Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and invited the Councillors and officers present to introduce themselves.

Councillor John Thomson, Deputy Leader of the Council was present to speak about his area of responsibility (Adult Care, Communities and Housing).

The Chairman also noted those parish representatives who were in attendance.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·         Julia Densham, Marlborough Community Area Manager

·         Joan Davies, Savernake Parish Council

·         Richard Pitts, Marlborough Town Council

·         Martin Cooke, Marlborough Area Development Trust

·         Jo Young, resident of Marlborough

·         Chris Graves, Service Director

a.    The minutes of the meeting held on 6 September 2011 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

b.    The meeting noted the update on outcome and actions arising from the 6 September meeting, as set out on page 15 of the agenda.  The Chairman also provided the following additional updates:

·         A4 overnight road closures – As agreed, the parties had liaised and also asked for info to be published in the Marlborough News Online.  Diversion routes appeared to be working well.

·         Collection of Waste from Parish run playgrounds – Officially this was classified as commercial waste, which was chargeable.  However, as this had yet to be formally harmonised across the County, a household bin would be provided and collected bi-weekly by WC, although this may have to be an interim solution.  Officers would be in touch with Baydon Parish Council to address this.

·         Providing automatic alerts to Parishes re planning issues, before the new software goes live – Unfortunately, this was not possible with the current systems in use.  However, it would be available from May/June 2012

·         Parish Councils as Secondary Consultees on Planning issues – Where a planning application straddled parish boundaries, both Parishes were consulted.  Where an application was wholly in one parish but near the boundary, the decision to consult the adjacent parish was made by the case officer based on the impact (i.e. not for a minor application, but where there may be traffic generation or visual impact).

The specific issue in Savernake had been investigated and officers were working directly with Mrs Davies to ensure all consultations arrived safely with the Parish Council.

Councillors are requested to declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

None.

1. Wiltshire Police

Inspector Ron Peach spoke to the written update which was set out in the agenda pack at page 17.

·         Marlborough Mops had gone very well from a police perspective, with only one minor issue relating to drugs.

·         There had been a spate of criminal damage in Aldbourne, with 17 incidents in one night.  Thanks to community intelligence, three people had been arrested and an outcome was anticipated at the end of the month.

·         Marlborough was currently receiving an enhanced Anti-Social behaviour service from Swindon.

·         A “Bluz and Zuz” event had recently been held in Marlborough as part of the programme of diversionary activities for young people.

·         In response to a question regarding theft of metals, especially lead from churches, Ron commented that this was a national problem.  Regular work was undertaken with scrap metal merchants and spot checks were carried out on records of transactions.  In addition, churches were encouraged to use smart water which could help mark the metals.

Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Police Authority, was also present to speak about the on-going consultation on the police precept for 2012-13.  The government had proposed a 3% increase for 2012-13, if there was a 0% increase for 2013-14.  However, this was set against the context of the review of policing priorities.  The consultation could be viewed online.

Kieran also referred to the government’s decision to establish elected police commissioners, to replace the Police Authorities.  The first election would take place on 15 November 2012.  Responding to a question, Kieran confirmed that it was open to anyone to stand for the position, although it was anticipated that the political parties would put forward their own candidates.  Elections would be held every four years, with the first appointment running for three and a half years.

2. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Mike Franklin of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue referred to the report in the agenda, at pages 19-20, commenting on the low number of fires (10), none of which had been significant.  However, the Marlborough Area had seen a high number of chimney fires and so people were reminded to get their chimneys swept. 

A question was raised regarding alarms provided by the fire service to old people’s homes, as these now needed replacement batteries but were sealed units.  Mike advised that the fire service would replace the units on request.  Please contact Mike on 07919 306037 or via www.wiltsfire.gov.uk.

3. NHS Wiltshire

The written update was noted.

4. Parish Forum

Mary Spender referred to the written update which had been tabled.

In relation to the Reclaiming Villages from Traffic Initiative (item 3 on the written update), it was hoped that the Area Board could help fund the first stage of the project.  Officers advised that the next opportunity to agree funding would be the meeting on 7 February 2012.  The following points were made:

·         It was important to get the project going as soon as possible, and certainly before February.

·         The initiative had been raised at previous Area Board meetings as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillor John Thomson (Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Adult Care, Communities and Housing) introduced this item, referring to the projected increase in the number of people over 85, and people suffering from dementia.  The Council currently spent over £150 million on service to older people and was proposing to invest further in these services to meet the anticipated future need.

Councillor Thomson also referred to the Dilnot report and anticipated changes to the delivery of health and social care services in the future. 

In the meantime, Wiltshire Council was continuing to invest in these essential services and to working with GPs, acute hospitals and the PCT to provide a local service.

The Chairman invited Karen Jones (Senior Project Manager) to give a presentation on the Older People’s Accommodation Strategy.

Karen reported the Council was seeking to modernise existing accommodation for older people to respond to anticipated future need.  It was predicted that the number of older people (aged 65 and over) in Marlborough would increase by 58.1% by 2026, and that the number of people with dementia would increase by 66% by 2025.  This compared to 55.7% and 59% respectively across Wiltshire as a whole, however more recent projections estimated 26% higher growth than originally anticipated.

The Strategy endeavoured to consider provision of services to people who were able to fund their own care, as well as those supported by the Council, and proposed that facilities be used for a wider variety of services, e.g. extra care facilities providing meals and chiropody for non-residents.

The Strategy offered an opportunity to modernise current assets, and to add new facilities to the stock.  Some of these could be provided by social housing providers and others by private developers; it was likely that the proposals would result in £220 million capital investment, mainly from partner agencies, with some land provision by the Council.  It was anticipated that this investment would save £600 million compared with the “do nothing” approach.

In the Marlborough Community Area, the following developments were proposed under the Strategy:

·         45 unit extra care scheme – each of these would be 2-bed independent apartments, but with on-site services.

·         16 bed nursing extension at Coombe End Court for people with dementia.

·         It was anticipated that the extension would be operational by 2014 and the extra care developed by 2014/15 subject to satisfactory identification of the site.

It was recommended that a working group be established to formulate and implement the Marlborough development proposals.  This group, which would report to the Area Board would consist of 3-5 community representatives, a local Councillor and the relevant Portfolio Holder.

The Chairman thanked Karen for the presentation and invited questions and comments:

• In response to a question regarding staffing costs, Karen reported that the Strategy focussed on bricks and mortar, and that there were a number of options for providing the staff to run the facilities.  Some buildings would be staffed through care providers and some would be through combined contracts to provide the buildings and services.

• The projected £600 million had been calculated by average costs for various types of care and support, and were based on savings of around £44 per person per week by keeping people in their own homes.

• It was acknowledged that by investing in better facilities, this may attract older people from outside Wiltshire to relocate here. However, there would be criteria and prioritisation for people to access Wiltshire Council facilities, including either being a Wiltshire resident or having a demonstrable link to Wiltshire.

The Area Board supported the proposal of setting up a working group and invited people to put their names forward to get involved.  Those interested should contact  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7b

Andrew Osborn (E-Government Programme Manager) gave a presentation on the Council’s programme to help people stay in their own homes and access support and services remotely. 

Andrew set out the support services which were currently provided to Marlborough area residents; this included Home Care (Audley Care / Dimensions), Housing related support (around 12 difference organisations), and thousands of carers, volunteers and community sector organisations.

The Help to Live at Home Service sought to rationalise the number of organisations from 120 to 4.  This was to make the services more straightforward for users, to reduce costs, and was at the request of current service users.

Technology could play a key role in helping older people to remain in their own homes.  For example, alarms and fall detectors could be linked to “telecare” response services.  A pilot scheme on this basis had identified the benefit of offering a non-medical visit after a fall, as people would often refuse an ambulance.  It was planned to roll this out across the county.

An equipment service was also being established, which could advise, order, visit and install a variety of equipment including handrails, shower grab handles, specialist chairs etc. This service would be available to people who funded their own care, and those who were funded by the council.

In terms of timescales, new care and support organisations had been appointed and customers were in the process of changing providers where necessary.  The equipment contract was currently being tendered and the response service contract was under negotiation.

The Chairman thanked Andrew for the presentation, and invited questions:

·         Andrew clarified that the management of the facilities would remain with Sarsen, but the provision of support and direct face-to-face care would transfer to Leonard Cheshire, with staff being transferred under TUPE arrangements.

·         Susanne Stedman, of Carers Support Wiltshire referred to the number of people who received essential care and support from family members and neighbours.  It was hoped that all unpaid carers could be directed to the support available from Carer Support Wiltshire (0800 181 4118 or www.carersinwiltshire.co.uk). 

·         Andrew confirmed that the telecare phones would not be answered by automated recording, but by staff.  In addition, systems would be in place to programme in reassurance calls, to make sure clients were taking their medication, or to check they were recovering well after a fall or an operation.   Councillor Thomson added that the staff would be UK-based.

·         In terms of service monitoring, Andrew reported that this would be undertaken mainly via feedback from service users.  Although the council could monitor the quantity of care, only the customers could monitor and review the quality of care.

·         Andrew commented that the service providers had been very proactive in sharing their training resources and working to develop a better training framework for their staff.  This would help meet the Council’s aspiration of building a more sustainable career framework within Adult Care Services, with less staff turnover and more long-term career options.

The Area Board considered four applications for Community Area Grant funding.  The Community Area Manager introduced each application, following which a representative of the applicant was given an opportunity to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

Decision

Kennet Valley Hall Management Committee was awarded £954 to purchase modern safety lighting for the exterior of the building.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would help improve safety at this community facility.

Decision

Ramsbury Parochial Church Council (PCC) was awarded £5,000 to replace the kitchen, and carry out improvements to the building to make it more energy efficient. This award was conditional upon the balance of funds being in place.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would help maintain and improve this community facility.

Decision

Baydon Cricket Club was awarded £2,742 to purchase a mower, portable nets and a scoreboard.  This award was conditional upon the balance of funds being in place.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would help encourage the growth of this sports club, promoting a healthy lifestyle.

In relation to the application from Superstrings, it was noted that this organisation had applied to four Area Boards for the same amount of funding (£4,060 each).  The proposal was to set up a group of young people playing stringed instruments, leading to a large-scale concert in mid-2012.  Concern was raised over the £5,000 budgeted for “commissioning new work”; Councillors were not sure this was a suitable use of public funds.  In the absence of anyone from the project to answer questions on this and other points, it was proposed to defer the application until the next Area Board meeting.

Decision

The Marlborough Area Board agreed to defer the application from Superstrings until the next meeting of the Area Board.

Reason – To allow for a number of points to be clarified with the applicant.

ACTION: Dave Roberts

A general point was raised regarding feedback from successful grant applicants.  It was noted that retrospective evaluation was a condition of every grant awarded, and officers undertook to bring this forward.  In addition, work was on-going to arrange a display stand at an Area Board meeting from previous grant applications such as the Ramsbury First Responders.

ACTION: Dave Roberts

To consider a recommendation from the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) regarding the spend of £2,000 funding towards dropped kerbs in Marlborough town centre.

The Chairman introduced the report set out at pages 41-42 of the agenda.  The proposal was for a contribution of £2,000 from the Area Board’s budget towards the provision of dropped kerb crossing points in Marlborough.

The lack of suitable crossing points had been identified as an issue for wheelchair and buggy users in the town.  Officers had met with a group of wheelchair users and together looked at existing facilities and locations where additional crossing points would be suitable.  The Community Area Transport Group had also considered this issue and supported the proposal for a £2,000 contribution from the Area Board.

Decision

The Marlborough Area Board agreed to allocate £2,000 to the local highways office as a contribution towards the construction of dropped crossing points in Marlborough.

Reason – To help address this identified local issue.

ACTION: Steve Cross

It was noted that work was on-going to find a location for the proposed seat at the bus stop near the Jubilee Centre.

The Chairman will invite any remaining questions from the floor.

In response to a question regarding whether the Council had enough gritting salt for the winter, the Chairman reported that there was twice as much in store as at this time last year.

In response to a comment by Councillor Peggy Dow regarding a post which had been erected, Adrian Hampton undertook to speak to Councillor Dow and investigate.

ACTION: Adrian Hampton