Agenda item

a.    The written update from Wiltshire Police was noted. Sector Deputy Head Mark Gale added that Devizes was one of the highest performing sectors in the county. The sector had achieved a number of recent successes, including the arrest of two of the most prolific dwelling burglars.

b.    The written update from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was noted.

c.    The written update from NHS Wiltshire was noted.

d.    The Chairman thanked Councillor Ody for all his hard work with the Traffic Working Group. Councillor Ody had now stepped down from this position and Councillor Mayes would take his place. An important meeting had been held on 4 July, when it was agreed that no issues would be put to the Traffic Working Group unless they were approved by the Parish Council. The main body of the meeting was agreement to take forward the following improvements in the London Road area, with the approximate available budget of £100,000.

Decision

The Area Board agreed to support the following proposal of the Traffic Working Group.

·         Toucan crossing for pedestrians and cyclists close to where Windsor Drive meets London Road.

·         Shared use of the footway/cycle track from the new crossing to the canal towpath.

·         Provision of marked parking spaces and new road markings on London Road.

·         Relocate existing bus stops from West of Morrisons to the surgery.

·         Provision of secure cycle parking area in town centre.

A question was raised about when a recommendation from the speed limit review for an extension of a 40 mph zone would be implemented. Councillor Gamble confirmed this was not on the work plan for the current financial year, however he would look into when the work might be likely to happen.

e.    The written update from Devizes Community Area Partnership was noted. The Chairman gave thanks to Tony Sedgwick and his transport team for their work on the cycle strategy.  

f.     The Chairman provided information about the Parish Council visit. Early in 2011, Councillor Mayes had written to all the Parish Councils in the Community Area, offering to meet with them. 10 of the 18 Parish Councils accepted the offer and in general all who attended found it to be a very useful time. The following key improvements to Parish Council/Area Board working were agreed:

·         A table would be reserved for Parish Council representatives.

·         The Area Board would be conscious of differences between the Parish Councils. There would be a future Area Board meeting specifically aimed at rural Parish Councils.

·         The Area Board would actively encourage joint parish working and promote the role of the Parish Forum as a way for Parish Councils to share common concerns, best practice and work together.

·         Communication would be improved with Parish Councils contacted directly and frequently. Clerks and members of the Parish Council were encouraged to sign up to the Community Area Network with Richard Rogers in order to be kept informed.

·         Communication produced regarding consultations would be kept as easy to understand as possible and local short summaries of consultation documents would be produced when appropriate.

·         The Area Board would produce and circulate a short one page summary of the various bodies involved in the Area Board process and their roles. This would include the Area Board, Community Area Partnerships, Parish Forum and Wiltshire Assembly.

·         The Area Board had run a special meeting regarding the Localism Bill. The Area Board would support the community in producing neighbourhood plans and in taking forward any new initiatives arising from the Bill.

Several Parish Councils were interested in meeting up with the Chairman and the Community Area Manager each year. It was agreed this would be useful. If you did not accept the offer to meet, but wish to do so, please contact Richard Rogers, on 07771 547522 or Richard.rogers@wiltshire.gov.uk.

g.    An update on youth issues would be given as part of agenda item 8.