Agenda item

To receive the following announcements:

i)             Salamander stand

ii)            Lyneham MOD Development

iii)           Dementia Strategy Consultation

iv)           Library Memory Groups

v)            New Housing Allocations Policy

vi)           One Stop Shop for Your Heart

vii)         West of England Bus Fair Consultation

The Chairman drew the Boards attention to the Announcements as detailed on the agenda front sheet as follows:

·         Salamander stand – The fire authority were unable to provide a stand at the meeting but details were made available via leaflets distributed on all tables.

·         Lyneham MOD – There were currently 300 vehicles from Afghanistan stored at Lyneham which would be sent to Warminster by road for repair.

Hercules, a joint venture between Balfour Beaty and Kier, had been appointed as the main contractors for the development of Lyneham.  There were currently 20 personnel on site with the main works expected to begin after the Easter period when personnel was expected to increase.

By December as many as 700 to 800 personnel (mostly sub contractors) were expected to be on site with the site itself ready for occupation in early 2015.  The accommodation provided would be mostly modular and brought in by road via HGV on designated routes.

·         Dementia Strategy Consultation – The strategy outlined plans for how organisations would work together.  The consultation period would end on 19 May.   The authority’s desire was for dementia friendly communities across the county and it was noted that the Royal Wootton Basset and Cricklade area was a pilot area to test the dementia friendly toolkit which it was hoped would be made available to all across the County.

·         Library Memory Group – Four new library groups had started in January for those with memory loss and dementia and their carers in Pewsey, Purton, Warminster and Mere.  Sessions were run weekly and were free of charge.

Wiltshire Libraries were keen to speak to anyone who may be interested in volunteering at these groups.

·         New Housing Allocations – The revised allocations policy arose following the review undertaken last year and was expected to be implemented during the summer.

What came out of the review was primarily:

o   Local homes for local people

o   Honesty in terms of expected housing options

o   Best use of housing stock

o   Rewards for good tenants

These would be taken into account by giving priority for those with a local connection, changes to the banding system, adopting the national bedroom standard and the introduction of a qualifying persons criteria.

·         One Stop Shop for Your Heart – The event would take place on 15 May between 10am and 3pm at Stanley Park in Chippenham.  It was open to all community representatives and organisations who would be interested in seeking further details on defibrillators.  Leaflets were also available on each of the tables.

·         West of England Bus Fair Consultation – This was a major consultation exercise being undertaken by the bus company.  Further details were provided in the agenda pack which highlighted the relevant webpage.  The consultation finished on 16 March.

·         Middlefield Site in Chippenham – Copies of this update were circulated at the meeting.  The Working Group were working with the adult care and housing team to deliver a range of accommodation to help deliver identified needs for the area.

The project was put out to tender and a preferred bidder was selected in 2013.  Negotiations had taken place since the selection but agreement has not been reached to move forward on the project.  The Council remained committed to deliver the project and was working hard to identify other options.