Agenda and minutes

Members declared the following interests:

·         Councillor Peter Davis declared a prejudicial interest in the grant application for the Corsham Knitting and Crochet Club as his wife was a member (agenda item 14).  Councillor Davis did not speak or vote on this item.

·         Councillor Alan Macrae declared a personal interest in the grant application for the Corsham Wind Band Association (agenda item 14).  Councillor Macrae did not speak or vote on this item.

·         Councillor Sheila Parker declared a prejudicial interest in the grant application for Box Parish Council as she was a member of the Parish Council (agenda item 14).  Councillor Parker did not speak or vote on this item.

·         Councillor Dick Tonge declared a personal interest in the street lighting item (agenda item 12) as he was the Cabinet member responsible for this service.

The chairman made the following announcements:

(a)  Speed Limit Reviews

The cabinet member had agreed the lowering of the speed limit on the B4258 at Showell to 50mph.

The cabinet member had agreed to introduce a speed limit of 50mph on the B3109 Bradford Road.

The cabinet member had agreed to introduce a 30mph speed limit on the B3353 at The Linleys.

(b)  Outcome of the Leisure Facilities Review

The Cabinet had considered the results of the consultation exercise undertaken between July and October and approved a refined proposal.  Whilst the investigation into campus opportunities were completed the council would not be looking to alternative management arrangements for indoor leisure facilities as a single service.  The council would continue the on-going dialogue which had already been established with local community groups regarding the local management of facilities.

(c)  New Council-Wide Street Trading Scheme

There was currently no harmonised street trading policy for the Wiltshire Council area.  Council officers had produced a draft scheme for formal consultation with all interested parties.  A full copy of the proposed scheme was available on the council website and written responses should be sent to the Wiltshire Council Licensing Team by 17 March.

(d)  Public Protection Enforcement Policy

The Public Protection Service was reviewing its enforcement policy and was seeking views from interested stakeholders.  The draft enforcement policy was available on the council website.

(e)  Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

Local Authorities have a duty under the Childcare Act 2006 to assess the sufficiency of childcare in their area and to produce a report.  Wiltshire’s second report had now been drafted and was out for consultation on the council website.  Any comments should be received by 20 March 2011.

There had been problems in Westwells Road caused by staff from the new MoD site parking in the residential area.

Councillor Peter Davis gave an update on the outcome of a meeting with the Ministry of Defence (MoD) held on 20 January 2011.  Representatives from the MoD were present at the meeting to answer questions from residents.

The MoD representatives made the following comments:

·         Staff were being encouraged to use the car parks on site rather than parking on the highway.

• There were adequate parking spaces for all staff on site.
• An additional car park for 500 cars on another nearby MoD site had recently been opened to try to alleviate the problem. 
• By October 2011 there would be full parking on site.
• A pedestrian gate had been opened opposite the MoD building which was open from 7.15am to 7pm.
• Visitors were advised to park at the Rudloe site.
• The MoD had arranged for cones to be placed in Westwells Road where they were able to and this was being enforced by ticketing.  It was not possible to put cones down the whole length of the road because this would require traffic restrictions.
• Leaflets had been issued to staff asking them not to park in Westwells Road.
• Officers from the MoD had met with the Corsham Liaison Panel and highways officers to try to find a solution to this problem.

The Chairman stated that consultation would have to take place if any form of traffic regulation orders were to be implemented in this area.  However, this would have to be considered carefully as the problem could simply be displaced to another area.

The following comments were made by those present at the meeting:

·         Could the pedestrian gate be closed because this could make the problem worse?  MoD representatives stated that it was important to encourage cycling and walking to work so the gate needed to remain open.

• Some members of the public felt that parking restrictions were required.
• It was confirmed that staff at the site had been made aware of the buses that ran to and from the site every 15 minutes.
• The police confirmed that it was not possible to place cones down the whole length of Westwells Road because they could only be used for temporary events and were not a long term measure to prevent parking.
• Some members of the public felt that the parking on both sides of the road constituted a health and safety risk.  The police stated that they had looked at the area and that the road was still wide enough for emergency vehicles to pass.
• It was noted that 10 tickets had been issued to MoD staff parking in Westwells Road.
• It was suggested that parking should only be permitted on one side of the road.
• One resident stated that the Council had agreed to carry out a traffic survey in Neston once the site was in use and asked when this would be done.  The Chairman agreed to provide a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

The area board considered a proposal for the Council to apply for external funding to enable the purchase of the Lacock archive collection. 

The Lacock archive had been on deposit at the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre since 1991.  The current owner was now planning to sell the collection but would like to keep it together

External funding was required from the heritage lottery fund.  95% of the cost could be provided by the lottery fund if the bid was successful and 5% (which could be in cash or through in kind contributions e.g. volunteer hours) would have to be found locally.  In order to be successful the bid must have the local support.  The National Trust and the Lacock History Society supported the proposed purchase.

The following issues were discussed:

·         The archive had not yet been digitally captured as this was a long and costly process.

• The vendor could choose to sell the collection to anyone and was not bound to keep it together. 

The Chairman asked the audience their view on the proposal and they voted unanimously in support.

Decision

(1)  To support the proposed application by Wiltshire Council for a Heritage Grant to acquire the Lacock Archive.

(2)  To note that anyone who would like to be involved with the proposed project in a voluntary capacity, or by making a donation, is advised to get in touch with Claire Skinner or Terry Bracher at Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre.

In June 2010, the Corsham Area Board requested volunteers to assist with the “Part Night Lighting” project which was being implemented across Wiltshire.  The aim of the project was to switch off selected lighting for part of the night where that lighting met strict criteria set by Wiltshire Council to ensure continued safety and security of residents.  The consequent reduction in electricity consumed would reduce Wiltshire Council’s costs and carbon emissions, and the investment required in installing and switching equipment would pay back within two years.

CCAN had co-ordinated this project through its Energy and Environment Working Group which was jointly run with Transition Community Corsham (TransCoCo), a local environmental group.  The report submitted to the area board set out the conclusions and recommendations of the group.

The following issues were discussed:

·         Crime in residential areas had been considered and no area would be left in total darkness.  Where residents had objected to a specific street light being switched off then the light would remain.

• If, after a while, the residents wanted the street lights to be switched back on they should approach their Parish or Town Council.
• The area board noted that an email had been sent in from Mr Chris Phillips, a resident of Colerne, who had concerns about the validity of the consultation and the subsequent proposal to switch off certain street lights.  The email had also mentioned a legal agreement that had been drawn up which stated that Wiltshire Council was obliged to continue to light the Parish of Colerne and that any failure to do so would be a breach of contract.  The area board noted the concerns raised in the email.
• It was noted that Colerne Parish Council had voted in favour of submitting the consultation results for discussion at the area board meeting.

Decision

(1)  To accept the proposed lighting changes and implement the recommended part night lighting reductions (subject to the findings of (2) below in respect of the Parish of Colerne).

(2)  To ask officers to find out whether there is a valid legal agreement (drawn up in 1987) between the Parish of Colerne and Wiltshire County Council regarding the provision of street lighting in the parish.

The area board considered nine applications for 2010/11 community area grant funding.

Decision

(1)  To award Corsham Wind Band Association £1,500 to stage a 30^th anniversary concert and service.  (Conditional upon the balance of funding being in place).

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “Activities for young people.”

(2)  To award £999 to the Lacock Positive Camera Club to purchase a laptop and photographic editing software to support the club’s activities.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “Culture, Recreation, Heritage and Arts.”

(3)  To award £5,000 to KOBRA Trust to build a portable scale model and write a book explaining Roman structures in Box.  (Conditional upon the balance of funding being in place).

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Community Plan – “Culture, Recreation, Heritage and Arts.”

(4)  To award New Highways (formerly BADAS) £4,997 for the provision of allotment space to be used as a therapeutic process for people recovering from drug and/or alcohol misuse.  (Conditional upon the balance of funding being in place).

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “Offering facilities and activities for young people”, “improving facilities which will enhance the community as a whole”, and “promoting local food and produce.”

(5)  To award Corsham Schools Cluster £900 to stage a community dance festival.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “offering facilities and activities for young people.”

(6)  To award Neston and Box Scout Group £1,820 to set up an archery training group.  (Conditional upon the balance of funding being in place).

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “offering facilities and activities for young people.”

(7)  To award Corsham Rugby Football Club £1,145 to purchase an adult scrum machine.  (Conditional upon the balance of funding being in place).

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “offering facilities and activities for young people.”

(8)  To award Corsham Knitting and Crochet Club £200 to take a group of members to a knitting and craft show.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “offering facilities and activities for people.”

(9)  To award Box Parish Council £674 to purchase and install a ceiling mounted projector and electric screen.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan – “offering facilities and activities for people.”