Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members and officers.

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Robert Hall (Board member) and Bernard Gaskin of Manningford Parish Council.

Cllr Christopher Williams substituted for Cllr Robert Hall.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2012.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 9 January 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

a.    Help to Live at Home - Update

b.    The Localism Act 2011 – briefing note

c.    Core Strategy Consultation

d.    Minerals Site Allocation

The Chairman drew the Board’s attention to the Announcements provided within the agenda, namely:

a)    Help to Live at Home

b)   The Localism Act 2011

c)    Core Strategy Consultation

d)   Minerals Site Allocation

Further supplementary papers were also published following circulation of the agenda, namely:

·         Supplement 1 – Partner Update

This supplement included a revised Fire and Rescue Service activity update and a briefing paper in relation to the presentation to be made under ‘Partner Updates (Item 6 of the agenda) on the Integrated Risk Management Plan Consultation.

·         Supplement 2 – Urgent Business

This supplement contained a Councillor Initiative to request that funds be –ring-fenced for the hire and associated costs of a jousting tent for the Jubilee event which was to take place on 1 May 2012.  This would be discussed during Item 14 of the Agenda.

A late announcement was made available in relation to ‘Your Say on Local Waste and Recycling Sites’.  Comments on the proposals should be made no later than 28 May 2012.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

a.            Wiltshire Police;

b.            Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service;

c.            NHS Wiltshire;

d.            Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) - to include request for Area Board funding based on attached budget and work plan;

e.            Parish Councils;

f.             Pewsey Community Area Young People Issues Group (CAYPIG);

g.            Extended Services; and

h.            Pewsey Campus - Shadow Community Operations Board

(a)       Wiltshire Police

Inspector Ron Peach referred the meeting to the written update in the agenda.  Key points raised included:

·         The vacant positions within the neighbourhood policing team had now been filled.

·         Violent crime and burglary had reduced.

·         Non-dwelling burglaries and theft of motor vehicles were still a concern across the county and further afield.  The community were reminded to be vigilant, ensure plant machinery/equipment was as secure as possible and to remove valuables from unattended cars.

·         Theft of catalytic converters from cars for scrap metal was becoming an issue.  Additional resources were being sought to tackle the problem.

·         Neighbourhood policing teams were targeting anti-social evening behaviour in the Pewsey area.

(b)       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

            Scott Taylor, of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, referred the meeting to the revised update and the briefing paper in relation to the consultation being undertaken on the Integrated Risk Management Plan as circulated within Supplement (1).

A presentation was also provided with further background information on the consultation.

The Proposals made were:

·         To alter the way firefighters on the Retained Duty System (on-call staff) were employed;

·         To alter the way stations were crewed, relocating staff throughout the county to create communities of stations;

·         To alter shift times of operational staff;

·         To alter duty systems to provide enhanced cover; and

·         To relocate specialist vehicles.

Following questions received, clarification was provided that for those parishes located on the boarder of the county there was an understanding for mutual assistance between neighbouring counties, noting that Salisbury, Stratton and Swindon each had stations with a 24 hour presence.

In concluding the presentation those present were reminded of the various ways in which opinion on the proposed changes could be given.  A copy of the survey was circulated at the meeting.

(c)        NHS Wiltshire

The update circulated with the Agenda was noted.

(d)       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Bob King, Chairman of the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) gave an update on the work of PCAP.  This included a request for Area Board funding for costs incurred by PCAP in accordance with the commitments agreed within the Community Area Partnership Agreement 2012/13 as well a request for funding a part-time co-ordinator.  This would replicate similar arrangements in place at Tidworth.

Upon discussion the Board proposed that funding would be paid 50% upon approval of the Board with the remaining 50% paid in September (on application).

Decision:

That the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) be granted £8,989 towards costs incurred by PCAP and for the funding of a part-time coordinator position to be paid 50% immediately and 50% in September 2012 (on application).

(e)       Parish Councils

Alton Parish Council confirmed that a meeting had been held for Parish Councils within the Vale who may be affected by the Great Stones Way.  Concern was raised that not all contributions made from the Parishes had been forwarded in relation to the Environmental Impact Study.

It was understood by the Board that the Great Stones Way organisers were working within agreed requirements.  However,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive an update and consider any recommendations arising following the CATG meeting held on 22 February 2012.

Caroline Brailey (Pewsey Community Area Manager) gave an update to the meeting regarding the work of the Community Area Transport Group (CATG).

The CATG had met on 22 February 2012 to consider the progress made on prioritised local integrated transport schemes.  The actions taken and proposed next steps were set out within the report at page 37 of the agenda.

Further information was provided as follows prior to consideration of the CATG Recommendations as outlined on page 42 of the agenda.

High Street, Great Bedwyn Scheme

A member of the Knapp Tenants Association raised the issue of the highways scheme in relation to commuter parking in the residential area of The Knapp.  Details were included within the Community Issues Log provided on page 89 of the agenda.

The Parish Council would be considering the scheme at a meeting to be held later in the week following the abandonment of the scheme put forward and agreed by the Parish Council back in December.  It was understood that, since this time, a petition from Great Bedwyn residents had been received objecting to the scheme for the provision of double yellow lines in The Knapp.

The Knapp Tenants Association member in attendance was concerned that the Parish Council had not taken into consideration the support of the proposed scheme by residents of The Knapp itself.

Cllr Stuart Wheeler confirmed that First Great Western and Network Rail had submitted an application to the Department of Transport to extend the station car park with the support of Wiltshire Council.  It was hoped that the results of this application would be known by the end of April.

Board members were aware of the issues surrounding parking in this area and would continue to monitor.

HGV Signage in Devizes diverting through A342/A345

Cllr Chris Williams confirmed that there had been correspondence with officers and the Cabinet Member for Highways in relation to the signage that had been erected through Devizes advising drivers to take the A342 and A345.  A request had been made for the signs be removed during the consultation period.  However, Cllr Williams was informed that the signage would remain in place whilst the 10 week consultation period was underway.  Once the outcome of the consultation was known this would be relayed to the Board.

The legal team were reviewing the matter and would provide any required advice as necessary following the consultation process and prior to any decision.

Decision:

High Street, Great Bedwyn Scheme

To agree that this scheme now be removed from the list because the works have been carried out.

Woodborough Road Safety

To agree that £500 (being the balance of the CATG budget) be awarded with a £500 match from Woodborough.

To agree to the lease of the footpath through the field to the scheme being 8 years and not 10 as originally stated.

Pewsey Primary School Crossing

To agree that the situation be monitored once alterations have been made to the lights.

Huish Corner, Oare

To agree that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To consider reports requesting the transfer of community assets in accordance with Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy.

Applications for the transfer of community assets were received from Alton Parish Council and Pewsey Parish Council for the following:

·         Land at Rectory Close, Alton Barnes (to Alton Parish Council)

·         Two parcels of land; namely land at Broomcroft Road, Pewsey and the Football Field, Wilcot Road, Pewsey (to Pewsey Parish Council).

The Board, upon vote, agreed to the transfers.

Decision:

In accordance with Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy to:

a)    transfer the land at Rectory Close, Alton Barnes to Alton Parish Council; and

b)   transfer land at Broomcroft Road and the Football Field, Wilcot Road, Pewsey to Pewsey Parish Council.

To receive information on how communities can organise local events to celebrate the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  A toolkit has been produced giving more details and copies of this will be available at the meeting.

Graeme Morrison, Marketing Officer, Wiltshire Council, gave a presentation on how communities could organise local events to celebrate the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.  A toolkit was available and would be provided by Graeme for those interested.  Further details were also available on the website and other social media outlets, such as twitter and facebook.

In relation to the Jubilee Event to be held at Cathedral Close, Salisbury on 1 May 2012, an update was provided from the working group who had met recently to develop ideas for inclusion within the jousting style tent for the Pewsey Area Board.

Ideas arising from the Group included a heritage timeline which would be erected around the tent to highlight the richness of the area, together with a map of the area illustrating key events or places of interest within each parish.  Thanks were given to June Pearson from East Grafton who had kindly offered to illustrate these. An enclosure housing Wiltshire horned sheep was to be housed outside of the tent.

Each Parish should have received an e-mail request for information to be included. Suggestions would need to be provided by the end of the month.

To receive feedback from the JSA event held on Monday 30 January 2012.

This event was held on 30 January  2012 where attendees were asked to identify areas of importance to the local community.  Details of the areas identified were circulated with the agenda at page 77.

The Board were asked to consider the priorities identified and highlight one or two of significance to focus its attention.  With this in mind, those in attendance were asked to consider the priorities provided and respond to Caroline Brailey (Community Area Manager) with one or two that the Board may wish to focus its attention on for the ensuing year.

Feedback would need to be provided before the next meeting to be held in May.

A DVD will be shown at the beginning of this item to provide encouragement for people to consider becoming councillors or get more involved in the Democratic process.

A DVD was to be presented during this item to provide encouragement for people to consider becoming councillors or to become more involved in the democratic process.  However, due to time constraints and as copies of the DVD had been sent to all Parish Councils ahead of the meeting, the DVD was not shown.

Several copies of the DVD were available for those wishing to take a copy away with them following the meeting.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler updated the meeting on the Community Issues which had been received by the Area Board. 

In addition to the Issues log, clarification was provided that the A338 was to be resurfaced from Burbage to the Berkshire border and that this was likely to cause some disruption.

The update was noted.

The Area Board considered a number of applications for Community Area Grant funding.  The Chairman invited the local Councillor to introduce each application, following which a representative of the applicant was given an opportunity to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

Decision

Savernake Forest Scout Group was awarded £1,000 towards new equipment for the Scout Group.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2011/12 and would support several community plan priorities, including supporting young people by improving available activities, education and involvement.

Decision

That £250 be awarded to 18 parish councils, £225 to 1 parish council and £100 to 1 parish council (totalling £4,825) for funding towards the jubilee celebrations.

A Councillor Initiative was published as a late item to the Agenda which requested funding be ring-fenced for the hire and associated costs of a jousting tent, including printing of related display material for the Jubilee event to take place on 1 May 2012.

This was requested as the next meeting of the Area Board (14 May 2012) would take place after the date of the event itself.

Decision

To ring-fence £2,500 towards the cost of a jousting tent and associated costs for the Jubilee event taking place in Salisbury on 1 May 2012.

To note the Forward Plan attached.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for Monday 14 May 2012, 7pm at Coronation Hall, The Green, East Grafton SN8 3DB.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for Monday 14 May 2012, 7pm at Coronation Hall, The Green, East Grafton SN8 3DB.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.