The Council meeting scheduled for 19 May 2026 was set to cover a range of council business, including proposed changes to the council's constitution, and annual reports from various committees. A significant portion of the meeting was also dedicated to considering several notices of motion submitted by councillors on diverse topics.

Annual Reports and Appointments

The meeting agenda included receiving annual updates from several key committees: the Overview and Scrutiny Committee (including its select committees), the Audit and Governance Committee, the Licensing Committee, the Standards Committee, the Staffing Policy Committee, the Wiltshire Pension Fund Committee, and the Wiltshire Police and Crime Panel. Following these updates, the Council was due to undertake the annual appointment of committees, review the allocation of seats on these committees to political groups, and appoint members to various committees, Area Boards, the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Authority, and other bodies. The appointment of Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen for committees was also on the agenda.

Policy Framework

A significant item under the Policy Framework was the Wiltshire Local Plan - Next Steps. This report from the Corporate Director - Place was expected to outline the future direction for the council's local plan following recent developments.

Notices of Motion

A substantial part of the meeting was dedicated to considering several notices of motion submitted by councillors, addressing a variety of issues:

• Notice of Motion No.2026-03: A303 - Delivering a Funded Alternative for Wiltshire This motion, put forward by Cllrs Dr Monica Devendran and Kevin Daley, aimed to address ongoing concerns regarding congestion along the A303, particularly near Amesbury and Stonehenge. It sought clarity from the Secretary of State for Transport on short-term support for affected communities, direction on future improvements, a commitment to a funded and deliverable alternative solution, and a timeline for consultation and implementation. The motion also called for the Leader of Wiltshire Council to formally convey this position to the Secretary of State and for the council to be actively involved in shaping future proposals. A progress update was requested within six months.

• Notice of Motion No.2026-04: BSW Integrated Care Board and fertility treatment Proposed by Cllrs Augusta Urquhart-Nicholls and Kevin Asplin, this motion highlighted concerns that the BSW Integrated Care Board (ICB) was not fully implementing fertility treatment provision in line with NICE guidelines, specifically by limiting provision to one IVF cycle instead of the recommended three. The motion argued that equitable access to fertility treatment is crucial for Wiltshire residents, that increasing funded IVF cycles could improve success rates and support population health. The motion proposed writing to the BSW ICB urging a review and alignment with NICE recommendations. It also sought a formal response from the ICB regarding their position, planned reviews, and barriers to change, and proposed authorising the Leader to approach other councils for a joint letter. The motion also proposed supporting officers in submitting evidence of local need and referring the matter to Overview and Scrutiny for ongoing monitoring.

• Notice of Motion No.2026-05: Member awareness of Officer-led engagement Cllrs Allison Bucknell and Bill Parks proposed this motion, noting that Wiltshire Council officers regularly engage with Town and Parish Councils and external bodies. The motion highlighted that there is no consistent corporate mechanism to inform Wiltshire Councillors of these meetings, their purpose, or outcomes, despite councillors' democratic accountability. Believing that timely information sharing enhances transparency, accountability, and trust, the motion proposed requesting officers introduce a proportionate process to notify relevant councillors of officer-led meetings on matters of local relevance, including details of date, attendees, subject matter, and outcomes. It also sought confirmation of alignment with the Constitution and Member-Officer Relationship Protocol, and requested a report on implementation and impact within 12 months.

• Notice of Motion No.2026-06: Local Highways and Footpaths Improvements Group (LHFIG) Cllrs Philip Whitehead and Nick Holder submitted this motion, expressing concern over potential significant reductions in the LHFIG budget, from approximately £25,000 to £12,500, and the centralisation of control over 20 mph limit introductions. The motion argued that LHFIGs have successfully supported local highway interventions, particularly in rural villages, and that the proposed changes would disproportionately impact these areas. It also noted the loss of significant external revenue funding contributed by local parishes and towns. The motion proposed that if LHFIG budgets are reduced, the Overview & Scrutiny Management Committee should establish a rapid action task group to report to the Environment Select Committee on whether LHFIGs should be continued, considering officer and local representative time, project delivery with reduced budgets, and the loss of external funding.

• Notice of Motion No.2026-07: Action against closure of Wiltshire's Fire Stations Proposed by Cllrs Pauline Church and George Jeans, this motion stated opposition to the proposed closure of eight fire stations in Dorset and Wiltshire, specifically naming Bradford-on-Avon, Mere, Ramsbury, and Wilton Fire Stations in Wiltshire. The motion highlighted Wiltshire's rural nature, the significant population and business base, and the admission by Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service (DWFRS) that closures would increase risk and response times. It cited concerns about the availability of backup engines and the potential failure to meet DWFRS's own safety standards due to delayed response times. The motion called for Cllr Ian Thorn, Leader of Wiltshire Council, to write to the Minister of State for Crime, Policing and Fire, and Wiltshire MPs, requesting a review of the Revenue Support Grant to place DWFRS on a sustainable financial footing. It also called for Cllr Thorn to write to DWFRS outlining Wiltshire Council's opposition to the closure of the named fire stations.

• Notice of Motion No.2026-08: Bleed Control Kits Cllrs Boaz Barry and Chris Vaughan proposed this motion, highlighting that catastrophic bleeding is a leading cause of preventable death and that bleed control kits, containing items like tourniquets and haemostatic dressings, can save lives before emergency services arrive. The motion noted the success of a similar initiative in Avon and Somerset, where over 800 kits have been installed, leading to 14 confirmed lives saved, with Wiltshire Police supporting a local rollout. The motion requested Wiltshire Council to fund the purchase and installation of 100 kits in key public locations, including leisure centres, libraries, schools, college campuses, council offices, and transport stations, at a total capital cost of £22,900. This cost was proposed to be funded from any underspend in the Capital Investment 2025/26 Final Year End report, or from the Facilities Management Operational Estate budget. The motion also sought the Council's support for the Wiltshire Bleed Kit Legacy Programme and for the kits to be registered on the national HeartSafe mapping system.

Other Items of Business

The Council was also scheduled to consider proposed changes to the Constitution, as recommended by the Standards Committee. These changes related to Part 3D(3) and Protocol 4 on Planning Prior Approval Notifications, Part 3B Section 7 on Health and Wellbeing Board Membership, Part 3B Section 2.2 and Part 3D(3) on Public Rights of Way committee procedure, and Part 4 on Council Rules of Procedure.

Finally, the meeting included a session for questions from Members of the Council.