Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Graham Payne, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Trowbridge Area Board.

To receive any apologies for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Tracy Sullivan (Trowbridge Community Area Future) and Jane Bullock (Collaborative Schools Coordinator)

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 16^th January 2014, 19:00.

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Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 16 January 2014 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillors Graham Payne, Jeff Osborn, John Knight and Helen Osborn all declared general, non-pecuniary interests in Trowbridge Town Council issues due to being members of the Town Council. Cllr John Knight also declared a general, non-pecuniary interest in Trowbridge Town Team. Cllr Horace Prickett declared an interest as a Board member of the Friends of Southwick Country Park.  Cllr Ernie Clark declared an interest under section 8 of his register of interests form. Cllr Payne also declared an interest in the White Ensign grant.

To include the following:

·         Wiltshire Core Strategy Update.

·         Dementia Strategy Consultation.

·         Library Memory Groups.

·         Bradcroft Surgery Update.

·         Trowbridge Community Area Manager available for drop in sessions at The Atrium, County Hall

Through the Chair, there were the following announcements:

·         Wiltshire Core Strategy Update. – Cllr Clark raised Trowbridge’s absence on the Wiltshire Core Strategy Update. The Chairman stated that he would ask relevant questions as to why Chippenham was included but Trowbridge was not.

·         Dementia Strategy Consultation

·         Library Memory Groups

·         Bradcroft Surgery Update – An update was provided by Cllr Jeff Osborn who asked the Town Council and the Area Board to pursue issues with planning permission and the NHS. Cllr Thomson stated that it was necessary to involve the NHS in the joint project to accelerate campus delivery.

·         Trowbridge Community Area Manager shall be available for drop in sessions at The Atrium, County Hall.

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

      i.        Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC)

    ii.        Wiltshire Police

   iii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – a short film will be displayed.

   iv.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

    v.        Town and Parish Councils

   vi.        Youth Advisory Group (YAG).

Updates from partners were received as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

The written update was noted.

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

A short film was provided which discussed local fires and flooding over the festive period.

   iii.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

A report was circulated and it was noted that Polish interpreters have been trained to work in local schools. 

   iv.        Town and Parish Councils

An update from Lance Allan was noted and he stated that three allotment sites were transferred to the Town Council from Wiltshire Council.

    v.        Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

It was stated that the YAG had helped young people fill in the online questionnaire but people had found the process difficult. The Random Story Generator is to be shown at the Mayor’s Dinner. There is also a petition to keep the bandstand shutters down.

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

      i.        Transforming Trowbridge

    ii.        Collaborative Schools

   iii.        Trowbridge Shadow Community Operations Board.

i.              Transforming Trowbridge – An update was provided by Cllr Drewett and Tim Martienssen.

ii.            Collaborative Schools – Tracy Sullivan gave apologies.

iii.           Trowbridge Shadow Community Operations Board – A written report was noted. The Chair stated that he was frustrated with the speed of development on Campus due to issues with the NHS.

Bus Service Provision, Ian White, Head of Service Passenger Transport, Wiltshire Council and Cllr John Thomson Cabinet Member for Highways to respond to concerns in reference to bus service provision in the community area.

Ian White, Head of Service Passenger Transport, Wiltshire Council and Cllr John Thomson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Highways, responded to concerns in reference to bus provision in the community area.

Ian White provided a factual overview alongside of his presentation. The presentation discussed how much is spent on bus services and the specifics of the routes in the area.

Members and attendees asked questions of Ian White and Cllr Thomson, points raised included:

·         The withdrawal of the no. 264 service without public consultation. This was an operator decision based on commercial grounds.

·         The running of empty buses to their first pickup could be used to help people get to work by re-routing their journey.

·         Cllr Prickett asked for people to email FirstGroup before Sunday in relation to the younger people on buses consultation.

·         Disabled access on buses was discussed.

·         An evening and Sunday service was discussed and was stated as commercially unviable.

·         Section 106 contributions should help pay for new services.

·         Cllr Thomson, in response to public questions, highlighted the amount Wiltshire Council spends to support buses, bus passes and park and ride services. Funds raised from parking go towards supporting rural bus services. It was stated that there was a need to reduce the size of buses and react to where the demand was.

·         Concern was raised over non-blue badge holders using disabled parking.

Discussion continued and the severity of flooding in the county was raised. 401 properties were flooded in Wiltshire and there was a lack of media coverage in Wiltshire in comparison to Somerset. Claims for compensation were being processed.

Terance Herbert, Associate Director (Children & Families Social Care) Wiltshire Council, to consult the Area Boards on the review of Youth Activity.

Terence Herbert, Associate Director (Children & Families Social Care) Wiltshire Council, consulted the Board on the review of Youth Activity. The presentation drew attention to the formal consultation process and discussed the four proposed options for a change in youth services. An enhanced role for the voluntary and community sector was stressed. A majority of the young people who responded were in support of the community led approach. The provision reflected the revised government guidance and intended to target those who were most in need.

The Chairman urged participation in the consultation.

Emma Cooper, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Wiltshire, will provide an introduction to the organisation.

Emma Cooper, Chief Executive of Healthwatch Wiltshire, provided an introduction to attendees about the organisation. The organisation has the power to enter and inspect services where public money has been received.

Members raised concern that this organisation was similar to the ‘Community Health Council’. In response, it was stated that Healthwatch Wiltshire has statutory powers and an improved infrastructure in comparison to ‘Community Health Council’.

Concern was also raised over the size of the organisation and over safeguarding where representatives have to enter people’s homes. In response, Emma Cooper assured the Board that training and supervision would be provided.

Mark Dunleavy, Community Manager North, for BBLP, will present an update on work carried out by BBLP in the community area.  

Mark Dunleavy, Community Manager North, BBLP, presented his report to Members and answered questions. Services contractually provided by BBLP were highlighted and a range of concerns were raised by the Board; these included:

·         Concern over chemicals used to kill weeds where children were playing.

·         Litter picking before cutting grass to prevent the spread of litter.

·         The need to report issues – when possible using a photograph – to help the team deal with them.

Nicole Smith, Head of Strategic Housing, Wiltshire Council, will update on the new Housing allocation Policy and answer questions.

Nicole Smith, Head of Strategic Housing, Wiltshire Council, provided an update on the new housing allocation policy and answered attendees questions.

The development and implementation of a new IT system was discussed. Housing priority will be given to those with a local connection. The ‘metal band’ system has been phased out and replaced by 1-4. It was stated that allocations are to be made in line with the so called ‘bedroom tax’.

Issues raised from the Board included the following:

·         A reduction in the number of people on the housing waiting list due to the change in the ‘band’ system.

·         The position of the armed forces and their historic priority on housing.

·         The destruction of a local property to make way for new housing; 40% of which will be affordable housing.

·         A need to keep the younger and older generations together for mutual support.

A written report will be received.

Tim Martienssen provided an update and stated that the Council’s offer for the site had been rejected and an offer had been received from another agent.

The Chair emphasised the Board’s continued persistence in dealing with the issue.

The Board will consider the recommendations from the 6^th February Community Transport Group.

The Board considered the recommendations from the 6 February Community Transport Group.

Decision

All were in favour of allocating £9,728 towards the costs of making the turning out of Halfords/B&Q, Trowbridge, a no right turn. The estimated total cost of the scheme is £13,000.

a.    Community Area Grants

To consider the following applications: .

1 Wiltshire Youth Marching Band - £1,250 requested for new drums.

1.2 Longmeadow Tenants and Residents Association - £5,000 requested for toilet refurbishment at Longfield Community Centre.

1.3 Relate Mid Wiltshire - £5,000 requested for relocation of premises.

1.4  Hilperton Village Hall - £481.93 requested for screen and projector

1.5 POWA Primary School - £946.63 requested towards a new kitchen.

1.6 The Mead Academy Trust -£750 requested towards equipment for the Castle Mead Community Club.

1.7 Collaborative Schools -£500 requested to replace outdoor play equipment at Larkrise Special School.

1.8 Trowbridge Arts Festival - £1,420 requested for an arts project “Small Town Matters.”

1.9 The Multi Sensory Art Projectat Larkrise School - £2,855 requested to provide disabled children with creative and sensory experiences.

1.10 Trowbridge Town Team - £4,000 requested for a Trowbridge Teenage Market.

1.11 St. John’s Church, Upper Studley - £5,000 requested to replace the church hall roof.

1.12 PTA Grove School - £500 requested to buy equipment for after school clubs.

1.13 St John’s Catholic Primary School PTA - £480 requested for equipment to provide refreshments.

1.14 Beehive Cricket Club, Southwick - £3,600 requested for a practice cricket net facility.

1.15 Hope Nature Centre - £5,000 requested to install CCTV and an alarm system.

1.16 Friends of Southwick Country Park - £488.80 requested for volunteers hand tools.

1.17 Trowbridge and District White Ensign Association - £5,000 requested for repairs to the Holy Trinity Church WW1 War Memorial.

a. Community Area Grants

To consider the following applications:

1 Wiltshire Youth Marching Band – Decision - £1,250 was allocated by the Area Board for new drums.

1.2 Longmeadow Tenants and Residents Association – Decision - £5,000 was allocated for toilet refurbishment at Longfield Community Centre.

1.3 Relate Mid Wiltshire - £5,000 requested for relocation of

Premises - Decision - Concern was raised over the use of the service by people outside of Trowbridge and the applicant was asked why they had not applied other area boards. All were in favour of allocating £3,000 rather than £5,000 to Relate Mid Wiltshire.  

1.4 Hilperton Village Hall – Decision - £481.93 was allocated for a screen and

projector.

1.5 POWA Primary School – Decision - £946.63 was allocated towards a new kitchen.

1.6 The Mead Academy Trust – Decision - £750 was allocated towards equipment for the Castle Mead Community Club.

1.7 Collaborative Schools – Decision - £500 was allocated to replace outdoor

play equipment at Larkrise Special School.

1.8 Trowbridge Arts Festival – Decision - £1,420 was allocated for an arts project “Small Town Matters.”

1.9 The Multi Sensory Art Project at Larkrise School – Decision - £2,855

was allocated to provide disabled children with creative and sensory

experiences.

1.10 Trowbridge Town Team – Decision - £4,000 was allocated for a Trowbridge Teenage Market.

1.11 St. John’s Church, Upper Studley – Decision - £5,000 was allocated to

replace the church hall roof.

1.12 PTA Grove School – Decision - £500 was allocated to buy equipment for after school clubs.

1.13 St John’s Catholic Primary School PTA – Decision - £480 was allocated for equipment to provide refreshments.

1.14 Beehive Cricket Club, Southwick - £3,600 requested for a

practice cricket net facility. Decision - £2550 was allocated due to concern over the costing provided for a scoreboard. Members decided £2550 for the net facility was more suitable.

1.15 Hope Nature Centre – Decision - £5,000 was allocated to install CCTV and an alarm system. Cllr Nick Blakemore abstained when voting.  

1.16 Friends of Southwick Country Park – Decision - £488.80 was allocated for volunteers hand tools.

1.17 Trowbridge and District White Ensign Association - £5,000

was allocated for repairs to the Holy Trinity Church WW1 War

Memorial.Cllr Oldrieve was Chairman for this vote due to Cllr Payne’s declaration of interest.

The Board agreed to add £4261.57 to the WW1 centenary commemoration grant fund. The Board agreed that if any funds remained unallocated after the decisions were made on the WW1 grant, it would go towards the costs of the Bradley Road ‘no right turn’ project.

The Chairman will take any items of urgent business.

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

There was no urgent business.

The forward plan and future meeting dates were considered. The special Older People’s Area Board will be held on 27^th March at 10:00 at the Civic Centre, Trowbridge.

The next regular Trowbridge Area Board will be held on 15^th May 2014 at 7:00PM in the Atrium, County Hall, Trowbridge.