Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Woodborough Social Club and introduced the Area Board Members and the Wiltshire Council officers.

Apologies for absence had been received from Ian Gibbons – Service Director, Wiltshire and Andrew Whitney – Pewsey Parish Council.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15^th September 2014.

Decision

·       The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15^th September 2014 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.

a.     Wiltshire’s Car Parking Review.

b.     Changes to Electoral Registration.

The following Chairman’s Announcements contained in the agenda pack were noted:

·       Wiltshire’s Car Parking Review.

·       Changes to Electoral Registration.

To receive a report and agree LYN Management Committee membership and to delegate authority for expenditure between meetings.

The Chairman advised that the budget for the area board allocated for positive activities for young people was as follows:

·       2014/15 - £9,906 + youth service under spend of £20,627

·       2015/16 - £16,160

The Community Area Manager outlined the proposed LYN membership. The Area Board then discussed and agreed the LYN Management Committee membership and delegate authority for expenditure between meetings.

Proposed Membership of the Management Group

Jerry Kunkler          - Pewsey Area Board

Dawn Wilson           - Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Jason Underwood   - Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Jill Shankland          - Parent Support Adviser

Simon Shaw            - Pewsey Parish Council/Pewsey Youth Council

Mark Bond              - Pewsey Primary School

Wendy Spencer      - Pewsey Campus Community Operations Board

Police Officer                    - Pewsey NPT

Young Person x 6   - Alex Potter, Jacques Draper, Katie Hogg, Jack Hogg,   Angel Elizabaidy

Karen Brown           - Community Youth Officer (non voting member)

Caroline Brailey       - Community Area Manager (non voting member)

Decision

·       That the Pewsey Area Board approves the membership of the LYN management group, and approves the expenditure occurred to date for the engagement event held on 29 October.  (The engagement event incurred costs of £29 for room hire, £50 for the activity and £5 for refreshments). 

In line with our approach with community area grants in respect of urgent matters that may arise from time to time between meetings that the Community Area Manager, in consultation with the Community Youth Officer and the Chairman of Pewsey Area Board, be granted delegated authority to approve expenditure not exceeding £500 from the youth budget for projects in relation to positive activities for young people.

·       That authority be delegated to the Community Area Manager to approve expenditure of up to £500 for urgent projects falling between area board meetings  A report explaining such decision and the reasons why it was considered to be urgent shall be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the Pewsey Area Board

It is possible that up to £500 in total for the year might be spent facilitating some meetings such as the one on 29 October which incurred room hire costs.  Future meetings of the LYN will be held in the fire station community room which is free, as often as possible.

·       That authority be delegated to the Community Area Manager to manage a budget of up to £500 to cover expenditure related to the management of the LYN meetings.  A report giving details of any expenditure incurred will be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the Pewsey Area Board

Colin Gale – Pewsey Community Area Partnership.

Colin Gale – Pewsey Community Area Partnership gave a presentation that updated proposals to the Pewsey Vale Connect2 bus service.

Points made included:

Background

•        Wiltshire Council Passenger Transport Unit consulted the public last spring on a revised Connect 2 Wiltshire bus service in the Pewsey Vale. Some changes were well received but there were concerns about others.

•        PCAP/DCAP Task Team with the support of Alan James (consultant) created an alternative option which took account of the concerns and  provided a formal reported by the agreed date: 14^th July 2014.

•        Alan James had a meeting with the PTU to discuss the alternative option report and performed further work to test the timetable using live data: 9^th August 2014.

•        HATTS TRAVEL (the operator) went into administration at the end of July, which significantly impacted the PTU resources (staffing, time and budget).

•        PTU initially unable to commit to dates for follow on consultation but then agreed a 6 week period starting in October and finishing end of November.

Current Status

•        PCAP/DCAP Task Team held a meeting with the PTU to discuss the consultation document on 10^th Oct.

•        The PTU had not made much progress and declared:

•        the PTU did not intend to put the contract out to tender.

•        The resultant timetable would be contracted as an extension to the current contract for a period of 18-24 months, and

•        will trial our Alternative Option.

•        Call centre contract extended for a further 12 months.

•      The PTU did not have time or feel able to produce the consultation document.

•        They delegated the work to the Task Team and their consultant.

•        The consultation document has been agreed and is now in circulation.

Concerns

•        What if additional funding is not found for all the consultation elements which are identified ie Evening Service and Late Train Link?

•        What if current instability with local bus companies does not yield an acceptable tender return?

•        Evident lack of PTU resources: manpower/capability and budget.

•        Evident lack of a long term public transport strategy or commitment by the PTU for the Pewsey Community Area.

·       PCAP and DCAP have written to Cabinet. 

·       Meeting arranged with Horace Prickett (Portfolio Holder) on Wednesday , 5^th November.

Questions raised included:

Was there a danger that the service could be lost?

a.Yes, this could happen.

Would there be saving in having a smaller call centre?

a.No, call centre staff would still be looking after other bus routes.

The Chairman thanked Colin Gale for his presentation.

Peter Deck - Pewsey Parish Council.

Peter Deck - Pewsey Parish Council and Patrick Wilson – Pewsey Community Area Partnership gave a short update.

Points made included:

·       That a referendum with at least a 50% participation must be carried out in order for the plan to be implemented.

·       Details of the plan was on the Pewsey PC website and also on social media.

·       The importance that Pewsey as a service centre was enhanced.

·       That economic development was crucial for both the plan and Pewsey.

·       The plan contained a broad range of policies including Protection of the environment and Housing.

·       That brown field sites should be considered first for building.

The Chairman thanked Peter Deck and Patrick Wilson for their update and the good work that was being carried out on the plan.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

The following Partner updates were given:

Wiltshire Police – Inspector Matt Armstrong

Points made included:

·       That performance was stable with a slight increase in violence against persons and Anti-social behaviour.

·       That a number of burglaries had been carried out in the local area, but arrests had been made.

·       There had been a couple of village burglaries.

·       That valuables should not be left on display in cars when left unattended.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service – Mike Franklin

Points made included:

·       The need to be careful when lighting fireworks and bonfires.

·       A fire at two thatched cottages at Codford highlighted once again the need to regularly sweep chimneys.

·       That a meeting to discuss the proposed merger of Wiltshire and Dorset Fire & Rescue Services would be held at 2pm on Tuesday 11^th November at the Fire & Rescue Training Centre at Hopton Industrial Estate, Devizes. The public were welcome to attend.

A question was raised as to fire fighter vacancies at Pewsey Fire Station, Mike Franklin advised that he would investigate and report back.

Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) – Susie Brew

Points made included:

·       That the Spice Time Credits scheme would soon be implemented in the Pewsey community area.

·       That the PCAP web site and Facebook page were now up and running.

·       That a local business directory had been set up on the PCAP web site.

·       That PCAP were looking to set up a Tourism theme group, interested parties should contact Susie Brew.

·       That the Pewsey Vale Dementia Group was now up and running, details could be found on the PCAP web site.

·       PCAP had recently held a very useful Flood Planning meeting.

Parish Councils

·       Charlton St Peter & Wilsford Parish Council – the written report was noted.

The continued opposition to the Friends of the Ridgeway promoting the Great Stones Way was again noted.

·       North Newnton Parish Council – the written report was noted.

·       Woodborough Parish Council – the written report was noted.

Army Rebasing

·       The Defence Infrastructure Organisation (DIO)’s Masterplan for development around Salisbury Plain has been finalised, which was noted by Wiltshire Council’s Strategic Planning Committee (SPC) on 22 October 2014.  Areas which required further work relating to water abstraction, sewage discharge and the impact on habitats caused by increased recreational use of the Plain, have been satisfactorily completed by DIO.  Site specific and detailed issues will be fully addressed during consideration of the planning applications.

·       The Master Plan will remain a critical background document, which will inform each application by defining the wider context and assessing the cumulative impacts, and so demonstrate in the broadest terms how and where development can, and cannot, take place.  It follows that it will be a material consideration, providing contextual understanding and consistency for decision-making.

·       In addition, the DIO is compiling an Infrastructure Delivery Plan (IDP) which will set out the range of community infrastructure that will be provided by, or funded through financial contribution from, the MOD and the specific funding channels.  It is hoped that this will be available for Wiltshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

Pedestrian Access to Pewsey Station – presentation by Spencer Drinkwater.

Community Area Transport Group Meeting – Wednesday 15^th October 2014.

Decision

·       The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 15^th October 2014 were agreed as a correct record.

·       That the Community Area Transport Group agrees the payment of £2,700 for the bus waiting scheme at Wilcot.

Pedestrian Access to Pewsey Station – Spencer Drinkwater.

Points made included:

Background to the scheme

•        The provision of a safe pedestrian route to the station is the No 1 community priority.

•        It is also the Community Area Transport Group’s No 1 priority.

•        However, there are no easy or inexpensive solutions.

•        LSTF funding was allocated to undertake a feasibility study and develop a scheme.

North Street Shuttle Signals Scheme

•        The proposed scheme involves the introduction of shuttle working traffic signals.

•        This enables the provision of a footway on the western side of North Street.

•        The shuttle system could also incorporate a signalised pedestrian crossing on the A345.

•        Traffic signals will also be needed to control vehicles leaving the station car park and for those exiting Buckleaze Lane and The Ridge.

Benefits of the scheme

•        The new footway and crossing will provide a safe and easy route to and from the station.

•        The speed of traffic on the A345 will be reduced.

•        Delays caused by vehicles meeting at the narrow railway bridge should no longer occur.

•        Less waiting for vehicles to enter or exit the railway station car park.

Disbenefits of the scheme

•        Drivers on the A345 may be required to stop at the traffic lights where they previously did not.

•        The scheme involves the installation of 5 sets of signal heads which will have an impact on visual amenity.

•         Additional double yellow lines will be required to keep the junction and its approaches clear at all times.

•        Concern that any delays on the A345 in Pewsey may increase traffic on the C52 through Manningford.

Next steps

•         LSTF funding will be used to continue the detailed design.

•        Wiltshire Council will consult with Pewsey Parish Council and other stakeholders.

•        However, there is currently no funding identified to implement the scheme!

•        However, having a community backed and fully designed scheme will enable future funding bids to be made.

Questions raised included:

Could the residents of Manningford be reassured that the village will not become a “rat run” as motorists avoid the proposed pedestrian access scheme.

a.Wiltshire Council highways officers would be working with the CATG to try and ensure that Manningford residents concerns are taken onboard.

It does appear to be rather over-engineered scheme.

a.The scheme is still very much in the early stage of planning etc.

The Chairman thanked Spencer Drinkwater for his presentation.

The Community Area Manager advised that there had been some confusion over what funds where remaining for Community Area Grant Fund applications during the remainder of 2014/15. It had been assumed that £1,500 allocated for Digital Literacy funding had been ring fenced in another funding pot, It had now become apparent that the Digital Literacy funding would be allocated from the main Community Area Grant Fund pot.

This meant that there was now no funds available Community area grant fund applications for the remainder of the 2014/15 funding period.

The Community Area Manager made the point that £5,000 allocated to the Wilcot Cricket Club as community area grant funding may be returned to the Area Board if this grant funded project does not proceed. This will not be known until early February 2015.

The three outstanding grant applications could then be considered at a future Area Board meeting.

The CAM advised that there is £1,100 available for Digital Literacy grant funding.

The Chairman thanked the Community Area Manager for outlining the issue and hoped that the outstanding grants would be funded in the near future.

There was none.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for Monday 12^th January 2015, 7pm at the Woodborough Social Club.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for Monday 12^th January 2015, 7pm at the Woodborough Social Club.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.