2 weeks Ago
The council is planning to run services and manage assets currently controlled by Wiltshire Council from January 1. The move follows months of talks and will see Westbury follow in the footsteps of other Wiltshire towns like Trowbridge and Bradford on Avon. In a statement, the council said: “The transfer has been fully budgeted and is within the town council’s current financial plan.
“Westbury town council thank Wiltshire Council for placing their trust and confidence in the town council to manage these services and assets in Westbury. “This is an exciting and busy time for Westbury town council and the councillors and staff are looking forward to working closer with our community to make Westbury a more fantastic place to live, work and play now and in the future.” A notice displays details of the transfer of Wiltshire Council services and assets to Westbury Town Council.
(Image: Trevor Porter) The transfer means that Westbury town council will take responsibility for all street scene and grounds maintenance services, such as grass cutting in the town. The town council will also take responsibility for Westbury’s markets and some amenity areas, including management of allotment sites such as The Grove, maintenance of all closed churchyards within the town, and ownership of the town’s open cemetery. A spokesperson said: “As a town council we will be able to tailor our services to meet the needs of our community.
“We are committed to maintaining high standards and we will work to enhance the services within our town wherever we can. “The freehold transfer of many of the town’s assets is a significant responsibility and provides us with an opportunity to manage local resources directly, while ensuring they will continue to benefit our community.” The transfer will include open green spaces, ten play areas, the multi-use games area at Grassacres, the Skate Park, as well as Vivash Park, and The Grove allotments.
It also includes street cleaning, empty street litter bins, looking after bus shelters and street furniture such as planters, bollards and seats. The council will also look after the Westbury Leigh car park and the White Horse viewing area on the Bratton Road. Leigh Park and Grassacres Community Centres and Victoria Gardens will be owned by the council but will continue to be leased to community groups to run.
Town councillors voted on January 8 to take on these services and assets from Wiltshire Council..
