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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Devizes Sports Club, London Road, Devizes SN10 2DL

Contact: Libby Beale (Democratic Services Officer) 

Items
Note No. Item

6:30pm

1.

Welcome and Introductions

To welcome those present to the meeting.  

Minutes:

Councillors introduced themselves and welcomed those present to the meeting.

2.

Minutes

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2015.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Resolved:

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2015.

 

3.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Nigel Carter and Mervyn Wood.

4.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

Minutes:

Cllr Simon Jacobs declared an interest in the Devizes Eisteddfod funding application and would not vote on this item.

6:35pm

5.

Chairman's Announcements

·       Your Care Your Support

·       Public transport consultation

·       Petition on car parking in Devizes

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman drew attention to announcements available in the agenda pack and also advised that Wiltshire Council was holding a series of public meetings outlining its budget for 2016, a meeting was to be held on 1 February in Devizes at the Corn Exchange to which local people were invited.

 

Cllr Philip Whitehead encouraged the meeting to respond to a consultation on public transport to inform the council about their use of bus services, this knowledge would help to inform future decision making. The councillor also advised that a petition, with over 1,600 signatories asking for all day parking to be an option in all car parks in Devizes, had been submitted to the Council. The councillor responded that the current management of car parks in the town served local need as it was based on the findings of an extensive local parking survey undertaken in 2014 which identified that most people in Devizes preferred short stay parking in the town centre.

 

The meeting was also informed about a touring exhibition ‘Fibs and Fibulae’ at Devizes Museum, which was a new exhibition of strange and surprising artefacts. On 12 March the museum would also be hosting a lecture from a guest speaker.

 

Resolved:

 

To note the petition received on car parking in Devizes and the response of the Cabinet member.

6:50pm

6.

Partner Updates

To receive updates from the following partners:

 

a.    Angus MacPherson (Police and Crime Commissioner)

b.    Neighbourhood Policing Team

c.    Darran Gunter (Chief Fire Officer Designate)

d.    Health Services

e.    Devizes Community Area Partnership

f.     Schools updates

g.    Town and Parish Councils

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Angus MacPherson (Police and Crime Commissioner) presented on the proposed precept increase of £3.12 per year for a Band D property and invited the meeting to respond to the consultation. It was acknowledged that the percentage increase was close to the maximum that could be made each year. The Commissioner explained the increase was needed to ensure local policing be maintained at a time of increasing financial demands and reduced grant funding from central government. Members of the public commented that they supported the precept increase as a modest sum which would ensure the current level of policing continued. Following questions it was confirmed that the service hoped to save money through joint-working with other forces, however this would take time to develop, the Commissioner also expected to reduce the number of Chief Constables to save costs. 

 

Sector Inspector Nick Mawson advised that over the Christmas period Devizes had seen low levels of crime and successful arrests had been made for antisocial behaviour. It was considered that the Christmas ‘Don’t Drink and Drive’ campaign had been a success. Inspector Mawson reminded local people not to let strangers into their homes without identification following two incidents in the area when elderly people had significant amounts of money stolen from their homes by strangers proposing maintenance work to their house.

 

Darran Gunter (Chief Fire Officer Designate) showed a video explaining the combination of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Services. The combination was intended to reduce costs but with no changes affecting those receiving the services. Questions were raised on the finances of the merger and it was confirmed that each current service would contribute approximately £2.5m in reserves and a 1.99% rise in the precept was to be proposed. The new service hoped to work with the Police in sharing estates in order to make efficiencies, and also sharing data to ensure joint-working. It was verified that data privacy would be adhered to and the Information Commissioner was supportive of proposals for data sharing.

 

Written updates from the CCG, HealthWatch Wiltshire and NHS Salisbury Foundation Trust were available in the agenda pack

 

Kate Freeman, Devizes Passengers, introduced new bus service across the Vale. Specifically services 100 and 101 would affect Devizes area. The group asked to present at the March Area Board meeting and the Chairman agreed to discuss this at his next agenda-setting meeting.

 

Sue Marshall, Acting Headteacher at Devizes School, updated on the many events that had been held at the school since November including a Year 11 presentation evening, dramatic performances, mock exams and dance festival. Thanks were given to the Area Board for the funding it had granted to support a Year 11 lunch club which was progressing well. 

 

The Chairman reminded parish councils and the public to get in touch if they required details or resources to establish No Cold Calling Zones in their areas.

7:20pm

7.

Local Youth Network

To receive an update from the Local Youth Network and consider the following requests:

 

An application from Devizes Eisteddfod for £220 to support a Devizes Class winners concert series.

 

To ratify funding granted between meetings of the Area Board:

 

·         The Mothers Union Diocese of Salisbury- £255 to engage Devizes School in a virtual baby project;

·         Devizes School- £500 to support a leadership project for students.

 

The notes of the last LYN Management Group meeting are attached for information.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed Wendy Higginson as the Community Youth Officer currently covering Devizes area. Wendy updated that the Local Youth Network was functioning well and introduced applications for youth funding for the Area Board to consider.

 

Resolved:

 

To grant Devizes Eisteddfod £220 to support a Devizes Class winners concert series.

 

To ratify funding granted between meetings of the Area Board:

 

• The Mothers Union Diocese of Salisbury- £255 to engage Devizes School in a virtual baby project;

 

• Devizes School- £500 to support a leadership project for students.

7:30pm

8.

Child Sexual Exploitation

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, will present on the reality of CSE in Wiltshire and how we can help to prevent it.

Minutes:

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, presented on the reality of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Wiltshire, citing a local case in Corsham. The community was informed about signs of grooming to look out for and to call 0300 4560108 to report any suspicions. Awareness of CSE was being raised amongst young people through working with schools and a production called ‘Chelsea’s choice’.  Detective Superintendent Craig Holden advised that the difference between sexual exploitation and abuse was that children experiencing CSE were groomed so that they did not feel exploited and that, although there were high profile cases in the media of gangs abusing teenagers, age inappropriate relationships were the usual example of CSE. 

 

The Chairman thanked Cllr Mayes and Craig Holden for the informative presentation.

7:40pm

9.

Community Resilience

Wiltshire Council’s Head of Service for Public Protection will discuss flooding and other emergency situations that may arise in Devizes and launch a forum to work with the community on these issues.

Minutes:

Surriya Subramaniam, Head of Service for Public Protection at Wiltshire Council, discussed flooding and other emergency situations that may arise in Devizes and provided details of a multi-agency forum to beheld on Monday 15th February in Devizes to discuss how the community could best respond to such events. Various partners including parish councils, the Police and Public Health would be working together to plan their joined-up responses to emergency situations.

 

During a question and answer session it was confirmed that the Sovereign Housing Association had previously worked well with the Council in response to emergency events and officers would gladly extend the invitation to this event to them. Additionally, members of the community who had previously volunteered as flood wardens were encouraged to make themselves known to the Public Protection team who could contact them as necessary. Public Protection was committed to working with partners and the community in the long term to maintain an effective, joined-up response.

 

The Chairman thanked Surriya for his presentation and encouraged interested parties to attend the workshop in February.

7:50 pm

10.

Activities in Devizes

Graeme Morrison, Community Engagement Manager, will share information about activities going on in Devizes and around the county in 2016, including the Queen’s 90th Birthday celebrations and the ‘Road to Rio’.

 

Minutes:

Graeme Morrison, Community Engagement Manager, told the meeting about activities on offer in the county throughout 2016 as part of the ‘Legacy’ campaign, continuing to build on the community celebrations from the 2012 London Olympics. The community was encouraged to get involved in activities such as ‘Clean for the Queen’ and the Queen’s 90th birthday street party celebrations. Activity packs for these events were available from Graeme upon request. To celebrate the 2016 Olympics Devizes was encouraged to walk the ‘Road to Rio’ and there was to be cycling events locally as well.

 

 

 

8pm

11.

Community Area Transport Group (CATG)

To consider the update and recommendations arising from the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) meeting held on 13 Jan 2016:

 

·         That the Area Board note the progress of and actions taken on issues raised;

·         That a study in Etchilhampton be commissioned with Atkins- approximate cost £2,500

·         That the Area Board endorse requests for freight management following recommendations from the CATG.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Whitehead presented the recommendations from the CATG meeting for consideration by the Area Board.

 

It was noted that the CATG had originally supported freight management on the B3098 to Westbury however Westbury Area Board was to fund this, therefore the proposal was currently for Devizes to fund the section between West Lavington and Wedhamption.

 

A member of the public raised concerns over sunken road around speed humps and the potential damage to vehicles, Cllr Philip Whitehead advised he would raise this with Highways engineers. Some in attendance were also disappointed with traffic on London and Bath Rd which they considered to be frequently exceeding the speed limit. The Cabinet member advised that a metro count had been undertaken which had indicated that speed was not excessive in these locations, he would however pass on details of how the community could organise a speed watch.

 

Resolved:

 

To note the progress of and actions taken on issues raised;

 

To agree that a study in Etchilhampton be commissioned with Atkins and note the approximate cost of £2,500;

 

To endorse CATG requests for freight management on the C40 and B3098 between West Lavington and Wedhampton.

 

 

 

8:10pm

12.

Area Board Funding

To consider the following applications for funding from the Community Area Grants Scheme:

 

·         Devizes Canoe Club- £5,000 for a security system and associated access improvements;

 

·         Devizes Sports Club- £5,000 for tables and chairs;

 

·         Kennet Furniture Refurbiz- £5,000 for the purchasing of a new van;

 

·         Old School Day Centre, Market Lavington- £5,000 for pavement repair;

 

·         St Barnabas School- £185 for a PA system;

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Area Board considered applications for funding and it was explained that the application from Devizes Sports club had been deferred and would be determined at a future meeting.

 

A representative from Devizes Canoe Club spoke in support of its application for a security system and associated access improvements. The funding would help to increase participation, including amongst young people who were nearly 45% of membership. It was noted that the Local Youth Network had agreed to part-fund the project provided that three taster sessions be provided for young people.

 

Representatives spoke to their applications for Kennet Furniture Refurbiz, Old School Day Centre, and St Barnabas School. Cllr Richard Gamble agreed that the paving outside the Day Centre was in urgent need of repair as it was hazardous for the elderly. 

 

Resolved:

 

To grant Devizes Canoe Club £5,000 for a security system and associated access improvements with £2,750 funding drawn from the community area grants scheme and £2,250 from the LYN budget, on the condition that 3 taster sessions be provided for young people during the year.

 

To grant Kennet Furniture Refurbiz £5,000 for the purchasing of a new van.

 

To grant Old School Day Centre, Market Lavington £5,000 for pavement repair.

 

To grant St Barnabas School £185 for a PA system.

8:20pm

13.

Urgent items

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

8:20pm

14.

Evaluation and Close

Minutes:

The next meeting of the Area Board was to be held on 21 March 2016 at Devizes School.