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Agenda and minutes

Venue: St Margarets Hall, Bradford on Avon, BA15 IDE

Contact: Kevin Fielding 

Items
No. Item

1.

Election of the Chairman

To elect a Chairman for the forthcoming year.

 

Minutes:

Cllr Magnus Macdonald was elected Chairman of the Bradford on Avon Area Board for the forthcoming year.

 

2.

Chairman's Welcome and Introductions

Minutes:

The Chairman welcomed everybody toSt Margarets Hall

 

The Chairman introducedthe AreaBoard membersand theWiltshire Council officers present.

 

3.

Election of the Vice Chairman and Appointments to Outside Bodies and Working Groups

To elect a Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year.

 

To note that appointments to outside bodies and working groups

for the forthcoming year:

 

·       Bradford on Avon Local Youth Network

 

·       Community Area Transport Group (CAT-G) – all members invited to attend.

 

·       Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

 

·       Bradford on Avon Air Quality Alliance Steering Group

 

·       Bradford on Avon Health and Wellbeing Group

 

 

 

Minutes:

Cllr Trevor Carbin was elected Vice-Chairman of the Bradford on Avon Area Board for the forthcoming year.

 

Bradford on Avon Local Youth Network – all members invited to attend.

 

Community Area Transport Group (CAT-G) – all members invited to attend.

 

Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group – Cllr Magnus Macdonald

 

Bradford on Avon Air Quality Alliance Steering Group – Cllr Rosemary Brown

 

Bradford on Avon Health and Wellbeing Group – Cllr Ian Thorn & Cllr Magnus Macdonald

 

4.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

There were none.

5.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

Minutes:

There were none.

6.

Minutes

 

·       To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Area Board meeting held on 9 March 2016.

 

·       To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Local Youth Network Management Group meeting held on 11 April 2016.

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Decision

 

·       The minutes of the Area Board meeting held on 9 March 2016 were signed as the correct record.

 

·       The minutes of the Local Youth Network Management Group meeting held on 11 April 2016 were signed as the correct record.

 

7.

Chairman's Announcements

·       Roadworks on Holt Road, Bradford on Avon

 

·       Road to Rio Challenge

 

·       Iron Duke Community Engagement projects

 

·       Your Care Your Support Wiltshire

 

·       Wiltshire Carers’ Strategy

 

·       Dementia Awareness Week, 15-22 May

 

·       Public Health Briefing Note - April 2016

 

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Following Chairman’s Announcements were noted:

 

·       Roadworks on Holt Road, Bradford on Avon

It was agreed that the Community Engagement Manager would contact the Highways Department, Wiltshire Council to flag up the Area Board’s displeasure and concerns re the Holt Road closures.

 

·       Road to Rio Challenge – information provided on tables

 

·       Iron Duke Community Engagement projects – information provided on tables

 

·       Your Care Your Support Wiltshire – information in packs

 

·       Wiltshire Carers’ Strategy – information in packs

 

·       Dementia Awareness Week, 15-22 May – information provided on tables

 

·       Public Health Briefing Note - April 2016 – information in packs

 

8.

Partner Updates

·       Wiltshire Police

 

·       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

 

·       NHS Wiltshire

 

·       HealthWatch Wiltshire

 

·       Local Youth Network

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Following Partner updates were noted:

 

·       Wiltshire Police - written report

There were concerns re poor parking in the town centre. It was agreed that the local PCSO’s would look into this issue.

 

Good work carried out by the PCSO dealing with parking outside of Christchurch School.

 

 

·       NHS Wiltshire - written report

 

 

·       HealthWatch Wiltshire - written report

 

 

 

9.

Youth Grants recommended for approval by LYN Management Group:

·       Characters Stage School requesting £725 towards The Connections Play

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Area Board members were asked to consider the application for funding listed below together with the recommendations of the Local Youth Network (LYN) Management Group:

 

 Decision

 

 Characters Stage School awarded £725 for Connecting Plays

         

Further to the Youth Service Review, the Chairman thanked Emma Coombs for her hard work over the last year or more in support of young people in Bradford on Avon.

 

10.

Housing - Meeting Local Needs

Minutes:

Heather Alleyne – Head of Safeguarding and Quality Assurance, WiltshireCouncil gave a presentation that outlined Wiltshire Council’s housing offer for Affordable Housing in the Bradford on Avon community area.

 

Points made included:

 

Nation Policy Context

 

Increase owner-occupation including low costoptions.

 

Make best use ofexisting social housing stock.

 

Reduce burden on public sector (housing benefitbill).

 

Increase supply ofnew homes.

 

Promote independent living in the community.

 

 

 

Wiltshire priorities

 

Ensuring there are a range ofhousing options available to meet needs.

 

Promoting home ownership housing.

 

Enabling provision ofhomes for the mostvulnerable.

 

 Tohelp peopleto achieve independenceand choiceenabling themto    live at home for longer.

 

Toimprove the quality and make best use ofexisting stock.

 

 

 

  Next steps

 

Commissioning research atcommunity area level.

 

Developing housing strategy &agreeing priorities.

 

   Workwith localcommunities &partners tounderstand localneed   and deliver new homes.

 

Consider optionsto increasechoices forthose notable tomeet needsin open market.

 

Respond to national policy changes

 

 

 

It was agreed that questions which were raised would be given to the relevant officers at Wiltshire Council and the answers feedback to the Area Board.

Questions raised included:

 

·       Promoting home ownership – What is Wiltshire Council’s rational?

Answer: The Strategic Housing Market Assessment carried out in 2011 showed that 45% of all households in Wiltshire cannot afford to purchase or rent a property at full market value and therefore need some form of assistance to be able to afford a home.  Of this 45% around 60% need rented accommodation but around 40% could afford home ownership if not at full market value.

 

The Council has historically focussed on meeting the needs of those who need rented accommodation.  However, as 40% of all households in need could afford to purchase a property if not at full market value, we are aiming to ensure we provide housing options for this large group of residents across Wiltshire alongside continuing to deliver rented accommodation to meet needs.  This will ensure that we are providing options for all residents in line with what they need and can afford.

 

·       Single occupancy housing – What is Wiltshire Council doing to promote this?

Answer: The Council is working with partners to promote delivery of one bedroom accommodation across Wiltshire as well as being mindful of the need to ensure communities are sustainable in the longer term.  In addition options are being considered particularly for young people who may be able to share housing and older people who would like to downsize from family accommodation.

 

The Chairman thanked Heather Alleyne forher presentation.

 

11.

Neighbourhood Plan update

Colin Johns - consultant to Bradford on Avon Town Council

 

 A preview to the public exhibition which will be on display at the Library from 16-27 May. Plus updates on village plans.

Minutes:

i.Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan

Colin Johns - consultant to Bradford on Avon Town Council gave a preview to the public exhibition which would be on display at the Bradford on Avon Library from 16-27 May 2016.

 

Points made included:

 

The Vision

 

·       Good Architecture – old and new.

 

·       Housing for all – lifetime homes.

 

·       An economy that works.

 

·       Green spaces – to see and enjoy.

 

·       Community activities and facilities.

 

·       Minimise the impact of traffic.

 

·       Dealing with climate change.

 

·       That the draft plan was now out for consultation, with closing date 17 June 2016.

 

 

Questions raised included:

 

Was a 10 year plan long enough?

a.The 10 year plan ties in with Wiltshire Council’s 2016-20 plan.

 

 

Employment – new businesses moving into Bradford on Avon was important.

a.The importance of encouraging new businesses to come to Bradford on Avon.

 

The Chairman thanked Colin Johns for the plan that had been produced.

 

 

ii.Freshford and Limpley Stoke  Neighbourhood Plan 2014-2039

 

Peter Wyatt - Limpley Stoke Parish Council

 

Points made included:

 

Why do a Neighbourhood Plan

 

·       Prevent falling between the cracks of two core strategies.

·       Cement the two communities together

 

·       Facilitate existing development projects.

 

·       Benefit from improved CIL payout.

 

·       Take control of our own destiny.

 

 

Why a joint Neighbourhood Plan?

 

Pros

·       More resources

·       Increase pool of volunteers

·       Wider pool of experts to draw upon

·       More support from the council

 

Cons

·       Differing priorities

·       Assymetric demands

·       Cultural differences

·       Difficulty in getting the two parish councils to buy-in

 

 

Lessons learnt

 

·       Make sure you know what you want to achieve before you start.

 

·       Have a strong and committed management team with a clear mandate.

 

·       Don’t underestimate the work required.

 

·       Communication, communication, communication.

 

 

The Chairman thanked Peter Wyatt for his presentation.

 

12.

Asset Review and Community Hub Scoping Report

 Peter Dunford - Community Engagement Manager

      

To commission a scoping study to investigate the potential for the more efficient use of public buildings and land in Bradford on Avon and opportunities to establish a community hub of public services. 

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Peter Dunford - Community Engagement Manager - outlined plans to commission a scoping study to investigate the opportunities for the further transfer of assets to the community and the potential for the more efficient use of public buildings and land in Bradford on Avon, including opportunities to establish a community hub of public services.

 

This group would need to involve public sector stakeholders and landowners such as Wiltshire Council, Town Council, NHS, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, Wiltshire Police and Network Rail.

 

Decision

 

That the Bradford on Avon Area Board agrees to:

 

·       Establish an Assets Working Group, reporting to the Area Board and the Town Council.

·       Prepare a consultancy brief to procure an asset review and community hub scoping study.

·       To report back to the Area Board and Town Council for authority to proceed and to secure project funding 

 

The Chairman thanked Peter Dunford for his presentation.

13.

Establishment of a Bradford on Avon Health and Wellbeing Group

Peter Dunford - Community Engagement Manager

 

To establish a working group reporting to the Area Board, to co-ordinate health and social care provision in the community by partnering and pooling resources with other agencies to deliver a shared action plan.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Peter Dunford - Community Engagement Manager - outlined plans to establish a working group reporting to the Area Board, to coordinate health and social care provision in the community by partnering and pooling resources with other agencies to deliver a shared action plan.

 

Much joint working is already underway for example on dementia, disability and befriending schemes. A dedicated post, jointly funded between Age UK Wiltshire, Wiltshire Council and the Town Council, would provide activities and targeted care to old and isolated people in the community and would support the operation of the Health and Wellbeing Group.

 

Decision

 

·       That the Bradford on Avon Area Board agrees to establish a Health and Wellbeing Group, reporting to the Area Board on activities and expenditure. 

·       That the Bradford on Avon Area Board agrees to contribute £ 6,000 matching funding towards the 2 year temporary post of Older Persons Co-ordinator, subject to matching contributions being forthcoming from other partners.   

The Chairman thanked Peter Dunford for his presentation.

 

14.

Applications to Community Grant Scheme 2016/17

To determine any applications for Community Area Grants.

 

Details to be posted on line at:

 

https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=220&MId=10351&Ver=4

 

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Wiltshire Councillors were asked toconsider three application seeking

2016/17 Community Area Grantfunding and one Member Initiative.

 

Community Area Grantfunding

 

Decision

Holy Trinity Church awarded £1,000 towards disabled facilities as part of  the regeneration project for the Church.

Reason

The application meets grant criteria 2016/17.

Note: that the Area Board would consider granting this project further funding during the forthcoming year if funds become available.

 

Decision

Bradford on Avon Swimming Club awarded £750 for BOA Swimming Club – Deaf Friendly Swimming.

Reason

The application meets grant criteria 2016/17.

 

 

Decision 

Lamb Yard Events awarded £3,000 for Lamb Yard Events
Reason

The application meets grant criteria 2016/17.

Note: That funding is conditional on match funding from Bradford on Avon Town Council.

 

 

Member Initiative

 

Footbridge Feasibility Study – Cllr Magnus Macdonald requesting £2,500

 

The need to improve pedestrian access and safety in Bradford on Avon was a major finding from the results of the resident survey commissioned by Michelle Donelan MP and is a key issue raised in the Neighbourhood Plan for Bradford on Avon. How to make the town centre more “user-friendly” to pedestrians has been the subject of recent talks between the Town Council and the Wiltshire Council Highways department.

 

This initial feasibility study would include an analysis of possible sites, types of viable pedestrian bridge and an indication of the costs involved.

 

Decision

 

·       That the Footbridge Feasibility Study application be deferred for the prior consideration of Bradford on Avon Town Council and brought back to the July Area Board meeting if the Town Council agreed the proposal.

 

15.

Date of Next Meeting

·       Wednesday 13 July at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon.

Minutes:

·       Wednesday 13 July at St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon.

 

16.

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