Agenda and minutes

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

The Chairman also noted those Town and Parish Council representatives who were in attendance.

a.            To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 27 November 2012

b.            Update on actions and outcomes arising.

The Chairman referred to the following announcements, details of which were set out in the agenda

a.            Wiltshire Online – Connectivity and Provision (pages 23-24)

b.            The Legacy of 2012 (pages 25-26)

The meeting also noted the launch of a new community blogsite for the Marlborough Community Area.  This web resource allowed people to post and share events, news, information and suggestions on local issues.

http://marlborough.ourcommunitymatters.org.uk/

The Chairman also noted that he had agreed to take item 6 (Kennet Place Car Park) as part of the Cabinet Member’s presentation at item 9.

The Chairman also announced that he had agreed to accept an item of Urgent Late Business onto the agenda, relating to an application for the Community Asset Transfer of the toilets at George Lane, Marlborough to Marlborough Town Council.

The Chairman noted the information set out on the agenda, which reported that, following the refusal of a planning application for the demolition of a listed wall on the Marlborough College site to allow a pedestrian crossing to be installed on Bridewell Street, Marlborough, no appeal has been lodged to date.  If such an appeal were to be lodged, it was anticipated that the Area Board would be asked to give a view on whether a pedestrian crossing would be supported locally.

Councillor Dick Tonge, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, was present as the visiting Cabinet Member.

Councillor Tonge referred to the previous presentation on the Traffic Initiative, welcoming the project and commenting that Wiltshire Council supported this type of community-led approach across all services.

Referring to Kennet Place Car Park (deferred from item 6), Councillor Tonge reported that it was proposed to reclassify the car park from “premium” to “standard”.  This would have no impact on the daily charge, but would reduce the cost of a season ticket from around £1200 to around £400, and would encourage nearby residents to use this under-used facility.

The point was made that £400 was still higher than a normal on-street residents’ parking scheme (around £100).  However, the Cabinet Member reiterated that this was a significant reduction on the current costs.

Decision

The Marlborough Area Board supports the reclassification of the Kennet Place Car Park from Premium to Standard.

Councillor Tonge then gave an overview of his area of responsibility, explaining that this included new roads, repair of existing roads, road safety, gritting, and pot holes to name but a few.  Referring to the road safety element, this was undertaken in partnership with the Police and the Fire Service, with initiatives such as Safe Drive Stay Alive, a road show targeting young people with hard hitting facts and true stories of road accidents, including testimony from victims and families.  In relation to gritting and winter weather, voluntary groups were being set up to allow local people to manage the farmers who helped clear minor roads with ploughs, allowing Highways officers to focus on keeping the A and B roads clear of snow and ice.

The Chairman invited questions, which were put as follows:

·         In relation to speed limits, Councillor Tonge explained that the Council was required to adhere to government criteria to ensure consistency across the county.

·         Congratulations and thanks were offered to the gritting crews for their hard works so far this winter.  Councillor Tonge undertook to pass this on and added that 1 ton bags of salt could be made available to Parish Councils who wished to undertake snow and ice clearing in their villages.

·         Referring to an incident where snow had drifted across the A4361 due to the absence of hedgerows, Councillor Tonge explained that the Highways service had no powers to require landowners to plant hedges.  However, these types of issues would be reviewed at the end of each winter season, and solutions identified for the following year.

To receive a presentation from the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) for Wiltshire and Swindon as part of the consultation on the draft Police and Crime Plan.

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider 8 applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme.

Copies of the completed application forms and grant application packs for the

Community Area Grants Scheme are available from the Community Area

Manager or electronically at

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/areaboardscommunitygrantsscheme.htm

The Area Board considered a number of 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.

In relation to the application from The Greatwood Charity, concern was raised in relation to the level of reserves held by the Charity (£260k).  However, the applicant advised that these figures were incorrect and should actually be £80k and a further £12k in restricted funds.  This addressed the concerns, however the applicants were requested to submit the correct figures as a condition of the grant.

Decision

Greatwood Charity was awarded £994 towards purchase new educational / learning material that will improve the standard of quality of courses run for young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN)

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

In relation to the application from Marlborough Tennis Club, concern was raised in relation to the surplus from 2011 (£9,122).  The applicant advised that this and the reserves held were earmarked for providing a permanent location for the club, which was the only one in the area not to have a base.

Decision

Marlborough Tennis Club was invited to resubmit their application to the next meeting, giving more details about the surplus and reserves held by the club.

Decision

Inside Out was awarded £960 towards funding a number of day trips and learning excursions for members of this group who have learning difficulties, and their carers.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Kennet Community Transport was awarded £5,000 towards the deposit for a new community minibus.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Transition Marlborough was awarded £850 towards developing publicity for a range of activities including community sales, thermal efficiency for residential properties, a series of public lectures and bursaries for environmentally themed training courses.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

In relation to the application from Marlborough Chamber of Commerce, it was noted that, on the previous evening, Marlborough Town Council had agreed to support a proposal for re-deployable CCTV.  In the light of this development, the recommendation in the report was amended to defer the application, for further consultation.

In general, the Area Board and the whole meeting supported and welcomed the principle of CCTV on the High Street, and thanked those involved in bringing this project forward over the past 11 years.

Decision

The application from Marlborough Chamber of Commerce for CCTV was DEFERRED

In relation to the application from Kennet Valley Arts Trust, hope was expressed that the tickets could be subsidised for young people and those on low incomes.  The applicant advised that prices may be fixed by contract, but that concessions could be considered.

Decision

Kennet Valley Arts Trust was awarded £2,500 towards developing a series of performances, broadcast live from prestigious venues such as Covent  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

It was noted that any remaining unallocated funding in the Area Board budget would be lost, and so this item sought to identify a project to use up the remaining funds (£11,277).

Councillor Nick Fogg introduced the report at page 85 of the agenda, which set out proposals for the creation of electrical points along Marlborough High Street.  It was hoped that this would reduce the need for generators during the Mop fairs, the market, and possibly also the Jazz Festival.  This in turn would reduce environmental and noise pollution, thus improving air quality and the general amenity of the High Street.

During debate, a number of questions and points were raised, as follows:

·         The Highways department supported the principle of the idea, and the works could be scheduled to coincide with the planned resurfacing of the high street in the summer of 2013.

·         Concern was raised that community money was being spent on something which would be largely of benefit to businesses.  Councillor Fogg assured the meeting that the Showman’s Guild would be contributing to the capital works, and there would be a charge for using the electrical points, which would fund on-going costs.

·         It was suggested that the ducting for the cables be installed with the resurfacing, which would allow the more expensive cabling and main points to be installed at a later date.

·         The report noted that most European towns had this type of system, but that it would be the first of its kind in the UK

·         The suggestion was also made that the system could be adapted at a later stage to allow for the charging of electric cars.

·         It was acknowledged that the Town Council had not been consulted on the proposals yet, but that this would be undertaken as part of a wider consultation, if the funding was ringfenced for this project.

Decision

The Marlborough Area Board agreed to allocate its remaining 2012/13 budget (£11,277) to this initiative on condition that further information is provided at the next Area Board meeting particularly around match funding and management of the project, seeking to create electrical points along Marlborough High Street, thereby reducing both environmental and noise pollution during occasions such as the Mop Fairs and markets.

In view of the lateness of the hour, this item was not discussed at the meeting.  However, the report was in the agenda at page 91, and the slides are attached to these minutes as Appendix 2.

1. Wiltshire Police

The report at page 95 was noted.  Inspector Matt Armstrong added that the alignment of sectors within Wiltshire and Swindon was being reviewed, which may result in Marlborough being covered under the Northern Sector (Swindon), although this would have no impact on frontline personnel or resources.

2. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Mike Franklin of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue noted that there had been only 5 fires in the Community Area during December.  The full report was set out at page 99.

3. NHS Wiltshire

Noted the report at page 101.

4. Parish Forum

No update.

5. Town / Parish Councils

No update.

6. MADT (Marlborough Area Development Trust)

No update.

7. Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG) / Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

Noted that report at page 103.

The Chairman referred to the tabled report which had been noted at the start of the meeting, and invited the Mayor of Marlborough, Cllr Edwina Fogg, to introduce the item.

The application was for the transfer of the Public Toilets at George Lane, Marlborough, to the ownership of the Town Council.  However, this was as part of a wider plan to sell the under-used and poorly signed toilets at Chantry Lane, and to use the funds to refurbish the toilets at the Town Hall, and at George Lane.  Wiltshire Council had agreed to lift the covenant restrictions on the Chancery Lane site to allow the plan to be funded by the sale of the site on the open market.

The Area Board expressed its full support for the project and endorsed the plans.

Decision

The Marlborough Area Board approved the Community Asset Transfer of the public conveniences at George Lane car park, Marlborough (as set out in the tabled plans), to the ownership of Marlborough Town Council.

Reason – As set out in the report, and in accordance with the Community Asset Transfer process.

Councillor Dow raised the issue of speeding traffic on Herd Street, running up towards the golf course.  A metrocount had proved that there was speeding at this site, and following a recent accident involving a pedestrian, Councillor Dow suggested that signage be erected at that point.  This was supported and it was agreed to refer this to the CATG.

In response to a request for a presentation on how GPs would operate under the new Healthcare arrangements, it was noted that a presentation on this had been received at the previous Area Board meeting. However, it was hoped to have more regular information from the new Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

Responding to a question regarding the bus stop outside Ladbrokes, Andrew Jack explained that the CATG had purchased a bench to go at this location, but that it had not been possible to install due to lack of agreement with the shops.  It would now be placed on the opposite side of the road.  Marlborough Town Council had also advised that they were investigating installing bus shelters along the High Street

As this was the last meeting of the Area Board before the elections in May, the Chairman wished everyone well.  The meeting also thanked the Chairman for his chairing over the past four years.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Marlborough Area Board would be on Tuesday 28 May 2013, 7pm at Marlborough Town Hall (TBC).