Wiltshire Council and Westbury Town Council agree the transfer of grounds maintenance services and community assets in Westbury

Local people in Westbury will be able to have more say on how grounds maintenance and Streetscene services are run in the town, after Wiltshire Council agreed to pass several services and assets to Westbury Town Council. 

The decision has been welcomed by the town council. “We are delighted to announce that after much discussion, Wiltshire Council have agreed to transfer some services and assets to the town council,” said town clerk Deborah Urch. 

“This means that Westbury Town Council will take responsibility for all StreetScene and grounds maintenance services, such as grass cutting in the town. The town council will also take responsibility for Westbury’s markets and some amenity areas, including management of allotment sites such as The Grove, maintenance of all closed churchyards within the town, and ownership of the town’s open cemetery.” 

The transfer gives the town council autonomy to manage these services and facilities as it sees fit, giving it an opportunity to focus on local priorities without any input from Wiltshire Council. 

Cllr Michael Sutton, chair of town council’s Service Devolution and Asset Transfer Working Group, said: “This provides the town council with the scope to tailor services to meet the needs of our community. We are committed to maintaining high standards and we will strive to enhance the services wherever possible.  

“The freehold transfer of many of the town’s assets is a significant responsibility and provides an opportunity to manage local resources directly, ensuring they will continue to benefit our community. The transfer will take place on 1 January 2025; it has been fully budgeted and is within the scope of the town council’s current financial plan. The town council is thrilled to be starting work on this exciting new progression for Westbury.” 

Town clerk Deborah Urch added, “Westbury town council thank Wiltshire Council for placing their trust and confidence in the town council to manage these services and assets in Westbury. This is an exciting and busy time for Westbury town council and the councillors and staff are looking forward to working closer with our community to make Westbury a more fantastic place to live, work and play now and in the future. 

“Over the coming months, the town council will issue regular updates via our social media sites, website, newsletter and the press. If you have any questions, please contact the team via email info@westburytowncouncil.gov.uk or call 01373 822232.” 

Cllr Richard Clewer, leader of Wiltshire Council, said: “We’re pleased to be working with Westbury Town Council in handing over local services to the town.  

“Like the town council, our role continues to evolve and as we take on an ever more strategic role, focusing on Adult Care Services, Children’s Services, Planning, Highways and other county-wide responsibilities, we are looking to encourage town councils to take on more ownership of their local environment. 

“Westbury Town Council is added to the growing list of town councils who have already taken on more local services and has joined Chippenham, Salisbury, Bradford-on-Avon, Devizes, Pewsey and Trowbridge in taking on grounds maintenance services and community assets in their towns.  

“A priority in our Business Plan is to have vibrant communities and part of this is transferring assets to communities where appropriate, giving towns the chance to increase the quality of local services to meet the needs of communities.”