Agenda and minutes

To elect the Chairman of the Westbury Area Board for the forthcoming year.

Nominations were sought for a Chairman for the forthcoming year. On the nomination of Councillor Matt Dean seconded by Councillor Suzanne Wickham, it was,

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Gordon King as Chairman of the Westbury Area Board for the forthcoming year.

To elect the Vice-Chairman of Westbury Area Board for the forthcoming year.

Nominations were sought for a Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year. On the nomination of Councillor Gordon King seconded by Councillor Suzanne Wickham, it was,

Resolved:

To elect Councillor Carole King as Vice-Chairman of the Westbury Area Board for the forthcoming year.

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.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 March 2023 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 23 March 2023.

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

Cllr Matt Dean noted that they had received an on-going dispensation from the Standards Committee by virtue of being a town councillor.

To receive the following announcements through the Chair:

·       Wiltshire Libraries are supporting residents to stay online during the cost-of-living crisis.

·       Cost of Living Update.

·       Independent Visitor Scheme promotion for volunteers.

·       Update on the Council’s activity and progress on the Climate Emergency - https://youtu.be/LP2FzC7rHSw

·       Multiply – Online Courses.

·       PCCs across the Southwest launch new rural crime survey and quarterly newsletter.

·       Wiltshire Local Plan Review.

·       Update on Post Office Deliveries.

·       Westbury Young People Awards.

·       Health and Wellbeing Day.

The Chairman of the Area Board made the following announcements, which were contained in the agenda pack.

·       Wiltshire Libraries are supporting residents to stay online during the cost-of-living crisis.

·       Cost of Living Update.

·       Independent Visitor Scheme promotion for volunteers.

A comment was received later in the meeting that Wiltshire Council also commissioned a “Grandmentors” scheme for people over 50 years of age, who would like to support carers and young people aged 18-25. A leaflet and poster for the Grandmentors scheme was attached to the agenda, with those interested able to contact Lin Scott, the project co-ordinator: lin.scott@volunteeringmatters.org.uk.

·       Update on the Council’s activity and progress on the Climate Emergency- https://youtu.be/LP2FzC7rHSw

·       Multiply – Online Courses.

·       PCCs across the Southwest launch new rural crime survey and quarterly newsletter.

Comments were received that within the briefing note there had been no mention of the relocation of Salisbury Police Station to an alternative location, which could potentially have cost implications, with Wiltshire Police currently renting Bourne Hill from Wiltshire Council. Custody facilities were also referenced, with those in attendance encouraged to contact the PCC or complete the Rural Crime survey.

·       Wiltshire Local Plan Review.

Comments were received that implications of the Wiltshire Local Plan review would mean that there could be a reduction in influence regarding the shape of the Local Plan. Concern for Westbury was also cited as there had not been talk of a Westbury bypass or reference to commitment to using developer finding to improve existing amenities. It was hoped that Town and Parish councils would come forward to produce a united front.

·       Update on Post Office Deliveries.

·       Westbury Young People Awards.

·       Health and Wellbeing Event – 25 June 2023.

To receive any updates from partners:

·       Wiltshire Police.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System).

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire.

·       Community First.

·       Age UK Wiltshire.

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives.

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted a written updates attached to the agenda. In addition, Inspector Kevin Harmsworth provided a verbal update which covered the following points:

·       Attention was drawn to the following local priorities for Westbury, as referenced within the report:

o   Westbury Town Area

o   Leighton Recreation Ground

o   Rural Crime

·       In addition to the written Road Safety Update, Inspector Harmsworth stated that enforcement activity had recently taken place with penalty points handed out and individuals enrolled on speed awareness courses.

·       Regarding the Engage Process, though Wiltshire Police remained in special measures, since Inspector Harmsworth came into post, there had been improvements in levels of service and investigation standards.

·       Wiltshire Police had recently been internally audited with recommendations on how to further improve.

·       Attention was drawn to the role of civilian enforcement officers, with residents encouraged to contact the police should they wish for a patrol to be requested for a location.

After the verbal update, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       Gratitude was directed towards residents who partake in Community Speed Watch as often people have been abused, to which the Inspector suggested that residents should take note of number plates and report any abuse.

·       Cllr Dean noted that he had been contacted by a constituent at Easter, citing that he was dissatisfied with an encounter which had taken place between himself and a Police Officer on Warminster High Street, with concern that the officer had refused to identify himself or wear collar numbers. Inspector Harmsworth explained that there are some officers in uniform and some not for under cover purposes; that officers should have numbers on their shoulders and chest as well as being able to produce a warrant card or officer ID. Furthermore, should residents still be concerned, they can ask for verification through the loudspeaker of the Officer’s radio or if still unsatisfied back away. It was also clarified that this process also applies to PCSOs.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Clarity was sought from a Member of Bratton Parish Council that at the previous meeting there had been reference in the report to an incident on Imber Road, in which the Fire Service had been called on 27 June 2023. The report had referenced that the Fire Service had been unable to get their truck down Imber Road due to cars parked and had trouble in rocking the cars out the way. Further clarity was requested on this issue.

·       Community First

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       AgeUK Wiltshire

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Cllr Jeff Ligo on behalf of Bratton Parish Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       Bratton Week took place from 24 June to 2 July 2023,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

Part I – Looking Back

To receive the Area Board End of Year Report (to be published as an agenda supplement) as well as to report on progress made in addressing the Area Board priorities selected for 2022/23:

·       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)

Part II – Looking Forward

To highlight potential priorities for the Area Board to consider for 2023/24.

To appoint Members as Lead representatives to Outside Bodies and any new Non-Priority Working Groups as set out at Appendix A;

To appoint a Lead representative to the LHFIG (listed on Appendix A) and to note the Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix B.

Part I – Looking Back

The Area Board received a presentation from Strategic Engagement Partnerships Manager (SEPM), Graeme Morrison on the Area Board End of Year Report. The presentation included the following points:

·       Information regarding the composition of the Westbury Community Area and its population was provided.

·       Total Area Board investment was outlined as follows:

o   Community Grants: £47,148 – which leveraged a total community contribution of £136,887.

o   Youth Grants: £25,784 – which leveraged a total community contribution of £131,369.

o   Older and Vulnerable Adults funding: £14,800 – which leveraged a total community contribution of £45,681.

The SEPM provided an overview of the work completed under the previous local priorities that had been identified by the Area Board for 2022/2023:

·       Combatting Social Isolation and Loneliness

o   The Health and Wellbeing Group had continued to meet regularly and had been attended by several local groups to discuss various aspects of Health and Wellbeing in the community.

o   There have been three tranches of the Digital Inclusion Programme, with positive feedback received and another tranche hoping to take place in Autumn.

o   The Westbury Health and Wellbeing Event on 25 June 2023.

o   Work is set to be completed with the Westbury Area Network on enabling them to make use of the Household Support Grant.

·       Wellbeing for Young People and Positive Activities

o   The Local Youth Network (LYN) was recently reestablished and has been attended by several local groups.

o   The Westbury Young People Awards recently took place and was attended by over 200 people.

·       Local Environmental Action

o   The Pollinator Project had progressed well, with an overview of the work provided by Cllr Suzanne Wickham.

o   Phase 2 of the Bitham Brook project is set to take place, which was funded by a grant from the Area Board awarded to the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

o   An initial meeting had taken place to help parishes look at ways to open footpaths and rights of way.

·       Child Poverty

o   The Area Board funded 4Youth detached youth workers as well as other youth engagement projects.

o   The Area Board helped to part-fund a team for the Westbury Soapbox Derby.

o   Though the initial session wasn’t well attended, an event in collaboration with Wiltshire College is hoped to take place in September to provide sessions on employability, basic maths, and English skills.

o   The Area Board funded an event on the day of the King’s Coronation which took place in the Market Place and was free to attend.

The SEPM provided an overview of Area Board engagements as well as providing examples of projects that had been supported by the Area Board. It was recommended that the local priorities for the Area Board remain the same for the coming year.

Part II – Looking Forward

The Chairman introduced Part II of the item, with reference drawn to the report attached to the agenda pack, which included an Outside Bodies Appendix and LHFIG Terms of Reference Appendix.

After which, it was;

Resolved:

That Westbury Area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

The Area Board will be asked to consider the recommendations from the 20 April 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 20 April 2023.

After which, it was;

Resolved:

The minutes of the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group meeting held on 20 April 2023 were agreed as a correct record as well as approving the spending recommendations within.

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

Remaining Budgets:

Area Board Initiatives:

 Community Area Grants:

The Chairman informed the Area Board of the opening balances for grant funding. The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

Area Board Initiatives:

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

The Strategic Engagement Partnerships Manager informed those present that the amount requested had changed since the publication of the agenda and now stood at £543.50.

Decision

Westbury Area Board was awarded £543.50 towards Youth Pop Up Event Westbury.

Moved – Cllr Matt Dean

Seconded – Cllr Suzanne Wickham

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Community Area Grants:

Cygnets Preschool of Bratton - £1,000 towards Cygnets Preschool Bratton phase 2 outside area development.

Decision

Westbury Area Board agreed to defer awarding grant funding to Cygnets Preschool of Bratton and invited them to return to the Area Board with an alternative idea which could be funded.

Moved – Cllr Gordon King

Seconded – Suzanne Wickham

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 3 October 2023.

The date of the next meeting is 3 October 2023.