Agenda and draft minutes

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 interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 13 November 2024.

The minutes of the last meeting were presented for consideration, and it was,

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting on 13 November 2024 as a true and correct record.

To receive any announcements or updates from the Chairman.

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

·       Community First

·       Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Cost of Living update

o   Wiltshire Local Elections 2025

o   Devolution to Wessex update

o   Family and Community Learning (FACL) Impact Report 2023-24

The Area Board noted the Information Items as set out in the agenda pack, these were:

• Community First (pages 59 - 63)
• Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal
• Wiltshire Council Information Items:
  • Cost of Living update (page 65)
  • Wiltshire Local Elections 2025 (pages 67 – 68)
  • Devolution to Wessex update (pages 69 – 70)
  • Family and Community Learning (FACL) Impact Report 2023-24 (pages 71 – 96)

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Town and Parish Councils

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note the following online update.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS) online update: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bVJRnk705PM

The Area Board received updates from the following:

·       Wiltshire Police – Inspector Lou Oakley (Warminster NPT)

The Inspector highlighted the police reports in the agenda pack. And detailed the small team making up the Warminster NPT, which included 4 police officers and 5 PCSO’s. A focus for the team was retail crime and rural crime, which also fit with the focus of the Chief Constable, the Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) and national aims.

Much of the focus in retail crime had been in towns and this was being expanded to more rural locations. Several Co-Op’s in the area had been burgled at night recently. Cllr George Jeans had raised some concerns regarding thefts from retail stores in Mere, it transpired that these had not been reported to the police, so the team had visited to get details. Many stores did not report retail theft such as shoplifting, so there was a focus on getting people to report crimes. Cllr Jeans thanked the Inspector for getting her teams to attend, however he advised that reporting online or on the phone was time consuming and not always easy. The Inspector advised that it should now be easier to upload CCTV to the police (via a link on their website). However, it was felt that these crimes were still under reported, and they were trying to get information out on how to do it. The PCC was trying to improve reporting systems. Her officers could always be contacted as well. The Inspector highlighted a 11% drop in retail crime across the county, there had also been a 40% rise in detection rates for retail crimes and a 20% rise in arrests.

In relation to rural crime, such as poaching, hare coursing, theft of machinery, diesel and farm equipment an operation was due to take place at the beginning of March to try to combat this. The operation was a South West regional operation so Wiltshire police would be working with neighbouring forces. There would also be several days of local action towards the end of March/beginning of April to try to tackle issues like theft from farms and livestock worrying. Everyone was urged to keep reporting crimes.

Cllr Pauline Church highlighted some recent problems with Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Wilton, including speeding motorbikes, windows being smashed and the cutting of fibre optic cables, and requested that this be fed back to Inspector Tina Osborn of Salisbury NPT, with a request for more patrols in Wilton. Inspector Oakley confirmed that she would feed this back.

Cllr Budden raised concerns regarding series collisions in the area and the lack of information about these which Cllrs received. He felt that the Area Board should be made aware of the number of collisions and level of injuries in their area. He had raised this with the Chief Constable and the Swindon and Wiltshire Road Safety Partnership. The Inspector explained that she had tried to get data to bring along to the meeting, but that it was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

To receive a presentation from Rachel Finlay (Wiltshire Council Economy and Enterprise Manager) on support for farming businesses.

Russell Frith, Wiltshire Council, Economic Development Inward Investment Manager gave a presentation on Support for Farming Businesses. The presentation is appended to these minutes.

There were no questions, and the Chairman thanked the officer for his presentation.

To receive an update on all programmes from Linda Nunn of National Landscapes.

Linda Nunn of National Landscapes gave a presentation updating on all programmes, the presentation is appended to these minutes.

Cranborne Chase National Landscape was an international Dark Sky Reserve. The had received provisional accreditation in 2019 and it was hoped that this would be made permanent. Public lighting had been an issue, as it was not compliant previously, but now was. 

In terms of outreach, a lot was undertaken, as was detailed in the slides. A planning seminar took place every year where the National Landscapes planning advisor and staff gave talks and advice regarding ways to keep light pollution down.

A Big Dipper Campaign had been undertaken during 2024 highlighting the need for security lights and the like to be pointing downwards, which increased their effectiveness and reduced light pollution.

Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) operated over the whole National Landscape and was a Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) funded grant programme. Farmers could put in applications for anything which met the 4 criteria: Nature, Climate, People, Place. Examples of things grants had been awarded for included wildflower seeds, encouraging access, agro forestry, leaky dams, hedgerow planting, wildlife surveys and tree planting applications.

A YouTube video was then shown, which can be seen here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y9ONpMvrLe0 which focused on FiPL projects, and in particular the Great Bustard Group who worked within Cranborne Chase.

In response to questions, it was stated that National Landscapes paid for putting up the Dark Sky Reserve signs. Funding had only been acquired for this recently. There were 10 signs in total and it was hoped that they could get more. However, they were expensive with the cost for the design, manufacture and installation of the signs coming to approximately £7,000.

In response to further questions regarding the FiPL funding stream, it was explained that National Landscapes were awaiting news from DEFRA on the continuation of the scheme. There had been rumours that it would only be continued for 1 more year and that the funding available would reduce, but until a formal announcement was made, no one knew for sure.

Cllr Bridget Wayman, who sat on the FiPL award panel as part of her role as a Wiltshire Council Member, advised that the scheme supported many good projects. An example was wildlife surveys (for bats, badgers, butterflies etc) and she hoped the scheme would continue. In addition, she stated that it was a struggle to get Wiltshire Council planners and councillors to understand the Dark Sky Reserve and the importance of reducing light pollution. Approximately 99% of her division was in the Dark Sky Reserve, and she urged parish councils to look at light pollution and for anyone involved in planning to make comments to the planners about light pollution.

In response to a further question it was highlighted that people could find details about acceptable lighting and the dark Sky Reserve in general on their website here: https://cranbornechase.org.uk/our-work/dark-night-skies/.

The Chairman thanked Linda and her team. 

To receive an update from Josephine Flye, Experience & Visitor Programming Manager (Projects), Stourhead, National Trust.  

Josephine Flye, Experience & Visitor Programming Manager (Projects), Stourhead, National Trust gave a presentation on National Trust Stourhead, which is appended to these minutes.

It was explained that Stourhead is a large estate, of about 2,650 acres. The Stourhead portfolio cared for Stourhead Estate, including King Alfred’s Tower, and Dinton Park & Philip’s House in Dinton, Mompesson House in the heart of Salisbury, Bruton Dovecote, and Little Clarendon. Across the portfolio they were supported by over 60 employed team members and 500 volunteers that helped them to care for these special places. It was noted that volunteering was really good for people’s wellbeing, and that if anyone was interested in volunteering or apprenticeships, they should get in touch.

The National Trust had a new 10 year strategy, which had 3 ambitions:

·       restore nature

·       end unequal access to nature, beauty and history

·       inspire millions more people to care and take action

They would do this by renewing their ways of working so people may see them start to work differently and looking at how they played their part for the community and for nature. This had all been very timely with the development of the Wiltshire Cultural Strategy.

The National Trust were continuing their journey to Net Zero. At Stourhead this meant: EV Charging, moving to all electric estate vehicles, machinery and systems, ground source heat pumps and the exploration of Solar Array / Solar PV on the estate. In addition to developing the next stage of their green travel strategy.

Stourhead was famous for its garden and central to this was the lake. The large lake, which was once a group of medieval fishing ponds, was a designated reservoir. They also had another reservoir they called Turners Lake/Reservoir. These lakes, holding 200,000+m³ of water were classified as reservoirs under the Reservoirs Act of 1975. They had to strengthen these structures to prevent dam collapse, a risk which was heightened by climate change.

A further interesting project to share was Berkeley Farm and Whitesheet Hill. It was explained that a farm had recently been returned to the Stourhead estate. It was a 370-acre arable farm (about 180 football pitches) right next to White Sheet Hill. White Sheet Hill was a protected landscape, with open access, which was rich in ancient history and protected both for its human history, and for the flora and fauna. Nature restoration work would take place at Berkeley Farm and would include:

·       River restoration work on headwaters for the River Wylye

·       Arable reversion to species-rich pasture

·       Retention of regenerative arable

·       Continuing to graze and manage the landscape

This work was going to happen thanks to agri-grant scheme: Sustainable Farming Incentive (SFI) and funding from the Environment Agency’s WEIF funding.

In addition, they had received funding from the Farming in Protected Landscapes (FiPL) to improve the access and visitor experience at Whitesheet.

In 2024 Stourhead opened its Access Hub, where any visitor with access needs could have a dedicated space and member of the team  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive a brief update from Cllr Richard Budden on the Nadder Centre.

Cllr Richard Budden gave a brief update on the Nadder Centre. The main update was that recently there had been a significant fire in the plant room of the adjacent open air swimming pool. Works were under way to repair the damage, these were running to schedule, and the pool should be open by early May.

To receive updates on the Area Board priorities:

·       Youth Engagement and Wellbeing (Lead councillor – Cllr Pauline Church)

·       Older and Vulnerable Adults Health and Wellbeing (Lead councillor – Cllr Richard Budden)

·       The Environment (Lead councillor – Cllr George Jeans)

·       Community and Road Safety (Lead councillor – Cllr Bridget Wayman)

Karen Linaker, Wiltshire Council Strategic Engagements and Partnerships Manager (SEPM) gave an update on the Area Board priorities. The officer highlighted that it was great to see some young people and Jaki Farrell from Seeds4Success at the meeting.

This started with an animation which included pictures of engagements and achievements over the last 4 years in the South West Wiltshire (SWW) Community Area, many of which received funding from the Area Board. These included:

·       Area Board led event, the Great Big Geen week at The Guild, Wilton and the Nadder Centre, Tisbury

·       Area Board funded kissing gate in Semley

·       Area Board led intergenerational big band Christmas parties in 2023 and 2024

·       Area Board led techie tea party series

·       Area Board Youth Partnership Forum set up in 2024

·       Berwick St John Country Fayre

·       Broad Chalke playground renovation, part funded by the Area Board

·       Celebrating Age Wiltshire Area Board funded cultural programme

·       Chalke Valley Area Board funded fete and show

·       Chalke Valley History Festival

·       Chalke Valley Sports Club, Area Board funded wicket

·       Compton Chamberlayne – Area Board funded church concert

·       Fovant Youth Club, Area Board funded equipment and storage shed

·       Funding support for local youth group Seeds4Success

·       Funding for Silver Salisbury outreach

·       Funding for TISBUS Tisbury Community Bus

·       Hinton Hall – Area Board funded new windows

·       Kilmington and Stourton Area Board funded coronation event

·       Sheep Street, Mere, coronation event

·       Support for over 50’s activities in Mere weekend

·       Support for Semley Music Festival

·       SWW Area Board led digital inclusion sessions

·       SWW Area Board led environment events in Tisbury, Wilton and online

·       SWW Area Board led Highways matters event

·       SWW Area Board led Silent Disco in Mere

·       SWW Area Board led youth survey

·       Wilton Carnival

The officer then highlighted Area Board funding awarded in Wiltshire in 2023/24, the number of projects supported and leverage gained (the amount of money brought into the project on top of the area boards funding). In SWW over £200,000 had been spent through grants on 120 projects.

The Chairman thanked the officer for all her hard work in supporting the Area Board, the various projects it had been involved with, and the additional area board led engagement events that had been delivered in addition to the Area Board business meetings. 

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

Remaining Budgets:

Balance if all grants awarded in full:

Area Board Initiatives:

Young People Grants:

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

Local Highway and Footpath Improvements Group (LHFIG)

To note the minutes from the LHFIG meetings held on 13 November 2024 and 5 February 2025, as set out in the attached reports (February report to follow in a supplement). There are no funding recommendations to approve from either meeting.

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

The Area Board noted the budgets remaining for allocation at the meeting and heard from representatives in attendance who gave a brief overview of, and were questioned about, their projects.

Area Board Initiatives

·       South West Wiltshire Local Youth Network Steering Committee requested £2,500 towards Youth Activities Parish Collaboration Project (from youth budget).

Karen Linaker, Strategic Engagement and Partnership manager (SEPM) spoke in support of the project and the Chairman highlighted that a number of parish councils had signed up with match funding. It was hoped that this would help develop the youth offer, improve facilities and provide seed funding.

The Chairman proposed to award the grant in full, which was seconded by Cllr Bridget Wayman.

Decision:

South West Wiltshire Local Youth Network Steering Committee was awarded £2,500 towards Youth Activities Parish Collaboration Project (from youth budget).

Reason: The application met the Young People Grant Criteria 2024/25.

·       South West Wiltshire Local Youth Network Steering Committee requested £4,648 towards Youth Music Festivals Programme (from youth budget).

Karen Linaker (SEPM) spoke in support of the project highlighting that the JSNA (Joint Strategic Needs Assessment) data had supported this project, with young people interested in music festivals. It was hoped that 3 would be held in and around Salisbury, South West Wiltshire and Southern Wiltshire.

The Chairman proposed to award the grant in full, which was seconded by Cllr Richard Budden.

Decision:

South West Wiltshire Local Youth Network Steering Committee was awarded £4,648 towards Youth Music Festivals Programme (from youth budget).

Reason: The application met the Young People Grant Criteria 2024/25.

·       South West Wiltshire Area Board Health and Wellbeing Group requested £500 towards Health and Wellbeing in South West Wiltshire (from Older & Vulnerable budget).

Karen Linaker (SEPM) spoke in support of the project.

Cllr Richard Budden proposed to award the grant in full, which was seconded by the Chairman.

Decision:

South West Wiltshire Area Board Health and Wellbeing Group was awarded £500 towards Health and Wellbeing in South West Wiltshire (from Older & Vulnerable budget).

Reason: The application met the Older & Vulnerable Grant Criteria 2024/25.

Young People’s Grants

·       Messums Studios requested £2,000 towards Clay and Ceramics for Young People.

Mirka Golden-Hann of Messums Studios, spoke in support of the project. In response to a question regarding access, the representative stated that they would look to see how they could help young people with access issues attend.

Cllr George Jeans proposed to award the grant in full, which was seconded by Cllr Richard Budden.

Decision:

Messums Studios was awarded £2,000 towards Clay and Ceramics for Young People.

Reason: The application met the Young People Grant Criteria 2024/25.

·       Seeds4Success requested £5,000 towards Open Access Youth Work Opportunities South West Wiltshire.

Jaki Farrell of Seeds4Success spoke in support of the project, as did some of the young people in attendance who gave a really good report of the work undertaken by Seeds4Success and how much they enjoyed it.

Cllr Bridget Wayman proposed to award the grant in full, which was seconded by Cllr Richard Budden.

Decision:

Seeds4Success was  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

To have a discussion around road maintenance in the South West Wiltshire Community Area.

Cllr Richard Budden presented a slideshow detailing his concerns regarding road maintenance and stressed that he wanted to hold officers to account for how taxpayer funds were spent. Cllr Budden highlighted that road maintenance was undertaken using funds received from the Department for Transport (DfT), and that usually nothing extra was spent on this from Wiltshire Council funds. However, in 2024 Wiltshire Council had allocated an additional £22 million to be spent on road maintenance over the next 2 years, which would go towards major works schemes. A quarter of these schemes were in South West Wiltshire (SWW), which he felt showed how far SWW roads had fallen into disrepair. However, he did note the positive impact of the schemes delivered. An issue with roads in Donhead St. Mary was highlighted, which Cllr Budden felt was in need of urgent attention.

Cllr Budden presented information he had prepared on his view of how highways maintenance funding had been allocated by community area, however no officers were in attendance to provide comment on the asserted information.

Cllr Budden wished to propose a motion, in relation to proposals for road maintenance, which the Chairman refused to accept due to the lack of notice on the matter and as no Members had been given a chance to research issues ahead of the meeting, in order to undertake an informed vote. 

Furthermore, the Chairman highlighted that statistics on roads were usually collated on a 10-25 year basis (rather than 4 years) and that the length of roads was not an accepted metric for judging spend. It was calculated on volume of usage and severity of damage. In addition, there were not pre-agreed funding pots for each area board, rather maintenance was funded on need.

Following this there was a discussion, where some Members acknowledged that this was a difficult issue. Members highlighted that unfortunately, there was not enough money to fix everything. In addition, there had been 3 years of bad weather which had caused roads to crack. Road maintenance came down to safety. For example, the number of vehicles using the road, skid resistance and the like. It was not based on spend per area. It was acknowledged that some roads were in a bad state within SWW. However, it was felt that this was likely across the county. Higher speed roads had to be maintained to a higher standard for safety reasons. Members also highlighted that the council was also responsible for looking after vulnerable families, elderly people and people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). Adult social care made up 60% of the Wiltshire Council budget. The council was in a good position financially, hence the decision to allocate the additional £22 million to road maintenance.

It was felt that Cllrs should look at this issue in the next term following the elections.

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

There were no urgent items.