Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board. She noted that the meeting was being recorded and outlined the procedure for online meetings. Members then introduced themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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

There were no declarations of interests.

To confirm the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 15 September 2021.

Decision

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 15 September 2021, as a true and correct record.

To receive announcements through the Chairman.

The Chairman expressed her sadness at the news that Darran Gunter, former Chief Fire Officer of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, had passed away at the age of 55 and took the opportunity to pay tribute to the work that he had done for the fire service.

It was explained that the legislation allowing local authorities to take public meetings and decisions online was not extended past 6 May 2021. Area Boards held online after this date would need to have any funding decisions ratified through the Leader Delegated Decision process before funding could be released.

The Chairman informed the Area Board that Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson’s crime plan was out for consultation until 26 January 2022. She highlighted that a link to the consultation was attached to the agenda front sheet and encouraged people to complete the survey. She then noted that she had invited the PCC to attend the next Area Board meeting on 16 March 2022.

To receive any updates from Partners and Community Groups present, including:

·       Police – Neighbourhood Teams

·       Fire & Rescue

·       Youth – LYN

·       Parish Councils

Note: Speakers are reminded that they each have a 3 minutes slot, unless they have previously discussed alternative arrangements with the Community Area Manager.

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, the Health and Wellbeing Group and Healthwatch Wiltshire. Verbal updates were provided by the following partners:

Warminster Community Policing Team

Inspector Al Lumley paid tribute to Rich Salter, who was retiring from the force, describing him as a steadfast member of the team. The inspector was pleased to report that crime had gone down by four percent in the 12 months to October 2021. A particular success locally had been the recent conviction of one of Warminster’s most prolific drug dealers. He also spoke about efforts to bolster confidence in the police in the wake of the murder of Sarah Everard, explaining that officer verification checks were in place to enable people to contact a control room directly if they had concerns about an officer.

Salisbury Community Policing Team

Inspector Tina Osborn noted that there had been a recent spate of burglaries in sheds, particularly in Wilton. Proactive operations were being undertaken alongside the Rural Crime Team and these would continue for the coming months. She reported that they were working alongside community Speed Watch teams including those in Dinton in order to monitor traffic at peak times. In response to queries about a recent catapult attack on a bus in nearby Downton, the inspector stressed that they were working with the bus depot and increasing patrols in that area.

Youth Update

Jaki Farrell from the charity Seeds4Success noted that sessions had been running well although the relatively high levels of Covid-19 transmission in the younger age group had had limited the attendance at some sessions. Youth sessions were being run at the Nadder Centre on Mondays and drop-in sessions had been taking place in Wilton. Two days of FUEL (Food, Unity Energy, Laughter) sessions were due to take place over the Christmas holidays. Projects were also underway to support the 16-25 age group with additional needs.

Health and Wellbeing Group

Cllr Nick Errington referred the Area Board to the notes from the 1 December Health and Wellbeing Group meeting, included on pages 13-15 of the agenda pack. He explained that conversations were underway about the potential development of a Dementia Action Alliance between South West Wiltshire, Southern Wiltshire and Salisbury. He also went on to speak about plans for future events, such as a silent disco for older people at the Nadder Centre as well as a Health and Wellbeing day at Langford Lakes. The Chairman thanked Cllr Errington for the update and encouraged local parishes to get involved in the group.

To receive an update about the Wiltshire Youth Council, giving 11 – 17 year olds the chance to have their say on decisions made by the Local Authority. Elections are due to be held between 31 January and 4 February 2022. See below for further information:

https://youtu.be/27ikHINbLxM

There Chairman referred the Area Board to a poster and video included on the agenda front sheet providing information about the Wiltshire Youth Council, a body giving 11-18 years olds a say on decisions made by the local authority. As no secondary schools were located within the Area Board, it was noted that conversations were underway about how to ensure that local children were represented. Possible options included representation from schools outside of the county which had a large proportion of pupils resident in Wiltshire, or seats being specifically allocated to South West Wiltshire. The Chairman welcomed the ongoing conversations and encouraged young people interested in local decision making to have their say on funding for youth projects.

To consider the update from the Nadder Centre Steering Group.

Community Engagement Manager (CEM) Karen Linaker provided an update about the findings of the Nadder Centre Steering Group. Key points included:

• She noted that the centre was currently open but for restricted hours on certain days.

• It was reported that Sarum West Primary Care Network were now based at the centre.

• A group open day was planned to help promote the centre, as well as a survey of the activities requested by younger people.

• St John’s CE Primary School were planning to move their after-school activities to the centre. 

• Reopening the café was a popular request but it had been closed since the start of the pandemic.

During the discussion the CEM referred to a proposal, outlined in the agenda pack, to earmark £8,000 of youth funding from the Area Board towards promoting and commissioning youth activities at the Nadder Centre. It was noted that conversations had been ongoing with Seeds4Success and local schools.  It was explained that youth funding could be allocated as long as the primary purpose was for the primary purpose would be for youth activities [benefitting 13–19-year-olds, or up to 25-year-olds with SEN].

Decision

To allocate £8,000 of youth funding to support ongoing after school activities at the Nadder Centre.

Reason

The application met funding criteria for 2021/22

To consider any actions arising from the 20 October meeting.

The Chairman reported that an email had been sent to all parishes in the Area Board to ask how measures to implement high speed broadband were progressing and enquire about what support measures they felt should be in place. A meeting had been held on 20 October with presentations delivered by Wessex Internet and Bishopstone Parish Council. It was noted that schemes were being discussed, or underway, in areas including Bowerchalke, East Knoyle, Ansty, West Knoyle and Mere.

Mike Ash, Clerk at Bishopstone Parish Council reported that 91 homes in the village had confirmed in writing that they would take up ultrafast broadband, so Openreach could formally start the implementation phase.  A detailed survey of the new lines and connections was due to take place around the Christmas period and works would commence from early February. The project was due to be completed by December 2022.

Cllr Stephen Banas, Chairman of Swallowcliffe Parish Council, reported that fibre broadband had been implemented from the beginning of the year and had been very successful.

An update from the Community Engagement Manager, Karen Linaker.  Priorities include:

·       Young people.

·       Older people.

·       Strengthening the local economy.

·       Climate change.

·       Affordable housing.

·       Community safety.

Community Engagement Manager Karen Linaker referred the Area Board to the documents contained within pages 33 to 40 of the agenda pack and provided an overview of some of the key priorities. It was noted that conversations were ongoing about how to broaden the local youth network to supplement the work done by Seeds4Success. She also spoke in further detail about the plans for a Dementia Action Alliance, alluded to earlier in the meeting when discussing the Health and Wellbeing Board. She stressed that the alliance would be a network of groups that would jointly conduct a local needs analysis to ensure that the services provided best matched the needs of people with dementia and their carers.

To note the actions and recommendations as set out in the report from the last meeting of CATG held on 24 November 2021, as detailed in the attached papers. A summary of the items requiring a funding decision are:

·       6a - £390

·       6b - £1,875

·       6c - £1,087.50

The Board noted the minutes from the last meeting held on 24 November 2021 and considered the recommendations for funding, as detailed in the agenda pack.

Decision

To approve the recommendations for CATG funding asset out in the report.

• 6a - £390 - Kilmington PC – pedestrian warning signs

• 6b - £1,875 - Mere TC – Speed limit assessment on Shaftesbury Road

• 6c - £1,087.50 - Tisbury PC – Keep Clear signs High Street/The Avenue

The Area Board is asked to consider the funding applications as set out in the attached report and summarised below:

CA = Community Area

H&W = Health and Wellbeing

The Area Board considered the funding applications as detailed in the reports attached to the agenda. Applicants in attendance were invited to speak in support of their projects and answer any questions that arose. The Chairman confirmed that, contrary to the agenda, the Mere Jubilee Fete would be considered as a Health and Wellbeing Grant and the Wylye River Walk a Community Area Grant.

Community Area Grants

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 Board is on Wednesday 16 March 2022, at 6.30pm.

The next ordinary meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board was confirmed as Wednesday 16 March 2022 at 6:30pm.

The Chairman took the opportunity to wish the Area Board a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.