Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from the following:

• Mike Franklin (Wiltshire Fire Service)
• Jan Bowra (Youth Advisory Group)
• Sgt Barry Reed (Wiltshire Police)

a.            To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on Tuesday 26 November 2013. (Copy attached)

b.            Update on actions and outcomes arising.

The minutes of the meeting on Tuesday 26 November 2013 were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

To note the following items for information – written briefing notes are available in the full agenda pack, or online.  If you would like the Area Board to consider or discuss any of these items in more detail, please speak to the Community Area Manager, or the Democratic Services Officer.

(a)          Community Infrastructure Levy

(b)          Integrated Performance Management Report

The Chairman made the following announcements:

a.            Community Infrastructure Levy – the report was noted by members.

b.            Integrated Performance Management Report – the report was noted by members.

To receive a presentation from the Police & Crime Commissioner on the proposed Police Precept for 2014-15.

Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive of the Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office presented to members on the proposed police precept and a handout was circulated to attendees. Members were informed that there had been a 23% reduction in central government grants to Wiltshire Police and that there had been a 19% reduction in support staff. Regional collaboration had led to a reduction of 29 posts and that Wiltshire Police was now sharing facilities with Wiltshire Council, such as Monkton Park in Chippenham. It was stated that 64% of the income the PCC received was from government grants and the remaining 36% was from council tax.

            A consultation will take place between 6^th January and 3^rd February 2014; the relevant document is available online. The consultation will consider the planned increase in the Police’s precept equalling £3.15 per year per household increase in council tax in order to offset the reduction in government grant.

To receive a presentation from Laurie Bell, Associate Director, Communications & Communities.

A presentation was given by Barbara Gray (Senior Events and Campaigns Officer) and Peter Tyas (Head of Heritage and Arts) and the ‘Cycle Wiltshire Brief 2014’ was circulated. The presentation discussed how the local economy was supported by Wiltshire Council through events and networking opportunities for businesses. Events are to be planned for the future, including a major cycling event and a business dinner. It was stated that local sporting talent will be sponsored as part of the legacy to produce future success. The next Expo is to be held at Monkton Park, Chippenham on the 19^th June.

‘The Big Pledge’ was discussed and the website is now active. Attendees were encouraged to make a pledge to improve their health and/or fitness and also to consider planning relevant activities in their community.

In preparation for the WW1 Centenary commemoration, a briefing will be held on 1^st May 2014 at the Garrison Theatre, Tidworth. The Chair raised concern with the location of proposed future events as many of them are based away from Marlborough. A business breakfast in Marlborough is to be considered.

A presentation will be given by Sarah Cosentino for Online Wiltshire and improvements to broadband speeds in the area.

A presentation was received by Marie Nash from Online Wiltshire and improvements to broadband speeds were discussed. Projects are to be launched around developing skills, providing support and teaching basic IT skills to local people. There will be seventy digital champions throughout Wiltshire who can support residents when necessary. Fifty refurbished laptops were provided to support local residents in Salisbury and a further three hundred are planned to be distributed elsewhere in the county. The potential for saving money by using price comparison websites and shopping online was discussed; as well as the employment benefits.

Matt Lloyd from BT discussed broadband transformation in Marlborough and the wider county. BT is looking to maximise the coverage of fibre optic broadband with the funds available and provide good value for money. The process of replacing the current copper wiring was described in detail and the necessary support of the local authority was discussed. Surveying in Marlborough for superfast broadband will begin in the spring and services are expected by the end of the year.

            Attendees raised queries around the coverage provided by BT and also the internet download speeds they can expect. Concern was raised by attendees in regards to out of county internet exchanges that provide coverage for households living near the county boundary and how this will effect their service in regards to superfast broadband.

To note the attached Partner updates and receive any further information partners wish to share:

1. Wiltshire Police
2. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
3. NHS Wiltshire
4. Parish Forum
5. Town / Parish Councils
6. Marlborough Area Development Trust (MADT)
7. Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

1. Wiltshire Police – Inspector Mark Thompson was present to discuss the report on performance and local issues. The Chair thanked Wiltshire Police for their work.

2. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue – Apologises were received from Mike Franklin.

3. NHS Wiltshire – No update was provided.

4. Parish Forum – A meeting is being arranged for February.

5. Town / Parish Councils -  Nic Coome  thanked Wiltshire Council and the Highways Department for their repairs on roads in Chilton Foliat.

6. MADT (Marlborough Area Development Trust) – An update was provided which discussed the support received from the National Trust and the update to the MADT website.

g.    Youth Advisory Group (YAG) – No update was provided.

h.    Transition Marlborough – The Chair has stood down and elections shall be held in the near future. The group are moving to an energy theme and meeting this week to engage with eco-funding from central government, as well as a February meeting with the Energy Minister in Marlborough. Finally, the ‘6 more miles’ campaign was noted which relates to returning the railway services to Marlborough.

An update report of the Community Area Transport Group meeting held on 5 December 2013 is attached.

The report on pages 25-29 and the relevant actions within the report were discussed. A request for funding to Marlborough Area Board was noted (page 29) and all members were in favour.

(1)   Marlborough Cycle Network: To review details of the work done to date to create a new cycle network for Marlborough town and to consider allocating £1,000 of Area Board funding towards work that will help complete the scheme.

(2)   The Wiltshire Councillors will consider two applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme, as follows:

(a)  The Greatwood Charity – Conversion into new classroom to extend their SEN education programmes.

(b)  Baydon Toddlers Group – Purchase of new baby changing facilities.

The Area Board considered two 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

Marlborough Cycle Network was awarded £1000 towards the cycling network across Marlborough, which has been designed to avoid busy roads. Directional signs and drop curbs were requested. The use of a cycling barrier was also discussed to prevent cycling on footways.

Decision

Baydon Toddlers Group was awarded £192 towards new baby changing facilities. Members agreed that the current facilities were inadequate.

To note that the next meeting of the Marlborough Area Board will be held on Monday 31 March 2014, starting at 6.45pm at Marlborough Town Hall, 5 High Street, Marlborough, SN8 1AA.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Marlborough Area Board would be on Monday 31 March 2014 at 6.45pm at Marlborough Town Hall, SN8 1AA.