Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire Council news from Ernie Clark.

Your Independent councillor for Hilperton.

The Wiltshire Council election for Hilperton is now only days away. You will have a choice of three candidates, including myself, and I hope that you have read the leaflets which you should have received from the three of us.

In 2009, Hilperton had one of the highest turn-out percentages in the county – over 50%. If the weather is warm and sunny (!) on the 2nd May I wonder what that figure will be this year?

The outdoor market in Trowbridge got off to a good start recently. It will be open every Wednesday with a wide range of both local produce, crafts and consumer goods. The 30 plus stalls will be set up in the heart of the town stretching across the whole of Fore Street. The launch came after widespread consultation by Wiltshire Council with traders and locals on whether a market would be viable for the town. The new market received help with its set-up costs from the Trowbridge Area Board grant scheme.

The criteria for Area Board grants has now been changed in order to stop what I describe as ‘freebie lunches’ for local organisations hosting award events in the town. In future only ‘capital’ projects will be allowed so, for example, the two grants awarded to the village hall for improvements to the toilet facilities would still be allowed to go forward for consideration.

The government has been forced into an embarrassing U-turn on its initiative to allow single storey house extensions of upto eight metres without planning permission. It seemed more a recipe for neighbour conflict than ‘promoting economic growth’. Quite how this idea ever fitted in with the ‘localism agenda’ I could never fathom!!