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 Stef Roberton (Chirton Parish Council), Carolyn Wistler (North Newton Parish Council) and Inspector Matthew Armstrong (Wiltshire Police).

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2013 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.

Steve Hartley, Chair of Governors, and Carol Grant, Headteacher, Pewsey Vale School, will give a short presentation on the achievements of the school over recent years as well as plans for the future.

Steve Hartley, Chair of Governors, and Carol Grant, Headteacher of Pewsey Vale School were in attendance to give a brief introduction on the School.  In making the presentation the following points were made:

·         Pewsey Vale School had ambitions to become a sponsoring academy, noting that the School strived for individuality, creativity and excellence, examination results had broken all previous records and the school had the best student/computer ratio in Wiltshire.

·         The school continued to strive to better itself further with a target to increase the number of students gaining 10 or more high grade passes set. 

·         A survey of different stakeholders undertaken by the school had provided some pleasing results.  This included that 100% of parents who responded said their children felt safe at school and that children felt that they learnt a lot in lessons.

·         Although parents recognised the success of the school a positive view was not shared by all in the local community.  The Headteacher would continue to encourage those residents with concerns to visit during open sessions which would allow better understanding of the positive work of the school.

Thanks were given by the Chairman for the information provided.  The school were encouraged to submit the information to the CAM for circulation in the community area blogsite/newsletter (CAN).

The current consultations detailed on the agenda were highlighted.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

Seargent Vince Logue was in attendance and referred the meeting to the written update which was circulated at the meeting.

Mike Franklin was unable to attend the meeting.  However, attendees were asked to note the update as detailed within the agenda and the further update for the month of March as circulated at the meeting.

The update contained within the agenda pack was noted.

Bob King, Chairman of the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) gave an update on the work of PCAP, this included that the next meeting was scheduled to take place on Thursday 14 March.  The Group still worked towards achieving a full complement of sub-group heads and as such anyone interested in taking on any of these roles would be welcomed to attend the meeting.

The updates provided by Great Bedwyn and North Newton Parish Councils as circulated within the agenda were noted.

In addition updates were received as follows:

Woodborough Parish Council

The footpath recently installed to better the journey to school from Smithy Lane was highlighted.  It was felt by some residents that cars were now travelling faster along this stretch and concerns had also been raised that the elevated position of the pathway could impact on privacy to some of the properties.

Pewsey Heritage Centre

Mike Asbury confirmed Pewsey Heritage Centre was in the process of refurbishment.  Questions were raised in relation to a capital grant of £100k allocated by Kennet District Council prior to unitary.  Confusion remained as to when this grant might be paid across.

Cllr Wheeler confirmed that he would look into the matter and respond to Mike Asbury directly with further details.

Pewsey Parish Council

Bob Woodward highlighted several issues that would be raised with the new Community Area Co-ordinator within the Highways team once in post.

Adrian Hampton, Head of Local Highways and Streetscene, was in attendance and confirmed that Ian Spanswick would be the main point of contact for future queries and priorities.  The Highways team would be undertaking presentations to provide further information on the new structure at the end of May.  All Parish and Town Councils were encouraged to attend and also to nominate a point of contact themselves.

The Board were also made aware of the ‘hustings’ meeting scheduled to take place at Bouverie Hall at 7pm on 18 April 2013 for those candidates standing  at the forthcoming town and parish elections.

An update was provided by a representative of the YAG.  This included that a brochure for summer activities relating to The Shak was being produced.  Anyone wishing to contribute to its content should contact the Group accordingly.

Bob Woodward confirmed that the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufacturers and Commerce (RSA) were undertaking research and would be meeting with him on 19 March.  It was understood they would be assisting by taking an independent view on the recommendations on how the campus would be run.

Bob Woodward reported that the Pewsey School Board of Governors had held a further meeting in relation to the proposed skate park and confirmed that the school was not felt to be an appropriate site.  Alternative sites were now being investigated and discussions with an agent for land on the outskirts of Pewsey were taking place.

The team were hoping to be in a position to finalise a design brief for the campus at the end of the month and were therefore hoping to be able to present further details at the next meeting.

No update was provided.

Mary Soellner, Wiltshire Good Neighbour Scheme, confirmed that flyers had been distributed at the meeting highlighting the work of the Scheme putting older residents in touch with services and people who could help them to live more independent lives.

Further information could be found by visiting the website at www.wiltsgn.org.uk.

Georgina Clampitt-Dix, Head of Spatial Planning, will be in attendance to give a brief overview on Neighbourhood Planning in the Pewsey Community Area.

Georgina Clampitt-Dix, Head of Spatial Planning, was in attendance to provide a brief overview on Neighbourhood Planning in the Pewsey Community Area.

In making the presentation the following points were made:

·         Central government policy encouraged the development of homes allowing more freedom for developments but this could sometimes cause conflict with local authorities.  The Neighbourhood Plans could be used to benefit local communities by ensuring they had a say on how their local area should develop.

·         The Plans set planning policies for development and use of land that add to the Wiltshire Core Strategy.  They provided an opportunity for communities to influence decisions on where homes are built and what they look like.

·         Plans were required to conform to national policies and local strategic policies (such as the Wiltshire Core Strategy).

·         Wiltshire Council would need to check the Plans to ensure they complied with procedural requirements prior to submission to an Independent Examination. 

·         If the Plans passed Independent Examination they were then submitted for local referendum across the relevant Neighbourhood Plan area.  If 50% of those that voted were in favour of the Plan Wiltshire Council was then required to bring it into force (i.e. make the Plan).

·         There had been a number of front-runner projects in Wiltshire testing differing geographies, these included:

Royal Wootton Basset & Cricklade Community Area

Malmesbury Town (which incorporated 3 parishes)

Cross boundary (2 parishes within Wiltshire Council area and BANES)

Parish level centred at Sherston (large village)

·         Community buy in was crucial for the Plans to become active.

·         For the Pewsey parish area a neighbourhood consultation was now underway which would end on 17 April 2013.  Other areas within the Pewsey area looking into the possibility of producing a Plan included North Newton and Burbage who were at the early stages of their investigations.

Upon receiving further questions the following clarifications were made:

·         Although the core strategy had yet to be fully finalised the scoping of Neighbourhood Plans could still continue.

·         Village Design Statements were also still valid and were a valuable complimentary addition to the Core Strategy for local communities.

·         Local neighbouring Parishes may benefit from working together to develop one Neighbourhood Plan if they shared similar objectives.  For other Parishes (such as Pewsey Parish Council) it may benefit to produce an individual Plan as its neighbouring parishes may have differing requirements.

The Chairman thanked the Officer for her attendance and for the presentation given.

A presentation will be made by the Pewsey Area Youth Council.

Representatives from the Pewsey Area Youth Council were in attendance to provide details on the Council and the work it had undertaken to date in relation to the Skate Park.  Information was provided as follows:

·         Pewsey Youth Council was established in 2008 and had been involved in numerous projects, the Skate Park being the only project not to have moved from the agenda.

·         In November 2012 the Youth Council evolved into the Pewsey Area Youth Council to incorporate young people from across the whole Pewsey community area.

·         The Skate Park project had initially originated as a police initiative to combat anti-social behaviour in the village.  In 2008 a public meeting was held and of the 200 attendees, 99% agreed to the need of a skate park.

·         A number of potential sites had been identified for the Skate Park including Pewsey Vale School (PVS) playing fields, Broomcroft Road playing fields and The Grove (behind the Co-Op) with the PVS site identified as the most favoured for a number of reasons.  These included its proximity to the leisure centre and youth facilities.

·         PAYC is working in conjunction with the Campus team to investigate whether an indoor or covered skate park within the central campus area was achievable.

Following questions received PYAC confirmed that correspondence would be directed to the Headteacher of PVS to investigate how the views of school pupils could be sourced in relation to the proposed skate park.

The Board thanked the attendees of PYAC for the presentation.

Bernie Bradshaw, Chairman of the Carnival Committee, will present information on the Pewsey Area Carnival.

The Chairman welcomed Bernie Bradshaw, Chairman of the Pewsey and District Feast and Carnival to the meeting.

In making his presentation Bernie asked those in attendance to note the paper as circulated with the agenda and encouraged all Parishes within the Pewsey community area to be involved in the Carnival.

It was highlighted that following a review in October 2012 it was noted that there were no events for 13-17 year olds.  In conjunction with The Shak and Area Youth Council there are plans to build a number of  events over the carnival period with a working title of ‘Have a go at Carnival Time’.  The aim of the project would be to encourage this age group to try something new.

An e-mail notification would be sent to the CAM to be circulated via the CAN to encourage involvement of the parishes.

An opportunity to look back at some of the achievements of the Area Board over the last 4 years.

Caroline Brailey (CAM) gave a brief presentation of the achievements of the Pewsey Area Board since 2009. 

This included that the Board had awarded a total of £160,000 to support 120 local projects since 2009.  Some examples given were funding for Shalbourne play area, Great Bedwyn Legion towards refurbishment and funding for Superstrings.

The Board had awarded £47,000 to support local highway projects identified by the community.  This included a new footpath at Rushall, footpath improvements at Great Bedwyn and improved road layout at Wilcot Road, Pewsey.

Asset transfers had also taken place which included recreational areas in Pewsey, Alton Barnes, East Grafton and Upavon.

£50,000 had been awarded to support projects for children and young people.  Such projects included Pewsey Youth Dance, Great Bedwyn Youth Club start up, Burbage and Upavon Scout Groups, sports clubs and nurseries and skate park trips.

The local campus board looking at ways of bringing together local public and voluntary services had been set up.  The resulting campus, expected to be in place by 2014, would make it easier for local people to access the services they need.

Several events took place in relation to the Queen’s Jubilee.  Specific thanks were given to the working group whose hard work enabled us to showcase the community area for the Queen’s visit to Salisbury on 1 May.

In looking forward the Board would continue to strive to raise awareness and increase participation and provide new ways for all sections of the community to have their say.  This would help local people get more involved in the design and delivery of local services.

To consider the following Youth Funding requests.

·         Great Bedwyn Youth Club areseeking£140 for a pottery workshop

·         Great Bedwyn Youth Club are seeking £600 for miscellaneous transport and trips.

·         Savernake Forest Scout Group are seeking £1,000 for a Cooking Under Canvass project.

The Area Board considered a number of applications for Youth Funding.  The Chairman invited the local Councillor to introduce each application, following which the individual groups were invited to give a presentation on why the funding was needed.

Decision

Great Bedwyn Youth Club were awarded £140 for a pottery workshop and £600 towards miscellaneous transport and trips.

Savernake Forest Scout Group were awarded £1,000 towards the purchase of a tent to allow cooking under canvas.

The notes of the CATG meeting held on 23 January 2013 are attached.  The Board is asked to consider the notes and endorse any recommendations arising.

The notes of the CATG meeting held on 23 January were noted and the recommendations contained within endorsed by the Board with the exception of the recommendation to close issue number 2593.  This would now remain open noting that a metro count was being undertaken.

Decision

The recommendations within the CATG notes were endorsed, with the exception of the removal of issue number 2593 which would now remain on the system.

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

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

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

Although there was no urgent business to address.  The Chairman wished to express thanks to Cllr Robert Hall for his dedication as a member of the Board, noting that Cllr Hall would not be standing again at the forthcoming elections.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for Monday 8 July 2013 at Coronation Hall, The Green, East Grafton, SN8 3DB.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.