Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.  

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting and members of the Area Board introduced themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence or substitutions for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Matt Armstrong (Wiltshire Police), Malcolm Irons (Devizes School), Judy Rose and Jean Collins.

The Chairman advised that Cllr Liz Bryant had resigned from the Council and was no longer a member of the Area Board. Thanks were given to the Area Board for supporting the community in the absence of Cllr Bryant.

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2015.

Resolved:

To confirm and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2015 subject to an amendment on the attendance list to indicate that Malcolm Irons, Devizes School, was also present.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Cllr Sue Evans declared an interest in Devizes and District Association for the Disabled which had applied for funding, she would not participate in the debate nor vote on this item.

Cllr Simon Jacobs declared an interest in Devizes Eisteddfod which had applied for funding, he would not participate in the debate nor vote on this item.

To receive the following Chairman’s Announcements:

·         Universal Credit explained

·         The future of ‘Safe Places’ in Devizes

·         Healthwatch Wiltshire update

The Chairman explained the introduction of Universal Credit in Wiltshire and drew attention to a full update in the agenda pack. An urgent request was made for volunteers to be on the Safe Places steering group, further information was available in the agenda. It was explained that Healthwatch Wiltshire had been monitoring the new Wiltshire Dementia Strategy as well as consulting on the permanent location of a specialist dementia care hospital.

The Chairman advised that works to improve the towpath on the Kennet & Avon Canal between London Rd. Bridge 138 and Cemetery Rd. Bridge 140 were to start on 25th March and to last for approximately 10 weeks. The towpath would remain closed for the duration. The resurfacing of Quakers Walk had been completed to a good standard and would assist drainage of surface water.

No cold-calling zones had been established in Broadleaze Park with help from Trading Standards. Interested residents were encouraged to approach the Area Board if they felt the initiative would be useful in other residential areas.

Thanks were given to Margaret Bryant and Kerry Rose for their  work with career coaching at Devizes school. The Area Board confirmed the project was currently only operational at Devizes School as a link with Lavington School had not yet been established.

Thanks were given to Tony Aldridge and Carol for supporting Devizes promotional week by organising visits to the town from coach operators. Senior members of the Condeferation of Passenger Transport and Sir Terry Wogan attended the events. Walking tours were also led around the area.

To receive updates from the following partners:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.    Health Services

d.    Devizes Community Area Partnership

e.    Devizes Campus Team

f.      Schools updates

g.    Town and Parish Councils

A representative from Wiltshire Police gave an overview of crime in the Devizes beat areas: overall, there had been a decrease in offenses in Devizes however the level of detections had also reduced. A full written update was available in the agenda pack.

Mike Franklin, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service updated that the Secretary of State had passed a combination order to merge Wiltshire and Dorset fire services, this would sit in the House of Comms for 40 days before it could became legislation. The Fire and Rescue service had increased its precept by 1.98% for 2015-16.

An update from the Clinical Commissioning Group was included in the agenda pack.

Philip Mackie, Devizes Community Area Partnership updated the meeting that the new bus service was working well and would be piloted for 9 months, it was plannedto produce more savings than initially expected. It was noted that ‘Cycle Devizes’ was keen to be re-established and Sustainable Devizes hoped to move to a transition town group.

The Chairman informed that Malcolm Irons, Headteacher at Devizes School, would leave at the end of the summer term and an intensive recruitment process was already underway to replace hom.

Tony Molland, Potterne Parish Council, confirmed the parish council had completed a draft neighbourhood plan however would meet again that week due to perimeter changes.

Stan JonikErlestoke Parish Council, advised that the Parish Council would progress with a Nieghbourhood Plan. A question was raised over the conversion of a local pub into a residential property and Members advised the Area Board could not consider planning maters and the application had not yet been determined. A crossing in Erkestoke was requested however it was noted this needed to be made via the Community Issues System.

To receive an interactive presentation from the Community Area Manager on activities and events on offer in the Devizes area and across Wiltshire for 2015.

Richard Rogers, Community Area Manager, gave a presentation and quiz on the Legacy steering board which had been established to continue the legacy of national and local celebrations in 2012. In 2014, World War One commemorations and Cycle Wiltshire had brought the local community together. Devizes community was invited to participate in the Magna Carta 800^th anniversary celebrations in June 2015. This year would also see the launch of ‘Beat the Street’ and the 750 challenge to encourage a further 750 hours volunteering in Devizes.

An update and interactive session from Matt Maynard on how Wiltshire is tackling the current energy challenge and on ‘green’ initiatives in the Devizes community area.

Matt Maynard, Energy and Design Technician, explained the Climate local Initiative was designed to help local authorities to share ideas on green initiatives. The Wiltshire Energy resilience plan would ensure the energy in Wiltshire was more secure, affordable and sustainable. 

During a quiz it was highlighted that 29% of Wiltshire Council’s emissions was due to street lighting and the Council was working to reduce reducing its energy consumption, for instance in corporate estates.The Council was now encouraging businesses in Wiltshire to re-think their energy use and join the switch scheme. During a question and answer session it was confirmed that currently Wiltshire Council electric charging points for cars were free, with a valid parking ticket.

An opportunity for local people, groups and organisations to discuss issues of importance for the Devizes area.

The Area Board invited local people, groups and organisations to discuss issues of importance for the Devizes area.

Michael Braund, Devizes & District PHAB (Physically Disabled & Able Bodied), expressed concern over traffic calming measures causing damage to the low-floor minibus. Cllr Philip Whitehead advised that, since the speedbumps in questions were privately owned, the group would have to contact highways and planning officers at Wiltshire Council.

Jeffrey Meddings and Ray Rogers expressed disappointment in road conditions in Bath Road from Prison bridge to Caen Hill. Cllr Whitehead agreed there was potentially need for a crossing on the road, however speeding was not a major issue in this location. It was noted that Devizes Town Council had rejected a crossing on this section of the road and islands to calm traffic would reduce the number of parking places. The Councillor confirmed that Bath Road junction was due to be resurfaced that financial year. The residents advised that speeding was a real problem on Bath Road, however Cllr Whitehead confirmed that this was not supported by evidence from a metrocount. Questions were raised over the timing of metrocounts and it was verified they did not look at the average speed and so the results were not skewed by slow-moving traffic at peak times. The Councillor confirmed that isolated potholes were filled as an immediate, short-term solution to this health and safety risk.

Jackie Bawden, Rowde Parish Council, questioned whether Rowde and Bromham would receive high-speed broadband. It was confirmed that Bromham was included in the 2015 rollout by Wiltshire Council. Rowde had been deemed as ‘commercially viable’ by BT and so would be installed by th company. Cllr Richard Gamble agreed to look into the situation for Erlestoke.

Steve Valentine spoke against the cessation of the Connect2RUH service planned for November 2015. Cllr Whitehead advised that the government and the NHS had withdrawn funding for the service in 2006, Wiltshire Council had subsidised the service since however it proved very expensive to run. It was the responsibility of the Clinical Commissioning Group to ensure patients were able to get to hospital and the RUH had been invited to discussions over the future of the service. A full public consultation would be run before changes to the service.

Phillipa Morgan expressed concern over the planning permission on the Assize Courts in Devizes due to expire in May 2015. Cllr Laura Mayes commented that she shared the concerns and assured that much work was being undertaken by planning officers at Wiltshire Council however she could not provide more detail at this stage.

The Chairman advised that there had been discontent with the state of littering in the county, particularly along trunk roads. Wiltshire Council would support communities who wanted to litter pick and was taking more action against fast-food outlets. Great Cheverell Parish Council held a spring cleaning day each year and raised a health and safety concern about a local path. Area Board members’ advised the relevant officer had been made aware.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To consider any updates from the working group.

Cllr Laura Mayes updated that hawks and falcons had been flown at the industrial estate to disrupt gulls and from April their nests would be removed. The scheme had been a great success and had generated interest from other areas with similar problems, local businesses had also been very cooperative.

To receive the minutes of the last LYN management group meeting and an update from the Community Youth Officer.

To consider the following application for Youth funding:

·         Devizes Youthy- £2884.84

Sally Willox, Community Youth Officer, updated the meeting that the Local Youth Network was working well in Devizes. For instance, a LYN event had been held on 12 February for young people only with the intention of informing them more about its function, getting them involved and engaging them in creative workshops. A youth café was being developed in Market Lavington and an SEND film was being produced, it was currently in the filming stage.

Young people were invited to a ‘Pizza and Pudding’ night on 25 March.

A funding application from Devizes Youthy was introduced and considered by the Area Board.

Resolved:

To grant Devizes Youthy £2884.84 of youth funding.

Sally explained that the Lions had recently held a sport coaching weekend where over 480 young people had sampled 19 different sports, this had been identified as a need by young people and funding had been provided by the LYN. The Area Board was asked to approve £204.00 granted between Area Board meetings.

Resolved:

To approve £204.00 funding for a sports coaching weekend for young people.

To receive the minutes of the last LYN management group meeting.

To receive the minutes and consider recommendations arising from the last Community Area Transport Group (CATG) meeting held on 9 March 2015.

The Area Board received the minutes of the last CATG meeting held on 9 March 2015 and considered recommendations arising.

Resolved:

To agree the following recommendations:

1.     Subject to agreement from Roundway Parish Council to pay for costs, to agree for a hard standing being erected at the bus stop along Windsor Drive;

2.     To implement 20mph speed restriction at Urchfont Village and Devizes East as recommended in the assessments;

3.     To contribute £500 towards security at Bishops Canning car park.

To consider the following applications to the Community Area Grants scheme:

·         Potterne Cricket Club-£5,000 towards enlarging and levelling of pitches;

·         Devizes and District Association for the Disabled- £598 for new hand dryers at the Nursteed Community Centre;

·         West Lavington Village Hall- £3,278 towards upgrading the hall;

·         Cheverell Magna Parish Council-£900 towards a new marquee and tables;

·         Devizes Eisteddfod - £1,703.54 towards a staging system.

Members heard from groups applying to the Community Area Grants scheme and considered their applications.

Potterne Cricket Club explained the club had outgrown its current facility abnd required enlarging and levelling of the pitches.

Devizes and District Association for the Disabled required new hand dryers to save costs.

West Lavington Village Hall applied for funding to upgrade the hall to help it become increasingly attractive as a venue. Cllr Gamble commented this would be an asset to the community.

Cheverell Magna Parish Council required a new marquee for events and Cllr Gamble commented that was much demand locally for marquees.

Alex Watts, Devizes Eisteddford hoped for funding for a staging system to use at Devizes festival and satellite events and advised the facility could be used by other organisations. Members advised the group supported over 1,000 young people to perform.

Resolved:

To grant Potterne Cricket Club £5,000 towards enlarging and levelling of pitches;

To grant Devizes and District Association for the Disabled £598 for new hand dryers at the Nursteed Community Centre;

To grant West Lavington Village Hall £3,278 towards upgrading the hall;

To grant Cheverell Magna Parish Council £900 towards a new marquee and tables;

To grant Devizes Eisteddfod £1,703.54 towards a staging system.

To consider a member-led initiative from Cllr Sue Evans to fund a BMX track at Green Lane.

The Area Board advised that the skate park in the town had been a great success and Cllr Sue Evans was championing funding to expand this to include a BMX track, Roundway Parish Council had also expressed support for the project.  Members commented there had already been interest and support for the BMX track in the community.

Resolved:

To allocate the Ares Board’s remaining capital funding of £10,840 to fund a BMX track at Green Lane.

The next ordinary meeting would be held on Monday, 18 May 2015 6.30 pm at Devizes Sports Club.