Agenda and draft minutes

To elect the Chairman of the Trowbridge Area Board for the forthcoming year.

Nominations were sought for a Chairman for the forthcoming year.

 

Councillor Jo Trigg was nominated by Councillor Stewart Palmen, seconded by Councillor Mel Jacob.

 

Councillor Edward Kirk was nominated by Councillor Antonio Piazza, seconded by Councillor Daniel Cave.

 

Following a vote, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board elected Councillor Jo Trigg as Chairman for the forthcoming year 2024-25.

 

To elect the Vice-Chairman of the Trowbridge Area Board for the forthcoming year.

On the nomination of Councillor Mel Jacob, seconded by Councillor David Vigar, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board elected Councillor Stewart Palmen as Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year 2024-25.

 

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence received from Members of the Area Board, but the following apology was noted:

 

·       Catherine Roper, Wiltshire Police Chief Constable

 

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 March 2024.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 March 2024 were considered. Following which, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board approved and signed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 March 2024 as a true and correct record.

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

 

In relation to Item 31, Area Board Funding, the following interests were declared:

 

·       Councillor Jo Trigg declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of the grants related to Trowbridge Future, for which she is Chair of Trustees; Families Out Loud, for which she is an ambassador; and Studley Green Village Hall, for which she is a Member of the Studley Green Community Association.

·       Councillor David Vigar declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of the grant related to Trowbridge Town Football Club for which he is a Committee Member.

·       Councillor Antonio Piazza declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of the grant related to Trowbridge Debt Advice Service for which he is Chair of Trustees.

·       Councillor Ernie Clark declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of the grant related to the Hilperton Village Hall by virtue of his role as a Trustee.

·       Councillor Stewart Palmen declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of the grant related to Trowbridge Future by virtue of his as a Trustee.

 

In accordance with the Constitution and the Scheme of Sub-Delegation, all above mentioned Councillors remained in the room for the entirety of the items, however they could not cast a vote.

 

Councillor Piazza declared that he would leave the room while Members considered the grant in relation to Trowbridge Debt Advice Service.

 

The Board is asked to note the following information items:

 

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Update for BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire AGE UK Update

·       Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Draft Licensing Policy 2024-29 Consultation

o   Local Nature Recovery Strategy Engagement Update

o   Multiply – National Numeracy Day

Updates were provided through the Chair as detailed in the agenda papers.

 

The following updates were provided through the Chair as per the agenda pack:

 

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Update for BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire AGE UK Update

·       Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Draft Licensing Policy 2024-29 Consultation

o   Local Nature Recovery Strategy Engagement Update

o   Multiply – National Numeracy Day

 

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 Grant	Older & Vulnerable	Young People
£34,670	£7,700	£31.833.62

 

Community Area Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1645	Trowbridge Town Football Club – Floodlights for Trowbridge Town Football Club	£5,000
ABG1654	Studley Green Community Association – Studley Green Community Centre Refurbishment Phase 2	£2,172.22
ABG1708	HELP Counselling Services – New Laptop and Office Equipment for New Member of Staff	£692
ABG1819	Hilperton Village Hall – New Roof at Hilperton Village Hall	£3,750
ABG1829	Avon Valley Runners – Avon Valley Runners Running Track Refurbishment	£1,130
ABG1850	Equinox Explorer Scout Unit – Access Ramp for Equinox ESU Paddle Sport Project	£5,000

 

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1678	Trowbridge Debt Advice Service – Financial Budgeting for All	£500
ABG1827	Families Out Loud – Trowbridge Client Support	£4,919

 

Young People Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1508	Wiltshire Wildlife Trust – Blue Influencers Scheme	£4,600
ABG1743	Youth Adventure Trust – Supporting Disadvantaged Young People in Trowbridge	£4,000
ABG1809	Sustainable Image Lab CIC – Colour and Light Youth Art Programme	£2,460
ABG1832	Wiltshire Youth for Christ – Summer Holiday Pop-Up Youth Week in Stallards Park	£505

 

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

The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

 

Community Area Grants:

 

·       Trowbridge Town Football Club - £5,000 towards Floodlights for Trowbridge Town Football Club

 

During the discussion, it was clarified that all Members could vote on the grant unless an interest had been declared, and that both Natural England and the Wiltshire Council Ecology Officer were happy with the conditions as set out within the associated planning application. On the motion of Councillor Antonio Piazza, seconded by Councillor Daniel Cave, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board awarded £5,000 to Trowbridge Town Football Club towards Floodlights for Trowbridge Town Football Club.

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

 

 

·       Studley Green Community Association - £2,172.22 towards Studley Green Community Centre Refurbishment Phase 2

 

During the discussion, it was clarified that all Members could vote on the grant unless an interest had been declared. On the motion of Councillor Daniel Cave, seconded by Councillor Mel Jacob, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board awarded £2,172.22 to Studley Green Community Association towards Studley Green Community Centre Refurbishment Phase 2.

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

 

 

·       HELP Counselling Services – £692 towards New Laptop and Office Equipment for New Member of Staff

 

On the motion of Councillor Daniel Cave, seconded by Councillor David Vigar, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board awarded £692 to HELP Counselling Services towards a New Laptop and Office Equipment for New Member of Staff.

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

 

 

·       Hilperton Village Hall – £ 3,750 towards New Roof at Hilperton Village Hall

 

On the motion of Councillor Daniel Cave, seconded by Councillor Antonio Piazza, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board awarded £3,750 to Hilperton Village Hall towards New Roof at Hilperton Village Hall.

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

 

Councillor Ernie Clark requested that his abstention during the vote be recorded.

 

 

·       Avon Valley Runners – £1,130 towards Avon Valley Runners Running Track Refurbishment

 

During the discussion, the arrangements of different groups using the track through organised sessions was clarified, and Councillors gave their condolences to the applicants, whose Chair had recently passed away. On the motion of Councillor Antonio Piazza, seconded by Councillor Daniel Cave, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board awarded £1,130 to Avon Valley Runners towards Avon Valley Runners Running Track Refurbishment.

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

 

 

·       Equinox Explorer Scout Unit – £5,000 towards Access Ramp for Equinox ESU Paddle Sport Project

 

During the discussion, accessibility issues and future plans with respect to safety equipment and facilities was clarified. On the motion of Councillor Daniel Cave, seconded by Councillor Ernie Clark, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board awarded £5,000 to Equinox Explorer Scout Unit towards an Access Ramp for Equinox ESU Paddle Sport Project.

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

 

 

 

Older and Vulnerable Grants:

 

·       Trowbridge Debt Advice Service – £500 towards Financial Budgeting for All

 

On the motion of Councillor Edward Kirk, seconded by  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

Part I – Looking Back

 

To receive the Area Board End of Year Report as well as to report on progress made in addressing the Area Board priorities selected for 2023/24:

 

·       Supporting low-income individuals and families – Cllr Antonio Piazza

·       Youth engagement, employment and positive activity opportunities – Cllr Jo Trigg

·       Supporting positive mental health and wellbeing – Cllr Stewart Palmen

·       Supporting the local economy – Cllr Daniel Cave

·       Addressing climate change & Protecting Green Spaces – Cllr Mel Jacob

 

 

Part II – Looking Forward

 

·       To highlight potential priorities for the Area Board to consider for 2024/25.

·       To appoint a Lead Representative to the LHFIG (listed on Appendix A) and to note the Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix B.

Part I – Looking Back

 

The Area Board received a presentation from Liam Cripps, Strategic Engagement Partnerships Manager (SEPM), on the Area Board End of Year Report. The presentation included details of different schemes under the following themes:

 

·       Youth Engagement and Positive Activity Opportunities

·       Supporting Positive Mental Health and Wellbeing

·       Supporting Low-Income Individuals and Families

·       Supporting the Local Economy

·       Addressing Climate Change and Protecting Green Spaces

 

It was emphasised that the Area Board was more than just four business meetings a year, it was about the investing in local communities and developing strong relationships with partners and community organisations to improve the lives of residents and create an empowered community.

 

Members raised fly tipping and queried if communications between the Town Council and Wiltshire Council could be improved to which officers agreed that a solution could be considered at a future date.

 

 

Part II – Looking Forward

 

Liam Cripps, SEPM, provided a summary of the Community Survey/CAJSNA Data:

 

·       There had been 135 responses to the survey (5% of the population), with the demographic of respondents split between 25-34 to 65+ years of age.

·       The following four priorities were identified by respondents:

Health

 

o   Over 40% of respondents had chosen this as their first choice.

o   The top 5 health issues in order were mental health support; support for “living longer better”; support for keeping physically active; care for those living with dementia; and tackling levels of obesity.

o   CAJSNA data was provided to support this, including that Trowbridge was above the Wiltshire average levels for diagnosed diabetes and 10-11 year olds who were obese or overweight, and the second highest levels of diagnosed depression in Wiltshire.

 

Environment

 

o   Almost 20% of respondents had chosen this as their first choice.

o   The top 5 environmental issues in order were improving the quality of landscapes (nature reserves and other destinations); supporting public transport services; support for increase in biodiversity; tackling fly tipping; and addressing flooding.

o   CAJSNA data was provided to support this, including that Trowbridge had the 6^th highest number of fly tipping reports to Wiltshire Council in 2022-23, 92 green open spaces listed in the Trowbridge community area, and the 3^rd highest number of school age children completing ‘Walk Safe’ and ‘Bikeability’ training in Wiltshire.

 

Safety

 

o   Almost 10% of respondents had chosen this as their first choice.

o   The top 5 safety issues in order were tackling anti-social behaviour; reducing the level of crime; tackling anti-social behaviour by young people; addressing drug crime; and reducing speeding.

o   CAJSNA data was provided to support this, including that Trowbridge had the 2^nd highest levels of reported anti-social behaviour and reported violence towards women and girls, the highest level of reported domestic abuse offences (including when children/young people were present, and the third highest level of total crime involving persons under 18 years old. However, it was emphasised that as Trowbridge was a large town within a rural County, it was expected that these levels would be higher than  ...  view the full minutes text for item 32.

To note the following written reports and online updates attached to the agenda:

 

a)    Wiltshire Police

b)    Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service: Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | News & Incidents (dwfire.org.uk)

c)    Child Friendly Trowbridge

d)    Trowbridge Future

e)    Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

 

Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives are encouraged to attend the meeting and provide an update on issues and successes arising in their respective areas.

The Area Board received updates from the following partners:

 

Wiltshire Police

 

A verbal update was provided by Inspector Andy Lemon alongside the written information provided within Agenda Supplement 1. The following was discussed:

 

·       The Trowbridge Crime Data for January to March 2024 was outlined as per the report, alongside data on Crime Exceptions, community engagement, local priorities, and local updates.

·       It was emphasised that although the figures show that theft offences had increased by 12.4% across the first quarter of 2024, this meant that reporting of these incidents had increased, thus allowing Wiltshire Police to see the extent of the ongoing issues in order to take appropriate action.

·       Members raised the multi-storey carpark in Trowbridge and the reported anti-social behaviour occurring in and around the building. Insp. Lemon highlighted that there was now a Community Support Officer that focussed on that area and that further enforcement was being considered. However, it was emphasised that the Police could only take action once such behaviour was witnessed by Officers. Furthermore, in response to queries about public safety, it was noted that higher fencing could be constructed around the roof of the building, however subsequent costs would need to be considered.

·       Insp. Lemon explained that there was a tangible link between the majority of the Theft from a Shop occurrences and that two male suspects had been charged for all offences identified to Police.

·       Other topics raised included the use of E-Scooters on main roads, carless key thefts, further Speed Enforcement Officers patrolling the network, and amending the working hours of Community Support Officers to include later shift patterns.

 

Child Friendly Trowbridge

 

Councillor Jo Trigg provided a brief verbal update in which Members were informed that the organisation was looking to build towards a Youth Forum event in 2025, therefore there were lots of engagement activities occurring in the meantime.

 

Trowbridge Future

 

Councillor Jo Trigg provided a brief verbal update in which it was noted that the organisation was very busy at the moment due to their relocation to The Shires shopping centre which allowed for higher levels of accessibility and collaboration with other partners, agencies and other organisations. Furthermore, it was highlighted that the organisation was seeing an increase in the level of older young people which was positive.

 

Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

 

Councillor Roger Evans on behalf of North Bradley Parish Council, provided a verbal update including the following matters:

 

·       Things are progressing with the Parish Council as normal, with 12 meetings scheduled per year.

·       The Parish Council are continuing to experience changes in Membership due to a Councillor leaving due to work commitments. As such, the Parish Council were in the process of finding a new Councillor.

·       Regarding the flooding in Yarnbrook, the Parish Council and the Baptist Church had come to an agreement to use the Church as an emergency hub. Furthermore, Councillors had met with a Wiltshire Council Drainage Officer and were now in the process of working with the Local Unitary Member, Councillor Horace  ...  view the full minutes text for item 33.

To receive an update from Wiltshire Police Chief Constable, Catherine Roper.

As noted in Minute Item 27, as Wiltshire Police Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, had sent her apologies, this item was postponed for a future meeting date.

 

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 18 April 2024, as set out in the attached report.

 

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

 

The Chairman, Councillor Jo Trigg, introduced the minutes and recommendations from the previous meeting of the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) held on 18 April 2024.

 

After which, it was:

 

Resolved:

 

The Area Board approved the notes and recommendations of the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group meeting held on 18 April 2024.

 

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

There were no urgent items.

 

Future Meeting Dates:

 

·       3 October 2024

·       5 December 2024

·       20 February 2025

 

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact the Area Board Delivery Officer, Caroline.Lequesne@wiltshire.gov.uk

 

 

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 3 October 2024.