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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Coombe Bissett Village Hall, Shutts Lane, Coombe Bissett SP5 4LU

Contact: Lisa Moore  (Democratic Services Officer)

Items
Note No. Item

7.00pm

1.

Welcome and Introductions

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman, Councillor Richard Britton welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Southern Wiltshire Area Board.

 

2.

Apologies

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from:

 

·       Mike Franklin – Wiltshire Fire & Rescue

3.

Minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 28 May 2015.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting held on Thursday 28 May 2015, subject to the amendment below, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman:

 

Amendment

Item 17 - Community Area Grants:

The minutes stated that the application from Redlynch Parish Council for tyre swing safety surfacing at Nomansland Land Recreation Ground was awarded funding, however this application had been withdrawn and was not considered. A revised application would be presented to the Board for consideration later on the agenda for this meeting.

 

4.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

Minutes:

There were none.

5.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive Chairman’s Announcements including:

 

·       Magna Carta

 

Minutes:

Community Engagement Officer (CEM)

Tom Bray was welcomed back and thanks were given to Karen Linaker, for her work whilst in position for the Southern Wiltshire Community Area.

 

Magna Carta

Leader of the Council, Cllr Jane Scott had written to all of the Area Board Chairman, thanking everyone who had been involved with the Magna Carta celebrations held recently in Salisbury.

 

The Phoenix Stars who were in attendance, were thanked for their performances outside of the Guild Hall and a big thank you was given to everyone who had come together in the Southern Wiltshire community area, to make the banner and decorate the Baron.

6.

Current Consultations

To note the information on the following current consultation:

 

Consultation

End date

Information

./licencing-gambling-policy-2015-april.pdfpdf.gifGambling policy Gambling policy 618kb

10 August 2015

Wiltshire Council is required to review its policy every 3 years. Having regard to changes in legislation and guidance including the proposed changes in the Commissions Guidance to local authorities, and the recently approved licensing conditions and codes of practice issued by the Gambling Commission, we have re-drafted its policy statement with the intention to approve it for commencement on the 1st January 2016.

Take part in our gambling policy survey

 

Consultations webpage: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations.htm

 

Minutes:

The Board noted the information available on current consultations via the weblink:

 

Consultations webpage: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations.htm

7.05pm

7.

Report on issues facing the community as a whole

To note any written updates and to receive verbal updates from those present, including:

 

·         Police – Neighbourhood Team Update

·         Fire & Rescue Service

·         NHS

·         Wiltshire Council Updates

·         Southern Wiltshire Issues System

·         Any other comments or reports

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Police – Inspector David Minty

Following the outcome of the Custody Review, a decision had been made to site the new Custody Suite, serving the south of the county in Warminster.

 

There had recently been several high value dwelling burglaries in the Fovant area and some shed burglaries in Mere. Inspector Minty urged people to make sure they protect their properties and keep a look out for their neighbours or anything suspicious.

 

There had also been an incident where a rogue trader had approached an elderly man, offering tarmac services using hard selling tactics. Rogue traders target the elderly and vulnerable, people were urged to call the police if they are approached or see anything suspicious.

 

Fire & Rescue – Cllr Chris Devine

In addition to the written updates attached to the agenda, Cllr Devine advised that the first full Shadow Authority meeting had taken place. Planning was well underway with the target start date of 1 April 2016. The new control centre at Potterne was working really well, the official opening would be held on 8 August.

 

Wiltshire Council Updates

The Board noted the written updates attached to the agenda. In addition the Chairman drew attention to the update on Leader Funding. Agricultural businesses and organisations across Wiltshire were being encouraged to apply for European grants designed to boost rural employment. The Leader scheme was one element of the Rural Development Programme for England, funded by the EU and DEFRA. This tranche of grants runs for five years, until March 2021.

 

Issues System – Tom Bray

In addition to the written update attached to the agenda, Tom would be refining the list of current issues on the system, making progress where possible and reporting back at a future meeting.

 

Any Other Updates:

 

Philip Buckley of the Coombe Bissett Conservation Community Group addressed the Board with the concerns of the Group.

 

Thanks were given to the Board for the time to make the following statement regarding the current Strategic Housing Land Availability Assessment (SHLAA) and its impact on our village, Coombe Bissett.

 

There were six SHLAA sites submitted for the Parish. The majority of residents were fiercely opposed to inappropriate large scale development. It was understood that Coombe Bissett was determinedly meeting its Strategic Development requirement and probably exceeding it.

 

It was known on good authority that the Statutory Agencies and Councillors were in consultation with Strategic Planners who were making known what was required of them. The expectation was that those Strategic Agencies would aid and speed the selected sites through the planning system to a positive outcome for the developers and landowners, and thus achieve the housing numbers for the area.

 

These closed consultations were taking place without the inclusion, and knowledge of those most adversely affected. This raises deep concerns around transparency, accessibility and accountability – namely our democratic right to be heard before irreversible and far reaching decisions are made.

 

We have no option but to rely on Councillors being fully and independently informed on individual  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

7.25pm

8.

Parish Showcase

What’s it like to live in Coombe Bissett?

Minutes:

Debbie James, Clerk of Coombe Bissett Parish Council, gave an overview of what it was like to live in the parish.

 

The parish was in a lovely setting, which dated back to the Neolithic, Bronze and Iron ages. The first parish council meeting was held in the old school house in 1894. Coombe Bissett and Homington parish councils combined to form one in 1934, with a current population of approximately 600.

 

Facilities include a village hall, tennis courts, public house, post office and shop, which the community purchased seven years ago. There were also nine clubs in operation.

 

There were three defibrillators in the community and the phone kiosk had been turned into a children’s library.

 

A group of volunteers had formed, called CHAVS, who were able to take on various tasks.

 

During the floods in 2014, 29 homes were affected in some way by flooding.

 

The solar park at Bake Farm created powerful discussion and involvement from members of the parish. The parish council was currently developing a parish plan.

 

The parish council would like to see the process of highways works becoming more streamlined, as they felt that they were in a position where they had to ask several times for a job to be done.

 

The Chairman thanked Debbie for her presentation, adding that the Board members echoed the points made about Highways, as it was a constant battle.

7.40pm

9.

Youth Update

Update following the last Local Youth Network meeting held on Friday 10 July.

 

Officer: Emma Drage, Community Youth Officer

Minutes:

Community Youth Officer Emma Drage gave an update to the Board.

 

28 young people in Alderbury had recently taken part in a Zorbing activity held in the village. All of the villages working with Emma which had requested positive activities would get a chance to use the Zorbing equipment.

 

There had been a good response so far to the positive activities scheme. ‘Go Active’ had visited youth groups in Whiteparish and West Dean to provide alternative activities such as gymnastics.

 

At Old Sarum, they had produced a schedule of activities, which would take place on a weekly basis, including cricket, archery and rounders.

 

Further work was planned in September for some of the areas.

 

The Chairman thanked Emma for her work in progressing the Alternative Activities scheme across the community area.

7.55pm

10.

Better Services for Older People

To receive a report on the 3 events held across the community.

 

Note: Report to follow.

 

 

Minutes:

Tom Bray, CEM explained that following the item at the Older People’s which featured at last meeting, there had been a series of workshops within the community area, in Alderbury, Downton and Winterslow.

 

Similar issues had arisen in all three of the areas, the aim of the workshops was to:

 

  • Hear about what’s on in our communities
  • Hear about the challenges faced by our older residents
  • See what the community can do to improve things

 

Some of the services already set up in Southern Wiltshire included Link schemes, lunch clubs, coffee mornings, Good neighbour scheme, book clubs, pub lunches and family support.

 

Tom asked if there were any other schemes in operation which were not listed, for people to let him know.

 

The next step would be to set up an action group to take some of the ideas forward. Volunteers to take part in a meeting of such a Task Group were asked to contact Tom.

 

Questions and comments included:

 

·         A consultation on rural bus services was currently running, there was an opportunity for people to feed in their comments. Living in a rural location had a real impact on older people when the bus services were cut or reduced.

8.10pm

11.

Area Board Footpath Scheme

To note the update on the Area Board’s Footpath Scheme, attached to the agenda.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Councillor Leo Randall drew attention to the full update attached to the agenda. Work continued across the area. The Group were always looking for new volunteers to assist; all levels of ability were welcomed.

 

Tom Bray noted that the 18-month contract to hire Abbey had nearly come to an end. Abbey had carried out a great deal of work during her time with the Footpath Group. The next step was to establish a way forward. Discussions would include whether to try to fund the position again or whether the Group would move to a new operating model. During the last 18 months it had been hoped that the Group could have developed a model where they could continue with a volunteer approach. The outcome of these discussions would come back to the next Area Board.

 

Comments:

 

·         Support was given to the renewal of a contract for Abbey as it was felt that she had brought together the services and tools needed to carry out the work, thus creating a successful project.

·         Following work carried out at the top of Firs Road on A30, the parish were impressed with the work.

 

8.15pm

12.

Communities Opportunities Board (COB) Update

To note the minutes of the last COB meeting and to review Downton’s proposal.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Chairman reminded everyone that three locations within Southern Wiltshire -  Alderbury, Downton and Winterslow - were considering some sort of campus or community hub project under the auspices of the council's campus programme.

 

The COB had met with the Cabinet Member for Campuses on 7 July to discuss the options for campus/hub provision in Southern Wiltshire. Whilst there was no  categoric assurance that funding would be available, funding might be available for schemes where there was a compelling Business Case.

 

Downton Parish Council had prepared a draft proposal for a scheme, the papers detailing this were circulated at the meeting, and are attached to these minutes.

 

David Mace, Chairman of Downton parish council introduced the proposals:

 

  • Wiltshire Council’s Core Strategy has categorised Downton as a Large Village and a Local Service Centre for the provision of a good level of services to its surrounding areas.

  • It also determined that 190 homes are to be built in Downton during the period 2006 to 2026. Based on developers’ plans we expect that most of these homes will be built within the next two years.

  • Recognising the need for more accessible services in the growing community of Downton and its surrounding areas the Parish Council has examined the concepts presented by Wiltshire Council’s Campus Programme.

  • Wiltshire Council has defined a campus as “a building, or collection of buildings and venues, in a community area that supports the services that communities have identified that they need, in easy to access locations”.

  • In the case of Downton there are several such locations in the village e.g. the Leisure Centre on the west side, the Memorial Hall in the centre and the Library on the east side.

  • In the expectation that Wiltshire Council would not be willing or able to fund, as I understand that it has done in North Wiltshire, the many £millions that would be required to bring all these facilities onto one site the Parish Council has based its thinking on more modest ambitions by retaining the existing multi-location approach and focussing its attention on the Memorial Hall at the centre of the village.
     
  • Neither Downton Primary School nor Downton Community Pre-School are big enough to cope with the influx of additional children from the new homes.

  • With key stakeholders we are working towards a solution to this problem that involves extending both the school and the Memorial Hall.

  • The existing Memorial Hall contains a large hall, a stage, indoor and outdoor toilets and a kitchen / servery with adjacent refreshments area.

  • The proposed extension will provide purpose built accommodation for an expanded Downton Community Pre-School on the ground floor and two sizeable, hireable meeting rooms on the first floor for community and business use. As such it has at some of the features of a Campus project in so far as the latter applies to a large village.

  • We have it in mind that a Campus Room could also be designed into the Memorial Hall extension that would enable the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 12.

8.25pm

13.

Community Area Transport Group (CATG) Update

To receive an update on the progress of the Milford Mill Road Footpath project which has been submitted to the substantive scheme for funding.

 

Future dates of CATG meetings all held at 6pm in Bourne Hill:

 

·       2 September 2015

·       9 December 2015

·       2 March 2016

·       22 June 2016

Minutes:

The Board receive an update from Cllr Ian McLennan, on the progress of the Milford Mill Road Footpath project which had been submitted to the substantive scheme for funding.

 

From the recent allocation of £250,000 to the substantive scheme for projects around Wiltshire, the Southern Wiltshire Area Board had been awarded £34,800 towards the Millford Mill Road scheme.

 

The Chairman added that this was a very worthwhile project, he thanked Cllr McLennan for all he had done to push for this project.

 

The Board noted the future dates of CATG meetings all to be held at 6pm in Bourne Hill:

 

·         2 September 2015

·         9 December 2015

·         2 March 2016

·         22 June 2016

 

Comments:

 

·         A scheme to implement removable bollards in Apple Tree Road, had already proved a success following an incident where fire alarms had activated a visit from the fire brigade, who were able to access the properties.

·         Inspector Minty noted that 20mph zones were now enforceable by ticketing.

8.35pm

14.

Community Area Grants

The Board will consider applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme.

 

Note: Report to follow

 

Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered four applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme, as detailed in the papers attached to the agenda and one additional application as per the report circulated at the meeting.

 

The Chairman invited those present to speak in support of their projects. Following discussion the Board voted on each application in turn.

 

Decision

Firsdown Parish Council was awarded £1,795 towards replacement play equipment in the play area.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2015/16.

 

Decision

Redlynch Playing Field Association was awarded £2,350 towards the purchase of a new mower.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2015/16.

 

Decision

West Dean Youth Club was awarded £2,139 towards the recreation ground improvements project.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2015/16.

 

 

Decision

Brian Whitehead Sports Centre Association was awarded £5,000 towards the tennis hall replacement lights, with the condition that evidence of the secured loan agreement was provided within three months.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2015/16.

 

Decision

Redlynch Parish Council was awarded £2,500 towards the tyre safety surface improvements.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2015/16.

 

 

9.00pm

15.

Close

Minutes:

The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.