Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors Ernie Clark and David Vigar.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 January 2023 were presented for consideration. Subject to removing the words ‘a publicity campaign’ from minute 7 in relation to the top up café application, it was,

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes as a true and correct record.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Councillors Daniel Cave, Stewart Palmen, Jo Trigg, Mel Jacob, Edward Kirk, and Antonio Piazza, declared an Other Registerable Interest in applications ABG930 (Park Yoga) and ABG909 (Urban Festival) by virtue of being Members of Trowbridge Town Council. Each declared they had received a dispensation from the Standards Committee and would therefore remain and vote on the items.

Councillor Edward Kirk declared a non-disclosable interest in respect of application ABG1065 (Bellefield PlayPod) by virtue of having done business with Bellefield School. He voluntarily chose to leave the room for the whole of the item.

Councillor Jo Trigg declared an Other Registerable Interest in application ABG915(Trowbridge Child Wellbeing Partnership, by virtue of being a member of the Partnership. She therefore left the room for the vote on the item.

To include the following:

a)    Cost of Living Update

The written update on cost of living support was noted.

With the agreement of the meeting the order of agenda items was amended to that as set out in these minutes.

To receive a presentation on behalf of the Local Resilience Forum.

Carmella Town and Chris Manuel delivered a presentation on Emergency Contact Hubs. The hubs would be identified locations for communities to assist residents and local groups engage with emergency responders and others, be provided with support, and liaise with other activities to help deal with an emergency situation. The presentation was included within the agenda papers.

The Board sought additional details on the hubs, which were designed to add to existing provision not replace it, and it was confirmed there could be multiple hubs in the larger towns, as they were to be designed to be easily accessible for local communities. It was stated that basic supplies to be available did not require large amounts of space.

An invitation was also made for the presenters to attend North Bradley Parish Council to discuss how it could be applied outside of the towns.

To receive updates on previous projects funded by the Area Board.

The Board received a series of updates from previous grant applications, providing details of recent projects they had undertaken in the community area to tackle low priorities, including following receipt of Area Board grants.

An update was provided by Amanda Wilkes from the HELP counselling service, which provided mental health support and counselling through 21 volunteers, and which had received funds to update their offices.

Other updates were provided from the Friends of Broadmead Pond, and on behalf of Trowbridge Future, which included discussion of the group looking to expand its space to provide support, and the need for a long term vision to ensure a sustainable solution given the vital work being undertaken.

A final update was provided by the Amber Foundation, which support young homeless people in Wiltshire. Examples were provided of the long term support and housing they provided, with funds from the Area Board invested in bathroom and bedroom refurbishments.

The Board thanked all the presenters for the updates on the work they were undertaking in the community area.

To note the written reports and receive any updates from the

following:

a)    Wiltshire Police

b)    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c)     Town and Parish Councils

d)    Other Updates

Updates from partners were received as follows:

       i.          Wiltshire Police

The written update was noted. Inspector Andy Lemon was in attendance and provided further updates on recent targeting of careless driving, and ongoing issues relating to residential burglary. There was a discussion relating to the limitations of the use of dispersal orders for homeless persons, and a complaint that some incorrect information on reporting some shoplifting had been provided.

     ii.          Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written update was noted.

   iii.          Town and Parish Councils

Verbal updates were provided from North Bradley Parish Council and Trowbridge Town Council, including in relation to Neighbourhood Plans and asset transfers.

   iv.          Other Updates

A detailed update was provided from the Child Wellbeing Partnership under the next item.

To receive an update from the Child Wellbeing Partnership.

Colin Kay, Chair of the Trowbridge Child Wellbeing Partnership delivered a verbal update on the group and the Five to Thrive initiative, a new approach to responding to and addressing trauma induced behaviour, being rolled out through police and child services, though it was emphasised the approach was applied to adults as well, recognising the breadth of trauma and its effects.

A bid had been submitted for project funding, part funded by Selwood Housing, with trained facilitators to identify and bring groups together to come up with solutions to ongoing problems.

A presentation relating to Five to Thrive is attached to these minutes.

Information was also provided on relaunching a youth forum for Trowbridge, and an application from the partnership to be considered under the Funding agenda item.

To consider applications for grant funding.

Community Grants

Bellefield Church of England Primary and Nursery School had requested £5000 to contribute towards a playpod to be installed in the playground. On the motion of Councillor Mel Jacob, seconded by Councillor Antonio Piazza, it was then,

Resolved:

To award £5000.00 to Bellefield Church of England Primary and Nursery School.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

Kennet and Avon Woodturning Club had requested £750 to contribute towards new lighting and camera gantries. Details were provided of the expansion of the club, and the need for new equipment to accommodate this. On the motion of Councillor Antonio Piazza, seconded by Councillor Jo Trigg, and subject to receiving a copy of the club’s safeguarding policy, it was then,

Resolved:

To award £750.00 to Kennet and Avon Woodturning Club.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

Older and Vulnerable Adults

Trowbridge Child Wellbeing Partnership had requested £750 to contribute towards a project to respond to challenging behaviour in the community. The application included details of pilot community sessions which had taken place, with the funding in part to assist with further sessions. On the motion of Councillor Stewart Palmen, seconded by Councillor Mel Jacob, and subject to receiving a copy of the club’s safeguarding policy, it was then,

Resolved:

To award £750.00 to Trowbridge Child Wellbeing Partnership.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

Trowbridge Town Council had requested £1050 to contribute towards Park Yoga events. The Board discussed the number of people taking part in previous events, with some members stating they would prefer such projects be funded by the Town Council directly.

On the motion of Councillor Mel Jacob, seconded by Councillor Jo Trigg, it was then,

Resolved:

To award £1050.00 to Trowbridge Town Council.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

The Monday Wednesday Club had requested £500 to contribute towards subsidised trips for older people. It was explained that prior to the covid lockdown there had been such trips but there had not been any since that time, with the club providing opportunities to vulnerable adults, many with disabilities.

On the motion of Councillor Stewart Palmen, seconded by Councillor Jo Trigg, it was then,

Resolved:

To award £500.00 to the Monday Wednesday Club.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

Youth Grants

Trowbridge Town Council had requested £1344.62 to contribute towards the holding of an Urban festival event. The Board was informed about the idea had arisen from discussions with young people and involved working with the child wellbeing group and Wiltshire College. Some members again stated they would prefer such projects be funded by the Town Council directly. There was support for the project to take place in Stallards Park, which some considered underutilised as a space.

On the motion of Councillor Mel Jacob, seconded by Councillor Jo Trigg, it was then,

Resolved:

To award £1344.62 to Trowbridge Town Council.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

Trowbridge Athletic had requested £500 to contribute towards the purchase of kits and other supplies. It was noted  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To receive an update from Rory Bowen, Economic Development Service Manager.

Rory Bowen, Economic Development Service Manager, delivered a presentation on updates regarding the Future High Streets Fund and the Wiltshire Towns programme.

It was explained the Future High Streets Fund was in the delivery phase, with work around Church Street/Union Street almost completed and design and costing work on improvements to other footway areas, as well as design work on improving the Town Bridge open space and other areas. Heads of Terms for agreement of the Town Hall Trust to enter into a lease for Town Hall were being reviewed.

There were questions relating to use of the vacant commercial units fund, with in excess of £0.800m funding available across Wiltshire, with grants able to be awarded for things like residential changes of use.

In relation to the Towns programme there was discussion of small scale assets like bollards and block paving for which Wiltshire Council was responsible, and how those which needed updating and mending be captured, so that the effect of larger changes from the funding was not lost.

The Board thanked Rory Bowen for the update.

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.