Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from:

·       Cllr Simon Jacobs

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2024.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Kelvin Nash, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 3 June 2024 as a true and correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will give any updates, including outcomes and actions arising from previous meetings of the Area Board.

·       Consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), closes 11.45pm on 24 September. For details please see: Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

·       National Grid Devizes VIP project

·       Devizes Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO)

·       Stonehenge A303 tunnel project

·       Roadworks in the Devizes area

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·       The consultation on proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF), was due to close at 11.45pm on 24 September.

·       A progress update on National Grid’s project to remove pylons from the North Wessex Downs National Landscape was available on pages 13-15 of the agenda pack. The Chairman was a member of the Community Liaison Group and they were due to hold a meeting in the coming weeks. The service road installed during the project would not become a new bypass.

·       A paper would be presented to Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet to consider ways to mitigate the impacts of the cancellation of the A303 Stonehenge scheme by central government.

·       Wiltshire Council were investing an additional £22 million into highways, enabling improvements in road safety.

·        Traffic lights were due to be installed at Black Dog crossroads on the A360, with work due to begin in 2025, once SSE had installed power on the site.

·       Following a feasibility scheme, detailed design work was underway on a range of measures to improve road safety on the A361 at Caen Hill including installing traffic lights on the staggered junction with the B3101 at Marsh Lane. There had been a road traffic accident at Caen Hill the previous weekend, showing the importance of the issue.

·       Chief Constable Catherine Roper was due to attend the Area Board’s next meeting on 18 November 2024.

Th Vice-Chairman also took the opportunity to give an update about the consultation on the Devizes Public Spaces Protection Order. He was pleased to report that the consultation, which had now closed, had received over 800 responses and around 90 percent of those that had responded were supportive of the proposals. Suggestions about how the scheme could be improved, such as plans for disbursement of individuals causing issues, were being taken onboard. It was planned to implement the scheme within the next two months.

The Area Board is asked to note the following Information items:

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan consultation (20 August until 5pm on Friday 4 October).

o   Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

o   Families and Children's Transformation (FACT) Transitional Safeguarding Project

o   Families Children's Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project

o   Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council

The Chairman highlighted the following information contained within the agenda pack:

·       Community First, pg.17-24

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire, pg. 25-52

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System), pg. 53-55

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

·       Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan consultation (open until 5pm on Friday 4 October), pg. 57-58

·       Families and Children's Transformation (FACT) Transitional Safeguarding Project, pg. 59-60

·       Families Children's Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project, pg. 61-62

·       Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council, pg. 63-64

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

·       Wiltshire Police – Acting Inspector Chris Wickham, Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT)

·       Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership – Perry Payne

·       OpenDoors (annual update)

·       Town and Parish Councils

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

·       Wiltshire Police Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT), pg. 65-74

·       Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership, pg. 75-85

·       OpenDoors (annual update), pg. 87-92

Cllr Laura Mayes arrived at 18:44pm.

The following partners also provided verbal updates:

Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership

Perry Payne from Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership gave an overview of their work to improve road safety. Points included:

·       They were a multi-agency partnership working across three main workstreams, engineering, education and enforcement.

·       The areas of focus of the different organisations within the partnership were outlined.

·       Wiltshire Police were upgrading the data system used to report road traffic collisions. This data was utilised to undertake “cluster analysis” to identify sites where collision reduction measures might be effective.

·       For every road traffic accident causing a serious injury there were 12 that did not.

·       Town and parish councils could contact the Area Board’s Local Highways and Footpaths Improvement Group (LHFIG) to apply for traffic surveys to be undertaken.

·       Education about road safety was key as, in 2017, 27 percent of people that died in cars on the road were not wearing a seatbelt.

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service had helped to deliver the Safe Drive Stay Alive presentation to 5,000 students and the Survive to Drive presentation to 4,500 military personnel.

·       Thanks were given to Community Speed Watch (CSW) volunteers who played a role in educating drivers and informing enforcement activity.

·       Between July 2020 and 22 August 2024 there had been 769 watches carried out leading to 4,021 letters being sent.

·       The Police and Crime Commissioner’s office funded three Community Speed Enforcement Officers. Between 1 January 2023 and 22 August 2024, they had been active in 64 locations in the Devizes area and were responsible for sending people on 322 speed awareness courses and sending eight people to court.

·       Wiltshire Police’s Road Policing Unit focussed on a number of different aspects of road safety including weight limits, driving without an MOT and tachograph issues (breaches of driver rest time regulations).

·       Crossing roads whilst looking at ‘phone screens was an increasing risk to pedestrian safety.

During the discussion, points included:

·       The Area Board thanked Mr Payne for his update.

·       In response to a query about the enforcement of breaches of the new 20mph speed limit on Victoria Road in Devizes, Acting Inspector Chris Wickham noted that Devizes Neighbourhood Police Team would look into the issue.

·       The importance of using data to inform speed enforcement activity was emphasised.

·       It was possible to submit photographic and video dash cam evidence of speeding incidents through Operation SNAP online.

·       Thanks were given to the police for their swift response in undertaking the traffic survey on Brickley Lane, near Roseland Avenue. It was observed that a similar survey on Windsor Drive had been void and it was requested that local councillors be informed when this happened.

·       Mr Payne noted that information about the void result was available on page 80 of the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 93.

To receive updates on the Area Board priorities:

·       Addressing climate change and protecting the environment (Lead councillor - Cllr Tamara Reay)

·       Improve opportunities for children and young people (Lead councillor – Cllr Dominic Muns)

·       Valuing and supporting our vulnerable and older people (Lead councillor – Cllr Simon Jacobs)

·       Increasing the safety of our community (Lead councillor – Cllr Kelvin Nash)

·       Support those in greatest need and improve their resilience (Lead councillor – Cllr Iain Wallis)

Lead councillors gave updates about the progress that had been made towards their priority areas:

Addressing Climate Change and Protecting the Environment

Cllr Tamara Reay thanked members of the Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group for their support and challenge. She explained that bus routes had been updated and that Demand Responsive Transport routes had been extended to locations such as Marlborough, Hungerford and Tidworth. She also reported that the Devizes Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plans were being progressed to improve cycling and walking routes, including on London Road.

Improving Opportunities for Children and Young People

The Vice-Chairman gave an overview of the youth activities that had taken place over the summer, which had been part funded by the Area Board. These included events in Bromham and West Lavington, as well as an event in Waiblingen Way to help highlight Family Hubs. He also reported that the Neighbourhood Collaborative were planning an event in October to help tackle self-harm in young people.

The Vice-Chairman took the opportunity to praise Wiltshire Youth for Christ who had been running summer pop-up and mentoring sessions.

Cllr Laura Mayes gave a brief update on the opening of the new Silverwood School at Rowde for up to 400 pupils with Special Educational Needs. She explained that the first pupils had started the previous week and that she was looking forward to making her first visit to the school.

Supporting Those in Greatest Need to Improve Their Resilience

The Chairman highlighted the success of the recent community event in Waiblingen Way. In addition, he noted that the Area Board had provided support to foodbanks and in purchasing food vouchers. They had also helped people to purchase items to reduce their energy costs.

Residents are invited to ask questions of their Area Board councillors.

There were no questions from the public.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 23 July 2024, as set out in the attached report.

Funding Recommendations:

·       Seend Cleeve and New Park Rd, Devizes (joint project) Parking restrictions Barge Bridge – £2,625

·       Seend, SID Posts and sockets - £1,275 (retrospective)

·       Seend, Bollards at Bell Crossroads - £1,800

Cllr Kelvin Nash gave an update about the recent work of the Local Highways and Footpaths Improvement Group (LHFIG), explaining that they had 25 live projects, 10 of which were underway. He noted that the project to improve school drop off in Great Cheverell had been redirected to the Taking Actions on School Journeys Scheme.

On the proposal of Cllr Nash, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

·       To note the discussions from the LHFIG meeting of 23 July 2024

·       To confirm the progress of the High Priority schemes agreed by LHFIG

·       To approve the following projects:

Ø  £2,625 Parking restrictions - New Park Rd, Devizes & Barge Bridge, Seend Cleeve

Ø  £1,800 Bollards at Bell Crossroads, Seend

Ø  £1,275 SID Posts and sockets, Seend (retrospective)

·       To thank the parish councils that attend the Group, bring local residents’ concerns to the Area Board.

To receive any updates and consider any recommendations from the Devizes Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group.

Cllr Tamara Reay gave an overview of the recent work of the Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group (AQST) following their meeting on 13 September. Points included:

·       The AQST Group had received an update from Wiltshire Council’s Passenger Transport Team about changes to bus services being implemented from September 2024.

·       The £2 bus fare scheme had been continued.

·       An X2 bus would run a faster route between Devizes and Salisbury via Stonehenge.

·       A new Sunday daytime service, the X33, had been launched between Devizes and Chippenham.

·       Extra journeys had been introduced on the number 273 bus between Devizes, Melksham and Bath.

·       A greater number of busses would be available for Demand Responsive Transport by stopping some timetabled services in the middle of the day between Devizes and Marlborough that had attracted a very small number of passengers.

·       Wiltshire Connect Demand Responsive Transport would operate over revised hours, between 8am and 7:30pm, on Saturdays.

·       The number 49 bus would run more frequent journeys between Devizes, Swindon and Trowbridge with additional journeys in the evening. On Sundays, the bus would run every hour.

·       Initial design work for improvements along London Road, as part of the Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), was being considered. Detailed design work was expected to commence in May 2025, with work predicted to take place in 2025/26.

·       A new leaflet about walking and cycling was being produced.

·       Cllr Reay was overseeing the development of Wiltshire’s Local Transport Plan 4 (LTP4) strategy covering the period 2025-2039. Once the plans had been developed, they would go out for public consultation in the autumn so that residents could have their say.

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

Remaining Budgets:

Community Area Grants:

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

Delegated Funding

The Board is asked to note funding awards made under the Delegated Funding Process, by the Strategic Engagement & Partnership Manager, between meetings due to matters of urgency:

·       ABG1920 – Devizes Bowls Club – Wheelchair - £500 (Community Area Grant)

·       ABG1915 – Devizes Area Board Councillor initiative Cllr Iain Wallis – Devizes Small Community Events - £500 (Youth Grant)

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

The Area Board noted the budgets remaining for allocation at the meeting, including that there would only be £3,232.59 available in capital funding for the remainder of the financial year if all the Community Area Grants were awarded in full. They heard from representatives in attendance who gave a brief overview of their projects and answered questions.

Community Area Grants

Worton and Marston Village Hall Requesting £5,000 Towards a Kitchen Refit

The applicant was unable to attend so Cllr Tamara Reay gave an overview of the application. During the discussion, the Area Board spoke of their desire to support the project but also about the importance of retaining funding for future applications later in the financial year.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Reay, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To award Worton and Marston Village Hall £5,000 in principle towards a kitchen refit, with £2,500 being awarded immediately and the remaining funding to be made available at the end of the financial year if sufficient money was left in the budget.

Reason: The application met Community Area Grant criteria 2024/25. There was insufficient funding remaining to award the funding in full at the meeitng and maintain sufficient funding to support other applications during the course of year.

West Lavington Village Hall Requesting £3,938 Towards Radiant Heating Installation

Paul Bryant from West Lavington Village Hall spoke in support of their application. During the discussion, the Area Board stated that they were supportive of the project but also cognisant of the need to balance capital funding throughout the year.

On the proposal of the Vice-Chairman, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To award West Lavington Village Hall £3,938 in principle towards radiant heating, with £1,969 being awarded immediately and the remaining funding to be approved at the end of the financial year if sufficient money was left in the budget.

Reason: The application met Community Area Grant criteria 2024/25. There was insufficient funding remaining to award the funding at the meeting in full and maintain sufficient funding to support other applications during the course of year.

The Mind Tree Café CIC Requesting £5,000 Towards a Kitchen

A representative from the café spoke in support of their application. During the discussion, it was highlighted that aspects of the application would also be eligible to be awarded funding from the revenue budget, as it would be used by older and vulnerable adults.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Laura Mayes, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To award The Mind Tree Café CIC £5,000 towards a kitchen with £2,500 coming from the Community Area Grant budget and £2,500 from the Older and Vulnerable People’s budget.

Reason: The application met Community Area Grant criteria and Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria 2024/25. There was insufficient funding remaining in the Community Area Grant budget to award the funding in full and maintain sufficient funding to support other applications during the course of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 98.

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

There were no urgent items. The Chairman reminded the Area Board that Chief Constable Catherine Roper was due to attend their next meeting.

Future meeting dates were confirmed as:

6:30-8:30pm at Needham House

·       18 November 2024

·       17 February 2025

Meeting details, agendas and minutes can be viewed here.