Devizes Visitor Centre is celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the Devizes to Westminster Race with a photographic display in the Tourist Information Centre between Monday 17th March finishing on Saturday 22nd.

Kennet District Council would like to remind residents to think before allowing waste clearance from their properties. This warning comes as a result of a successful prosecution at Devizes Magistrates by Kennet District Council.

Kennet District Council would like to remind all its residents that there will be no disruption to the Council’s refuse and recycling collection service over the Easter weekend as all our refuse and recycling crews will continue work on Good Friday and Easter Monday to ensure your refuse and recycling is collected as normal.

The Spring Edition of the Kennet Times is now available and will be arriving through your letter box this month. Recipients will find that it is packed with community news and information from across the district.

Kennet District Council is urging all its aspiring, green-fingered residents to remember to recycle all additional hedge clippings, grass cuttings and prunings generated from the garden makeover this Easter.

In recognition of British Tourism Week, Avebury, Marlborough and Devizes Tourist Information teams have put together a fortnight of fascinating and historical events.

Residents of Aldbourne will have an opportunity to vote for a new parish councillor in a by-election to be held on Thursday 13th March. A number of voters wrote to the Returning Officer requesting that a by-election be held rather than let the parish council fill the vacancy by co-option.

Kennet is now officially the best recycling and composting district in Wiltshire following recent figures release for January 2008.

Council tax in Kennet will rise by 2.9%, the lowest increase for 14 years

British Tourism Week 2008 10th- 18th March, marks the start of a year when Britain prepares for the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games by taking the torch from Bejjing.

From 7 April 2008, a new way of calculating Housing Benefit will be introduced called Local Housing Allowance. This will bring about one of the biggest changes Housing Benefit has seen in almost twenty five years.

In the picturesque Market Town of Marlborough the ever popular Wednesday and Saturday Markets continue to thrive and offer a fantastic shopping experience.

The Visitor Centre is inviting Devizes primary schools to take part in an Art Competition for British Tourism Week.

The Kennet District is one of the cleanest areas in the country and to ensure it remains this way the two councils regularly join forces to maximise the effectiveness of their resources when dealing with street scene issues.

Kennet District Council has purchased a new street scene cleaning machine. The cleaner can deal with an array of problems ranging for the removal of graffiti to unblocking drains. However, its main use will be to remove chewing gum from the District’s pavements.

Kennet District Council, Election of a District Councillor for Upavon on Thursday 31 January 2008

Following the introduction of Decriminalised Parking Enforcement in September 2006, Kennet District Council is now consulting on the possible introduction of residents parking schemes in some areas of Devizes.

Devizes Leisure Centre are launching two new classes in the main sports hall on Monday and Wednesday nights. In order to get the two new classes off to a flying start the first of each class will be free of charge so customers can come along and try before they buy!

Devizes, Tidworth and Marlborough Leisure Centres continue to go from strength to strength and staff at all three centres have been working hard to develop a varied, fun and interesting exercise class programme.

Following the recent sustained rainfall the rivers within the District remain at a high level. Ground-water levels have increased giving early warning of possible groundwater flooding. At present many of the rivers within the District are at Environment Agency flood warning level ‘Flood Watch’.

The Vibraxis Vibration machine currently on trial at Devizes Leisure Centre, has been so popular with customers that a second machine has been purchased to meet the increasing demand.

One lucky user of Kennet District Council’s new attended public convenience in Devizes is celebrating after receiving a hamper for being the 5,000th visitor to the facility.

A long standing Devizes market trader who has sold fruit and vegetables for 35 years is retiring this month.

This week members of the project group setting up Homes 4 Wiltshire learned that they were successful in a bid for funding to Communities & Local Government (CLG) to establish a truly unique sub regional lettings scheme for affordable housing in Wiltshire.

On Wednesday 19 December the Council will say a fond farewell to one of its longest serving members of staff.

Three lucky winners who entered a competition in the last issue of Kennet Times will be treated to a First Class experience and zooming off to London courtesy of First Great Western Trains.

The Council’s waste reduction and recycling figures are amongst the best in the country for 2006/07.

Marlborough market has been in existence for over 800 years. The weekly markets are a rich and important part of the District Heritage and offer a great days shopping.

To make residents waste collection as easy as possible Kennet District Council provides orange refuse bags to properties that are not suitable for a black wheeled bin. Residents receiving this service are delivered 78 orange bags at the end of June each year and are entitled to place up to 3 bags out on every refuse collection day.

On the 28th November 2007 staff from Kennet District Council’s Street Cleaning, Litter Picking and Weeding Services joined forces with Wiltshire County Council’s Highway Department to improve the highway maintenance standards on Cean Hill and London Road in Devizes.

Following the success of the trial of recycling litter bins in Devizes, Kennet District Council is placing a recycling litter bin in the High Street in Marlborough.

Devizes Visitor Centre run by Kennet District Council raised a fantastic total of £240.10 for Dorothy House on Friday 23 November on the night of the Devizes’ Christmas Festival.

Six schools representing the Schools Netball Cluster Festival winners and runners up came together to compete for the District High Five Netball title on Monday 26th November at Marlborough St Johns.

Not only is swimming a great way of keeping fit, it is also an important life skill. Kennet Swim School operates out of Devizes, Marlborough and Tidworth Leisure Centres and provides students with excellent tuition and the chance to progress through the levels.

5-a-side football is coming home, after a three year absence Tidworth Leisure Centre will once again be staging 5-a-side leagues starting in January 2008.

Kennet District Council has been selected as a finalist in the e-Government National Awards 2007, the UK’s highest level commendation for the best e-Government services.

Events and activities arranged under the collective banner of “Weeks of Action” were run from October 22nd to November 9th 2007.

Kennet District Council’s Information Services Department has been reaccredited with the ISO9001:2000 quality standard, which found we had “overall a good level of control of the management system”.

Kennet District Council’s Procurement Team reached the finals of the 2007 Society Of Procurement Officers Awards for Outstanding Achievement in Procurement.

Staff from Kennet District Council took part on Friday in raising money towards Children in Need by wearing their pyjamas to work.

Devizes Visitor Centre run by Kennet District Council will be joining in the fun on the night of the Devizes Christmas Festival on Friday 23 November.

Kennet District Council has been consulted by the Government, along with other Local Authorities on the new parking regulations and procedures that will become law on 31st March 2008.

New superloos built by Kennet District Council in the West Central car park Devizes were officially opened on 7 November 2007.

It is now over three months since the introduction of the smokefree legislation and Kennet District Council continues to be committed to making sure that the people of Kennet can enjoy a smoke-free environment.

In the last edition of Kennet Times we asked readers to guess the number of light bulbs pictured. The winner of the competition was Mrs Barbara Hawkins of Marlborough. Mrs Hawkins, a keen amateur artist chose a solar powered and wind-up radio as her prize and is pictured below receiving her prize from Cllr Peter Evans, Environment Portfolio holder for Kennet District Council. Also awarded was a consolation prize to Mrs Jo Gay, pictured with her friend Betty receiving a solar powered torch from Cllr Evans.

Kennet's councillors have agreed to suspend parking charges in Devizes on the Friday 23rd November 2007, the date set for the Festival of Lights and the late night Christmas shopping event in the town. All parking charges in the town will be suspended as from 1500hrs.

Devizes Visitor Centre staff have been busy over the last few months creating a new layout for the Keepsake Gift Shop. This has increased floor space for disabled shoppers and allowed a new area for groups or charity to have displays to raise their profile.

Devizes and Marlborough residents have been thrown a lifeline by the British Heart Foundation (BHF) and members of the community who have helped fund life saving defibrillators for Devizes and Marlborough Leisure Centres in Wiltshire.

Kennet District Council has just completed the installation of some removable and reusable insulation to the boiler room at Devizes Leisure Centre. The centre is served by a total of six boilers to heat the water for the pool and to keep the centre warm in winter.

Shirley Garman, Regional Group Contact for the Breakthrough Breast Cancer Charity was presented with a cheque in the sum of £1,068.37 on behalf of Marlborough,Devizes and Tidworth lesiure centres in respect of an Aerobathon morning organised on Monday 1st October for Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Why should the children have all the fun? The latest fitness class - Fitness Hula - has arrived at Devizes Leisure Centre. Fitness Hula offers an opportunity to take part in a class that achieves fantastic results but at the same time provides customers with a fun filled session.

Members of Devizes Leisure Centre are experiencing good vibrations due to the new Vibraxis exercise machine installed in the Fitness Suite last week. The Vibraxis machine provides users with great health and exercise benefits using the latest vibratory technology.

Come and join us for an evening of Health & Fitness at Marlborough Leisure Centre. The event is taking place on Thursday 1st November 1800 – 2000. There is a £6.50 entry fee for the evening.

At a meeting held on the 23 October Kennet District Council considered a request from Shrewsbury and Atcham and Congleton District Councils for assistance towards pursuing an appeal in the Court of Appeal against a recent decision of the High Court dismissing an application for judicial review against the decisions of the Secretary of State to reorganise local authorities

For many people fireworks are lots of fun, but to animals they are terrifying, loud and can cause great distress. Every year thousands of animals are sedated after being frightened by fireworks. Others are so distraught they bolt and get lost or injured.

Tidworth Leisure Centre (TLC) took another step to ensure squash is the next big thing to hit Tidworth. The New squash ladder started on Monday 15th October giving eighteen squash enthusiasts the opportunity to play opponents for the ‘TLC Squash Ladder’ title.

Mr Kevin Clarke of Aldborough Close, Westlea, Swindon, Wiltshire was found guilty of an offence under the Social Security Administration Act 1992, of failing to report to the Department of Work and Pensions and Kennet District Council that he had started work at the Green Dragon in Marlborough.

Residents in Kennet are continuing to recycle more in their black boxes than any other District in Wiltshire.

Kennet Community Safety Partnership welcomes to Devizes the popular Bluez ‘n’ Zuz discos for ages 12-15 (school years 8-11).

Representatives of the Kennet Community Safety Partnership will be in the Eastleigh Road area on Tuesday 30th October as part of a county-wide ‘week of action’ campaign to bring together a broad range of partners and local communities to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and to increase reassurance.

Kennet District Council has been short-listed in another national award.

Kennet Kanters to success for the British Heart Foundation and Devizes Opportunity Centre. The 2007 10 mile trail run and 5K

Communities around Kennet will see lots of activity happening in their area during the weeks beginning Monday 22nd October through to Sunday 11th November in line with the Government’s “Weeks of Action” campaign.

A special presentation evening was held at Marlborough Rugby Club on Monday 8th October to reward clubs in Wiltshire in achieving the Wiltshire and Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership's (WASP) accreditation.

Miss Emma Lane of 1 West Street, Aldbourne near Marlborough, was found guilty of an offence under the Social Security Administration Act of 1992 of failing to report to Kennet District Council that she had started work at The Great Western Hospital, Swindon.

Kennet District Council was delighted to be named as one of the Times Best Councils to Work For 2007, but even better was its award for being the best Council for Work Home Balance.

Did you know that in a typical Kennet home around one-third of the heat produced by your central heating system is lost through the roof and walls? This means that for a poorly insulated property up to £1 out of every £3 spent on central heating is literally going through your roof and walls. In a bid to target this unnecessary waste of money and energy, Kennet District Council are pleased to endorse the Heat Project, a long running nationwide campaign, actively aims to reduce householders’ energy usage and save them money.

The Chairman of Kennet District Council, Paula Winchcombe took part in The National Blood Pressure Testing Week which ran from 10th-16th September 2007 at designated areas around the Kennet area.

On 1 September Kennet District Council launched its Food Hygiene Star Rating Scheme. This is a new web based way for members of the public to view the hygiene standards of local food businesses. The initial results are now published on its website at www.kennet.gov.uk

A recent Government announcement should help hundreds of service personnel and their families through out Wiltshire.

Kennet District Council is just one of the partners helping to raise awareness of recycling and rubbish in the Tidworth area as part of a ten day community event know as the ‘Rubbish Awareness Project’ or RAP.

Kennet District Council is urging residents to wash and squash their cans and tins before placing them out for collection in their black boxes.

Kennet District Council is again leading the way in street cleansing standards in Wiltshire. Results from data collected during a recent survey in 2006/2007 have indicated that the Kennet District is even cleaner than before.

First reminder letters are being sent out today, 25 September to 13,000 properties in Kennet whose occupants have not yet completed and returned their annual electoral registration form

Kennet District Council has been awarded 6th place in the prestigious Times “Best Council” competition.

The Le Marchant Barracks Community Group is currently creating a Wildflower Meadow on Kennet District Council owned open space, which lies adjacent to the canal behind the new Barracks development.

On 20 September the Council’s Planning Policies Executive Committee approved an interim policy on renewable energy for new large scale developments over 1000 square metres and ten or more dwellings.

Kairen Kellard, Kennet District Council’s Tourism Manager, has been elected onto the Executive Board of the Tourism Management Institute as Head of the Events Committee and a Director of the Company.

A former Chiseldon resident was found guilty by Swindon Magistrates Court for offences under the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

The month of October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. This is a national campaign promoted by the Breakthrough Cancer Charity. In support of this Marlborough, Devizes and Tidworth Leisure Centres are running Aerobathons at the Leisure Centres on the morning of Monday 1st October 2007

Kennet District Council is again leading the way in street cleansing standards in Wiltshire. Results from data collected during a recent survey in 2006/2007 have indicated that the Kennet District is even cleaner than before. These surveys provide the Council with valuable information on the extent of litter and detritus, over a variety of land use classes in the district.

A joint investigation with the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has led to a successful benefit fraud prosecution for Kennet District Council.

The National Blood Pressure Testing Week will run from 10th – 16th September this year and in support of this Kennet District Council, Lifestyles Instructors will be offering free blood pressure checks at the Devizes, Marlborough and Tidworth Leisure Centres.

The crèche staff working at Devizes Leisure Centre have recently achieved NVQ’s in Children’s Care, Learning and Development. This is part of Kennet District Councils commitment to the continued professional development of its staff and to the delivery of quality services within its Leisure Centres.

The first anniversary of Kennet District Council operating Decriminalised Parking Enforcement occurs on the 4th September 2007. There has been a marked reduction in the amount of nuisance parking and traffic flows have improved in many areas throughout the Kennet District. One of the biggest improvements has been the stopping of cars parking in ‘loading bays ‘which allows delivery trucks to use them instead.

As part of the T2A summer programme, sixteen young people ventured to the Brecon Beacons to experience more alternative and adventure sports under the watchful eye of T2A and Black Mountain coaches and guides.

Kennet and North Wiltshire District Council Leisure Development sections have joined forces with officers from Wiltshire & Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership. The aim of the partnership is to aid sports clubs in Kennet and North Wiltshire in their drive to improve their infrastructure and hence quality of product.

Kennet, West Wiltshire and Salisbury District Councils have announced a united and joint challenge against the Secretary of State’s decision to impose a single unitary council across Wiltshire.

Kennet District Council secured three successful prosecutions yesterday (6th August 2007) concerning breaches of planning control across the district.

Due to the detection of higher than average levels of pseudomonas, a full review of the efficiency and efficacy of the pool plant was undertaken. The investigation, which has been carried out in association with swimming pool consultants, highlighted a number of technical issues all of which are currently being resolved.

Great Bedwyn and Mildenhall, two beautiful villages in the Kennet District, have successfully outshone other villages in the county to win top prizes in the Best Kept Village Competition.

The new high quality state of the art public conveniences in West Central Car Park, Devizes will be open in September.

Things are really hotting up inside Marlborough Leisure Centre, thanks to the brand new sauna that has recently been installed.

It’s official; residents in Kennet recycle more in their black boxes than any other district in Wiltshire.

On 1st September Kennet District Council launches its Food Hygiene Star Rating Scheme which is a new web based way for members of the public to view the hygiene standards of local food establishments.

Five lucky people in Kennet have won a hot air balloon ride for two in a ‘Smokefree’ competition run by Kennet District Council’s Environmental Protection & Housing Services Department.

Kennet District Council learnt today (Wednesday 25th July) that the County Council’s bid to become a unitary authority will go ahead; this will see the district council abolished.

The Summer holidays are here again! Thank goodness for Activate - Kennet District Council’s school holiday activity programme which runs all summer long at Devizes, Marlborough and Tidworth Leisure Centres. Activities are tailored to meet the needs of different age groups from 3 years up to 13 years plus.

Alternate Weekly Collections were successfully introduced to the entire Kennet District in July 2006. One year on the Council would like to extend a big thank you to residents for embracing the new collection service and really working to reduce the amount of waste they produce.

Kennet District Council has announced today that the swimming pool at Devizes Leisure Centre is likely to remain closed for the rest of July until work to the plant room can be undertaken.

Tidworth Alternative Adventure Club (T2A) started as a pilot but is now proving to be a monster success with the members directing the ship via the T2A forum.

The new ministerial team in charge of local government has been warmly welcomed by Kennet District Council

Following the success of the multiple dwellings recycling service introduced in 2006, Kennet District Council is encouraging all residents living in flats and multiple dwellings that haven’t currently taken up the service to get in touch with their housing management team and ask them to contact Kennet District Council.

Kennet District Council invites you to the ever popular and successful continental market which returns to Marlborough High Street on Thursday 19th and Friday 20th July and to Devizes Market Place on Saturday 21st July 2007.

Following extensive consultation Kennet District Council have organised, with Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports and Wiltshire County Council an adrenaline pumping summer for the 11 – 19 year age group in the Kennet District.

Preshute Primary School have just been awarded the Gold Arts Mark much to the joy of all staff and pupils. Just to show this is only the beginning they have successfully applied to the Participatory Arts Workshop Scheme (PAWS) which is managed by Kennet District Council and have engaged the services of Dr Joel to experience “Konnakol” – vocal percussion.

Kennet residents are recycling record levels of household waste, according to the latest figures released, which show annual recycling rates in the Kennet district standing at 36.3%, an increase of nearly 15% from the previous year.

With the course already waterlogged and monsoon style weather forecast for Sunday 1st July 2007, all fingers and toes of the Kennet Kanter organising committee were firmly crossed for a prolonged period of dryish weather. Fortunately their luck prevailed and the rain held off for the 200 runners competing in the third Kennet Kanter, Fun Run and Kiddies Kanter.

Local people are being given the opportunity to express their views on the proposals for an exciting new project for the Pewsey community.

Kennet District Council has finalised its opposition to a unitary authority for the whole of Wiltshire.

Leader of the Council Councillor Lionel Grundy and Chief Executive Mark Boden gave their support to the People Say NO to Giant Councils campaign by attending a press event in the House of Commons.

The new Best Value Performance Plan for Kennet District Council was published on the 29th June. The plan, which incorporates Kennet’s Corporate Strategy & medium term financial strategy demonstrates what the council’s achievements have been over the last 12 Months and also sets out Kennet’s aims and objectives for the next three years.

All responsible smokers will need an environmentally friendly and safe way to dispose of their cigarette stubs and Kennet District Council has the answer. Smokers across the district can get a FREE pouch to store their stubs in.

This year’s summer solstice was the first patrolled by Kennet District Council parking officers, following the Council taking over the responsibility of yellow line enforcement in September 2006.

A new survey of performance data for last year by SPARSE, (Sparsity Partnership for Authorities delivering Rural Services) has shown that Kennet’s planners were amongst the top performers for rural councils.

Kennet District Council is working hard to improve its recycling provision of two materials that it can not currently collect at the kerbside…plastic bottles and cardboard.

Kennet Kanter 2007 takes place on the 1st July 2007 at 11am, starting from The Green in Devizes, winding through the beautiful Wiltshire countryside, taking advantage of the world renowned Kennet & Avon Canal and finishing on The Green but only after completing the gruelling crux of the course, Caen Hill Locks.

Kennet District Council has welcomed the decision by members of North Wiltshire District Council to withdraw their support for the Wiltshire unitary bid.

The leader of Kennet District Council, Councillor Lionel Grundy has delivered 2000 postcards opposing the Wiltshire unitary bid to Michael Ancram MP.

Results of an Ipsos MORI survey carried out across Wiltshire show that most residents in Kennet are opposed to the County Council’s proposals for a single unitary authority for the county.

Despite being invited by the District Councils opposed to its Unitary proposals to join with them in finding out what local residents really think about its ‘single council for Wiltshire’ proposals, Wiltshire County Council has surprisingly declined the offer.

Kennet District Council is inviting local businesses to have their say about Wiltshire County Council’s proposal to have one huge authority in Wiltshire. The Government is consulting on the proposal until the 22nd June but they will not be asking local businesses about the issue.

Tidworth Leisure Centre opened its doors on Friday 2nd February, to a host of keen squash players enticed to promote squash at its local centre. Twelve weeks on the centre is on the verge of starting leagues and developing a club. With the full support of England Squash and Andrew May, Full Time Recreation Assistant, things are certainly looking good.

Kennet District Council is encouraged by the amount of support from local people who have been visiting the road shows this week opposing the Wiltshire unitary bid.

On Monday 15th May 2007 at Devizes Magistrates Court Mr. Peter Vaughan pleaded guilty to failing to ensure the health safety and welfare at work his employees, and failing to make a suitable and sufficient risk assessment of the risks to health and safety to which his employees are exposed at work.

Kennet launches its 'Keep Kennet Clean and Safe' campaign on the 21st May 2007. During the three week long campaign the Council will be providing additional resources to help clean and improve areas and will be working in close partnership with the Wiltshire Constabulary and the Wiltshire Fire brigade to tackle anti-social behaviour and street scene offences such as littering, fly tipping and the abandoning of vehicles.

Kennet District Council and St Peter’s and St Paul’s Marlborough Trust have worked together for many years to ensure the St Peter’s Churchyard is managed to the highest standard.

The inaugural Pewsey Tag Festival took place at Pewsey Vale School on the 27th April 2007 under cloudless skies and warm sunshine.

137 Competitors took part in the Tidworth Fast Twitch Triathlon at the end of April. The event started with a 400 metre swim, followed by a 15 mile bike route then a 4.5 mile run and took place in ideal weather conditions.

The most recent “Annual Audit & Inspection Letter” issued by the council’s independent watch dog – The Audit Commission was presented to Kennet councillors at their full council meeting on Tuesday 24th April.

Extensive work to the Pool Water Treatment Room at Devizes Leisure Centre will commence on the 14th May 2007.

Extensive work to the Pool Water Treatment Room at Devizes Leisure Centre will commence on the 14th May 2007.

Kennet District Councillors have unanimously agreed to support a legal bid by a fellow district council to halt plans to create up to 16 single purpose “unitary” councils in shire England.

Residents in the Kennet district will shortly be receiving their new recycling and refuse collection calendar in the post. The calendars give details of your collections of your black bin and box and also green wheeled bin if you currently subscribe to this service.

The chief executives of Kennet, Salisbury and West Wiltshire district councils have reacted furiously to a claim by Wiltshire County Council that “it’s good to talk”.

Making Savings And Building Capacity

Marianne Suhr, the expert historic buildings surveyor and co-presenter of the very popular BBC2 ‘Restoration’ programme will be coming to Bradford-on-Avon on 9th May to give an illustrated talk on her work, with the title “Take two Buildings”. The proceeds from the event will be used to support the Wiltshire Victoria County History Trust.

Award winning Aldbourne Youth Council organised the inaugural Aldbourne Alternative Sports Day on Sunday 15th April 2007 with assistance from Clare Draper (KDC Leisure Development Officer) and Nick Thrower (Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports) to officially open the BMX track and Youth Shelter.

As part of T2A’s never ending drive to provide the young people of the Tidworth Community Area with adventurous and alternative activities, Mountain Bike coaching sessions are available from Monday 16th April 2007, 6.30pm – 8.30pm from April to September.

On Tuesday 10th April 2007 at Devizes Leisure Centre the Activate Children’s Activity Scheme topic for the day was Healthy Eating. The purpose behind the day was to promote a healthy lifestyle and the importance of eating healthy foods.

On 21st April 2007, Ferozeshah (A) Company, Wiltshire Army Cadet Force are to participate in a ‘spicy’ fundraising initiative at Tidworth Leisure Centre in support of the Army Benevolent Fund (ABF), namely; “The World’s Biggest Curry Lunch”.

Throughout the remainder of April Kennet DC will be giving two free low energy lightbulbs to all visitors to the Browfort office who complete a Home Energy Check while in the reception area.

Despite a cool foggy start, spring sunshine graced the 5th Marlborough Tag Rugby Festival played at Marlborough Rugby Club and Marlborough College.

Kennet District Council has been encouraging local people to voice their concerns about the future of their communities. This has revealed that the need for affordable housing is one of the main issues for many Kennet residents.

Fears of arctic temperatures dissipated as 270 young people took part in the 8th Devizes Tag Rugby Festival in the warm spring sunshine.

Kennet District Council is deeply concerned that the Government has so far not responded to its opposition to one large unitary authority being imposed on Wiltshire.

On Tuesday 20th March 2007 Kennet District Council is holding a free of charge seminar to provide businesses with more information on the new ‘smokefree’ legislation due to come into force in England on 1st July 2007 and new legislation concerning fire safety in the workplace that was introduced last year.

Kennet District Council is stepping up it’s Keep it Local, Keep Kennet Campaign in light of a report that the Department for Communities and Local Government’s shortlist for unitary status will include all county councils who submitted bids.

Kennet District Council is stepping up it’s Keep it Local, Keep Kennet Campaign in light of a report that the Department for Communities and Local Government’s shortlist for unitary status will include all county councils who submitted bids.

Following independent external inspection Kennet District Council’s Legal Team have been recommended to the Law Society for LEXCEL accreditation. Kennet District Council’s legal team join an elite band of Local Authorities as only about one third of Authorities nationally having attained this high standard.

Tuesday 13th March sees the 1st anniversary of the ‘Bluez n Zuz’ youth disco in Tidworth, a great local initiative which involves the whole community and which has had a massive impact on reducing anti social behaviour in the area.

The finances of Kennet are set for a boost after Kennet District Council received notification that they will be awarded £195,882 for encouraging business growth, under a Government grant scheme.

‘Make a fresh start’ is the theme of this year’s No Smoking Day. Local people and businesses will be able to get the help to do just that from professional advisors on the day in Devizes.

Devizes is a thriving, attractive town – but how do we make sure this continues?

The first ever British Tourism Week takes place between 12th – 18th March and the tourism team at Kennet District Council’s Visitor Centre in Devizes are planning a series of promotions throughout the week to publicise the attractions, activities and businesses within the town to celebrate the event.

Kennet District Council welcomes the formation of a Devizes branch of the National Market Traders Federation. At a recent meeting, traders from the Devizes market voted to appoint its officials to the newly formed branch.

The Beaver colony from 1st Tidworth Scout Group had a litter pickin’ good time recently when they cleaned up the streets of Tidworth. Using equipment borrowed from Kennet District Council, as part of the Council’s Community Litter Pick up Scheme, the boys and girls managed to collect 10 bags of rubbish in total.

Council tax in Kennet will rise by 4.9% as the Council works to balance its books amid increasing demand for its services and a disappointing Government grant.

Independent research has found “fundamental flaws” in Wiltshire County Council’s bid to become a unitary authority.

Figures just released show that in January, residents across the district have devoted themselves to recycling with a huge increase in recyclable waste placed out compared to the same period last year.

Speckled Hen and Bear are two dogs that need loving homes....

The Multi Skills Community Coach for Kennet has achieved fantastic results since his appointment in June and has contributed to the sports development of scores of local youngsters.

Kennet District Council working in partnership with Avon Valley and Devizes School Sports Partnerships is assisting in the organisation of the Hockey and Tag Rugby Cluster Festivals and is organising the Tag Rugby District Festivals.

Taking into account its commitment to ensuring the continued delivery of key services, Kennet District Council has agreed to the redundancy of four senior staff.

Kennet District Council and Wiltshire Alternative Youth Sports (WAYS) have been working in partnership with Aldbourne Youth Council (AYC) to ensure that the newly acquired BMX track and Youth Shelter remain at the forefront of the minds of the young people of Aldbourne and surrounding villages.

Kennet District Council working in partnership with Sarsen Housing Association, a member of the Aster Group, and builder David Wilson Homes has developed part of the Le Marchant Barracks site in Devizes to provide additional housing including affordable rented, New Build HomeBuy (also known as shared ownership) and low cost market housing.

To ensure that the successful T2A Club (Tidworth Community Area Alternative and Adventure Sports Club) based at Tidworth Leisure Centre continues to thrive and develop, the members of the club have decided to form their own steering group in the form of the T2A Forum

This week sees an important step forward in the development of a service designed to prevent people with mental health problems from becoming homeless.

Wiltshire’s local authorities have multi agency plans in place in the event that an outbreak of Avian Influenza, also known as Bird Flu, is identified within the county. Although the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) will lead in any such emergency our partner agencies are prepared to deal with the situation if it arises.

A Kennet District Councillor and long-term resident of Devizes has expressed concerns regarding the impact the proposed unitary bid could have on the towns economy if it was implemented.

Voters in Devizes who used the Corn Exchange as their polling station at the last election will notice a change of venue this year. The Cheese Hall at Devizes Town Hall will be used as a Polling station instead of the Corn Exchange this year and for all future elections.

Work currently being carried out on the ceiling of the Court Room in Marlborough Town Hall has required the district council to find an alternative polling station venue for the elections in May.

Kennet District Council would like to thank residents for their patience following the disruption to services after the severe snow and ice on Thursday 8th February 2007.

Kennet District Council's Planning team have led the way nationally with an offer to refund £35 of the £135 application fee for householder planning applications submitted electronically during February.

Kennet District Council resumed their waste and recycling collections at 10.30 this morning. However, some streets and villages are still inaccessible, which therefore means that some of today’s collections will be delayed.

As a result of effective contingency planning Kennet District Council is able to offer a pest control service, albeit limited, despite the unexpected departure of its Pest Control Officer.

A project, which saw 8 local councils working together to jointly procure stationery, printer consumables and paper has recently been completed which will make it possible for Kennet District Council to save in excess of 60%.

Kennet District Council would like to say a massive thank you to all parishes and schools across the district who took part in the Council’s Christmas card recycling scheme this year. Over the three week period following Christmas, more than 133,000 Christmas cards were collected via the Council’s scheme, saving nearly 50 trees.

“Reorganisation always takes longer, costs more and delivers less than ever envisaged.”

That is the reality of local government organisation in the words of Sir John Banham who led the creation of the new unitaries in the nineties. That is why Kennet District Council opposes the County Council’s bid to take over the 4 Wiltshire districts and create a huge single council for all of Wiltshire.

On January 13th 2007 keen Badminton players gathered at Devizes Leisure Centre to take part in the first round of the National Leisure Centres Badminton Championships 2006/07.

A new five week pre-school gymnastics course starts on 28th of February 2007 at Devizes Leisure Centre. There are three courses on offer catering for children aged between eighteen months and four years.

Kennet District Council is considering a proposal to install solar panels and a small wind turbine at the Browfort offices in order to generate renewable electricity for use on site.

The government’s latest initiative on achieving sustainable development has been published as a voluntary code for house builders.