Trowbridge Town Council

1
Trowbridge Town Council

• ANNUAL REPORT
• 2007 - 2008

2
Trowbridge Town Council - Introduction

• The Town Council comprises of
• 20 councillors elected in May 2007 and two in
  bye-elections in 2008 following disqualification
  of one member and resignation of another
• The Mayor, who Chairs the council was in 2007/8
  Councillor Nick Blakemore
• Deputy Mayor Councillor John Knight
• The Council is managed by a team of Council
  Officers from four locations

3
Trowbridge Town Council Officer Contacts

• Town Clerk Lance Allan
• Management Accountant Richard Mills
• Properties Manager Bill Austin
• Community Services Manager Steve Nash
• Council Offices
• 10/12 Fore Street, TROWBRIDGE, BA14 8HA
• Tel [phone] Fax [phone]
• E-mail ttc_at_trowbridge.gov.uk
• Web www.trowbridge.gov.uk
• Office Hours
• Monday to Thursday 9.00am to 5.30pm
• Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm

4
Trowbridge Town Council Officer Contacts

• Museum Curator Clare Lyall
• The Trowbridge Museum
• The Shires, Court Street, TROWBRIDGE, BA14 8AT
• Tel [phone]
• Web www.trowbridgemuseum.co.uk
• Museum Open
• Tuesday-Friday 10.00am-4.00pm
• Saturday 10.00am-4.30pm
• TIC Manager Philip Bath
• Trowbridge Information Centre
• St Stephens Place, TROWBRIDGE, BA14 8AH
• Tel [phone]
• Normal opening
• Mon Sat 9.30am 4.30pm

5
Trowbridge Town Council Officer Contacts

• Halls Manager Karen Reeves
• The Civic Hall
• St Stephens Place, TROWBRIDGE, BA14 8AH
• Tel [phone]
• Fax [phone]
• Longfield Community Centre
• Weavers Drive, TROWBRIDGE, BA14 7AL

6
Trowbridge Town Council Organisation Chart
7
Trowbridge Town Council Your Councillors

• In 2007 new wards were introduced in Trowbridge,
  the following pages show the councillors
  representing each of the new wards
• North East Ward
• North West Ward
• East Ward
• Central Ward
• South West Ward
• Bradley Road Ward
• Whiterow Park Ward
• Full contact details are available from the
  Council Offices or from the web-site
  www.trowbridge.gov.uk

8
Trowbridge Town Council Councillors 2007/08
BRADLEY RD
CENTRAL WARD
Graham Hedley Liberal Democrat Chair Properties
Policy Resources Town Development
Clive Blackmore Liberal Democrat Vice
Chair Properties Museum Tourism
Odette Morris Liberal Democrat Community
Services
Terry Couchman Liberal Democrat Vice
Chair Community Services Resigned in 2008
Graham Payne Conservative
Also District Councillor
9
Trowbridge Town Council Councillors 2007/08
EAST WARD
Ashley Diiorio Conservative Town Development
Properties
Andrew Bryant Liberal Democrat Vice
Chair Museum Tourism Community Services Town
Development
Derek Coop Conservative Community Services
Peter Fuller Conservative Town Development
Policy Resources
Dave Perkins Conservative Policy Resources
Also District Councillor Also District and
County Councillor Cllr Steve Oldrieve is also a
County Councillor for Trowbridge Eastern
10
Trowbridge Town Council Councillors 2007/08
NORTH EAST WARD
NORTH WEST WARD
Tom James Liberal Democrat Chair Community
Services Policy Resources Town Development
Phil Seager Conservative Museum Tourism
John Knight Independent DEPUTY MAYOR Chair Town
Development Properties Community Services Town
Development Policy Resources Museum Tourism
Richard Ing Conservative Disqualified due to
non-attendance in 2007
Nick Blakemore Liberal Democrat MAYOR Chair Muse
um Tourism Policy Resources
Also District Councillor
11
Trowbridge Town Council Councillors 2007/08
WHITEROW PK
SOUTH WEST WARD
Chris Beaver Liberal Democrat Vice Chair Town
Development Museum Tourism
Helen Osborn Liberal Democrat Community
Services
Arthur Ransom Liberal Democrat Resigned in
2007
Jeff Osborn Liberal Democrat Policy
Resources
Bob Brice Liberal Democrat Chair Policy
Resources Properties
Also District Councillor Also District and
County Councillor Cllr Tony Phillips OBE is
District Councillor for Whiterow Park and
Southwick
12
Trowbridge Town Council Councillors 2007/08
Bye-elections took place in 2008.

• SOUTH WEST WARD
• A Bye-election was held on 20th March 2008 for
  the vacancy left by Councillor Ransom in South
  West Ward and Councillor Rollie Cleere was
  elected.
• Rollie Cleere
• Liberal Democrat

• NORTH EAST WARD
• A Bye-election was held on 7th February 2008 for
  the vacancy left by Councillor Ing in North East
  Ward and Councillor Glyn Bridges was elected.
• Glyn Bridges
• Liberal Democrat

13
Trowbridge Town Council
Introduction by the Mayor 2007/08 Cllr Nick
Blakemore

• Quality Council Status
• Investors In People reaccreditation
• Unitary Wiltshire Council Preparation
• Working in Partnership
• County and District Councils, Police, TCAF, Youth
  Council
• Committee Reports
• Policy Resources, Community Services, Town
  Development, Properties and Museum Tourism

14
Trowbridge Town Council
Introduction by the Mayor 2007/08 Cllr Nick
Blakemore

• This was another constructive year for Trowbridge
  Town Council, in an exciting period for our Town.
  Being in full time employment I have at times
  wondered how I was going to find the time to
  attend the many exhaustive functions I am asked
  to attend. However, I can truthfully say that I
  thoroughly enjoyed my time as Mayor of
  Trowbridge, Wiltshires County Town. During the
  year I met so many people from so many walks of
  life, all working hard to achieve the aim of
  making Trowbridge a better place to live and work
  for its townsfolk.
• I would like to thank firstly Tom James our Mayor
  for 2006/07, John Knight the Deputy Mayor for
  covering a number of activities and events which
  I was unable to attend, those former councillors
  who stood down or did not get re-elected back in
  May, many of whom had made a significant
  contribution to the Council and the staff of the
  Town Council for their efforts in running
  efficient and effective services for the benefit
  of the town. I wish John well for his year as
  Mayor in 2008/09.
• There are a number of significant highlights of
  the year in Trowbridge which I and the Chairs of
  the Councils committees will mention in this
  report, but there have also been a number of
  moments of reflection. We were all very saddened
  at the death of Councillor Grace Hill, former
  Mayor of the Town, a lady who had devoted much of
  her time to the people of Trowbridge in need, not
  only through her work as a councillor.

15
Trowbridge Town Council

• The Town Council achieved Quality Town Council
  status in July 2007
• This will allow us to benefit from the Power of
  well-being which was introduced by the government
  during the year, strengthening the role of first
  tier authorities such as Parish and Town
  Councils.
• We were also re-accredited as an Investor in
  People
• We are working in partnership with Wiltshire
  County Council and West Wiltshire District
  Council towards the establishment of a Unitary
  Wiltshire Council
• This promises a bigger voice for local
  communities in local issues, through a Community
  Area board and the possibility of taking over
  some of the services currently provided by the
  District Council, such as our Parks, play areas,
  allotments and street naming.
• We continue to work in partnership with
• West Wilts District Councils 5 Towns Initiative,
  completing the Town Bridge enhancement scheme
• Wiltshire County Council parish steward and
  extended schools project
• Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)
  including our neighbouring parishes
• Pub Club Watch for a safer community and the
  establishment of an alcohol control zone
• Each of the Committee Chairs will now report on
  the highlights of the work of their committees
• Policy Resources Councillor Bob Brice
• Community Services Councillor Tom James
• Town Development Councillor John Knight
• Properties Councillor Graham Hedley

16
Trowbridge Town Council Policy Resources

• Policy and Resources Committee
• Campaigned successfully for the re-opening of the
  Police enquiry office
• Continued to lobby for improved local rail
  services
• Supported the retention of the Seymour Post
  Office and Driving Test Centre in Trowbridge

Cllr Bob Brice Chair 2007/08
17
Trowbridge Town Council Policy Resources

• Lower than inflation increase in Council Tax for
  2008-2009
• Average National First Tier Council Tax
  increase 8
• Lower Council Tax than Malmesbury, Wootton
  Bassett, Chippenham and Calne
• Significant savings in administration and running
  costs whilst continuing investment in services
• The full accounts for 2007/08 will be available
  following the annual audit.

18
Trowbridge Town Council Policy Resources

• The committee is responsible for formulating
  policy and managing the resources of the Council
  including staff. It establishes policies and
  codes of conduct and ensures that we are aware of
  new legislation and of opportunities presented.
  The committee ensures the Council is actively
  involved in the move towards a Unitary Wiltshire
  Council.
• This committee monitors our services and those of
  others to ensure that these are provided
  efficiently and cost effectively. It ensures that
  the Council works in partnership with the County
  District Councils to avoid duplication of
  effort and to achieve more with our combined
  resources. Also through our lobbying, we are able
  to persuade other councils and bodies that the
  funding they control is best spent in Trowbridge,
  such as the provision of play area equipment and
  dropped kerbs.
• It organises Civic Events such as the Town
  Gathering and the Civic Dinner. Each year we
  consider Civic Award nominations for people who
  have made a significant contribution to the
  welfare of Trowbridge people over the years, this
  year our wards went to June Fleming-Sims and
  posthumously to Grace Hill.
• This committee also leads on campaigns in support
  of services in the town. We continue to support
  the development of C21st health care facilities
  and fight against the closure of existing
  services. We continue to campaign for the
  retention of and improvement to rail services
  First Great Western are making significant
  investments following criticism. We support the
  campaign for the retention of the Seymour
  Sub-Post Office, and more recently the retention
  of the Driving Test Centre in Trowbridge.
  Unfortunately these organisations do not appear
  to understand the concept of customer
  satisfaction, which Wiltshire Police have
  recognised in making the decision to re-open the
  Police Enquiry Office in the town following our
  successful campaign.
• We also support the Trowbridge Town Youth Council
  encouraging young people to make their voice
  heard.
• We can only do these things if we have good
  officers, resources, and, of course informed,
  motivated councillors. Councillors are not paid
  and no Trowbridge Councillor claims any
  allowances, with the exception of the Mayor. In
  addition of course we are hugely grateful to the
  support of volunteers groups such as the Friends
  of the Museum, The Friends of the Trowbridge
  Information Centre, the Friends of the Community
  Sensory Garden and the Friends of Trowbridge in
  Bloom.

19
Trowbridge Town Council Policy Resources

• We strive to improve our services and in July
  2007 achieved Quality Town Council status, and
  IIP (Investor in People) re- Accreditation. The
  Policy Resources committee also has the
  responsibility of proposing the annual budget to
  the Council. When we set our budget we review our
  policies and our performance and plan for the
  future, bearing in mind our vision to help create
  the best quality of life for everyone.
• We have produced a Town Council Strategy
  2008-2011, to ensure that a number of significant
  changes which are expected to have an impact upon
  the Town and the Town Council during this period,
  are addressed, incorporating-
• The regeneration of key sites in the Town Centre,
  working in conjunction with the Transforming
  Trowbridge Partnership.
• The creation of a Unitary Wiltshire Council in
  April 2009.
• The governments agenda for neighbourhoods and
  communities delivered through the implementation
  of the Local Government and Public Involvement in
  Health Bill, which passed through Parliament in
  2007.
• Changes to planning, through the implementation
  of recommendations in the Barker Review, the
  transfer of regional responsibility to the
  Regional Development Agency and the impact of the
  Bristol City Region concept.
• The Strategy welcomes the further growth in
  housing and services we will see in the town and
  recognises the need for the Council to invest in
  our own facilities, hence the commencement of a
  project to consider enhancements to the Civic
  Hall to provide a new Civic Centre including
  Council offices.
• We have reviewed services, making savings within
  our IT contracts whilst continuing to invest in
  services, and have introduced a Risk Audit
  Panel, including Internal Control, to monitor the
  effective use of our services.
• We aim to make continuing improvements in our
  performance and service in the years to come.

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Trowbridge Town Council
Financial Summary Income and Expenditure
Account 2007/8 2007/8 2007/8 2006/7 Expenditur
e Income Net Net CULTURAL Cultural
Heritage 200,774 (25,074) 175,700 147,931 RELATED
SERVICES Recreation Sport 552,467 (374,235) 178
,232 200,920 Tourism 44,339 (12,357) 31,982 18,52
4 ENVIRONMENTAL Cemetery 3,187 0 3,187 2,876 SERVI
CES Community Safety 28,476 (6,950) 21,526 36,312
PLANNING Planning Policy 38,045 (2,007) 36,038
10,013 DEVELOPMENT SERVICES Economic
Development 82,185 (3,425) 78,760 113,077 Communi
ty Development 199,238 (12,474) 186,764 158,992 HI
GHWAYS, ROADS Highways/Roads Routine 1,305 (750)
555 177 OTHER SERVICES 42,775 (0) 42,775 30,746
CENTRAL SERVICES Corporate Management 270,119 (3,7
19) 266,400 119,986 Democratic
Rep 39,750 (0) 39,750 45,881 Civic
Expenses 70,596 (5,513) 65,083 72,348 Net Cost of
Services 1,573,256 (446,504) 1,126,752 957,783 Lo
ss on the disposal of fixed assets 92,155 1,225
Interest and Investment Income (61,713) (36,716
) Net Operating Expenditure 1,157,194 922,292 P
recept (1,113,898) (1,424,936) (Surplus)/Defici
t for the Year 43,296 (502,644)
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Trowbridge Town Council
Financial Summary Reserves April 1st 07 To
() From (-) March 31st 08 Museum 28,553 11,000
2,185 37,368 Weaving Project 4,187 0 4,187 0 TIC
4,540 0 0 4,540 Town Development 165,598 0 54,6
84 110,914 Play Area 23,846 0 23,846 0 Electio
ns 9,997 0 9,997 0 Longfield Community
Centre 27,564 0 7,415 20,149 Skatepark 54,171 2
3,846 37,243 40,774 Sports Development 0 5,078
0 5,078 Community Development 16,058 10,000 11,0
09 15,049 Civic Buildings 394,174 19,247 2,170 4
11,251 Properties 12,281 0 5,270 7,011 Mobility
0 3,803 0 3,803 TOTAL EARMARKED
RESERVES 740,969 72,974 158,006 655,937 GENERAL
RESERVES 147,836 104,123 0 251,959 Note We
are well on course to reach our target of
C300,000 general reserve for the end of 2008/09
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Trowbridge Town Council Community Services

• Community Services Committee
• Sports Leisure
• Sports activities in the community and schools
• Town Events
• Christmas Lights with ice-rink
• Pancake Race
• Veterans Day - Flagship status / Spotlight event
• Grants
• Income to the Council
• Grant awards to good causes
• Community Groups
• Residents associations and youth groups
• Older Peoples Sunday
• Projects
• New Skateboard Park

Cllr Tom James Chair 2007/08
23
Trowbridge Town Council - Community Services
Veterans Day a day to remember
Trowbridge Peoples Park was once again filled
to capacity as both young and old enjoyed
reminiscences, free entertainment, bands,
displays and parades a chance to remember..
24
Trowbridge Town Council - Community Services
Working with Community Groups
Trowbridge Town Council supports the Town Pancake
Race local charity Amber, who help a larger
number of disadvantaged unemployed young people
rebuild their lives, take time out to join in
with the fun in Fore Street!
25
Trowbridge Town Council Community Services
Skateboarders jump for joy!

• Skateboarders try out their long awaited new
  Skateboard park at Stallards Park, at the opening
  ceremony on 18th April 2008. Funding for this
  project was secured from the following-
• Local Network Fund 10,000
• Wiltshire County Council 20,000
• Skateboard Committee 10,000
• Community Safety Partnership 3000
•                                                

26
Trowbridge Town Council Community Services

• Our ongoing commitment to sports and leisure
  includes the Sports Roadshow, run by fully
  trained staff it operates during the Summer
  throughout the town. The recruitment of 4 Sports
  Apprentices who will take part in the Sports
  Apprentices Programme leading to an NVQ Level 2
  in Activity Leadership and Sports Coaching, will
  assist in the delivery of the Sport Leisure
  activities including schools, sports clubs and
  arts based organisations in 2008.
• Additional Christmas lights have been purchased,
  helped by business sponsorship, the ice rink was
  back by popular demand and the enlarged Christmas
  Village offered a festive spirit in the town
  centre. The Pancake-race is a fun event well
  supported by local businesses and individuals,
  and Veterans were able to reminisce at the
  Veterans Day.
• Our Grants work continues to raise large amounts
  of money to fund activities, with a total of
  63,805 raised in 07/08. We have helped many
  community groups to access funding from outside
  sources, totalling 21,550 and a total of 3755
  was raised in sponsorship including Veterans Day.
• SLIDE 2 With additional funding provided by the
  MOD to support the event, which has now achieved
  flagship status in Trowbridge, and is combined
  with the Spotlight event in 2008, to offer
  something for everyone over a full weekend. The
  Council has also awarded a range of grants to
  community and charitable groups working in the
  town.
• SLIDE3 We continue to provide support to
  residents associations and youth groups,
  including support for fun days, Christmas
  parties, Carnival and Youth Council and the Older
  Peoples Sunday, including coach trips in the
  Summer. We work in partnership with Wiltshire
  Police providing Community Support Officer (PCSO)
  training and support to the Bluez Zuz youth
  initiative. We support the provision of IT access
  facilities in a number of locations across the
  town. We also support Twinning with twin towns
  in Leer, Germany, Charenton-le-Pont in France,
  Elblag in Poland, and hope to sign a Twinning
  Charter with Oujda in Morocco during 2008.
• SLIDE4 We have worked with local skate-boarders
  to raise money for the provision of a skate-board
  park in Stallards Park which was completed in
  April 2008, with an opening ceremony last week.
  Thanks should go to everyone involved including
  the staff.

27
Trowbridge Town Council Town Development

• Town Development Committee
• Make observations on over 400 planning
  applications in 2007/08
• Work in partnership to Transform Trowbridge
• Parkridge Developments retail and residential at
  Bythesea Road due to commence in April 2008 and
  Waitrose application at Cradle Bridge.
• Barton Finch Supermarket and housing on the
  Bottling Plant site.
• Modus Properties - Waterside Project to provide
  a new library, cinema, bowling, restaurants,
  hotel and apartments due to commence in Summer
  2008.
• Newland Homes Ushers Brewery apartments now
  under construction.
• River Biss Public Realm Strategy Consultation
• Enhancements at the Railway station
• Potential for the Bowyers site

Cllr John Knight Chair 2007/08
28
Trowbridge Town Council Town Development

• Town Development
• Town Centre
• Town Bridge enhancement completed
• Improvements to the Railway Station
• Dropped kerbs
• New housing and services
• Additional homes in Green Lane
• New Primary School on site of Parochial Junior
  School commenced this year
• Town Enhancement Award
• Westlea Housing Association for the residential
  development at the former Sleightholmes garage
  site on Frome Road

29
Trowbridge Town Council Town Development

• The Town Development Committee meets every three
  weeks, more frequently than the other committees,
  in order to make its observations on planning
  applications. It is the Town Council's role only
  to make comments and observations on plans, as
  the decisions are made by the District Council.
  We have considered over 400 applications in
  2007/08 many of them small house extensions and
  conservatories, but also including large housing
  estates at Southview Farm and Green Lane and
  commercial development, mainly in the Town
  Centre.
• We work in partnership with others on
  Transforming Trowbridge including
• Parkridge Developments commence in April 2008
  their retail and residential development on the
  former Wincanton Site on Bythesea Road and have
  an application with Waitrose at Cradle Bridge.
• Barton Finch are progressing with their plan for
  a new supermarket and housing on the Bottling
  Plant site to the North of the Town Centre.
• Modus Properties are due to commence in Summer
  2008 the first phase of the Waterside Project
  to provide a new library with the later phases,
  cinema, bowling, restaurants, hotel and
  apartments to be completed in 2010.
• Newland Homes at the Ushers Brewery site are
  building 100 apartments which are now under
  construction.
• The River Biss Public Realm Strategy Consultation
  seeks to enhance the riverside right across the
  town to provide increased access to public spaces
  around the River Biss, in particular those that
  link to the wider town centre, building on the
  Town Bridge enhancement funded by the Town
  Council, which was completed this year.

30
Trowbridge Town Council Town Development

• Both First Great Western and the County Council
  are improving the Railway station with new ticket
  desks, toilets and proposals for improvements to
  the car-park.
• Following the regrettable closure of the Bowyers
  site there are exciting proposals being
  considered to bring activity to this part of the
  town in the future.
• One of our most successful contributions this
  year has been the provision of dropped kerbs on
  routes into the Town Centre. We match funded
  these in conjunction with the County Council to
  the tune of 5000. This initiative proved very
  popular.
• In addition new housing is currently nearing
  completion at Paxcroft Mead, with the last phase,
  nearest the Town Centre subject to a planning
  appeal. Further plans are in place for Broad
  Street, Southview Farm to the South of Longfield
  and off Green Lane for significant new housing
  allocations. The government has targeted
  Trowbridge to provide 6000 new homes in the next
  20 years as part of the Regional Spatial
  Strategy. With a similar amount across the
  remainder of the district.
• The County Council has also invested in a new
  Primary School on the site of Parochial Junior
  School and has plans for a further Primary at
  Green Lane.
• This years Town Enhancement Award went to
  Westlea Housing Association for their development
  of the former Sleightholme Garage site on Frome
  Road.

31
Trowbridge Town Council - Properties

• Properties Committee
• Civic Hall
• Longfield Community Centre
• Studley Green Community Centre
• Working with the management committee
• Seymour Cabin
• Access to local residents association and other
  agencies
• Street Scene
• New bus shelters - College Road Leap Gate
  Broadcloth Lane
• New Welcome to Trowbridge entrance signs
• Hard courts, BMX track and Skateboard Park
• Play areas at Grove and Regents Place,
• Pitches at Studley Green and Woodmarsh
• Working with the towns licensed trade
• Supporting a Wiltshire-wide CCTV strategy

Cllr Graham Hedley Chair 2007/08
32
Trowbridge Town Council - Properties

• Civic Hall
• Record Rental and Increased bar income in 2007/08
• Replacement Automatic front door
• Refurbishment of the Bar and Customer Toilets in
  2008
• Planning for redevelopment to provide new Civic
  Centre
• Need to replace roof, heating and make the
  building more efficient
• Provide new Council Offices
• Option for relocation of TIC
• Retain excellent venue facilities and save
  running costs
• Series of successful own events
• Christmas Casino Nights Queen B Abba Gold
  Blues Brothers Wurzels Big Band Dances
• New for 2008/09 Mini Fest Pantomime Casino in
  Ice and Big Band Concerts

33
Trowbridge Town Council - Properties

• Community Safety
• Continue to work in partnership to ensure the
  controlled operation of the Town Centre system
• Held a successful Strategy Day in line with new
  the National CCTV Strategy
• Work with the police and pubwatch to make the
  town safer
• Street Facilities
• New play area at the Grove Recreation Ground
• 4 new bus shelters in partnership with the County
  Council
• Trowbridge in Bloom
• New sustainable planter boxes at entrances to the
  Town
• New Welcome to Trowbridge
• sign at Trowbridge
• Railway Station

34
Trowbridge Town Council - Properties
The Properties Committee oversees the running of
the Town Councils range of properties, from the
Civic Hall and Longfield Community Centre to the
Blind House, as well as looking after play areas
(both hard court and equipped), football pitches
and hanging baskets. We risk assess all assets
and activities to ensure safe legislative
practice, and consider proposals for development
of these assets. We also support the Studley
Green Community Centre which is run by a
very able and effective local Management
Committee. We also manage Longfield Community
Centre, providing access for youth groups,
luncheon club, playgroups, dance and sports
groups and computer training. We remain committed
to working with the Longmeadow Residents
Association to provide a safe and user friendly
facility while at the same time reducing the
vandalism that seems to be a significant problem.
Seymour Cabin is regularly used for meetings by
a number of community groups including Seymour
TARA, Wiltshire Police, Credit Union and
Connexions providing training for school
leavers. It also hosts coffee mornings, an
After-school club for 5 to 11 yr olds and
football coaching sessions. The Civic Hall has
had another successful year, with a series of
popular entertainment events including the sell
out Christmas Casino Nights and Queen B
and the New Years family disco, all for less
than 1 subsidy per person in the town. In
addition 2008 will see the Council commence the
planning of a project to redevelop some of the
Civic Hall to provide a Civic Centre,
incorporating the Council offices and possibly
the TIC. The Civic Hall is now approximately 34
years old, with a flat roof (failing rapidly),
rising damp in the toilets, failing central
heating and was built at a time when North Sea
gas was just coming on line so energy was cheap,
and little or no effort was put into thermal
insulation. We must look to invest to make future
savings and at the same time have as little
interruption to service as possible. Our Civic
Hall is still the best multi-purpose venue in the
county. The Council also provides the town
centre CCTV system, which is run in partnership
with the Shires Shopping Centres control room.
We are currently looking at extending the scheme
with additional cameras, supported by local
businesses and developers, and are supporting a
Wiltshire-wide CCTV Strategy to increase
effectiveness and efficiency. 2008 will
continue with a superb display of floral
presentations with hanging baskets, tubs and
roundabout flower beds throughout the town. New
sustainable planters, and signs, have been
installed at all town entrances, and 2 new
Welcome To Trowbridge signs at Trowbridge
Railway Station. We deliver projects agreed under
the 5 Towns Initiative such as street furniture
reviews, and the recent Town Bridge enhancement.
As well as new bus shelters provided
in conjunction with the County Council.
35
Trowbridge Town Council Museum Tourism

• Museum Tourism Committee
• Trowbridge Museum
• We have received 72 objects this year. The total
  number of objects in the collection is 15,538 and
  approximately 5,000 photographs
•  
• The Friends of the Museum gave 1,591 voluntary
  hours to the Museum
•  
• We received 7,241.63in grants
•  
• 1,975 school children visited during 2007 April
  2008
• Quality pieces in the collection are all given
  the best possible professional care for the
  people of the town

Cllr Nick Blakemore Chair 2007/08
36
Trowbridge Town Council - Museum

• Museum hosts Annual Textile Weaving Festival
•  
• This annual festival runs from 16th August to 1st
  November 2008
• an exhibition of contemporary
• textile artists work.
• Dobcross Loom demonstrations and
• the chance to buy a rug made on
• the loom!
• Weaving Walks with Ken Rogers
• A lecture on the Somerset Wiltshire
• Woollen industry

37
Trowbridge Town Council - Tourism

• Trowbridge Information Centre
• Supported by volunteers
• New rail ticketing machine proving very
  successful
• Extensive range of services
• Rail and National Express coach tickets /
  Chandlers Coaches agent
• Day passes for Center Parcs
• Theatre tokens / Arc Theatre agent
• Agent for all local and regional event tickets
• Book-a-bed-ahead scheme
• Charity Christmas cards
• Postcards, maps, books, souvenirs Trowbridge
  Ted!

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Trowbridge Town Council Museum Tourism

• This committee is responsible for overseeing the
  running of Trowbridge Museum, Trowbridge
  Information Centre and the Town Councils
  Marketing.
• The Museum, located in the Shires Shopping
  Centre, tells the story of the West Country
  Woollen Industry, and has working looms. It also
  displays objects relating to other aspects of the
  towns heritage and organises temporary
  exhibitions, and with this year being the 150th
  anniversary of the foundation of the railway it
  is ending the year with Railways in Trowbridge.
  The excellent Education Service provides learning
  opportunities for visiting school groups and has
  acquired 2 new volunteers. In 2007 we ran a
  Textile and Weaving Festival throughout the
  Summer and this is to become an annual event,
  with this years Festival commencing on 16th
  August. The Museum, as the Town Council's
  cultural centre, is also to be the leading body
  on the Cultural Olympiad which runs from 2008
  2012. The Museum is supported by the Friends of
  Trowbridge Museum, who this year contributed
  1,591 voluntary hours to the Museum.
• The Information Centre, located between the Town
  Park and the multi-storey car park, continues to
  run successfully under the auspices of its new
  Manager. The Centres ticket sales have increased
  dramatically following the successful purchase of
  a rail ticketing machine, which is proving very
  popular. Cards for Good Causes Charity
  Christmas card sales also proved popular and a
  full package has been ordered for Christmas 2008
  which will provide even more choice. The Friends
  of Trowbridge Information Centre provide
  volunteers to help run the service. We have also
  hosted a number of students on work placement.
• The Town Council continues to produce a quarterly
  supplement which is distributed with the
  Wiltshire Times newspaper, and a new Town Guide
  is due for publication at the end of May 2008.

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Trowbridge Town Council