Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Westbury Area Board.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Nic Courtice (Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service), Cllr Jenny Jones (Dilton Marsh Parish Council), Camella Town, National Power Outage Project Officer and Chris Manuel, Community Resilience Lead Officer.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2022 were presented for consideration and it was;

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a true and correct record of the minutes of the meeting held on 24 November 2022.

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

Cllr Matt Dean declared an Other Registerable Interest in the grant applications submitted by Westbury Town Council, by virtue of being a member of Westbury Town Council. Cllr Dean received a dispensation from the Standards Committee to remain in the room and vote on the application. Additionally, Cllr Matt Dean declared an interest in the application placed by Westbury Marketplace Events CIC due to being the Director. Cllr Dean noted that he would speak to the application and then leave the room before a vote would take place.

Cllr Gordon King declared an Other Registerable Interest in the grant applications submitted by Westbury Town Council, by virtue of being a member of Westbury Town Council. Cllr Gordon King received a dispensation from the Standards Committee to remain in the room and vote on the application.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·       King Charles III Coronation - Community Celebrations

·       Wiltshire Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Partnership Family Help Project Background Briefing

·       Family Help Hubs

·       4Youth Southwest Westbury Trustee

The Chairman made the following announcements, which were available as written briefing notes contained in the agenda pack:

·       King Charles III Coronation - Community Celebrations

·       Wiltshire Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Partnership Family Help Project Background Briefing

·       Family Help Hubs

In addition, Cllr Gordon King made the following verbal announcement:

·       4Youth Southwest Westbury Trustee – Cllr Gordon King outlined that 4Youth Southwest is an organisation that is based in Melksham but offers youth and outreach services in the Westbury area, it was explained that 4Youth were currently looking for a Westbury Trustee and that anyone interested should contact Cllr Gordon King.

To receive updates from Lead Councillors for the local Area Board priorities.

·       Combatting Social Isolation and Loneliness (encompassing the previous priority from 2021/22 of Digital Inclusion) (Cllr Gordon King)

·       Wellbeing for Young People and Positive Activities (Cllr Carole King)

·       Local Environmental Action (Cllr Suzanne Wickham)

·       Child Poverty (Cllr Matt Dean)

The Area Board received the following updates from Lead Councillors on the local Area Board Priorities:

Combatting Social Isolation and Loneliness(encompassing the previous priority from 2021/22 ofDigital Inclusion)(Cllr Gordon King)

·       Cllr King outlined that there was a standing project which sought to alleviate social isolation and to include older people in communities through the provision of laptops and data packages to enable them to set up contact lists and video calls.

·       It was stated that a Health and Wellbeing Event was set to take place on Sunday 25^th June 2023 in partnership with Westbury Town Council as part of their Sunday Brunch event. This would be in the gardens near the library and would include live entertainment and would provide an opportunity for stalls to show case to residents. So far the Link, ShopMobility, Ramblers and a show by Dogs for Health had been confirmed to attend with people encouraged to get in touch with Karlene Jammeh (karlene.jammeh@wiltshire.gov.uk) should they be interested in setting up a stall.

Wellbeing for Young People and Positive Activities(CllrCarole King)

• Cllr King stated that the Local Youth Network (LYN) had re-established and had met on 8 February at the Hub, which was attended by ten organisations. Discussions included what would be expected from such a strategic group, how often the group would meet and what organisations wanted to achieve through the LYN.
• After the LYN meeting, Cllr King visited the Youth Club and conducted a Slido consultation with those in attendance using phones and QR codes.
• It was noted that the Westbury Young People Awards would take place this year in partnership with Matravers School in June, with a date to be announced in the future. Nominations for possible award recipients were welcomed.

Local Environmental Action(Cllr Suzanne Wickham)

·       Cllr Wickham outlined that she had been regularly updating residents through her Facebook page regarding the Pollinator Corridor programme, to introduce pollinator friendly areas across the local area. It was noted that wildflower seeds had been ordered and each area had nominated an area for sewing, with Bratton Primary School and Fairfield Farm College also involved.

·       It was outlined that a footpaths and cycleway meeting took place at the Laverton, which was attended by a large group of volunteers from Warminster, who had recently helped to upgrade local Warminster footpaths and had been funded by the Warminster Area Board.

·       It was stated that there was a desire for the footpaths and cycleways in Westbury to be upgraded, particularly from the villages to the train station and that it would be positive to establish a similar group of volunteers.

 Child Poverty(Cllr Matt Dean)

·       It was outlined that Cllr Dean had set up several initiatives over the past year and that he was currently working on setting up a free concert in the marketplace for the benefit of young people, on the day of the King’s Coronation. It was hoped that the day would include local bands, a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive any updates from partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Community First

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

In addition to the written updates within the agenda pack and supplement, the Area Board received a verbal update from Inspector Kevin Harmsworth, which included the following points:

·       Following anti-social behaviour in the town centre, the police had been working alongside agencies which had seen a consequent decline in such crime.

·       There has been a rise in non-dwelling burglaries to sheds and outbuildings, however an arrest recently took place including two males with some stolen items recovered. Inspector Harmsworth spoke about the use of Select DNA (SelectaDNA Forensic Coding | SelectaDNA) in order to prevent such crime. Across the county there had also been an increase in car key thefts.

·       It was stated that there had been incidents of anti-social motorcycling in the Oldfield Park area and that residents were encouraged to report such incidents to the police to enable them to target future patrols.

·       Inspector Harmsworth outlined the new structure of the Westbury policing team, with reference drawn to the new Chief Constable Catherine Roper, who had set out new strategic priorities for the police to focus on.

Following the presentation there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

• The Area Board congratulated Inspector Harmsworth for his recent promotion.
• It was clarified that there had been 4 dwelling burglaries in Westbury recently.
• Regarding the PCSOs listed within the team structure, it was clarified that PCSO Stewart Hunt would be located in the town and PCSO Alice Moore would be located in rural areas however they would generally gravitate towards the centre.
• Regarding anti-social motorcycling, it was suggested that residents report such incidents by calling 999.
• Feedback was provided regarding the Road Safety report, with it noted that it had been difficult to distinguish the colours used within the Community Speedwatch data due to the size.
• The Area Board thanked the local Community Speedwatch teams and agreed that the Chairman would write to them to show gratitude for their efforts.
• It was referenced that a pilot using SIDs was currently taking place in Wiltshire, which included Edington.
• Feedback was provided, that it was unclear how the figures showed within the Overview of Hate Crime related to each other and that Inspector Harmsworth would look to clarify this with the OPCC.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

In addition to the written updated within the agenda supplement, the Area Board received a verbal update from Station Manager Pete Eastland, which included the following points:

• It was outlined that the Westbury Fire Station was an on-call fire station, meaning that all staff live in the local area and are expected to respond to alerts within 5 minutes whilst at home or from working locally.
• A key objective for the fire service is prevention, with free Safe and Well visits available to the community via the phone number within the report. Such visits allow for fire and smoke alarms to be fitted as well as discussing fire concerns  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive a presentation on the proposal of Emergency Contact Hubs and their purpose.

As apologies had been received from Town (National Power Outage Project Officer) and Chris Manuel (Community Resilience Lead Officer), the Area Board agreed to defer the presentation on the Proposal of Emergency Contact Hubs and their purpose until the next meeting. It was also noted that Westbury did have an emergency plan and that anything that could be done to adapt this might be a good example to use for progression.

To receive a presentation about fostering in Wiltshire.

The Area Board received a presentation on Fostering in Wiltshire from Graeme Morrison, Strategic Engagement Partnerships Manager. The presentation provided information about the fostering service, an overview of the current numbers of children in care, common fostering myths and what makes a good foster carer. The presentation also included a short video of someone who lived in care, to explain the positive impact that fostering had had on her life. The presentation ended with a call to action to get involved in or support fostering via social media.

Following the presentation there was a discussion about positive examples of fostering in the local area, with it noted that during previous years local newspapers had highlighted fostering recruitment drives.

The Area Board will be asked to consider the recommendations from the 24 February 2023 Westbury Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting outlined in the report.

The Chairman introduced the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 24 February 2023. In addition, the Chairman noted that there was an awareness that the task list was growing, and that frustration had been voiced at a recent Westbury Town Council meeting. The Chairman assured those in attendance that item by item he was working through the list with the respective highways officers. Additionally, Cllr Gordon King stated that he had recently written with concerns to the Environment Select Committee. Cllr Carole King also noted that information had now been released about the substantive bid and that the application for Bratton Road had been successful.

After which, it was;

Resolved:

The minutes of the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group meeting held on 24 February 2023 were agreed as a correct record as well as approving the spending recommendations within.

To consider the following applications for funding:

Area Board Initiatives:

·       Westbury Area Board - £1,350 towards Westbury Community Area Health and Wellbeing Day.

·       Westbury Area Board - £1,312.50 towards Youth Pop Up Event Westbury.

Community Area Grants:

·       The Laverton Institute Trust - £5,000 towards The Laverton New Audio System.

·       Westbury and District Cricket Club - £3,426 towards Cricket Ground Improvements.

·       Bratton Institute Management Committee - £5,000 towards Institute roof repair refurbishment insulation and retile.

Youth Grants:

·       Westbury Town Council - £1,000 towards Soapbox Derby Workshops.

·       Westbury Parochial Church Council All Saints Church - £697.50 towards Drop in Youth Café.

Older and Vulnerable Adults Funding:

·       Crosspoint Westbury - £5,000 towards Counselling to improve mental health and resilience.

·       Westbury Marketplace Events CIC - £2,350 towards Westbury Community Tea Dance and Celebration.

The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

Area Board Initiatives:

· Westbury Area Board - £1,350 towards Westbury Community Area Health and Wellbeing Day.

Resolved:

Westbury Area Board was awarded £1,350 towards Westbury Community Area Health and Wellbeing Day with the funding to be provided from the Older and Vulnerable Adults allocation.

· Westbury Area Board - £1,312.50 towards Youth Pop Up Event Westbury.

Resolved:

Westbury Area Board agreed to defer the application for funding towards a Youth Pop Up Event Westbury until the next meeting with changes to the application.

Community Area Grants:

· The Laverton Institute Trust - £5,000 towards The Laverton New Audio System.

Resolved:

The Laverton Institute Trust was awarded £4,445 towards The Laverton New Audio System.

· Westbury and District Cricket Club - £3,426 towards Cricket Ground Improvements.

Resolved:

Westbury and District Cricket Club was awarded £3,426 towards Cricket Ground Improvements.

· Bratton Institute Management Committee - £5,000 towards Institute roof repair refurbishment insulation and retile.

Resolved:

Bratton Institute Management Committee was awarded £4,445 towards Institute roof repair refurbishment insulation and retile.

Youth Grants:

· Westbury Town Council - £1,000 towards Soapbox Derby Workshops.

Resolved:

Westbury Town Council was awarded £566.95 towards Soapbox Derby Workshops.

· Westbury Parochial Church Council All Saints Church - £697.50 towards Drop in Youth Café.

Resolved:

Westbury Parochial Church Council All Saints Church was awarded £597.50 towards Drop in Youth Café.

Older and Vulnerable Adults Funding:

· Crosspoint Westbury - £5,000 towards Counselling to improve mental health and resilience.

Resolved:

Crosspoint Westbury was awarded £5,000 towards Counselling to improve mental health and resilience.

· Westbury Marketplace Events CIC - £2,350 towards Westbury Community Tea Dance and Celebration.

Due to his earlier declaration in relation to this item, Cllr Matt Dean left the room, therefore Cllr Gordon King took the role of Chairman for this item only.

Resolved:

Westbury Marketplace Events CIC was awarded £2,350 towards Westbury Community Tea Dance and Celebration.

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

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting of the Westbury Area Board will take place on 19 July 2023.

The date of the next meeting is 19 July 2023.