Wiltshire Council's cabinet convened to discuss a range of issues, including the adoption of a new council plan, climate emergency response, and asset management. Key decisions included approving a policy to remove parking charges for blue badge holders and recommending the adoption of the Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-35 to the full council. The cabinet also discussed the future of St Stephen's Place car park in Trowbridge, with a decision deferred to a later closed session.

Here's a more detailed look at the key topics discussed:

• St Stephen's Place Car Park, Trowbridge

  The cabinet considered a report regarding the future of the St Stephen's Place multi-storey car park in Trowbridge. Cllr Mel Jacob declared that she was a member of Trowbridge Town Council, which had discussed the car park at a meeting on 6 October 2025.

  Cllr Helen Belcher OBE, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Regeneration and Assets, explained that the car park was built in the 1970s and is nearing the end of its design life. She outlined several options, including closing the car park, demolishing it, or rebuilding it, but noted the existence of a covenant with the owner of the adjacent Castle Place Shopping Centre that requires the council to provide free parking.

  Cllr Belcher proposed transferring the freehold of the car park to the shopping centre owner, and the cabinet agreed to pursue this option. Cllr Martin Smith, Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding, said that Church Street and Court Street car parks would offer free parking until 6 January to mitigate the temporary closure of St Stephen's for maintenance.

  Cllr Chris Brautigam, a Trowbridge Park ward councillor, expressed disappointment with the handling of the issue and proposed using a percentage of the savings from no longer maintaining the car park to fund two-hour parking in central car parks and permits for those who need them most.

  The discussion then moved to a closed session due to commercial sensitivities.

  The cabinet resolved to:

  • Note the Part I report.
  • Continue the discussion and make a decision during Part II of the meeting, with the press and public excluded.

  The cabinet later resolved to:

  • Approve the freehold transfer of St Stephen's Multi-Storey Car Park to the adjoining owner of Castle Place Shopping Centre, subject to Full Council approval of the allocation of funding.
  • Delegate authority to the Corporate Director of Resources to finalise arrangements for the freehold transfer.
  • Recommend that Full Council approve the allocation of capital/revenue funds to facilitate the transfer.

• Blue Badge Parking Charges

  The cabinet approved a policy to remove parking charges for blue badge holders in council-owned off-street car parks. Cllr Martin Smith presented the report, highlighting that the charges had been introduced in 2022 and that their removal would promote independence and inclusion for people with disabilities.

  Cllr Gavin Grant, Cabinet Member for Finance, noted that the estimated annual cost of the policy was £40,000, which could be absorbed by the parking services' current surplus. He also noted that the accuracy of the £40,000 figure was hard to ascertain.

  Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste, said that removing barriers for disabled residents was about fairness and public health.

  Cllr Dominic Muns, Deputy Leader of the Conservative Group, questioned the cost calculation and argued that the policy would subsidise car owners at the expense of those who rely on public transport.

  Cllr Jon Hubbard, Cabinet Member for Children's Services, Education, and Skills, shared a personal story about his mother's use of a blue badge and the importance of accessible parking.

  The cabinet resolved to recommend that the full council adopt a policy for blue badge holders to park for free in council-owned off-street car parks.

• Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-2035

  The cabinet discussed and agreed to recommend the adoption of the Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-2035 [^2] to the full council. Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of the Council, presented the plan, which sets out the council's themes, aims, and ambitions for the next 10 years. He emphasised the extensive public consultation that had taken place, including engagement with young people.

  [^2]: The Our Wiltshire Plan is the council's business plan.

  Cllr Mel Jacob said that the plan reflected the importance of engaging with the community.

  Cllr Dominic Muns said that the plan lacked detail and over-promised to residents. He also questioned whether the plan had been formed in collaboration with Wiltshire residents, given that only a thousand people had responded to the consultation.

  Cllr Graham Wright, Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee, said that the committee had scrutinised the plan and raised questions about the key performance indicators (KPIs).

  The cabinet resolved to recommend that the full council adopt the Our Wiltshire Plan 2025-35.

• Update on the Council's Response to the Climate Emergency

  Cllr Paul Sample presented a report updating the cabinet on the council's response to the climate emergency. He said that the council was on track to be carbon neutral as an organisation by 2030, but that the county of Wiltshire was not on the modelled pathway towards carbon neutrality.

  Andrew Nicholson, Chair of Wiltshire Climate Alliance, asked about reporting on methane and nitrogen oxide emissions and about the council's scope 3 emissions[^1].

  [^1]: Scope 3 emissions are indirect greenhouse gas emissions that result from activities of the organisation, but occur from sources not owned or controlled by the council.

  Cllr Sample said that the council would consider reporting on disaggregated data and that it was working to reduce methane emissions. He also said that the council could consider widening the scope of its scope 3 emissions reporting, but that this would require resources.

  The cabinet resolved to note the actions taken in response to the climate emergency and the progress set out in the council's greenhouse gas report and monitoring report.

• Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD)

  Cllr Paul Sample presented a report seeking cabinet approval to recommend the adoption of the Air Quality Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) to the full council. He explained that the SPD would provide a framework for integrating air quality considerations into the planning process.

  Andrew Nicholson asked about indoor air quality and whether the SPD could set non-statutory standards for developers.

  Cllr Clare Cape, Cabinet Member for Public Health and Co-ordination with the NHS, said that smoking was also an important factor in air quality.

  The cabinet resolved to recommend that the full council adopt the Air Quality SPD.

• The North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Plan

  Cllr Adrian Foster presented a report seeking approval for the adoption of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030. He explained that the plan was required by the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000 and that it had been prepared in consultation with other local authorities.

  Cllr Dr Nick Murry said that the Environment Select Committee had discussed the plan and asked questions about the role of the landscape partnership and the ongoing funding required for delivering the plan.

  The cabinet resolved to approve the adoption of the North Wessex Downs National Landscape Management Plan 2025-2030.

• The Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Wiltshire and Swindon

  Cllr Paul Sample presented a report seeking approval for the adoption of the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Wiltshire and Swindon. He explained that the strategy would map ecological networks and identify priorities for habitat restoration.

  Cllr Dr Nick Murry said that the Environment Select Committee had discussed the strategy and asked questions about the percentage of Wiltshire that is currently protected for biodiversity and the development of a marketplace for biodiversity net gain.

  The cabinet resolved to recommend that the full council adopt the Local Nature Recovery Strategy for Wiltshire and Swindon.

• Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site (WHS) Setting Study SPD

  Cllr Adrian Foster presented a report seeking approval for the adoption of the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Setting Study SPD. He explained that the SPD would help safeguard the outstanding universal values of the WHS by supporting planning decisions for development in and around the WHS.

  Cllr Dr Nick Murry said that the Environment Select Committee had discussed the SPD and asked questions about the impetus for creating the SPD and how it would work in practice.

  The cabinet resolved to recommend that the full council adopt the Stonehenge and Avebury WHS Setting Study SPD.

• Asset Management Strategy

  Cllr Helen Belcher presented a report introducing a new Asset Management Strategy for the council. She explained that the strategy addressed the new challenges for the council, including financial and environmental, and provided a refocus on its asset base to meet these challenges and deliver the council's objectives.

  Cllr Graham Wright said that the Overview and Scrutiny Management Committee had considered the report and was happy that scrutiny had taken place.

  Cllr Dominic Muns said that the strategy lacked explicit detail in terms of value calculation.

  The cabinet resolved to adopt the proposed Asset Management Strategy and to delegate authority to the Director of Assets to make minor changes to reflect the adoption of the Our Wiltshire Plan.

• Revenue Budget 2025/26 - Local Visitor Economic Partnership

  Cllr Helen Belcher presented a report providing an update on the introduction of the Wiltshire Local Visitor Economic Partnership (LVEP) and proposals for the development of a Destination Management Plan as required by VisitEngland. She explained that visitor numbers to Wiltshire had dropped over the last few years and this needed addressing.

  Cllr Gavin Grant said that Visit Wiltshire being a local visitor economic partnership was critical to driving tourism into the county.

  The cabinet resolved to recommend that the full council delegate to the Director of Planning, Economy and Regeneration responsibility to take forward the procurement of the Destination Management Plan through Visit Wiltshire.