Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to St John’s School.

The Chairman then invited all the Wiltshire Council members including Cllr Lionel Grundy (Cabinet member for Children’s Services), who was attending the meeting on behalf of Cllr Jane Scott OBE, the officers in attendance, and  the Parish council representatives in attendance to introduce themselves to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Joan Davies – Savernake Parish Council, Roger Swan – Ogbourne St Andrew Parish Council, Val Compton and Victoria Lara - Chair of the Chamber of Commerce.

a.      To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2010.

b.      Matters arising.

a. The minutes of the meeting held on 23 November 2010 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

b. Matters arising – there were no matters arising.

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

Agenda Item No.14a – Marlborough Town Council community area grant application.

Cllr Peggy Dow – Prejudicial interest, Marlborough Town Council member, would leave the room when this application was discussed and voted on.

Cllr Nick Fogg – Prejudicial interest, Marlborough Town Council member, would leave the room when this application was discussed and voted on.

To include, but not limited to, the following:

a.      Public Protection Enforcement Policy

b.      Results of Waste Consultation

c.      Local Flood Protection

d.      Councillor Code of Conduct

e.      Street Trading

f.        Outcome of Leisure Facilities Review

Public Protection Enforcement Policy

The Public Protection Service was reviewing its enforcement policy, and was seeking views from interested stakeholders. 

The policy dealt with the entire range of legislation administered by the Public Protection Service covering all environmental health and trading standards powers, as well as any relevant community safety and emergency planning laws.

Waste Consultation Results

The consultation finished on 20 August 2010. All the area boards were thanked for their support throughout the consultation period.

Local Flood Protection

Information was given in the event of flooding, and the Council’s priority is to the elderly or infirm when assisting people and the protection of commercial property to prevent environmental pollution.

Advance notice of Area Board consultation on Street Trading

Wiltshire Council’s Licensing Committee considered a report of the future of street trading at its meeting on 30 November 2010.

Outcome of the Leisure Facilities Review

Wiltshire Council's cabinet had considered the results of the extensive consultation exercise undertaken between July and October and approved a refined proposal.

The Council would continue the on-going dialogue which had already been established with local community groups regarding the local management of facilities.

Localism Bill - Proposed Changes to Arrangements Governing the Conduct of Councillors

Information was given on the Government’s Localism Bill, which was published on 13 December 2010, and made significant changes to the current arrangements governing the conduct of councillors in Wiltshire. 

Full versions of all of these announcements were available in the agenda pack.

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

a.      Wiltshire Police

b.      Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.      NHS Wiltshire

d.      Town and Parish Councils

e.      Marlborough Area Development Trust

f.        Marlborough Downs Movies

Wiltshire Police

The written update distributed with the agenda was noted.

It was also noted that there had been a number of thefts from non-residential  rural outbuildings, Wiltshire Police were more than happy to discuss crime prevention with any residents who may have concerns about this issue.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written update distributed with the agenda was noted.

NHS Wiltshire

The written update distributed with the agenda was noted.

Town or Parish updates

Marlborough Town Council

Rich Pitts advised that Marlborough Town Council had met on the 26January. This meeting had considered the impact of the Wiltshire Council parking strategy on the entire Marlborough community area as the villages of the area were dependant to parking in order to shop and conduct business in the town.

A report was tabled highlighting to the Area Board how expensive the new parking charges would be and to request that the Area Board support  Marlborough Town Council in trying to get Wiltshire Council to reconsider the planned car parking increases for Marlborough as it would have a serious impact on the entire area.

Points made Included:

• It was cheaper to park in central Bristol than Marlborough.

• Shops in Hungerford were refunding car parking fees, encouraging shoppers to park and shop there. This was perhaps something that Marlborough Chamber of Commerce could look at.

• Wiltshire Council should look at pay as you leave car parks as an alternative to pay and display.

• On street car parking is very competitive in Marlborough with shoppers, workers and tourists all vying for the same parking spaces.

Cllr Lionel Grundy advised that:

• The parking tariffs in Marlborough had been set by the old Kennet District Council.

• Season tickets could be looked at as they are too expensive for many people who use the car parks to buy.

• Wiltshire Council car parking revenues are used to subsidise the rural bus services, some 17% of residents do not have access to a car, this is an important service in a rural area.

• The Hillier’s yard car park had a covenant that it must only be used for short stay parking, (two hours).

Decision

• That the Marlborough Area Board would support Marlborough Town Council in trying to get Wiltshire Council to reconsider the planned car parking increases for Marlborough as it would have a serious impact on the entire area.

• That the Community Area Manager & Democratic Services Officer would confirm that the car parking tariff increases shown in the report were correct.

Fyfield & West Overton Parish Council

Mary Spender (Fyfield and West Overton PC) advised that the parish council had spoken to the North Wessex Downs AONB concerning West Woods and any proposed Forestry sell-off plans: there still appeared to be no details available, but the AONB team promised to keep them informed of any discussions that might arise. The Woods are protected by AONB status and their special habitat (KDC's NR3), and also have extensive RoW 's throughout. Some members of the public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 41.

To receive an update on the partnership’s activities and respond to the request from the unitary councillors to allow the Community Area Manager to liaise directly with the Marlborough Area Development Trust on the production of the community area plan.

Marlborough and Villages Community Area Partnership (MaVCAP)

Rich Pitts, (MaVCAP Chairman) advised that the minutes of the previous MaVCAP meeting had now been circulated.

Decision

• The transfer management of the Community Area Plan project from the Community Area Partnership to the Area Board, and that the Area Board would liaise with MADT but ensuring that MAVCAP is copied in all correspondence.

Rich Pitts advised that he would be standing down in terms of active development of MaVCAP with immediate effect, but would continue to deal with administrative matters with the Vice chair. A set of accounts would be produced at the end of February and a report of work undertaken and any other issues that need addressing.

The Chairman thanked Rich Pitts for his update and his work with MaVCAP.

To receive a report from the Public Protection Service on the decision to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for Marlborough.

Gary Tomsett ,( Environmental Control & Protection Team Manager, Wiltshire Council) was in attendance to take any questions on the report from the Public Protection Service on the decision to declare an Air Quality Management Area (AQMA) for Marlborough.

The report, (which was included in the agenda pack) concluded that an AQMA is required to cover an area of likely exceedence of nitrogen dioxide (NO₂) levels in Herd Street / Barn Street, Marlborough.

Decision

• That the Marlborough Area Board endorsed the proposals in the Detailed Assessment and agreed the draft Air Quality Management Order for Marlborough.

Gill Mortimer from Wiltshire Police Authority will give a presentation on the future of policing in Wiltshire.

Gill Mortimer - Wiltshire Police Authority gave a short power point presentation on the potential impact of the spending cuts on Wiltshire policing.

Points made included:

• Wiltshire Police Authority’s annual budget of £107 million must be reduced by £15 million over the next four years to meet government spending cuts.

• Wiltshire Police was likely to lose up to 150 police officers and up to 200 police staff posts, but were committed to keeping officers on the streets and protecting the frontline as far as possible.

• Numbers of neighbourhood police would remain the same.

• New technology would keep officers on the beat fighting crime.

• Current helicopter arrangements with the air ambulance would continue until at least 2014.

• The Swindon and County divisional structures would be merged.

• Wiltshire Police Authority had compiled a questionnaire for the residents of Wiltshire to give their input as to funding cuts.

Questions from the floor included:

• How will Wiltshire Police maintain the same level of cover if they are losing 150 police officers?

A.     The reduction will be through natural wastage, some 85 police officer posts have been lost through this. Wiltshire police are currently not recruiting any new officers, back office staff will bare the brunt of the cuts.

• Cllr Jemima Milton requested that the community police woman for West Selkley be used to help police Avebury during the summer solstice rather than being sent to Stonehenge.

• Will Swindon based police officers attend incidents in the Marlborough area?

           A. Yes, this already happens when resources are required.

• It was noted how well valued the Community Beat Officers had become throughout the community area.

The Chairman thanked Gill Mortimer and for the presentation and question and answer session.

To receive a report on the outcomes of recent consultations with parishes.

Julia Densham,(Community Area Manager) presented a report on the outcomes of recent consultations with the parishes, (the full report was included in the agenda pack).

Points made included:

• The Marlborough Area Board members were supportive of the creation of a Parish Forum.

• The proposed Parish Forum would give the parishes the opportunity to work together, discussing common issues and topics.

• The parishes having the opportunity to have a more “outward view”, challenging Wiltshire Council and holding them to account.

Decision

• That the Marlborough Area Board adopts the ten proposals.

1.      The mood of the meeting to be considered by the divisional member and if a divisional member chooses to vote against the mood of the meeting their reason should be given and minuted.

2.      The area board supports the formation of a parish forum.

3.      Agendas should be balanced in favour of local issues rather than corporate items.

4.      The area board consider limiting the number of items on future agendas to ensure local interest and greater input from attendees.

5.      The Chairman and Community Area Manager to work with council officers to ensure that presentations are shorter and better prepared.

6.      The Democratic Services Officer to note the requests for more comprehensive minutes and better agenda descriptions.

7.      Parish councils to be invited to ask their councillors to sign up individually to the Community Area Network (CAN) to ensure the speedy delivery of Marlborough Area Board information.

8.      The community area manager to work towards better formats for the distribution of information via e-newsletters.

9.      Information about the Community Issues process and how issues are handled is sent to parish councils so that their views are recorded.

10.These meetings to better engage the parishes to be repeated in one year to gauge their success and to make further recommendations.

Note: Area Board members felt that they would like to explore an eleventh proposal that would tie the parishes in, asking what they, (the parishes) could do to work more closely with the Area Board.

The Chairman thanked the Community Area Manager for her report.

a.   To receive a report on the outcomes of the Youth Transport Task Group.

b. To receive a report on transport and young people in the Marlborough Community Area from Liam Tatton-Bennett.

a. Youth Transport Task and Finish Group - ‘Transport to Go!’

Julia Densham, (Community Area Manager) presented a report on the outcomes of the Youth Transport Task Group, a group of volunteers, officers and youth workers who had offered to work on the project when the task group was formed at the area board meeting in June 2010.

The ‘Dreams and Wishes’ survey, commissioned by the Marlborough and Villages Community Area Partnership, reported that most young people wished to access affordable transport into Marlborough and Swindon.  Alongside this, Wiltshire Council co-hosted a conference in Devizes in February 2010 entitled ‘Move It’ to bring together young people and transport providers to consider the issues young people face when trying to use public transport.  As a result of this conference, Wiltshire Council gave approximately £5,000 to each area board to explore ways in which these issues could be addressed.  Marlborough Area Board received £4,547.

Given the extremely short time scales (the pilot was to last 4 months), the task group decided to select specific events to which transport could be offered.  This included films and events at St John’s School, Bluz n Zuz discos in Marlborough, events arranged through the Youth Development Centre (ice-skating and bowling in Swindon) and the Slum Survivor project in Marlborough.

 (The full report is attached to these minutes).

Decision

·        That Parish councils encourage the formation of their own youth committees, in conjunction with local youth clubs, to organise their own transport to events.

·        Village/parish councils consider the wide variety of youth transport opportunities.

·        Village/parish councils consider the needs of low-income / single parent / no-vehicle families.

·        That the remaining youth transport budget (£3331) to be ring-fenced for any future youth transport schemes within the community area, including those considered by the Marlborough Community Area Transport Group.

The Chairman thanked The Community Area Manager for her report.

b. Report on Transport and Young People in the Marlborough Community Area. 

Liam Tatton-Bennett presented a report that highlighted young peoples transport issues and needs across the Marlborough community area.

The report recognised that transport was a key issue for young people living in Wiltshire and to address this issue locally, the Marlborough Area Board commissioned a Transport Working Group to look into addressing this issue in partnership with local communities’ charity Community First.

(The full report was included in the agenda pack).

Decision

• That the Marlborough Area Board accepts the findings of the reports and agrees with the recommendations of Liam Tatton-Bennett.

• To continue efforts with St. John’s School to bring together a School minibus, parent volunteer drivers / chaperones, and young people at the School  to bring about the provision of a facility which enables young people based in and close to Marlborough to travel to events which they cannot access easily at present

• To further efforts in Ramsbury to bring together the Ramsbury Community Bus, parent volunteer drivers / chaperones and young people in Ramsbury and Axford to bring about the provision of a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 46.

Cllr Jemima Milton will give and update on the activities of the forum and request funding for the Marlborough Health Fair.

Cllr Jemima Milton gave and update on the proposed Marlborough Health Fair at Marlborough Town Hall, Wednesday 11 May 2011.

 The fair would promote local health care services and engage with local people to identify their needs and would also:

·        Raise awareness of services at Savernake Hospital, Great Western Hospital, GP surgeries, dentists, pharmacies, patient participation groups and other support services.

• To raise awareness between services.

• NHS Wiltshire would be present to carry out blood pressure checks for attendees.

• To consider the stated needs of local people alongside multi-agency research data to deliver what people want/need.

• To investigate area board health priorities for the next year

A report, including final costs of the project will be reported to the area board meeting on 21 June 2011.

Decision

• That the Marlborough Area Board supports the Marlborough health fair and underwrite funding of up to £1,000 for the event.

Cllr Lionel Grundy (Children’s Services) will be attending in Cllr Jane Scott’s place which was previously advertised.  He will give an overview of his cabinet responsibilities and answer any questions, including those submitted for Cllr Scott.

Cllr Lionel Grundy was attending the Area Board in Cllr Jane Scott’s place which had been previously advertised.  He gave a brief overview of his cabinet responsibilities, (Children’s Services), which covered schools and learning, social care services and commissioning & performance.

Points made by Cllr Grundy included:

• There had been huge changes throughout local government since the coalition government had come to power.

• The number of schools opting for academy status was now starting to take off.

• The selling of goods and services to schools was set to change, with Wiltshire Council having to compete with other providers in giving the best services and goods.

• Well done to the Area Board for its work on the Youth Transport Plan, It was agreed that the Youth Transport report would be sent to Cllr Richard Gamble, (Portfolio Holder for Public Transport, Wiltshire Council).

Questions from the floor to Cllr Grundy.

• Should the current CRB check process be simplified to a single check that would cover all voluntary organisations and work situations.

A. Yes, the current system is a long drawn out process that often makes potential volunteers reluctant to get involved, hopefully a more rational system would be introduced.

A list of questions and answers submitted for Cllr Scott are attached to these minutes.

a.      The Wiltshire Councillors will consider 9 applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme, as follows:

·     Marlborough Town Council - £5,000

·     Baydon Parish Council - £2,977

·     Winterbourne Monkton and Berwick Bassett Parochial Church Council - £810

·     Little Dragons Pre-School - £991

·     We Love Marlborough - £861

·     Marlborough Area Development Trust - £1,391

·     Wagtails Before and After School Club - £995

·     Ramsbury Neighbourhood First Responder Team - £3,400

·      Rambury and Axford Parish Council - £2,217  

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

b. To consider whether the area board wishes to delegate authority to the Community Area Manager to deal with specified contingent matters between meetings.

1. The Wiltshire Councillors considered nine applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme 2010/11, as follows:

Note: Cllrs Peggy Dow and Nick Fogg had declared prejudicial interests and had left the room.

Representation was made by Liam Costello on behalf of Marlborough Town Council.

Representation was made by Tony Prior on behalf of Baydon Parish Council.

Representation was made by Bill Buxton on behalf of Winterbourne Monkton and Berwick Bassett Parochial Church Council.

Representation was made by Linda Crawshaw on behalf of Little Dragons Pre-School.

Representation was made by Sarah Condie on behalf of We love Marlborough.

Representation was made by Martin Cook on behalf of the Marlborough Area Development Trust.

Representation was made by Caroline Terrett on behalf of Wagtails Before and After School Club.

Representation was made by David Arnold on behalf of Ramsbury Neighbourhood First Responder Team.

Representation was made by Sheila Glass on behalf of Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council.

Decision

Marlborough Town Council was awarded £5,000 to upgrade the audio-visual system in Marlborough Town Hall.

Reason

The above application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2010/11 and the application demonstrates direct links to the 2004-2014 Marlborough Community Plan in the following sections: to increase the number of appropriate cultural venues, to encourage community events that create a sense of pride and well-being and to involve young people in activities.

Note: Cllrs Peggy Dow and Nick Fogg had now returned to the room.

Decision

Baydon Parish Council were awarded £2,977 to provide various safety aspects related to the parish council play area with the condition that should S106 ‘open space’ funds become available for this project, Baydon Parish Council will return the £2,977 back to the Marlborough Area Board.

Reason

The above application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2010/11 and the application links to the 2004-2014 Marlborough Community Plan under the following sections: to use leisure facilities to engage young people to have a sense of belonging and pride of place and to increase numbers of young people engaging in activities.

Decision

Winterbourne Monkton and Berwick Bassett Parochial Church Council were awarded £810 to provide 4 tables and 12 chairs to furnish the new community room. 

Reason

The above application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2010/11 and the application links to the 2004-2014 Marlborough Community Plan under the following sections: to encourage community events that create a sense of pride and well-being and to increase numbers of young people engaging in activities.

Decision

Little Dragons Pre-School were awarded £991 to provide 4 pieces of outdoor play equipment.

Reason

The above application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2010/11 and the application links to the 2004-2014 Marlborough Community Plan under the following section: maintain the viability of village primary schools by providing high-quality child care provision that brings children into the pre-school and in turn to the village primary school that currently has vacancies.

Decision

We Love Marlborough were awarded £861 to provide exhibition materials and promote the Children’s  ...  view the full minutes text for item 49.

The Chairman will invite any remaining questions from the floor.

The Chairman invited any remaining questions from the floor.

Is it correct that the No.70 bus service was to be terminated by the Wilts & Dorset bus company?

1. Yes, but the Stagecoach bus company have confirmed that they will now be running No.70 service as a commercial basis and that the CAM would investigate this service and obtain further information.

Could future area board meetings at St John’s School have better signage to the location?

a. Noted.

Pewsey Roadbridge, better signage please as it is unclear that the bridge is open in a reduced capacity and which way the one-way traffic can flow over the bridge.

1. The CAM will look into this.

Would the Marlborough Area Board support an environmental impact survey being carried out on the proposed Great Stones Walk route which would run through the Marlborough community area?

a. The recommendation would be forwarded to the Friends of the  Ridgeway supporting them carrying out an environmental impact survey on the proposed Marlborough route.

The Chairman thanked everybody for attending and requested that the pink evaluation sheets were filled out.

To note that future meetings of the Marlborough Area Board will

take place on:

Tuesday 12 April 2011 - Kennet Valley Village Hall, Lockeridge

Tuesday 21 June 2011 - Venue to be confirmed

Tuesday 6 September 2011 - Marlborough Town Hall,

Tuesday 1 November 2011 - Broad Hinton Village Hall

Tuesday 7 February 2012 - Kennet Valley Village Hall, Lockeridge

To note that future meetings of the Marlborough Area Board will

take place on:

Tuesday 12 April 2011 - Kennet Valley Village Hall, Lockeridge

Tuesday 21 June 2011 - Venue to be confirmed

Tuesday 6 September 2011 - Marlborough Town Hall,

Tuesday 1 November 2011 - Broad Hinton Village Hall

Tuesday 7 February 2012 - Kennet Valley Village Hall, Lockeridge