The Wiltshire Council Cabinet met on Wednesday 29 April 2026 to discuss a range of significant items, including the transfer of assets to Salisbury City Council, the acceptance of Department for Education funding for special educational needs provision, and a substantial integrated transport and bus services fund. The meeting also covered plans for fleet replacement, a new employment support programme, and the procurement of fleet vehicles.

Asset Transfer to Salisbury City Council

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report regarding the potential transfer of the freehold interest of the public conveniences at Central Car Park in Salisbury to Salisbury City Council. The report indicated that the building had previously been leased to Salisbury City Council, and following the end of that lease, the City Council had requested the freehold to facilitate its reopening. The proposal was to declare the asset surplus and authorise the Director of Assets to dispose of the freehold interest at nil consideration, with a reverter clause to be included in the transfer. This was presented as a way to enable Salisbury City Council to invest in and reopen the facility, removing the long-term liability from Wiltshire Council while protecting the potential for future regeneration.

Special Free School Project - Acceptance of DfE Funding

A report was scheduled to be presented concerning the acceptance of £4,080,000 in capital grant funding from the Department for Education (DfE). This funding is offered as an alternative to progressing with the building of an Alternative Provision (AP) free school in Wiltshire. The acceptance of this funding would allow the Council to deliver at least 80 places for children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs across various provision types, aligning with proposed national SEND reforms. The report highlighted that this approach would enable the delivery of places more rapidly and with greater agility than a new build project, allowing for provision in multiple community areas. The funding would be added to the SEND High Needs Scheme in the Education and Skills Capital Programme, profiled over 2026/27 and 2027/28.

Fleet Route to Market

The Cabinet was due to consider a report on the procurement strategy for the Council's vehicle replacement programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30. The report identified frameworks operated by The Procurement Partnership (TPPL) as the most effective route to market for procuring 165 light goods and specialist vehicles. This programme is funded from previously approved capital allocations. The report outlined the Council's Fleet Strategy 2023-2030, which aims to minimise costs through a lean fleet, regular inspections, and deferring replacements where possible. Procurement decisions are driven by reliability, maintenance expenditure, suitability, and safety, with a commitment to transitioning towards more sustainable travel solutions.

Connect to Work Programme

A report was scheduled to be presented on the Connect to Work programme, a national initiative focused on Supported Employment within the Get Britain Working policy framework. Wiltshire Council is designated as the Accountable Body for the Wiltshire and Swindon programme delivery area. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has allocated an indicative volume of 2,600 participants across the region up to March 2030, with an estimated total programme value of £10.4 million. The programme supports residents facing significant barriers to employment through place, train, sustain models of Supported Employment. The report proposed granting £2.2 million to The Shaw Trust Limited to deliver specialist Individual Placement Support (IPS) provision, and also sought approval for the delegation of decisions regarding any subsequent specialist delivery partners to directors, in consultation with the Lead Member.

DFT Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Services Fund

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report seeking approval to accept and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Transport (DfT) for the Integrated Transport Fund (ITF) and Bus Services Fund (BSF). This multi-year settlement provides Wiltshire Council with access to £206,684,309 in funding covering the period from 2026/27 to 2029/30. The MoU outlines the terms, principles, and practices governing the administration and delivery of the local transport programme. The report detailed the funding allocations, which include significant capital investment for highways maintenance, active travel, and bus services, alongside revenue funding for bus services and capability building. The Cabinet was asked to delegate authority to the Director of Highways and Transport to finalise and publish the Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) and to manage delivery, ensuring compliance with MoU reporting, evaluation, and branding conditions.

Asset Transfer to Salisbury City Council

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report regarding the potential transfer of the freehold interest of the public conveniences at Central Car Park in Salisbury to Salisbury City Council. The report indicated that the building had previously been leased to Salisbury City Council, and following the end of that lease, the City Council had requested the freehold to facilitate its reopening. The proposal was to declare the asset surplus and authorise the Director of Assets to dispose of the freehold interest at nil consideration, with a reverter clause to be included in the transfer. This was presented as a way to enable Salisbury City Council to invest in and reopen the facility, removing the long-term liability from Wiltshire Council while protecting the potential for future regeneration.

Special Free School Project - Acceptance of DfE Funding

A report was scheduled to be presented concerning the acceptance of £4,080,000 in capital grant funding from the Department for Education (DfE). This funding is offered as an alternative to progressing with the building of an Alternative Provision (AP) free school in Wiltshire. The acceptance of this funding would allow the Council to deliver at least 80 places for children with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs across various provision types, aligning with proposed national SEND reforms. The report highlighted that this approach would enable the delivery of places more rapidly and with greater agility than a new build project, allowing for provision in multiple community areas. The funding would be added to the SEND High Needs Scheme in the Education and Skills Capital Programme, profiled over 2026/27 and 2027/28.

Fleet Route to Market

The Cabinet was due to consider a report on the procurement strategy for the Council's vehicle replacement programme for 2026/27 to 2029/30. The report identified frameworks operated by The Procurement Partnership (TPPL) as the most effective route to market for procuring 165 light goods and specialist vehicles. This programme is funded from previously approved capital allocations. The report outlined the Council's Fleet Strategy 2023-2030, which aims to minimise costs through a lean fleet, regular inspections, and deferring replacements where possible. Procurement decisions are driven by reliability, maintenance expenditure, suitability, and safety, with a commitment to transitioning towards more sustainable travel solutions.

Connect to Work Programme

A report was scheduled to be presented on the Connect to Work programme, a national initiative focused on Supported Employment within the Get Britain Working policy framework. Wiltshire Council is designated as the Accountable Body for the Wiltshire and Swindon programme delivery area. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has allocated an indicative volume of 2,600 participants across the region up to March 2030, with an estimated total programme value of £10.4 million. The programme supports residents facing significant barriers to employment through place, train, sustain models of Supported Employment. The report proposed granting £2.2 million to The Shaw Trust Limited to deliver specialist Individual Placement Support (IPS) provision, and also sought approval for the delegation of decisions regarding any subsequent specialist delivery partners to directors, in consultation with the Lead Member.

DFT Integrated Transport Fund and Bus Services Fund

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report seeking approval to accept and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Department for Transport (DfT) for the Integrated Transport Fund (ITF) and Bus Services Fund (BSF). This multi-year settlement provides Wiltshire Council with access to £206,684,309 in funding covering the period from 2026/27 to 2029/30. The MoU outlines the terms, principles, and practices governing the administration and delivery of the local transport programme. The report detailed the funding allocations, which include significant capital investment for highways maintenance, active travel, and bus services, alongside revenue funding for bus services and capability building. The Cabinet was asked to delegate authority to the Director of Highways and Transport to finalise and publish the Local Transport Delivery Plan (LTDP) and to manage delivery, ensuring compliance with MoU reporting, evaluation, and branding conditions.