russell Hawker writes:

I am sad to confirm that Warminster Town Councillor John Syme passed away on Wednesday in his flat. His next of kin, which in law is his wife (though they separated some years ago) who lives in Mere and his sister have now been informed. I now feel able to comment in public on this sad news.

I have been spending a lot of time with John over the last few months since I moved into Warminster and especially because he and I called for a by-election for the recent vacancy on the town council. With help from John, I was recently elected (albeit in a “no contest” election because I was the only valid candidate who came forward) to the council as an Independent.

John and I had plans to work closely together in the Broadway ward on the town council to help local residents and to try to sort local issues. Unfortunately, I will have to press ahead without the benefit of John’s vast local knowledge and network of contacts.

I feel lucky to have spent valuable time with John over the last few months discussing local issues.

John and I first met when we were both on West Wiltshire District Council (now merged into Wiltshire Council) back in 2003. I was a district councillor in Westbury. Later we ran against each other for the County Council seat in Warminster West in 2005. He beat me by 4 votes. He has never let me forget that he beat me. I was inspired by his very subtle approach to his election campaign as an Independent, and only a few months later I left the party I was in and have been Independent myself ever since.

Warminster Journal will be running an article about John next week.

The Passing Of Councillor John Syme

5th January 2024

From the Facebook page of Warminster Town Council:

Councillor John Syme

Warminster Town Council has been informed of the passing of John Syme.

John was well known in Warminster, having at various times and over many years been a Councillor on the Town Council, West Wiltshire District Council and Wiltshire Council.

After a break, in 2021 he was elected as one of the town Councillors for Warminster Broadway Ward.

At one time, John was Deputy Mayor of Warminster and most recently he served as a member of the Planning Advisory Committee and the Highways Advisory Committee.

Our thoughts are with his friends and family at this difficult time.

John Syme

Warminster Town Council Looks Set To Increase Council Tax By 1.7% For 2024/2025

Thursday 9th November 2023

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

Warminster Town Council Looks Set To Increase Council Tax By 1.7% For 2024/2025

The draft budget for Warminster Town Council recommends a well below inflation increase in Council Tax for the 2024/2025 financial year.

Based on figures presented to the council’s Finance and Audit Committee on Monday 6th November, Warminster Town Council’s share of the Council Tax per Band D equivalent property would rise from £212.82 to £216.50, an increase of £3.68.

This represents a change of only 1.73% compared with the current year. As typical properties in Warminster are Band C or below and some households receive discounts, the actual increase for most households would be slightly less.

The exact figures will be confirmed when the final budget goes to Full Council for approval in January 2024, but it is expected that it will be in line with the draft budget.

Councillor Andrew Cooper, Chair of the Finance and Audit Committee said: “People have been through a tough financial time these last few years. I am delighted that we are able to recommend a well below inflation rise for the Town Council’s share of Wiltshire Council’s council tax bill for 2024/2025.

“The Town Council has delivered some major projects at minimal cost to the council taxpayer. This year, for example, has seen a huge upgrade to the CCTV system and the Tennis Courts.

“We are fortunate that the Council has been protected by securing long term fixed rates deals on its energy supplies. We will continue to seek out value for money and provide quality services in the year ahead.”

The Town Council sets only a small part of Wiltshire’s Council Tax; the majority of the Council Tax charged goes to Wiltshire Council, with other sums going to the Police and Crime Commissioner, the Fire and Rescue Authority, and to support adult social care in the county.

https://bit.ly/3Qupa97

Warminster Town Councillor Rob Fryer Has Died

Tuesday 26th September 2023

Press release from Warminster Town Council:

It is with much sadness that Warminster Town Council announces the passing of Councillor Rob Fryer. Councillors and staff pass on their sincere condolences to his partner Sue, family, and friends.

Rob was first elected to the Council in 2007 and was twice elected Mayor of the town during 2012-2013 and again between 2017-2018.

A keen river swimmer and writer, Rob, of Portway, Warminster, learned to swim in the River Cherwell while at school in Oxford. He moved to Warminster, in 1965, and soon started swimming at the Farleigh & District Swimming Club in the River Frome near Trowbridge.

He has five children and ran a printing business in Warminster for 44 years. He was proud to live and serve the town. In 2018, he collected over £2,000 for charity during his year as Mayor. His chosen charities were the Wessex Multiple Sclerosis Therapy Centre and the Warminster Food Bank.

He wrote Rob Fryer’s Wild Swimming Europe which he described as the most comprehensive wild swimming guidebook ever, with 1,250 sites spread over the UK, France, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Portugal and elsewhere. At 284 pages with 42 maps, Rob Fryer provides ratings, locations, and disabled access to swimming locations across Europe. Rob was also writing Tragic Tales from Warminster. This is a local history of all the local tragedies, together with maps, to help people explore the countryside around Warminster.

The current Mayor of Warminster, Cllr Philip Keeble said: “Rob will be deeply missed. He had such enthusiasm and passion for Warminster and for getting things done. He was instrumental in securing the return of boat hire on the Lake.”

“He was Mayor at the time of the first Spring in the Park and would make a special effort to attend any event in the Park. He loved the return of Bands to the Bandstand and innovations like the splashpad.”

“Rob had a mischievous sense of humour and would sometimes lob a comment in at meetings just to stir things up. Although a Conservative, he always viewed himself as a bit of a rebel. R.I.P. Rob Fryer.”