Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Jeff Osborn, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Trowbridge Area Board and introduced the councillors and officers present. The Chairman also welcomed the visiting Cabinet representative and Deputy Leader of the Council, Councillor John Thomson.

Apologies for absence were received from Colin Kay, Chairman of Trowbridge Community Area Future, David Baker of Trowbridge Chamber of Commerce, Neil Ward, Head of Strategic Property Services, Wiltshire Council and Michael Hudson, Director of Finance, Wiltshire Council.

      i.        To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 26 January 2012 and the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on Thursday 19 January 2012.

    ii.        Matters arising from previous meetings, to include:

·         Member attendance at CATG meetings

·         Trowbridge Park update (attached)

·         Arc Theatre update (attached).

Councillor Francis Moreland requested that he be added to the list of attendees for the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on Thursday 19 January 2011.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 26 January 2011 and the Extraordinary meeting held on Thursday 19 January 2011 were agreed a correct record, subject to the above amendment, and signed by the Chairman.

Matters arising from the previous meeting:

·         Member attendance at CATG meetings – the Chairman announced that all members of the Area Board were welcome to attend the CATG meetings if there were items of interest to them/their divisions on the agenda.

·         Trowbridge Park Update – a briefing note was circulated with the agenda.

·         Arc Theatre Update – a briefing note was circulated with the agenda.

·         Studley Green Youth Centre – a letter had been received from the Cabinet member for Children’s Services which confirmed that the cost of renting Studley Green Youth Club would be guaranteed from central funds for an interim period of at least the next financial year pending a longer term solution.

Councillors Jeff Osborn, John Knight, Peter Fuller and Helen Osborn all declared general personal interests in Trowbridge Town Council issues due to being members of the Town Council. All councillors had dispensations allowing them to speak and vote on such matters.

Councillor Graham Payne declared a general personal interest in Trowbridge Town Council issues due to being a member of the Town Council. No dispensation was in place.

To include the following:

      i.        The Localism Act 2011 (attached)

    ii.        Help to Live at Home Update (attached)

   iii.        Boundary Review (attached)

   iv.        Wiltshire Core Strategy (attached)

    v.        Report Back on Trowbridge Recreational Land.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

      i.        The Localism Act 2011 – a briefing note was circulated outlining the main implications of the Localism Act.

    ii.        Help to Live at Home Update – an update on this service was circulated.

   iii.        Boundary Review – a briefing note from the Boundary Commission on the boundary review consultation was circulated. The Area Board was supportive of the proposals contained within the document that the new constituency be named Trowbridge.

Action: Rachel Efemey to write a letter of support to the Boundary Commission on behalf of the Area Board.

   iv.        Wiltshire Core Strategy – the Core Strategy consultation was now open and would last until 2 April 2012. Parish councils were also being invited to attend discussions on the rural planning policies. It was noted that the Parish Councils Liaison Group would be meeting to consider the Core Strategy and submit a response from the parishes.

    v.        Trowbridge Recreational Land – the Chairman reported that the established working group had arranged a meeting with Trowbridge Rugby Club at the end of the month to determine the club’s position and the viability of a multi-sports hub. The Chairman also reported that the astro-turf at John of Gaunt School was no longer fit-for-purpose, which added to the need for more sports facilities in the town.

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 (attached)

    v.        Town and Parish Councils (attached)

   vi.        Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group.

Updates from partners were received as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

The written update was noted. The Chairman welcomed to the meeting Acting Inspector David Hobman, who reported that there had been an increase in offences such as non-dwelling burglaries, theft from motor vehicles, theft of motor vehicles and criminal damage. In response to this, a specialist team had been set up and patrols had been increased.

Anti-social behaviour was also a priority, and the Neighbourhood Policing Teams were working alongside Wiltshire Council’s Anti-Social Behaviour Reduction Team and other partners to take appropriate action against these offences.

Drug offences were not routinely reported to the Area Board, but there was some concern about the level of drug offences in the town. The statistics actually showed a reduction in the level of drug offences in the area.

The Area Board wished to formally thank Inspector Dave Cullop on his retirement from the force for his hard work and commitment to the Trowbridge Community Area over the years.

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was currently consulting on its Integrated Risk Management Plan, which included proposed changes to the service. Full details were available on the website at http://www.wiltsfire.gov.uk/ and a full presentation would be provided at the next Area Board meeting on Thursday 17 May 2012.

   iii.        NHS Wiltshire

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

The Chairman requested that an update be provided on progress with the joint surgery and the Primary Care Centre.

Action: Rachel Efemey to contact the NHS for updates and to invite them to a future meeting of the Area Board.

   iv.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

The written update was noted.

    v.        Town and Parish Councils

The written update from Trowbridge Town Council was noted.

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

The CAYPIG thanked the Area Board and Wiltshire Police for taking action against the safety issues in Trowbridge Park.

Another concern of the CAYPIG at present was dog fouling, and a request was made for the signs around the dog waste bins to be made larger so that people could see them better, and it was also suggested that more signage could be erected to alert people to the fact that general waste bins could now also be used for disposing of dog waste.

Action: Bill Parks to look into the provision of new signs.

The young people also wished to be more involved in the design phases of the new developments around the town. It was suggested that the CAYPIG should get together with Trowbridge Community Area Future to discuss this further.

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

      i.        Transforming Trowbridge

    ii.        Extended Schools

   iii.        Shadow Community Operations Board.

Updates were received as follows:

      i.        Transforming Trowbridge – the planning application for the Bowyers Site had undergone some modifications and a revised application had just been submitted. A new 21-day consultation period would have to be carried out on the revised plans, and it was hoped that this application would come before the Area Planning Committee in April or May.

In response to the Mary Portas Pilot Project, it was reported that the Trowbridge County Town Initiative would be submitting a bid for funding to rejuvenate the retail provision within the town. Comments and suggestions should be sent to trowbridgetownteam@gmail.com .

    ii.        Extended Schools – Councillor Helen Osborn reported that the next meeting would be taking place in April and an update would be provided to the Area Board following this meeting.

   iii.        Shadow Community Operations Board (COB) – Councillor Peter Fuller reported that a meeting of the Shadow COB had been held and the background of the Campus programme had been explored. The Shadow COB was still very early in the process and further updates would be provided to the Area Board as the process moved forward.

Some concern was expressed that the deputies of the Shadow COB had not been invited to the initial meeting and were not clear of their roles on the Shadow COB.

Action – Councillor John Thomson undertook to raise these matters with Councillor Stuart Wheeler, Cabinet member for Campus Development.

Councillor Thomson reported that the aim of the Campus project was to ensure that new facilities were developed by the community according to the communities needs and aspirations. Therefore it was not possible, at present, to say where the campus would be located or what services and facilities would be available, as these details would be up to the community to determine, within resources.

a.    Community Area Grants Scheme 2011/12

To consider the following applications to the Community Area Grant Scheme:

                      i.        Trowbridge Amateur Swimming Club – to organise an open swimming event - £5,000 requested.

                    ii.        West Ashton Parish Council – to purchase a laptop projector for parish and community use - £500 requested.

                   iii.        Trowbridge Arts Festival – towards the running of a Trowbridge Arts festival - £4,877 requested.

                   iv.        Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre – to run a pilot BME youth project - £2,660 requested.

                    v.        World Evangelism Bible Church – for a project to help address post-traumatic disorders relating to the terminally ill - £5,000 requested.

b.    2012 Olympics/Jubilee Grant Applications

To consider an application from Clarendon College to the youth funding budget of £2,754.67 ring-fenced by the Area Board to support the Olympic Torch Relay.

c.    To note those applications awarded funding from the Olympic/Jubilee small project fund agreed at the 26 January 2012 Area Board meeting.

The Chairman announced that five Community Area Grant applications had been received, and the total amount requested exceeded the Area Board’s remaining funds by £1,935. The Chairman proposed that each applicant would be given the opportunity to present their application, and following this the Area Board would then vote in turn on each application.

a.    Community Area Grant Scheme 2011/12

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

               i.        Trowbridge Amateur Swimming Club

The sum of £5,000 was requested for an open swimming event.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £5,000 to Trowbridge Amateur Swimming Club to set up and organise a 2-day licensed open swimming meet, on condition that the other funding applied for was raised.

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

              ii.        West Ashton Parish Council

The sum of £500 was requested to purchase a laptop projector for parish and community use.

Decision

The Area Board refused the application from West Ashton Parish Council.

Reason: The Area Board felt that there were more appropriate alternative methods for a parish council to raise funds for this type of activity.

            iii.        Trowbridge Arts Festival

The sum of £4,877 was requested towards the running of a Trowbridge Arts festival.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £4,877 to Trowbridge Arts Festival towards the running of a Trowbridge Arts Festival.

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

            iv.        Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre

The sum of £2,660 was requested to run a pilot BME youth project.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £2,660 to Wiltshire Islamic Cultural Centre to run a pilot BME Youth Project, on the condition that the group engaged with the local Wiltshire Council youth service and joined the Wiltshire Youth Services Council, which could help support them with regards to training and funding for training..

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

              v.        World Evangelism Bible Church

The sum of £5,000 was requested for a project to help address post-traumatic disorders relating to the terminally ill.

Decision

The Area Board agreed to defer this application.

Reason: The Area Board wished to obtain further information from this applicant to understand the project in greater depth and to ensure there was no duplication of services. The applicant to arrange to meet with the Council’s CVS Department so that this information could be obtained.

Following the refusal of one application and the deferral of another, it was proposed that the remaining funds from the Area Board’s 2011/12 budget should be transferred to the Jubilee/Olympic Small Grants fund to enable the approved, but deferred, applications to be awarded their funding.

Decision

The Area Board agreed that the sum of £1,150 from the Area Board’s remaining 2011/12 budget should be transferred to the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive a presentation from Paul Moore, Operations Director, Selwood Housing.

Paul Moore, Operations Director at Selwood Housing, gave a presentation on the work of the Housing Association, including its key areas of work throughout its main housing developments in the Trowbridge Community Area.

Selwood Housing was a Registered Social Landlord which owned and managed its own housing stock, however partnerships with other housing associations were formed where required, including the targeting of anti-social behaviour.

Selwood Lifeline was a telecare service which offered support to residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This service was mainly used in sheltered housing schemes but was also available to private clients upon request.

The Chairman thanked Paul for his presentation.

To receive a presentation on the new library for Trowbridge, which is being provided as part of the redevelopment of County Hall, from Basil Nankivell, Trowbridge Community Librarian, Wiltshire Council.

Basil Nankivell, Trowbridge Community Librarian, Wiltshire Council, gave a presentation on the new library for Trowbridge that was being provided as part of the redevelopments of County Hall.

The existing library at Cradle Bridge was now considered inadequate, and the new facility at County Hall would replace this with a modern, more spacious facility that would be one third bigger than the current library.

The stock of books, CDs and DVDs would be substantially refreshed and improved, and other facilities at the site would include 14 public computers, study space, customer parking and extended opening hours.

The new library was due to open in mid-September of this year, and the current library would close just before to allow stock to be moved.

The Chairman thanked Basil for his presentation.

Neil Ward, Head of Strategic Property Services, Wiltshire Council, will provide an update on the transfers of Trowbridge Town Hall and Margaret Stancomb School. The Area Board will consider any associated recommendations.

Neil Ward, Head of Strategic Property Services, Wiltshire Council, had provided a report on the Community Asset Transfers of Trowbridge Town Hall which was circulated prior to the meeting. The report provided an outline of the current situation and the next steps in the process.

Tracy Sullivan, Trowbridge Community Area Future Coordinator, outlined the proposal from the Trowbridge Town Hall Group for the group to take over the Town Hall and continue to use it as an arts centre and cultural hub for the Trowbridge Community Area.

The Trowbridge Town Hall Group was currently working hard with appropriate organisations to undertake feasibility work and put together a bid to take on the Town Hall. However, the Group was in the early stages and more time was required to allow the Group a period of grace to explore viable uses and investigate funding opportunities.

The Cabinet Capital Assets Committee would be considering this request from the Group for a period of grace at its meeting on Wednesday 21 March 2012.

Decision

The Trowbridge Area Board supported the proposal submitted by the Trowbridge Town Hall Group and recommended to the Cabinet Capital Assets Committee for the Council to support the Town Hall in its vacant state to allow the Group to undertake a phased process of development, its intended uses of the building and investigating and securing funding opportunities.

Councillor John Thomson, Deputy Leader of the Council, will talk about his portfolio responsibilities for Adult Care, Communities and Housing, and respond to any questions.

Questions may be submitted in advance. Please email any questions to penny.bell@wiltshire.gov.uk by 8 March 2012.

The Chairman will take any items of urgent business.

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