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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Grove Buildings, Barton Lane, Mere, BA12 6JA

Contact: Lisa Moore  (Democratic Services Officer)

Items
Note No. Item

7.00pm

1.

Welcome and Introductions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman Councillor Bridget Wayman, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board.

 

2.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from:

 

·       Donhead St Mary Parish Council – Jeane Barnes and John Pendrill

3.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

Minutes:

There were none.

4.

Minutes

To confirm as a correct record and sign the minutes of the previous two meetings, held on Wednesday 5 December 2012 and the extraordinary meeting held on 12 December 2012.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the previous two meetings held on Wednesday 5 December 2012 and the extraordinary meeting held on 12 December 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

 

Cllr Green noted that Mike Ash of Bishopstone Parish Council, was in attendance at the 5 December meeting, but had not been listed on the minutes.

 

5.

Matters Arising

The Board will discuss any matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

Minutes:

There were none.

7.05pm

6.

Chairman's Announcements

·       Empty Homes update

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Empty Homes Update

Information on the number of empty homes within South West Wiltshire (SWW) was attached to the agenda on pages 59 – 64.

 

Councillor Deane asked whether the high demand for 1 bedroom properties on new build projects was actually being addressed and provided for by any developments, and asked that the Board look into the issue.

 

Action: Community Area Manager.

 

Broadband Update

Wiltshire and South Gloucester Council’s had signed a contract with BT for the provision of super fast broadband.

 

A Connectivity and Provision update was attached to page 87 of the agenda.

 

A minimum of 85% of homes across Wiltshire would be able to access superfast broadband by 2015, with all households having access to a minimum broadband service of 2Mbps by 2015. Further updates would be circulated via the area board as and when information was available.

 

Councillor Jeans who sits on the Broadband Working Groupexplained that a mapping process would identify the area where it would be possible to provide the superfast broadband, and those areas of Wiltshire where this would not be possible.

 

The information attached to the agenda included a link to an online map which showed these areas, however there were several white patches across the SWW community area which seemed to indicate there would be poor coverage.

 

The Board would be proactive at pushing for better coverage for the community area.

 

Highways – Contractual Changes

The Contract for Highways Consultancy service, which provides specialist design work in connection with roads, bridges, street lighting and transportation changed from Mouchel to Atkins on 1 December 2012.

 

The Highway and Streetscene Contract which is concerned with construction, will change from Ringway to Balfour Beatty in June 2013. This provides road resurfacing and works, bridge repairs and construction. It will also include street lighting maintenance already carried out by Balfour Beatty and Streetscene services such as litter picking and grass cutting.

 

7.

Current Consultations

To note the information on current consultations, to take part and for further information, visit the consultation portal: http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The South West Wiltshire Area Board noted the list of current consultations attached to the agenda on pages 65 – 66.

 

For further information and to take part in the consultations online, follow the link: http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal

 

7.10pm

8.

Partner and Community Updates

The Board will receive verbal updates from partners present, some written updates are attached:

 

a)    Police

b)    Fire

c)     NHS

d)    Youth Update

e)    Wessex Cross Border Working Group

f)      Tenants Panel

g)    Wiltshire Involvement Network (WIN)

h)    Wiltshire Council Items for Information

i)       South West Wiltshire Issues System Update

 

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

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Police – Inspector Lindsey Winters

An established PC from the Salisbury City area; PC Ian Pedliham had joined the Wilton Neighbourhood Policing Team as the permanent Beat Manager.

 

PCSO Gary Chambers, currently posted in Tisbury was temporarily covering the Mere area in addition following the departure of PCSO Jake Noble who had left to join the army.

 

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service

A written update for December was attached to the agenda (page 75), in addition a January update was circulated at the meeting.

 

NHS

A written updates for December and February had been attached to the agenda (pages 77 – 80).

 

Youth – Jaki Farrell, Youth Services Team Leader (Locality E)

Jaki spoke to her written update which had been circulated at the meeting, a copy of this is attached to these minutes.

 

Following the departure of the Youth Assistant for Wilton, interviews to fill the post had taken place and a suitable candidate had been found, pending CRB checks the team was confident they could recruit to the post fairly soon.

 

Councillor Beattie asked Jaki to ensure that the newly appointed Youth worker meets with Wilton Town Council to introduce themselves, and that they are aware of the four agreed work streams previously agreed.

 

Action: Jaki Farrell 

 

Cllr Deane noted that at the last CAYPIG meeting he had attended the young people had been concerned over the recent changes to the driving license rules for young people, which were soon to be introduced, these would include a ban on driving between the hours of 11pm and 4am. These limitations would impact on young people living in rural locations, where alternative regular late and nightly bus services were not available. Young people working night shifts at supermarkets etc.

 

Councillor Wayman suggested the Board should write to the local MP to raise the issue.

 

Action: Cllr Wayman

 

Councillor Jeans informed the Board that he felt Gillingham School was not providing information on further education choices in Wiltshire, to its pupils, but was instead only promoting the choices available outside of Wiltshire. Other comments from the room supported this information.

 

It was felt that the information and direction given to the young people from the SWW community area who attended Gillingham School, was not meeting the needs of those young people, and that little consideration was given as to how they would travel to further education outside of the county.

 

As Councillor Wayman had a contact at Gillingham school, she would follow the issue up.

 

Action: Cllr Wayman.

 

Wessex Cross Border Working Group

Minutes from the last two meetings of the Group were attached to the agenda (pages 81 – 84), Cllr Deane noted the next meeting of the Group would be held later in February.

 

Tenants Group Update

Councillor Green had attended the last Tenants Group meeting where they had discussed issues such as the upcoming changes to the benefits system,  the bedroom tax and the uplift in rent amounts which would be introduced in the future.

 

Wiltshire Involvement Network  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

7.25pm

9.

Police and Crime Plan Consultation

The Board will receive a presentation on the Police and Crime Plan consultation.

 

Speaker: Matt Bennion-Pedley, from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Matt Bennion-Pedley from the Police and Crime Commissioner’s (PCC) Office delivered a presentation on the Police and Crime Plan Consultation.

 

The PCC’s role is to commission services to cut crime and deliver an effective

and efficient police service. The PCC will set a five year Police and Crime Plan, which will set the strategic direction of policing in Wiltshire and Swindon.

Engagement and consultation about the plan will take place as follows:

 

Date

Activity

14 and 18 January

Community and voluntary sector workshops in Salisbury and Swindon

6 February

PCC will be putting the budget to the Police and Crime Panel for their approval

18 February

Publication of draft plan on PCC website – www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk

18 February – 10 March

Formal public consultation via a website feedback facility

28 March

Publication of final plan

 

Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon will be seeking views on his first Police and Crime Plan, which is due to be published at the end of March 2013.

 

From 18 February , the public will be able to read and give their views on the plan via the PCC’s website: www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk

 

Comments and Questions included:

 

·         Who was responsible for the moral of the Police force? Answer: The moral of the Officer’s was the responsibility of the Chief Constable, however it is the PCC’s role  to commission the right services to make sure the Chief Constable has the resources required.

·         Would there be interagency working? Answer: The Commissioner would have the ability to commission other services from other agencies. There would be interagency discussions.

·         Would the Police become involved with setting road speed limits? Answer: There are five PCC’s across the South West of England, who meet regularly to discuss common issues, such as speeding, however speed limits are set by the local authority. With regards to enforcement, there is a theme in the Plan which moves away from prosecution where prosecution is not effective.

·         There are many crimes which go unreported, because of this the crime statistics for some of the community areas are misleading as there are far more crimes in reality. Answer: The Police Force encourages everyone to report crime, as it can only act on crimes which are reported.

 

The link to the draft Plan would be added to the Community Blog site.

Action: Community Area Manager.

7.40pm

10.

Review of our Area Board over the past four years.

To receive an update from the Chairman on the work of the Board over the last four years. A short DVD will be played.

 

An Area Board Priorities Update is also attached.

 

Cllr: Bridget Wayman.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Stephen Harris, the Community Area Manager had produced a DVD which highlighted some of the projects supported by the South West Wiltshire Area Board during 2011/12.

 

An end of term review report and an Area Board Priorities report were attached to the agenda.

 

To view the DVD follow the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zyZtjDATKo0

 

 

 

8.00pm

11.

Tisbury Community Campus Update

To receive an update from a member of the Tisbury Campus Shadow Community Operations Board (SCOB).

 

A copy of the Tisbury Community Campus Newsletter is attached for information.

 

Cllr Tony Deane

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Tony Deane gave an update on the progress of the Campus since the last meeting.

 

·         There had been some problems with appointing an architect, which had caused some delays in progress. Interviews would take place on 7 March 2013.

·         The Tisbury Community Campus newsletter had recently been distributed to homes around the Tisbury community area. 17 written comments had been received. 3 in favour and 14 asking questions about the project.

·         A ‘Frequently asked questions’ document was being produced and would be uploaded to the web once finalised.

·         Once the architect was in place, communications would take place with the stakeholders to ensure that their needs are considered where possible.

·         TAPCAP had been requested to cover the cost of distributing the newsletter, confirmation was awaited.

8.05pm

12.

Community Asset Transfer

The Board will consider an application for the transfer of two plots of land in Mere, one at Steep Street and the Band Hut, Castle Street to be transferred to Mere Parish Council in accordance with Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy.  

 

A report is attached.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board members considered a Community Asset Transfer (CAT) application for the transfer of two plots of land in Mere, one at Steep Street and the other, the Band Hut, Castle Street to be transferred to Mere Parish Council in accordance with Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy, further details were provided in the report attached to the agenda.

 

Decision

The South West Wiltshire Area Board approved the transfers, in accordance with the CAT Policy and subject to the matters referred to in paragraph 8 of the report, and listed below:

 

 

8.            On behalf of the Council, Strategic Property Services (who have overall responsibility for the Council’s estates and property) has provided the following observations to the Area Board.

 

8.1       The Steep Street property is leased to Mere Croquet and Boules Club for ten years from 29 September 2009.

 

8.2       Mere Parish Council has commissioned a condition survey of the Band Hut. This has identified various works required to bring it into repair. Mere Parish Council will be responsible for carrying out these works.

 

8.3       The properties are to be transferred on the standard basis. This is that there will be a covenant restricting use of the properties to community purposes. If they should cease to be used for this purpose they will revert to Wiltshire Council.

 

8.4       As the Steep Street land is let the rent, currently £500 per year, will be payable to Mere Parish Council instead of Wiltshire Council. Mere Parish Council will bear the cost of putting the Band Hut into repair and take over maintenance. Therefore, financial implications will be the loss of rent for Steep Street and the maintenance cost of the Band Hut previously incurred by Wiltshire Council being transferred to Mere Parish Council.

 

 

 

  

 

 

8.10pm

13.

Community Area Transport Group (CATG) Update

To note the minutes from the last meeting of the CATG held on 15 January 2013 and to consider the recommendations for funding the following transport schemes from the CATG budget for 2012/13:

 

·       £1,650 for up to 3 new fingerposts for Donhead St Andrew.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board noted the minutes from last CATG meeting, and the CATG report, both were attached to the agenda.

 

The Board considered the recommendation to fund one project, as detailed in the CATG report.

 

Decision

The South West Wiltshire Area Board awarded £1,650 from the Community Area Transport Budget for 2012/13, towards the replacement of three fingerposts in Donhead St Andrew.

 

Councillor Green noted that she had been informed that Wilton Depot was no longer able to source new letters for the fingerposts.

 

Mere Parish Councillor, Roy Simms added that he had visited the depot in Wilton and believed that they could actually remove the letters from the old fingerposts for use on the new.

8.15pm

14.

Area Board Projects and Councillor Led Initiatives - Supporting Economy and Tourism

Councillor Led Initiative – Chamber of Commerce Support

The Board will consider funding a Councillor led project to support the Wilton Chamber, the Tisbury Business Association and the Mere Chamber of Commerce in order for them to run a series of projects and activities that will eventually be delivered over a two year transitional period, after which they expect to be financially self supporting.

 

Councillor Bid Report and accompanying documents attached.

 

Recommendation

That the South West Wiltshire Area Board allocates £42,000 to this Area Board Project, according to the terms and process detailed in the Officer’s report and the Area Board Project Criteria, attached to the agenda.

 

 

 

Councillor Led Initiative – Funding an Intern Post

The Board will consider funding a Councillor led project to fund expenses up to £4,800 for an unpaid intern position in order to work in partnership with the AONB for mutual benefit. Further details are included in the attached report.

 

Councillor Bid Report attached.

 

Recommendation

That the South West Wiltshire Area Board allocates £4,800 to this Area Board Project, according to the Area Board Project Criteria attached to the agenda.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

On 5 March 2012 SWWAB (South West Wiltshire Area Board), TAPCAP (Tisbury & Parishes Community Area Partnership) and WilCAP (Wilton Community Area Partnership) hosted a Community Planning event at Dinton village hall.

 

Various stakeholders took part in the event including local residents, parish councils, statutory services and voluntary groups. As a direct result of this event, the SWWAB set priorities for 2012/13 under three main headings, these were:

 

·         Economy, jobs and skills

·         Health and the environment

·         Housing

 

Under the heading ‘Economy, jobs and skills’ the Board wishes to support two projects, as Councillor Led Initiatives.

 

1. Chamber of Commerce Support

Councillor Beattie presented information on this Councillor led initiative, a report and supporting documents were attached to the agenda (pages 129 – 152).

 

To promote economic development and to ensure that the Nadder Valley has effective Chambers of Commerce working in liaison with each other and with the AONB (Cranborne Chase and West Wiltshire Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty), particularly its sustainable tourism initiative in the region, the project would see allocations of £14,000 to each of the three business chamber/association in two tranches, as detailed below:

-       To be released immediately;
Mere & District Chamber of Trade = £7,000
Tisbury Business Association = £7,000

Wilton & District Business Chamber = £7,000

 

-       To be released before the end of the 2013/14 financial year (i.e. before end of March 2014), on condition that approval is given by South West Wiltshire Area Board for this tranche to be released, according to the aims of projects being met;
Mere & District Chamber of Trade = £7,000
Tisbury Business Association = £7,000

Wilton & District Business Chamber = £7,000

 

Details of the projects put forward by the three business chamber/associations was included in the agenda papers.

 

Decision

The South West Wiltshire Area Board awarded £42,000 from the 2012/13 budget towards the Chamber of Commerce support project, as a Councillor led Initiative, in accordance with the report and funding criteria attached to the agenda.

 

2. Unpaid Intern Position – Cranbourne Chase & West Wiltshire Downs AONB

Councillor Deane presented information on this Councillor led initiative, a report was attached to the agenda (pages 153 – 155).

 

This is a pilot project, due to take place between February – October 2013, which if successful would be rolled out to other areas. The Board identifies the joint benefits in this project and is looking to fund an intern in order to work in partnership with the AONB for mutual benefit.

 

Decision

The South West Wiltshire Area Board awarded £4,800 from the 2012/13 budget to Fund an Intern Position, as a Councillor led Initiative, in accordance with the report and funding criteria attached to the agenda.

 

 

8.25pm

15.

Community Area Grants

The Board members will consider 13 applications for funding from the Community Area Grants Scheme:

 

Application

Amount requested

Grass cutting replacement mower

Applicant: South Newton Cricket Club

£6,294

Replace multi-play tower in childrens’ playground

Applicant: Hindon Parish Council

£1,250

Storage container

Applicant: Mere Town Youth Football Club

£1,400

Restoration, renovation and repositioning of medieval stained glass window

Applicant: PCC, St Mary’s Church, Dinton

£4,686

New notice board for Fugglestone St Peter

Applicant: Fugglestone DCC

£985    

Audio-visual system

Applicant: Bishopstone Village Hall

£5,000

Chalke Valley community hub

Applicant: Chalke Valley Community Hub Ltd.

£5,000

Cricket nets restoration

Applicant: Compton Chamberlayne Cricket Club

£960

Modifications to roofing structure

Applicant: Fovant Village Hall

£4,000

Childrens’ playground safety upgrade

Applicant: Fovant Parish Council

£2,125

Dinton community shop

Applicant: Dinton Community Shop

£5,000

Barford recreation ground (playing field) rejuvenation

Applicant: Barford St Martin Parish Council

£4,018

Maintenance equipment

Applicant: Mere Town Football Club

£5,000

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board members considered 13 applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme for 2012/13. Applicants present were invited to speak in support of their projects and to answer any questions. Following discussion the Board members voted on each application in turn.

 

Decision

South Newton Cricket Club was awarded £6,294 towards their project to purchase a replacement mower for the club, with the recommendation that mower is owned by the Parish Council for wider community use.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the Wiltshire Community Plan 2011-2026, as detailed in the officer’s report.

 

Decision

Hindon Parish Council was awarded £1,250 towards their project to replace a multi-play tower in the children’s playground.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the Wiltshire Community Plan 2011-2026, as detailed in the officer’s report.

 

Decision

Mere Town Youth Football Club was awarded £1,400 towards their project to purchase storage container for club equipment.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the Wiltshire Community Plan 2011-2026, as detailed in the officer’s report.

 

Decision

The application from PCC St Mary’s Church, Dinton for funding towards renovation and repositioning of a medieval stained glass window in the church was refused.

Reason

Although sympathetic to the project itself, elected members did not agree that Area Board funding should be granted to fund the restoration of a religious building.  Although the Board looks at each application on its own merits, the members did not want to set a precedent by awarding funding to churches.

 

Decision

The application from Fuggleston St Peter for funding towards a replacement information sign to indicate the church as a historic building, to passers by, was refused.

Reason

The Board did not support the project to replace a church information sign as it was felt that the funding should be raised by the parish. In addition Witon Town Councillor, Phil Matthews noted that the applicant had not approached the TC for funding towards the project, and that they could do so in the next financial year.

 

Decision

Bishopston Village Hall was awarded £5,000 towards their project to purchase an audio-visual system.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the Wiltshire Community Plan 2011-2026, as detailed in the officer’s report.

 

Decision

Chalke Valley Community Hub Ltd. was awarded £5,000 towards their community hub project, to establish a community owned retail amenity. With the following condition:

 

·       That any money received from the share issue element of income over £14,266 will be returned to South West Wiltshire Area Board.

 

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant criteria for 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the Wiltshire Community Plan 2011-2026, as detailed in the officer’s report.

 

Decision

Compton Chamberlayne Cricket Club was awarded £960 towards their project to restore the cricket nets. With the following condition:

 

·       That copy of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

7.55pm

16.

Delegation of Authority

1.       To award Delegation of Authority

Due to the elections in May, there will be a longer gap between area board meetings than usual, with the next meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board being scheduled for Wednesday 5 June 2013.

 

Therefore to facilitate the smooth and efficient running of Area Board business and to reduce the need for unnecessary extraordinary meetings, the board will consider whether to grant a delegation authority to the Community Area Manager, in consultation with the relevant unitary councillors on the Area Board, to make any necessary decisions (such as agreement of CATG funding allocations and Community Area Grant Funding). 

 

Report attached.

 

2.       Update following Funding allocation under existing Delegate Powers

On 9 January 2013 Blackdown Hills Business Association was invited by the Area Board to give a presentation in Tisbury to assist with planning for an Area Board project to support local business chambers/association and tourism.  This presentation was opened up to members of the public and advertised through the South West Wiltshire Community Area Network newsletter.

 

It was agreed by the Chairman of South West Wiltshire Area Board that a reasonable fee and travelling expenses would be paid to Val Baker for her time and effort in putting on this presentation.  An amount of £154 was approved under Delegated Powers by the Community Area Manager in consultation with the Chairman and, therefore, the matter is now reported to the Board in line with the original delegations. 

 

Report attached.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

This item was withdrawn from the agenda.

9.00pm

17.

Close

Minutes:

The next regular meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board will be held on Wednesday 5 June 2013, 7.00pm at South Newton Village Hall.

 

An Extraordinary meeting has also been scheduled for Wednesday 13th March, 7.30pm at Nadder Hall Tisbury. This meeting is scheduled to consider the last intake of Community Area Grants applications, submitted for 2012/13.

Youth Update circulated at meeting

Supporting documents: