Tower and Town, April 2025 (view the full edition)Wiltshire Council Social ServicesRepresenting the residents of Marlborough and nearby villages at Wiltshire Council over the past eight years has been an honour. Ensuring positive outcomes for local residents is of utmost importance to me. Besides addressing everyday concerns like roads and waste management, Wiltshire Council also has the legal duty to provide social care for those in need. In addition to being your local representative, I serve at County Hall as the Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Special Educational Needs and/or Disabilities (SEND). In my role, we've recently received fantastic news: Adult Social Care Services were awarded a 'Good' rating during a major Care Quality Commission inspection. The inspectors praised our efforts, stating: "People told us staff went above and beyond when working with them and their carers in Wiltshire." This follows the highly successful Ofsted inspection of SEND in December 2024, where we again received top marks, with the report concluding that "Children and young people with SEND are valued and prioritised in Wiltshire." Additionally, our Children's Services received an 'Outstanding' judgment from Ofsted in December 2023, with the report highlighting that "Children living in Wiltshire benefit from high-quality services that make a positive difference to their lives." Amid the challenges faced by local authorities nationwide, I am immensely proud of the success our preventative approach is yielding in Wiltshire. By containing costs for taxpayers and still providing effective services, we're proving that a thoughtful strategy works. Many vulnerable individuals rely on these services, including residents of Marlborough, and it's crucial we continue to provide targeted early support. Prudent and well-managed spending means we can invest more in our roads, libraries, and leisure centres. For instance, Marlborough Leisure Centre is undergoing a £2 million-plus upgrade, and local support through the Area Board has resulted in over £165,000 invested in community projects. Promoted by Jane Davies of EWCA, Jane Davies |