Agenda and minutes

Election of the Chairman

i.To elect a Chairman for the forthcoming year.

ii.Election of the Vice Chairman

To elect a Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year.

iii.Appointments to Outside Bodies and Working Groups.

To note that appointments to outside bodies and working groups for the forthcoming year:

·       Bradford on Avon Community Area Network (BoACAN)

·       Bradford on Avon Historic Core Zone Project Board

·       Bradford on Avon Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

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

·       Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group

·       Bradford on Avon Air Quality Alliance Steering Group

·       Shadow Campus Operations Board (SCOB)

Election of the Chairman

i.Cllr Rosemary Brown was elected Chairman for the forthcoming year.

ii.Election of the Vice Chairman

Cllr Ian Thorn was elected Vice Chairman for the forthcoming year.

iii.Appointments to Outside Bodies and Working Groups.

To note that appointments to outside bodies and working groups for the forthcoming year:

·       Bradford on Avon Community Area Network (BoACAN) – Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Bradford on Avon Historic Core Zone Working Group - Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Bradford on Avon Youth Advisory Group (YAG) – Cllr Rosemary Brown & Cllr Trevor Carbin

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

·       Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group - Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Bradford on Avon Air Quality Alliance Steering Group – Cllr Rosemary Brown & Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Shadow Campus Operations Board (SCOB) – Cllr Rosemary Brown

The Chairman welcomed everybody to the newly refurbished St Margaret’s Hall and introduced the Area Board members and officers present.

Apologies were received from Simon Coombe – Limpley Stoke Parish Council.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Bradford on Avon Area Board meeting held on 12 March 2014 

·       The minutes of the Bradford on Avon Area Board meeting held on the 12 March 2014 were signed as a correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

a) Traffic Study update

b) Campus update

c) World War 1 commemorations

d) Removal of mini recycling sites

e) The Big Pledge http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/publichealthwilts/bigpledge.htm

Wiltshire Police

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Youth Advisory Group

a)Traffic Study update – Still awaiting this report.

b)Campus update – Cllr Jonathon Brown.

Points made included:

·       That the COB were looking at the results of the public consultation to see what requirements and specifications would be required for the campus.

·       Were in discussions with various groups including the Fire & Rescue Service and the Youth Advisory Group, these discussions would continue over the coming months with all interested parties.

Questions and points raised included:

·       That plans for a bigger GP surgery to incorporate specialist clinics should be included in the campus specifications and requirements.

a.The Shadow COB were currently in discussions with health care providers; any letters supporting the need for a bigger GP surgery would be most welcome as part of the emerging business case being prepared.

c)World War 1 commemorations – A countywide commemorative event will be held on Wednesday 30 July at Tidworth Military Cemetery. All communities are invited to contribute by joining in with research and remembrance of the impact that the war had on the people of their community.   

d)Removal of mini recycling sites – Due to the success of kerbside recycling schemes and to realise cost efficiency savings, mini-recycling sites to close in Bradford on Avon community area will be Station Car Park, Budbury Circle, Fox and Hounds at Farleigh Wick, Holt Village Hall. Communal sites that will remain open will be at Sainsburys, Cedar Court and Springfield Road, all in Bradford on Avon.

 e) The Big Pledge - we want to bring people together to deliver events and activities that create a positive change at community level; get more people active by encouraging them to take part in a sporting activity as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Starting on 2 April 2014 and running for 12 weeks, we’re running a Wiltshire wide project called the Big Pledge As an individual, group, business or community, you can make a difference to improve your health and wellbeing.

Pledge ideas include:

• Get fitter by running walking, cycling or losing weight
• Set aside 2 hours a week to volunteer in your community.
• Stop smoking or drinking for 12 weeks
• Organise a community event
• Attend a course or class to learn a new skill

Anybody and everybody can pledge, all we ask is that those participating who are under 16 are part of a pledge group which is hosted by an adult over 18.

f)Bradford on Avon Neighbourhood Plan – public consultation on the latest  plans taking place in the Town Council offices from 19 May-13 June.

g)Public Health & Wellbeing Grants – grants of £ 4,000 now available for healthy lifestyles, combating social isolation, supporting older people, promoting exercise, reducing drug and alcohol abuse.

Wiltshire Police – Sgt Jim Suter

·       The written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

·       That Inspector Chris Chammings has now taken over from Inspector Lisette Harvey as the Sector Commander for the Bradford on Avon community area.

The Chairman thanked Sgt Suter for the ongoing work being carried out by the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

a.Review of grants made in 2013/14.

b.Grant applications for 2014/15:

i.Winsley Social Club requesting £5,800 towards car park refurbishment.

ii.Winsley Parish Council requesting £744 towards countryside access improvements.

a.Review of grants made in 2013/14.

A written report was tabled at the meeting and a short film was shown, which highlighted some of the projects that had received Area Board funding.

b.Grant applications for 2014/15:

The Wiltshire Councillors were asked to consider two applications seeking 2013/14 Community Area Grant funding:

Decision

Winsley Social Club awarded a reduced sum of £4,000 towards car park refurbishment.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Bradford on Avon Community Plan and Wiltshire Local Area Agreement through its support for improved community facilities and village services.

Decision

Winsley Parish Council awarded £744 towards countryside access improvements.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Bradford on Avon Community Plan and Wiltshire Local Area Agreement through investment in improved recreational facilities and support for Bradford on Avon’s status as a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town.

To receive a report on the responses to the advertisement of the proposed Restricted Parking Zone within the Historic Core Zone of Bradford on Avon. 

Please note that this a provisional item, subject to confirmation.

Peter Dunford – Community Area Manager advised that the report, (Historic Core Zone – report on Traffic Regulation Order) was yet to be received by the Area Board.

Points made included:

·       That there is opposition in some quarters to the Historic Core Zone project but this is a minority view.

·       Councillor Macdonald stated that this is a project that is vital to Bradford on Avon and if it fails the consequences are high.

·       Councillor Thorn said it would be a disaster for the community and for businesses in the town centre if the scheme were not to proceed.

·       Bradford on Avon has an offer of funding from Wiltshire Council for a multi-million pound project, we should take up the offer before Wiltshire Council decides to take its funding elsewhere.

·       Many Bradford on Avon residents don’t understand the HCZ project, the Senior Citizens open meeting on the 28 May should help to clarify things.

·       That there is both positive and negative feedback on other towns that have historic core zones. The experiences in Ashford, Kent, are not good.

·       That it is the nature of the pedestrian crossings and not the HCZ per se that is the issue.

·       Concerns of only having funding released for phase I of the HCZ project.

·       Traders were concerned about prolonged road closures and the impact on trade. Were rebates available?

Decision

·       The Area Board reiterates its support for the Historic Core Zone, as first resolved in July 2010. It notes the importance of the Historic Core Zone for improved pedestrian safety and ease of movement, an enhanced public space and as an economic boost for struggling retailers in the town centre.

·       The Area Board welcomes and supports the progress that has been made with the design of the first stage by Wiltshire Council Highways, in collaboration with the community-based HCZ Working Group, chaired by the Town Council.

·       The Area Board welcomes the decision by the Air Quality Alliance to review and take forward the work done by Priority for People's Safer and Connected Communities Action Group 2010-2012, which will address concerns relating to traffic volume and air quality.

·       The Area Board welcomes the continuing work being undertaken by Highways to ensure conformity with all relevant road safety requirements, including those with disabilities, young children, and the elderly.

·       The Area Board calls on the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Highways to use his delegated powers to give the go-ahead without further delay for implementation of the first stage of the Historic Core Zone.

Nicole Smith - Head of Strategic Housing, Wiltshire Council.

To inform the Area Board of the new way that Wiltshire Council will allocate social housing.

Nicole Smith - Head of Strategic Housing, Options and Allocations, Wiltshire Council outlined Wiltshire's New Housing Allocation Policy.

Points made included:

Consultation and reason for change

•        Policy was reviewed following the introduction of the Localism Act and the introduction of the new freedoms.

•        Wide consultation with the public, including the area boards, all those on the register, housing providers, voluntary sector, support providers and many more.

•        Approved at cabinet in November 2013. 

The main changes

•        Local connection to Wiltshire.

•        Local Homes allocated to Local People.

•        Creation of an open market register for those with no identified housing need.

•        Review of the bands.

•        Introduction of reasons to be excluded from the register.

•        Allocations made in line with the bedroom standard.

Local homes for local people

•        Priority would be given to those with a local connection to the parish or town the vacancy is in, followed by band and eligible date.

•        If no one bids with a local connection we would look to all the surrounding parish’s and towns.

•        Finally it would be opened to the whole of Wiltshire.

•        A local connection exclusion group applied.

The way forward

•        Jan to May – Develop an IT specification and build a new IT system.

•        Jan to May – Working with staff and providers to develop new procedures, application form and customer leaflets.

•        June / July – Full testing of the new system.

•        July / Sept – 8 week transition period from new system to old system.

•        Launch in Sept 2014.

Questions and points made from the floor included:

·       Frustrations at the lack of one bed properties available to bid for.

a.Wiltshire Council can only allocate what housing stock is built, which is more two/three bed properties.

·       What is a “Local connection”?

a.A person that lives or works in Wiltshire.

·       Are there any exceptions to the “Bedroom standard”?

a.Yes, foster parents or carers.

The Chairman thanked Nicole Smith for her presentation.

Alan Truscott - Plain Action.

To explain how Local Action Groups with LEADER funding can help projects in the Board’s area and to seek views on priorities for expenditure.

Alan Truscott - Plain Action outlined how Local Action Groups with LEADER funding could help projects in the Bradford on Avon Area Board’s area and to seek views on priorities for expenditure.

Points made included:

·       That funding was available to start up or expand a business. Grants would be available from £1,000 to £150,000 for up to 75% of the total cost.

·       Plain Action currently operates across Salisbury Plain but is looking expand into the north western side of Wiltshire in the new funding programme from January 2015. Excluded parishes would include Limpley Stoke and Winsley as these fall within a separate application from the Cotswold AONB Partnership.

·       That Plain Action planned to bid for Rural Development Programme for England (RDPE) funding to enable them to continue and expand the LEADER programme during 2015-2020.  If the funding was secured the Local Action Group would be able to continue to award grants to eligible community projects, rural businesses and for farming, forestry and tourism related projects in the Bradford on Avon area.

The Local Action Groups are keen to:

·       Understand from area and community representatives what they consider to be the key funding priorities for the next 7-8 years.

·       Work with area and community representatives to ensure wide business and community input during the bidding stage.

·       Once funding is secured, work with area and community representatives to communicate as widely as possible the benefits of the Programmes.

Decision

·       That the Bradford on Avon Area Board supports and welcomes the LEADER funding application for 2015- 2020 and the proposed designation of most of the Bradford on Avon community area within the eligible area for support

The Chairman thanked Alan Truscott for his presentation.

Peter Dunford – Bradford on Avon Community Area Manager.

To receive a report on feedback arising from the JSA event in February and to agree priorities for action and funding in 2014/15.

Peter Dunford – Bradford on Avon Community Area Manager gave a brief power point presentation that highlighted the feedback arising from the JSA event in February and to agree priorities for action and funding in 2014/15.

Councillor Thorn asked that affordable rural housing be included as an issue in the work programme under “vulnerability”. 

Decision

·       That over the next two years the Bradford on Avon Area Board would focus its work and resources on three key priorities for the community area:

1.     Economic Development

2.     Health and Wellbeing

3.     Vulnerability  

Decision

·       That as its “Big Pledge” Bradford on Avon would become a dementia friendly community in 2014/15.

Bradford on Avon Town Council voiced support and agreed to adopt the same priorities at its next Full Town Council meeting.

The Chairman thanked Peter Dunford for his presentation.

Jim Lynch - Co-ordinator.

To receive a report on activities and a bid for future funding for BoACAN’s work in support of the Area Board.

Jim Lynch – BoACAN Co-ordinator presented a report on BoACAN activities and requested funding for BoACAN’s work in support of the Area Board. Due to cutbacks to the revenue fund this would probably be the final year that core funding would be able to be claimed from Wiltshire Council.

Decision

·       That BoACAN be awarded £5,800 revenue funding in 2014/15 towards community networking, consultation and project delivery in support of the work of the Area Board.

The Chairman thanked Jim Lynch for his report and the work done by BoACAN.

·       Wednesday 16 July – Westwood Social Club.

·       Wednesday 17 September – St Margaret’s Hall.

·       Wednesday 12 November - St Laurence School.

·       Wednesday 16 July – Westwood Social Club.

·       Wednesday 17 September – St Margaret’s Hall.

·       Wednesday 12 November - St Laurence School.