Archive for category: News

The following has been provided by the Community shop team.

The Pitton Community shop project is progressing well and the next stage is to launch the first of our community share schemes.

We would like to invite you to a launch event which will provide information on the following and give you the opportunity to ask any questions: 

• The overall shop plan and timescale, and what the shop may look like
• Our progress so far, including feedback on our pre-planning application to Wiltshire Council, feedback from residents and progress with the village hall
• An outline of the next stage
• The Pioneer Community Share Scheme  – a prospectus will be available for you to take away
• Plans for further fund-raising
• How you can help

Two sessions have been organised, each with a short presentation (15 minutes) followed by the opportunity for questions and your suggestions going forward.  These sessions will be held on Friday 26th April at 7.30 p.m. and Saturday 27th April at 11:00 a.m in Pitton village hall.

We look forward to seeing you.  If you are unable to attend, but are interested in hearing more please contact Brian Cudby who will be able to provide you with a printed copy of the prospectus after the launch events.

Their website is here.

The recently adopted Biodiversity Policy of Firsdown Parish Council is available to view on our environment page.

Our area is blessed with lots of different and varied events supplying the villages with entertainment, education, support and ‘get togethers’. All these are run by volunteers and it is thanks to them that there is such a vibrant and enthusiastic atmosphere when events are put on and appreciation of the work that goes into these.

Time and Talents is an initiative that aims to provide details of all of these varied groups in a booklet that will shortly be delivered to households in the Firsdown and Winterslow areas.

This publication highlights the work of each group in the community, their current and future aims and how best to take their initiatives and plans forward.

Whether it is for 1 hour a month, or sitting at a computer, or getting your hands dirty, there is always something that you can do to help and enhance the work already in place.

There will be a free “Communities Day” at Winterslow Village Hall on 13^th April 1000-1600, where each volunteer group will have a table and a chance to meet the public (a bit like university refreshers day).

Refreshment & entertainment will be provided by volunteers on the day and the hope is to bring the community together to benefit everyone.

Following the concern of residents and supported by our Unitary Councillor Rich Rogers, the Parish Council has asked Wiltshire Council to undertake a Speed Limit Assessment (SLA) of the A30 from the St Thomas roundabout in Laverstock to the Lopcombe Corner (A30/A343) junction. The assessment was received by the Parish Council in December 2023.

The highest mean speeds on the A30 are from Clearway to the start of the dual carriageway section, which includes the Firs Rd junction. The mean speed on this section was calculated at 58.9mph so only just under the existing 60mph limit. The assessment suggests that there is merit in reducing the speed limit to 50mph in the vicinity of the A30/Firs Rd junction to improve safety.

The SLA was discussed at the meeting of the Parish Council (PC) on 11^th January and it was decided to proceed with a request to Wiltshire Council for the speed limit reduction to 50mph.

The next step will be for the PC to formally raise this as a request at the next Local Highways and Footpaths Improvements Group (LHFIG) meeting on the 6^th February.

Indicative costs of the scheme are in the region of £20K which includes legal costs as well as lining, signing and carriageway works. Parish Councils are expected to make at least a 25% contribution to the cost of schemes submitted to the LHFIG. However, this would result in a LHFIG contribution which would be disproportionally large (with respect to the total LHFIG budget) from Firsdown, and is unlikely to be approved.

At the PC meeting on the 11^th January, the PC decided it would increase the precept for the 2024/25 FY to raise sufficient funds to enable it to meet 50% of the cost of the scheme. It was felt that given the importance placed by residents on making safety improvements at the Firs Road junction, that such an increase was justified. The precept increase would be for the 2024/25 FY only.