Peter Davison

Ten Reform UK councillors on Wiltshire Council asked Wiltshire Police and the police and crime commissioner to address concerns about alleged two-tier policing following the fatal stabbing of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton. They criticized the Police Race Action Plan’s anti-racism language, arguing it could create perceptions of preferential treatment. Deputy chief constable Mark Cooper said officers must enforce the law without fear or favour and noted that the Independent Office for Police Conduct is investigating the officers’ actions. Commissioner Philip Wilkinson also rejected unequal treatment, emphasizing evidence-based decisions, independent scrutiny and accountability.

Six of eight Dorset and Wiltshire fire stations previously threatened with closure could remain operational under revised proposals from Chief Fire Officer Andy Cole, following discussions with the Government about greater council tax flexibility. Wilton would merge with Salisbury and Hamsworthy with Poole for a 10-month trial, while stations including Bradford on Avon, Ramsbury and Mere would be retained within a wider modernisation programme. The proposals aim to avoid compulsory redundancies and preserve frontline resources, but the Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Authority must make the final decision on June 30.

The Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority is expected to decide on June 30 whether to close eight on-call fire stations—Bradford on Avon, Mere, Ramsbury and Wilton in Wiltshire, and Charmouth, Cranborne, Hamworthy and Maiden Newton in Dorset. The closures are part of efforts to address a £1.206 million in-year budget shortfall and would save about £800,000 annually, but would eliminate 96 firefighter posts and slow some 999 response times. The Fire Brigades Union opposes the plans, warning of increased risks to communities, while Liberal Democrat MP Brian Mathew has called the savings a false economy. More than 6,000 people responded to the public consultation, and councillors from Wiltshire, Swindon, Dorset, and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole will make the final decision.

Wiltshire Council voted 50–46, with one abstention, to withdraw its Draft Local Plan 2020–2038 after government inspectors deemed it unfit for purpose. The plan aimed to deliver 37,000 homes and 160 hectares of employment land over 15 years. Liberal Democrat, Labour and independent councillors supported withdrawal, arguing that pursuing the rejected plan could lead to costly legal action and would delay preparation of a new plan. Conservative and Reform councillors opposed the decision, warning that withdrawal would create planning chaos and give developers greater freedom to choose development sites. The council will now restart the local-plan process using higher government housing targets, while councillors remain divided over the lack of access to confidential legal advice.

Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson has resigned from the National Police Air Service National Strategic Board after objecting to the cost and local value of police helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft. He says South West forces will spend £6.82 million on air support in 2025/26, including £595,000 from Wiltshire, despite relatively limited local use. Wilkinson argues that locally deployed drones and artificial intelligence can provide faster, cheaper responses, while acknowledging that helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft will retain important roles. He plans to continue pressing for a national review of police air support and says smaller rural forces need funding arrangements better aligned with local demand.

Wiltshire Council has approved a nearly 5% council tax increase for April 2026, combining a 2.99% general rise with a 2% adult social care levy. The average Band D bill will be about £2,571.78, including charges for the council, police, fire authority, and parish councils, although totals vary substantially by location. Salisbury has the highest parish precept, while some parish areas charge little or nothing. Adult social care will receive the largest share of council tax and business-rate spending, followed by support for young people, waste management, roads, and public services.

Wiltshire Council will trial a booking system at recycling centres in Melksham, Devizes, Salisbury and Stanton St Quintin from next year, partly to manage expected congestion after Purton and Compton Bassett sites close. The council says bookings will reduce queues, emissions and safety problems, while a replacement centre at Royal Wootton Bassett is not expected before the end of 2028. Conservatives oppose the scheme, arguing that it disadvantaged working people and that the council has not adequately quantified congestion or ongoing costs. Introducing the system is estimated to cost about £75,000.

Wiltshire Council's Liberal Democrat-led Cabinet has voted to close the Purton and Lower Compton household recycling centres from 1 August 2026, when the existing private operating contract expires. Council leaders say Hills Waste Services demanded a significantly higher fee, including costs for site improvements, making continued operation financially unjustifiable and potentially threatening the council's ability to balance its budget. A new council-run facility is planned on council-owned land in Royal Wootton Bassett, but it may not open until the end of 2028. Until then, affected residents will need to use centres at Marlborough or Stanton St Quintin.