Agenda and draft minutes

To receive a presentation covering the following topics:

 

·       Strategic Business Plan Priorities

·       Maintenance

·       Local Transport Plan

·       Congestion

·       Public Transport

·       Air Quality

 

The event began by providing context about highway infrastructure and its importance in Wiltshire. Wiltshire Council’s Highways Team gave a presentation covering the following topics:

 

 

·       Strategic Business Plan Priorities

·       Maintenance

·       Local Transport Plan

·       Congestion

·       Public Transport

·       Air Quality

 

 

An overview was presented of how highways in Wiltshire were funded and what investments were being planned by the Council for the future. This included initiatives to tackle speeding and flooding.

 

The presentation then focused in specifically to Tidworth, highlighting the following specific issues:

 

• Highway Maintenance
• Flooding
• National Highways – M4 to Dorset Coast Connectivity Study & A338 Impacts
• Active Travel

 

There was also a presentation from Perry Payne on behalf of the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership.

An opportunity to ask any highways questions.

The panel then opened the meeting up to the floor and invited questions and comments from those present. They also explained that they would provide written responses to any questions submitted in advance of the meeting which would be attached to the minutes, or any questions that they needed to take away.

 

Following questions, the following points of clarification were given:

 

Funding was improving, however challenges around inflation and climate change were reducing the impact of these improvements.

 

Flooding and discretionary gulley cleaning was taken seriously by the team. Additional funding meant more work could be carried out, but the Highways Team had to prioritise in the face of widespread flooding across the county. An external organisation had been completing work to map out gulley conditions across the county. The environmental agency was constantly consulted around preventing flooding.

 

ANPR cameras had been applied for and the permissions to install were still to be received. Neighbourhood policing teams would be made aware of several roads raised at the meeting for monitoring.

 

Road resurfacing was consistently scheduled, however priorities could come through and redirect resources. More work was being done to prevent this going forward.

 

To consider the next steps arising from the presentation and subsequent discussions.

Any written questions or questions taken away on the night would receive written responses. This document would be prepared and attached to these minutes.

 

The board thanked those who attended and gave their views and asked questions.

 

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from:

 

Inspector Ricky Lee

 

It was stated that Cllr Paul Oatway was substituting for Cllr Tony Pickernell, who was attending in a public capacity.

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 6 November 2023.

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 6 November 2023 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman will update on the following items:

 

·       Local Nature Recovery Strategy

·       Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition

·       Wiltshire Council’s Cultural Strategy 2023-2030

The chair gave information on the following items:

 

• Local Nature Recovery Strategy
• Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition
• Wiltshire Council’s Cultural Strategy 2023-2030

 

To note the following information items:

 

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Community First

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       AGE UK

The following information items, attached to the agenda, were noted:

 

• Healthwatch Wiltshire
• Community First
• BSW Together (Integrated Care System)
• AGE UK

To receive any verbal updates from partners and note written updates included in the Agenda.

Partner Updates

 

Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

 

Stuart Gillison showed a video on the Community Safety Plan (https://youtu.be/XWmjqPy5pDE?si=RXRb2ePpqgDAHLBD)

 

After questions, it was clarified that from April 2024 Fire and Rescue’s response practice to automated fire alarms would change to place more responsibility on “responsible persons” for the property which would allow significant cost savings.

 

It was also clarified that call outs are becoming increasingly less about fires and increasingly around other incidents including health related responses and flooding.

 

MOD

 

Lt Col Rupert Whitelegge wished to praise the celebration of Commonwealth Day, however hoped for better attendance at subsequent events.

 

Town and Parish Councils

 

Tidworth Town Council

 

SIDS, remembrance day service, Christmas events. Opening of this civic centre. Lots of events planned for the spring including easter and skating events.

 

Ludgershall Town Council

 

Busy Christmas. Defibrillator installed. Easter events planned.

 

Everleigh’s written update was noted and attached to the minutes.

 

Collingbourne Ducis

 

Similar events. Recruiting for Speedwatch. Spring clean/litter pick.

 

An update on the Board’s Priority Areas.

 

 

The following updates were given on the Board’s Priority Areas:

 

Health and Wellbeing – There has been a recent focus on social isolation and loneliness.

 

Youth Engagement – The development of a Rural Youth Outreach Programme is still ongoing. A provider for detached youth work in the area is still being sought.

 

A Local Environment Action Group for Tidworth, Ludgershall and Rural has now been established and plan to carry out a biodiversity audit for the whole community area.

To receive an update on the Board’s budget and consider any grant applications.

Graeme Morrison, the Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager, briefly updated attendees on the board’s financial position.

 

Community Area Grants

 

Tidworth Area Board, as an Area Board initiative, applied for £5,000 towards their Rural Youth Outreach Project.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway it was:

 

Resolved

To award Tidworth Area Board £5,000 towards their Rural Youth Outreach Project.

 

Tidworth Area Board, as an Area Board initiative, applied for £300 towards printing costs of a Cost-of-Living Support leaflet.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

 

Resolved

To award Tidworth Area Board £300 towards printing costs of a Cost-of-Living Support leaflet.

 

Ludgershall Memorial Hall applied for £5,000 towards replacing their boiler and oil tank.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

 

Resolved

To award Ludgershall Memorial Hall £5,000 towards replacing their boiler and oil tank.

 

Chute Village Hall applied for £175 towards the supply and installation of a Hive Smart Eco Central Heating Thermostat.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

 

Resolved

To award Chute Village Hall £175 towards the supply and installation of a Hive Smart Eco Central Heating Thermostat.

 

Perham Down Community Centre applied for £5000 towards a play park.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

 

Resolved

To award Perham Down Community Centre £5000 towards a play park.

 

 

Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants

 

The Armed Forces Equine Charity applied for £5,000 towards activity sessions for the lonely and isolated.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway it was:

 

Resolved

To award The Armed Forces Equine Charity a reduced amount of £1035 towards activity sessions for the lonely and isolated.

 

Our Time Project applied for £3,000 towards workshops for elders.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway it was:

 

Resolved

To award Our Time Project £3,000 towards workshops for elders.

 

St James Ludgershall PCC applied for £5,000 towards their community churchyard.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

 

Resolved

To award St James Ludgershall PCC £3,325 towards their community churchyard.

 

Youth Grants

 

Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council applied for £5,000 towards seating for their recreation ground.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Paul Oatway it was:

 

Resolved

To award Collingbourne Ducis Parish Council £5,000 towards seating for their recreation ground.

 

Tidworth Town Football Club applied for £750 towards kit for their Under 14s team.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

 

Resolved

To award Tidworth Town Football Club £750 towards kit for their Under 14s team.

 

Ludgershall Boys and Youth Club applied for £400 towards kit for a storage facility.

 

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and Seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

 

Resolved

To award Ludgershall Boys and Youth Club £400 towards storage.

 

To consider any recommendations made at the most recent meeting of the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group on 24 January 2024.

Resolved

 

To approve the recommendations from the meeting of the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group on 24 January 2024.

 

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

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting will be on 24 June 2024.

The next meeting will be on 24 June 2024.