Agenda and minutes

Cllr Jerry Kunkler was elected Chairman for the municipal year.

Cllr Stuart Wheeler was elected Vice-Chairman for the municipal year.

To confirm memberships of outside bodies and to confirm membership and terms of reference of working groups (to include Community Area Transport Group).

The Board confirmed membership of outside bodies and terms of reference for working Groups (including the Community Area Transport Group (CATG)) as follows:

Decision

The appointments to outside bodies for 2012/13 are:

Pewsey Community Area Partnership – Cllr Robert Hall

Pewsey Youth Issues Group (CAYPIG) – Cllr Stuart Wheeler and Cllr Jerry Kunkler

Decision

The appointments to the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) and Shadow Community Operations Board (COB) for 2012/13 are:

CATG

Wiltshire Council - Cllrs Robert Hall, Jerry Kunkler, Stuart Wheeler

Sustrans – David Leighton

Pewsey Parish Council – Peter Deck, Terry Eyles

Rushall Parish Council – Colin Gale

Manningford Parish Council – Bernard Gaskin and one substitute

Pewsey and District Chamber of Commerce – Patrick Wilson

Pewsey Community Area Partnership – Bob King

Pewsey Community Area Partnership Transport sub-group – Stanley Bagwell

Neighbourhood Policing Team – Vince Logue

The Group may invite representatives from local organisations to its meetings to give technical advice or to share pertinent local knowledge on projects in the area.

Shadow Community Operations Board (SCOB)

Wiltshire Council – Cllr Stuart Wheeler

Town/Parish Council – Cllr Bob Woodward

Education and Young People – Wendy Spencer

Wider Community – Tom Hatfield

Pewsey Vale School – Marcus Chapman

User and Community Groups – David Line, Caroline Maddocks, Christopher Haskell

Decision

The terms of reference for CATG and SCOB were agreed, as included in the agenda pack.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members, the officers and the visiting cabinet representative, Councillor Fleur de Rhe-Philipe.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

The Chairman of Manningford Parish Council

Grafton Parish Council

Little Bedwyn Parish Council

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2012.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 May 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

There were no declarations of interest.

a.    Localism Act

b.    Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA)

c.    Paths for Communities

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

a)    Localism Act

b)    Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA)

c)    Paths for Communities

Additional information was provided as follows:

Localism Act

Attendees were reminded that copies of the Briefing document referred to within the Announcement were available at the sign-in desk.

JSA

An event was held on 30 January 2012 where attendees were asked to identify areas of importance to the local community.  The Board received at its meeting held in March details of the priorities identified (a copy of which can been found within the Agenda).  At this meeting attendees were asked to consider the information and provide the Community Area Manager with one or two priorities which the Board may wish to focus its attention for the ensuing year.

Having considered the responses received, the Board members selected the following as priorities:-

Arts Culture Leisure

Collecting and collating information on all local facilities and activities and resources for sharing and linking clubs, schools, villages for: sports, culture leisure and that includes evening classes and indoor, mobile sport and transport.

Transport

Solve pedestrian access problems to Pewsey rail station.

Councillor Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, Cabinet Representative for Economic Development and Strategic Planning, will give a brief overview of that area of responsibility.  The Chairman will then invite questions from the public.

(Note: Written questions may be submitted in advance – please email to sharonl.smith@wiltshire.gov.uk by Wednesday 27 June 2012)

Cllr Fleur de Rhe-Philipe, Cabinet member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning was introduced by the Chairman and asked to provide an update on her area of responsibility for the Board.

Following discussion the following information was provided:

·         That the Core Strategy had been considered by Full Council at its meeting held in June where it was agreed to adopt the Strategy as amended by the changes identified in the Inspector’s report.

·         The Strategy would be submitted to the Secretary of State shortly who would duly appoint a Planning Inspector to review the strategy proposed.  Confirmation was provided that the Council was not able to amend the strategy submitted but could either accept or reject as a whole.

·         Although no strategic sites had been identified within the Pewsey area it was acknowledged that there was still a need for local growth.

·         A high target had been set in relation to employment and the need for the creation of further jobs.  The Council was working hard to promote this.

·         It was recognised that the transport infrastructure for Wiltshire would need to be improved for key developments.  A bid had been made to central government and monies won to assist with future planning.

·         The Local Economic Partnership with Swindon Council would also provide further funding in relation to joint planning proposals.

·         An infrastructure plan would be drawn up to prioritise funding received to ensure it was used in the most appropriate areas.

·         Non strategic plans put forward would still need to fall within the agreed principles of the core strategy other than those supported by Neighbourhood Plans, which would need to have support of at least 50% of the local community.

Further details in relation to Neighbourhood Plans would be given during the following item.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Fleur de Rhe-Philipe for her attendance.

Peter Deck will be in attendance to provide a presentation on the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

Peter Deck (Pewsey Parish Council) and Patrick Wilson (Pewsey & District Chamber of Commerce) were in attendance to provide the Board with details of the Neighbourhood Development Plan.

The following information was provided:

·         The Plan would allow communities to outline the type of developments wanted within the local area.

·         Although Pewsey Parish Council had given agreement in April 2011 for a working group to be established.  Work had only recently begun following further clarification of legislation arising from when the Localism Bill became an Act. 

·         Wiltshire Council had recommended that neighbouring Parish Council’s might benefit from working together to produce one combined plan.  The Community Area Partnership (CAP) had been consulted.  Approximately 6 parish council responses had been received.

·         Terms of Reference had been written.  Once fully adopted by the Working Group these would be submitted to the Pewsey Parish Council for consideration.

·         The importance of community engagement in developing Neighbourhood Plans was highlighted.  With this in mind initial engagement was expected to start in the early Autumn and a full community consultation undertaken thereafter.  An event had been scheduled to take place at the Pewsey Vale School on 6 September with all members of the community encouraged to attend. 

·         Factors that would need to be taken into account when developing the Plan included:

Core Strategy

Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA)

Community Area Plan (CAP)

The Chairman thanked Peter Deck and Patrick Wilson for the presentation.

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);

e.            Parish Councils;

-       Chirton and Conock Parish Council - Over Height Vehicle Signage Consultation

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

g.            Pewsey Campus - Shadow Community Operations Board

(a)       Wiltshire Police

Inspector Ron Peach was unable to attend the meeting due to an incident that had taken place in Devizes.  Attendees were therefore asked to note the update provided within the agenda.

In addition, the Board made attendees aware that a shadow Police & Crime Panel had been formed within the authority.  This Panel would scrutinise the decisions of the Police Commissioner once appointed and would become statutory after elections on 15 November 2012.  An update would be brought to the Board in September.

(b)       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

            The written update provided within the Agenda was noted.

(c)        NHS Wiltshire

No update was provided.

(d)       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Bob King, Chairman of the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) gave an update on the work of PCAP.  Issues arising from the last meeting held on 14 June included further discussion on HGV signage in Devizes through the A342/A345 and housing needs in rural areas. 

Clarification was also provided that the part-time co-ordinator position had now been appointed.

(e)       Parish Councils

Stef Robertson from Chirton and Conock Parish Council confirmed that transport issues remained with no speed reductions anticipated in Chirton along the B3098.  There were also still concerns in relation to the Devizes Rushall bend along the A342.

Stef Robertson was also concerned that the full update expected following the overheight vehicle signage consultation was not available. 

The attending Service Director for Law and Governance confirmed that the Cabinet member had requested that further metro-loop information be provided following the consultation close date in May as the equipment used to gather the initial data had failed.  The results of the consultation were now therefore expected be known later in July.

Cllr Dick Tonge, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport would be asked to attend the next meeting to provide an update to the Board.

(f)        Pewsey Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

A meeting of CAYPIG was to be held this evening.  The summer holiday programme of activities was now available and included workshops for the Pewsey Carnival, planned trips and future music nights.

A grant request was likely to be submitted to the Board later in the year for funding towards a Drum and Base music night following the success of the previous music event held.

(g)       Pewsey Campus – Shadow Community Operations Board

The Board were asked to note the update provided on page 41 of the agenda.  It was hoped that the business proposals would be submitted to the Cabinet Capital Assets Committee in the near future.

Nick Glass, Manager of School Buildings and Places will be in attendance to provide details on the Chirton School Consultation.

Nick Glass, Manager for Schools Strategic Planning and Places was in attendance to provide details on the Chirton School Consultation.

In addressing the Board the following information was provided:

·         That the Council had been asked to help find partners who may be able to help with the future of the village school.

·         On 25 April Governors of the school received due diligence from possible partners and it was felt this an appropriate time for public consultation on the future of the school.  Clarification was provided that the Council had advised confidentiality until the formal consultation to avoid undue panic amongst parents.

·         The authority would always strive where possible to ensure that village schools remained open.  However, decisions were required in terms of the viability, taking into consideration that 3 children only fell within the catchment area this year and an anticipated 6 were highlighted for the following year.

·         The consultation was due to close at 5pm this evening.  However, to ensure the views of the Board could be taken into consideration this was extended to midnight.  Hard copies of the consultation were made available at the meeting and details provided to the on-line consultation.

·         Once all responses were coordinated a report would be submitted to the Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

In noting the information provided in relation to pupils within the catchment area, it was commented that additional affordable housing was required in order to allow young families with children to remain in the area and have the opportunity to use the school.

The Cabinet members in attendance noted the comments received and confirmation was provided by Nick Glass that these would also be passed to the responsible Cabinet Member for Children’s Services.

The Chairman thanked Nick Glass for the presentation and confirmed that hard copies of the consultation paper could be handed to the attending Democratic Services Officer at the end of the meeting who would ensure they were delivered to Nick Glass accordingly.

To receive a presentation regarding the Wiltshire Community Bank.

Emma Cooper, Partnership Development Manager, was in attendance to provide a presentation on the Wiltshire Community Bank.  The presentation included the following information:

·         The Wiltshire Community Bank had been launched in Pewsey in November 2011 and could be accessed at the Pewsey Library on a Tuesday morning.

·         To reach those most in need of the services provided work was being undertaken with the children’s centres and social landlords to communicate as wide as possible the services provided by the Bank.

·         The Financial Inclusion Services in Wiltshire were able to provide:

Advice

Bank Accounts

Credit (affordable and responsible)

Debt help and advice

Education on money

·         Work was being done with the England Illegal Money-Lending team to try to tackle the communities’ reliance on illegal money-lenders where the APR can, in many instances, be as much as 272% (compared to an average of 23.9% for most High Street banks).

The Chairman thanked Emma Cooper for her attendance.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler will give an update on the progress made regarding issues which have been raised with the Area Board.

To determine any applications for Community Area Grants.

The Area Board considered two 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

Wootton Rivers Recreation Project was awarded £2,140 towards the cost of updating and improving sports and recreation facilities conditional upon the remaining funding being sought/confirmed.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2011/12 and would support several Community Area Plan priorities, including a focus on youth and community involvement to improve access to recreation and leisure at a local level.

Decision

St Michaels Parochial Church Council, Little Bedwyn was awarded £2,500 towards the Bells Restoration Project conditional upon the remaining funding being confirmed.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2011/12 and would support several Community Area Plan priorities, including ensuring community facilities and events are maintained.

Time permitting, the Chairman will invite questions and comments on issues not covered elsewhere in the agenda.

There were no urgent items considered.

To note the Forward Plan attached.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for Monday 10 September 2012, 7pm at Bouverie Hall, Goddard Road, Pewsey SN9 5QE.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for Monday 10 September 2012, 7pm at Bouverie Hall, North Street, Pewsey, Wiltshire SN9 5EQ.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.