Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Area Board meeting and stated that he was pleased that the Board was meeting in a village location.  He was also pleased to welcome Andrew Kerr, Wiltshire Council’s new Chief Executive who was attending his first Area Board meeting.

The Chairman also explained that there were two urgent items which he would raise under item no. 11 “Any other business which the Chairman considers to be urgent.”  These items related to Westbury Swimming Pool and free car parking in Westbury.

Apologies for absence were received from:

Michelle Slade – Westbury Youth Centre

Mike Franklin – Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

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

To confirm the minutes of the meetings held on 16 September, 1 December and 10 December 2009.

The minutes of the meetings held on 16 September, 1 December and 10 December 2009 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

NHS Wiltshire presentation on the findings of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for the Westbury community area followed by discussion and questions.

Maggie Rae, Director of Public Health, presented the findings of the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for the Westbury Community Area. 

The following issues were highlighted and discussed:

• It was important to work with partners to improve public health and the data obtained from the assessment would be shared.
• Deprivation was linked to poor health.
• There was rural poverty within Wiltshire and this could lead to health problems in the affected areas.
• Life expectancy in the Westbury Area was 78.7 years for men and 82.1 years for women.  Westbury came 13^th out of the 20 community areas for life expectancy for men and 16^th out of 20 for women.
• It was a concern that men of working age did not always come forward early with health problems.
• 16 girls under 16 years of age had become pregnant in the Westbury area in 2007/08 and 2008/09.
• Westbury came 3^rd equal out of the 20 community areas for traffic collisions.  Eight people had been killed or seriously injured in the area in 2008.
• Westbury came 5^th out of the 20 community areas for alcohol related problems.  There was one hospital admission relating to alcohol for every 93 people.
• Childhood obesity was a problem in Westbury and the area ranked 19^th out of 20 for this issue.  Children were now measured in the reception year and in year 6.  1 in 3 children were found to be obese in the Westbury area.  All schools in the area were now part of the healthy schools programme.
• 22% of adults smoked in the Westbury area which was higher than the average figure for Wiltshire.  The ranking for this statistic was 16^th out of 20.
• 73.9% of people in Westbury rated themselves as being in good or very good health.  This was slightly below the Wiltshire average.
• 64% of people in the area wished to die at home.  However, the Westbury area rated 20^th out of 20 for those who actually died at home.
• The area was successful in dealing with heart disease and diabetes.
• The area was less successful in dealing with children’s dental health and stroke admissions to hospital.
• It was noted that the Royal United Hospital was poorly located for Wiltshire residents.

A Health Fair would be held on Saturday 24 April 2010 at The Paragon Hall, Westbury from 9.30am to 12 noon.  All local residents and interested parties were very welcome to attend.

To receive an update from the BA13+ Community Area Partnership.

Rev Jonathan Burke gave the following update:

• Progress was being made in building relationships with existing groups and networks.
• The Partnership had now taken on administrative help.
• In order to update the Community Plan for the area it was important to hear everyone’s views and aspirations for Westbury and surrounding villages.
• The next Partnership meeting would take place at Matravers School, Westbury on Weds 3 March 2010 at 7pm.  The main topic for discussion would be perceptions and reality around anti-social behaviour.

To receive any updates from the following partners:

• Parish and Town Councils
• Wiltshire Police
• Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service
• NHS
• Chamber of Commerce

(a)               Edington Parish Council

The Parish Council had received a grant for the “Plain Action” development programme which had received £2.5 million from the EU and DEFRA.  The programme would run until December 2013. The funding could be used for skills and training, business and employment and communities.  The Parish Council would pass the relevant information to the Community Area Manager.

(b)               Wiltshire Police

Inspector Minty reported that the performance figures were very good in relation to the targets.  Detection rates were on target and the crime figures were below target. 

Burglaries were up 50% on last year but the figures were still fairly low at 3-4 per month in Westbury.  The Police were investing in forensic recovery and the priority crime team was now focusing its efforts on burglary.  The Police were also giving crime prevention advice as burglary tended to be an opportunist crime.

The figures also showed that criminal damage was down by 12.5% and theft from motor vehicles was down by 25%.  The rise in violent crime was mainly due to an increase in domestic violence and it was hoped that the increase was due to underreporting of this crime in the past.

The abstraction rate for the Neighbourhood Policing Team was now 91.8%.  The Blues N Zuz events were working well.  The Bratton Speedwatch scheme was now up and running.

The Area Board congratulated the Police on the improved visibility of the beat management team.

Concern was expressed regarding the safety of the exit from the Morrison’s car park as it was felt to be very dangerous.

Decision

To ask the Community Area Manager to raise the safety of the exit from the Morrison’s car park as an issue and to invite an officer from the Highways Team to attend the next meeting to discuss this matter.

(c)        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

A written update was circulated with the agenda.

(d)       NHS Wiltshire

A written update was circulated with the agenda.

(e)       Chamber of Commerce

Councillor David Jenkins reported that the Chamber was planning to hold a jobs fair this year.  There will be a network breakfast meeting on 16 March for local businesses which it was hoped would stimulate the local economy.  The Chamber welcomed the funding that the Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet had allocated to help the local economy such as the funding of apprenticeships for young people.

To receive updates on those issues highlighted at the previous Area Board meeting and raised since, including online:

(a)               Youth Transport

–        Community Area Young People’s Issue Group (CAYPIG) to report

–        Update from Cabinet

(b)               Town Centre Improvements: Maristow Street and Rotunda project – presentation of report and illustrations

(c)               Dog Fouling – presentation of report

(d)               Crossing on Warminster Road by Green Lane - update

(e)               Oldfield Park parking pilot project – update

(f)                 Springfield Road traffic problem – update

(g)               Anti-social behaviour – update and action plan from Task and Finish Group

The Area Board received updates on the following issues:

(a)               Youth Transport

The Area Board received a report which highlighted concerns regarding transport for young people living in the Westbury Community Area preventing them from accessing out of school hours services.

Sally Willox and Marek Przybylski gave an update on behalf of the local CAYPIG:

·        More questionnaires had now been handed out to young people and the need for transport in and out of Westbury had been highlighted.

·        Young people living in the villages had been asked for their views and statistical evidence had been put together by the CAYPIG.

·        A county wide conference regarding transport issues for young people which had been organised by the youth service was being held on Friday 19 February 2010.

Councillor Richard Gamble, Portfolio Holder for Transport reported as follows:

·        There was a lack of transport provision for young people in certain areas.  This was particularly apparent in the evenings and young people were poorly served in some areas.

·        Cllr Gamble would be attending the conference on transport issues along with Cllr Tonge the Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport.  Bus company representatives would also be attending.

·        An idea had been put forward that a “bus club” should be set up which would be piloted in a few areas in the first instance.  A mini bus would be provided at least one night per week to take young people to a specific location.  Young people could join the club for a small fee.

·        The “bus club” idea would be discussed at the conference and it was hoped that this could eventually be rolled out across the county.

(b)               Maristow Street/Rotunda Improvements, Westbury

The Area Board received a report which gave an update on the status of the proposed improvements to Westbury town centre.

A consultation on the town centre improvements had taken place in July and a preferred option had now been identified.  As a result of further discussions with traders and an assessment of the two locations it was determined that the first phase of future works should concentrate on the Rotunda area and opening up the link between High Street and the remainder of the town.   The proposed improvements to Maristow Street would be revisited as the second phase of the improvement works in a future financial year.

It was agreed that the proposals could be made available in the local library if required.  Plans were available at the meeting and people were encouraged to put forward any comments on the scheme.

Decision

To support the work to identify a preferred option for improvements to Maristow Street/Rotunda area.

(c)  Dog Fouling

The Area Board received an update on the reported issue of dog fouling in Westbury and action currently being taken to resolve the issue.

There was a problem of dog fouling in the vicinity of Bitham Brook School and the network of paths nearby.  It was an offence for people to allow their dogs to foul footpaths, grass verges or public  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Wiltshire councillors will consider applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme.

The Area Board considered 14 funding applications made to the 2009/10 Community Area Grants Scheme.

It was noted that all the grants put forward met the relevant criteria.  The Cabinet had agreed that funding could be rolled over to the next financial year if necessary.

(a)       Fairfield Farm College

Decision

To award Fairfield Farm College £5,000 to pay for catering and kitchen equipment to be used to provide enhanced work based learning opportunities for young people with learning difficulties.

Reason

The application links to several Wiltshire Council priorities such as improving young people’s participation in positive activities and improving business productivity through innovation.

(b)       Westbury 1^st Scout Group

Decision

To award £930 to Wiltshire 1^st Scout Group for the purchase of specialist cases for the safe transportation of camping equipment and personal kit.

Reason

The application links to the Wiltshire Council priority of improving young people’s participation in positive activities.

(Note: At this point in the meeting Cllr David Jenkins left the meeting which enabled Councillors Russell Hawker and Mike Cuthbert-Murray to vote on the following application using their dispensations granted by the Standards Committee)

(c)        Westbury Town Council

Decision

To award Westbury Town Council £1,500 towards the heritage plaques project.

Reason

The project aims to raise the profile of the town, encourage visitors and enhance the town’s economic viability.

(Note: Councillor David Jenkins returned to the meeting).

(d)       Bratton Parish Council (Recreation Ground Committee)

Decision

To award Bratton Parish Council (Recreation Ground Committee) £1,000 to pay for fencing materials and labour.

Reason

The project links to Wiltshire Council priorities including engaging with local people, increasing numbers involved in volunteering, encouraging people to make healthy lifestyle choices, improving adult participation in sport and improving young people’s participation in positive activities.

(e)       2^nd Westbury All Saints Guides

Decision

To award 2^nd Westbury All Saints Guides £490 to purchase a storage shed to secure tents and equipment.

Reason

The application links to the Wiltshire Council priority of improving young people’s participation in positive activities.

(f)         Relate Mid Wiltshire

Decision

To award Relate Mid Wiltshire £990 to fund the Talk Zone service which provides counselling and support to families and young people in Westbury.

Reason

The application links to the Wiltshire Council priorities of engaging with local people, encouraging people to make healthy lifestyle choices and increasing the amount of people who feel safe in their community.

(g)       Westbury and District Cricket Club

Decision

To award Westbury and District Cricket Club £1,300 to fund the upgrade of two lane cricket nets that have been condemned through health and safety.

Reason

This application links into a range of Wiltshire Council priorities including improving adult participation in sport and improving young people’s participation in positive activities.

(h)        Westbury Detachment, Wiltshire Army Cadet Force

Decision

To award £550 to Westbury Detachment, Wiltshire Army Cadet Force to fund training equipment including casualty simulations kits and instructional DVDs.

Reason

The application links into a range of Wiltshire Council priorities including increasing the number of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Area Board noted the forward work plan.

The Chairman agreed to take the following two matters as urgent items because of the need for action to be taken and information to be given to the community prior to the next meeting.

(a)       Westbury Swimming Pool

The Chairman explained that a full consultation regarding leisure provision would take place later in the year.  The Area Board felt that it was very important to ensure that the Westbury Swimming Pool remained open.  It was therefore important to start work to collect information and evidence to support this proposal.

Decision

(1)               To agree that the Area Board is united in being committed to keeping the Westbury Swimming Pool open.

(2)               To ask the Community Area Manager to raise this matter as an issue and to bring all relevant facts, including the use of the pool, to a future meeting to help to develop a case for  keeping the swimming pool open and for treating it as special.

(b)       Free Car Parking

The Chairman informed those present that the Cabinet had made a decision to review car parking charges across the county.  Westbury Town Council currently provides a car parking subsidy in the town and there was an assumption that changes would be made to remove the free parking.  A meeting had been arranged to discuss this matter with the Town Council to find out whether the period of free car parking could remain.

This matter would be discussed further at the next meeting.

The next meeting will be held on Thursday 22 April 2010 at Matravers School, Westbury.

It was noted that the next meeting would take place on Thursday 22 April 2010 at Matravers School, Westbury.