Further activities for young people planned

Keeping our communities safe and reducing crime and anti-social behaviour.

At A Leisure Centre Near You

Kennet District Council Achieves 50% Recycling

Local schoolchildren have shown their support for a greener Kennet by helping to recycle over 4,000 old Yellow Pages directories. . .

Lord Avebury and Time Team's Phil Harding will be at the Avebury Day fete . . .

The councils of Wiltshire are assuring residents that every effort is being made to prioritise frontline services if the proposed national strike by council workers takes place on the 16th and 17th July.

Mark Smith and Brad Fleet - Corporate Directors at Kennet District Council have been appointed to key positions in the new Wiltshire Council.

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.

The Pewsey Community Area Plan is currently being revised by the Pewsey Community Area Planning Partnership.

Kennet District Council has started construction of a new high quality state of the art public convenience in West Central Car Park, Devizes.

Following the prolonged spell of rainfall over the past few months the groundwater levels throughout the district are reaching levels where groundwater flooding is possible.

Kennet District Council is pleased to announce the sale of the One Stop Shop site facing Devizes Market Place to local firm Gaiger Bros.

The village of Avebury has been no stranger to excavations of one sort or another over the years, however, recent excavations undertaken by Kennet District Council were not a quest to resolve the mysteries of the past, but to attend to a more modern problem that has been troubling residents in the High Street.

Twenty members of staff at Kennet District Council received certificates of merit in December having been nominated by their colleagues for exceptional contribution to the work of the Council.

Kennet District Council has named West Central Car Park, Devizes as the location for a new high quality state of the art public convenience. The brand new public convenience will replace existing facilities at the Wharf, Station Road and West Central Car Parks, which are outdated, unsustainable and simply not of a high enough standard to meet the needs of locals, tourists and visitors to Devizes.

Give your Christmas tree a green future this year by recycling it and turning it into compost. Now that the decorations are coming down for another year, your tree can help create new growth and life by being composted.

Kennet District Council has bid a fond farewell to one of its longest serving members of staff.

Kennet District Council’s Chairman hosted a Christmas Party on Friday (15th December) which has been hailed a success after it raised £665 for the Wiltshire Air Ambulance.

To ensure Kennet resident’s have a healthy and safe Christmas and New Year, the Council have come up with a few tips that will help to prevent accidents and food borne illnesses during the festive period.

Last Christmas, over 744 million Christmas cards were sent in the UK and an estimated 58 million of these were recycled. In the Kennet district, residents managed to recycle more than 2.6 tonnes of cards at local collection points across the district, and the Council is looking to better this result this Christmas.

Kennet District Council are delighted to receive news that a media event they co-ordinated with Health Promotion workers at Wiltshire Primary Care Trust has won three awards from the national No Smoking Day charity.

This Christmas, Kennet residents are being urged to reduce, reuse and recycle at a time of year that is traditionally associated with more gifts, food & drink and so consequently more waste.

This Christmas, Kennet residents are being urged to reduce, reuse and recycle at a time of year that is traditionally associated with more gifts, food & drink and so consequently more waste.

The Active People Survey is the largest ever survey of adult participation in sports and active recreation to be undertaken in England. The survey was conducted by Ipsos MORI, on behalf of Sport England.

Marlborough Christmas Market returns to Marlborough on Sunday December 24th and is the ideal venue for stocking up on last minute presents. Visitors can expect a seasonal array of stalls, offering food, drink, festive flowers and a plethora of other interesting items. The Christmas market, which takes place on Sunday 24th of replaces the traditional Saturday market and promises to be full of festive cheer.

Kennet District Council is reminding residents that their waste and recyclables will be collected one day late during the Christmas and New Years’ weeks. Kennet District Council’s waste and recycling collection crews will be working on Boxing Day to minimise any inconvenience to residents over the festive period.

After a month of netball coaching, a teacher’s netball coaching course and three primary school cluster netball festivals the best of the best gathered at The Stedman Building, Marlborough St Johns for the District Primary School Netball Festival on Tuesday 28th November 2006.

Struggling to find that ideal present for a friend or loved one this Christmas? Kennet has the solution: A Garden Waste Collection Voucher. The gift that shows you care not just about the person, but the environment as well.

The Financial Settlement for next year - in which councils find out the final amount central government will be giving to each authority, was announced by Phil Woolas MP in the House of Commons on Tuesday 28th December.

An Options Appraisal for the future of one the most problematic buildings in Devizes, the former Assize Courts, is to be prepared following the recent formation of a project team set up by Kennet District Council and the Wiltshire Historic Buildings Trust.

t’s hard to believe that winter is just around the corner after one of the warmest Octobers on record. However, cold weather could be just weeks away and public services could be disrupted. Kennet District Council is giving advance warning to residents and businesses that some services may be affected if we experience severe weather conditions and to reassure our residents that we are prepared.

A new scheme that will help victims of domestic violence remain in their homes was launched on Friday 24th November 2006 in Kennet. The launch coincides with the National Domestic Violence Awareness Week, which commenced on 20th November

If you can pick up a racket you can pick up an entry form! That’s the message being broadcast by the National Leisure Centres Badminton Championship organisers.

Kennet District Council manages three markets within the district, two of which are still held on the same day that they have for the last 400 years.

Kennet District Council are getting into the festive spirit by offering free parking to visitors of the Devizes ‘Christmas Festival’ and Marlborough Christmas event.

A Kennet resident has recently accepted a Formal Caution for allowing an unregistered waste carrier to take domestic waste from their property. The caution was issued by Kennet District Council under Section 34 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

Since the introduction of Alternate Weekly Collections of refuse and recycling in July of this year, the Council has seen a dramatic rise in the volume of recyclables placed out in black boxes by residents, with an extra 180 tonnes being collected each month by the Council’s recycling crews.

Efforts are being made to develop a junior version of the highly successful adult Moonraker Netball League, which covers North, West and Mid Wiltshire.

Tidworth Leisure Centre is all set to step up a gear or two in November as it adds spinning classes to its long list of customer activities. Spinning involves working out in a studio type setting on specially designed spinning bikes. Spinning is an excellent way to work the cardiovascular system and burn fat at the same time. It is also good for building leg strength without putting excessive strain on the joints.

Tidworth Leisure Centre is all set to step up a gear or two in November as it adds spinning classes to its long list of customer activities. Spinning involves working out in a studio type setting on specially designed spinning bikes. Spinning is an excellent way to work the cardiovascular system and burn fat at the same time. It is also good for building leg strength without putting excessive strain on the joints.

A local artist has been helping children at Southbroom Junior School in Devizes explore Greek Mythology by creating colourful banners which depict tales of exciting adventures involving Greek legends.

A local artist has been helping children at Southbroom Junior School in Devizes explore Greek Mythology by creating colourful banners which depict tales of exciting adventures involving Greek legends.

In line with the Kennet District Council Leisure & Arts Strategy, primary school wishes and school sports partnership requirements Kennet Valley and Devizes Netball Clubs have been linking with the local school sport partnerships over September, October and November to provide six quality netball coaching sessions per primary school for year 5 & 6 pupils.

In line with the Kennet District Council Leisure & Arts Strategy, primary school wishes and school sports partnership requirements Kennet Valley and Devizes Netball Clubs have been linking with the local school sport partnerships over September, October and November to provide six quality netball coaching sessions per primary school for year 5 & 6 pupils.

Kennet District Council invites you to the ever popular and successful continental market which returns to Devizes Market Place on Saturday 11th November and at Central Car Park behind Tescos, Old Swan Yard on Sunday 12th November 2006.

Kennet District Council invites you to the ever popular and successful continental market which returns to Devizes Market Place on Saturday 11th November and at Central Car Park behind Tescos, Old Swan Yard on Sunday 12th November 2006.

Members of Kennet District Council were disappointed to hear last week that although the survey work has been completed for the long awaited traffic modelling exercise in Devizes, the County Council will not complete the actual modelling itself until the end of April 2007.

Members of Kennet District Council were disappointed to hear last week that although the survey work has been completed for the long awaited traffic modelling exercise in Devizes, the County Council will not complete the actual modelling itself until the end of April 2007.

The half term week wasn’t only good news for schoolchildren (and teachers), it also marked this years Energy Saving Week with activities across the Kennet district aimed at helping people save energy and money on their fuel bills.

Autumn is here, the harvest has been collected and the temperature has begun to fall. Many of the rodents that have spent the summer in the open around our district will be on the look out for somewhere nice and warm to spend the winter. This may be your house.

The young people of Aldbourne have joined forces with the Parish Council and secured sizeable funds to build a BMX track.

Matt James (LTA National Tennis Development Manager) officially opened the new facilities at Pewsey Tennis Club, on Wednesday 25th October 2006.

October Half Term gave the T2A Club the opportunity to take to its wheels and visit Moors Valley Country Park to experience mountain biking and orienteering.

Fourteen young people took the opportunity to visit the Country Park to widen their experiences and gain new skills.

The council has just adopted a revised Corporate Strategy to set out what it expects to achieve over the next few years. This strategy for the first time incorporates the medium term financial strategy to ensure the resources are available to any commitments that are made.

For all young mountain bike enthusiasts T2A at Tidworth Leisure Centre is the place to be, you don’t even have to own a bike as we have eight you can use, with more on the way.

Kennet District Council is supporting the Health and Safety Commission’s ‘Workplace Transport Safety Programme’ by visiting and providing advice to employers in Marlborough, Devizes, Pewsey and Tidworth where transport is a significant hazard in their workplace.

Kennet District Council’s Tree Inspection Officer Peter Gray has recently sown ‘Yellow Rattle’ seeds in the ‘wildflower’ area of Kennet owned land that lies adjacent to the canal and behind the new Le Marchant development.

Children from both the 4th Devizes Guides and St Peters School have recently joined Peter Gray, Kennet District Council’s Tree Inspection Officer, in an acorn gathering event in Drewspond Woods, Devizes. The seeds were later planted by the children in Pine Walk, near Broadleas Park. The event, which was held to coincide with the Tree Council’s ‘Seed Gathering season’, went very well, with the children enjoying themselves immensely.

An informative evening session has been arranged in Marlborough on Thursday 2nd November for people who are involved with youth activities. The aim of the event is to investigate how services for young people in the Marlborough community area can be improved.

Kennet District Council and Wiltshire County Council are working in partnership to help businesses plan for disaster. Wiltshire businesses are being offered advice on business continuity planning to aid them should an incident affect their business. Kennet has a service level agreement with the County Council which covers amongst other things business continuity advice to businesses.

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.

Keen runners who braved 90F temperatures to take part in the 2006 Kennet Kanter, the 10 mile Devizes run, have helped to raise £1,892 for three local charities.

Kennet District Council will be supporting the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust during the lightbulb amnesty which is taking place between the 23rd to the 27th October across Wiltshire and Swindon.

In line with government thinking and organisational priorities Kennet District Council have joined forces with Mid Wilts and Avon
Valley Sports Partnerships to launch a new sports programme designed and funded to better meet the needs of pupils and

teachers at local schools.

Charity Christmas Cards have gone on sale at the Devizes Visitor Centre in The Market Place this week. This is the fifth year the Tourist Information Centre has sold “Cards for Good Causes”, a fantastic range of cards supporting a large variety of charities including local charities such as Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Dorothy House Hospice.

Every year during the autumn firework season over a thousand people are treated at hospital accident and emergency departments in the UK.

Kennet District Council have recently served a planning enforcement notice on the National Trust because of the continuing problems caused by the unauthorised use of the main car park at Avebury as a caravan site by pagans and other travellers.

Kennet District Council has just sent out a reminder to residents to fill in the General Opinion Survey which is being undertaking this autumn. This survey which is carried out every three years is valuable for engaging with the public and finding out their views on not only the services the council carries out, but also how residents feel about Kennet as a place to live.

Kennet District Council in partnership with Wiltshire County Council has undertaken an Emergency Planning Exercise, (Wire 2) to test the authority’s procedures and ability to respond to a civil emergency.

Devizes Leisure Centre are delighted to welcome The MIND & BODY FAIR which takes place on Saturday 7th of October. The event kicks off at 10am and runs through until 4pm, visitors can expect to find over one hundred routes to a happier, healthier way of life. From Belly Dancing, through exciting Kaya Drumming, the chance to make your own animated DVD like Wallis & Grommit, to Indian Head Massage, there is something good for everyone to enjoy and learn from.

Today (Sep 29) first reminder letters are being sent out to over 9,000 properties in Kennet whose occupants have not yet completed and returned their annual electoral registration form.

St Peter’s Church in Devizes was transformed on Saturday 23rd September into the Bath Road Exhibition Centre which proved the perfect light and airy venue for the parish’s first ever community fair called ‘Are you missing out?’

In response to feedback from users, Kennet District Council’s housing service (homes@kennet) has revised its website and newspaper adverts to make them more user friendly

Two Horse Chestnut trees in Raffin Lane, Pewsey have become victims of ‘bleeding canker’. The trees have been monitored over the last year and are now in such a condition that they have become dangerous and require removal. The trees shall be replaced with canker resistant specimens

The two keynote messages to be delivered at the opening ceremony of the Wiltshire Mind & Body Fair on 7th October are support for the merging of conventional and alternative medicines, and the serious pursuit of happiness.

Wiltshire County Council and Kennet District Council are working in partnership to help businesses plan for disaster. Wiltshire businesses are being offered advice on business continuity planning to aid them should an incident affect their business.

Kennet District Council is appealing to residents to crush their cans and tins before placing them out for collection in their black boxes so they take up less space and the vehicles can carry more.

The introduction of the Alternate Weekly Collection Scheme has already meant that an additional 130 tonnes per month of recyclables are being collected. This is a great achievement and the Council recognise the efforts that the majority of its residents are putting into changing their waste and recycling habits.

Thirteen council employees, 12 of which work in the Council’s Customer Services Team have just passed their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 with flying colours proving that they really are customer care champions.

An office building erected in a field in Bromham without planning permission will have to be dismantled following a decision by a Government appointed Planning Inspector.

Kennet District Council’s policy of requiring a proportion of affordable housing on residential sites within villages has been supported by a government appointed planning inspector in an appeal at Urchfont.

New legislation should make it easier for local people with a disability of any kind to have a voice in the provision of local services

The Mind & Body Fair at Devizes Leisure Centre on 7th October will offer free opportunities to investigate over 50 ways to improve physical and emotional health.

Saturday September 9th saw the welcome return of the Devizes PHAB group to the newly refurbished Devizes Leisure Centre. PHAB, a voluntary organisation which provides integrated activities for its Physically Handicapped and Able Bodied members, have been swimming at the leisure centre since it was opened.

Tidworth Alternative Sports & Adventure Club (T2A) continued to operate during the summer organising value for money trips as well as the usual adrenaline coated activities of climbing, orienteering, skateboarding and mountain biking every Thursday evening at Tidworth Leisure Centre.

Tickets are selling fast for the 20 plus events at the second Devizes Food & Drink Festival from September 18th – 24th, following the huge success of the event in 2005.

Well done to staff at Marlborough Leisure Centre who managed to complete their cross Channel swim in 12 hours, 24 minutes. It was a great team effort with 16 members of staff managing to complete the 22 miles between them. The team pictured here, were delighted with their achievement, which was a great way to launch the Aspire Swim the Channel Challenge.

Officers from Kennet District Council will be visiting licensed on and off premises, late night refreshment houses and clubs to ensure that the licences issued to the premises are being displayed correctly.

From 11th of September Tidworth Leisure Centre is offering the public the chance to swim the Channel in conjunction with
spinal cord injury Aspire. But unlike David Walliams, the 22 miles do not have to be completed without a break. Participants

have nearly 11 weeks in which to complete the challenge, which works out at a mere 2 miles per week.

Fiona Woolf, Law Society President attended a special event held in Devizes Town Hall on Friday 1st September where nine law firms were appointed to provide a range of legal services to 18 local authorities and 1 police authority to compliment the services provided by in-house legal teams.

Kennet District Council is pleased to announce the retention of the ISO9001:2000 International Standard for the quality management systems of the Information Services team.

Following in the footsteps of last years successful Kennet walking packs, brand new packs, containing twelve different walks within the Marlborough, Devizes, Pewsey and Tidworth areas are available now!

It is nearly seven weeks since Devizes Leisure Centre re-opened its doors to the public and attendance figures are looking in very good shape.

Six a side football fans will be delighted to know that a brand new football league is all set to kick off on October 4th at Tidworth Leisure Centre, which will run for up to 10 weeks until the end of November. However, the league needs you! as a minimum of six teams are required in order to get the league up and running. Teams can be either military, civilian or even a mix of both, and the league will also be affiliated to the Wiltshire Football Association.

Some spaces are still available for a number of Junior swimming lesson courses at Marlborough Leisure Centre. Courses start week commencing 4th September and run for 14 weeks until early December. Reception staff at Marlborough Leisure Centre are able to talk customers through the various levels and available options.

Leading up to the introduction of the Alternate Weekly Collection Scheme in Kennet, all residents were sent a DVD and the opportunity to enter a special competition to win one of 33 prizes. Recently seven of the lucky winners were treated to a prize giving presentation and tour of the Council depot.

Rural Communities Pay Higher Council Tax For Fewer Services, New Report Shows

Chris Humphries, Leader of Kennet District Council supports this press release issued by SPARSE on Tuesday. He said:

"We have long been supporters of the work SPARSE does in trying to fight the position of the rural authorities in England. We have been arguing for a long time that the residents of our district are not getting a fair deal from this government and we believe they deserve better treatment. I hope the government will now sit up and listen to this".

On July 21st, Devizes Leisure Centre was declared officially open by the Chairman of Kennet District Council, Councillor Jerry Kunkler. After the unveiling of the new glass plaque, guests broke off into four groups to view the new facilities, including the showers, Fitness Zone and Small Activity room. The tour culminated upstairs in the stunning new Fitness Studio, where guests were encouraged to give New Age Curling a try.

The Animal Welfare Officer at Kennet District Council is responsible for re-homing unclaimed dogs in the district and as you can imagine the job sometimes comes with quite a few challenges and surprises.

From Monday September 4th members of the public face Penalty Charge Notices of up to £60 if they are caught parking on yellow lines, bus stops or taxi ranks. Regulations have not changed, but Kennet District Council have assembled a team of officers to promote effective enforcement, to ensure vehicles do not park in dangerous places which could cause obstructions or even accidents.

A spate of vandalism has hit Drewspond Wood in Devizes recently. The vandalism has left users of the woodland, volunteers and Kennet District Council staff extremely disappointed.

Fiona Woolf, Law Society President attended a special event held in Devizes Town Hall on Friday 1st September where nine law firms were appointed to provide a range of legal services to 18 local authorities and 1 police authority to compliment the services provided by in-house legal teams.

Kennet District Council has confirmed that there are no “bugs” or surveillance devices in the wheeled bins. All there is, is an inert chip with a simple number. The same number as on the side of the bin. The chips cannot do anything. They cannot weigh or in any way analyse the contents of the bin. They do not contain nor can they obtain any information about you or your household. Their purpose is simply to make identification of a bin easier and quicker if needed.

Kennet District Council is set to take over the enforcement of parking restrictions from Wiltshire Police from the 4th September 2006.

Kennet District Council would like to remind residents that their waste will be collected on their usual day without any changes during the next Bank Holiday week. This means that if your usual waste collection day is a Monday, your waste will be collected on the Bank Holiday Monday, with the same practise continuing throughout the week. These arrangements apply to the Council’s waste, recycling and garden waste collection services.

It will be business as usual this Bank Holiday Monday at Marlborough, Devizes and Tidworth Leisure Centres. This marks a departure from the old policy of reduced opening hours on Bank Holiday Mondays, and has been greeted with enthusiasm by Kennet District Council Leisure Centre customers.

Kennet District Council will start the annual voter registration campaign during the August Bank Holiday weekend and this year
it’s even easier with a new freephone number and dedicated internet site.

Over the past 15 years Kennet District Council has helped to improve the food hygiene standards and knowledge in many of its 900 food businesses by offering a very successful and popular food hygiene training course.

Kennet District Council welcomes the announcement that the National Health Service is to provide an Independent Sector Treatment Centre at Green Lane in Devizes.

Kennet District Council’s Environmental Health & Protection Services team is offering a series of FREE workshops and FREE one to one coaching for caterers to enable businesses to comply with new food hygiene legislation and requirements that came into force in January 2006.

Kennet District Council’s hard work in tackling benefit fraud has paid off again with another successful prosecution.

A Devizes man has recently accepted a Formal Caution for dumping his domestic waste at Kennet District Council’s main offices in March 2006. The caution was issued by Kennet District Council under Section 33 of the Environmental Protection Act (1990).

Kennet District Council continue their investigations into benefit fraud and have this week successfully prosecuted two benefit claimants.

Local people are being given the opportunity to have their say on services available in the Tidworth Community Area by filling in a retail survey.

Changes to the regulations concerning planning applications take effect from Thursday August 10th 2006.

Kennet District Council and Ramsbury Parish Council are celebrating the success of the second transfer of a Kennet District Council public convenience to a parish council.

From the 4th September 2006 the enforcement of on street parking controls in the district of Kennet become the responsibility of Kennet District Council. With just four weeks until the introduction of decriminalised parking enforcement preparations are underway to allow Kennet officers to enforce ‘yellow lines’.

Everyday millions of people are subjected to annoying noise from thoughtless neighbours. Whether it is raised voices, loud music, barking dogs or slamming doors the devastating effects are the same. Frustration and lack of sleep can lead to increased stress levels, which can have a serious impact on the quality of life for those being affected.

A study of British hairdressers has estimated that over 45% (approximately 50,000) suffer from dermatitis.

Dermatitis (sometimes known as eczema) is an inflammatory condition of the skin. The most commonly affected part of the body is the hands. Hand dermatitis accounts for almost 75% of all dermatitis. It can vary in severity. Dermatitis is not infectious, so it cannot be passed from one person to another. Typical signs of dermatitis are: itching, redness, swelling, blistering, cracking, flaking and bleeding.

Kennet District Council have signed up to publish lower-value contracts on the new national web site supply2.gov.uk.

Kennet District Council would like to thank the Gazette & Herald Marlborough office for their recent assistance in distributing black recycling boxes to the local residents.

Over one thousand young athletes from all over Wiltshire and Swindon gathered at Bath University on Sunday 9th July 2006 to celebrate and compete in the annual Wiltshire Youth Games organised by the Wiltshire & Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership.

Kennet District Councillor Tony Molland commented on the publication of a blueprint for developing the South West of England over the next 20 years. He said “it’s been a long up-hill struggle to get the regional authority to make any acknowledgement of the future needs of Kennet”. The plan, called the Draft Regional Spatial Strategy for the South West has recently been published for public comment. It identifies the location for:- an additional 750,000 people; a further 365,000 – 465,000 jobs; and 460,000 new houses in the region.

Kennet District Council sends a warning out to all residents about donating to appeals for Third World countries.

A company called Orellana Limited has collections taking place throughout Kennet and has posted flyers indicating when they will collect the goods

A joint bid by local authorities and the Police has succeeded in winning a grant of £100,000 for Wiltshire and Swindon to join Wave 2 of the national 101 Single Non Emergency Number (SNEN) Initiative.

The Continental Market is returning to Marlborough High Street on the 20th and 21st July 2006. Kennet District Council has taken the lead, in partnership with Marlborough Area Development Trust, to promote the up and coming market event.

The market is managed and provided by Brunomart and is a continental food based market. It is a very successful market which tours England from March to December with a full diary of events, of which Marlborough is a very successful addition. The market is based around professional market traders selling quality merchandise and offers true specialities in its products, all traditionally continental. There will be; pancakes & coffees, cheese, olives, garlic & onions, natural soaps, fruit, jams, jewellery, roasted nuts, confectionary and so much more!

Kennet District Council has just passed an important motion of support for the Sustainable Communities Bill.

The Sustainable Communities Bill will ensure democratic participation in recreating communities with thriving local economies, while protecting the environment in the process. It will enable communities and councils to draw up their own ideas to promote local sustainability but will achieve this in a bottom-up community based way rather than a Whitehall top-down way. Central government will have a duty to help but not dictate. That is why this Bill is so important

Devizes School hosted the most popular Primary School Sports Festival to date, with over 850 children competing in six sports on the school playing fields on Thursday 29th June 2006.

The 2006 Marlborough Jazz Festival is set to follow in the tradition of popular past festivals giving a variety of musical experiences in a wonderful array of venues.

Kennet District Council’s new Alternate Weekly Collection service was launched on Monday with residents in Marlborough placing out their new black wheeled bins for the first time. Accompanying the crews were officers from the Council who were on hand to deal with any queries from the public concerning the new service.

Scorching temperatures greeted the competitors for the Kennet Kanter, Kolts Kanter, Kiddies Kanter and 5 kilometre Fun Run, survival not personal best times were the order of the day.

Devizes Leisure Centre re-opens on July 13 at 7am. To encourage new, lapsed or existing members to come and try out the new facilities for themselves, Kennet District Council are putting on a week of free activities which starts on July 17.

During the recent ‘Keep Kennet Clean and Safe’ campaign, three litter fixed penalties were issued in Devizes in a crackdown to reduce littering in the district. These littering offences were witnessed by council officers from Environment & Leisure Services, who along with police patrolled the town centre on the look out for litter bugs.

The countdown to the school holidays has begun! This year, parents and young people can look forward to a summer of fun in conjunction with brand new Activate! Activate, organised by Kennet District Council, offers an extensive range of exciting, interesting and inspiring school holiday activities, at locations across the district. Keeping young people happy over the summer holidays needn’t break the bank either, and Kennet District council are delighted to be able to offer some sessions for as little as 50p!

Devizes Visitors Centre recently launched it’s newly re vamped School’s Education pack. The pack, which is being sent to all the primary schools within a 25 mile radius of the town, contains twelve sections on various topics about Devizes.

Next Monday 3rd July sees the launch of Kennet’s exciting new waste collection service with the first use of your black wheeled bins. For many this involves a change of collection day as your black bin collection day changes to coincide with your current recycling day. Residents can continue to place as many black recycling boxes out for collection as they can fill. Please let Kennet know if you need an extra box.

Sports enthusiasts gathered together last weekend to enjoy the sunshine and celebrate the opening of the refurbished multi use games area in Collingbourne Ducis.

Bishops Cannings C. of E. (Aided) Primary School used their Participatory Arts Workshop Scheme (PAWS) grant to employ James Aldridge, a local artist from Marlborough, to assist the children to create an Environmental Sculpture from withies and many recycled products.

The last twelve months have proved a success for the Council’s tourism website www.visitkennet.co.uk attracting over 815,000 external visits. The top 10 overseas visitors to the site for May were USA, France, Australia, Denmark, Canada, Germany, Spain, Italy and Belgium.

The third Tidworth Primary Sports Festival proved to be the most popular festival to date involving 13 schools and 450 children.

The day began under cloudless skies and warm summer sunshine, all the children behaved impeccably on arrival ensuring a quick transfer from the Registration Point at Tidworth Leisure Centre to the various first class sporting venues within five minutes walk from the Centre.

A series of consultation exercises with young people throughout Wiltshire and within the Kennet District have shown that alternative sports such as Skate Boarding are more popular than traditional sports such as cricket.

To that end, the young people of Marlborough have the opportunity to receive specialised skate boarding coaching from Rubicon Skateboards (Andover) to help them learn and develop new skills and tricks.

Its all go at Marlborough Leisure Centre on Sunday June 18th. The Marlborough Triathlon is set to take place in the morning and later in the day the centre will welcome the finishers of the Marlborough Running Club Ridgeway Relay.

All forms of cricket are best played outdoors, in warm summer sunshine under cloudless skies and so it was for the Kennet Kwik Cricket Festival, held at Devizes Cricket Ground on Friday 9th June 2006.

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Kennet District Council has recycled many of its waste to landfill resources converting them to recycling services.

With the move to Alternate Weekly Collections in July Kennet District Council has been able to schedule its vehicle replacement programme to enable its waste collection lorries to be replaced by recycling vehicles.

Children from St Joseph’s School, Devizes are getting ready for the ‘Kiddies Kanter’ on Sunday 2nd July.

The race which is open to all primary school children in years 5 and 6 is being organised by Devizes School and will take place on the school playing field at 10am just before the adults ‘Kennet Kanter’ 10 mile and 5k runs, which is being organised by Kennet District Council’s Tourism Unit.

Tidworth Leisure Centre is delighted to welcome Pewsey Vale Flyers Trampoline Club, who have recently started training sessions at the Centre.

The club in its present form was established in 2000 after having originally been part of the Wiltshire School of Gymnastics. Currently the club has 19 members and is primarily geared towards top level competition, the most recent success being Ella Bull who achieved 3rd place in her class at the National Championships in 2005. Senior Club Coach Peter Quinney is himself a former GB champion. Representatives from the club are currently in negotiation with the Centre to secure more training opportunities which will then give them the chance to broaden their services to the community by providing new recreational and adult classes.

Over 1,000 local children are looking forward to taking part in either the Devizes or Marlborough Primary School Sports Festivals, both being held later this month.

Up to 400 children from primary schools in Marlborough and the surrounding villages are expected to converge at St. Johns Lower School, Marlborough for the Kennet Primary School Sports Festival on Thursday 22nd June.

Football fans across Kennet are being urged to go green as they watch the World Cup this summer, by recycling all their extra cans and bottles.

The amount of waste produced increases during a major sporting tournament, due to increased consumption of snacks and drinks. Each year, households in Kennet generate 33,000 tonnes of waste, with nearly 25% of this being recycled and composted using the black recycling boxes & green garden bins.

Four affordable homes in the village of Baydon that were originally only offered to people with a local connection to the Kennet area are now being offered to people outside of the district.

Kennet District Council and Pewsey Parish Council are celebrating the success of the first transfer of a Kennet District Council public convenience to a parish council.

On the 1st June 2006 the ownership of the Pewsey Public Conveniences was transferred from the district council to the parish council.

Excellent Partnership working between Kennet District Council, Devizes School, the Mid Wilts School Sports Partnership and the Wiltshire & Swindon Activity and Sports Partnership has resulted in the joint funding of a full time Community Sports Coach.

Tim Dunford has been appointed to the post and will be hosted by Kennet District Council. Tim has coached in various forms for twenty years and is skilled in all facets of generic coaching.

With 30 days to go before the introduction of Kennet District Council’s new Alternate Weekly Collection Service (AWC) the Council has already delivered wheeled bins to over fifty percent of the district’s residents, with the remaining bins scheduled to be delivered in the next three weeks.

Up to 500 children from thirteen primary schools in Tidworth and the surrounding villages are expected to take part in the annual Tidworth Primary School Sports Festival at Tidworth Leisure Centre on Tuesday 13th June.

In 2005, there were nearly 80,000 reported cases of food poisoning in the UK*. Whilst these figures are down on those of a decade ago, many more go unreported and therefore un-investigated.

Kennet District Council, Environmental Health & Protection Services Department is taking part in the 14th National Food Safety Week, and will be raising awareness of food hygiene at the Wiltshire Steam & Vintage Rally at Rainscombe Park, Oare Nr. Marlborough, Wiltshire on Saturday 10th June 2006 from 10am.

The Kennet Kwik Cricket tournament, a joint initiative between Kennet District Council and the ECB (England and Wales Cricket Board), is being hosted at Devizes Cricket Club on June 9th 2006.

31st May 2006

Kennet District Council have recently undergone a rigorous two day inspection by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE). The inspection focused on Kennet's Waste and Recycling operations. The HSE have wide ranging powers and could have issued, prohibition, rectification notices or even closed down the services.

Noise nuisance is no laughing matter. When it’s too much, too loud, at the wrong time or just too often, noise is a source of irritation and stress for many people and can even damage our hearing if it is loud enough.

People say nothing grows like a weed. However, in the Kennet District nothing could be further from the truth. Weeds on the district’s highways are under attack from Kennet District Council thanks to a partnership arrangement with Wiltshire County Council.

Thirteen households in Urchfont and Wedhampton have been taking part in a waste reduction scheme over the last 6 months in a bid to reduce the amount of waste they produce to one black bag per household per week.

Even the persistent rain could not dampen the spirits of the twenty Tag Rugby teams that
took part in the Marlborough Tag Rugby Festival on Wednesday 17th May 2006 at
Marlborough Rugby Club.

Over 60 people attended a Health & Fitness Evening at Tidworth Leisure Centre on Tuesday 16th May 2006 and took part in a range of fitness class taster sessions before trying out some of the alternative therapies and products that were on offer.

The aim of the evening was to encourage new people to come and sample some of the activities the centre has to offer as well as promoting the benefits of exercise and fitness. Those seeking a little bit of rest and relaxation had the chance to sample a range of relaxing therapies including Reiki, Reflexology, Indian Head Massage, Sports Massage and Beauty Therapy.

Gifted Wiltshire Artist Melissa Cole will be exhibiting her work at this year’s Puthall Park Sculpture Show at Puthall Farm, Marlborough. The show is a celebration of traditional and contemporary sculpture with exhibits by local and professional national artists. Entry is free and the show opens to the public on June 4th running through until June 18th. Daily opening hours are 11am to 6pm.

Kennet District Council would like to re-emphasise to all residents that there will be no disruption to its refuse and recycling collection services because of the Spring Bank Holiday on the 29th May 2006.

For the first time in 6 years ‘Junior Good Citizen’ week is to be held locally. Over 350 children from across the Kennet District Council area will be learning to keep safe at this year’s Junior Good Citizen event being held at the Air Cadet Premises, Le Merchant Barracks, London Road, Devizes from Monday 22nd to Friday 26th May 2006.

Kennet District Council has been working with a company called Enfusion to provide independent and expert advice on how to make sure future planning policies encourage sustainable development. The Authority has been working with local interest groups and other partners to make sure any appraisal reflects the particular qualities and environment of the district. The Council are seeking views from all sections of the community to make sure their appraisal reflects local priorities.

Local businesses have been keen to sponsor the second Kennet Kanter, the 10 mile run around Devizes which is being held on Sunday 2nd July.

The local businesses supporting the run, which is organised by Kennet District Council’s Tourism Unit, include “All Cut Up”, Moxom Electrical, KDC Leisure Department, Devizes Running Club and The Lions Club.

From May 2006, every property in the Kennet district will be receiving a kerbside collection of recyclables from their black recycling boxes. Residents throughout the district will be able to recycle their paper, cans & tins, glass, textiles and foil using their black recycling boxes.

The Devizes High Five Netball League’s first season came to an end recently with Southbroom A winning and All Cannings coming a very close second.

This Junior Netball League was born, thanks to the hard work of Devizes Netball Club and their established record of effective partnership working with Kennet District Council.

A warm and sunny day, in the picturesque surroundings of Marlborough College, provided a fantastic opportunity on Sunday (7th May) for the full field of 1500 ladies to complete the 5km Race for Life to raise money for Cancer Research.

3rd May 2006
Businesses don’t have to wait for smoke free legislation in 2007! Why not plan ahead and go smoke free now – it is popular with customers, you will benefit the health & well being of your workforce and you will avoid any complications which may arise when the ban comes into place.

Dog fouling is a public health risk and is classed as anti-social behaviour. The law controlling dog fouling in the Kennet area has changed and Kennet District Council is carrying out a consultation prior to bringing these new powers into force over the summer.

The conservation team at Kennet District Council is pleased with the outcome of a court case heard at Devizes Magistrates Court on Friday 28th April 2006.
Mr & Mrs Watson of Axford were each convicted of number of charges with regard to the unauthorised alteration of their grade II* listed property, Riverside House in Axford.

For those people whose first language is not English or who speak very little English, their access to services, facilities and other opportunities can be limited. Kennet District Council are eager to improve communications with it’s customers by providing a translation sheet to increase awareness of translation services and assistance available to ethnic minorities.

28th April 2006
All of Kennet’s Parking Officers have been awarded NVQ level 2 in Parking Control. Assessors from an independent training company have assessed the five Kennet Parking officers in the workplace over a period of 4 months. Some of the skills that were evaluated included dealing with customers and handling confrontations; knowledge and monitoring of parking controls and use of hand held computers.

Kennet District Council has just completed an ambitious pedestrian street signing project, designed and implemented by Engineers of the Council’s Environment and Leisure Group, with the scheme funded from the Local Transport Plan.

Every year as the weather warms up and spring approaches many people take the opportunity to open the windows to let in the fresh air. However, it is a well-known fact that it is not only the fresh air that can come into your house - for example, being in the back garden having left a few front windows open can present a burglar with a golden opportunity to get into your house, steal your possessions and get away without you noticing.

27th May 2006
Kennet District Council working in partnership with Kennet Housing Society/Guinness Trust is promoting new affordable homes in the village of Baydon. There are now only four houses remaining and they are available for sale to people with a local connection to the Kennet area.

Today will see the official launch of a brand new adventurous sports club for young people living in the Tidworth Community Area (TCA).

Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund, the T2a club will give 11 to 18 year-olds opportunities to take part in alternative sporting activities, which include mountain biking, skateboarding, climbing, orienteering and water-based sport.

Seventy women attended a Ladies Health & Fitness event at Marlborough Leisure Centre on Monday 24th April 2006 and enjoyed a host of activities, a healthy lunch and a fashion show.

The aim of the day was to promote women’s health and activities, encourage current users to try new classes and to invite new users in to experience what is on offer at the Leisure Centre.

The Wiltshire Primary Schools Team Quadrathlon Competition takes place at Marlborough College Athletics track on Thursday April 27th 2006 at 4.30pm – this is the first in a series of Primary School Athletics events organised for 2006.

Kennet District Council and Wiltshire County Council are jointly funding an Out of School Hours Learning scheme, targeting primary schools in the Tidworth Community area, with the aim of promoting physical activity and healthy eating amongst children.

21st April 2006
Kennet District Council and Marlborough St Johns have joined forces to provide activities requested by young people that integrate the school and Marlborough Leisure Centre facilities and encourage young people to be more active.

The Devizes Leisure Centre re-development project is on target and the new centre is set to open in early July. In order to complete the project, vital systems such as power, water, protection and communications will be required to be turned off so that the new build and the old build can be united and fully integrated. In addition equipment needs to be moved and staff will be trained in the daily use and the emergency systems in the new facility.

“Stewardship of the Environment” is at the centre of Kennet District Council’s corporate aims and the ‘Keep Kennet Clean and Safe’ campaign which was launched on the 27th March has proved a success in improving the environment for Kennet residents.

Funding allocated by the government’s Housing Corporation will provide a major boost for new affordable housing in Kennet over the next two financial years, 2006/2008.

Kennet residents have started to take delivery of their new black wheeled bins, which will be used for the collection of household waste from July 2006 as part of the new Alternate Weekly Collection (AWC) service. Kennet District Council have organised a series of roadshows around the district to introduce the new service to local residents.

Kennet District Council will be introducing a new Alternate Weekly Collection scheme for refuse and recycling from July 2006. The scheme is being rolled out across Kennet and bins have already been delivered to residents in Marlborough.

With effect from 1st April 2006 Kennet residents aged 60 and over and people with disabilities will be entitled to free bus pass travel. This will enable them to explore the delights of the Kennet countryside for free as long as the journey starts and ends in Wiltshire

Smokers keen to kick the habit were given advice and support from a team of health professionals and stop smoking advisors from Kennet District Council and Kennet & North Wilts and West Wilts PCT at an interactive stand in the Shambles, Devizes on No Smoking Day, 8th March.

Kennet launches its 'Keep Kennet Clean and Safe' campaign on the 27th March 2006. 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 to tackle anti-social behaviour and street scene offences such as littering and fly tipping.

On 6th April 2006 further measures contained in the Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act (2005) come into force.
Since gaining Royal assent back on 7th June 2005, the Clean Neighbourhoods & Environment Act has enabled local authorities to implement new powers to crack down on the perpetrators of environmental crime. Measures introduced in June and October 2005 included; the extension of the offence of littering to all land open to the air, confirmation of cigarette butts and chewing gum as litter and increased penalties for the illegally depositing of waste.

Kennet District Council has just received notification that it is “performing well” with its “Use of Resources” as assessed by the council’s independent watchdog the Audit Commission.

This new assessment follows on from the Comprehensive Performance Assessment (CPA) where Kennet was accredited as being a “good” authority. In particular the “Use of Resources” focuses on financial management and also links to the strategic management of the authority. It looks at how financial management is integrated with strategy and corporate management, supports council priorities and delivers value for money.

New opportunities have been generated across the Kennet district for businesses, communities and learners by increasing access to the internet through broadband.

Kennet District Council are a key partner in The Wiltshire and Swindon Smartplace partnership, the £7 million initiative which has was formed and officially launched on the 28th July 2003 and completed in December 2006.

The spring edition of the Kennet Times hits the streets this month and is packed with news from across the district.
Produced by Kennet District Council this publication includes information on the latest initiatives as well as vital information about services offered by the Council.

Kennet District Council and John Lewis Partnership (Waitrose Owners) have come to an agreement for the Council to manage the Polly Gardens car park in Marlborough from Thursday 16th of March. The Parking Order advertised in December 2004 which introduced charges and regulations will become effective at Midnight on the 16th.

Controversial plans for Devizes town centre have been modified as a result of public consultation. The original proposal, suggested by consultants Gillespies, was to develop nearly 20000m 2 of shopping floor space and underground car parking in the Central car park, supported by developing a large proportion of the Station Road car park for housing.

Fun filled days for 3-14 year olds are now just a hop, skip and a jump away! Kennet District Council’s Easter Holiday Activity Programme, which runs from April 3rd to April 13th is now available at Devizes, Tidworth and Marlborough Leisure Centres. If you prefer, you can view the programme online by visiting www.kennet.gov.uk/leisure and following the Activate links.

A traffic study to look at the impact of traffic growth on the network of roads in Devizes will begin in the near future. Funding for the study has been approved jointly by Kennet District Council and Wiltshire County Council. Finance will initially be provided by the two Councils. They will recover their costs from contributions to be paid by developers of planned development sites in the town as ‘planning gain’.

During February, over 1150 customer satisfaction questionnaires were sent out to members of Tidworth, Devizes and Marlborough Leisure Centres.

Completed forms reveal that cleanliness, friendliness and easy access to relevant information rank highly as overall drivers of satisfaction for leisure centre customers.

A Devizes resident is counting the cost of repeatedly breaking noise nuisance laws after having his television and stereo equipment seized by Environmental Health Officers from Kennet District Council.

The move came after the Environmental Health team received numerous complaints from residents in Victoria Road relating to the playing of loud music, regularly late into the night.

Kennet District Council is changing the way it deals with household waste and is introducing a new kind of waste collection service to help residents increase their recycling. The service, known as Alternate Weekly Collections (AWC) will increase the emphasis on recycling and reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.

Tidworth Leisure Centre are offering their senior members (age 60+) free, unlimited use of the fitness suite at Tidworth Leisure Centre until April 23rd to take part in a special exercise challenge to help raise funds for Age Concern.

Winners of the Planning and Design Competition, launched last year by the Council received their awards by Councillor John Booth Chairman at the Regulatory Committee, on 16 February.

Football training for the youngsters of Tidworth started on Thursday 2nd February with a promising turnout of 26 keen footballers.

The weekly sessions held at Tidworth Youth Development Centre provide an opportunity for young people to meet up in a safe environment and develop their confidence and football skills.

Households across the South West are being encouraged to take advantage of government grants to help keep warm and save money this winter. Grants of up to £2700 are available through the Government’s Warm Front scheme for homeowners and privately renting tenants who are in receipt of certain income, or disability related benefits.

From April 2006, Kennet District Council will be expanding its popular green garden waste collection service to cover the entire Kennet district.

Two gorgeous female border collies are looking for a very special home after they were abandoned in a wood near Devizes. They are the most adorable pair, the elder one who Lucinda thinks is the mother and about ten years old, the younger dog is around two or three years old. Both are really affectionate and well behaved. They would suit an active home with someone who can spend lots of time with them. Lucinda would wish for them to be re-homed together as they really are the best of friends.

Thanks to funding from the Big Lottery Fund, young people living in the Tidworth Community Area
are set to benefit from a brand new adventurous sports club. Dubbed the T2a club, youngsters will
be able to take part in alternative sporting activities, which include mountain biking, skateboarding,
climbing, orienteering and water-based sport.

During the three week period following Christmas, more than 2.6 tonnes of cards were collected for recycling, which equates to roughly 133,000 cards, enough to save 44 trees.

Kennet District Council would like to say a massive thank you to all parishes and schools across the district who took part in the Councils Christmas card recycling scheme. This is an amazing amount and residents should be duly proud of their achievement

A consultant and participation evening is being held to build on the existing Marlborough Community Area Plan by finding out what issues and concerns are still relevant to local people and to develop an action plan of projects and activities that are achievable by the community.

Shopper to Devizes will again be able to take a rest in the Brittox thanks to partnership working between Kennet District Council and Wiltshire County Council who have secured funding to replace the popular, well used seats.

Customers of Kennet District Council Leisure Centres will now be able to go online to book their favourite activities at Marlborough, Devizes & Tidworth Leisure Centres. This facility went live on January 23rd and is available to all current Leisure Card Holders

Kennet District Council and the British Trust for Conservation Volunteers (B.T.C.V) are currently undertaking work to improve the wildlife habitat at Pine Walk, Broadleas Park Devizes through a phased removal of a highly invasive Cherry Laurel.

Visitors to Marlborough Leisure Centre have welcomed the introduction of a new café serving food and drinks home-made with quality ingredients

Marlborough Leisure Centre has been without a café since before Christmas so visitors to the Centre were delighted when a new café facility ‘Krumbz Active’ was launched on the 19th January.

Thanks to the efforts of local residents, Kennet District Council has successfully exceeded the Government’s target to recycle or compost 25% of their rubbish, by achieving a recycling rate of 26.5% for December 2005.

Since October 2005, with the introduction of a kerbside collection of recyclables to over 98% of the District, Kennet residents have managed to divert nearly 2000 tonnes of useful material from landfill, including glass bottles, cans and paper. In addition to this, over 640 tonnes of green garden material has been collected and sent for composting.

Thanks are being given by Kennet District Council to all those residents who have recycled their Christmas trees over the last few weeks. Special fenced off areas were supplied at Station Road Car park, Devizes, George Lane Car park, Marlborough and at the New Surgery Area, Ramsbury and the response from residents has been amazing with some areas literally overflowing with trees.

Teams from Wessex & Bath, City of Salisbury, Ridgeway School, Marlborough & District Juniors, Swindon Harriers and one of the newly formed Panther Groups will compete in the Wiltshire U13 and U15 boys and girls Sports Hall Athletic Finals at Tidworth Leisure Centre on the 8th January 2006 for prestigious places in the Regional Finals to be held in Torbay.

As part of its Community Planning remit Kennet District Council continues its involvement in a number of partnerships which have the aim of improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of local people.

Kennet District Council has been working with Sarsen Housing Association and residents living in Forester and Juniper Court, Tidworth, to improve the environment for everyone.

Twenty five employees of Kennet District Council received certificates of merit on the 13th December for their outstanding contributions, after being nominated as exceptional staff by their peers.

Teresa Charles from Marlborough was found guilty at Chippenham Magistrates court on Tuesday 20th December for claiming Housing Benefit and Jobseekers Allowance whilst failing to declare her work as a bar maid at the Greyhound pub in Pewsey.

Black boxes full of recyclables for collection are now a common sight on Kennet’s streets. Although houses are currently well catered for in terms of kerbside recycling schemes, multiple dwellings have tended to be excluded because of problems with storage and collection.

The giving of presents at Christmas is not the only tradition at Kennet District Council. For several years now, as a ‘thank you’ for all the hard work carried out during the year by Kennet’s outdoor staff, Councillors and Senior Staff have personally funded and cooked a traditional “fry-up” for them to enjoy before their well deserved Christmas break.

Kennet’s Recycling Champion is delighted with the response from the District's commercial properties regarding the launch of the Council's new Commercial Waste Recycling Service.

The Council has received over one hundred enquiries from interested commercial waste producers requesting this new recycling service and seeking more information on how they can minimise their waste.

Young people will be able to take part in a range of athletic events with the formation of the Panther Club project.

Kennet District Council Leisure with UK Athletics and the Wiltshire Sports Partnership and three Kennet secondary schools will be providing year 7 & 8 students indoor Athletics coaching.

The first draft of a new car parking strategy for Kennet is now out for consultation. The consultation draft which has been developed by Kennet District Council’s overview and scrutiny task group has been circulated to numerous organisations and individuals throughout the Kennet district as part of the ongoing consultation process.

Now that the festive season is over it’s time to sort out all those items that can be recycled or reused. Kennet District Council’s aim is to encourage people to increase the amount they recycle throughout 2006 and to really think about the amount of waste that they throw away.

Over the Christmas and New Year period we will all generate up to 30% more rubbish than usual. However, up to 60% of the average household’s rubbish can be recycled, and there are many ways that people can reduce, reuse and recycle their Christmas waste and enjoy a guilt-free festive season. Kennet District Council’s aim is to encourage people to reduce the amount of rubbish that is thrown away and provide useful ideas on how they can reuse items and recycle more

Kennet District Council is just one of the organisations who have joined forces to set up a partnership to provide a range of facilities and opportunities for the young people of Wiltshire.

The WILTSHIRE ALTERNATIVE YOUTH SPORTS, [WAYS] hope to develop a range of activities linked to alternative Sports such as skateboarding and BMWing and will also encourage children to develop their skills through peer training and coaching

Housing Services at Kennet District Council has completed its Quarter 3 Property Market Analysis Report for the Kennet District covering July – September 2005. The analysis has been undertaken by tracking residential property prices through Land Registry data. The properties that were included in the research were analysed by allocation into four core areas, Devizes, Marlborough, Pewsey and Tidworth/Ludgershall.

Kennet’s Housing Chief has praised all the people who responded to the Council’s latest survey of local housing needs by independent housing consultants, Fordham Research. It takes a close look at the condition of local homes and also covers the housing needs of a sample of people across the District.

Following the recent increased concerns over child obesity and inactivity Kennet District Council have teamed up with St John’s School, Marlborough to offer more activities for young people.

Following it’s re-launch early this year, Ludgershall Market had managed to keep trading, but recent weeks has seen a reduction in stalls until none were prepared to trade as their business was no longer viable. This has been due to the dwindling numbers of shoppers at the market over this period.

Kennet District Council recently completed a successful Energy Efficiency Promotion in the Tidworth community area. The project was completed with the invaluable help of ‘Pulse’ magazine; whose delivery team made sure every home in the area received a questionnaire regarding the energy efficiency of resident’s homes

As part of a county-wide waste analysis survey, a team of waste inspectors will be in the Kennet District from 5th December to 16th December 2005.

Consultants MEL, have been appointed by the County Council to undertake this work with funding from Defra. The main aim of this survey is to identify what makes up our domestic waste and how much there is in the county. This survey will allow the Wiltshire authorities to plan their waste services for the future.

Kennet District Council is once again making it easier for people to recycle by providing baskets to carry their recyclables. People living in flats or multiple dwellings as well as elderly and disabled residents in the Kennet area will soon have the opportunity to apply for a basket to be delivered to their door. The basket is smaller and easier to manage than the black box, which makes it ideal for some residents who struggle to carry the boxes.

Kennet District Council is just one of the organisations who have signed up to the new Wiltshire Renewable Energy Action Plan which aims for a tenfold increase in the amount of heat, light and power produced by renewable energy over the next five years (from 8 megawatts to between 65-85 megawatts).

An agreement between Kennet District Council (KDC) and the Environment Agency (EA) has been established to deal with waste related enforcement which formalises the partnership working between the two agencies.

The agreement aims to further develop the good working relationship between the EA and KDC. In addition, the agreement will clarify those aspects of illegal waste activities that the EA and KDC should lead on, such as investigation, enforcement and prosecution of offenders.

As from Monday 21st November 2005 householders throughout England have a ‘duty of care’ to ensure that their waste is only given to authorised waste carriers.

Householders in the Kennet District could face fines of £5,000 if they fail to ensure their waste is removed by the Council or by legitimate, registered waste disposal companies.

On 1st December at Devizes Magistrates Court, British Bakeries Limited pleaded guilty to supplying to Somerfield Supermarket, food that was unfit for human consumption contrary to the Food Safety Act. A sliced loaf of brown bread that had been manufactured at British Bakeries factory in Avonmouth, Bristol in September 2004 was found to contain two dead baby mice when opened at home by Mrs. Sarah Smith of Ogbourne St. George, near Marlborough.
Mrs. Smith immediately contacted Environmental Health Officers at Kennet District Council who carried out an immediate investigation and traced the problem to the bakery in Avonmouth. Michael Rowan, Barrister, of Kennet District Council’s legal department commenced the prosecution and represented Kennet District Council.

Evidence that residents are taking up the recycling challenge is paying off as recycling rates soar to 24.5% for the month of October. This huge increase highlights the positive impact that the kerbside recycling service and the enthusiastic use of the black boxes by residents has had upon recycling levels

Every year more than 40,000 accidental domestic fires occur in England resulting in nearly 300 deaths and 9000 people injured. Of these, 35% of Fire deaths and 40% of fire casualties occur in houses that are in multiple occupation (HMO’s). An HMO is a building or part of a building such as a flat that is occupied by more than one household and where there are some sharing of amenities such as a bathroom or kitchen. Under the new provisions of the Housing Act 2004 it will soon become compulsory for landlords of larger, higher-risk HMO’s to be licensed by local authorities.

Kennet District Council’s commercial vehicle fleet will be using ‘biofuel’ in all diesel-engine vans and Lorries from December 2005.

Ordinary diesel fuel is processed from non-renewable stocks of oil, whereas ‘biodiesel’ contains a minimum 5% of oil obtained from renewable sources such as oil seed crops and recycled vegetable oils and fats.

A former Council Office in Devizes has recently been converted into a flat and let to a homeless household. The flat has been refurbished by Kennet District Council to provide good quality accommodation which avoids the need to place homeless households in bed and breakfast

Over a hundred workers from Kennet District Council are to benefit from literacy and numeracy training.

The training is being undertaken between November 2005 and March 2006 and has been funded by the Learning Skills Council’s Employer Training Pilot, which tailors training to help staff both in the workplace and in their everyday lives.

Kennet District Council are warning businesses in the district to ensure they dispose of their waste legally after a Devizes businessman was ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £1,644 by magistrates.

With the Licensing Act 2003 coming into full force on today (Thursday 24th November), establishments will be able to open around the clock (if they have applied for a license to do so). In reality only 2 premises in Kennet have requested and been approved a license for 24 hour opening, one for off licence sales and the other a Golf Club.

Kennet District Council are getting into the festive spirit by offering free parking to visitors of the Devizes ‘Christmas Festival’ and Marlborough ‘Spirit of Christmas’ events.

After formal requests were made by Devizes Development Trust and Marlborough Community Partnership the council's Community Development Executive Committee have authorised the suspension of car parking charges for the two Christmas events in Marlborough and Devizes during November and December.

The planning application for the redevelopment of St. John’s School in Marlborough will be considered by the Council’s Regulatory Committee on Thursday 24th November at 10.30 a.m.

Christmas came early for Edward Reynolds (9) of Andover, pictured here with his brand new mountain bike. Lucky Edward was just one of over 750 visitors who enjoyed Tidworth Leisure Centre’s Fifth Birthday Bash celebrations on October 8th

Two new buildings in Kennet were singled out by the Georgian Group in their architectural awards, announced this month and presented in London by HRH Princess Alexandra.

Residents or Businesses wishing to submit a planning application to Kennet District Council can now do so from the comfort of their own home or office. The Council has joined forces with the Government sponsored Planning Portal to deliver a service that enables customers to complete the forms, attach the plans and fee and submit their completed applications from their own computers.

The Chairman of the Council started his challenge at Devizes Leisure Centre on the 4 th October when he swam 50 lengths in 45 minutes. He went on to increase his distance by swimming 62 lengths in 60 minutes at Marlborough Leisure Centre on the 13 th October and finished his sponsored swim at his local pool in Tidworth on the 20 th October where he managed an impressive 68 lengths in 50 minutes.
The total distance covered in all three pools was 4.5km (180 lengths) which was achieved in less than 3 hours.

The Police Authority is holding consultations on the future of policing in Wiltshire and Swindon. This is a chance for local people to have their say on how their local police force is reorganised following the instruction from Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary to Chief Constables and Police Authorities to review the current structures and consider options for change.

Kennet Kanter, the 10 mile Devizes run held on July 2nd 2005 has raised a staggering £2,956.38 for The British Heart Foundation.

A cheque was presented to Brian Little, the Heart Foundation Devizes Area Manager at Devizes Visitor Centre on Friday 4th November. John Sutton representing the Lions Club of Devizes also received a cheque for £200 to be distributed to nominated charities.

During recent months, officers from Kennet District Council have been undertaking studies to ascertain how many residents currently take part in the Council’s black box Kerbside recycling scheme.

Over 58% of residents in Devizes regularly use their black box for recycling, whilst in Upavon and Netheravon this figure exceeds 60%. Special mention goes to Watson Close in Upavon where 80% of households put out their black box during the six week period.

A demonstration SMART HOME, displaying the very latest technology to support people to live independently in their own homes has been set up with funding from Kennet District Council and in partnership with Ridgeway Community Housing Association.

The SMART HOME, in Northgate Gardens Devizes, is a flat which shows off some of the advances that have been made in Telecare, using technology to help keep an eye on people who are elderly and frail or who have health problems.

Enford resident Michelle Castle appeared for sentencing at Swindon Crown Court on 20th October, 2005 having previously pleading guilty to fraudulently claiming benefit to which she was not entitled.

Its energy saving week and this year the focus in Wiltshire is upon the little things we can all do to make a world of difference….we can all work to make savings in energy consumption.

Kennet District Council is working with The Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre (EEAC) in promoting a campaign to ask everyone, from all ages and walks of life, to pledge to save a little energy. What will you pledge?

A public debate on the future of Devizes town centre is about to start. The consultation has been designed to encourage local people to have their say over the shopping needs in Devizes and the amount and location of car parking to serve it.

Kennet District Council, with assistance from the South West of England Regional Development Agency, commissioned a study to consider the prospects for the future of Devizes town centre. The appointed consultants, Gillespies have now completed the study and made their final recommendations.

Parish Councils tend to be seen as only dealing with village fetes and flower shows – all a bit “Vicar of Dibley”. The reality is that most parish councils provide a wide range of services for their local community, and all act as a point of Consultation for the Government and District/County Councils.

One parish Council, Avebury, faces particular challenges through having a World Heritage Site literally on its doorstep. The stone circle is a focus for tourism and pagan ritual, and the parish council plays a full role in its management at both local and national level, balancing the needs of the ancient monument with the needs of the people living there.

Cards designed by pupils at Rowdeford School, near Devizes are just some of the charity cards now on sale at the Devizes Tourist Information Centre.
The Rowdeford Charity Trust held a competition for children from the school to provide designs for this years cards. Margaret Moore, Manager of the Devizes TIC recently met the four successful pupils when they were presented with a large copy of their design and one of the actual cards by Mike Bowden, Chair of the Rowdeford Charity Trust. (see photo attached).

A group of children from Potterne Primary School were recently presented with brand new walking packs produced by Kennet District Council to help them in their bid to stay fit and healthy.

The children, aged between 4 and 11, enjoy regular walks with their teachers in the surrounding countryside and so in recognition of their excellent efforts the school were chosen to help promote the council’s walking packs.

Kennet District Council is making a bid to persuade the government to amend the planning rules on mobile phone masts.

At present government planning rules create a presumption in favour of granting planning permission for mobile phone masts anywhere. Kennet District Council is campaigning to get that presumption removed in urban areas, particularly in the immediate vicinity of homes, schools and hospitals.

Employees slipping and tripping is the commonest cause of injuries in UK workplaces. Each year slips and trips cause over 11,000 major injuries, over 80% of which result in fractures. Over 90% of those injured are absent from work for at least one week*.
The costs of these accidents to the UK economy and employers have been estimated at £800 million and £500 million respectively*. Sectors with the highest reported incidence of major injuries include construction, public administration, food, health services, transport, warehousing, postal services, retail and hospitality.

Kennet District Council held their annual Landlords Forum & Fair on Tuesday 18 October. The meeting was held at the Council Offices and proved to be a great success amongst landlords, property owners and letting agents.

The date of the meeting was set to coincide with the Empty Homes Agency’s National Week of Action 2005 to highlight the work the Council has achieved in bringing empty homes back into use and launch ‘Sure Let’ one of the initiatives under the ‘Homes From Empty Properties’ Campaign.

Michael Ancram MP joined into the spirit of the Mind and Body Fair on Saturday by banging one of the ‘stress relief’ drums to officially open the event.

The Fair, which was hosted by Marlborough Leisure Centre in celebration of World Mental Health Day 2005, attracted over 300 visitors and was hailed a huge success by its organisers. A steady stream of visitors of all ages came to the event with many people taking the opportunity to receive some form of complimentary therapy.

Twenty four Kennet District Council staff were awarded their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) Level 2 certificates on the 16th September 2005, at Kennet House in Devizes.

This amazing achievement is part of an on going training programme undertaken by Kennet District Council to improve the qualifications of its out door staff. The Council over the last two years has trained fifty four of its sixty four permanent staff in waste management and highway maintenance NVQ Level 1 and 2 qualifications.

Four members of staff from Devizes Leisure Centre will be getting physical this weekend as they take on two days of extreme activity which is all part of this year’s Royal Marine Commando Challenge.

Their determination, sense of humour and physical fitness will be tested to the limit as they make their way round the fearsome Royal Marines training course, complete with mud filled crocodile pit, water tunnel, pebble run and black peat bogs. The brave team from Devizes Leisure Centre will complete this gruelling course not once but twice! Doing 3 miles on the Saturday and an energy sapping 7 miles the following day!

Kennet District Council have teamed up with the Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre to offer Kennet residents a great cash back offer on energy efficiency DIY measures. When you go to your DIY store or builders’ merchant and buy one of the materials listed below, send us the receipt accompanied by a grant application form and we will send you a cheque for 25% of the price you paid to put back into your pocket!

Kennet’s services are good and show promising signs of improvement. That is according to a new inspection report published by the audit commission, which is the council’s independent watchdog.

Cllr. Peter Richardson, the Chairman of Kennet District Council and Member Champion for Leisure completed the first leg of his sponsored swim at Devizes Leisure Centre on Wednesday 5th October 2005.
Cllr. Richardson is splitting his sponsored swim between the three Kennet pools and had set himself a target of 850 meters in each but exceeded his own expectations and managed an impressive 1,250 meters on the first leg at Devizes in 45 minutes.

Kennet District Council is maintaining its high record of achievement in relation to complaints made against it to the Local Government Ombudsman.

Kennet District Council are asking residents to consider the alternatives before lighting their bonfires this autumn. As the summer ends and with autumn approaching many people will be gathering fallen leaves, twigs and other garden waste to build a bonfire. Kennet District Council are asking residents to consider the alternatives before lighting their bonfires this autumn.

The Kennet Local Strategic Partnership at its meeting in September adopted a strategy which embraces the whole of the Kennet community.

The strategy provides a number of high level aims based on the priorities expressed by local communities and sets out how agencies across Kennet will work together to deliver on those aims.

Sarah Eagle, who works at Kennet District Council and whose son Louis suffers from a rare and life threatening metabolic disorder, gained support from her work colleagues and many of the businesses in Devizes to raise over £2,500 for the Jeans for Genes Day Campaign.

Staff in offices throughout Devizes discarded their usual office clothes and wore jeans in exchange for a donation of at least £2.

One lucky resident in Kennet was reunited with his wallet last week, after accidentally throwing it out with his ordinary waste.

Three Kennet District Council waste collectors searched through over ten tonnes of waste to find the wallet, which had been collected together with the rest of the man’s refuse by the Council for disposal at the Compton Basset Landfill site.

Maria Memoli, Solicitor to the Council has been appointed as a Council Member on the Law Society Council (representing Local Government) and standing for all solicitors in England and Wales.
This prestigious appointment commenced on the 16th September and will undoubtedly present challenges for Maria at a time when the Law Society are in the throes of changing their structures and separating out their regulatory and representational functions.

Devizes Magistrates Court, sitting on the 6th October, 2005 sentenced three benefit fraudsters who had cheated the tax payer out of over £5,000 between them.

Ben Travers, prosecuting for Kennet District Council, told the Court how in unrelated incidents, each defendant had failed to notify the Council of changes to their circumstances which resulted in Kennet District Council paying out housing benefit and Council tax benefit to which they were not entitled.

Kennet District Council are working in partnership with the Tidworth Trust to run an energy efficiency promotion across the Tidworth community area.

Alongside the October edition of Pulse all 5000 households in the Tidworth community area will receive an energy efficiency questionnaire. When completed and returned (FREEPOST) the form will generate an individual report into the energy efficiency of resident’s houses and will suggest ways to save money on heating bills this winter. Additionally, residents will be informed of energy efficiency grants and special offers available through the partnership between Kennet District Council and the Wiltshire Energy Efficiency Advice Centre.

Elected members of the Kennet District Council have passed a motion in support of two important bills due before parliament this autumn; the Climate Change and Sustainable Energy Bill and the Management of Energy in Buildings Bill.

The two Bills are aimed at improving the take up of Microgeneration of energy by householders, the generation of energy by householders installing micro-units in their own homes

On October the 8th from 11am, Tidworth Leisure Centre will be transformed into a haven of fun for all the family to celebrate its 5th birthday!

Tidworth Leisure centre provides the community with first class sporting facilities and the birthday celebrations are on opportunity for the centre to say a big thank you to everyone who uses the centre, welcome new members and most importantly provide the local community with a fantastic, fun day out!

Free health assessments, a pedometer challenge and a new healthy life intranet site are being used to encourage staff at Kennet District Council to embrace a healthier life style.

Results from the latest Healthier Wiltshire Lifestyles Survey show that Kennet District Council workers are, on the whole a fairly fit bunch. But when it comes to health there is always room for improvement.

The Chairman of the Commission on Rural Affordable Housing and former political correspondent for Channel Four News Elinor Goodman, started her research into the housing problems of the countryside by coming and talking to Housing Officers at Kennet District Council recently.

The organisers of the Mind and Body Fair are delighted to announce that Michael Ancram Q.C. M.P and the Mayor or Marlborough; Mrs Hilary Cripps will be opening their event on Saturday 15th October.

This brand new major celebration of Health & Wellbeing will be held at Marlborough Leisure Centre, College Fields, to draw in visitors from across Wiltshire. The opening ceremony will take place at 10.30am.

Staff at Kennet District Council are being invited to throw out the usual dress code and wear jeans to work on Friday 7th October in support of a colleague whose son has a rare genetic disorder.
Jeans for Genes is a national appeal where everyone across the UK is asked to jump into their jeans and donate £2 to the appeal.

E-Pewsey, the internet café in Pewsey is to open its doors two evenings a week in a bid to attract local minority groups, to help them integrate into the local community, which is vital to the economy of Pewsey.

Working with the Kennet Community Safety Partnership, the e.Pewsey team have been successful in their bid for just over £3,000 from the Home Office’s ‘Spark Plug’ initiative to run a pilot project to:
(a) Open ePewsey for 2 evenings a week for 5 months (7pm – 10pm)
(b) ‘Market’ the service to minority groups
(c) Use these evenings to offer assistance to access services i.e. NHS, Social Services, CAB, and Training Services

Three Kennet District Council Fitness Instructors were delighted to take part in demonstrations at this year’s Leisure Industry Week (LIW) at the Birmingham NEC.

LIW which took place last week is one of the biggest events in the leisure calendar, hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of visitors all flock to the NEC during September to keep abreast of what’s new in the world of Leisure.

Over the past 15 years Kennet District Council has helped to improve the food hygiene standards and knowledge in many of its 900 food businesses by offering a very successful and popular food hygiene training course.

Many recycling collection days in Kennet are changing in a move to extend recycling services to over 98% of the Kennet District.

From Monday 3rd October more people than ever before will be provided with a free black recycling box in which glass bottles, cans, tins, foil, textiles and aerosols can be placed along with all paper and magazines. Rubbish collection days are currently remaining the same

This year, for one week during August, Fit Camp arrived at Marlborough Leisure Centre, as part of the Summer Activate Programme. With the increasingly sedentary habits of young people never far from the news these days, Fit Camp proved that being active and healthy can and should be fun.

Every year during the autumn firework season over a thousand people are treated at hospital accident and emergency departments in the UK.

As fireworks go on sale in the run up to Bonfire Night, Kennet District Council are involved in controlling the organisation of Firework displays, and are appealing to organisers to follow the necessary procedures to ensure safety for themselves and the public.

Kennet Times, the council’s twice yearly newsletter is currently being distributed to residents throughout the District.

Its official, Devizes is Blooming Marvellous. For the second year in a row Devizes has taken home the silverware at the South West Britain in Bloom. This year Devizes was moved up a category and competed for the Sargent Cup. The competition was fierce but Devizes, yet again, came up with the goods and finished first.

Kennet Community Safety Partnership have responded to appeals for help in crowd control by contributing toward the purchase of more pedestrian barriers to line the routes of carnivals and other events in the area.

A celebration of Health & Wellbeing is being held at Marlborough Leisure Centre, College Fields, on Saturday 15th October to draw in visitors from across Wiltshire.

The Mind and Body Fair is an involving and informative FREE fun day for all ages, exploring the world of alternative health and promoting ways to improve emotional wellbeing.

Since the introduction of council Tax in 1993 collection rates in Kennet have always been some of the highest in the Country and this year is no exception. The figure is calculated by comparing the net amount due from each householder, after discounts and benefits have been awarded, with the amount collected within each financial year.

This year Kennet collected 98.9% of tax due. In fact in 10 out of the last 12 years the Council have collected more than 98% of the tax due

Kennet District Council’s Member Champion for recycling is joining the waste collection teams on their rounds this month in a bid to understand the psychology behind waste generation

The Wiltshire Compact formally launched its 4 codes of best practice at the Rugby Club in Devizes on Tuesday 13th September. These codes which include, communications, volunteering, equalities and funding set out how local authorities, the primary care trusts and the voluntary sector will work together to improve the quality of life in the district.

The Kennet Community Safety Partnership, Diversity Task Group have raised awareness of diversity issues in a novel way by putting on a series of three plays in Pewsey's Bouverie Hall. The plays addressed race, homophobia and transgender issues and each one was followed up by a workshop to enable the audience to share their views.

Kennet District Council is launching a new stage in its successful campaign to promote recycling throughout the district and protect the surrounding natural environment.

Kennet District Council are pleased to continue to support the Wiltshire Heritage Museum, based in Long Street Devizes. The Museum was awarded £11,500 this year in recognition of their contribution towards the cultural life of the area.

Under the provisions of the Housing Act 2004 it will soon become compulsory for landlords of larger, higher-risk houses in multiple occupation (HMO’s) to be licensed by local authorities.

A house in multiple occupation generally means a building or part of a building such as a flat that is occupied by more than one household and where there are some sharing of amenities such as a bathroom or kitchen. Licensing will become compulsory for those properties that are 3 or more storeys high and which have five or more people in more than one household and who share amenities.

On Thursday September 1st homes@kennet switched to a document management system that makes a ‘paperless’ office a reality.

Kennet District Council is holding a Landlords Forum and Fair on Tuesday 18 October 2005 which will be open to landlords, letting agents, prospective landlords and property owners. The Forum is taking place in the Council Chamber from 9.45 and will run all morning followed by a light lunch.

Kennet District Council is encouraging everyone to think more about what they are buying and throwing away.

The Council has continued to introduce recycling services across the district and residents are taking up the challenge by recycling more waste than ever before. However, as a district we continue to throw more and more rubbish away with over 100 tonnes more waste being sent to landfill in July this year than in June. Whilst recycling is a step in the right direction, reduction of waste is essential in order to cut down the volume thrown away each week.

Kennet District Council has adopted guidelines for strengthening community involvement in making planning decisions.

A local farmer and builder were ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £20,153 at Chippenham Magistrates Court on Tuesday 6th September 2005 for fly tipping.

The plan, which will be officially launched on the 9th September 2005, has been written with the aim of not only safeguarding the site but also balancing the needs of Avebury's local community and it’s 350,000 annual visitors.

Visitors from the Gambia sent a video message to their colleagues and friends back home to officially launch the iplus point, the latest technology to hit Marlborough high street.

Tidworth Community Area Partnership (TCAP) has produced a Strategic Action Plan. This Plan takes forward the ideas of the community contained in the Community Plan, published in December 2003.

The Kennet Community Safety Partnership has erected a number of signs in vulnerable beauty spots in Kennet as a visible reminder to drivers not to leave valuables in their cars.

September has been designated ‘Farmers Market Month’ and Kennet District Council is proud to support the Wiltshire Farmers Markets. Another successful season is drawing to a close, in which the market in Devizes has moved location within the market place to allow easier access for the public.

Kennet District Council introduced its Customer Services Contact Centre in May 2005. With hard work and enthusiasm the centre is now running smoothly with the team successfully handling 7,000 calls per month and achieving proven customer satisfaction

During the annual register of electors canvass in September, callers should have a shorter wait than in previous years because calls will initially be answered by the Council’s Contact Centre. There are many more staff available to deal with queries about registration forms in the Contact Centre, and they will be trained to deal with the majority of common queries

Imagine the scene – you and your friends are visiting a local pub. You’re having a great evening but then a fight breaks. Even though you’ve had a great evening, the only thing you remember about it, and the pub, is the fight. You decide not to return to that pub again.

Incidents like this can have a huge impact on the success of a business and a Devizes Landlord has decided to do something about it by encouraging local licensees to join him in re-launching the Pubwatch scheme in the town, the licensed trade equivalent of Neighbourhood Watch.

Youngsters from the Forty Acres Road area of Devizes enjoyed an afternoon of fun and games on Tuesday 23rd August 2005

Kennet District Council are pleased to report that feedback from users of the ‘iPlus Point’ outdoor kiosk at Marlborough Library has been very positive in the first week of operation.

Kennet District Council are encouraging all service personnel to register to vote and want to reassure people that registration is simple. Whether in married quarters or barracks, people have the choice to register as a civilian or service voter.

Activate – Kennet District Council’s programme of summer holiday activities, launched...

Kennet District Council commenced the expansion of its Multi-Material Recycling Collection Service...

Kennet District Council is warning residents and commercial properties to be ever vigilant when...

Local residents have been getting to grips with the new temporary layout at Devizes Leisure Centre...

Kids and parents made the most of half term helped by the fun filled week of activities put on by...

Washing your hands prevent serious illness, it is one of the oldest health messages around, but and...

With just a couple of weeks to go organisers of the Kennet Kanter are delighted by the response...

Up to 750 children from primary schools in Devizes and the surrounding villages are expected to...

Up to 350 children from primary schools in Marlborough and the surrounding villages are expected to...

Officers from Kennet District Council and Wiltshire County Council are working together in...

The Animal Welfare Officer at Kennet District Council is looking for suitable homes for two...

Devizes Town Council have just taken delivery of two brand new Kennet District Council green garden...

Devizes Leisure Centre re-development is on track. The centre re-opened for business on June 8th...

The Animal Welfare Officer at Kennet District Council is delighted to announce that she has just taken delivery of half a million poop scoop bags, which will be available free of charge to the residents of Kennet.

The theme of this year’s National Food Safety Week is “Stop – Think – Wash”. The week will aim to raise awareness of how easily dirty hands can spread germs, which could lead to food poisoning.

Due to the popularity of the Primary Schools Sports Festivals at Devizes and Marlborough an additional festival is being staged this year at Tidworth Leisure Centre.

RNID Crystal Hearing Loops are now available for customer use in Devizes Visitor Centre and Avebury Chapel Centre.

Since 2002 Kennet District Council has been a strong supporter of the Marlborough Area Development Trust (MADT) business networking breakfasts through funding and staff support.

Kennet District Council’s Building Control Team are celebrating their success at being rated in the top 25% of services throughout England and Wales. The benchmark of this success has been set against the ‘quality and performance matrix’, which is published by the District Surveyors Association.

Leisure and Arts Champion and newly appointed Chairman of Kennet District Council, Councillor Peter Richardson, reached new heights last week, when he was invited to experience some of the activities that will be on offer on May 26, when Tidworth Leisure Centre holds it’s ‘Masters Open Day’.

The continental market, which was held in Devizes over the weekend of Saturday 14th May and Sunday 15th May, has proved to be a resounding success, receiving the support of visitors and locals.

In new guidance from Kennet District Council developers will be asked to pay for new social facilities. ‘Community Benefits from Planning’ recognises that new houses can place a burden on existing services, especially when those services are already ‘full’, for example schools.

Councillor Peter Richardson, Ward Member for Ludgershall (North Ward) is the new Chairman of Kennet District Council following his election at the Council’s Annual Meeting on Tuesday 10th May. Retiring Chairman, Councillor Mrs. Jenny Combe handed over the Chairmanship at the council offices.

Ludgershall market is to be re-launched on Friday 20th May 2005 at St James Car Park, Ludgershall.

Kennet District Council was already one of the top performing councils in the country in street cleaning. New national performance figures show that it has got even better. Kennet now has some of the cleanest streets in the country.

A continental market is returning to Devizes market place during the weekend of the 14th and 15th May 2005. Kennet District Council has taken the lead, in partnership with Devizes Town Council, Devizes Development Partnership and Chamber of Commerce, to promote the up and coming market event.

Charlotte Taylor’s recent prosecution was Kennet District Council’s sixth successful prosecution for benefit fraud in the last 12 months. A further 11 persons have either been fined or received an official Local Authority caution for falsely claiming housing benefit that they are not entitled to.

The Citizen Advice Bureau for the Kennet area has benefited from a generous grant of £64,860 from Kennet District Council which will go a long way to providing the valuable CAB service across the Devizes, Marlborough, Tidworth and Pewsey Community Areas.

Kennet Community Safety Partnership are holding an innovative and informative event on Monday 25th April at the Bouverie Hall, Pewsey to explore diversity in Kennet and what it means to the people living and working in the area.

Despite intense pressures on available funding, Kennet District Council is pleased to announce that it has been able to continue its community grant programme and by the end of the 2004 financial year had supported local community projects across the district to the tune of £386,000.

The long running partnership working between Kennet District Council and Hills Minerals and Waste Ltd is set to continue and will assist in bringing real benefits to the residents of the Kennet district.

A misty sea of blue greets visitors to West Woods near Marlborough during May as bluebells come into flower and cover the ground.

After consulting the residents, Kennet District Council is making important improvements in the way it collects waste during a Bank Holiday week. As from the Mayday Bank Holiday, on the 2nd May 2005, resident’s waste will be collected on the usual day without any changes.

Kennet District Council welcomes new powers to help councils clamp down on environmental crime, which has become law after the Environment and Clean Neighbourhoods Act received Royal Assent.

Kennet District Council has successfully negotiated revised ’single status’ terms and conditions of employment for its outdoor workforce based at Kennet House. The revised terms and conditions will bring the council’s important ‘frontline’ staff onto the national terms and conditions for office based local government staff.

If you aren't able to compost your gardening leftovers, have you considered registering for the Council's new Green Garden Waste collection scheme?

As part of its Community Planning remit Kennet District Council has established a number of partnerships which have the aim of improving the economic, social and environmental well-being of local people.

Planning Inspector Mr R D Hiscox has allowed the development of housing on land formerly used as allotments at Spitalcroft in Devizes. Kennet District Council had refused developer Robert Hitchins Limited permission for the development of this land in November 2003. An appeal was heard in Devizes Town Hall earlier this year in February.

Kennet District Council has been awarded £5,000 from the Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP), to make sure the message of recycling and waste minimisation reaches the residents of the district.

People in Kennet live in one of the safest areas in the country. That’s official. The audit of Crime, Anti-social Behaviour and Drug Misuse carried out in 2004 confirmed that Kennet has the lowest levels of crime in Wiltshire, which is one of the safest counties in the country

Kennet District Council’s new Street Cleaning Service is delivering more than just cleaner streets. The service which provides cleaning between 0600hrs and 2200hrs for the majority of the week has been found to have a positive effect on deterring anti-social behaviour.

In his recent budget speech, the Chancellor of the Exchequer announced that council tax paying households with someone aged 65 or over will receive £200 for 2005/2006.

Kennet District Council has recently commenced its annual issue of black bags to the households within the district.

Both the Planning and Human Resources Departments of Kennet District Council are celebrating public recognition of their efforts and performance.

To help the licensing trade understand the changes to the Licensing Act the council recently held a free seminar, which gave people the opportunity to participate in a question and answer session and request an application form.

Following the unexpected departure of its Pest Control Officer, Kennet District Council is currently unable to provide any pest control treatments.

Kennet District Council is keen to promote Housing and Council Tax Benefit to those who may never have considered claiming benefits before and are writing to 400 householders who the Council believe could be entitled to help with the rent or Council Tax they pay.

At the beginning of April 2005, Sarsen Housing Association joined forces with Test Way Hosing to form part of Aster Housing Group. This partnership will help to ensure that Sarsen Housing Association can continue to grow, working with local councils to provide much needed new affordable housing. The new group will continue to have its headquarters in Devizes.

That’s the message Ward Member, Councillor Peter Evans, who is also Kennet’s Champion for the Environment is aiming to get across to the people who have not yet signed up for the garden waste collection scheme.

GREEN minded recyclers in the Kennet district are being asked to think yellow with the launch of a campaign to recycle telephone directories.

New research figures into the true extent of fly tipping throughout England has been released recently.

Devizes Rugby Club played host to another successful Primary School Tag Rugby Festival at Devizes Sports Club on Wednesday 23rd March 2005.

A 'New Look' market situated at the Bouverie Hall car park, Pewsey will be held every Tuesday starting on the 5th April 2005.

Kennet District Council, local housing associations and the Wiltshire Police joined forces on March 15th to look at new ways of tackling noise related anti-social behaviour.

Kennet District Council received Government approval for its ‘Local Development Scheme’ document under the Planning & Compulsory Purchase Act , 2004 on the 17th March.

Kennet District Council are thrilled that the Devizes Leisure Centre refurbishment project can go ahead as local firm Gaiger Brothers Ltd. were appointed as main contractors.

There has been a revision to the refurbishment programme which means that the centre will remain open between Tuesday 29th to Friday 1st April.

Kennet District Council now offers its customers the opportunity to receive information about relevant services by text message and there is no cost involved in receiving this Text Service.

Kennet District Council have been assisting local businesses with the withdrawal of products affected with the illegal dye, Sudan I, which was in a batch of chilli powder used to manufacture Worcester Sauce.

Good news for small businesses - The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister has now announced the details of the small business rate relief scheme (SBR) which will come into effect on 1st April 2005.

No Smoking Day is one of the biggest annual health awareness campaigns in the UK, with an expected 4 million people up and down the country ready to take a positive step toward stopping smoking.

Kennet District Council and the South West Regional Development Agency’s consultants are about to publish their final recommendations for improvements to the shopping facilities on offer in the centre of Devizes.

Kennet District Council would like to hear from residents who are keen to get involved with the Green Garden Waste Collection Scheme and are urging residents to register their interest early to avoid disappointment.

Kennet District Council plans to compost an additional 1,000 tonnes of 'green' waste this year as part of an exciting new recycling initiative

Kennet District Council has unveiled how it intends to strengthen community involvement in making planning decisions in the district.

Kennet District Council is preparing for the May elections which will see residents across the district going to the polls to elect County Councillors to serve on the County Council for the next four years.

Kennet District Council will be re-launching Pewsey and Ludgershall markets soon and want to hear from new and existing traders who want to join the markets

Kennet District Council has just received its annual audit and inspection letter by the independent ‘watchdog’ the Audit Commission.

The aim of producing this new look visitor guide and website is to encourage more visitors to enjoy...

Kennet District Council is proud to fund a replacement bus for the Ramsbury Community Bus Committee, which took delivery of a new Peugeot minibus in November.

Kennet District Council is supporting an exciting new community project being launched this month in Wiltshire. Ludgershall is one of four villages in Wiltshire taking part in the project which is called Big Ideas Mini Operas, which is being launched this month.

Kennet District Council are encouraging residents to dispose of their Christmas trees and Christmas cards in an environmentally-friendly way once the festive season has ended.

The strain on car parking spaces is even greater at Christmas and during the busy sale period; therefore it is even more important that parking regulations are followed. Here are some guidelines to help you at this busy time of year.

At this festive time of year we all produce more rubbish than usual and Kennet District Council will endeavour to make sure your Christmas waste is collected with as little disruption as possible over the holidays.

Irresponsible behaviour that spoils the beauty of our area will not be tolerated, Kennet District Council has warned.

Kennet District Council are highlighting the risk of fraud and identity theft, in the run up to Christmas following recent visits by bag-raiders to the district.

CHRISTMAS is fast approaching and users of Kennet District Council's sports and leisure centres need to be aware of some opening time changes throughout the festive period.

This autumn Kennet District Council has taken a new approach to dealing with leaves by composting them, rather than disposing of them with the road sweepings

Kennet District Council cautiously welcomed news that the maternity unit at Devizes Community Hospital will remain open in the short term, but Councillors are anxious to see the unit’s long term future secured and will continue to argue the case for a wide range of community maternity services to be provided within Kennet.

Kennet District Council is delighted to have been short-listed for Beacon status under the theme of Affordable Housing on 10th November 2004.

Kennet District Council has been successful in securing a grant of £170,000 from the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, (Defra).

Thousands of people in Kennet could lose their right to vote in forthcoming elections if they don’t register to vote.

Kennet District Council’s Community Development Executive Committee agreed to subsidise the Saturday Specials sessions at Marlborough Leisure Centre for a further 12 months.

Lest we forget
The Chairman wears her Poppy with Pride

The Chairman of Kennet District Council, Councillor Mrs Jenny Combe, is seeking the support of Kennet’s employees and residents in the District to help the British Legion to exceed last year’s record collection, totalling £21,697.387.

Householders are being urged to watch out for burglars who take advantage of the season’s early nightfall.

Kennet District Council are looking at improving the way in which the public can make their views known. People are often not interested in community consultations in the District. To help overcome this we are looking at ways to involve the community which reflect their preferred ways of getting involved.