Agenda item

To note the attached partner updates and receive any further information partners wish to share:

a.      Wiltshire Police

b.      Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.      NHS Wiltshire

d.      Town and Parish Councils

e.      Marlborough Area Development Trust

f.        Marlborough Downs Movies

Wiltshire Police

The written update distributed with the agenda was noted.

It was also noted that there had been a number of thefts from non-residential  rural outbuildings, Wiltshire Police were more than happy to discuss crime prevention with any residents who may have concerns about this issue.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written update distributed with the agenda was noted.

NHS Wiltshire

The written update distributed with the agenda was noted.

Town or Parish updates

Marlborough Town Council

Rich Pitts advised that Marlborough Town Council had met on the 26January. This meeting had considered the impact of the Wiltshire Council parking strategy on the entire Marlborough community area as the villages of the area were dependant to parking in order to shop and conduct business in the town.

A report was tabled highlighting to the Area Board how expensive the new parking charges would be and to request that the Area Board support  Marlborough Town Council in trying to get Wiltshire Council to reconsider the planned car parking increases for Marlborough as it would have a serious impact on the entire area.

Points made Included:

• It was cheaper to park in central Bristol than Marlborough.

• Shops in Hungerford were refunding car parking fees, encouraging shoppers to park and shop there. This was perhaps something that Marlborough Chamber of Commerce could look at.

• Wiltshire Council should look at pay as you leave car parks as an alternative to pay and display.

• On street car parking is very competitive in Marlborough with shoppers, workers and tourists all vying for the same parking spaces.

Cllr Lionel Grundy advised that:

• The parking tariffs in Marlborough had been set by the old Kennet District Council.

• Season tickets could be looked at as they are too expensive for many people who use the car parks to buy.

• Wiltshire Council car parking revenues are used to subsidise the rural bus services, some 17% of residents do not have access to a car, this is an important service in a rural area.

• The Hillier’s yard car park had a covenant that it must only be used for short stay parking, (two hours).

Decision

• That the Marlborough Area Board would support Marlborough Town Council in trying to get Wiltshire Council to reconsider the planned car parking increases for Marlborough as it would have a serious impact on the entire area.

• That the Community Area Manager & Democratic Services Officer would confirm that the car parking tariff increases shown in the report were correct.

Fyfield & West Overton Parish Council

Mary Spender (Fyfield and West Overton PC) advised that the parish council had spoken to the North Wessex Downs AONB concerning West Woods and any proposed Forestry sell-off plans: there still appeared to be no details available, but the AONB team promised to keep them informed of any discussions that might arise. The Woods are protected by AONB status and their special habitat (KDC's NR3), and also have extensive RoW 's throughout. Some members of the public had already asked if there was any risk to these popular Woods, but this was as much as anyone knew at the moment.

Marlborough Area Development Trust

Martin Cook advised that:

• The first phase of the new Community Area Plan had been completed.

• An audit of the existing plan had shown that it should not be taken forward.

• Public consultation would begin during March 20011 with full presentation of the plan at the end of 2011.

• It was agreed that the Area Board would receive regular written updates on the plan which would then be included in future agendas.

Marlborough Downs Movies

The written update distributed with the agenda was noted.

Ellie Vesey-Thompson, (UK Youth Parliament) advised that she would be seeking re-election to the UK Youth Parliament and that information on how to vote for Ellie and the other candidates could be found on:

http://www.sparksite.co.uk/entries/way_ukyp_elections_february_2011_meet_the_candidates_ellie

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.