Agenda item

Lucy Murray Brown (Head of Campus & Operational Models) will be in attendance to discuss the Campus Programme and the formation of a Shadow Community Operations Board.

The Area Board will be asked to consider the effectiveness of these proposals and if agreed, will then ask the community to submit an expression of interest should they wish to be considered for a place on the COB.

There will also be an opportunity to submit questions.

Lucy Murray Brown, (Head of Campus & Operational Models) gave a Presentation to the Area Board on the development of Community Campus Facilities.

Lucy explained that a campus for Malmesbury could provide services the local community needs in an accessible location. This would bring both social and economic benefits, whilst relieving some operational pressures. Core criteria to all campus buildings include shared reception, community space, accessible IT provision, personal care facilities and catering facilities.

Some of the benefits that the Council hoped to achieve from the Campus programme included the empowerment of local people to directly influence the delivery of public services in the local area.

Lucy then outlined the indicative sequence of events for developing a campus proposal, which included the appointment of representatives to a Shadow Community Operations Board. The Shadow COB would operate as a working group of the Area Board, and aid in the delivery of services, making recommendations to the Area Board and in turn, to Cabinet for consideration.

Lucy answered questions on the membership of the Shadow COB, and outlined possible representative groups. Further information on the Malmesbury Campus programme can be found here on the Wiltshire Council website.

John Cull (Lea and Cleverton PC) questioned the budget for the programme and how this would be formulated. Lucy stated that budgets would be set by Cabinet when a firm proposal for a Campus had been established.

Chuck questioned how rural communities could benefit from a campus, and the outreach programmes that would ensure all residents could benefit from the plans. Lucy stated that local communities can be involved via the Shadow COB and can have a direct input into the management and decision making process. Lucy also outlined a number of community outreach programmes that had been suggested in other areas, and welcomed any suggestions from residents and councillors on how this could be extended.

Kim Power (Malmesbury Town Council) questioned if the Campus programme would be delivered through the Neighbourhood Plan. Lucy stated that Neighbourhood Plans would identify any particular needs, and the Campus Programme could be delivered to meets the needs specified in plans. Simon stated that there is an overlap between the requirements of a Campus and the framework of a Neighbourhood plan, and suggested that both could be used to enhance and deliver what is best for the community.

Simon Jefferson (Ashton Keynes PC) asked about the scale, size and format of a campus and how the COB could impact on this. A discussion was then had amongst Area Board members who outlined the possible construct of the COB and the role it could play in the delivery of a Campus and future decision making

At the end of the discussion the Area Board invited nominations for representatives to sit on the Shadow COB, and stated that the deadline for nominations are to be received by Monday October 7 and can be sent to: Campus and Operational Delivery Programme, Wiltshire Council, County Hall, Bythesea Road, Trowbridge, Wiltshire, BA14 8JN or electronically to campusconsultation@wiltshire.gov.uk