Community

Improving River Safety: Life Rings, Visibility, and Fencing

River safety is a matter of life and death. In light of recent tragic incidents along our local waterway, it is more important than ever that we take proactive steps to ensure that life-saving equipment is accessible, visible, and ready to use in an emergency.

I have raised concerns directly with the relevant team about the current condition of life rings along the river bank. Several of these critical pieces of safety equipment are obscured by overgrown vegetation, with unclear footing and uneven ground making it difficult for members of the public to reach them quickly. Overgrowth around the rings also limits sightlines up and downstream, reducing the chance of a successful throw to someone in distress.

I have proposed two straightforward maintenance measures that could make a real difference:

• regular trimming and mowing of the paths leading to each life ring

• cutting back vegetation on either side of them to improve visibility along the river. These are simple, low-cost actions — but they could save a life.

I have also raised a longer-term concern regarding the stretch of riverbank between the St Mary's Street bridge and the foot of the mini golf course. The path edge in this area drops sharply toward the water, and I am conscious that residents from Monkton Park and Riverside Drive may use this route late at night. The combination of alcohol, darkness, and an unguarded drop is a serious hazard.

Keeping our community safe along the riverside is a shared responsibility. I will continue to push for both the quick wins and the longer-term improvements needed to protect residents and visitors alike.

Amenities, Culture and Leisure Committee - 23/07/2025 - How I voted, and why?

Berks and Wilts Canal Trust MOU - In favour

Having sought clarification that this would not provide the canal Trust with a bespoke route to any funding for activities, I voted in favour. Alignment with any organisations seeking to improve our natural environment and develop potential tourist attractions for the Town felt a positive move.

Formation of a Markets working party - In favour

I strongly encouraged that any working group MUST include engagement with traders and residents at its core if it wishes to be successful. As someone who prioritises wanting to see our town centre thrive, I naturally fully supported this motion. I also stood forward as a councillor to sit on the newly formed working group.

Bus shelter policy - In favour

I spoke out on the fact that whilst Wiltshire Council own the vast majority of bus shelters in the town, Chippenham Town Council opt to clean them, and repair them, which begged the question of Wiltshire Council are actually doing to support these shelters. However, on the specific aspirations of CTC to maintain existing provision and monitor success of real-time screens that Wiltshire will be putting in four bus shelters, I was supportive.

Sky lanterns, Helium Balloons and Fireworks Policy (in public spaces) - In favour

Whilst fully supportive of a ban on lanterns and balloons, I asked for clarification around this policy on fireworks, decided in 2019, which I had no idea about as a resident. I sought clarification that the wording did not preclude firework displays entirely, and it does not. I made the point to fellow councillors that any environmental benefits by not having a town firework display are more than cancelled out by meaning 1000s of residents then exodus the town in cars to attend events elsewhere. A town display is also good for the local economy. I will seek to put forward a motion requesting we consider reinstating a town centre display in Monkton Park. On the basis firework displays were not ruled out entirely I supported the motion.

Armed Forces Day

Today I had the privilege of attending our town Armed Forces Day commemoration. As a pacifist who has spent their entire life in domestic peacetime, I had quietly hoped that the steady decline in UK defence spending signalled a global shift away from large-scale conflict. In 2010, the UK was spending around 2.5% of GDP on defence; by 2018, that figure had dropped to just under 2%, reflecting a wider trend of post-Cold War demilitarisation. It seemed we were entering a new era—one where diplomacy, soft power and international cooperation were slowly replacing conventional warfare.

But the past few years, and 2025 in particular, have shaken that belief. Russia’s ongoing aggression, the destabilisation in the Middle East, cyberattacks on critical infrastructure, and rising global tensions have all pointed to a world far less stable than many of us hoped. While I still believe that future wars may be fought more with algorithms than ammunition, the present reality is forcing a re-evaluation.

It’s now clearer than ever that our armed forces must be supported, trained and properly resourced—not in pursuit of aggression, but as a safeguard in an increasingly uncertain world. Peace is precious, but it doesn’t sustain itself.

Photo credit: Chippenham Town Council

What do you want from a Town Market?

On Wednesday, I asked our Chippenham Town Council Officers what steps we should take in response to falling pitch occupancy at our markets. Matthew Kirby (Deputy Chief Executive) gave a very honest and constructive reflection on the situation, and proposed we consider including this issue in our upcoming corporate strategic plan.

What would you like to see in our market offering to make it relevant for 2025?

When I stood for Council, one of my key priorities was the Town Centre—especially its role in the ‘age of Amazon’. A thriving and relevant town market is an essential part of that vision.

Across the UK, market stall pitch occupancy has seen significant changes over the past decade. These have been driven by economic pressures, demographic shifts, and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2009, there were approximately 46,000 market traders. By 2018, that number had fallen to around 32,000—and by 2022, it was estimated at just 17,000. Alarmingly, only 8% of current traders are under the age of 40, raising concerns about long-term sustainability as older traders retire.

Given these trends, we need to ask: what does Chippenham want from its markets? What can our community support? Do the next generation of traders even exist—and if so, how can we make Chippenham a place they want to trade?

My first meeting of the Town Council

I have always been fascinated by politics, a passion that began in my childhood as I sat watching Tony Blair on television. Even then, I was captivated not just by the theatre and drama of political life but by the power it holds to lead, inspire, and be a passionate voice among one’s peers. That early fascination has stayed with me, and on Wednesday night, I experienced a significant milestone on that journey.

Attending my first council meeting was both exciting and humbling. I’m still getting used to being formally addressed as Councillor Scott—a title that carries with it both pride and a deep sense of responsibility. Sitting in the chamber, observing the formal proceedings, and absorbing the weight of the decisions being made really brought home the importance of the role I have undertaken

I was incredibly grateful to have been appointed to all the committees and working groups I had hoped for. This will put me in the best possible position to contribute meaningfully in the areas I feel most passionate about: strengthening our community, revitalising and supporting our town centre, and championing the needs of our young people.

I have also been hugely impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the Town Council team. Their commitment to serving our town has already left a positive impression on me, and I am very much looking forward to working closely with them and my fellow councillors as we navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.