The Wiltshire Council meeting on Tuesday 21 July 2026 was scheduled to cover a wide range of topics, including significant policy decisions on the Local Plan and planning committees, as well as addressing concerns about river water quality and the restoration of rail services. The meeting also included updates on the council's senior leadership structure, treasury management, and the annual report of the Corporate Parenting Panel.

Wiltshire Local Plan Withdrawal

A key item on the agenda was the recommendation to formally withdraw the Wiltshire Local Plan from examination. The report pack indicated that the Planning Inspectors had advised the council that the plan could be withdrawn and a new plan developed under the updated process, or it would likely be rejected. Councillors were presented with the arguments for withdrawal, including the significant costs already incurred and the potential for further financial and reputational damage if the plan were formally rejected. Concerns were raised by some councillors regarding the provision of legal advice and the process for challenging the Inspectorate's position. Ultimately, the report pack indicated a recommendation was made to withdraw the Pre-Submission Draft 2020-2038 from examination.

Notices of Motion

Several notices of motion were scheduled for consideration:

River Water Quality

Proposed by Cllrs Dr Monica Devendran and Sven Hocking, this motion aimed to address concerns about the water quality of Wiltshire's rivers, including the River Avon and River Till. The motion highlighted that popular recreational areas are not designated as Bathing Waters, meaning they are not monitored for bacteria that indicate faecal matter. It also noted the discharge of treated effluent from water recycling centres and identified harmful substances from sewage outfalls and A303 run-off. The motion proposed calling on the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the Environment Agency to support resourced monitoring and enforcement, and to work with local councils and schools on safe bathing advice. It also called on Wessex Water to prioritise real-time water quality monitoring and review UV disinfection at Amesbury and Ratfyn Water Recycling Centres.

Planning Committees and Scheme of Delegation

Cllrs Bridget Wayman and Richard Clewer proposed a motion concerning new government guidance on planning committees and the delegation of planning functions. The motion highlighted that from 31 October 2026, many planning decisions would be delegated to officers, with a presumption of delegation for most applications unless specific criteria are met. The motion proposed that the council publish its proposed scheme of delegation for scrutiny and that the Leader write to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) to object to the scheme, arguing it diminishes local democracy.

Restoring Direct Rail Services between Western Wiltshire and London Waterloo

Cllrs Sam Blackwell and Mel Jacob put forward a motion to restore direct rail services between Western Wiltshire and London Waterloo. The motion noted the withdrawal of these services in December 2021 and the subsequent inconvenience for residents. It highlighted the upcoming timetable refresh by South Western Railway (SWR) and the nationalisation of GWR as opportunities to reconsider service patterns. The motion proposed that the Leader of Wiltshire Council write to SWR and Network Rail Wessex to support the restoration of these services and request their evaluation.

Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG)

Cllrs Jennie Westbrook and Alan Hagger proposed a motion to recognise violence against women and girls (VAWG) as a national emergency. The motion reaffirmed the council's commitment to working with partners to prevent VAWG, support victims, and challenge harmful behaviours. It also proposed nominating a Member Champion for EVAWG to advocate for the agenda, support partnership activity, and promote a whole-council approach. The motion acknowledged that men and boys can also experience abuse, but focused on the disproportionate impact of VAWG on women and girls.

Protecting Wiltshire's Public Rights of Way and the Council's Duties under Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980

Cllrs Kevin Daley and Sven Hocking proposed a motion concerning the protection of Wiltshire's public rights of way. The motion referenced the dispute over Public Footpath SHREW 18 and the challenges faced by the council in balancing public rights with asserted private rights. It called for a review by the appropriate Overview and Scrutiny Committee of the council's policies, procedures, and decision-making framework for discharging its duties under Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980. The review was intended to examine how statutory duties are balanced with private rights, evidence assessment, enforcement options, communication with stakeholders, and to consider the handling of SHREW 18 as a case study.

Annual Updates and Financial Reports

The meeting was also scheduled to receive an annual update from the Corporate Parenting Panel, detailing its work programme, performance scrutiny, and the Corporate Parenting Strategy. A report on the Treasury Management Outturn Statement for 2025/26 was also to be presented, reviewing the council's treasury management activities and compliance with its strategy.

Senior Leadership Structure Update

An update on changes to the council's senior leadership structure was to be provided by the Chief Executive. This included details of service realignments, deleted and created posts, and the designation of statutory officer roles, including the Section 151 Officer. The report indicated that these changes were expected to deliver significant savings.

Membership of Committees

The council was also scheduled to determine any requests from Group Leaders for changes to committee membership.

Questions from Members of the Council

A number of questions from councillors were listed on the agenda, covering various council functions. These included questions regarding SSE's performance on electrical works, the delivery of affordable homes through S106 agreements, the upcoming local plan housing requirements, engagement with utility companies regarding graffiti on street cabinets, and the effectiveness of de-delegated educational services. There were also questions regarding the council's approach to cumulative impacts of multiple planning applications and the calculation and reallocation of time savings from automation and AI.