Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Richard Clewer welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Salisbury Area Board and invited the members of the Board to introduce themselves.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·       Niki Andrews - YAW Programme Co-ordinator, Wiltshire Young Carers Service Lead

To confirm as a correct record and sign the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 12 May 2016.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 12 May 2016 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

The Chairman will give an update on outcomes and actions arising from previous meetings of the Area Board, including:

·       Market square toilets

Following a previous funding award of £5,000 to the Councillor Initiative – Market Place toilet mural, and subsequent coverage in the Journal, the Board had produced and circulated an online survey to scope whether the public would like the toilets painted.

The feedback from that survey indicated that 65% said no and 35% yes.

Further discussion on the way forward for this Councillor Initiative would take place at the next Area Board meeting in September.

To note any information papers attached to the agenda or circulated at the meeting, including:

a.     Wiltshire Online Programme

The Board noted the Wiltshire Online information item attached to the agenda.

A recap on the changes to the Visitor Parking Permit scheme from Cllr Philip Whitehead. An updated guide is also attached.

Cabinet Member for Highways and Public Transport Councillor Philip Whitehead, gave a recap on the recent changes to the resident parking scheme as discussed at the previous meeting.

The reason behind the changes was to make a saving of £30,000 - £50,000 a year. This was the amount it cost to run a rural bus service, in making savings in other areas, the council was able to refrain from cutting any bus services.

It was recognised that any change could cause concern and upset, especially by those who were not confident with technology. The new residents parking permit scheme was accessible online and by telephone.

90% of calls were answered within 32 seconds. On the first call, the resident registers their details, then on any future calls made from the same telephone number the caller is recognised by the system and the operator. The caller then just has to give the number plate of the vehicle they wish to register as a visitor.

Comments and questions included:

·       A resident of St Anne’s Street explained that she felt the changes to the scheme had been forced on to the residents, adding that new system was not very humane for people who were hard of hearing, poor sighted or confused easily. She asked whether a survey of the type of people living in Salisbury? Answer: The only people we could have consulted lived within the residents parking area, so there would have only been one answer. You cannot carry out a democratic consultation on issues affecting such a small group. The phone number is a local number and not for profit. The old system was a lot more involved than the new one, the process has been streamlined.

·       A resident living in zone D commented that years ago they were consulted on whether they wanted zone parking, but were not consulted this time. He felt that the system was not user friendly like the old scheme which used scratch cards for visitors. As Parking Ambassadors had not yet been issued with devices with number recognition, they had to manually input every number plate to their handsets so see whether it had a permit or not. He felt that not all of them would do that. Residents could no longer tell by looking at a car whether it was entitled to park in an area or not.

·       A resident and member if the St Edmunds Community Association noted that we now lived in the computer age, however many of the city residents were of the previous era and did not have access or confidence with modern technology. If two systems could be run alongside each other to enable the older generation to continue with the paper permits for a while longer, this would be better. Residents had not been consulted on the changes. Answer: Residents do not need a computer or a mobile phone, all they need is a telephone to use the service. Parking Ambassadors did not have an issue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

Nicole Smith, Head of Strategic Housing; will give a presentation on:

·       National policy context

·       Wiltshire priorities

·       Assessment of need

·       Local data

·       Next steps

Nicole Smith, Head of Strategic Housing gave a presentation on Affordable Housing. Councillor Jonathon Seed was also in attendance for this item.

National policy context

·       Starter homes for first time buyers, under 40 available at 80% of the market value.

·       Housing associations build homes by borrowing against their future rents, with the requirement to reduce rents by 1% a year for the next four years was making housing providers reconsider their business plans.

·       Following the introduction of the benefit cap from April, the Council was looking into this and hoped that it excluded supported and temporary accommodation.

·       With an extension of the Right to Buy initiative, there was a possibility that a grant would be available to cover the loss of these properties.

·       Possible introduction of 2 – 5 year fixed term tenancies for social housing.

·       Those tenants who earn over £30k would be asked to pay higher rents and this extra money would be paid to Government and not kept by the authority.

Wiltshire priorities

·       To ensure there were a range of housing options available to meet needs.

·       To promote home ownership housing.

·       To enable a provision of homes for the most vulnerable.

·       To help people to achieve independence and choice enabling them to live at home for longer.

·       To improve the quality and make best use of existing stock

Assessment of need

•        The Core Strategy

•        Strategic Housing Market Assessment

•        Town and parish surveys

•        Under-occupation and overcrowding data

•        Demographic trends & census updates

•        Existing stock information

•        Re-let supply

•        Housing register

Local data

·       Proposed homes to be built 2006 – 2026 (Core Strategy) 6,060 (including Wilton town)

·       Delivered 300 new affordable homes during 2010 to 2016 in Salisbury Community Area

·       There were 1879 people on the housing register for Wiltshire, with 271 of those with Salisbury as a first choice.

·       In Fuggleston Red there were 56 affordable houses, with 42 of those rented and 17 shared ownership.

Next steps

·       Commissioning research at community area level

·       Developing housing strategy & agreeing priorities

·       Work with local communities & partners to understand local need and deliver new homes

·       Consider options to increase choices for those not able to meet needs in open market

·       Respond to national policy changes

Questions and comments included:

·       Salisbury City Cllr, Tom Corbin noted that Bemerton ward had a high proportion of social housing for Salisbury, the benefit cap would have a huge impact on many residents in the area. Zero hour contracts also had a massive impact on their incomes with most not being able to get a mortgage as they did not have a regular income. For families on fluctuating income, going above the £31,000 cap, how regularly would their income be reviewed before they were deemed as being under the lower level again? Answer: Any household earning above £31,000 a year would have an assessment carried out y HMRC. The income of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Chairman will invite comments from local charities which provide support for rough sleepers in Salisbury on their understanding of the current situation.

Hostel Manager; Angela Keddy from Alabare gave an insight to rough sleeping in Salisbury.

Alabare frequently worked with rough sleepers, these people could quite often have addiction issues and not all of the people you see on the streets begging or drinking were homeless. Some could earn in excess of £100 a day from begging. People were advised never to give beggars money, it was better to give a sandwich or a coffee.

There were 3 supported housing projects in the county, with 60 beds funded by Wiltshire Council, with a ‘No second night out’ scheme operated by a referral system.

The Council had a good relationship with the charities and other organisations such as the Police and Salisbury BID to work in this field.

Alabare was an agent for the Big Issue and ran a drop in service which was available 4 days a week. This was supported by fundraising and offered advice on several areas including housing benefit.

It was recognised that rough sleepers were real people with complex needs and problems, with a large number of them being ex military. Further work in liaison with Help for Heroes was planned to see what else could be done.

Steve Goodwin from Salisbury BID, and also part of Alabare, explained that one issue for Salisbury at present was that the vast majority of beggars in the city at the moment were not actually homeless; they were just using the opportunity to do some lucrative begging. Adding that this could give the image to visitors that Wiltshire was not giving the provision to homeless people, when in fact it was providing the best possible.

Questions and comments included:

·       Some beggars in Salisbury appeared to be immigrants. Answer: There were a small group of 3 or 4 Polish people who did not have any recourse to public funds. One of them was working, and just had nowhere to live. They had been here for four years and just choose to live the way they did.

·       One young man called Paul who was helped by Alabare had come from a broken home. His zero hours job had been cut and he was in a situation where he lost his belongings and was beaten up. He had no link to Salisbury and no family; he did not fit the mould of depressed and drunk. He was helped by Alabare and was now settled in a bedsit Swindon where he was perfectly happy.

·       The smell and mess of the library walkway is upsetting. Answer: The urination element is associated with late night drinking and not with rough sleeping.

Sector Inspector Pete Sparrow will be in attendance to give an update on Policing for the area and to answer any questions.

A written update is attached.

In addition to the written update attached to the agenda, and following the promotion and departure from the area of Inspector Minty; Sector Inspector Pete Sparrow was in attendance to introduce himself and to give an update on Policing for the area.

Inspector Sparrow had been working with Sergeant Pete Goodman and would give a presentation at the next meeting in September on Community Policing and the way it would work in Salisbury.

Community Policing was about having one team. Officers would be brought together under one supervisor. Reports would be written out on beat rather than having to come into the station each time. Two key areas needing support were vulnerable people and cyber crime.

Questions and comments included:

·       A matter of graffiti around Salisbury bearing the initials PK had been raised with Inspector Minty previously, was there any progress on this? Answer: Sergeant Goodman noted that there was an Officer looking into this at present and one offender had been questioned.

·       There had been a decline in the number of Officers over the years, would the new model reduce numbers further? Answer: The same Officers would be covering the same areas so this should not change.

To note the written updates attached to the agenda and to receive any verbal updates from representatives present.

a)    Local Youth Network (LYN)

b)    Salisbury City Council (SCC)

c)     Laverstock and Ford Parish Council

d)    Fire

e)    Salisbury BID

f)      Community Engagement Manager

g)    Community Campus

h)    Air Quality Group

Note: Speakers are reminded that they each have a 3 minutes slot, unless they have previously discussed alternative arrangements with the Chairman.

Local Youth Network (LYN)

Vice Chairman of the LYN, Rebecca Richards gave an update. The Group had met and considered requests for funding from the youth budget, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda, their recommendations were:

1.     To award £3,000 to The Sound Emporium

2.     To award £2,000 to the Hockey Club

3.     To agree to the £1,200 capital/Revenue swop for the Craft festival application

The Area Board considered these recommendations under item 13 – Community Area Funding.

Laverstock and Ford Parish Council

Following the recent boundary review decision at Full Council to keep Laverstock and Ford separate to Salisbury City, it was noted that moving forward the aim was to get to know each other a lot better.

Fire

Louis Minchella, District Commander for Salisbury and Wilton gave an update. The station and its’ staff continued to attend community events and schools to give input, advice and education.

Louis attended the recent meetings of the Health & Wellbeing Board, and the Safer & Supportive Communities group. These groups represent the views of vulnerable people, and were integral to the key priority of helping people to make safer and healthier choices. Educating people to the dangers around them and preventing risk. There was exciting work being done that DWFRS were keen to be involved in. I am working closely with these groups to ensure the service is put to the best use possible.

Cllr Douglas asked if data on false alarms and suggestions on reducing them could be brought to the next Board as part of the fire update.

Salisbury BID

Steve Godwin provided an update to the Board:

·       This year Salisbury would be accredited for the Purple Flag status, where two independent assessors would visit at night in October.

·       Work was underway to put together a waste charter to combat the number of different service providers currently serving the city. This would reduce the collections to once a day, six days of the week.

Community Engagement Manager

Karen Linaker updated on local projects and upcoming events:

•        Road to Rio Sporting Challenge was taking place in June / July.

•        A Walking Festival would take place in the first week of September.

•        A Cycling Event was planned for 2 October at Five Rivers.

–       The Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre open day was planned for 8^th October. The centre would have activity rooms, a community bus scheme and an exhibition space.

•        Two refugee families had settled in Salisbury with a growing band of volunteers to assist them.

•        Local youth support and facilitation would be supported by a new Officer from September, following the departure of Winnie.

•        The Health & Wellbeing Groups lead Cllr was Cllr John Walsh.

•        The lead Cllr for the Child Wellbeing Group was Cllr Mary Douglas.

Child wellbeing Group - Cllr Mary Douglas

Representatives from Schools, the Rotary (our children our future group), Home Start, Baby Steps, Family Counselling Trust, Arts Centre, City Council and Wiltshire Council met on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To note the updates detailed in the attached report of the last CATG meeting held on 28 June 2016 and to consider the recommendations arising from that meeting as listed below:

·       3222 – Improved pedestrian facilities on Old Blandford Road - £2,500

·       3896 – Metro count survey to be undertaken

·       4231 – Introduction of a zebra crossing on Churchfields Road - Close issue.

·       4503 – Issue in Gradidge Lane relating to Prohibition of Motor Vehicles - Remove the existing sign at the Phillips Lane - £100

·       4514 – Bus stop clearway on London Road, adjacent to rear of St.Marks House. – First approach Marks & Spencer with request that delivery lorries did not park in lay-by, if this approach failed then CATG funds of £305 to be ring-fenced

·       4515 – Bus shelter on Downton Road – to close the issue.

·       4544 – ‘No through road’ sign in Myrrfield Road - £600

·       4563 – Widened footway & crossing on Churchfields Road – to close the issue.

·       4583 – Dropped kerbs in vicinity of Laverstock rd and Manor farm rd junction - £2,500

The Chairman of the CAG; Cllr John Walsh noted that the Area Board had £19,000 to spend in 2016/17, and so any considerations for funding would be made carefully.

The Board noted the report of the last CATG meeting held on 28 June 2016 and considered the recommendations arising from that meeting as listed in the agenda.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded CATG funding and approved the recommendations for the following schemes:

·       3222 – Improved pedestrian facilities on Old Blandford Road - £2,500

·       3896 – Metro count survey to be undertaken

·       4231 – Introduction of a zebra crossing on Churchfields Road - Close issue.

·       4503 – Issue in Gradidge Lane relating to Prohibition of Motor Vehicles - Remove the existing sign at the Phillips Lane - £100

·       4514 – Bus stop clearway on London Road, adjacent to rear of St.Marks House. – First approach Marks & Spencer with request that delivery lorries did not park in lay-by, if this approach failed then CATG funds of £305 to be ring-fenced

·       4515 – Bus shelter on Downton Road – to close the issue.

·       4544 – ‘No through road’ sign in Myrrfield Road - £600

·       4563 – Widened footway & crossing on Churchfields Road – to close the issue.

·       4583 – Dropped kerbs in vicinity of Laverstock rd and Manor farm rd junction - £2,500

Councillor Initiatives

To consider the Councillor Initiatives projects for 2016/17 put forward by Board Members, as detailed in the attached report:

1.     Cllr Richard Clewer - Bins

2.     Cllr Ian Tomes – Town path improvement works

Community Area Grants

To consider 7 applications for funding from the Community Area Grants Scheme 2016/17, as detailed below and in the attached report.

Youth Grants

To consider the following recommendations for funding, of the Local Youth Network Management Group following their meeting on 22 June 2016:

·       To award the Sound Emporium - £3,000 for the continuance of a 6 hour youth offer at Hendrix House.

·       To award the Hockey Club – £2,000.

·       To approve the capital/Revenue funding swop for the Craft festival application and has recommended the Area Board fund 30% from the youth revenue budget which amounts to £1,200.

Health and wellbeing Grants

To consider funding applications for Health & Wellbeing projects.

·        Harnham Day Centre dance project (details included within Community Area Grant report)

·       Dance 60 autumn sessions - report attached.

Councillor Initiatives

The Board considered two Councillor Initiative bids for 2016/17 as detailed in the agenda pack. During discussion the following points were raised:

·       Bins cost £350 each and would last for 15 years.

·       Bins which were able to be refurbished instead of replaced would be.

·       Residential wards would be included.

·       The two City Rangers could collect data with an aim of disproving the Cabinet member’s comments that the decision not to replace bins was evidence based.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £10,000 towards the replacement bin project for 2016/17.

Comments included:

·       The works were not covered by a statutory duty of Wiltshire Council.

·       A narrow channel 300m long would be dug by a small digger alongside the drain.

·       All of the silt and debris would be left on the water meadow land for animals.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £1,800 to the town path improvement works project for 2016/17.

Community Area Grants

The Board considered 7 applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme, as detailed in the agenda pack.

Decision

The previous award of £15,000 to South Wilts Grammar School was ratified by the Board with the following condition:

·       The previously requested legal framework detailing an increase in public use would be provided.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria for 2016/17

Decision

Salisbury Hockey Club was awarded £5,000 (£2,000 from LYN and balance of £3,000 from CAG) towards new club training equipment.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria for 2016/17

Decision

Salisbury Rotary and Chamber Community Group was awarded £1,420 towards the Salisbury Rotary website.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria for 2016/17

Decision

Salisbury Rotary and Chamber Community Group was awarded £4,000 (£1,200 from LYN and balance of £2,800 from CAG) towards Salisbury Contemporary Craft Heritage Festival.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria for 2016/17

Decision

Salisbury and South Wilts District Scout Council was awarded £5,000 towards the purchase of a new minibus.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria for 2016/17

Decision

Harnham Day Centre was awarded £600 (from the HWB budget) towards Exercise Classes.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria for 2016/17

Decision

Friends of Harnham Slopes was awarded £2,000 towards tree surgery.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria for 2016/17

Youth Grants

The Board considered the recommendations for funding arising from the last Local Youth Network Management Group meeting, as detailed in the agenda.

Decision

Sound Emporium was awarded £3,000 for the continuance of a 6 hour a week youth offer at Hendrix House.

Decision

The Salisbury Hockey Club was awarded £2,000 from the LYN budget as part of their application to the Community Area Grant Scheme detailed above.

Decision

The Capital/revenue funding swap of £1,200 for the craft festival application was approved.

Health and Wellbeing Grants

The Board considered the funding applications for Health & Wellbeing projects as detailed in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 13.

The date of the next meeting is Thursday 15 September 2016 at 7pm. Venue to be confirmed.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and noted that the next meeting of the Salisbury Area Board would be held on Thursday 15 September, 7.00pm at the Five Rivers Health & Wellbeing Centre, Salisbury.