Agenda and minutes

To receive the following chairman’s announcements:

·         Temporary Events Notices

·         Climate Strategy Delivery Plans

·         Cost of Living/Warm Spaces

·         Wiltshire Council grants for Electric Vehicle Chargers

·         Building Bridges

Cllr Phil Alford welcomed everyone to the Berryfield Village Hall.

The following Chairman’s Announcements contained in the agenda pack were noted:

·         Temporary Events Notices

·         Climate Strategy Delivery Plans

·         Cost of Living/Warm Spaces

The Area Board noted the increase of people using food banks in the Melksham community area.

·         Electro vehicles chargers

·         Building Bridges

Apologies were received from Philip Wilkinson – Police and Crime Commissioner and Cllr Mike Sankey – Wiltshire Council.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 7 November 2022

Decision

·         That the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 7 November 2022 were confirmed as the correct record

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

There were no declarations of interest.

Chris Clark – Head of Local Highways, Wiltshire Council

Chris Clark – Head of Local Highways, Wiltshire Council outlined the role of the Parish Steward.

Points made included:

A regular visit of a man with a truck, equipped with a full range of hand tools and materials to address a wide variety of minor highway defects and needs.

The tasks are identified by a nominated person from the Town or Parish council, reported in advance of the visit on the top five priority system.

Direct Contact with Steward was encouraged.

The Steward would repair a wide range of minor defects.

Identification of Invasive and noxious weeds

Use of light plant and tools, including hand compactors, chain saws and strimmer/brush cutter etc

A wide variety of other duties of value to the community

The work Programmed over 4 days, with Friday as a “Float” day enabling catch up or Stewards to group together for larger Jobs

It was noted that Melksham Without Parish Council would like more days of Parish Steward time.

The Chairman thanked Chris Clark for his presentation.

Inspector Andy Lemon – Wiltshire Police

Inspector Andy Lemon – Wiltshire Police outlined the power point

Points made included:

Priority – Melksham “Boy Racers” – that 18 targeted stops had taken place since the last update. Several vehicles had been seized; two Vehicle Defect Rectification Notices and a number of Fixed Penalty Tickets had been issued. The stops also led to the discovery of two Drink / Drug Drivers. Local teams would continue to target this issue.

That Wiltshire Police were providing updated Demand Data for the CCTV and Community Safety Working Group, to inform the ongoing CCTV Project.

That local teams were working with the Town Council to address an ASB Hotspot at The Pavilion, King George V Playing Field. The Tactical Crime Prevention Officer would be looking for Target Hardening Opportunities to compliment the work of the Neighbourhood Team.

In the lead-up to Christmas, local teams were looking to run Operation Elf, to combat Shoplifting in the Town Centre.

Points made from the floor included:

Concerns that rural communities were being left behind in the level of policing that they were afforded.

That it would be beneficial if on Melksham market day a mobile police station could be deployed.

The importance of police supporting Speedwatch volunteer groups when resources were available.

The positive impact of local police teams spending time at the Canberra Youth Centre.

The Chairman thanked Inspector Andy Lemon for his update.

Station Manager Andrew Laskey

Station Manager Andrew Laskey outlined the written update.

Points made included:

The importance of the continued recruitment of volunteer fire fighters.

That the cold weather brought issues with real fires, candles and lamps etc.

The Chairman thanked Station Manager Laskey for his update.

To note written partner updates

·         Integrated Care Board & Healthwatch Wiltshire

·         Town and Parish Councils

The following written partner updates contained in the agenda pack were noted:

·         Integrated Care Board & Healthwatch Wiltshire

·         Melksham Without Parish Council

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

Supporting low Income individuals and families– Cllr Phil Alford

Points made included:

Provision of slow cookers to be distributed by Melksham Food Bank, with an aspiration to continue this initiative.

Provision of electric blankets via Melksham Free dining and Melksham Foodbank – The Area Board members were in agreement that £500 would be released under delegated authority once an application was submitted.

Reducing Isolation and Loneliness– Cllr Nick Holder

Points made included:

That a new part time role was to be established to manage localised emergency situations and provide more practicable support for other wellbeing issues currently hidden in the community for which help was not actually being requested. This would be funded by both Wiltshire Council and Melksham Town Council.

A request would be made to the Area Board in the New Year for further funding.

Youth Engagement– Cllr Jack Oatley

Points made included:

That a Youth Council had now been set up at school at Melksham Oak School.

That the Healthy Schools project would be pushed again in Melksham during 2023.

Extra provision from 4Youth.

Reducing Anti-Social Behaviour– Cllr Mike Sankey

Points made included:

That a proposal to introduce outreach work in Melksham as well as the rural villages was to be finalised.

Addressing Environmental Issues– Cllr Jonathon Seed

Points made included:

Environmental mitigation Clackers Brook – That an update in the New Year would be given at the Area Board.

That a lot of Environmental work was going on throughout the Melksham community area –that it would be good to have central database of all projects, big and small.

The Chairman thanked the Area Board members for their updates.

Melksham Area Board Councillor Initiative requesting £500 for Costof livingcrisis support.

Great Hinton Memorial Hall Trust requesting £702.45 for Great Hinton Memorial Hall Supply and Installation of Induction Loop System.

WestWilts Ramblers Work Party requesting £249 for West Wilts Ramblers Work Party Equipment and clothing.

Decision

Melksham Area Board Councillor Initiative awarded £500 for Cost of livingcrisis support

Decision

Great Hinton Memorial Hall Trust awarded £702.45 for Great Hinton Memorial Hall Supply and Installation of Induction Loop System

Decision

West WiltsRamblers Work Party awarded £249 for West Wilts Ramblers Work Party Equipment and clothing

Members of the public are invited to ask questions relating to Area Board business

There were no public questions.