Agenda item

Chairman’s Announcements:

·         Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011-2026

·         Making a Difference – The Wiltshire Council Parish Steward Scheme

·         Wiltshire Intelligence Network

·         Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Partnership

The Chairman, Councillor Chris Williams, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Tidworth Area Board and thanked Castle Primary School for allowing the use of the hall. The Chairman invited all people in attendance to introduce themselves.

The Chairman made the following announcements, details of which were included in the agenda at pages 3 to 8:

Wiltshire Local Transport Plan 2011 - 2026

Consultation on the draft Local Transport Plan would run from 4 October to 26 November 2010 and a number of options for responding were available including online at http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal, in libraries and in all main council offices.

Making a Difference – The Wiltshire Council Parish Steward Scheme

A short film was available to view online that highlighted the features and benefits of the popular Parish Steward Scheme. The Chairman asked whether it was the wish of the meeting to view the film at the November meeting; to which it was felt that this would be a good idea and so would be added to the next agenda.

Wiltshire Intelligence Network

A new website had been launched to provide access to a wide variety of information and research for Wiltshire. The new site could be viewed at www.intelligencenetwork.org.uk.

Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership

Councillor Charles Howard informed the meeting that the Wiltshire and Swindon Safety Camera Partnership had, with regret, ceased due to the termination of central government funding. The Police would carry out surveillance within resources but this would be limited, however the Community Speedwatch Schemes would continue as normal. Anybody with issues regarding speeding should report them via the Issues System.

The following additional announcements were made:

Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Awards 2010

Councillor Mark Connolly announced that the Tidworth Royals Football Club had won the ‘Club of the Year’ in last week’s Wiltshire and Swindon Sports Awards. The Football Club had a membership of 180, including 120 children, and helped young people from military families integrate into the local community. The Club was congratulated on this achievement.

Salisbury Plain Sustainable Communities Study

Following the presentation at a recent Area Board meeting, two workshops were planned as the next stage in this Study’s development. The workshops would take place on 22 September and 4 October 2010 in Tidworth and Bulford.

Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Awards

The Chairman announced that Castledown Radio had been shortlisted for the Most Inclusive Approach award and the forthcoming VCS Awards. The final decision would be announced in Devizes on Tuesday 19 October at the awards ceremony. Castledown Radio was congratulated on this achievement.

Free Swimming

The Chairman announced that, due to the termination of central government funding, the free swimming sessions currently on offer to children and those over 60 would cease at the end of September.

Highways Winter Maintenance - Provision of New Grit Bins

The Chairman announced that funding was available to provide four new grit bins across the Tidworth Community Area. The Parish and Town Councils were requested to consider their preferred locations for these new bins and report back to Val Powley, Community Area Manager, as soon as possible. The Area Board would then decide on the final locations for the four new bins.