The Environment Select Committee of Wiltshire Council met on Wednesday 9 September 2026 to discuss a range of environmental and service delivery matters. Key topics included updates on leisure services, the Wiltshire Libraries Strategy, the Wiltshire Freight Action Plan, and an interim report from the Highway Repair Task Group. The committee also received updates on the Waste Transformation Programme and the Climate Emergency Task Group, and considered a proposal to establish a Public Rights of Way Task Group.

Leisure Services Update

The committee was scheduled to receive an update on the performance of Wiltshire's Leisure Services for the 2025/26 period. This update was expected to cover financial performance, membership growth, customer satisfaction, capital investment programmes, and community engagement initiatives. The report highlighted that the Leisure Service had performed better than budget in 2025/26, with income exceeding expectations and expenditure being managed effectively. Membership growth remained strong, with significant increases reported at leisure centres that had undergone refurbishment, such as Marlborough, Leighton, and Lime Kiln. Customer satisfaction, measured by Net Promoter Score (NPS), was reported to be above the national benchmark, with staff consistently identified as a key strength. The report also detailed the expansion of the free swimming programme and the positive outcomes of the LDAS project, which provided free gym memberships to identified participants. Overall, the Leisure Service was reported to have generated an estimated £35.6 million in social value during the last twelve months.

Update on the Wiltshire Libraries Strategy 2025-2030

An update was scheduled on the progress of the Wiltshire Libraries Strategy 2025-2030. The report indicated that significant progress had been made, with 23 out of 44 strategic ambitions either progressed or completed. Key achievements included the replacement of two library delivery vans with electric vehicles, the refurbishment of Purton Library, and the completion of a Windows 11 refresh for public computers. The strategy also focused on increasing access to library buildings outside of opening hours through the Open+ system and co-location with Family Hubs. Efforts to deliver services within budget and explore additional income sources were noted, alongside investment in staff skills and training. A new marketing strategy, including a quarterly newsletter, was being developed to promote library services. The strategy also aimed to build a literate community through various reading initiatives, including the National Year of Reading events and the refurbishment of the Performing Arts Library. Digital inclusion was a priority, with an increase in digital support appointments and the distribution of free mobile data SIM cards. Health and wellbeing initiatives included the launch of the Family Health Reading Well collection and the expansion of the Wearable Wellness scheme. The strategy also detailed efforts to support children and young people, and to improve accessibility for all residents.

Wiltshire Freight Action Plan Update

The committee was to receive an update on the Wiltshire Freight Action Plan, drafted as a key outcome of the Local Transport Plan (LTP4) adopted in March 2025. The plan aims to manage freight movement in Wiltshire by developing actions for managing freight, refreshing the advisory freight route network, and updating the Freight Assessment and Priority Mechanism (FAPM). The plan acknowledges the council's limited direct influence over freight movement, emphasising partnership working with national government, freight operators, and local businesses. Measures within the plan include reviewing consolidation centres, planning for HGV deliveries in new developments, managing freight kerbside delivery, promoting micro-consolidation and alternative modes for first/last mile deliveries, shifting freight from road to rail, and supporting low emission freight. Updates to the FAPM include a greater emphasis on physical deterrence measures and a more defined threshold for addressing severe issues. The advisory freight route network has also been updated, with the introduction of a new lower tier of local access routes. A public consultation on the Freight Action Plan was underway, scheduled to close on 23 September 2026.

Interim Report of the Highway Repair Task Group

The committee was presented with an interim report from the Highway Repair Task Group, which was established to review highway repair and maintenance arrangements across Wiltshire. The report detailed the task group's methodology, which involved reviewing processes for identifying and filling potholes, the council's legal obligations, repair prioritisation, the role of parish stewards, quality checks, and communication with residents and councillors. The report highlighted challenges such as Wiltshire's diverse geology, the legacy of older road infrastructure, weather impacts, inflation, and the increasing weight of vehicles. Communication with residents and councillors was identified as a key theme, with a focus on improving public understanding of repair techniques and maintenance priorities. The task group also explored the relationship between drainage management and highway maintenance, and the quality and longevity of repairs. Innovation and emerging technologies, including AI and scanner technology, were examined, alongside national and international comparisons of highway maintenance practices. The report proposed several areas for further investigation, including co-producing a public information sheet, developing councillor induction materials, creating a councillor-focused reporting dashboard, and establishing an officer/member innovation and improvement group. The task group intended to present its final report in early 2027.

Task Group Updates

The committee received updates on the ongoing work of several task groups. The Waste Transformation Task Group provided an update on its review of public engagement exercise outcomes regarding waste collections, with strong support for weekly food waste collections but ongoing concerns about three-weekly residual waste collections. The group also received an update on the Waste Transformation Programme's launch, including progress on staff transfers, operational arrangements, and governance for new partnerships. The Climate Emergency Task Group reported that it had not met since the last committee meeting, with its forward work plan including items such as an annual climate update, climate delivery plans, biodiversity net gain, and the Local Transport Plan. The Highway Repair Task Group provided an update on its activities, including a site visit and discussions on drainage, repair quality, and innovation. The task group planned to establish working groups to further investigate specific areas and intended to present its final report in early 2027.

Proposal for a Public Rights of Way Task Group

The committee considered a proposal to establish a task group to review Wiltshire Council's policies, procedures, and decision-making framework for discharging its duties under Section 130 of the Highways Act 1980, particularly where public rights of way are affected by disputed private rights. This proposal stemmed from a Notice of Motion approved by Full Council, which highlighted challenges faced in managing such disputes, referencing the case of SHREW 18. The review would examine how statutory duties are balanced against private rights, evidence assessment, enforcement options, decision-making documentation, communication with stakeholders, and overall transparency and public confidence. The committee was asked to agree to set up the task group, delegate membership finalisation to the Chair and Vice-Chair, and receive the terms of reference for formal approval at the next meeting.

Public Participation

A question was scheduled from Councillor Nigel White regarding the number of rounds and total budget for the Local Highways Footpath Improvement Grants (LHFIGs) Substantive Bids for 2026/27. Councillor White sought clarification on whether two bidding rounds would still take place with a total budget of £500,000, given the time of year. A verbal response was to be provided at the meeting.