It’s Council budget time again when we work out what is likely to be spent next year (April 2008 – March 2009). I was at the Amenities Committee on Thursday so we thought about plans for the facilities the Council runs.

 Firstly Bill Roberts had an item on the agenda about chewing gum removal from the High Street pavements. If we borrow the District Council cleaning machine we still have to pay for Sunday working (the only time it’s possible to do it). Members suggested that the District Council had a responsibility to clean this up as litter. I proposed we should put the money in the budget to do the cleanup if NWDC doesn’t and Linda seconded it. So its in the budget. 

 On play areas, we were considering the replacement of the fence at Otters Way. The trouble there is that because the equipment is close to the path, the fence has to go over the path. We realized it was worth the Play Area Working Party having a think whether moving the particular piece of equipment, or even replacing the whole lot might be a good plan. The working party is also looking at installing a multi-user games area (MUGA) at one of the playing fields. To keep these as possibilities the Amenities Committee is proposing that the uncommitted £42,000 in this years budget is kept in reserves and £42,500 more put in next years budget. The Working Party has written to Wootton Bassett schools asking for their views about play area development. What are your views?

 The rest of the Amenities budget is also proposed as a ‘business as usual’. But the Council will be prepared for possible changes:-

  • A review of the High Street Festival to decide if the money is spent in the best way
  • If the sports clubs’ plans go ahead the Rugby Club will take over the running of Ballards Ash so costs there will be reduced.
  • If the Council gets Station House on the St Ivel site costs for Civic Centre will eventually switch to Station House.

 This budget will be put together with that for the Revenue and Resources Committee on 22nd November and finally decided at Council on 6th December. And then the amount the Council asks for from Council Tax, the Precept, will be set.