Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the fifth meeting of the Trowbridge Area Board and thanked all of the town, parish and partnership representatives who were in attendance.

The Chairman then introduced Cllr Jane Scott, Leader, Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive and Martin Donovan, Chief Finance Officer of Wiltshire Council who were in attendance for the meeting.

The Chairman advised:

Flood Packs – Completed flood packs should be handed in to the Community Area Manager or arrange with her a time to deliver them.

Air Quality Strategy for Wiltshire – Your views on the Air Quality Strategy would be welcomed.  Consultation on the document remains open until 18^th June 2010. To contribute your views please contact Gary Tomsett, Environmental Protection Specialist Team Manager, on 01722 434340 or gary.tomsett@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Contaminated Land Strategy for Wiltshire – Your views on the Contaminated Land Strategy would be welcomed.  Consultation on the document remains open until 18^th June 2010. To contribute or to access more information contact Gary Tomsett, Environmental Protection Specialist Team Manager, on 01722 434340 or gary.tomsett@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Residential Canal Moorings – There will be a public meeting on Tuesday 1^st June, 6.30pm at the Corn Exchange, Devizes. People wishing to attend should contact Rachel Efemy, Rachel.efemy@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Highways Programme for 2010-11 – The annual programme for highways maintenance and improvement schemes have been approved.  Enquiries should be addressed to Spencer Drinkwater, Principal Transport Planner, on 01225 713480, spencer.drinkwater@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Meeting Locations for the Area Board – In light of the Cabinet meeting held 23^rd March 2010 the Board will need to review the earlier decision to meet at Bradley Road in order to encompass rural and urban communities.

Apologies were received from Cllr Tom James, Cllr Steve Oldrieve and Mary Stacey (BA14 Chairman).

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meetings held on 4 March 2010 and 22 April 2010.

Decision

The minutes of the meetings held on 4 March 2010 and 22 April 2010 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillors are requested to declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Councillor Peter Fuller declared a prejudicial interest on any Trowbridge-related item (Dispensation Granted from the Dispensation Sub-Committee) as a Trowbridge Town Councillor and would view any Trowbridge related items and issues with an open mind.

Councillor John Knight declared a personal interest at item 14c as a member of Newtown Residents’ Association.  He did not speak or vote.

Councillor Helen Osborn declared a prejudicial interest on any Trowbridge-related item (Dispensation Granted from the Dispensation Sub-Committee) as a Trowbridge Town Councillor and would view any Trowbridge related items and issues with an open mind.

Councillor Jeff Osborn declared a prejudicial interest on any Trowbridge-related item (Dispensation Granted from the Dispensation Sub-Committee) as a Trowbridge Town Councillor and would view any Trowbridge related items and issues with an open mind.  He also declared a prejudicial interest on item 11 as a member of the management committee of the Wiltshire Rural Music Centre.  He spoke as a member of the public and then left the room for the duration of the discussion.

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

a)    Trowbridge Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group

b)    Wiltshire Police

c)    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

d)    Community Area Partnership - Trowbridge Community Area Future

e)    Trowbridge Town Council

f)     Parish Council Nominated Representatives.

Trowbridge Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

The CAYPIG representative thanked Cllr Osborn for his support.  Transport issues would be addressed at the later agenda item.  The alleyway beside John of Gaunt School continued to present problems.

Action

Inspector Cullop agreed to investigate.

Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF) Partnership

Kate Oatley (TCAF) updated the meeting.

Points included:

• TCAF continued to apply pressure to the NHS for the primary care trust centre
• the consultation ‘sticky dot’ exercise to identify priorities for the Community Area Plan had been a success.
• TCAF are still looking for people to get involved with their various theme groups.

Wiltshire Police

A report included in the agenda was noted.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

A report included in the agenda was noted.

Trowbridge Town Council.

A report from the Town Council was noted.

The Chairman thanked all representatives for their respective updates.

Wiltshire Councillors appointed as representatives to outside bodies will report on any recent news.

Councillor Jeff Osborn updated the board on the Transforming Trowbridge executive board.

Points included:

• following the scoping study an Urban Practitioner had been appointed
• Sainsbury’s will open next month
• Boots the Chemist plan to move the shop from Fore Street, to a two-storey outlet in The Gateway shopping centre, off Bythesea Road, in September

The Chairman thanked Councillor Osborn for his update.

Councillor Ernie Clark said that the Parish Council Liaison Group was working smoothly.

Trowbridge CAYPIG will feedback on a recent Transport Conference attended and seeks support from the Area Board to advocate for more action regarding affordable public transport for young people.

Trowbridge CAYPIG provided feedback on the recent Transport Conference, including the following points:

• in the majority of cases bus companies failed to advertise prices
• the ticket office at the train station was frequently closed
• sometimes young people’s ages were questioned by bus drivers
• child fares should be effective up till 18
• bus fares varied in amount through the day
• Educational Maintenance Award was enough to cover books and resources but fails to cover transport fees.

Support from the Board was sought to help provide a shuttle bus to reach various youth clubs and areas such as Studley Green and to address the variation in transport availability and fare prices.  It was noted that at the next meeting the board would be considering the allocation of additional youth related funds of £7,759.

Decision

The Community Area Manager was to liaise with local youth organisations to bring the youth funds process subject to the following meeting.

Councillor Scott addressed the meeting and included the following points:

• transport needed to be addressed at a County level
• it was desirable to establish consistency across the County’s fare structures
• the Council would use its commercial influence to ensure the best deals where possible
• transport was a priority across the county for young people and it is important to achieve continuity across the County.

Damian Haasjes, Youth Development Service, updated the meeting confirming that youth transport solutions were being sought across the County. He also stated that a link to the DVD of the conference would be sent out.

The Chairman thanked all of the participants who had contributed to this agenda item.

Georgina Clampitt-Dix, Head of Spatial Planning, will give a presentation on the outcomes of the recent Local Development Framework consultation.

Further information isavailable on-line using the link below:

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirecorestrategy/wiltshire2026.htm

Andrew Maxted, Senior Planning Policy Officer delivered a presentation on the outcomes of the recent Local Development Framework consultation.  The overarching opinions included:

•         the vision demonstrated sound underlying principles, however it was felt that it should be more locally distinct rather than just delivering central government objectives

•         the plan should be firm and clear, ensuring that development takes place with the agreement of the local community

•         although some concern over the level of growth, set regionally, was highlighted overall, in West Wiltshire there was generally support for the need for further balanced development.

•         infrastructure delivery was seen as a key concern, especially in terms of its timely delivery at the point of development rather than later on in the plan period.

Points raised following the presentation were:

• aligning Hilperton with Trowbridge within Wiltshire 2026 was intended to help restrict further development – it was acknowledged that this was not entirely clear to the residents of Hilperton
• the cycle route from Southwick to Trowbridge – this issue would be addressed and driven forward through the PCLG.

Further information is available on-line using the link below:

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirecorestrategy/wiltshire2026.htm

The Chairman thanked Andrew Maxted for attending the meeting.

Jo Howes, Community Engagement Manager - NHS Wiltshire, will update on the changes to the Out of Hours service, the planned Primary Care Centre and feedback from the recent workshop on health priorities of Trowbridge community area residents.

Jo Howes, Community Engagement Manager – NHS Wiltshire, updated the meeting on the changes to the Out of Hours Service, the planned Primary Care Centre and provided feedback from the recent workshop on the health priorities of Trowbridge community area residents.

Points made included:

• reassurance to dispel rumours surrounding the NHS. There was one provider for the Out of Hours Service, Wiltshire Medical Services, and there would not be any changes to the service.  Trowbridge would continue to provide a 24 hr service for minor injuries
• currently accommodation issues were being addressed in relation to development of the Primary Care Centre.  It was acknowledged that bringing together two medical practices had its issues.

Board members made the point that planning permission for the Primary Care Centre had been granted approximately a year ago and Trowbridge people were in danger of becoming ambivalent towards the project due to it’s apparent lack of progression.  Also raised was the issue of what would happen to Trowbridge Family Health Centre and Social Club that is used on a daily basis. 

The Chairman thanked Jo Howes for her presentation at the meeting.

The Chairman will lead a discussion on the lack of recreational facilities in the Trowbridge community area.

The Chairman led a discussion on the lack of recreational facilities in the Trowbridge Community area. 

Points made included:

• local sports teams are having extreme difficulty in finding venues to play
• a number of sporting associations are looking for suitable grounds
• it was believed that ‘promises’ were made in the planning stages of the hospital site
• it was acknowledged that there was a necessity to look at retail, leisure and recreation as a whole to ensure the correct physical shaping of the town.

This issue was to be brought as an urgent item at the next meeting of Transforming Trowbridge where an officer of Wiltshire Council would be present.

Councillor Scott accepted that there was a shortfall in available and suitable space, but to develop facilities it was essential to find the appropriate land.  She stressed the need to work with developers to ensure our community needs were met.  In order to achieve this, she emphasised the necessity to work together and to utilise the Transforming Trowbridge meetings to discuss the town’s recreational needs.

The Chairman thanked everyone for their input on this discussion.

To receive a report on the transfer of Margaret Stancomb School to Wiltshire Rural Music Centre. The Area Board will consider whether they will support the proposal being taken to forward to Cabinet.

Rachel Efemey introduced the item outlining the main proposals and issues.  The Board were asked to consider the proposal that the Wiltshire Rural Music School move to the Margaret Stancomb School in accordance with Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy

Glyn Bridges and Mary Macey addressed the meeting on behald of the Rural Music School.

Councillor Jeff Osborn spoke as a member of the public and then left the room for the duration of the discussion.

Points made included:

• the transfer was a good opportunity and has a tremendous opportunity and would have a positive effect within the town
• support for the application was also expressed by TCAF and BA14 Culture.

Decision

To recommend to Cabinet that the transfer be approved.

Leader of the Wiltshire Council, Councillor Jane Scott, will talk about her responsibilities as leader, and respond to any questions.

Councillor Scott, elected Leader of Wiltshire Council introduced herself to the meeting and gave a brief outline of her role and intentions for the year.

Points made included:

• in conjunction with Andrew Kerr, Chief Executive of Wiltshire Council, they produced policy for all services
• to ‘squeeze’ out efficiencies without effecting services
• to continue to ensure that the Council was taking transparent decisions
• to look at the County as a whole in terms of private, public and voluntary services to ensure that there was no waste.

In response to questions, Councillor Scott stressed that Trowbridge was and would remain the County Town of Wiltshire.  Due to financial difficulties during the recession, significant development had unfortunately not gone ahead and when the time was right, re-grouping would take place and reinvestment and building would take place.  Significant savings had been made of £25 million and further would be made in rationalising 97 office buildings down to 4 hubs at Trowbridge, Chippenham, Devizes and Salisbury.

In response to the Cabinet decision that encouraged Area Boards to hold their meetings in various localities, she emphasised that this was good practice but the decision should be made by the Board.

The Chairman will take any other items of urgent business.

The meeting is asked to note the future meeting dates below and is reminded to complete the evaluation forms in the packs.

7.00pm Thursday1 July 2010, The Atrium, Wiltshire Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge

7.00pm Thursday9 September 2010, The Atrium, Wiltshire Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge

Trowbridge Station - A letter has been received detailing the condition of the car park and waiting areas at the Station from the Parish Council Liaison Group.

Decision

The Area Board will forward this letter to First Great Western.

The Area Board was asked to note the PCLG letter regarding the railway station – Adam Nardell, Vision Director for Transforming Trowbridge, had been informed of the issue and was looking to take this forward.

Decision

The Trowbridge Vision Director to attend the Area Board meeting on 1 July and update the board.

Sandwich boards in Castle Place and surrounding areas were causing issues to those using prams and mobility scooters. 

Decision

Highways were to address the issue regarding sandwich boards and report back to the next area board.

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider 3 applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme 2010/11, as follows:

a)    Southwick Playing Field – request £5,000 for the construction of a tarmac path around the playing field

b)    Newtown School – request £2,300 to upgrade changing facilities and provide temporary cover over the outdoor swimming pool

c)    Newtown Area Residents Association – request £930 to provide security lighting at Bond Street Buildings to increase community safety.

Total requested = £8,230

Allocation of Grant Funding to date:

·         North Bradley Peace Memorial Hall – £993 for energy saving and security equipment

·         Friends of Trowbridge in Bloom – £5000 for a participatory programme of events

·         Hilperton Village Hall – £3253 to upgrade toilets to include fitting of disabled toilet.

To date, £9246 in Community Area Grants and £20,022 to Trowbridge Community Area Future have been awarded from the Area Board budget of £77,592.  This leaves a remainder of £48,324 for allocation.

Councillors were asked to consider three applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme 2010/11, as follows:

Decision

Southwick Playing Field was awarded £5,000 for the construction of a tarmac path around the playing field.

Reason

The application met the Community Area grant Criteria for 2010/11 and demonstrated links to the Local Agreement for Wiltshire ambition to ‘Building Resilient Communities and Protecting the Environment’.

Decision

Newtown School were awarded £2,300 to upgrade the changing facilities and provide a temporary cover over the outdoor swimming pool.

Reason

The application met the Community Area grant Criteria for 2010/11 and demonstrated links to the Local Agreement for Wiltshire ambition ‘Building Resilient Communities’ and ‘lives not Services’.

Decision

Newtown Area Residents Association was awarded £930 to provide security lighting at Bond Street Buildings to increase community safety.

Reason

The application met the Community Area grant Criteria for 2010/11 and demonstrated links to the Local Agreement for Wiltshire’s ambitions ‘Safer Communities which also feel safe’.

The organisations to which these grants were awarded were requested to document their successful projects and report back to the area board.

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider two expressions of interest in the Performance Reward Grant Scheme, as follows:

a)    Studley Green Resource Centre

b)    Wiltshire Alternative Sports Hub Development.

Councillors were asked to consider two expressions of interest to the Performance Reward Grant Scheme 2010/11, as follows:

Decision

The Trowbridge Area Board supported the bid from Studley Green Resource Centre and recommended that it to go forward for consideration by the Performance Reward Grant Panel.

Decision

The Trowbridge Area Board decided to defer the bid from Wiltshire Alternative Sports Hub Development until it had been reviewed in conjunction with Active Trowbridge.

The Chairman thanked all those who attended the meeting