Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members and officers.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2021.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, subject to the Easton Royal Parish Council representative being recorded as Margaret Holden.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will provide information about:

a.    Ask Angela relaunch

b.    Briefing Note – Queens Platinum Jubilee 2022

c.     Changes to Highway Code – January 2022

d.    Changes to Residual Waste Collection

The Chairman drew attention to the following announcements which were noted by the Area Board: 

a.    Ask Angela relaunch

b.    Briefing Note – Queens Platinum Jubilee 2022

c.     Changes to Highway Code – January 2022

d.    Changes to Residual Waste Collection

Cllr Paul Oatway is inviting all chairs and clerks to a meeting to address concerns about the high numbers of complaints being made.

The Area Board received a verbal report from Wiltshire Council’s Director of Legal and Governance and Monitoring Officer, Perry Holmes, in relation to raising standards for Unitary and Town and Parish Councillors.

Mr Holmes explained that an increasing number of complaints were being received with 80% of the complaints from the public, Parish Clerks and Parish Councillors and in relation to Town or Parish Councils. Mr Holmes suggested that a one-off meeting is held at the Bouverie Hall, Pewsey in early summer 2022 for Chairs and Clerks to discuss the Code of Conduct and standards for Councillors. It was noted that the nature of complaints varied quite considerably, but mainly related to differing views, register of interests, language and tone.

To receive a presentation from Lucinda Murray, Training Advisor the Family and Community Learning Service.

The Area Board received a presentation from Lucinda Murray, Training Advisor for the Family and Community Learning Service.

Lucinda commented on the following aspects of the Family and Community Learning Service:

·       Who we are and what we do

·       The Service vision and strategy

·       How the Service works

·       Courses offered and who can access the courses

·       Contact details and how to refer to the service

The Chair thanked Lucinda for a very informative presentation and confirmed that referrals can be made at this email address - familyandcommunitylearning@wiltshire.gov.uk?.

To receive a presentation from Suzy Deering about the Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership.

The Area Board received a presentation from Dawn Wilson, on behalf of Suzy Deering, about the Kennet & Avon Medical Partnership which was rated good at its previous CQC inspection.

Dawn commented on the Partnership working to improve communication within their area, the new Chair of the Patient Participation Group, improvements in the relationship between surgeries and community, Pewsey Surgery remaining in the Partnership, the move to face to face appointments following the easing of Covid restrictions and alternative methods of receiving help and advice. Details of the practice structure for both clinical and non-clinical staff were shared, along with details of a new telephone system to help streamline the service.

The Area Board noted that the Patient Participation Group were looking for new members and to contact the Chair of the Group if interested.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police  

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – report attached  

·       Health – reports attached  

·       Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing – verbal Update

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership  – verbal Update

·       Parish Councils – verbal Update

·       Community Engagement Manager – verbal Update

To receive updates from partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received a written and verbal update from Insp Al Lumley, Wiltshire Police, which included detail about the Community Policing Team, Wiltshire Police performance to December 2021, hate crime overview and local priorities and updates in relation to the Pewsey area. 

Insp Lumley responded to questions about a recent email sent to the Police and Crime Commissioner, subsequently forwarded to the Assistant Chief Constable about PCSO’s in Pewsey that had not received a response. Insp Lumley agreed to seek a response. Other general questions related to PCSO’s non-attendance at Parish Council meetings and a request for their attendance at the annual Parish Council Assembly;  The Area Board suggested that the written update from Wiltshire Police could also be circulated to Parish Council’s by the Community Engagement Manager for their information.

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board received a written and verbal update from Chris Wood, Station manager from the Fire and Rescue Service, which included detail about the Community Safety Plan, reducing the level of risk and harm from fire, interaction between the Protection Team and Local authorities, on call recruitment and recent news about electric blanket safety, waste site fire near Devizes and motorcycle safety.

The Area Board noted that a performance inspection was currently being undertaken of the Fire and Rescue Service in the Pewsey Community Area, and an update would be provided at a future meeting.

It was noted that Pewsey were likely to lose one of their fire appliances which would result in delays of appliances reaching emergency situations.  Cllr Oatway expressed his concern, especially as he was the Vice-Chair of the Fire Authority and was unaware of the matter. Cllr Oatway confirmed that he would investigate this matter further.  

c.     Health

The written update attached to the agenda pack was noted.

d.    Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

The update was provided by Dawn Wilson alongside the PCAP update below.

e.    Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Dawn Wilson provided a general update and more specifically on the Health & Wellbeing Group as follows:

·       An in-person meeting was held on 8 February 2022 and highlights from that meeting included:

                                               i.     Lower than expected numbers attending the Carers Café, which is open to all carers,

                                              ii.     the Great Bedwyn walking group were offering two walks a month and they were also supporting the establishment of other walking groups across the county,

                                            iii.     the Gateway Club had reopened,

                                            iv.     Shalbourne Connect was still going strong

                                             v.     Wiltshire Council discussing the funding of Day Care Centres

                                            vi.     The Memory Café had restarted following the relaxation of Covid restrictions

                                           vii.     The funding of older people events during the Jubilee weekend; and

                                         viii.     PCAP continuing to ask questions of Wiltshire Council on matters of mutual interest and on behalf of the Area Board

Colin Gale provided an update on the work of the Transport Group:

·       Wiltshire Council were successful in being awarded a grant of £1.2m  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

To determine any applications for Community Area Grants. Report to follow.

The Area Board considered six applications for Community Area funding.

The Chairman invited a representative of the applicant, where they were in attendance, to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

Decision

That the following grant applications be awarded as follows:

1.    Pewsey Area Board Initiative - £2,689 towards events to support older people integrate into their community.

2.    Pewsey Area Board Initiative - £5,000 towards rural youth outreach project.

3.    Pewsey Vale Rugby Football Club Ltd - £662.51 towards public address system.

4.    Hilcott Village Hall - £900 towards Hilcott Village Hall Trust Barnard Meadow felling of large conifer tree.

5.    The Bouverie Hall - £982.25 towards Bouverie Hall Café.

6.    Pewsey Parish Council - £5,000 towards positive activities for young people in Pewsey.

To consider recommendations arising from the CATG meeting held on 9 February 2022.

The Area Board received the minutes of the Community Area Transport Group for the meeting held on 9 February 2022.

Mac McLean, representing North Newnton Parish Council, commented on the events at a recent Parish Council meeting leading to the Parish Council withdrawing their original contribution of £12,800 towards issue 6915 (request for Phase 2 of Footway project – to link phase 1 to a point by the former garage), and instead use S106 funds for the contribution of this phase of the footpath project. Mr McLean indicated that he did not support the decision of the Parish Council to use S106 funds for this project, and along with 3 other Parish Councillors, resigned from the Parish Council over this matter. The Area Board noted that the Parish Council had been successful in a bid for Substantive Highway Schemes funding. Mr McLean reported that local residents had formed a petition in relation to the situation which was being forwarded to the Wiltshire Council’s Head of Legal and Governance, Perry Holmes for further consideration of the matter. Cllr Paul Oatway reported that he could not support the Parish Council’s actions and felt that they were unwise to withdrawn their original funding stream. Cllr Oatway would be meeting with the remaining Parish Council Councillors in the coming week to discuss moving the project forward.

Resolved:

1.    To close the following Issues:

a.    91 Rushall Elm Row (phase 1),

b.    10-20-7 Burbage Service Station,

c.    10-21-3 Manningford direction signs,

d.    10-21-5 All Cannings road markings,

e.    10-21-1 Little Bedwyn chevron,

f.      10-21-7 Hilcott road markings and

g.    10-21-10 Chirton The St road markings

2.    To move the following Issues (with funding) to the Priority Schemes lists:

a.    10-22-5 Froxfield The Green (£300) road markings

b.    10-22-6 Upavon to N Newnton Deer signs (£750)

3.    To impose a minimum charge of £100 against all future contributions

4.    That North Newnton Parish Council provide a contribution of £12,800 from their own funds, as originally offered, towards issue 6915 (request for Phase 2 of Footway project – to link phase 1 to a point by the former garage) as approved by CATG at previous CATG meetings.

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

Cllr Oatway raised an issue in relation to the lack of bus links to Trenchard Lines, Upavon military base. Cllr Oatway reported that he had attended a meeting with residents of the Base and discussed the need for signposts for a footpath into the village and a bus link.

The Area Board agreed that this matter should be discussed further at the next Area Board meeting.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 23 May 2022 starting at 7.00pm

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for 23 May 2022, starting at 7pm.