Wiltshire Council met on 22 July 2025, and among the topics discussed were youth services, treasury management, a bat mitigation strategy, and a motion to repudiate the council's climate emergency declaration. Councillors also debated and voted on motions regarding weight limits on roads and the Ask Angela scheme.

Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report

Councillor John Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Education Skills, introduced the annual report of the Corporate Parenting Panel, which covers the period from April 2024 to March 2025. The report highlights the council's role as corporate parents to approximately 480 children in care and 369 care experienced young people. Councillor Sanders Monning also spoke at the meeting.

The panel focused on five strategic priorities:

• ensuring children feel safe and happy in stable homes
• supporting educational achievement and employment opportunities
• promoting physical and emotional well-being
• fostering positive relationships and community inclusion
• ensuring young people's voices are heard and influence decision-making

Councillor Sam Pearce-Kearney, Chair of the Corporate Parenting Panel, noted that 64% of children in care are in foster care, while 10% are in residential care. She also highlighted the need to improve educational attainment and placement sufficiency, with 34% of children placed out of county.

Jack, a care leaver, spoke about his positive experiences with the care system and the importance of giving young people a voice.

Councillor Ian Thorne praised Jack's speech and acknowledged the council's responsibility as corporate parents. Councillor Fleur Clure raised concerns about the attainment gap for children in care. Councillor Rimmer highlighted the number of young people placed outside Wiltshire and the need to ensure value for money in providing placements. Councillor John Wells stressed that emotional trauma impacts a child's learning and that the council's success should be measured by progress rather than final grades.

Councillor Hubbard responded to the points raised, agreeing on the importance of progress and noting the government's criteria for measuring achievement. He also mentioned the council's investment in new children's homes to address the challenge of out-of-county placements.

The council approved the report.

Youth Council Annual Update

Councillor John Hubbard also presented the Youth Council's Annual Update for 2024-25, highlighting the council's work in amplifying youth voices across the county. He noted that three youth councillors were elected as members of the Youth Parliament. Bart, a youth councillor, provided an update on the Youth Council's activities, including quality assurance visits to schools, participation in the UK Youth Parliament, and hygiene campaigns.

Councillor Thorne acknowledged a crisis in democracy and the need to engage young people in politics. He committed to attending the next Youth Council meeting and encouraged others to do so. Councillor Clure referenced the mental health work of the Youth Council and the valuable evidence it provided for shaping support services. Councillor Rimmer emphasised the importance of honesty about the challenges local government faces. Councillor Ricky Rogers suggested that the Youth Council could make presentations to area boards.

Councillor Lay suggested that councillors should engage with schools in their communities to promote youth involvement in governance. Councillor Jacob emphasised the need to listen to young people and seek their views on how to improve engagement.

Councillor Hubbard responded to the points made, acknowledging the need to improve connections between local youth networks and the Youth Council.

The council noted the report.

Youth Justice Service Plan

Councillor John Hubbard presented the Wiltshire Youth Justice Service Plan for 2025-26, outlining achievements, challenges, and priorities for supporting young people in the youth justice system. He reported a reduction in first-time entrants to the system and improved education, training, and employment outcomes. However, he also acknowledged an increase in custodial sentences and emerging concerns about harmful sexual behaviour.

Theo and Charlie, two young people who had been through the youth justice system, spoke about their experiences and the positive impact of the youth justice service.

Councillor Thorne thanked Theo and Charlie for their courage in sharing their stories. He emphasised the importance of prevention and a holistic approach to youth justice. Councillor Clure highlighted the importance of the youth justice team's work and the need for reassurance that the council has a service that is delivering. Councillor Rimmer acknowledged the positive elements of the plan but stressed the need to address persistent reoffending and have tough conversations about parental responsibility and school attendance. Councillor Rogers thanked the youth justice team for their work. Councillor Henning emphasised the importance of early intervention and the need to address harmful sexual behaviour. Councillor Taylor Wright thanked Theo and Charlie and shared his own experiences of overcoming struggles as a young person. Councillor Chris Vaughan encouraged the council to support young people in their future careers.

Councillor Hubbard responded to the points made, emphasising the importance of progress over grades and celebrating the successes of the youth justice team.

The council voted in favour of the plan.

Treasury Management Outturn Report

Councillor Gavin Grant, Cabinet Member for Finance, presented the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2024-25. He noted some typographical errors in the report related to interest calculations on specific loans, but confirmed that the overall financial position was accurately represented.

Councillor Thorne thanked Councillor Grant and the officers and asked about the impact of the high needs block¹ on the council's financial situation. Councillor Clure highlighted the potential impact of the high needs deficit and the need to watch out for refinancing risks as interest rates rise. Councillor Rimmer emphasised the importance of safeguarding taxpayers' money and suggested a clearer public-facing financial report. Councillor Rogers thanked the previous administration for leaving the council in a sound financial position.

Councillor Nick Baker raised concerns about the council's investment in the CCLA property fund² and asked whether consideration had been given to gradually winding down that position. Councillor Church questioned temporary borrowing of £25 million at a high interest rate. Councillor Whitehead asked about the council's under-borrowed position and thoughts on long-term interest rates.

Councillor Grant responded to the questions, noting the government's override on the high needs block and the work underway to mitigate the risk. He agreed to provide a briefing for all councillors on the high needs block funding. He also committed to presenting financial information in a more accessible way and to providing quarterly reporting on the council's debt position. He said he would take away the CCLA issue and discuss it with officers. He explained that the temporary borrowing was a cash flow issue and agreed to provide Councillor Church with more detail in writing. He said that the council would keep borrowing constrained and that he was watching the turbulent economic situation closely.

The council noted the contents of the report.

Trowbridge and Westbury Bat Mitigation Strategy

Councillor Adrian Foster, Cabinet Member for Strategic Planning, Development Management, and Housing, introduced the Trowbridge and Westbury Bat Mitigation Strategy (TWBMS), which will replace the current Trowbridge Bat Mitigation Strategy. The strategy aims to provide a clear approach to mitigating the impacts of development on bat populations in the area.

Lance Allen and Celia Beckett made statements regarding the policy, raising concerns about the justification for the yellow zone boundaries and the lack of publicly available survey data.

Councillor Thorne emphasised the importance of having a detailed and defensible plan and the need to support the local plan inquiry. Councillor Clure expressed concerns about the potential impact of government changes to habitat mitigation regulations and the lack of evidence behind the geography of the strategy. Councillor Rimmer called for a review clause and transparency about affected areas. Councillor Rogers supported the proposals, trusting the expertise of the officers involved.

Councillor Orford asked about the developer contributions and whether they would be uplifted with inflation. Councillor Parman shared a positive experience with bat mitigation measures at a local football club. Councillor Sample spoke in favour of the policy, emphasising the importance of protecting bats and the potential penalties for disturbing their habitats. Councillor King welcomed the extension of the strategy to Westbury. Councillor Newbury questioned the timing of the adoption and the balance between bat protection and housing needs. Councillor Chris Vaughan reiterated the need for balance. Councillor Jacob emphasised the responsibility to protect bats for future generations. Councillor Lay suggested that councillors have a role in training young people in local governance. Councillor Oatway mentioned a local bat expert who could provide assistance. Councillor Asplin questioned why the strategy was limited to Trowbridge and Westbury. Councillor Chamberlain praised the policy's flexibility and efficiency.

Councillor Foster responded to the points raised, emphasising the importance of having a strategy in place to support the local plan and the annual review of developer contributions.

The council voted to approve the strategy.

Constitutional Changes

Councillor Graham Wright presented a report on constitutional changes related to the overview and scrutiny committee structure. The changes were proposed to enact the council's decision to add a Finance and Procurement Select Committee.

Chris Caswill made a statement about the need for more critical scrutiny and public engagement. Councillor Thorne responded that it was not the leader's role to direct the work of overview and scrutiny.

Councillor Clure agreed that the change was a good step forward and that it was important to have external opposition and wider cabinet scrutiny of financial decisions. Councillor Rimmer welcomed the change but emphasised the need for real scrutiny and accountability.

Councillor Henning raised concerns about the audibility of the microphones at the back of the room. Councillor Grant paid tribute to Councillor Pip Ridout for her work on the Financial Planning Task Group.

The council voted to approve the changes.

Enforcement of Weight Limits on Wiltshire Roads

Councillor Philip Whitehead moved a motion calling for the Highways Department to work with Wiltshire Police to develop and implement an effective enforcement mechanism for roads with weight restrictions. He highlighted the challenges of enforcing weight restrictions and the potential of using ANPR technology.

Councillor Smith responded that the council was progressing the reintroduction of the lorry watch initiative and would consider implementing ANPR technology.

The council voted in favour of the motion.

Ask Angela Scheme

Councillor Keith Allen moved a motion reaffirming the council's support for the Ask Angela scheme and committing to actively promote it more widely. Councillor Jacob responded that the council was already committed to promoting the scheme and that it applied to both men and women.

The council voted in favour of the motion.

Climate Emergency Motion

Councillor Ed Rimmer moved a motion to repudiate the council's 2030 net zero target, arguing that it was unrealistic and should no longer shape council policy.

Councillor Sample responded, highlighting the impacts of climate change in Wiltshire and the council's commitment to combating it.

Bill Jarvis spoke against the motion, arguing that the 2019 motion only committed the council to try to make the county carbon neutral.

Councillor Thorne spoke against the motion, emphasising the importance of facts and evidence and the need to address the existential threat of climate change. Councillor Clure expressed agreement with both sides of the debate, acknowledging that the 2030 target was not achievable but that action on climate change was important. Councillor Rimmer defended the motion, arguing that the 2030 target was a fantasy that was being used to justify bad policy.

Councillor Berry used the phrase rooftops, not crop tops to express his support for solar panels on roofs rather than on agricultural land. Councillor Orford raised concerns about the developer contributions and the need for the council to remain independent. Councillor Parman shared a positive experience with bat mitigation measures at a local football club. Councillor Sample spoke in favour of the policy, emphasising the importance of protecting bats and the potential penalties for disturbing their habitats. Councillor King welcomed the extension of the bat mitigation strategy to Westbury. Councillor Newbury questioned the timing of the adoption and the balance between the needs of the bats and the needs of the people. Councillor Chris Vaughan reiterated the need for balance. Councillor Jacob emphasised the responsibility to protect bats for future generations. Councillor Paul Oatway mentioned a local bat expert who could provide assistance. Councillor Asplin questioned why the strategy was limited to Trowbridge and Westbury. Councillor Chamberlain praised the policy's flexibility and efficiency.

Councillor Henning raised concerns about the audibility of the microphones at the back of the room. Councillor Grant paid tribute to Councillor Pip Ridout for her work on the Financial Planning Task Group. Councillor Munns sought clarification on whether the commitment to not having administration councillors chairing scrutiny committees meant that no member of the Liberal Democrat group would chair the committee.

The council voted against the motion.

Other Business

Councillor Hubbard announced that young people in Wiltshire who are registered on the fuel activities programme or in receipt of free school meals would be able to get 10 free swimming sessions at Wiltshire Council leisure centres during the summer holidays. Councillor King announced the release of the Community Catalyst programme to help people with learning disabilities and mental diversity problems get out into their communities.

The council approved changes to the membership of committees.