Note: On Monday 24th September 2012 at an EGM the steering group of WilCAP made the decision to dissolve the partnership. A vote in favour was carried and the CAP wound up with immediate effect.
WilCAP represents the Wilton Community Area, which includes the town of Wilton and the following fourteen parishes:- Alvediston, Barford St Martin, Bishopstone, Bowerchalke, Broad Chalke, Burcombe Without, Compton Chamberlayne, Dinton, Ebbesbourne Wake, Netherhampton, Quidhampton, South Newton, Stratford Tony, Teffont.
The Wilton Community Area has an estimated population of 8,683 (2007)
WilCAP is a group of volunteers and is open to anyone from the Wilton Community Area who wants to join or be involved, including members of public, representatives of local organisations, businesses and public service delivery bodies.
Why should I get involved? Ever moaned about the state of things? Well, this is your opportunity to help do something about it and make a real difference! WilCAP is a way of directly contributing to and being involved in the development of our community. As part of a group (or partnership), WilCAP has more ‘clout’ than individuals – working together is always more effective than working separately. And hopefully more fun!
We’re looking for people to join us who can spare time to attend meetings, volunteer their time and/or specialist knowledge to be part of groups working on particular projects. If you would like to be part of WilCAP, or just find out a bit more information before committing yourself, we’d love to hear from you (please see the ‘Contact’ page).
So what are Community Area Partnerships (CAPs)? CAPs have developed over a number of years and aim to be a coordinated voice of the community and a key local body for Town and Parish Councils, representatives of businesses, the voluntary sector, local people and community leaders to carry out consultations, to debate local issues and to prioritise community needs. Partnerships are well established across most of the county with the exception of South Wiltshire – WilCAP is now being established for Wilton & surrounding parishes.
If you’d like to know more about how Community Area Partnerships & Wiltshire Area Boards work: click here for a presentation created by Steve Milton, Head of Community Governance at Wiltshire Council, which explains more. Steven Milton also has a blog in which he discusses various issues around local governance, such as Localism, the Big Society or Community Leadership. For more details about the work & projects CAPs from across the whole of Wiltshire are involved with, the Wiltshire Forum for Community Area Partnerships (wfcap) has a great website with lots of information.
What is the role of WilCAP ? Through WilCAP, as a community we can influence the work of the South West Wiltshire Area Board, who in turn influence what Wiltshire Council does in our Community Area. (South West Wiltshire is the Area Board covering the Wilton, Tisbury & Mere Community Areas). WilCAP will work with communities and parishes within the Wilton Community Area to provide a united voice on a range of local issues. We aim to enhance living in our community by working together on common aims and values, also through the development of our Community Plan. WilCAP will provide a forum for consultation, research and the delivery of community-centered projects, as well as support funding bids for community grants.
What will WilCAP do? WilCAP will consult with the wider community to find out what the priorities and concerns are in our area. Based on these findings, we hope to establish groups (known as theme groups) to reflect the interests and concerns of the Wilton Community Area. These would focus on certain aspects such as youth activities; travel & transport; culture; health; the environment; community safety…… The list is as long as there are committed people willing to set up and participate in the theme groups.
In the short term, WilCAP will be focusing on a few areas, which are speeding (a real concern within the majority of communities within WilCAP) and the quality of ‘street signs’ (improvement of which could make a really positive visual impact in our communities). We also aim to help raise awareness of community grants, which groups within WilCAP may wish to apply for – WilCAP can help with sourcing and supporting relevant applications.
The Community Plan. WilCAP will also develop the ‘Community Plan’ through consultation with local residents, businesses and representatives of public, voluntary and private sector organisations. The Community Plan will be an official document acknowledged by Wiltshire Council, which will also draw on Wilton Vision & existing local Parish Plans within the WilCAP area. Our Community Plan will be a living document that is regularly reviewed to reflect the changing aspirations of our whole community. As Community Planning is becoming increasingly important, our Community Plan will be used to provide information about the priorities and aspirations of our community and to influence local decision making for bodies such as Wiltshire Council, Town and Parish Councils, service providers and voluntary organisations. The Plan will be a significant factor in planning and community grant applications. It will also feed into Wiltshire Council’s strategic plans and the local Transport Plan.
What funding & support does WilCAP have? WilCAP is a voluntary body which receives funding from Wiltshire Council for its administration, support etc. WilCAP is also eligible for other funding for projects, consultations etc. We have support from our Community Area Manager and Wiltshire Forum of Community Area Partnerships (WFCAP). The Chair of WilCAP has representation on the South West Wiltshire Area Board.
Terms of Reference & Membership – WilCAP will operate with terms of reference which will include the election of a chairman, a vice-chairman, a treasurer and a secretary at its Annual General Meeting. WilCAP – Terms of Reference – Feb 2010 Our next AGM is scheduled for September/October 2012.
There will be a standing core membership of volunteers & WilCAP is open to everyone living, working, providing services or with another genuine interest in the Wilton Community Area. When theme groups are established to deal with different community issues, membership of these will vary according to the issues at hand.
We hope you would like to join WilCAP – If you would like to be part of WilCAP, or just find out a bit more information before committing yourself, we’d love to hear from you (please see the ‘Contact’ page).
If you’d like to follow WilCAP’s progress or perhaps get involved when there’s an area of interest to you, why not sign up for e-mail news updates from our website, via the ‘Email Subscription’ button on the top right of the page.
The photos at the top of these pages were taken in May 2012 in Dinton & Dinton Park woods, which are managed by the National Trust.
WilCAP - Wilton Community Area Partnership 