The Cabinet of Wiltshire Council met on Tuesday 20 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including plans for parking across the county, proposed changes to council tax premiums, and future waste service delivery arrangements. The meeting also included discussions on the provision of education at The Northwood Centre, the award of a contract for bus shelters, and a community asset transfer request from the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.

Parking Plan 2026-30 and Parking Tariffs 2026-28

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider proposals for Wiltshire Council's Parking Plan for 2026-2030, which outlines a strategic approach to managing parking to improve accessibility, sustainability, and financial viability across the county. Key aims included optimising parking assets, reforming tariffs with biannual reviews, updating resident permits, and utilising technology to improve the customer experience. Alongside this, a review of parking charges was presented, proposing increases to on-street and off-street parking tariffs, extending operating hours, and aligning Sunday and permit fees. These changes were presented as necessary to ensure financial sustainability and to meet the requirements of the Medium Term Financial Strategy, with tariffs remaining unchanged since 2022 despite significant inflation.

Council Tax Second Homes Premium and Long-Term Empty Homes Premium

The meeting was scheduled to discuss proposals for introducing a 100% council tax premium on second homes across Wiltshire, effective from April 2027. This measure, enabled by the Levelling-up and Regeneration Act 2023, aims to generate income and potentially address housing shortages. Additionally, proposals to increase the Long-Term Empty Homes Premium were to be considered, with a 100% premium for properties empty for 1 to 5 years, a 200% premium for 5 to 10 years, and a 300% premium for properties empty for over 10 years, effective from April 2026. These changes are intended to encourage owners to bring empty properties back into use and increase local authority revenue.

Future Waste Service Delivery Arrangements

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing future waste service delivery arrangements. The report provided an update on the estimated budget position for waste services following contract renewals and outlined steps to comply with new statutory requirements from 2027/28, such as separate food waste collections. Proposals included transforming waste management to increase the recycling rate, aiming for zero landfill by 2030, and introducing new collection services for flexible plastics and weekly food waste. The report also detailed plans for Household Recycling Centres (HRCs), including the closure of sites at Purton and Lower Compton and the development of new facilities.

Travel Management Provider Procurement

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report seeking approval to undertake a procurement process for a new travel management provider. The council's previous contract had expired, and a new provider is needed to facilitate the booking of hotels, rail travel, and other arrangements, ensuring continuity of service, enhancing user experience, and achieving value for money. The proposed contract term is four years with an estimated cost of £1.6 million, funded by existing budgets.

Wiltshire Council Annual Housing Report 2024/25

The meeting was to receive an update on the activities of Wiltshire Council's Housing Board (WCHB) between December 2024 and November 2025. The report detailed the Board's role in developing and approving the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) Business Plan and overseeing its implementation. It also highlighted key developments, performance indicators, and governance across Housing Management Services, with a focus on resident participation, housing quality, transparency, and financial sustainability. The report also touched upon the impact of new regulatory agendas, such as the Regulator of Social Housing's strengthened consumer regulation and Awaab's Law, as well as cost of living pressures and inflation.

Community Asset Transfer Request - Kennet & Avon Canal Trust

A report was presented concerning a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) request from the Kennet & Avon Canal Trust. The Trust applied for a 125-year lease of their HQ building at Devizes Wharf, owned by Wiltshire Council. The CAT process had been followed, and the Devizes Area Board had recommended that the lease be granted. The proposal aimed to enable the Trust to invest in the building, secure funding, enhance facilities, and consolidate archives, thereby benefiting the local community.

Disposal Update

The Cabinet was to receive an update on the Council's programme of disposing of surplus assets to generate capital receipts for the Council's Capital Programme. The report outlined performance over the last year and sought approval to declare specific sites surplus, with a view to their disposal if deemed to be in the best overall interest of the Council. The report also detailed the asset review process and provided a list of sites recommended for disposal.

Provision of Education at The Northwood Centre, Colerne

A report was scheduled to outline proposals for a significant change process to create a special school satellite campus at The Northwood Centre. This initiative aims to address the shortage of local specialist education places for learners with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), thereby reducing reliance on costly independent special school placements. The proposal suggested operating The Northwood Centre as a satellite of an existing special school, which was presented as a financially compelling solution.

Award of Contract for the Design, Supply, Installation and Maintenance of Bus Shelters and Bus Stop Infrastructure

The Cabinet was to consider a report seeking approval to delegate the decision to award a contract for the design, supply, installation, maintenance, and repair of bus shelters and bus stop infrastructure. This was in response to a condition survey indicating that a significant proportion of existing bus shelters require maintenance. The funding for this initiative would come from the 2025/26 Local Authority Bus Grant.

Urgent Items

There were no urgent items scheduled for discussion.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

Notice was given in accordance with regulations that an item (Item 14) was intended to be taken in private due to the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to financial or business affairs.

Minutes of the Previous Meeting (Part II)

The Part II minutes of the Cabinet meeting held on 9 December 2025 were to be approved.