Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Jeff Osborn, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Trowbridge Area Board.

Apologies for absence were received from Bob Brice of Trowbridge Town Council, Mike Franklin of Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service and Michael Hudson, Service Director, Wiltshire Council.

      i.        To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 17 November 2011.

    ii.        Matters arising from previous meetings, including:

·         Security issues at Trowbridge Park

·         Former Caretakers House on Bradley Road.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 17 November 2011 were agreed a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising from the minutes of the previous meeting:

·         Security issues at Trowbridge Park – a meeting had been held to discuss the issues concerned, and a programme of actions was to be put together.

Action: an update was to be provided at the March Area Board meeting.

·         Former Caretakers House on Bradley Road – a response from the Cabinet member was circulated, which reported that the property was being kept vacant to enable more flexibility in the future development of the site. Interim options, such as non-secure tenures, were being considered.

Councillors Jeff Osborn, John Knight, Peter Fuller and Helen Osborn all declared general prejudicial interests in Items 10a(iii) and 10a(iv) as they were all members of Trowbridge Town Council. All councillors had dispensations allowing them to speak and vote.

Councillor Graham Payne declared a prejudicial interest in Items 10a(iii) and 10a(iv) as he was a member of Trowbridge Town Council. No dispensation was in place and Councillor Payne intended to leave the room for these items.

To include the following:

      i.        Update on recreational land (verbal announcement from the Chairman)

    ii.        Have You Got The X Factor? (attached)

   iii.        Youth Advisory Group Pilots (attached)

   iv.        Local Sustainable Transport Fund Consultation (attached)

    v.        Housing PFI – Broad Street Car Park (attached).

The Chairman made the following announcements:

      i.        Update on recreational land – The Chairman reported on the commitment from the Leader of the Council for a new multi-sports hub. The Council had been in discussions with a number of clubs, and the rugby club was expected to report on its position at the end of February. A decision would then be taken whether to proceed.

    ii.        Have You Got The X Factor? – A short film promoting the 2013 elections had been made and could be viewed at:

            http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Y_CvgVAgvY

   iii.        Youth Advisory Group Pilots – A series of pilots were taking place across the County to establish Youth Advisory Groups which would improve the co-ordination of positive activities for young people.

   iv.        Local Sustainable Transport Fund Consultation – A comprehensive briefing on this consultation was provided in the agenda packs and was also available on the Council’s website.

    v.        Housing PFI – Broad Street Car Park – It was noted that a housing Private Finance Initiative (PFI) contract was signed on 21 December 2011, which would provide 242 social rented homes; 73 of which would be in the Trowbridge area.

   vi.        Core Strategy – On 17 January 2012 Cabinet had considered a submission draft Wiltshire Core Strategy, and Full Council would be asked to approve the draft for consultation at its meeting on 7 February 2012. Consultation would last for six weeks commencing on 20 February 2012 and further information would be available as the Core Strategy progressed.

To note the written reports and receive any updates from the following:

      i.        Wiltshire Police (attached)

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (attached)

   iii.        NHS Wiltshire (attached)

   iv.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF) (attached)

    v.        Town and Parish Councils

   vi.        Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group (CAYPIG).

Updates from partners were received as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

The written update was noted. Inspector Dave Cullop reported that progress was being made with regard to the issues at Trowbridge Park. The Neighbourhood Tasking Group had also met and was working to combine 6 teams into 1 to make services more efficient, and there had been good support from the Neighbourhoods Partnership.

Inspector Cullop also reported that, in addition to the new PCSO who had recently joined the team, Trowbridge would also be gaining a further two PCSOs, which would take the team one over its establishment.

Joy Hillyer of Wiltshire Police Authority reported on progress with the transition to a Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). On 15 November 2012, the public would elect a PCC, who would be accountable for how crime was tackled in the Wiltshire Police force area. Any views or questions should be submitted to the Wiltshire Police Authority on 01380 734022 or police.authority@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk .

The following questions and issues arose:

·         It was enquired whether hate crime statistics could be reported to the Area Board.

Action: Inspector Cullop to send hate crime statistics to Rachel Efemey for distribution to the Area Board.

·         As previously advised, the force was required to make cuts of 20%, but was committed to doing everything possible to maintain the level of frontline services.

·         It was noted that Chippenham Police Station would be closing by the end of March 2012, and the policing teams would be moving into Wiltshire Council’s Monkton Park office. In Trowbridge there were no similar plans in place, however various future options were being considered, particularly with regards to opportunities with the Campus project.

·         The current helicopter service was due to end in a couple of year’s time. There were attempts to get a national helicopter service but nothing could be confirmed at present.

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written update was noted. There were no further updates.

   iii.        NHS Wiltshire

The written update was noted. There were no further updates.

   iv.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

The written update was noted. It was reported that there would be a joint event held on 9 February 2012, and anyone wishing to receive an invitation should contact Rachel Efemey, Community Area Manager.

    v.        Town and Parish Councils

The written update from Trowbridge Town Council was noted. There were no further updates.

   vi.        Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group (CAYPIG)

The CAYPIG thanked the Area Board, the Town Council and Wiltshire Police for addressing the issues at Trowbridge Park. There was also concern regarding the cuts to the youth service and worry that this would result in a less efficient service. The CAYPIG also reported that they were keen to be involved in developments with the Riverside and St Stephen’s Place sites.

Wiltshire Councillors appointed as representatives to Outside Bodies will report on any recent news. To include:

      i.        Transforming Trowbridge

    ii.        Extended Schools (Youth Parliament).

The following updates were provided:

      i.        Transforming Trowbridge – Planning applications for the Tesco site and Bowyers site were currently being dealt with by two individual planning officers. The Tesco site application would possibly be considered by Committee in February, but the Bowyers site application was more complicated and running slightly behind. It was hoped that both applications would be considered by the Western Area Planning Committee, and the public were encouraged to submit their views.

    ii.        Extended Schools (Youth Parliament) – A meeting was due to be held on 1 February 2012 to provide an update regarding Trowbridge Park. Feedback would be provided at the next Area Board meeting.

To receive an update on the future of the Arc Theatre (attached).

An update regarding the future of the Arc Theatre was circulated. It was noted that, due to Wiltshire College’s decision to cease the professional programme of performing arts activity, the College would no longer be eligible for regular grant support from Wiltshire Council’s Art Service from April 2012.

A number of options had been considered for the future management of the theatre, and Wiltshire College had decided that the Arc would become primarily a student resource, with some availability for use as a venue for hire.

The BA14 Culture Group expressed its disappointment at the decision and was keen to develop a strong partnership of interested groups to work towards retaining such services for Trowbridge, including Wiltshire Council, the Town Council, the Area Board, BA14 and local schools and groups.

There was a strong desire to retain the Wiltshire Council funding for the Arc in the Trowbridge area, and an interim project was being looked into including consideration of employing a Director of Arts to drive the project forward and secure the future of Arts in Trowbridge.

Decision

Having considered the issues surrounding the future of the Arc Theatre in Trowbridge and the strong desire from the community to retain services for Trowbridge, the Area Board agreed:

       i.        That it regretted the outcome regarding the future of the Arc Theatre.

      ii.        That the Wiltshire Council funding for the Arc Theatre should be ring-fenced for use within the Trowbridge Community Area.

    iii.        That the Area Board should be kept informed of, and consulted on, any future developments including how the Wiltshire Council funding will be used.

To receive a presentation from Joanne Middleton, Communications Officer, Wiltshire Council, on the 2012 Olympics, Torch Relay and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee, and information on how local communities can get involved in the celebrations.

The Area Board will also consider a report and recommendations in respect of arrangements for the Diamond Jubilee celebration event in Salisbury in May.

Shirley Yeo, Communications Officer, Wiltshire Council, gave a presentation regarding ‘2012 – A Year of Celebration’, which included the Olympic Torch relay and celebrations, and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

The Olympic Torch was due to pass through Trowbridge and Southwick on 22 May 2012; the fourth day of the relay. It was hoped that the community would get together to animate the route and celebrate the event.

Wiltshire Council was also planning to hold an event to celebrate the Diamond Jubilee in the grounds of Salisbury Cathedral on either 1 May or 2 May 2012, and it was hoped that each Area Board would have a ‘jousting tent’ to showcase the history of their local areas.

A further event would be held in Salisbury in June to celebrate the Olympic Torch spending the night there. This was considered a fantastic opportunity to showcase local talent and celebrate the Torch passing through Wiltshire; however there was significant disappointment amongst some communities that both major events were being held in Salisbury.

The Area Board was asked to consider its requirements and arrangements with regards to the ‘jousting tents’ for the Jubilee event in May; however there was a general lack of support for this event due to its distance from Trowbridge and the potential costs to the Area Board.

Decision

The Area Board agreed for it to be formally noted that it did not support the recommendations within the report.

Councillor Fuller recommended that a small sum of money should be made available to support any groups or organisations that were willing to represent the Trowbridge Community Area at the Jubilee event in Salisbury.

There was some general agreement for this, but it was agreed that it would be the responsibility of the individual groups to consider this and approach the Area Board for funding should they wish.

a.    Community Area Grants Scheme 2011/12

To consider the following applications:

                      i.        West Ashton Village Hall & Institute – To fit Acoustic Panels in the main hall to reduce echo and provide lighting in place of the temporary "fairy lights" - £2,000 requested.

                    ii.        Trowbridge Academy Of Boxing - to replace external lighting & minor repairs to the club building - £975 requested.

                   iii.        Trowbridge Town Council – To run an event in Trowbridge Park on 4 June to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee - £4,979 requested.

                   iv.        Trowbridge Town Council - to arrange a day of celebration on 22 May when the Olympic Torch comes through Trowbridge  followed by a celebration day on Saturday 26 May for all families to take part in trying Olympic sports which are represented in the 2012 games - £3,588 requested.

                    v.        Wiltshire Supplementary Cultural School – To run a series of 3 events focusing on Muslim, Afro Caribbean & Polish histories open to young people and their families - £800 requested.

                   vi.        Wiltshire Youth Marching Band – To purchase uniforms for the band - £1,000 requested.

b.    Area Board Projects Scheme 2011/12

To consider the following applications:

                      i.        To complete the War Memorial upgrade by the design and manufacture of a pair of entrance gates by a young person attending a Trowbridge School – Project submitted by Councillor John Knight - £2,500 requested

c.    Ring Fencing of Funds for Jubilee and Olympics Projects

To consider ring fencing £5,000 for applications of up to £300 for local community events and projects celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics.

In order to address the time constraints that applicants face to submit their applications in time for the organisation of their events, the Area Board will also be asked to consider delegating authority to the CommunityArea Manager, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Area Board, to approve any grant applications relating to the Jubilee or Olympics between meetings of the Area Board. A report will be submitted at the next available Area Board meeting to detail any grants awarded under this delegation.

In considering such grant applications, the Area Board requests that the Community Area Manager considers the benefits of the application in terms of meeting one or more of the following:

·         Showcases what we have and what we do so well in our area

·         Promotes our strong and vibrant community spirit.

·         Reinvigorates our local economy.

a.    Community Area Grant Scheme

The Area Board considered the following applications to the Community Area Grant Scheme 2011/12:

       i.        West Ashton Village Hall & Institute

The sum of £2,000 was requested to fit acoustic panels in the main hall to reduce echo and provide lighting in place of the temporary ‘fairy lights’.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £2,000 to West Ashton Village Hall & Institute, on the condition that the Landfill match funding applied for was awarded.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 2011/12 and demonstrated an indirect link to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

      ii.        Trowbridge Academy of Boxing

The sum of £975 was requested to replace external lighting and minor repairs to the club building.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £975 to Trowbridge Academy of Boxing.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 2011/12 and demonstrated a link to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

Councillor Payne left the room.

    iii.        Trowbridge Town Council

The sum of £4,979 was requested to run an event in Trowbridge Park on 4 June to celebrate the Queen’s Jubilee.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £4,979 to Trowbridge Town Council.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 2011/12 and demonstrated links to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

    iv.        Trowbridge Town Council

The sum of £3,588 was requested to arrange a day of celebration on 22 May when the Olympic Torch would come through Trowbridge, followed by a celebration day on Saturday 26 May for all families to take part in trying Olympic sports which are represented in the 2012 games.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £3,588 to Trowbridge Town Council.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 2011/12 and demonstrated links to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

Councillor Payne returned to the meeting.

      v.        Wiltshire Supplementary Cultural School

The sum of £800 was requested to run a series of 3 events focusing on Muslim, Afro Caribbean and Polish histories open to young people and their families.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £800 to Wiltshire Supplementary Cultural School.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 2011/12 and demonstrated links to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

    vi.        Wiltshire Youth Marching Band

The sum of £1,000 was requested to purchase uniforms for the band.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £1,000 to Wiltshire Youth Marching Band.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 2011/12 and demonstrated links to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

b.    Area Board Projects Scheme

The Area Board considered the following project application:

       i.        Councillor John Knight - £2,500 requested

To complete the war memorial upgrade by the design and manufacture of a pair of entrance gates by a young person attending the Trowbridge School.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £2,500 to complete the war memorial upgrade.

c.    Ring Fencing of Funds for Jubilee and Olympics Projects

Decision

The Area Board agreed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To appoint the membership of this Board.

Following a previous meeting of the Area Board, where expressions of interest for members of the Shadow Community Operations Board were invited, the Chairman announced that a number of applications had been received and recommendations for the final membership of the Board were put to the Area Board for consideration.

Decision

The Area Board appointed the membership of the Trowbridge Shadow Community Operations Board, as follows:

The Chairman advised that, following the Area Board’s decision, the members of the Shadow Community Operations Board would be contacted by a member of the Campus Team, and an initial meeting of the Shadow Community Operations Board would be convened.

Regular updates on the work and progress of the Shadow Community Operations Board would be provided at future Area Board meetings.

Councillor Lionel Grundy will talk about his responsibilities for Children’s Services, and respond to any questions.

Questions may be submitted in advance. Please email any questions to penny.bell@wiltshire.gov.uk by 19 January 2012.

Councillor Lionel Grundy, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, provided an outline of some of the key issues in Trowbridge Community Area at present.

Court Mills Youth Centre

Councillor Grundy referred to Wiltshire Council’s 11 to 19 Youth Commissioning Strategy and confirmed the Council’s commitment to open-access youth provision. The Council’s Transformation Programme had identified Court Mills as a site to be closed, but this would not happen until alternative provision was identified. The newly-formed Shadow Community Operations Board would begin to look into how youth service provision could fit into the new Campus in the future.

Connexions

The Connexions service was to be significantly reduced from September 2012, due to many of the functions being statutorily transferred by the Government from local authorities directly to schools. The ‘11 to 19 Strategy’ was at the heart of simplifying the manner in which the Council was delivering youth services and being led by the needs and aspirations of young people.

The Connexions staff would remain in the organisation, but they were being streamlined. The Council had also developed an Integrated Youth Service which was now underway.

Other News

It had just been confirmed that Wiltshire’s pupil performance rate for GCSE results had been steadily improving at an excellent rate, and schools in Wiltshire were performing extremely well, being 1.6% ahead of the national average.

Following Councillor Grundy’s report, the following points were made:

·         It was very important to the local community that Studley Green Youth Centre should remain in its current premises, which was currently rented. There was no desire to amalgamate the service with other services as the Campus proposal was developed.

·         Concern was raised at the lack of funding for youth activities and Councillor Grundy, being concerned by this, agreed to take this up directly with the Town Council.

·         Reassurance was sought that Court Mills would not be closed until alternative Campus provisions were in place. Councillor Grundy advised that there were no timescales confirmed yet, but that he would do his best to ensure a smooth transition of services.

·         Some emphasis was put on provision of additional resources for areas of deprivation and poverty, which Councillor Grundy took on board.

To consider recommendations from the Community Area Transport Group regarding the allocation of Speed Indicator Sites and expenditure from the small-scale transport and highway improvement schemes budget.

The Area Board considered recommendations from the Community Area Transport Group for small-scale transport and highway improvement schemes in the Trowbridge Community Area.

Decision

The Area Board agreed:

      i.        To allocate the Speed Indicator Device firstly to the B3105 Trowbridge Road, Hilperton, and then to Bratton Road, West Ashton.

    ii.        To commit £1,830 from the transport and highways budget to implement any recommendations that arise from the findings of the topographical survey being carried out at the Shires Gateway.

The Chairman extended an invitation to all members of the Area Board to attend meetings of the Community Area Transport Group should they have any local issues to be considered.

To consider holding the Area Board meetings in the Civic Centre, until such time as the refurbishments at County Hall are complete, at which time the Area Board meetings will be held at County Hall.

Decision

The Area Board agreed to hold all future meetings of the Area Board in the Civic Centre until such time as the refurbishments at County Hall were complete, at which time the Area Board meetings would be held at County Hall.

The Chairman will take any items of urgent business.

The meeting is asked to note the future meeting dates below and the Forward Plan.

Councillor Graham Payne requested that the Area Board considered the issue of graffiti at its next meeting. The Chairman advised Councillor Payne to take up this issue with Bill Parks, Head of Service Local Highways and Streetscene (Central).

Councillor Payne also requested that the Area Board considered the issues with the buildings at Margaret Stancomb School. The Chairman advised that Councillor Payne should speak to Councillor Knight about this issue, and that Neil Ward from Strategic Property Services would also be attending the next Area Board meeting so could provide an update then if required.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

The next meeting of the Trowbridge Area Board would be held on Thursday 15 March 2012, 7pm at the Trowbridge Civic Centre.