Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members and the Council Officers present.

There were no apologies.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 31^st October 2016.

To approve minutes of the meeting held on 31 October 2016 as a true and accurate record.

RESOLVED:

Minutes 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.

• Pewsey Our Community Matters Conference on Thursday 19^th January 2017, 6:30pm at the Bouverie Hall.
• The Rural Crime Partnership for Wiltshire and Swindon.

The Chairman informed the Board of the Pewsey Our Community Matters Conference on Thursday 19^th January 2017 and encouraged registration and attendance of the event.

A brief update was given on the Rural Crime Partnership and it was explained that a further update would follow later in the year.

It was also explained that the Local Highways Investment Fund update would be delayed.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·         Healthwatch Wiltshire

·         NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group

·         Older People’s Champion and Partnership for Older people (POPP)

·         Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP)

·         Wiltshire Police

·         Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue

·         Others

Updates were provided by the Partner Groups in attendance.

Notably, Community Engagement Manager Ros Griffiths gave an update from the Older People’s Champion and Partnership for Older People (POPP). She said that the focus was going to be on setting up dementia friendly projects and providing support for carers. She also informed the Board that a Carer’s Cafe would be run from Pewsey Fire Station from the Spring of 2017.

There was also an update from the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP). Representatives of the group, Dawn and Susie, ran through some of the local issues they had been working on. This included the introduction of a Pewsey Reward Scheme to replace the use of SPICE Time Credits, and developments of the Tourism Partnership. Attention was also drawn to issues with the bus services from Pewsey to Devizes. The date of the next meeting was given as 2 February 2017

An update was given by the police representative Inspector Nick Mawson. He drew attention to the report that he had produced for the Board. He said that there had been progress under the new policing model which he said allowed officers to focus on local priorities. He gave the example of burglary patrols as a preventative measure and highlighted statistics whereby the number of burglaries had reduced from 26 to 7, in the respective 2 months leading up to the last two Area Board Meetings. He also pointed out recent arrests in relation to hare coursing.

Lastly, an input was received from the Local Fire District Commander, giving an update on the service performance and priorities. For example, he explained that there were around 10 incidents a month and said that their focus was on a prevention agenda. He also spoke of the services availability, saying that it was currently around 88% but wanted it to be in the 90’s. Finally, the Commander informed the Board of the Community Safety Plan and advised them of the safe and well checks being offered by the fire service. A question was asked what was being done to increase awareness of electrical fires and the Commander advised that such fires were a priority that advice was given to switch off devices and not to leave them on standby.

A video is to be shown to the Board updating on OPCC priorities and precept proposals for 2017/18.

In a change to the agenda format this item was moved towards the start of the meeting.

A video was shown containing an advert from the Police and Crime Commissioner Angus Macpherson.

The Chairman invited questions and a member of the pubic asked about potential savings to be made from ceasing the Edward Heath investigations. Inspector Nick Mawson responded to this by stating that a statement had been released by the Chief Constable on this matter and that he would not be able to comment further in this respect.

Updates to be provided by Parish Councils. Some of which have been provided in report form, as attached below.

Written updates, as specified in the agenda, were read out by the Chairman and received by Board.

Notably, a written update from Wilsford Parish Council, regarding a lack of a visit from the Parish Steward was addressed. This led to a further discussion as to the role of Parish Stewards and ways in which their work could be improved in the area. Attendees at the meeting raised a number of issues, with examples, of the current set up. Notably, that there was no continuity or consistency with the works done. It was mentioned that there was no direct communication between the Parish Stewards and Parish representatives.

Cllr Stuart Wheeler asked the Board what system they desired for the repair works to be carried out in an efficient way. In the conversation that followed, it was agreed that members were looking for a clear and accountable process for getting the works done, where  requests could be made and there would be update reports on the works done. Cllr Wheeler agreed to pursue this objective after the meeting.

The Board will hear an update on plans for Army Basing in the area and discuss the potential implications on the local community, including its impact on the local road networks.

A report is attached which seeks to give advice on the progress of the Ministry of Defence’s  plans, for the Army Basing Programme.

Cllr Paul Oatway gave a brief update on this matter explaining that more information would be provided at the next Area Board Meeting. He said that there had been some changes to site entrance and roads and that plans would be presented, showing housing developments.

A presentation is to be delivered on fuel poverty and ways that residents can be supported to live better in their homes.

A presentation was delivered by Phillip Morris from Warm and Safe Wiltshire. He emphasised the link between cold homes and costs to individual health and the wider impact on the National Health Service. A diagram was shown linking the costs of cold homes as being almost comparable to that of alcohol and smoking.  

It was also shown that the UK performs worse than other developed countries for being able to keep their homes warm and that Wiltshire was particularly poor performing in this respect.

It was explained that the main purpose of the presentation was to increase awareness and highlight some of the service available by the charity.

A presentation will be delivered by Ros Griffiths- Community Engagement Manager.

Community Engagement Manager Ros Griffiths gave a presentation for this item. A video was shown thanking Area Boards for their work done throughout the year and explaining that previous Legacy Boards were going to become Community Boards.

Particular attention was drawn towards The Clean for the Queen Spring Clean volunteering last year and a request was made for the Board to set aside some money for the Great British Spring Clean in March. Parishes, schools, clubs and organisations were encouraged to organise a litter pick in their areas. After a discussion of the successes of the previous years clean the Chairman agreed to setting aside funds for the spring clean with the approval of the other Board Members.

Update on Locality Youth Network

Update to come from Community Engagement Manager Ros Griffiths

Youth Grants Applications

·         Pewsey CA Youth Projects for 2017, PCAP Application: £3480

·         Pewsey Vale School Splitz Teenz Talk Course :£250

An update was provided by the Community Engagement Manager, Ros Griffiths.

The Youth Funding Reports were introduced as follows:

Pewsey CA Youth Projects application for £3480 was introduced and the various proposed projects were explained. These would included, volunteer schemes, payments in regards to insurance for a BMX site and works done to support the youth cheerleading team.

RESOLVED:

Funds were awarded by the Board unanimously.

Pewsey Vale SPLITZ Teenz talk Course application for £250 was explained as a project designed to support young people exposed to Domestic Violence. The Board were informed that that the group had already raised £1750 and only needed a further £250.

RESOLVED:

Funds were awarded by the Board unanimously.

To agree a proposed road resurfacing and maintenance programme with a list of proposed local schemes for 2017/18.

As explained by the Chairman in his announcements this agenda items was deferred until the next Area Board Meeting.

Update to come from Chairman Cllr Jerry Kunkler.

No new updates were received from the Community Area Group. The Board was advised of the group’s next meeting which is to be on 25 January 2017.

Update to come from Community Engagement Manager Ros Griffiths and Area Board representative Cllr Paul Oatway.

An input was received on the progress of The Vale Health and Wellbeing Centre. It was explained that there was a mid-tender review of contracts prior to Christmas and that contractors were looking to be on site from April. It was mentioned that the manager of the centre had made some agreements for clubs to be held at alternative venues whilst the works were being done. A temporary leisure offer would be provided from the Fordbrook estate and the Leisure Team was in the process of notifying customers of the changes. Questions were asked surrounding the transition and it was confirmed that plans had been put in place to make it as efficient as possible.

To determine any applications for Community Area Grants.

The Board considered the following  applications:

The Bouverie Hall Management Committee requested £1000 to re-site the Oil tanker to meet new regulations. The legal requirement for such repairs was acknowledged by the Board.

RESOLVED:

Funds were awarded by the Board unanimously.

The Great Bedwyn Cricket Club requested £5000 for repairs to the Pavilion roof. A representative from the club explained that it was now serving as an overflow from the village hall for various community activities and for that reason was worth the investment, as well as proving a good base to enjoy the sport of cricket. The repairs to the roof were explained and the cost was estimated to be around £10000. Cllr Wheeler spoke in support of the application, along with other Board Members.

RESOLVED:

Funds were approved by the Board unanimously.

To determine any applications for Health and Wellbeing Grants.

The Board considered the following applications:

The Mobility Friendship Group, Great Bedwyn, requested £900 to provided members of the older generation with physical exercise training sessions, social time with tea and biscuits and a further yoga session in the afternoon, every Wednesday in term time. A representative explained the success and popularity of the groups so far and Cllr Wheeler spoke in support of the application.

RESOLVED:

Funds were awarded by the board unanimously.

The Pewsey Partnership for Older People, requested £790 for a Community Transport Leaflet to promote local transport schemes. Issues were raised regarding the fact that travel times could change and the leaflet may be made redundant. However, it was clarified that the data was as accurate as it could be and if times were to change there would be awareness programmes specifically for those changes. The Board did question the quote obtained and it was felt that a better prince may be obtained but agreed to provide the funds but seek the best value distributor.

RESOLVED:

Funds were awarded by the Board unanimously.

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for Monday 6^th March 2016 at 7pm at Bouverie Hall, Goddard Road, Pewsey, SN9 5QE.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for Monday 6 March 2017 at 19:00 hours at Bouverie Hall, Goddard Road Pewsey.  

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.