Agenda and minutes

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

In addition to the Board members, Councillors Clewer, Green, & Church, were in attendance.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·       Matthew Maggs – Dorset & Wilts Fire

·       Cllr Matthew Dean

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 8^th November 2019.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 8^th November 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.

There were none.

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

The Chairman gave the following updates:

·       To announce that as a result of the CEM re-structuring exercise, Karen Linaker would be leaving the Salisbury area after two and a half years, moving onto cover the Southern and South West Wiltshire Area Boards.

In her time with us the Board had been impressed by her knowledge, enthusiasm and sheer hard work for the city and its residents.

She has built a network of partnering organisations and has shown us what can be achieved when we work together. She will be sorely missed and we wish her well in her new endeavours.

Mark Read would be taking on the Salisbury CEM role, having formerly worked with Tisbury Area Board.

To note the written information items attached to the agenda:

a.    Healthwatch Wiltshire

b.    Clinical Commissioning Group

c.     Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner – Precept Consultation 2019

d.    Wiltshire Council – Polling District & Station Review & Special Schools Consultation

e.    Consultation Portal: link

The Board noted the following written information items attached to the agenda, or circulated at the meeting:

a. Healthwatch Wiltshire

b. Clinical Commissioning Group

c. Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner – Precept

Consultation 2019

d. Wiltshire Council – Polling District & Station Review &

Special Schools Consultation

e. Consultation Portal: link

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

a)    Police

b)    Fire: ‘We are DWFire’ video

c)    Salisbury City Council (SCC)

d)    Laverstock and Ford Parish Council

e)    Salisbury BID

f)      Community Engagement Manager

g)    Air Quality Group

h)    Child Wellbeing Group

i)      Crime & Community Safety Update

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

Deputy PCC Jerry Herbert gave an overview of the proposed increase to the precept. A DVD was played before and during the meeting and can be viewed online. 

This year central Government made a headline announcement on how much it was willing to increase the funding for its services. They have given us the powers to raise that for up to £2 per month for a typical D band property.

The cost was typically £15/month, with the increase this would go up to £17/month for the Policing aspect. If we are unable to raise the precept we are unable to maintain the level of Policing that we have today. We have a plan to invest in Community Policing, and intend to recruit a further 41 Police Officers in the new financial year. This would be as two Cyber units, with five new officers. Other additions in Fraud, Child Sexual Exploitation, second area in increasing the roads and Armed Forces, and finally 15 officers into local Community Policing teams.

The consultation would run until 31^st Jan.

Questions included:

• Why do you need Policemen to carry out the online tracking of abuse?  Answer: Because there are certain areas that require a warrant for enforcement.
• Cllr Walsh – the SCC were currently funding two security officers, so really, we are asking our citizens to fund this twice. We have filled the gaps locally.
• Cllr Hoque – Would there be more of a selling point, how sure are we that we will get that number of new officers after the increase. Answer: We are sure we will deliver on this. We already have candidates that have been vetted and will go on with their training.
• Cllr Dalton – In a Twitter tweet from the PCC, he said that officer numbers had reduced by 23%, this will go some way to bring that number back up. Is the journal report of the 999 support being reduced accurate? Answer: We are looking to take todays number of Officers up by 41. The contribution the Government makes to funding Police has gone down. There are gaps, and this can only be funded by increasing the precept. There will be some changes with the control room, and likely to involve some changes in job roles. The speed with which 101 and 999 calls are answered has improved. We need to continue to adjust the numbers and types of man power there to reflect the changes in the way people report incidents.
• In your opinion what staff levels do you think you need to do a proper job? Answer: That is a matter for the Chief Constable to advise on. Yes we could do more with more staff, but it’s a matter of how we manage what we have and direct our resources where they can be most valuable.
• There has been an increase in flytipping, speeding, and vandalism. If there are not enough Police to uphold the law, it will increase, I  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

An introduction by the Chairman, to this themed session on Air Quality in the Salisbury Community Area.

·       An overview from Public Protection on the Wiltshire perspective

·       The situation in Salisbury

·       Q & A session

·       Facilitated roundtable workshops and feedback

·       Summing Up & Next Steps

The Chairman gave an introduction to this themed session on Air Quality in the Salisbury Community Area.

The Board then received an overview from Public Protection on the Wiltshire perspective.

Presentation from John Carter, Head of Public Protection & Rachel Kent

There are clearly a number of air pollution issues around Salisbury. The new Clean Air strategy had been published last week by central Government.

Generally, the air quality for the majority of the county was good, however there were some areas where issues occurred. In Salisbury there was a nitrogen dioxide issue related to vehicle exhausts.

There were seven hotspots where air quality related to traffic, three of those were in Salisbury. Work with groups and other Officers, we look at ways to improve this, and work with Highways England on the trunk roads.

The three hotspot areas in Salisbury were; City Centre, London Road and Wilton Road.

Monitoring takes place over a 12 month period, we have around 80 sites across Wiltshire, if the sites do not show a high level of pollution after a year, we move the sites. We are also open to suggestions from parish councils and such for new sites.

Air Quality Management Group – Richard Bolton

There are a number of local issues which contribute to poor air quality. We have tried to identify current problems and hope people in attendance can come together to discuss some solutions.

Congestion Issues – The combination of the range of vehicles using the city centre on a daily basis, with the narrow pavements can make pedestrian movement uncomfortable.

It is difficult to establish dedicated cycle and bus lanes due to the lack of resources.

Avon Valley town path and shared path are busy. There are also places where the cycle routes come to an abrupt end.

There is a lack of awareness that trees and other vegetation make a vital benefit in urban environments.

Round table discussion

Those present were then asked to work in groups on tables to discuss the issues for Salisbury and to make suggestions on ways to tackle those issues. Following discussion, each table was asked to feedback 2 main points, these included:

• Safety and the integration of the public.
• Take up of Park and Ride too slow
• See improved pedestrian areas
• Reduced car spaces in the city centre
• Other modes of transport, closing streets and raising awareness.
• Removing private cars from the centre of the town, only allowing taxis and buses.
• Modal shift monitoring of all the different forms of transport to see whether things are changing.
• Improving traffic flow around Churchill Road and the inner ring road.
• Interactive signage, with regards to what is going on with air quality.
• Fleet buses and P&R not attractive to use, need late night service on Peters Finger service. No point to use buses when free to park or park easily.
• Free parking for electric vehicles in residential areas and at the P&R
• Problems with idling cars, when dropping people off. Could the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive an update on the Salisbury Recovery.

Cllr Pauline Church

Councillor Pauline Church, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and South Wiltshire Recovery, Cllr Richard Clewer, Cabinet Member for Housing, Corporate Services, Arts, Heritage and Tourism and Richard Walters, Head of Service for Major Projects were in attendance to provide an update to the Board.

Salisbury Recovery – Cllr Pauline Church

·       Now thinking more strategically in Southern Wiltshire – we want to look forward to the amazing things that are going on.

·       The Christmas Market and ice rink were a great success. We have been trying to do a lot to keep Salisbury economically active. There were 44 chalets sold this year, in addition to the ice rink which sold over 12k sessions. Very positive feedback from this.

·       Since the 4^th March incident to 31^st December, we lost over 1m visits to the city, with an average decrease in footfall of 11%. This is why we continue with the strategic work, and have a dedicated team.

·       The Cabinet is committed to providing a flagship library and art gallery in the city.

·       The high street is changing and we need to keep up with the trend. The funding of £6.1m has to be spent by 2021, otherwise it would be taken from us.

The Maltings – Richard Walters

I have been involved for a good number of years in the Maltings project. The site is a significant brownfield site in the middle of the city. TH Real Estate (THRE) owns the Malting site. We have been working with them to bring forward a comprehensive scheme for that site. The March events were also played out within the area of the site.

There was always the intention to have a comprehensive development on that site.

We have secured funding for £6m to facilitate the first stage of the development. It has been a driver in us taking this development forward comprehensively.

There are 4 key components to the development, and we are proposing to use the £6m funding by 2021. To move that forward we have come forward with an application for plot 1, along with a Master Plan for applications for the other plots in due course. The Phase 1 application was submitted in December 2018.

Travelodge had been secured as an anchor tenant for phase 1. We would retain the continuity of a library service within the city.

An application for the Market Walk area would be presented in spring 2019, subject to ongoing dialogue with THRE.

Cllr Clewer

The Young Gallery would be my area. There was a commitment to retain a flagship library with a reference library, and art gallery.

Moving the library was always on the cards, back to Salisbury District Council days. As part of the desire to improve the Market Walk development the library has to move.

The proposed site is a decant location, and not the final site for the library. There will not be any lack of library provision in the city. The cultural quarter is being developed.

A plan for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To note the report from the last LYN meeting, and to consider two recommendations for youth funding projects as detailed in the paper.

Cllr Ricky Rogers

Councillor Ricky Rogers introduced the two bids for Youth Funding which had been to the LYN, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda, noting that the young people had questioned the applicants thoroughly.

The money in the Youth Budget for the remainder of the financial year was approximately £1550.

The Board Considered the recommendations of the LYN, debated the projects and asked questions on the two bids.

Salisbury Live – request for £2,500

The event would run from May 5^th to June 1^st. The applicant noted that they had received a further £500 from sponsorship and would raise some more from fundraising.

Cllr Brown recommended a grant of £1,300, and suggest the applicant approach the SCC to ask for the rest.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded Salisbury Live £1,300 of Youth Funding towards the Salisbury Live 2019 event.

Harnham Schools Association – request for £240

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board awarded The Harnham Schools Association £240 towards the Harnham Slope Fun Run event.

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

The Board considered three applications for funding from the Community Area Grants Scheme for 2018/19, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

Following discussion, the Board voted on each application in turn.

Pantry Partnership – request for £5,000

This application had been deferred at the last meeting, pending further information regarding the lease of the premises. The applicant had now been granted a two-year lease.

Cllr Douglas noted that she belonged to a church that also worked with the applicant. There was not prejudicial interest so she took part in the discussion and vote for this application.

This project was considered a good use of the building and would help the community.

Decision

Pantry Partnership was awarded £5,000 towards Refurbishment of the former Victoria Bowls Club.

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

Salisbury Wildlife Group – requested £1,000

The SCC Parks Team would plant the trees, with the understanding that the Group take on the maintenance thereafter.

Decision

Salisbury Wildlife Group was awarded £1,000 towards tree planting at Five Rivers.

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

St Thomas’s Church Salisbury – requested £5,000

A conversion project of the church space to a large flexible space which could then be used for multiple functions and groups. Funding sought for chairs.

Decision

St Thomas’s Church was awarded £5,000 towards replacement chairs.

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

To note the update and consider any funding requests as detailed in the paper attached to the agenda.

Cllr John Walsh introduced the report detailing the outcomes from the last HWB Group meeting.  

The Board was then asked to ratify two funding awards which had been made under the delegated powers of the Community Engagement Manager, in consultation with the Area Board Chairman, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board ratified the allocation of £31.15 to the Interfaith week lunch drop-in event held on 16^th November 2018.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board ratified the allocation of £50 to the Celebrating Age, Christmas Lunch Party, held on 16^th December 2018.

To consider the request for £1,000 of funding towards the National Armed Forces Day events, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

The Community Engagement Manager, along with the Library Heritage and Arts Team, will work to deliver three projects that will require community involvement and provide a lasting legacy following the events.

·       Social media photograph campaign as part of the event launch

·       Community art tapestry project to be displayed at the event in June

·       Human poppy world record attempt at the event in June

The Board considered the request for funding to support the National Armed Forces Day event to be held in Salisbury in June 2019, as set out in the report attached to the agenda.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board allocated £1,000 half capital half revenue to the National Armed Forces Day event in 2019.

The date of the next meeting is Thursday 28^th March 2019, 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 28 March 2019.