- Calendar
- Committees
- Constitution
- Co-opted members
- Council and democracy
- Councillors, committees and meetings
- Councillors, gifts and hospitalities
- Decisions by cabinet members
- Forthcoming Decisions
- Forward plans
- Keep informed
- Petitions
- Town and parish council information
- Town and Parish council resources
- Officer decisions
- Outside bodies
- Your MPs
Contact details
Write to us or call us
Democratic ServicesWiltshire Council
County Hall
Trowbridge
Wiltshire
BA14 8JN
Agenda and minutes
Venue: Pitton Village Hall, Whitehill, Pitton SP5 1DJ
Contact: Lisa Moore (Democratic Services Officer)
Note | No. | Item | |||||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
7.00pm |
Welcome and Introductions Supporting documents: Minutes: The Chairman, Councillor Richard Britton welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Southern Wiltshire Area Board and introduced Councillor Jane Scott, Leader of the Council who was in attendance. |
||||||||||||||||
Apologies Minutes: There were none. |
|||||||||||||||||
Minutes To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 25 August 2011. Supporting documents: Minutes: The minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 25 August 2011 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. |
|||||||||||||||||
Declarations of Interest Councillors are requested to declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee. Minutes: There were none. |
|||||||||||||||||
Chairman's Announcements To receive
Chairman’s Announcements including: · Proposal for Youth Engagement Project through Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme
For information:
· Free Home Insulation Scheme · Winter Highways Matters · Registration of Septic Tanks
Supporting documents:
Minutes: Proposals for Youth Engagement Project through Duke of Edinburgh (DoE) Award Scheme. The Board was working with schools to find suitable candidates to sponsor for the DoE Award Scheme in a bid to strengthen the Area Board’s engagement with young people. Several young people had shown an interest but one, attending Trafalgar School and living in Landford, seemed an excellent candidate and was most interested in taking part in the scheme.
The Board noted the following information papers attached to the agenda:
· Free Home Insulation Scheme · Winter Highways Matters · Registration of Septic Tanks
Parish Councils were urged to pass on the information within their communities to anyone they felt may be interested. |
|||||||||||||||||
Current Consultations To note the information on the following current consultations:
Full information can be found on the Council’s Consultation portal by clicking on the link: http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal
Minutes: The Board noted the details of the current consultations listed on the agenda, along with the link to the consultation portal web page online where more information could be found. |
|||||||||||||||||
7.10pm |
Leader of the Council - Councillor Jane Scott OBE Councillor Jane Scott OBE, Leader of the Council, will give a brief overview of her areas of responsibility, followed by a chance to ask questions.
Minutes: Councillor Jane Scott thanked the Area Board for the invitation to the meeting, and gave a brief outline of her role as Leader of the Council.
Councillor Scott had attended a Cabinet meeting earlier in the day where they had considered proposals for radical changes to the senior management structure of the Council.
The financial pressure on the Council was considerable; central government had taken 24.5% off the revenue grant. £20 million had been taken during the first year of cuts and a further £30 million would be taken this year.
220 manager posts had already been deleted and the Cabinet had also decided to remove the Chief Executive post and one Corporate Director post from the structure.
Further savings would be needed; the Council aimed not to cut or close any services in making these savings, but would try to manage services in a more efficient way.
Over £50 million would be invested into older people’s services over the next four years, as well as investing in young people’s services. There had been an increase of 40 young people during the last year who were being looked after by the Council.
The Council was keen to invest in the economy, as Wiltshire has high property values but comparatively low wages. It was hoped that people would be able to live and work in the county, instead of having to travel elsewhere for jobs.
There would also be a large investment in super fast broadband connections, to help maintain and increase businesses in the county. Part of this scheme would be aimed at getting all ages IT literate, connected up and able to use services available.
The Chairman added that the Area Board was already working strongly on local employment issues.
Questions and comments were then taken, these included:
· Could you provide an update on the decision taken by Cabinet today regarding the senior management structure? Answer: The decision was to delete the Chief Executive (C.E.) post and one Corporate Director post. Cabinet believes that the Council can be run with a political leadership and the support of very strong officers. The C.E. would be offered redundancy and the existing four Corporate Directors would be offered a period of time to apply for redundancy. After the redundancy notice period had closed, applications will be considered and one redundancy will be offered. The Council would make savings of £200k this year and £400k in a full year.
· A Parish Councillor asked about the Localism Bill and the production of Parish Plans. Answer: In the South of the county, the Core Strategy went to the inspector; he has now finished his report which was due out any time now. It is important for the community, if they have the capacity, to produce a Neighbourhood Plan, this allows them to say what kind and how much development they might have in the future and possible locations for such development.
There have been mixed messages about localism, some people think it means ... view the full minutes text for item 7. |
||||||||||||||||
7.30pm |
Community Asset Transfers in Redlynch The Area Board Members will consider two Community Asset Transfer applications, by Redlynch Parish Council for the transfer of land at the Chalk Pit, Muddyford Road, Redlynch and Vale Road Allotments, Woodfalls, in accordance with the Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy. The Board will also hear from Landford PC about their successful asset transfer.
(report attached)
Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager Supporting documents:
Minutes: The Board heard from Jane Wright of Landford Parish Council about their successful Community Asset Transfer (CAT).
The Chairman thanked Jane for her presentation and congratulated Landford Parish Council in their perseverance with the CAT process.
The Board Members then considered two CAT applications, by Redlynch Parish Council for the transfer of land at the Chalk Pit, Muddyford Road, Redlynch and Vale Allotments, Woodfalls, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.
Decision The Southern Wiltshire Area Board approved the transfer of land at Vale Road Allotments, Woodfalls for allotments and the Chalk Pit, Muddyford Road, Redlynch for amenity and recreation purposes; to Redlynch Parish Council. |
||||||||||||||||
7.40pm |
New Police Satisfaction Survey To receive information on recent Police satisfaction statistics for the community area as detailed in the attached report.
Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager
Supporting documents: Minutes: The Chairman briefed the Board on the new Police Satisfaction Survey results for the area, which had been attached to the agenda.
The statistics for the Southern Wiltshire area highlight a number of differences between this and other areas. The Chairman proposed that a Task and Finish group be formed to look at the areas highlighted by the statistics.
The group would consist of:
· Councillor Richard Britton · Tom Bray, Community Area Manager · Sergeant Dean Garvin · 2 – 3 Parish Councillors
The Chairman then asked for volunteers to join the group, Amanda Newbery (Alderbury) and Keith Rodger (Clarendon) came forward. Any further volunteers should contact Tom Bray, Community Area Manager on tom.bray@wiltshire.gov.uk |
||||||||||||||||
7.50pm |
Our Focus on Local Employment To agree funding for the Local Employment projects under the three work streams that we have been working on:
2. Support for Small Businesses 3. Setting up Job Clubs
Supporting documents: Minutes: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager drew people’s attention to the report attached to the agenda, as it sets out what the Board aimed to achieve and the status of the various workstreams. The Board members were asked to consider the recommendations for funding as detailed in the report.
Decision: The Southern Wiltshire Area Board agreed to:
1.
Fund the installation of 3 jobs boards
at the 3 sites in the report up to a maximum of £3,500. The
exact location, size of boards and process for displaying vacancies
is to be determined locally and the Community Area Manager will
work with all stakeholders to arrive at an agreed way forward. If a
technological solution is preferred in a specific location then the
Board will consider granting extra funds at the next meeting on 15
December 2011. 2.
Set aside up to £100 to hold a
focus group which is to be held at an agreed
location. The outcomes of the focus group are to be brought
back to the next appropriate Area Board. 3. Acknowledge the £125 spent by the Community Area Manager under delegated powers on 4 Job Club sessions at Old Sarum.
Action: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager |
||||||||||||||||
8.00pm |
A Focus on Speeding · Getting Speedwatch or Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) in your village We will outline the process for requesting the Area Board to deploy a SID in your village.
· 30MPH Wheeled Bin Stickers To consider funding for this scheme.
Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager Supporting documents:
Minutes: Getting Speedwatch or Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) in your village The Chairman informed the Board that from April 2012 the Southern Wiltshire Area Board would be in control of its own SID and the deployment of it around the community area.
Parishes were reminded that a SID could only be deployed to approved sites following a metro count. If a Parish was interested in having the SID in their village next year then they should contact Tom Bray, Community Area Manager now to arrange for a metro count to be carried out.
30MPH Wheeled Bin Stickers The Chairman noted that Council officers had not been supportive of the wheelie bin 30mph stickers as they felt that they could encourage people to leave their bins out for longer than was necessary and that the bins may cause an obstruction on the pathways. However, the Board supported the initiative to use the stickers as it seemed that the positive effect far outweighed the negative and they were, in any case, already in use in some villages.
The Board members considered funding the project to purchase 900 stickers for £440 to be distributed to the parishes who had registered their interest in the scheme as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.
NB: Since the meeting Redlynch PC had also registered to be included in the scheme and would receive an allocation of stickers.
Decision The Southern Wiltshire Area Board would award £440 towards the purchase of 900 30mph wheelie bin stickers to be distributed to parishes as detailed in the report.
Action: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager |
||||||||||||||||
8.15pm |
Community Area Transport Group (CATG) Update and Councillor Proposal for additional funding · CATG Update Update on progress of all approved CATG schemes.
· Councillor Proposal for Additional Funding To consider a bid to fund the shortfall required to complete the Charlton All Saints scheme.
Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager Supporting documents:
Minutes: The Chairman announced that the Board had failed to secure the balance of funds for the A338 Charlton All Saints project, from the CATG substantive project fund. The Chairman therefore proposed that the balance of £6,324 be funded as a Councillor Initiative project, from the Board’s budget.
Councillor McLennan urged the Chairman to take the matter to a higher level to request funding from Highways as opposed to using the Area Board Budget, as he felt that the Charlton All Saints scheme was high priority and met the criteria.
The Chairman added that the scheme had only been refused on technical grounds. The site was used by many young children, elderly people and mothers with pushchairs when crossing the busy road to access the bus stop.
Councillor Jane Scott agreed to take the matter back for discussion with the officers involved, to see if there was any other budget that could fund the scheme. She would discuss the outcome with Tracy Carter who would feed back to the Board with an update.
Action: Councillor Scott and Tracy Carter, Service Director.
The Chairman thanked Councillor Scott for her assistance. In the meantime the Board decided to allocate the funds from the Area Board project to allow the scheme to go ahead, as there were time restrictions involved. If the funds were later made available to the project following Councillor Scott’s discussions with officers, the Board’s funds would be returned to the Area Board budget.
Decision: The Southern Wiltshire Area Board agreed to allocate £6,324 as a Councillor Initiative towards the Charlton All Saints scheme, however if the funds were later awarded to the scheme from another budget, then the Area Boards funds would be returned to their budget for 2011/12.
Action: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager |
||||||||||||||||
8.30pm |
Partner Comments and Updates A chance to update the Board on your initiatives or issues in the area. Written Partner Updates are also attached. Supporting documents:
Minutes: The Board noted the Partner updates attached to the agenda. In addition the following updates were received:
The Chairman noted that on page 67 of the agenda, the police update listed Mr Angus Macpherson as the Police Authority representative for Southern Wiltshire, when it was actually Councillor Richard Britton.
Police The new Police Inspector Andy Noble introduced himself to the Board. Andy had asked for a slot at the next Area Board meeting in December when he would outline some of the structural changes recently implemented by the police and what those changes mean for us locally.
The Police were asked why the statistics showed there had been an increase in dwelling burglaries.
Sergeant Dean Garvin explained that dwelling burglaries included sheds and garages attached to properties and that most listed were actually these types of burglaries of tools. Actual dwelling burglaries to houses were still really low.
Forthcoming work would concentrate on targeting scrap dealers, as the people who carry out non dwelling burglaries to steal scrap metals use scrap dealers when disposing of the stolen metals and goods.
The Chairman added that the Police are increasingly targeting their efforts where the statistics show a rise in criminal activity therefore it is very important that every incident is reported.
Questions and comments:
The Chairman added that statistics showed that the call centre was handling 95% or more of the calls within the 30 seconds set. He urged people to report any issues relating to the new 101 phone number to the police.
Young People’s Update Tony Nye; Youth Coordinator informed the board that Cabinet had ... view the full minutes text for item 13. |
||||||||||||||||
8.40pm |
Your Local Issues To note the attached report detailing the progress of Local Issues in the Community Area.
Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager
Supporting documents: Minutes: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager had arranged to meet with Steve Wilson, Divisional Highways Manager; to work through the issues on the system to close those that have now been dealt with and to move the open issues on to the next stage.
Tom would carry out an audit of the issues on the system and would include the date each issue was logged on the system in the table for future meetings.
The Board was asked to look at issue number 584 and to take action as this issue was causing a problem for a resident who had foul water coming into his garden from a run off.
Action: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager
Tom would work with Firsdown Parish Council on their issue with the Byway Open to all Traffic and discuss the issues around the potential transfer of the asset from Wiltshire Council to the Parish Council.
Action: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager |
||||||||||||||||
8.45pm |
Community Area Grants The Board will consider applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme.
Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager
Supporting documents:
Minutes: The Board considered one application for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.
The application was from Downton Parish Council to fund an Archaeological Watching Brief for preparation of new Skate Park in the Village.
Tom Bray, Community Area Manager explained that although the applicant was a Parish Council, due to the project being a one off project and not maintenance of an existing facility the application met Community Area Grant Criteria for 2011/12.
The Board invited the applicant to speak in support of the application.
Decision Downton Parish Council was awarded £1950 to fund the Archaeological Watching Brief for preparation of new Skate Park in the Village.
Reason The application would be of benefit to the community, particularly to young people.
Action: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager |
||||||||||||||||
9.00pm |
Close A copy of the Forward Plan is attached for information. Supporting documents: Minutes: The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.
The next meeting of the Southern Wiltshire Area Board will be held on Thursday 15 December 2011 at Trafalgar School, Downton from 7.00pm. |
||||||||||||||||
Attachment - Laverstock PC Statement Supporting documents: |