Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Mary Douglas welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Salisbury Area Board.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·       The speakers for Item 10 - James Plumley and Ben Huggins.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 15 March 2018.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 15 March 2018 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 following declarations were received:

·       Cllr Rogers noted a pecuniary interested in relation to item 12 Community Grants – application from Studio Theatre, as his building company was the main contractor for the project. He opted to leave the room during for this application, and did not take part in the discussion or the vote.

·       Cllr Atiqul Hoque noted a non-pecuniary interest in relation to item 12 Community Grants – application from the Any Body Can Cook Community Interest Company, as he had a takeaway food shop on the same road as the proposed shop. He did not take part in the vote on this application.

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

·       Salisbury Recovery Update

The Chairman made the following announcements:

Salisbury Recovery Update

The written update attached to the agenda included information on:

·        Salisbury to host the grand final of the elite cycling OVO Energy Tour Series on May 31.  Further information about the event was available at: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/salisbury-cycle-tour-series

·       A dedicated webpage providing up to date information on what was happening in Salisbury had been set up and could be viewed at:

          www.wiltshire.gov.uk/salisbury.

·       Changes to the free parking in Salisbury would come in to effect on 14 May 2018. It would remain free in Wiltshire Council’s car parks from midday, Monday to Friday and all day on Saturday and Sundays.

·       The recovery was moving fast, with no further reports of illness reported.

·       The clean-up stage of the recovery was well under way. Nine sites were identified as potentially contaminated.

Rough Sleepers

This had been an area of concern, Cllrs had met with charities working on the frontline as well as council officers and cabinet members.  The more conversations we have the more aware we are that he issue is complex. There are many different reasons for people to sleep rough and each person needs a different approach. The overwhelming concern was for the wellbeing for those rough sleepers.

Cllr Clewer – as Cabinet member for Housing, he noted that there was a lot of work going on with the rough sleepers. Initially there were six people sleeping rough under the Maltings, but then others started to join them, to drink and take other substances. There are now only three as we have managed to work with some of them to provide solutions to for those people. Work was ongoing.

To note the written information items attached to the agenda:

a.     Healthwatch Wiltshire Update

b.     Clinical Commissioning Group Update

c.     Gypsies & Travellers Dairy House Bridge Site Transfer of Ownership Engagement Process

The Board noted the following written information items attached to the agenda:

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire Update

·       Clinical Commissioning Group Update

·       Gypsies & Travellers Dairy House Bridge Site Transfer of Ownership Engagement Process.

A question was asked regarding the Gypsies and Travellers site transfer paper, by a resident on the site. They had been told for 4 years that the site would be improved, but after 4 years they were then told it would be sold. If that was a private sale, what would happen after 12 months to those living on the site?

The Chair thanked the questioner and referred the question to Cllr Clewer as the Cabinet Member present.

Answer: Cllr Clewer noted that Cllr Sturgis was the Cabinet member for this service, however, if the Council found a buyer for the site, it would still have to remain as a traveller site permanently. The Council had been trying to do the sites up but with the level of grants available, there was not enough in the pot to do these up effectively.

The resident noted that the buyer would more than likely be another group of travellers who would buy these sites.

Cllr Clewer strongly urged those affected to respond to the consultation, that was open for them to make their views and concerns known. They could also attend the Cabinet meeting on July 3^rd to speak at that meeting.

Cllr Walsh noted that the local Wiltshire Councillor for the site was Cllr Hocking, he would contact the Cabinet Member to discuss the matter.

To receive a presentation on the Electoral Review the Local Government Boundary Commission is currently undertaking.

Cllr Clewer & Officer

Under his role of Chairman of the Electoral Review Committee, Cllr Richard Clewer gave an update on the Review of the Local Government Boundary Commission. A written handout was circulated at the meeting and is attached to these minutes for information.

Electoral Reviews determine both the overall number of councillors on a council, and the pattern of divisions within that council. The current review would be the first review since Wiltshire Council was formed in 2009.

It was required because 25 Divisions had a variance from the average in the size of their electorate of more than 10%, and 2 Divisions had a variance from the average of over 30%.

The review’s outcome, if implemented, would apply from the next elections in May 2021. Parliament, not Wiltshire Council, would be responsible for the final decision, following a recommendation from the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE).

The councils Electoral Review Committee considered a great deal of evidence and recommended to Full Council that a council size of 99 Councillors be put forward, to enable us to keep the area boards working.

The implications of having fewer councillors could be quite significant for some of our areas.

We were told we would have a decision on 1^st May, instead they have come back and said they are unsure and would like to talk further about the Area Board arrangements.

Once we have been informed of what the number of councillors in Wiltshire council from the next election will be, the LGBCE will hold a public consultation.

The consultation will seek proposals from the council, towns and parishes, other community or local groups, and members of the public, on how the determined number of divisions should be drawn up.

Cllr Clewer encouraged everyone to put submissions in and engage in the process.

One key issue for the community area would be the impact to Bishopdown Farm, that may end up as two divisions. Bemerton might also be too large as one division.

All submissions would be put in for consideration by the Secretary of State.

It was hoped that the decision on the final number of Councillors would be known in September.

It would go to parliament to make the final decision.

Cllr Clewer urged the two councils here to be fully engaged with the consultation process.

A parish briefing would take place, possibly on 14^th June, however the date was yet to be confirmed.

Once this process was finished, if any parish wished to put forward ideas for a change of boundary, Wiltshire Council would then consider that.

Questions

·       Cllr Hoque - What is your prediction for the number of Cllrs? Answer: If you look across the country, the tendency was to cut numbers. They were however willing to consider suggestions.

·       Was there a precedent of having one division and two representatives? Answer: Wiltshire Council had the option to support that or not, we did not want that option. We will be remaining as single  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

To receive a update on the LYN and to consider any recommendations for youth funding projects as detailed in the attached report.

Cllr Brown

Lead Member for Youth, Cllr Derek Brown gave an update on behalf of the LYN.

The LYN had met at Sarum Academy earlier in May to consider grant applications. They commented that many of the applications that were brought to them were outside of the criteria age group of 11 to 18, as they were for 0 – 5 years. They also asked for future applications to be graded more carefully so that they met the criteria.

The Board then considered the recommendations for youth funding, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

Following discussion, the Members voted on each application.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £830 to Wiltshire Cricket for the All Stars Cricket sessions for Bemerton Heath.

Reason

The application met the criteria for Youth Funding for 2018/19.

The Chairman noted that the LYNs recommendation for the next application had been to refuse due to the age group of the young people involved. It was then recommended that the Board swapped revenue for capital to enable the Board to fund the project.

Cllr Dean noted that this was a community Group which was doing great work, however he asked whether they were able to draw the boundary further to include other areas of Salisbury other than just the Friary.

Answer: This is a specific project focused only on the Friary. We do support generally families across the old Salisbury district area. So we do work with all areas of Salisbury under different funding streams.

The Community Engagement Manager clarified that this project had arisen from the decision of the Child and Wellbeing Group to focus on the Friary, with a view to looking wider after they had done that piece of work.

Cllr Rogers seconded the proposal to switch funding from the two budgets to enable this project to be funded. This type of intervention work was really beneficial to those receiving the help. It was life changing.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £3,712.50to Home Start South Wiltshire for the Reaching Out Project.

Reason

The funding was a capital/revenue swap between the Community Grant pot and the LYN.  The LYN will be informed of this.

Decision

The Grant to the Wiltshire Racial Equality Council for the Open Blue Bus Day Out to Salisbury was funded by the Health and Wellbeing Budget.

Reason

The project did not meet the Youth Funding.

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

a)    Salisbury City Council (SCC)

b)    Laverstock and Ford Parish Council

c)     Police

d)    Fire

e)    Salisbury BID

f)      Community Engagement Manager

g)    Child Wellbeing Group

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

The Board noted the written updates attached to the agenda and received the following verbal updates:

Salisbury City Council (SCC) – Cllr Matthew Dean

·       SCC was a major sponsor of ‘Salisbury Live’ which hosted a series of over 200 music gigs across the city. 

·       There had been an improved change in the cleanliness of the city, with the introduction of the new kit which was now operational. Having focused on the city centre since May, we would be moving out to the suburbs next.

·       SCC was currently going through a staffing review, to reflect its business plan and priorities.

·       Making steps to support a number of community groups and events across Salisbury, in light of the recent incident.

·       A new event guide would be sent out to households over next few weeks. A copy of this would be brought to the next Area Board to attach to the minutes.

·       The next Mayor making for the city would take place on Sunday.

Laverstock and Ford Parish Council -

·       The Parish Council was assisting where possible to promote the recovery plan for Salisbury.

·       Recently supported the teenage market

·       Held a lantern parade in the country park, involving all of the children and the developers.

·       The Country Park information event had been held in Bishopdown Farm.

·       Supporting events like Salisbury Live.

·       Had funded a more professional stage at the Community Farm.

·       The materials had arrived for the green space, and the final ground works had now re-commenced.

·       The PC was pressing developers to create adjoining paths.

·       Work on the Parish Plan continued.

Question: Cllr Walsh noted that the PC hoped to take over the country park in May, he asked what the boundaries were, and would the PC put a map out for all to see? Answer: Yes it would once they had taken ownership of it.

Police – Inspector Pete Sparrow

Since I was here last we have had two major incidents to deal with, the snow on the A303 and then the poisoning in the City.

The same officers have had to deal with both incidents, we have been incredibly proud of the way they had responded. There had also been a huge level of community support by the public to the Officers on the cordons.

There had been a merge of the south Community Policing Team with Amesbury, this would provide a wider pool of officers, and was a natural fit which matched the demands across the areas. There were nine new Police Officers and four local crime investigators starting in June.

A crime statistic report had been published the previous week.

Community Speed Watch would be actively supported by Officers, who would  go out and target the highest recorded areas for speeding.

Question: Cllr Dalton drew attention to the crime statistics on the handout, in comparison to those available on a BBC app, which detailed figures for specific areas. He noted that the figures for Salisbury on the app stated that recorded crime was up, however actual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 95.

A presentation on the new role of The Police Fire Community Support Officers (PFCSO).

In attendance: James Plumley, Fire Station Manager – East Wiltshire

&  Ben Huggins – Wiltshire Police

This item was cancelled as the speaker was unable to attend.

The Board will note the update and consider any funding recommendations arising from the HWB Group.

Cllr Walsh

The Lead Member for Health & Wellbeing, Cllr John Walsh gave an update on behalf of the HWB Group.

The Board then considered the recommendations for funding from the HWB Budget for 2018/19, as detailed in the attached report.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £1,500 to the Wiltshire Music Centre for the Celebrating Age project.

Reason

The project met the criteria for funding for 2018/19.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board refused the application from the Salisbury Pantry Partnership for the Brickworth Gardening project.

Reason

The Board supported the HWB Groups view that this project would be more suited to funding support from the Community Foundation

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £670 to the Wiltshire Racial EqualityCouncil for the Open Blue Bus Day Out to Dairyhouse Bridgeproject.

Reason

The project met the criteria for funding for 2018/19.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £150 to Health & Wellbeing Group towards the Volunteering Week Plans.

Reason

The project met the criteria for funding for 2018/19.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £1,000 to the Older People’s Champion for the Sunday Programme of events.

Reason

The project met the criteria for funding for 2018/19.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £450 to the Salisbury Cathedral Outreach Programme for the Social Prescribing project.

Reason

The project met the criteria for funding for 2018/19.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded £400 to the Resident Engagement Teams for the “Expo 55” Older People’s event.

Reason

The project met the criteria for funding for 2018/19.

To consider applications for funding from the Community Area Grants Scheme, as detailed in the attached report.

The Board considered five applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme for 2018/19, as detailed in the agenda pack.

Applicants present were invited to speak in support of their projects. Following discussion, the Members voted on each application in turn.

Cllr Dean noted that the Community Kitchen application asked for above the standard £5,000 maximum usually considered by the Board. He recommended that a smaller amount of £5,000 be considered, this was seconded by Cllr Douglas.

Cllr Rogers asked whether there was an organisation behind the application which would benefit from the project financially? Answer: We are a community interest company, the kitchen would be locked into our company, if we folded, any assets would need to be handed over to another group.

Decision

The Any Body Can Cook Community Interest Company was awarded £5,000 towards the Community Kitchen Project.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2018/19.

Cllr Hocking noted that he was disappointed when applicants were not present in person to support their applications when asking for funding.

The Chairman noted that the next applicant had also applied to the Southern Wiltshire Area Board and received funding of £1,625, as the club was accessed by both community areas.

Decision

The Salisbury City Marauders was awarded £1,625 towards the American Football Club project.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2018/19.

Cllr Rogers left the room for the next application as he had declared an interest at the start of the meeting.

The Chairman drew attention to the amount requested and noted that it was over the standard £5,000 that was usually considered as a maximum by the Board.

Cllr Walsh then moved the motion to award £10,000, this was seconded by Cllr Dalton. That motion was not carried.

Cllr Dean noted that the Studio Theatre was in his ward. The freehold was until recently in WC possession however had recently been handed over to the Theatre in an asset transfer. The Theatre had been productive in raising funds for the first 3 phases. He did not feel that there were special circumstances that would justify the Board going above the £5,000, so moved the motion of a grant of £5,000. This was seconded by Cllr Douglas.

Decision

The Studio Theatre company was awarded £5,000 towards the Theatre Extension Project.

Reason  – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2018/19.

Decision

The South Wilts Cricket Club was awarded £2,500 towards a new artificial cricket wicket.

Reason  – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2018/19.

The next application had already been to Southern Wiltshire Area Board, as the applicant had been wrongly directed to that community area for funding. The site the path was on was within the part of the Riverdown development that sat within Cllr Brown’s ward, and therefore this application was now for consideration by Salisbury Area Board.

The Board discussed the appropriate route for funding a path scheme such as this. It was felt  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

The date of the next meeting is Thursday 5 July 2018, 7pm at City Hall Salisbury.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and noted that the next meeting of the Salisbury Area Board would be held on Thursday 5^th July 2018, 7.00pm at City Hall, Salisbury.