Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Westbury Area Board and said how nice it was to be back at the Paragon, he went on to thank CAYPIG for once again providing excellent smoothies.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Julie Swabey, Cllr Francis Morland, Bill Parks, Anita Whittle and Peter Sexstone.

There were none.

Chairman’s Announcements:

a)    End of Life Care

b)    Localism Bill – Code of Conduct

c)    There will be an additional meeting to discuss the Big Society, localism and what it means for Westbury area on 12 April at 6pm, The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

a)    End of Life: Dying Matters – awareness week 16 – 20 May 2011

NHS Wiltshire, Wiltshire Council and local hospices are joining in with national events planned for ‘Dying Matters’ week.  The aim is to raise awareness of how we talk about planning for our future care and putting plans in place with our families.

For more information on local events in May and good advice look at www.dyingmatters.org.uk

A leaflet talking about planning for care at the end of your life is available at http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/Endoflifecare/Documents/Planning_your_future_care%5B1%5D.pdf or for a hard copy please contact Alison Bell at NHS Wiltshire 01380 736 044

Where to get more advice?

For useful information on funeral options and writing wills go to http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Governmentcitizensandrights/Death/index.htm

For more information on granting power of attorney go to http://www.thecarer.co.uk/LastingPowerOfAttorney.html 

A guide on how to set out your preferred priorities for care can be found here http://www.endoflifecareforadults.nhs.uk/assets/downloads/ppc_1.pdf

For more information on organ donation go to http://www.uktransplant.org.uk/ukt/default.jsp

b)    Localism Bill – Proposed Changes to Arrangements Governing the Conduct of Councillors

The Government’s Localism Bill, published on 13 December 2010, makes significant changes to the current arrangements governing the conduct of councillors in Wiltshire.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 February 2011.

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any updates from partners – Parish and Town Councils, Police, Fire and Rescue Service, BA13+Community Area Partnership, NHS Chamber of Commerce and CAYPIG.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Update from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue was included in the agenda at pages 23 to 26.

NHS Wiltshire

Updates for December and January were included in the agenda at pages 27 to 32.

Westbury Town Council

 French Market Day will be on Saturday 30 April from 10.00am to 4.00pm in The Market Place.

Police

Inspector David Minty informed everyone that this would be his last Area Board meeting as he was moving on to a new role. He introduced his replacement Inspector Lindsey Winter.  He went on to detail his report over the last reporting period there had been a continued reduction in some of the key crime areas. Particularly pleasing were the reductions in violent crime and dwelling burglary. This year there have been 51 fewer victims of violent crime along with a 37.3% reduction in dwelling burglaries.

This year has seen an increase in non dwelling burglaries, which is mostly shed breaks, with gardening equipment and tools having been stolen. Although the overall number remains high, in the last month there has been a dramatic reduction in numbers and this was due to a number of policing options that were employed. There have been operations in the town with the whole of the Warminster neighbourhood policing team and undercover officers working through the night. Currently 4 individuals are on police bail and he reported that this reduced the criminal activity in the town.

The community area was still experiencing a level of anti social behaviour, but this was being proactively challenged by the NPT in partnership with the Council. This had some excellent results in the past and he was hopeful it would again.

Cllr Cuthbert-Murray asked for more visibility of policing in Westbury, Inspector Minty replied that although this was a priority resources would be deployed where necessary.

BA13 Partnership

Rev Jonathan Burke reported that Partnership had met recently, and were considering a small number of grants – details available from White Horse News.  The Partnership had also been working with Matravers School engaging in Restorative Justice.

Crosspoint

Rev Jonathan Burke explained to the Board that perhaps some members of the Community had misinterpreted what Crosspoint was trying to achieve – the centre is designed where possible to address the needs of all in Westbury and the surrounding villages. It would be available to all without prejudice.

Westbury Chamber of Commerce

The Chairman reported that the Chamber of Commerce was working with Matravers on a project similar to ‘Dragons Den’.

CAYPIG

Sally Willox, Youth Development Co-ordinator/Team Leader updated the Board on a number of projects that CAYPIG were currently involved in. 

Smoothy Bar Project - This project has generated a lot of interest within the group, designing recipes and making smoothy’s at the centre and developing plans to develop their project by serving at community events.  The members involved are completing their ASDAN Activities Award and Enterprise Award with the ultimate aim to establish a smoothy/milkshake bar in the town.

Leisure Credits  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Councillor John Brady, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing will present the Draft Waste Site Allocations Development Plan Document and the potential impact on the Westbury Community Area.

The Chairman informed the Board that the issue of potential waste and sites within the Westbury Community Area would be addressed at the June meeting in considerable detail once the third consultation was underway.

Cllr John Brady, Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Planning and Housing touched on proposed waste sites for Wiltshire, explaining that a full consultation would start at the end of May.  The general concept is to process waste so that it can be turned into products that are acceptable, without destroying the landscape. Year on year the population creates more waste, and more sites are required to process the waste that is being generated.  Currently there are 43 sites suggested within the proposed draft Waste Disposal Plan, 3 of these sites are in Westbury;

• West Wilts Trading Estate
• Northacre Trading Estate
• Lafarge

Members of the Board and public expressed their concern over the use of the Lafarge site, in particular the use of the chimney for the incineration of waste.  The Board was told that the chimney had been built for a specific manufacturing operation and that the chimney should be divorced from the process of waste management and disposal.  There were no plans to use the chimney or an incinerator on the site.

To receive a presentation and question and answer session on the Campus and Operational Delivery Programme, including Leisure, from Programme Director Mark Stone and Project Manager Lucy Murray-Brown.

The Chairman welcomed Lucy Murray-Brown, Wiltshire Council’s Project Director for the Campus Operational Delivery Programme, who was going the give the Board a flavour of what the Campus concept was.

Until recently the project was known as Work Place Transformation Programme, in February of this year, a paper was taken at Cabinet with the concept of developing campus sites across the county, allowing the Council to look at the delivery of services, rationalising the estate and delivering ‘more for less’. She went to explain that the core criteria to all campus buildings include shared reception, community space, accessible IT provision, personal care facilities and catering facilities.  Application of these principles will potentially save 40% in operating costs across the county.

Indicative sequence of events

Initial Area Board meeting – autumn 2012

Audit and research work – summer – winter 2012

Community consultation phase one – autumn/winter 2012

Community consultation phase two – spring 2013

Area Board consideration – summer 2013

Council approval – summer/autumn 2013

Detailed design, planning – autumn 2013

Construction – spring/summer 2014

Community Campus in place spring 2015

Cllr Hawker commented that Westbury had a clean sheet of paper with which to start, as yet no one has any ideas of how this will progress, however it is very clear that facilities are being removed from the centre of the town, such as the Post Office and Doctors Surgery and it is essential to keep the rest of the facilities within the town centre. This view was echoed.  The Vision for Westbury scoping study clearly indicates the need for maintaining the town centre and developing it, there are ideas to expand the library, by bringing in additional services and putting in a lift so that people are able to access the upper floors. Members also expressed the need for new buildings or refurbishments to have appropriate disabled access.  Lucy Murray-Brown explained that the Vision document would be looked at carefully and that she was aware of the disabled access issue and that when developing new buildings appropriate access would be essential.

Members from Westbury Leisure Alliance voiced their concerns over the ambitious timeline with construction potentially starting in Spring/Summer 2014 and the desperate need in West Wiltshire for outdoor facilities, assurance was sought that outdoor facilities that currently exist would not be sold off.  Lucy Murray-Brown explained that the presentation and the timeline were generic, she also believed that the Council were developing a pitch strategy and that she would forward details, but there were no plans to remove existing provision.  She was unable to confirm whether or not existing estate would be sold off until the business plan was developed.

Members of the public felt that the timescales should be brought forward to coincide with the DC Leisure Contract and that this opportunity should not be missed.  The Chairman agreed to address this point. Cllr Hawker explained to the meeting that the timelines were indicative of what the Council would like to achieve, the timings were  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive a presentation from Maxine Russell, Landscape Officer and Charles Routh from English Heritage.

The Chairman introduced Maxine Russell, Wiltshire Council’s Landscape Officer and Charles Routh from Natural England.

Maxine Russell explained that Wiltshire has an extremely rich and valued landscape, from rolling downland and chalk river valleys to low lying vales and ancient forest and parkland it also represents much more than just the scenic beauty of open countryside, it encapsulates Wiltshire's attractive towns, villages, abundant wildlife and habitats, numerous archaeological features and the long historical record of human activity. In recognition of the value of the Wiltshire landscape, almost half of Wiltshire Council's administrative area is considered of national importance and is designated as Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).  Much of the remainder of the County is designated as locally important Special Landscape Area (SLA).

Landscape Character Assessment is an objective method for describing landscape, based on the identification of generic landscape types (e.g. Open Downland) and more specific landscape character areas (e.g. Marlborough Downs). The approach identifies the unique character of different areas of the countryside without making judgements about their relative worth.  Landscape character areas are classified based on sense of place, local distinctiveness, characteristic wildlife, natural features and nature of change.  Landscape Character Assessment has been undertaken for all of Wiltshire's land area at 1:50,000 scale and for most of Wiltshire at 1:25,000 scale covering the individual Districts and AONBs.

Charles Routh explained that Natural England formed in 2006 from English Nature, Countryside Agency and the Rural Development Service, their role had a number of statutory functions revolving around Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSi), AONBs and Protected Species and a more general role of Champion to the natural environment, wildlife, landscape and access to nature.

A number of people asked whether the Wellhead Valley could be made an AONB, discussion ensued over the process and potential extension of Cranborne Chase, North Downs, and the potential of Salisbury Plain becoming an AONB.  All of these proposals would need further investigation and cross agency consultation.  Charles Routh would investigate the criteria for an AONB and then circulate to the Area Board.

Later on in the meeting Cllr Hawker suggested that the Area Board should support the idea of extending the nearby AONB to include the Salisbury Plain escarpment, including Wellhead Valley. This motion was supported by all the Area Board members.

Decision

To support the extension of the nearby AONB to include the Salisbury Plain escarpment and Wellhead Valley.

To receive a presentation and question and answer session, from Sarah Hopkins ES Network Co-ordinator.

Sarah Hopkins, Extended Services Network Coordinator explained to the Area Board the role of extended services in the Westbury and Warminster and what it was doing locally.  The heart of all the work is support children and their families.  The service is available from 8am – 6pm, 48 weeks of the year providing;

• 2 parent support advisors supporting 155 families
• Adult learning
• Positive parent programme
• Informal support groups – helping parents to discuss issues
• Parenting networks
• Supporting health and well being
• Supporting youth services
• Providing holiday activities

ES is funded until 2012, and is currently funded from the Dedicated Schools grant.  It is schools that make the decision on funding and not the Council.  Julia Cramp, Service Director for Commissioning and Performance Department for Children and Education pointed out that a number of Westbury Head Teachers were looking into further funding for future years.

To receive an update from Joan Davis, Head of Library Services on the results of the Library Review and its impact on Westbury library.

Joan Davis, Head of Library Services updated the Board on the outcome of the Library Review.  The review started December 2009 and was a customer focused lean review. The requirement was a 28% budget reduction, 16 % of this was achieved in 2010/11. A further 12% over next two years is also required this equates to - £505K, £356K would be staffing costs and £149K will be stock fund.

• 2011/12  £337K
• 2012/13 £168K

Responses from the Area Boards showed that continued investment in the book stock was viewed as essential. The library should provide a wide range of information, particularly local.Investment in technology was required, including free access to the internet. Events and activities should be organised around reading and literacy improvements, for both children and adults.

The Wiltshire library offer from 1 September 2011

·         The library service will be able to keep all libraries open

·         21 council operated libraries with rationalised core opening hours

·         All 5 mobiles libraries will continue to operate, including the homes mobile.

·         10 libraries operated in partnership with the community – providing opportunities for local community volunteers, working in partnership with Wiltshire library staff

·         Opportunities for volunteers to extend the opening hours at other libraries

·         Investment in Radio Frequency Identification (R.F.I.D.) self service technology.

Westbury Area Library Services from 1 September 2011

·         All mobile library stops will continue to operate

·         Westbury library opening hours will be reduced from 38.5 to   33    hours a week

·         New self service technology will be introduced to the library

To receive a presentation and question and answer session from Ian White Passenger Transport Communication Manager on the proposed changes to public transport and how they will impact on Westbury and surrounding villages.

Ian White, Head of Service - Passenger Transport updated the Board on the proposed changes to public transport.

The national picture;

·         Overall reduction in net formula grant of 12% in 2011/12 (front loaded)

·         Rural Bus Grant and Concessionary Fares Special Grants absorbed into formula grant

·         Bus Service Operators Grant cut by 20% from April 2012

The Wiltshire Budget 2011/12 requires that;

·         All services asked to identify 12% reduction as a starting point

·         12% of passenger transport budget would be £2.5m

·         But over 50% of transport is statutory

Reductions have been identified by looking at the Public Transport Strategy priorities which are;

·         High – maintaining minimum levels of access

·         Medium – providing more choice of travel time and destination

·         Low – Sundays, evenings, more than hourly services

Looking at Value for money criteria e.g. (subsidy per passenger trip) and savings (£600k) achievable within financial year.

Several points were raised, including the use of rail and its place in the transport network.  Ian White pointed out that rail services were funded through franchising from Government, the Council had not funding for rail services, however they were working with the Trans/Wilts proposal, the Council is trying to facilitate access across the county.

Cllr Hawker commented that many of the local people had informed him that the bus services had greatly improved.

Cllr Cuthbert Murray expressed concern over the Westbury/Devizes route.  He was assured that there were no proposals to change the service.

To receive updates from the recent B3098 meeting, Community Area Transport Group (CATG) meeting, actions on the B3097 traffic issues, and updates on issues reported to the Area Board.

Sally Hendry, Community Area Manager updated the Board on the ongoing issues she was dealing with in the Community Area.

B3098 Meeting

Sally reported that she had organised a meeting held on March 14 at Edington where representatives from parish and town councils from along the B3098 including villages like Cheverell and Erlestoke  and David Bullock the Highways Network Manager had been invited.

Issues raised were:

• Speed
• Weight of vehicles using the road
• Damage to kerbsides
• Safety of pedestrians
• Use of Sat navs

Currently Community Speed Watch teams are successfully operating along the route. SIDs are to be used in Bratton and Edington in this quarter. Work will commence to get Edington a painted pavement. A Speed limit review concluded across the county and the B3098 where it is currently 60mph will be reduced to 50mph this is likely to occur by the end of year.

Sally asked that if people are aware of companies using that route regularly as through route, please make her aware so that they can be contacted.

Community Area Transport Group (CATG)

The CATG consisting of representatives from town and parishes met on 25 March to discuss Community Area highways issues and  how to prioritise to spend the £10320 designated to the Area Board.  It was decided to;

• proceed with the design of the Oldfield Park pavement widening.
• to scope the Edington painted pavements noting that the Group are minded to approve this project.
• to review the HGV signage in the Westbury area serving the West Wilts Trading Estate.

Other ongoing issues

Concerns have been raised by residents local to the Wellhead woods regarding vehicles, it has been agreed that new signage is to be erected to remind and inform that it is a no through road. New lamps in Maristow Street have been put up to match those in the market place. The road markings situated at the double roundabouts plus pedestrian crossing signage to be renewed and freshened along Station Road.

To receive a progress report on Leigh Park adoptions from Steve Ibbetson, Technical Manager, Department for Neighbourhood and Planning.

Steve Ibbetson, Technical Manager from the Department of Neighbourhood and Planning gave his regular 6 monthly update on the Leigh Park adoptions progress, which was proceeding well. 

Cllr Hawker was pleased with the serious progress that had been made.  However he did have queries over a number of areas that were scheduled for future adoption, which he thought had in fact been adopted by West Wiltshire District Council in 2005.  He was informed that although there was an impression that this had been the case the final stages of the adoption procedure had not been finalised.

Cllr Hawker asked whether the Timor Road play area were being adopted from Wimpey rather than Persimmon.  It was clarified that Wimpey were the land owners and that the legal department had been instructed.  The site has been inspected and a play report undertaken and subsequent snagging list produced.  Once confirmation that works have been undertaken and completed adoption of the site should take place within 6 months.

a)    To consider a Councillor Led Grant in respect of CAYPIG.

The Chairman introduced a grant for CAYPIG to create a multi media room for the use of young people and the wider community.

Decision

Westbury Area Board awarded the sum of £3400 to CAYPIG

The next meeting Westbury Area Board meeting will take place on 16 June at Heywood Village Hall.

There will be an additional meeting to discuss Big Society, localism and what it means for the Westbury area on 12 April at 6pm, The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury.

The next meeting of the Westbury Area Board will be held on 16 June at Heywood and Hawkeridge Parish Hall.