Dear All,

I hope this message finds you well.

I am writing with deeply concerning news regarding a potential decision currently under consideration by Wiltshire Council that directly affects the funding Community First receives to support the Community Transport sector in Wiltshire. As you know, this sector includes 22 Community Transport (minibus) groups and 43 Link Schemes.

Wiltshire Council has informed us that both our funding agreement and the direct operational funding provided to Community Transport groups are being reviewed at the Full Cabinet meeting scheduled for the end of February. We have been advised that all funding is expected to cease at the end of the current financial year (31 March 2026).

Crucially, this decision has been taken without consultation, and we have been explicitly advised that:

• No replacement support service will be provided by Wiltshire Council, and
• No alternative funding will be made available to enable another organisation to support the sector.

Without this funding, Community First will be unable to continue providing support to Link Schemes and Community Transport groups beyond the end of this financial year.

This funding currently enables Community First to deliver essential support, including:

• Arranging and supporting chairs’, volunteers’, coordinators’, and drivers’ meetings and networking opportunities
• Creating and maintaining the Good Practice Guide (covering safeguarding, governance, volunteer management, and operational standards)
• Arranging and facilitating training (including safeguarding, GDPR, and other key topics)
• Lobbying on behalf of the sector at local and national levels
• Covering the full cost of DBS checks for Link Schemes (over £5,000 annually)
• Managing and awarding operational grants for Link Schemes (IT equipment, software, laptops, etc.)
• Providing comprehensive day-to-day support to all Link Schemes and Community Transport groups
• Housing and maintaining the Link Scheme and Community Transport directory
• Managing hundreds of public enquiries each year from people seeking transport solutions
• Direct volunteer recruitment through community engagement
• Indirect volunteer recruitment via Community First social media and targeted outreach
• Producing an annual audit demonstrating the social and economic impact of Link Schemes - celebrating combined efforts
• Grant allocation for Mature Driver Assessments
• Acting as a central point of contact for hospital parking arrangements
• Facilitating communication between schemes to share ideas and best practice
• Recognising schemes’ and groups’ achievements through Community First AGM awards

We fully appreciate that this news will come as a shock, and we share your concerns.

Community First has formally challenged this decision. Our Chair has written directly to the Leader of Wiltshire Council and relevant Cabinet Members, urging them to reconsider and to meet with Community First and representatives from the Community Transport and Link Scheme sector before the end of this month to discuss the significant impacts of this proposal.

In addition:

• The Chair of the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Transport Association is planning to write to the Leader of the Council and Cabinet Members outlining the severe consequences for member organisations.
• Several Community Transport groups are also planning to write directly to the Leader of Wiltshire Council and relevant Cabinet members, with some indicating they may be forced to cease operating within a short timeframe if funding is withdrawn.

We will do everything possible to ensure Wiltshire Council fully understands the consequences of this decision for the thousands of people across Wiltshire who rely on your services.

If you choose to contact Wiltshire Council—either individually, collectively, or both—please find the relevant contact details below. If you do write, I kindly ask that you copy both myself and Jason Salter into your correspondence, as this will greatly support our ongoing lobbying efforts.

Leader of the Council – Cllr Ian Thorn: ian.thorn@wiltshire.gov.uk
Deputy Leader & Cabinet Member for Communities, Engagement and Corporate Services – Cllr Mel Jacob: mel.jacob@wiltshire.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Public Health & Co-ordination with the NHS – Cllr Clare Cape: clare.cape@wiltshire.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care – Cllr Gordon King: gordon.king@wiltshire.gov.uk
Cabinet Member for Highways, Streetscene and Flooding – Cllr Martin Smith: martin.smith@wiltshire.gov.uk
Head of Passenger Transport – Jason Salter: jason.salter@wiltshire.gov.uk
Deputy CEO, Community First – htipple@communityfirst.org.uk

Agreement made on proposals to cut costs and improve the sustainability of waste and recycling services

Wiltshire Council's cabinet has agreed proposals to cut future costs and improve the sustainability of waste and recycling services.

Published 11 December 2025

Wiltshire Council's cabinet has agreed proposals to cut future costs and improve the sustainability of waste and recycling services.

Wiltshire Council outlined a series of proposals aimed at ensuring waste and recycling services remain financially sustainable, environmentally responsible, and are fully aligned with national statutory changes coming into effect. The plans aim to deliver long-term value for taxpayers, whilst reducing carbon emissions and supporting better recycling rates.

Cllr Paul Sample JP, Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate and Waste at Wiltshire Council said: This isn't just about saving money. It's about shaping how we manage waste for generations to come. The sector is changing fast, and we're determined to lead the way. With several contracts ending in 2026, we have a rare chance to redesign services so they're smarter, greener, and future-ready. Our plans will bring flexibility, innovation, and real value for residents, while positioning Wiltshire as a national example of sustainability.

Closing the Household Recycling Centres at Purton and Lower Compton is a difficult decision, but the high costs and essential upgrades make it unavoidable. We're accelerating plans for a new site in the north within the next three to four years and hope to share more details soon.

Key proposals agreed:

• Maintain the current kerbside system for dry recycling, as improvements at the Material Recovery Facility will boost recycling rates without changing household collections. This avoids extra containers, keeps things simple for residents, and saves unnecessary costs. Residents will be provided with extra single-use bags for flexible plastics to go into their existing recycling bin
• To seek public feedback in early 2026 on moving household waste collections from fortnightly to three-weekly in 2027. With food waste and plastic bags removed, black bin waste will drop significantly cutting carbon, reducing costs, and boosting recycling
• Introduce a phased rollout of a Household Recycling Centre (HRC) booking system. This is to help reduce queues, cut emissions, and make visits easier and quicker for everyone, especially at sites where residents have told the council congestion can be a significant problem and is causing safety issues on the highways. The council will use the feedback on how the HRCs are used currently to help shape the future plans
• Closing the Household Recycling Centres at Purton and Lower Compton in late summer 2026. The council will share plans on a new site in the North of the county in due course
• Kerbside collection services: Establishing a Local Authority Trading Company (LATCo) partnership to provide kerbside waste and recycling collections when the current contract ends in July 2026
• Material Recovery Facility: Forming a LATCo partnership to manage Material Recovery Facility operations following the end of the existing contract in July 2026
• Transfer stations: Awarded a contract extension for the operation of two provider-owned transfer stations. This contract extension will run until 30 June 2033
• Council-owned household recycling centres: The contract for the management of these facilities will be extended until 30 July 2034
• Green waste composting and residual waste disposal: Contracts for the disposal of non-recyclable residual waste and the composting of garden waste will be extended and run until 30 July 2034
• Variation in contract for the processing of materials via the Mechanical Biological Treatment facility in Westbury. This will ensure provision is in place for off-site Anaerobic Digestion of separately collected food waste and using alternative residual waste treatment processes to recover energy from the remaining waste

Wiltshire Council remains committed to delivering waste and recycling services that are both environmentally responsible and financially sustainable. By acting now, the council is preparing for future statutory requirements, reducing carbon emissions, and ensuring long-term value for residents. These proposals mark an important step toward a cleaner, greener Wiltshire.

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Wiltshire and Swindon Community Foundation

Sandcliff House

21 Northgate Street

Devizes SN10 1JT

01380 729284