Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence had been received from:

Carolyn Whistler – North Newton Parish Council

Patrick Wilson – Vice Chairman PCAP

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 3^rd November 2014.

It was noted that Patrick Wilson’s name appeared in error under Pewsey Parish Council and it was agreed that this should be removed.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 3 November 2014 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the amendment detailed above.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest received.

The Board noted two chairman announcements circulated at the meeting and attached to these minutes, in respect of:

·         CCG Integrated Performance Management

·         Dementia in Wiltshire: The role of Healthwatch Wiltshire

The Chairman announced that Sian Wood from Develop would give a short presentation on the work of Develop under partner updates.

Angus Macpherson – Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner to outline the Precept Consultation - 2015-16.

Inspector Matt Armstrong – to give the Wiltshire Police update.

Clive Barker, Chief Finance Officer from the Officer of the Police and Crime Commissioner, gave a presentation on the policing and crime element of the council tax consultation taking place in January and February of this year. The Commissioner has a legal duty to consult with the public

Overall crime had been reduced by 3% from December 2013 – November 2014. Public confidence measured in the Spring / Summer survey was at 86.6% and victim satisfaction was at 87.7%; this is up to November 2014.

It was emphasised that HM Inspector of Constabulary had rated Wiltshire Police as Good in all categories, and that it is in line with national trends.

It was outlined that increases in costs in combination with a 5.1% cash grant reduction would result in an increasing budget spending gap in future years.

The Commissioner is consulting on a proposed increase to the police precept of 1.9%, or £3.06 per year. This was equivalent to 6p per week based on an average band D property. Even with this increase savings would still need to be made and it was intended that the force would work in partnership with councils and other police forces to deliver better services in single locations and single teams, purchasing and working smarter together.

Without the proposed increase the funding gap over the next 3 years is expected to amount to £13 million, but with the proposed increase it was forecasted at £11 million. This was after the level of savings already achieved had been taken into account.

The Area Board discussed the proposals and were advised that the consultation period is running from the 6th January to the 4th February. All were invited to read more about the proposal and give feedback via the Commissioner’s website - www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk

Questions raised included:

If there would be a shortfall what were the police not going to do?

a.    The OPCC is trying to protect frontline services where possible. It was hoped that savings would be made through reviewing the structure of the force and by working regionally in force partnerships.

Could you come back with another rise in 2016/2017?

a.    The forecast of £11 million was based on continuing to increase the police precept by 1.9% over the next three years. 

Inspector Matt Armstrong followed Clive Barker and gave a verbal police update. He stated their resolution was to be more visible, and explained that performance was good overall. An increase in violence against the person had been seen, with 10 additional offences seen compared to last year. Officers were working hard with individuals and it was hoped that this would turn into a decrease.

Significant arrests had been made in relation to beauty spot thefts which had resulted in imprisonment and numbers had decreased on last year.

There was still an issue with burglaries targeting tools in both dwellings and non-dwellings, and also targeting dogs.

Officers had been working closely with colleagues in Hampshire, with both intelligence and officers shared in a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Karen Brown – Community Youth Officer.

Karen Brown, Community Youth Officer, discussed the work that the LYN has been doing within the community and their forward plan.

They were currently working with a company called B8 from Swindon on a Pewsey media mash-up, working on an animation around road safety. Another taster day was due to be held on the 5th February, with further workshops being held throughout February and March on Thursday evenings in Pewsey. Monthly Saturday sessions would continue thanks to Simon Shaw and Pewsey Parish Council.

On the 22nd January Moonrakers will be hosting ‘The Zone’ from 8pm-10pm.

Pewsey Youth Club will be on Friday evenings from 6 February run by Holly Hillier and funded by Aster Communities.

At its meeting on 15 December 2014 the LYN proposed to bring an ice skating rink to Pewsey to provide a positive activity for young people, promote the youth network and provide an exciting  community engagement event for young people and families.

Karen explained that the 14th February had been identified as the possible date. The event will run from the afternoon into the evening, and a 10m by 10m rink would be located outside the Co-Op, with additional activities available.  Pewsey Parish Council were happy to support the event and had agreed to contribute £100.

The Board was asked to approve the proposal for the community initiative involving the ice skating rink and to approve the budget of £1000+VAT with transport costs of £60. In response to a question it was confirmed that if approved the money would come out of the youth budget.

Decision

·         Pewsey Area Board approved the proposal for the community initiative involving the ice skating rink

·         Pewsey Area Board approved the budget of £1000+VAT and transport costs of £60 to enable the booking of said event

The Chairman thanked Karen for attending.

Peter Binley - Head of Highways Asset Management and Commissioning

Highways and Transport, Wiltshire Council.

The Pewsey Area Board are asked to approve the proposed list of schemes for 2015/16.

Peter Binley, Head of Highways Asset Management discussed the 6 year programme of investment fund in highways maintenance which started in 2014/15.

Roads in the worst condition will be targeted by the investment and include minor roads as well as main roads. The standard timeframe for resurfacing roads was every 7 months; however recently, this had been every 10 months.

The council had confirmed that highways are a priority and with a budget of £21million for highways maintenance per year and an additional £3million for bridge maintenance, this 6 year programme aims to significantly improve the roads and highways within Wiltshire.

The Board was asked to note the progress being made on implementing road resurfacing and safety schemes in 2014/15 as detailed in Appendix 1 and 2 to the report; to consider the proposed highway maintenance schemes in the community area for 2015/16 detailed in Appendix 3 to the report and agree the list for implementation, and to suggest any sites for consideration for inclusion in future year’s highways maintenance and resurfacing programmes.

It was important to know as soon as possible as it could take up to 3 months to get road closure orders.

Some questions raised were:

With regard to the timescale for getting road closures, was it possible to get emergency notifications within a week

a.    The aim was for a managed programme across the year.

Will The Crescent, Broadfields definitely be done?

a.    If it was pushed back it would be done as soon as possible

What is the difference between surfacing and surface dressing?

a.    Surface dressing is when tar is laid down and chippings embedded using a roller, commonly used on rural roads. Resurfacing is replacing the entire road surface using black asphalt, commonly on main roads.

The Area Board discussed the proposals, with some concern around priorities however after further discussion and consultation with the CATG members, the Chair confirmed that this should be agreed in the meeting to avoid any delay.

It was noted that if any of the Parish Councils have specific roads they would like to be done this could be fed back to Peter Binley’s team through the CATG.

Decision

·         Pewsey Area Board noted the progress made on implementing road resurfacing and safety schemes in 2014/15

·         Pewsey Area Board approved the list of proposed highway maintenance schemes in the community area for 2015/16, as seen in appendix 3 to the report, for implementation

·         Any sites for inclusion in future year’s highways maintenance and resurfacing programmes would be suggested through the CATG

The Chairman thanked Peter for attending.

Wiltshire Council have received a nomination from Ham Parish Council for the Crown & Anchor Public House, Ham to be listed as an Asset of Community Value.

The Area Board was asked to consider the nomination of the Crown and Anchor Public House to become an asset of community value. It was noted that it was the only pub in Ham and was strategically located on the village green.

When asked how to nominate for assets of community value it was agreed that Caroline would circulate further information.

Action – Caroline Brailey

Decision

Pewsey Area Board agreed to support the nomination of Crown and Anchor Public House, Ham as an asset of community value.

Further information regarding the community right to bid for assets of community value can be found via the link below:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/planninganddevelopment/planningcommunityrighttobid.htm

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

a.Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service

b.Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

c.Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP)

·       To include Bus consultation update

d.Parish Councils

e.Pewsey Area Campus Team

f.Good Neighbour Scheme

g.Army Rebasing

The following partner updates were given:

(a)       Wiltshire Police

The verbal update provided by Inspector Matt Armstrong was reported under item 6 – Wiltshire Police Precept Consultation.

(b)       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

            Mike Franklin circulated a written report which is attached to these minutes. Recruitment of firefighters in Pewsey is moving forward; there are new recruits at various stages of training. In November, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue agreed a proposal to merge with Dorset Fire and Rescue and there was currently an open government consultation on this proposal. PCAP had been approached with a proposal to buy equipment to enable fire safety advice to be targeted at canal boat users and dwellers.

(c)       Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group

            No update received.

(d)       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Susie Brew, Coordinator of the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) drew attention to the update contained at page 29 of the agenda.

The next meeting of the PCAP is to be held on the 30 April and not 26 February as stated in the written update. Attention was drawn to the Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership with a meeting held on the 17th December to kick things off.

The bus consultation finished on 10 December but results were not yet known. A working group would be convened to look at the consultation results when available.

The Network Rail train consultation is due to close on 9 January – PCAP had submitted a response.

(e)       Parish Councils

No updates received.

(f)        Pewsey Area Campus Team

            The Vale Community Campus was launched on 15 September 2014.         Plans have been submitted and will be determined by 5 February 2015. There had been 8 expressions of interest received from contractors but two did not fulfil the criteria. Tender documents were sent to 6 bidders and are due to be returned by the end of April 2015, with an appointment made around May/June 2015. The leisure centre was still open.

All were reminded that the old tennis courts behind Pewsey Vale Academy were now a multi-use games arena and those wishing to use this facility could register their interest at the leisure centre.

The campus team’s priority was communication and they offered to attend parish meetings where wanted and possible. They are also working on back up facilities for the leisure centre for when it is closed for building the new campus.

(g)       Good Neighbour Scheme

            Mary Soellner has left and we are awaiting her replacement.

(g)       Army Rebasing

            The project was moving on with well prepared plans on estate design. A delay in Larkhill was due to work on the A363. More would be known about Upavon in 2015. Traffic concerns about the A345 and A342 had been emailed on and a response would be provided to the enquirer.

(h)       Develop

            Sian Woods gave a presentation on Develop and how the service can support and work with the local area. They provide support to non-profit organisations in Wiltshire. They can supply support to individuals or groups, and also advise on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

There was no urgent business.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for Monday 16^th March, 7pm at Pewsey Vale School.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for Monday 16 March 2015 at Pewsey Vale School

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.