Agenda item

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       NHS Wiltshire

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Calne Community Area Partnership, including an update about the Calne Community Transport Strategy

·       Our Places Project Working Group

·       Town and Parish Councils

The Chairman drew attention to the written updates available in the agenda pack.

Sgt. Ronnie Lungu, Wiltshire Police was in attendance and introduced himself as the new Sergeant for the Calne and Corsham community areas. He drew attention to the written update in the agenda pack and stated that he looked forward to attending future Area Boards and local events. 

Mrs Alison Ingham, Practice Manager, Northlands Surgery gave an update on the proposed merger of the Patford House and Northlands Surgery merger. It was explained that there had been legal, financial, and premises issues which meant that it was unlikely to be in operation by April 2016 as previously hoped. However, it was emphasised that both practices were committed to the merger in the long term. 

Anne Henshaw, gave an update on the Calne Area Transport Strategy. It was explained that the group was currently sorting through a huge amount of evidence and, owing to the volume of material, was about a month behind schedule. It was hoped to submit a report to Wiltshire Council shortly and hold a stakeholder meeting in January.

Malcolm Gull updated the Area Board on the Our Places Project. It was explained that the project was designed to improve tourism in the community area with the related advantage of improving business. It was noted that the concept of the A4 tourist route had been noticed and was now being run by Visit England. Developments were ongoing and it was planned to signpost all heritage sites and places of interest in the local area as part of the A4 tourist route from London to Bristol.

Another concept of the Out Places Project had been to develop the Heritage Quarter. All areas had been identified and signage, which had been previously funded by the Area Board, was in the process of installation. The Project had also employed a branding company. This company had previously rebranded Wales and Manchester and was applying the same model to Calne. Based on Calne’s history for Wiltshire cured ham, it was planned to develop Calne’s image as the home of the ‘Wiltshire Cure’.

It was also noted that the steering group was in the process of converting into a charitable organisation in order to be sustainable.

Cllr Tony Trotman provided an update on Heritage Week. The Alms Houses had been attended by over 600 visitors in one afternoon, including Lord Landsdowne. There were plans to repeat the event in September 2016 to coincide with National Heritage Week. Cllr Trotman thanked all those involved, especially the Our Places Project and Calne Town Council.

Cllr Robert MacNaughton, Calne Town Council, delivered a presentation on mobility issues and the difficulties of accessing some areas in Calne. Three sites in particular were identified: the entrance to the Beversbrook Farm Festival, The Dumb Post Inn, and the Bowood Estate.

It was noted that this issue affected many local people, including pedestrians, and those using pushchairs, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters. It was explained that the issue of accessibility was covered in Objective 7 of the Calne Area Transport Strategy which was currently under development and provided a holistic view of transport issues in the area.

The Area Board discussed a previous scheme whereby the community identified areas where dropped kerbs would be beneficial. These sites were assessed by the Wiltshire Council Highways Team and Community Area Transport Group (CATG) and the viable sites were put to a local community vote.

It was highlighted that this issue would be addressed in the long term by the Calne Area Transport Strategy but that there was potential for the CATG to provide some assistance in the short term.

It was noted that progress continued on the Neighbourhood Plan in Bremhill.

Cllr Jeff Files, Hilmarton Parish Council, noted that there were new landlords in The Duke who had organised a free BBQ for the village which was very well attended. It was also explained that Goatacre had hosted a music festival named ‘GoatFest’. All 500 tickets for the event had sold out and preparations had already begun for GoatFest 2016.

Cllr David Evans, Cherhill Parish Council, updated that there had been lots of flytipping on Juggler’s Lane and that the Parish Council was considering various methods to reduce it. It was also noted that there would be a Dementia Friends session in Cherhill Village Hall on 17 October 2015 and all were welcome to attend.

Cllr Ed Jones, Calne Without Parish Council highlighted that someone had recently cut the catalytic converter from a truck near the Blacklands crossroads and advised all those local to the area to be aware of the issue which had also occurred in Calstone.

The Chairman updated, on behalf of Compton Bassett Parish Council that their Neighbourhood Plan was in the process of being looked at by the inspector.

Resolved:

1.     To note the partner updates.

2.     To request the CATG to investigate the viability of a dropped kerbs scheme and to provide a recommendation at the next Area Board.