Agenda and minutes

To include, but not limited to, the following:

a.    A350 - closure for road works

b.    Community Payback – a call for ‘grot spots’ (there will be an opportunity before the meeting to indicate areas that need cleaning up)

c.    Wiltshire Local Transport Plan Strategy.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Trowbridge Area Board meeting, and introduced himself, his Vice Chairman, the Community Area Manager and the Senior Democratic Services Officer.

He referred the meeting to the Chairman’s announcements in the agenda pack and added the following:

a.    West Ashton A350 Phase 1 Works – the A350 was to be closed from the West Ashton crossroads to Littleton Roundabout on Friday 10 September from 1930 hours until Monday 13 September at 0500 hours.  Other carriageway works were to be undertaken at night in order to limit disruption to traffic from Monday 13 September to Monday 1 October.  Diversions were to be signposted.

b.    Consultation planned on possible new Gypsy and Traveller sites following on from the work carried out in April and June this year had been put on hold. The consultation used figures proposed in the draft South West Regional Spatial Strategy as the basis of future need for Gypsy and Traveller sites. The Regional Spatial Strategy had been revoked and it fell to local authorities to determine the right level of site provision. Officers were currently assessing existing information about the level of need for new sites in Wiltshire to make sure the development plan document progressed with the correct local targets for new site provision. This had affected the overall timetable for the preparation of the Gypsy and Traveller Site Allocations document. The Area Board would be informed once a revised project timetable on the provision of new sites for the travelling community was available.

c.    Community Payback – a map was available at the meeting to mark up known ‘grot spots’.

d.    The Council had a statutory duty to review and publish a new Local Transport Plan (LTP) by the end of March 2011. In essence, Local Transport Plans steered the implementation of national transport policies at the local level.  In addition, the Local Transport Plan provided the framework for all other organisations with a direct or indirect involvement in transport in Wiltshire.  Consultation on the draft Local Transport Plan were to run from 4 October to 26 November 2010.  The preferred method of communication was for comments to be submitted online at: http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal,where electronic copies of all the documents were available. Paper copies of the summary document, questionnaire and a reference copy of the Local Transport Plan were also available from all libraries and main Council offices.

e.    Voluntary & Community Sector Awards 2010 - Trowbridge Area Board was asked to nominate a project that had received funding from the area board’s community grants scheme for a category within the Wiltshire Voluntary & Community sector awards 2010.  The area board nominated West Ashton Village Hall’s project for the fitting of photovoltaic panels to the village hall roof. We were notified that this nomination has been shortlisted for an award.  We would find out if they had won on 19 October.

f.     Thanks were given by the Chairman to Julia Densham, Senior Democratic Services Officer, who had worked with  ...  view the full minutes text for item 1.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor John Knight and Lee Davis of Trowbridge Amateur Swimming.

a.    To approve, and sign as a correct record, the minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2010.

b.    Matters arising from the previous meeting.

a.    Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 1 July 2010 were agreed and signed as a correct record by the Chairman.

b.    The following matters arising from the previous meeting were discussed:

                      i.        An update on the path lighting alongside John of Gaunt School suggested that the school was advised to clear their hedges alongside the path.

Decision

The Community Area Manager to contact John of Gaunt School.

                    ii.        No reply to the letter written to the County Court opposing the proposal to close had been received.

Decision

The Community Area Manager to chase a response.

                   iii.        No response to the Performance Reward Grant Scheme bid from Studley Green Resource Centre had been received.

Decision

The Community Area Manager to chase the outcome of the bid.

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 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.

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 Graham Payne declared a prejudicial interest at item 14a as a member of the Trowbridge Town Council.  He left the room for this item.

Councillor Tom James declared a prejudicial interest at item 14a as a member of the Trowbridge Town Council.  He did not speak or vote.

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

a.    Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

b.    Wiltshire Police

c.    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

d.    Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

e.    Trowbridge Town Council

f.     Parish Council Nominated Representatives.

The following partner updates were received:

a.    Community Area Young People’s Issues Group – meetings were to restart and the new school year would bring new faces to their meetings.

b.    Wiltshire Police – the written report was noted.  Inspector Dave Cullop added the following points:

·         anti-social behaviour figures were down 4% compared with the same period last year

·         a multi-agency approach was being considered to resolve outdoor drinking issues

·         improved ways of working with elected councillors for a safer Trowbridge were being investigated

·         police dogs and handlers had successfully been deployed in the town centre over a weekend resulting in some fines.

c.    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – the written report was noted.

d.    Trowbridge Community Area Future – the written report circulated at the meeting was noted.  Doug Ross made the following points:

·         cuts to the local transport budget led to concern over the planned town traffic infrastructure

·         67 shops in the town centre were currently vacant

·         the part night lighting scheme was to go forward to the parish council liaison group for consideration at their next meeting

·         little progress had been made regarding the primary care centre and it was hoped that this matter would come to a future area board meeting

·         the importance of the Trowbridge Vision’s role in the economic development of the town was stressed.

·         Cllr Jeff Osborn expressed disappointment that the Local Integrated Transport budget had been cut by £90,000 which would imperil the Transforming Trowbridge Project. Cllr Osborn requested that this issue be taken up with Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet member for Highways and Transport.

Decision

The general practitioners to be invited to the next area board meeting to consider the issues relating to the proposed primary care centre.

e.    Trowbridge Town Council – the written report circulated at the meeting was noted.  Lance Allan, town clerk, made the following points:

·         an overview of the report was given that contained updates about the carnival, Civic Centre, a response to the proposed closure of HM Court Service in Trowbridge, council tax referendum, traffic planning, leisure facilities review and health service

·         the town council had again been accredited as an Investor in People

·         Trowbridge in Bloom, backed by a grant from the area board had been successful.

Mr Allen responded to a question regarding the subsidies for sports apprenticeships in village primary schools.  The town council had failed in its bid to the Performance Reward Grant Scheme for funding for this scheme and was unable to include village schools in its sponsorship.  This item was to be included on the next Parish Council Liaison Group agenda.

f.     Parish Council Nominated Representatives – no reports were received.

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

Updates were received from the following:

Transforming Trowbridge – Councillor Jeff Osborn updated on the following:

·         Boots and Argos were to move into the Gateway shopping mall

·         a scoping exercise was underway regarding the positioning of facilities

·         concern was expressed due to the lack of progress with the transport plan which was needed to support the additional housing.

Arc Theatre – Councillor Oldrieve updated on the following:

·         the permanent posts of Art Director and Manager had been appointed

·         a business plan was in place

·         marketing was underway.

Mark Stone, Transformation Programme Director, will give an update on the transformation of County Hall and the Library.

Mark Stone, Transformation Programme Director, gave an update on the plans to transform County Hall and the library.  He made the following points:

·         outline drawings were slightly behind schedule

·         the consultation on the new plans would be launched at County Hall on 11 October – all were welcome to attend

·         statutory consultees would be engaged

·         the designs would be available at the next area board on 18 November

·         the library designs would be undertaken by professional library designers, staff and the BA14 group

·         the quad was to be designed as an open space with a flexible interior space

·         the registry office was to be accommodated within County Hall

·         the consultation could be brought to any group on request.

Decision

The outline designs to be added to the agenda of the next area board meeting on 18 November meeting.

Jayne Bullock, Extended Schools Co-ordinator, and Andy Packer, Head Teacher of John of Gaunt School, will give a presentation on the work of the extended schools service.

Andy Packer, Head Teacher of John of Gaunt School, gave a presentation on the role of the Extended Schools Service.  He made the following points:

·         the service was introduced in 2005

·         the inclusion of children and young people was key to the transformation of Trowbridge

·         the service included families and the wider community

·         the steering committee met weekly and had a broad membership

·         it had successfully employed parent support advisors – 135 families had been supported in the last year

·         offered a ‘free time subsidy’ that allowed poorer families to participate in activities that they may not ordinarily be able to access

·         72% were participants in after school activities

·         a parents’ network supported parents to support their children

·         multi-agency drop-in clinics were run through the extended services community hub

·         it was recognized that collaborative working enabled the service to continue in times of reduced funding and linked the agendas of hard to reach groups

·         building relationships with a ‘can-do’ approach was key to its success

·         improvements in young people’s confidence through their engagement with the programme had been noted.

The Chairman thanked Mr Packer for his presentation.

1. Councillor Stuart Wheeler, cabinet representative for Leisure, Sport and Culture, will give a presentation on the review of leisure facilities across Wiltshire.  This will be followed by a round table discussion of the proposals for the Trowbridge community area.

2. The cabinet representative will follow the above item with any questions the meeting may wish to ask in relation to his cabinet responsibilities generally.

Note – questions may be submitted in advance – please email julia.densham@wiltshire.gov.uk by Wednesday 1 September 2010.

a.    Councillor Stuart Wheeler, cabinet member for leisure, sport and culture, gave a presentation on the Council’s proposals for leisure provision in the county over the next 25 years.

Wiltshire Council had inherited some form of financial responsibility for 23 leisure facilities on 1 April 2009 and it was considered that the present indoor leisure facility stock was broadly outdated, inefficient and unsustainable. £93 million would be required over the next 25 years to sustain the existing buildings, and this did not include any service or building enhancements, which were much required in some of the centres.

Councillor Wheeler made the following points pertinent to Trowbridge community area:

·         the indoor leisure facilities in Trowbridge were considered of strategic significance

·         a new indoor facility within a community campus was proposed to replace existing facilities at Castle Place and Trowbridge Sports Centre

·         the proposed facilities included a 25m pool, learner pool, leisure pool with flume, diving facilities, large sports hall, large fitness suite, multi-activity rooms, squash courts and a climbing wall

·         the new facility was to be the largest in the county and would support the regeneration of the county town

·         aimed to be complete by 2017

·         the existing facilities were to remain available until the new facility was opened.

Following Councillor Wheeler’s presentation, various comments and questions were raised, as follows:

·         the Chief Executive had assured delivery of this programme by 2017 despite the proposed cuts in spending

·         detailed costings had included the aging and maintenance of the existing facility until the new campus opened

·         the future of Clarendon Pool was to be discussed with Clarendon School

·         the consultation process was to include engagement with all local sports clubs

·         a 50m pool was too expensive to consider

·         the plan dovetailed well with the Transforming Trowbridge plan.

b.    As a cabinet member, Councillor Wheeler responded to the following points:

·         the car parking review was not being considered in conjunction with the leisure facilities review as parking came within the workplace transformation programme

·         the councillor was prepared to consider an application for a cultural festival from Trowbridge Town Council

·         there was a meeting on 16 September to consider outdoor leisure facilities.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Wheeler for his presentations.

VivBielecki, Hilperton Parish Council, will give a short presentation on the allotment scheme in Hilperton.

Councillor Vic Bielecki, Hilperton Parish Council, gave a presentation on the successful formation of the Hilperton Allotment Scheme.  He included the following points:

·         the allotment acts of 1908 and1950 required six formal applications for plots before the issue could be considered

·         in 2008 more than 20 letters of interest had been received

·         a working party was formed that considered the key constraints and actions required, the land acquisition including planning and legal matters and financial considerations

·         the process of identifying and negotiating on suitable land

·         planning, fencing and cultivating the land

·         the formation of Hilperton Allotment Association

·         further land acquisition

·         the land costs were approximately £23,000

·         membership of the association was £7 per annum

·         the cost of a full-size plot was £50 per annum and a half-size plot was £32 per annum.

The Chairman thanked councillor Bielecki for his presentation.

The Chairman will lead a discussion about the sales of cars on the roadside in Trowbridge.

The Chairman led a discussion on the sale of cars on the roadside in Trowbridge. Stephen Helsby, Highways Enforcement and Traveller Services Manager, outlined the issues:

·         this was a county-wide problem

·         there were only two recorded issues via the area board (Frome road and near the Fire Station)

·         road safety was a priority.

This was followed by a discussion that included the following points:

·         this had been a long term problem in a great number of locations

·         Swindon Borough Council had an enforcement policy that enabled them to issue notices but this arrangement did not apply under Wiltshire Council.

Decision

The locations of parked cars for sale on highway to be submitted by area board and parish councillors for collation and an officer to be invited to the November meeting to talk to the issue.

The Chairman thanked Mr Helsby for his attendance.

Bill Parks, Head of Local Highways and Streetscene (Central), will give a presentation on the work of the parish stewards.

The officer was unable to attend.  This item was subsequently withdrawn from the agenda.  Further information on the scheme was avaialble at the link below:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk\parishstewardsscheme.htm

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 Thursday 18 November 2010, Wiltshire Council Offices, Bradley Road, Trowbridge

7.00pm Thursday 20 January 2011, Wiltshire Council Offices, Bradley Road, Trowbridge.

The Forward Plan is attached for information.

Agnieszka Klien-Buchalska asked how the Polish community could co-operate with the area board to help Polish migrant workers to become active citizens.  A meeting was arranged for 22 September between the Head of Equality and the Migrant Worker Take Part Group to focus on how joint work could be developed around active citizenship.

Decision

Mayur Bhatt, Head of Equality, to report on the meeting regarding Migrant Workers at next area board meeting on 20 January 2011.

The next two area board meeting dates and Forward Plan were noted.

The meeting gave an electronic evaluation via the voting handsets on the overall success of the meeting.

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider 2 applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme 2010/11, as follows:

a.    Trowbridge Town Council request £319 for a bench at the registry office

b.    Trowbridge Rangers Football Club request £980 for start up costs to run a mixed ability football club.

Total requested = £1,299

Allocation of Grant Funding to date:

·         Trowbridge Amateur Swimming Club - £1,486 to fund a swimming gala and social events

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

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

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

·         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, £18,962in Community Area Grants and £20,022 to Trowbridge Community Area Future have been awarded from the Area Board budget of £77,592.  £1,050 has been returned to the Area Board from an under spend in the grant to West Ashton Village Hall, plus a £257 community grants under spend (2009/10) has now been added.  This leaves a remainder of £39,915 for allocation.

The Wiltshire Councillors considered two applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme 2010/11, as follows:

Stefen Smith addressed the meeting on behalf of the Trowbridge Rangers Football Club.

Decision

The application from Trowbridge Town Council was deferred.

Reason

Further details were required to support the application.

Decision

Trowbridge Rangers Football Club was awarded £980 for start-up costs to run a mixed ability football club.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria 201/11 and demonstrated links to the Local Agreement for Wiltshire ambition ‘Building Resilient Communities’.

To consider two expressions of interest to the Performance Reward Grant Scheme, as follows:

a.    Free of Charge Energy Monitors in all libraries

b.    Wiltshire Voices.

Lance Allan addressed the meeting on the effectiveness of the Performance Reward Grant Scheme in the Trowbridge community area.

The Wiltshire Councillors were asked to consider two bids to the scheme, as follows:

Decision

Trowbridge Area Board supported the bid from Wiltshire is Saving Energy (WiSE) and recommended that it go forward for consideration by the Performance Reward Grant panel.

Decision

Trowbridge Area Board supported the bid from Wiltshire Voices and recommended that it go forward for consideration by the Performance Reward Grant panel; the identified local focus group to be the Polish migrant worker community.

The Chairman thanked those for attending.  The next meeting would be held in the Atrium, Wiltshire Council, Bradley Road, Trowbridge on 18 November 2010.