This morning, Wiltshire Council debated and voted on the budget for the coming year. I put forward two key amendments—to bring back free swimming for children and young people during school holidays and to invest £1.3 million in reablement services to support vulnerable adults in regaining their independence.
Both amendments were rejected by the Conservative administration. That, unfortunately, was not surprising. But what was disappointing was that the official opposition—the Liberal Democrat group—offered no amendments of their own, and when it came to my proposals, their leadership voted against both.
Voting Against Free Swimming for Children?
I am pleased that 21 councillors backed my amendment to reintroduce free swimming for children and young people during school holidays. This was a small, fully funded investment that would have cost just 4p per week per household—yet it was still voted down.
Let’s be clear:
• This was a policy Wiltshire used to have before it was cut for cost-saving reasons.
• We know that cost is a barrier for many families, and we know that learning to swim is a life skill that could one day save a child’s life.
• This was an affordable, practical way to support young people—yet both the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrat leadership opposed it.
Voting Against Investing in Reablement?
An even bigger disappointment was the rejection of the investment in reablement services.
This was a proposal to expand Wiltshire’s highly successful reablement service, which helps people recover at home after illness or a hospital stay. 91% of people who receive this service remain well and independent at home three months later.
This amendment would have:
✔️ Provided 450 extra hours of reablement support per week
✔️ Helped more people regain independence and avoid long-term care
✔️ Reduced pressure on NHS beds and care homes
All for just 13p per week per household.
Yet only 15 councillors supported this amendment. The Conservatives voted against it. The Liberal Democrat leadership voted against it.
A Budget Without a Vision
Despite these votes, I believe that yesterday’s debate was important. I know that much of what I was calling for will likely find its way into future budgets, because these are good ideas that make sense—for families, for public health, and for financial sustainability.
But there’s a wider issue here.
Wiltshire Council had a legal duty to pass a budget, and I respect that. But what I cannot understand is how any group could vote against a budget while proposing no amendments of their own and offering no alternative plan.
If you believe the budget is wrong, you should offer something better. If you oppose specific policies, you should put forward an alternative. That’s what constructive opposition looks like.
Instead, we saw a council locked in its old ways—a Conservative administration desperate to cling on to power and an opposition that didn’t seem willing to offer a real challenge.
What Happens Next?
This budget has now passed, and we move forward. But I won’t stop campaigning for these important policies.
• Free swimming for young people is the right thing to do.
• Expanding reablement services is the right thing to do.
And just because these amendments failed this time doesn’t mean they won’t come back.
The fight for a better Wiltshire continues.
If you agree that these should be priorities, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch at jon@jonhubbard.org and let’s keep pushing for a council that truly works for its people.
