Agenda and minutes

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

Thanks were given to Woodborough Social Club for allowing the Board to host its meeting at the venue.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

Bob Woodward and Peter Deck – Pewsey Parish Council

Carolyn Whistler – North Newton Parish Council

Mary Soellner – Wiltshire Good Neighbour Scheme

Patrick Wilson – Pewsey & District Chamber of Commerce

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 2013.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 July 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.

a.    Core Strategy

b.    Community Area JSA

The following Chairman’s Announcements as contained within the agenda were noted:

·         Core Strategy – attendees were reminded that the consultation ran from Tuesday 27 August to Wednesday 9 October 2013.

·         Community Area JSA – the date of the Pewsey event was scheduled to take place on 24 February 2014.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

Sector Inspector, Matthew Armstrong, presented the update as included within the agenda clarifying that the figures submitted within the July report had been incorrect but had now been amended as indicated within the most recent update. 

In presenting the report the following were highlighted:

·         That there had been an increase in the reporting of non domestic burglaries.

·         Work with the local authority was ongoing with regards anti-social behaviour, including for hare coursing.

·         Theft of agriculture equipment had reduced from the previous year although thefts from parked cars remained a problem.  The team continued to work towards reducing this.

·         Figures in relation to violence against a person had reduced further.

·         ‘Operation Harness’ had been launched to promote engagement with the local community.  This allowed staff and officers from all departments came together to work on reinforcing key messages on how areas identified by the community as priority issues could be progressed. 

The involvement of partner agencies would be welcomed and a request was made for any issues identified to be fed back to Matthew Armstrong accordingly.

Attention was also drawn to the recently published PCC Survey, a copy of which was attached to the agenda.

The update, copies of which were circulated at the meeting and made available at the sign in desk, was noted.

The Chairman drew the Boards attention to the updates provided within the agenda where the following was highlighted:

Pewsey Parish Council

·         A watercourse survey had been undertaken in relation to Southcott Road flooding.  Although the survey identified a lot of vegetation the water course itself was clear.  A more detailed survey could be undertaken if felt appropriate.

·         The Co-Op recycling site boarding was to be completed on 30 September 2013.

·         Swan Corner was listed within the programme of works for road repairs to be undertaken.

Questions were raised in relation to when the on-line tracking system for Highways and Streetscene Services might be available, noting that it had been indicated previously that the system was expected to have gone live. Steve Matthews, the Community Coordinator for the area, responded that the schedules were being reviewed at present and that the system was expected to be available shortly.

Further clarity was also sought on whether Esther Daly from the Wiltshire Council Rights of Way team was to be replaced following her recent departure.  The Chairman confirmed that he would investigate accordingly.

No update was provided.

PCAP were expecting to commence on a community consultation exercise in early September.

The Economy Group of PCAP would be working closely with Visit Wiltshire to promote the area and local economy.  PCAP were hoping to move forward on the Action for Market Towns benchmarking early in 2014.

Although no update was provided, attendees were reminded that a pilot for ‘Have a Go Carnival’ started on Saturday.  The first day’s activities were well attended and all seemed to enjoy the activities on offer. 

The Board noted the update as circulated at the meeting.

To note the update provided and agree the current membership of the Campus Team, details of which are outlined below.  For clarity, the appointed members are expected to involve their deputies as and when required.

Curly Haskell was in attendance to present the update and to seek endorsement of the slightly revised membership.  This included the addition of Caroline Saunders who it was proposed should be the appointed representative for the wider community vacant post. 

The membership of the Campus Team was therefore presented as follows for approval:

Decision:

The Area Board agreed to the revised membership of the Campus Team as outlined above.

To consult on the draft management plan and to discuss any other issues regarding the North Wessex Downs AONB.

Oliver Cripps was in attendance to give a presentation on the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). 

In making the presentation the following information was provided:

·         There was a 5 year management plan, approved by the Secretary of State which was about to be refreshed.  This was a chance for anyone in the area to have a say in what would be included.

·         A sustainable development fund existed which could be applied for.  A number of small scale community projects in the Pewsey area had already been funded and Oliver would welcome discussing how to apply for this grant with anyone interested.

·         The Leader Action Group was a scheme for delivering funding for farmers, foresters, rural businesses and community organisations and was part of the Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE).

·         ‘Our Land’ portal was a major collaborative project to develop and promote sustainable rural tourism in the National Parks and AONBs of the South East.  The website was run by Responsible Travel.

·         North Wessex Downs AONB were also involved with other projects RDP funded.  This included 1 South West, which encouraged off road cycling routes of differing levels to suite differing abilities.

·         A number of walks identified by local communities had been produced with assistance of funding from North Wessex Downs AONB, as well as support for the Friends of the Railway Path Group in developing and maintain the railway path.

·         There were resources available from the group that could help local parishes in making a wildlife map of their respective areas.

Details of how to apply for funding from the Sustainable Development Fund could be found via:

www.northwessexdowns.org.uk

The Chairman thanked Oliver Cripps for the presentation and encouraged attendees to view the site for further information.

To consider the report and any ensuing recommendations arising from the meeting held on 14 August 2013.

The report arising from the latest CATG meeting held on 14 August was presented and the Board asked to give approval to the recommendations contained within.

Decision:

That the Area Board:

Put on hold the other two routes for a speed survey review whilst they look at existing data (C52 Manningfords and C261 Woodborough to Pewsey) and defer any decision about the initial two routes (C38 Woodborough and C8 Stanton St Bernard) until the rest of the results are in together with feedback from parish councils affected;

Add East Royal to the SID rota; and

Approve the £9,000 spend on the Rushall footpath (North Newnton side).

To determine the following Community Area Grants and Councillor Initiative applications:

·         Wilcot and Huish with Oare Parish Council -  £500

·         St John’s Ambulance - £500

·         Burbage Village Hall Trust - £488

·         Grafton Parish War Memorial Area Renovation - £2,500

·         Great Bedwyn Village Hall -  £1,800

·         Great Bedwyn Cricket Club - £5,000 

·         Councillor Initiative - £500

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

Wilcot and Huish with Oare Parish Council was awarded £500 towards the purchase of two defibrillators and training.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2013/14.

Decision

St John’s Ambulance was awarded £500 towards first aid training for 300 pupils of primary and secondary school age in Pewsey.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2013/14.

Decision

Burbage Village Hall Trust was awarded £488 towards the surfacing of steps.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2013/14.

Decision

Grafton Parish War Memorial Area Renovation was awarded £2,500 towards improvements to the land around the war memorial.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2013/14.

Decision

Great Bedwyn Village Hall was awarded £1,800 towards chairs and storage trolley for the village hall.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2013/14.

Decision

Great Bedwyn Cricket Club was awarded £5,000 towards new cricket nets and surface.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2013/14.

Decision

£500 was granted via Councillor Initiative for Campus Team travel expenses.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2013/14.

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.

There were no urgent items considered.

To note the Forward Plan attached.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 11 November 2013, 7pm at Pewsey Vale School, Wilcot Road, Pewsey, SN9 5EW.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for Monday 11 November 2013, 7pm at Pewsey Vale School Wilcot Road, Pewsey and would focus on health and wellbeing matters.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.