Busy week around the county

 This week has been fun – lots of out and about around the county. On Tuesday I was privileged to meet Lord Heseltine with our Leader Jane Scott to discuss our strategic economic plan for Wiltshire. He is always insightful and I do like the way he sees life, whether political, social or economic and is able to expertly link these areas of public policy. The government will be announcing on Monday which aspects of our economic plan they will support. We are expecting a positive outcome from which we can get on and deliver the projects that will provide additional high value jobs and homes throughout the county for the next six years. This is important for all service areas as people and families in good jobs are able to thrive and live their lives as they wish.

On Wednesday I visited one of our Chippenham depots (we have two… one ex district and one ex county – I’m on that case) to meet our waste service loaders and drivers. We do this a couple of times a year where we share the sort of information and discussion that we have in the staff forums that we recently ran across the county. I’m very proud of our waste service – it touches every household every week and provides a very high quality service right across the county. It’s also one of the biggest services we provide – costing us around £30m per year to collect and dispose of our waste.

Next week I am meeting up with political leaders and chief executives from across the country at the Local Government Conference in Bournemouth. This is an important opportunity to shape national and local government policy and to ensure the voice of Wiltshire, its communities and residents is heard loud and clear on the national stage. Most Wiltshire Council political group leaders are attending for the same purpose.  

Speak again soon when I hope we can celebrate a first English test victory of the summer (I may have said that last time, but it it didn’t happen). For daily updates, discussion, personal opinion, comment or just to connect or keep in touch you can follow me on Twitter at http://twitter.com/#!/drcarltonbrand.

Carlton