Agenda and minutes

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

The Chairman thanked Caroline Brailey on behalf of the Area Board and Pewsey community area for her hard work and dedication whilst in her role as the Pewsey Community Area Manager.

Apologies for absence had been received from John Brewin – Woodborough Parish Council and Marilyn Hunt, Caroline Baynes and Christian Spickinell – Pewsey COB.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 6 July 2015.

Decision

·       That the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 6 July 2015 were agreed as the correct record.

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

·       The Art of Autism.

The following Chairman’s Announcement, contained in the pack was noted:

·       The Art of Autism.

·       School Place Planning.

A short introduction from David Arnup, community coordinator, on his role and responsibilities.

David will be available between 6.30pm and 7pm to discuss any local issues.

David Arnup was introduced as the new Pewsey community coordinator, and briefly outlined his role and responsibilities.

It was planned that he would visit all of the parishes to get a feel of the area.

The Chairman thanked David Arnup and looked forward to seeing him at future Area Board meetings.

A position statement on the campus from Cllr Kunkler and Ros Griffiths - Community Engagement Manager.

The Chairman read out a campus position statement.

 “John Thomson, Cabinet Member for Communities, Campuses, Area Boards and Broadband and Laurie Bell, Associate Director Communities and Communications have been looking at a number of different options to deliver a scheme within the approved budget. The design team have been instructed to draw up a new build, single story scheme which will offer a new and improved user experience and will complement a community hub at the library. Further detail on the specification will be discussed with the Area Board members later this month and a campus team meeting will be arranged for mid-October to share findings.

The appointment of the new Community Engagement Managers (CEMs) and the pressure to ensure delivery of the approved campuses, has provided an opportunity to review the existing working arrangements with area boards across the county in relation to the campus and hub programme.  The Wiltshire Council campus team (led by John Thomson; as the lead member, and Laurie Bell) will now work directly with the area board and the CEM regarding delivery in a community area.  Area Boards across the county are being asked to decide if they wish to have an advisory group in the form of a COB or working group to help with their recommendations on the best way forward for their local campus or hub.  

We (Pewsey Area Board) recognise that the local campus team has been instrumental in driving the project forward and are grateful for their dedication and professionalism. We can confirm that there will be a role for the campus team in the future. We will be meeting with the team in one month to discuss the direction of the project and to determine the most appropriate support arrangements”

Curley Haskell – Pewsey COB made a number of comments on behalf of the group.

Points made included:

·       That the news was good news, but the group was concerned about the delays in getting to this stage.

·       The group was frustrated with the lack of communication over recent months and that they had had no involvement in exploring different options to move the project forward.

·       The COB had worked tirelessly on a project that they had believed in.

·       The COB needs to have a voice in this matter.

·       That the Area Board should provide new terms of reference going forward and clear direction on the role of the group.

The Area Board members expressed their frustrations with the process that had been followed and the lack of involvement of the group.

The Area Board members agreed to support the Pewsey COB in this matter.

Decision

·       That the Pewsey Area Board requests a letter be sent to Cllr John Thomson highlighting the Area Board’s frustrations and dissatisfaction with the long delays that have occurred with the Pewsey community campus project.

·       That Cllr John Thomson attends the 2 November Pewsey Area Board meeting.

The Chairman thanked Curly Haskell and the COB for their hard work and continued dedication to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

·       Health Watch Wiltshire

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

·       Parish Councils

·       Army Rebasing

The following Partner updates were given:

Wiltshire Police – Inspector Matt Armstrong

The written report was noted.

Health Watch Wiltshire – Paul Lefever

The written report was noted.

Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) – Susie Brew

The written report was noted.

·       That the Devizes – Pewsey bus service was now up and running, there had been some teething issues, but that it was important to support this service.

·       That PCAP had concerns re the lack of funding provided by Wiltshire Council. The Chairman advised that the Area Board members would discuss PCAP’s concerns.

Great Bedwyn Parish Council

The written report was noted.

North Newnton Parish Council

The written report was noted.

Woodborough Parish Council

The written report was noted.

Army Rebasing

The written report was noted.

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.

A presentation to outline the Annual Report on the outcomes of the previous Police and Crime Plan and to present the new Plan for 2015 – 17.

Angus Macpherson – Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner gave a presentation that outlined the Annual Report on the outcomes of the previous Police and Crime Plan and to present the new Plan for 2015 – 17.

Points made included.

Achievements: 2014/15

·       2.7% reduction in crimes (885 fewer than last year).

·       4.2% reduction in anti-social behaviour incidents.

·       Wiltshire Police rated Good by HMIC in PEEL.

·       95% of people feel safe during the day.

Aim

·       Keep Wiltshire and Swindon as one of the safest places in

           the country.

Three commitments to the public

·       Neighbourhood teams are at the centre of policing in Wiltshire.

·       Neighbourhood policing will be protected by shifting resources to

           the front line.

·       Any increase in police element of council tax will be used to reduce the impact of central funding reductions on neighbourhood policing.

Four Priorities

Priority 1: Prevent Crime and anti-social behavior.

Priority 2: Protecting the most vulnerable in society.

Priority 3: Putting victims and witnesses at the heart of everything we do.

Priority 4: Secure high quality, efficient and trusted services.

Comments from the floor:

·       Concerns were raised around local policing levels and the ability to cover the whole community area with a reduced police presence

·       Future plans for police accommodation in the area and the geographical spread of custody suites across the county

·       That the PCC and Chief Constable Mike Veale would be attending the next Pewsey Area Crime and Community Safety Forum on 28 October 2.30pm to discuss these local matters further.

The Chairman thanked Angus Macpherson for his presentation.

The Area Board will receive a presentation from Justine Womack, Consultant in Public Health, Wiltshire Council,about its child poverty profile in order to support and consider any local action to prevent, reduce and mitigate its impact on children in the area.

Kate Blackburn – Public Health Registrar, Wiltshire Council and Justine Womack – Public Health Consultant, Wiltshire gave a presentation and discussion on child poverty, providing the Area Board with data about child poverty locally.

Points made included:

•        What is Child Poverty?

The proportion of children living in families within the UK that are either in receipt of out-of-work benefits or in receipt of tax credits with a reported income which is less than 60 per cent of national median income. This measure provides a broad proxy for relative low-income child poverty as set out in the Child Poverty Act 2010 and enables analysis at a local level.”

The Wiltshire Picture

·       In 2012 10.6% of children in Wiltshire in poverty.

·       Significant variation within Wiltshire -pockets of high deprivation found in particular localities and significant deprivation across some vulnerable groups.

·       Employment rate: Wiltshire 77% (men 84%, women 70%)                       

          National 72% (men 77%, women 67%)

·       Median gross annual earnings employed £20,657

          (Females £15,875, part-time £8,543)

·       Median weekly income: Wiltshire £503.60 National £520.70

·       Country Life: Tougher To Make Ends Meet report found people living in rural communities need to spend 10-20% more that those in urban areas to reach a minimum acceptable living standard while pay levels are frequently lower than urban areas.

The Wiltshire Child Poverty Strategy

•        Child Poverty Act commits this and future governments to eradicating child poverty by 2020. Tasks local areas to produce a child poverty needs assessment and strategy. 

•        New Life Chances legislation (incorporated into the Welfare Reform and Work Bill) proposes to remove a number of the legal duties and measures set out in the Child Poverty Act 2010 and to place a new duty on the Secretary of State to report annually on children in workless households and the educational attainment of children.

•        Wiltshire strategy has 5 objectives:

Objective 1 – Provide effective support to vulnerable families with 0-5  year olds.

Objective 2 – Narrowing the Educational Attainment Gap.

Objective 3 – Develop an inclusive economy that will enable equality of economic opportunity for all.

Objective 4 – Provide locally-focused support based on a thorough understanding of needs.

Objective 5 – Promote engagement with the Child Poverty Strategy and related implementation plan.

It was agreed that the Area Board would appoint a Child Poverty Champion, this would be discussed by the Area Board members.

The Chairman thanked Kate Blackburn and Justine Womack for a very interesting presentation. The Area Board members agreed to discuss at their next briefing the best way to take forward the priority areas for Pewsey.

A presentation to raise awareness of the charity and how it can be supported.

Ian Wadley - Wiltshire Fundraising Manager, Julia’s House.

Ged Montgomery – Julia’s House gave a short presentation to raise awareness of the charity and how it can be supported in its bid to open a Hospice in Wiltshire.

The Chairman thanked Ged Montgomery for his presentation and wished the Hospice project well.

An update on the LYN and positive activities for young people.

Karen Brown – Community Youth Officer.

Karen Brown – Community Youth Officer gave a short update.

Points made included:

·       That the LYN had recently met.

·       The Zorb football had proved very popular with the youth group.

·       The Urbie van, (mobile youth club) had been out and about in the local area, finding out what young people would like in their areas.

·       Various Summer projects including a trip to Thorpe Park, Paint Balling and a First Aid course.

The following Community Youth Grant application was agreed by the Pewsey Area Board:

·       Grafton Parish Parish Council – Youth Activities project awarded £4,532.10

·       It was also agreed that £100 left over from the First Aid course could be used for a further First Aid course.

  The Chairman thanked Karen Brown for update.

To determine any applications for Community Area Grants and updates from previous grant recipients.

The Councillors were asked to consider three applications seeking 20015/16 Community Area Grant Funding:

Decision

Pewsey Parish Council awarded £1,430 for Pewsey CCTV.

Reason

This application meets the grants criteria and has been classified as a capital project.

Decision

Easton royal village hall awarded £500 for Easton royal defibrillator.

Reason

This application meets the grants criteria and has been classified as a capital project.

Decision

Pewsey Vale Football Club awarded £800 for Pewsey Vale Football Club Dugouts.

Reason

This application meets the grants criteria and has been classified as a capital project.

Cllr Paul Oatway.

Cllr Paul Oatway advised that there was nothing to report.

There was none.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 7pm on Monday, 2 November 2015 at Burbage Village Hall, Eastcourt Rd, Burbage SN8 3AJ.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 7pm on Monday, 2 November 2015 at Burbage Village Hall, Eastcourt.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.