Deputy Mayor Update: September 2025 - From Policy to Poppy Awards and Playgrounds

September kicked off with Governance, Policy and Resources Committee, followed by the Calne Area Board and the raising of the RAF Ensign for Battle of Britain day, followed by the RBL Poppy Awards and Full Council.

Governance, Policy and Resources Committee

As the Deputy Town Mayor, chairing this committee is part of my duties. The highlights from this meeting were:

My Council Services
Project priorities have been adjusted to focus on:

• Updating the asset register
• Administering allotments and processing allotment rent payments
• Managing Town Hall bookings
  

A note on My Council Services:

Calne Town Council has introduced My Council Services, a platform designed to improve how we manage and deliver local services. 

The system enables digital workflows and mobile access, allowing staff to handle tasks more efficiently and reduce reliance on paper-based processes. Routine operations—such as allotment administration, venue bookings, and asset tracking—are now automated, helping us save time and improve accuracy.

While we are at the discovery and internal implementation phases, in time, residents will be able to access services through online portals and mobile apps, making it easier to report issues and submit requests. The platform also supports GDPR compliance and secure DBS checks for councillors.

Its flexibility allows us to tailor processes to Calne’s specific needs, ensuring that our services remain efficient, transparent, and responsive.

Venue Hire Terms and Conditions
Updates approved to ensure clarity and consistency.

Councillor DBS Checks
All Councillors are now requested to undergo basic Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks.

Document Retention Policy
Policy updated to reflect best practices and ensure legal compliance.

Calne Area Board

At the Calne Area Board I highlighted the completion of the tennis court renovation at The Recreation Ground and the new goal posts at Wessington Play Area, thanking all involved in these improvements.

𝐂𝐚𝐥𝐧𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐬 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐥𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐁𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐢𝐧 𝐃𝐚𝐲

On the morning of 15 September, Deputy Town Mayor Cllr Tim Havenith and Cllr Celia Stevens joined members of the RAFA in Town Gardens to raise the RAF Ensign in remembrance of the Battle of Britain.

The ceremony was a moment of quiet reflection and gratitude—honouring the courage of those who defended our skies and shaped the freedoms we hold dear. Calne Town Council extends heartfelt thanks to the RAFA and all who have served, past and present, for their dedication and sacrifice.

Thanks also go to our wonderful grounds team, whose care and preparation ensured the gardens were a fitting setting for this act of remembrance.

𝗖𝗮𝗹𝗻𝗲 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗵 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗕𝗕𝗤 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗼𝗽𝗽𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱𝘀

On Sunday 21 September, I was pleased to be invited to a BBQ at Marden House hosted by the Calne Branch of the Royal British Legion. This event served as a belated, but well-deserved celebration of their 100th anniversary last year.

As part of the festivities, I was given the honour of presenting the Poppy Awards to long serving volunteers of the RBL, ranging from 5 years to 50 years of volunteering!

A special mention goes to Mercy Baggs for 50 years of volunteering with the RBL and Mike Wiggins, who celebrated his 97th birthday with us and has been a member of the RBL since 1954.

Full Council
During Full Council of 29 September, we discussed the budget situation for the ongoing transfer of the playgrounds from Wiltshire Council. Calne's Town Mayor, Cllr Ian Thorn, is also the Leader of Wiltshire Council and made the commendable decision to step away from chairing this item leaving me to manage the discussion. 

The outcome of this discussion was that we resolved to note the progress with the transfer and to allocate a budget of £25,000. This budget is made up of:
£5,000 from Wiltshire Council
£12,250 funded from S106, and
7,750 funded from CIL
to enable the refurbishment and re-opening of the five play areas. We also requested a detailed report to come to the Amenities and Facilities Committee on the works proposed.

This budget option means that no money is required from the precept for the refurbishment and re-opening of the five play areas, which are made up of the two parks at Colemans Farm, Duncan Street, Fynamore Gardens, and Lake View.

As a small personal note, 1 October sees the release of my new book, Calne Curiosities. See my blog post if you'd like more information.