Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from the following Councillors and Parishes:

Westbury Town Council: Councillors Sue Ezra and Francis Morland.

Dilton Marsh Parish Council: Councillor Francis Morland.

Heywood Parish Council: Councillor Francis Morland.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 5 February 2015.

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

·       Universal Credit

·       School Place Planning and Commissioning

·       Results of the Wiltshire wide Car Parking Review and its implications for our community

The Chairman referred to the two written announcements in the pack regarding Universal Credit and School Planning.

Car Parking

The Chairman made the following announcement regarding Car Parking:

Changes to car parking charges and a 15 minute grace period were agreed by council leaders on 17 March 2015. More than 5,000 people responded to Wiltshire Council’s car parking consultation, and their responses have seen a number of changes to the council’s original proposals.

Philip Whitehead, Cabinet member for Highways, said: “I am really grateful to the thousands of people who took the time to complete the questionnaire, and all the people who attended the workshops we held across the county. We have really taken this on board when putting together these proposals.

“Although we wanted to make sure the solution would be cost neutral, we will now actually be putting money in to reduce car parking fees in those car parks that are currently underused.”

There are many car parks in the county where prices are being held for a further four years – making it eight years in total since any increase.

One of the main outcomes could see smaller, underused car parks transferred to parish and town councils or local community groups where there is a local desire.

Charges have also been set on a car park by car park basis to reflect local issues, rather than the countywide system in place before – this was something local people were keen to see. Many parking permit prices are being reduced all over the county, and the Council will be looking into trialling new technology in identified areas.

There was support for first hour free and free after 4pm parking schemes in areas where local communities are prepared to fund the service, but people were clear Wiltshire Council should not introduce higher charges or reduce services to fund these changes. As a result the Council will continue to work with local town councils and business and community groups to discuss opportunities for locally funded schemes to be introduced.

It was noted that issues regarding potential Community Asset Transfers could come back to the Area Board for further consideration.

Campus

The Chair announced that, following a meeting with Councillor John Thomson, it had been established that funding for a feasibility assessment would be sought from the area board. and would be considered at a future meeting.

Young people from our Local Youth Network join Community Youth Officer Amy Schuring to update us on their successful drop in youth activity day and findings of recent surveys.

A Needs Assessment for the Westbury Community Area Local Youth Network is attached.

Councillor Russell Hawker and Sally presented the item which provided an update on the work of the Local Youth Network (LYN).

Issues discussed included: That proposals were being considered for new volunteer led youth club;  and that following the completion of the Needs Assessment, the LYN would be considering future activities for young people.

In the absence of the Community Youth Officer, the Chairman asked that a further update be given to the next meeting.

To receive updates from our key partners, including:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service

·       BA13+ Community Area Partnership

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Town and Parish Councils

The Chairman drew the meetings attention to the partner updates circulated with the agenda, and invited questions and comments from the meeting.

Issues discussed included: that Inspector Alan Webb has moved on and New Inspector will be starting soon, the Chairman commended Inspector Webb for his service to the area; how the police service could keep key people in the areas they serve; that the next meeting of BA13, on Wednesday 20^th May, would have a housing theme; that the Westbury Beacon would be light on the 8^th May to celebrate the 70^th anniversary for VE day, with proceedings starting at 9pm, lighting at 9.30.

Westbury Area Board wants to hear from the community about the sort of issues it would like raised at future meetings.

The Chairman introduced an interactive item where those attending the meeting were encouraged to discuss and note down issues that they would like the Area Board to address in the future.

The Chairman thanked all those who contributed and stated that these issues would be discussed to see how they can be best taken forward.

To receive a presentation from Sally Hendry, Community Area Manager and Carole King, BA13+ Community Area Partnership Chairman.

Sally Hendry and Carole King presented to the meeting information on the launch of Dementia Friendly Scheme in the Westbury area.

Issues discussed included:

·         That the scheme is a local response to the national campaign aiming to create dementia friendly communities;

·         That the Council’s website had improved its information and have developed a toolkit for communities to use;

·         That in Westbury there is an Alzheimer’s Support group and number of other groups;

·         That May 19^th – 23^rd is Dementia Awareness week;

·         That the Wiltshire CCG and Wiltshire Council have given funds for personal advisors, and dementia project workers starting shortly;

·         That dementia is not a natural part of ageing, younger people can suffer too;

·         That dementia is caused by disease of the brain, it can affect people in different ways;

·         That dementia is not just about losing your memory, other faculties of the brain are affected;

·         That It’s possible to live well with dementia, but support is key;

·         That there is more to a person than dementia;

·         That many of the businesses worked with as part of the Safeplaces scheme were keen to embrace dementia friendly projects; and

·         That villages in the community area were being encouraged to engage.

The Chairman thanked Sally and Carole for the presentation.

·       Community Asset Transfer

As part of the Council’s Community Asset Transfer Scheme, local people at Coulston wish to take over ownership of village allotments. 

Westbury Area Board is asked to consider the application submitted by Coulston Parish Council for the transfer of allotments.

·       Community Area Transport Group

To consider funding for installing bike racks at locations in Westbury and Leigh Park, a report is attached.

·       Legacy including Magna Carta

Magna Carta is 800 years old this year – find out how you can join in celebrations on this and other countywide events.

The Community Area Manager presented the report regarding a Community Asset Transfer (CAT), the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) and Legacy activities.

Issues discussed included:

That the CA matter should be deferred to enable more discussion to take place with Coulston Parish Council;

That the Westbury Car Park issues should also come to a future meeting;

That the CATG had considered an application for bike racks;

The proposals for celebrating the 800^th anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta included a modern day pageant, with each area sending representatives;

The potential to use a small amount from the youth fund, to produce a model Baron to take part in the pageant. 

Resolved

1.    To defer consideration of the Community Asset Transfer of allotments to Coulston Parish Council, to a future meeting, to enable further discussions to take place; and

2.    To ratify the £1000 approved for the installation of bike racks at the three locations.

To consider applications for funding from the Community Area Grants Scheme.

If your community group is looking for funds, visit our website to see if you might qualify for a grant at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/areaboards.

The meeting considered three applications for Community Area Grants.

Issues discussed included:

·         How Bratton Baptist Chapel had implemented advice form the police and insurers regarding security;

·         How Bratton Parish Council had benefitted from funding from the Area Board; and

·         How Coulston Village Hall had utilised the funding to provide improvements including a new disabled toilet.

Resolved

1.    To award Bratton Baptist chapel £980 for a mower and shed;

2.    To award The Great War commemoration group £990 for display boards; and

3.    To award Westbury Leigh School £5,000 towards a Play Pod.

The next meeting of the Westbury Area Board will take place on:

Thursday 4 June 2015 at The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury,

BA13 3EN

Future Meeting Dates

Thursday 6 August 2015 at Heywood & Hawkeridge Village Hall, Church Road, Heywood, BA13 4LP.

Thursday 8 October 2015 at The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury,

BA13 3EN.

Thursday 10 December 2015 at The Laverton, Bratton Road, Westbury,

BA13 3EN.

The Chairman thanked all for coming to the meeting and reminded them that the next meeting of the Westbury Area Board will be held on 4 June 2015. At the Laverton, Bratton road, Westbury.