Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members.

Apologies for absence had been received from Susie Brew – PCAP.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2021.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 June 2021 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

The Chairman will make the following announcements:

·       Ash Dieback (Slides & Video – to be presented by CEM)

·       Climate Strategy and Natural Environment Plan Consultation

The Chairman drew attention to the following written announcements included on the agenda:

·       Ash Dieback – The Community Engagement Manager, Richard Rogers introduced the announcement along with a video about Ash Dieback, its impact on trees in Wiltshire and proposed action to be taken as a consequence of the disease.

·       Climate Strategy and Natural Environment Plan Consultation – The Chairman reported that the public consultation was taking place from 1 September 2021 until 17 October 2021. Detail about commenting on the consultation were included in the agenda item along with links to two online surveys.

·       Woodborough VA CE Primary School – Fire – Cllr Paul Oatway reported on the recent fire at the school and the role played by the Council in helping and supporting the school recover from the fire. The work of the Emergency Planning Team, Building Control, Comms, Education, Social Care and SEND teams were praised for their prompt action and supportive role undertaken. Cllr Oatway highlighted that the Vale Community Campus had offered free swimming to the school children. It was noted that the school was still functioning, and it was their intention to keep the pupils together in one location rather than separate them around the area.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police and Introduction of the new PCC – Philip Wilkinson

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

·       Health

·       Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

·       Parish Councils

a)    Wiltshire Police and Introduction of the new Police and Crime Commissioner – Philip Wilkinson

·       Police and Crime Commissioner

The Chairman welcomed the recently appointed new Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson to the meeting. Philip introduced himself explaining that he had been in the army for 32 years followed by a number of years working for other government departments.

The Area Board noted that his top priorities included tackling organised crime; both urban and rural, anti-social behaviour and speeding, alongside restorative justice, increased prosecution rates and better victim support.  He welcomed contributions from the community in the preparation of the Crime Plan and for it to become more inclusive.

He supported a number of comments about the need for police to be visible in the Area Board community to enhance public confidence and ability to keep communities safe. In addition to these questions Philip responded to questions about speed watch, mental health and Anti-social behaviour.

The Chairman thanked the PCC for joining the meeting and wished him well in his new post.

·       Police Report

The Area Board noted the written report of the police attached to the agenda pack.

b)    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue 

Dave Adamson, on behalf of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service reported on a recent fire at Woodborough CE VA Primary School, which started in the roof following some recent works. Dave commented on the speed of the appliances arriving on the scene, the impact on learning, the amazing amount of community support offered to the school, the support offered by Wiltshire Council and the ongoing support required. In particular he thanked the public and local social club for their help and support during the incident.

The Chairman and other Board members paid tribute to the Fire Service for their speedy response, how they tackled the blaze and further support if needed. It was noted that the school may have been short of IT equipment and Dawn Wilson explained that she had been in touch with the Green Machine about help with laptops etc if it was needed.

The Area Board noted the written report of the Fire Service attached to the agenda pack.

c)    Health – Healthwatch update – the written report was noted.

d)    Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

Dawn Wilson report that the Group had not met since July and therefore there was nothing to report. Dawn reminded the Area Board of the support offered through Health & Wellbeing grant applications. 

e)    Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Dawn Wilson spoke on behalf of Susie Brew in relation to Tourism and raised the following:

·       Walkers Are Welcome - accreditation has been awarded and is up and running. The Group are looking to set up footpath groups with the support of Parish Councils to oversee and maintain the footpaths.

·       Itineries Project – The Group have been working on this project in conjunction with the Co-Op and the Area Board.  The Mid Wilts Way route and Kennet and Avon Canal route  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

To consider an update of the priorities for the Community Area Action Plan emerging from the Pewsey Priorities report, adopted in June 2021.

The Area Board received a report and presentation of the Community Engagement Manager (CEM), Richard Rogers who provided an update on the priorities agreed by the Area Board at its last meeting.

The CEM reminded the Area Board that their agreed priorities included, Young People, Climate Change, Health & Wellbeing and Transport and Access and confirmed the actions taken since the last meeting for each area. In particular the CEM highlighted the following:

·       Thanks to Dawn Wilson and the Pewsey Community Area Partnership for arranging youth days over the summer

·       A Local Youth Network meeting being arranged for 28 September 2021

·       Arrangements being made for a Climate Change meeting in December 2021.

The Chairman highlighted the need for the Area Board members to encourage young people to attend the LYN meeting in September.

To note the Highways 5 year Major Maintenance Plan, as attached.

The Area Board received a report and presentation from the Highways Principal Technical Officer, Diane Ware, about the draft Highways 5-year maintenance programme.

The presentation covered the following issues:

·       The current condition of roads requiring maintenance and the amount spent in each Area Board area.

·       The spend profile for Pewsey area

·       The schemes being considered in the forthcoming 5-year plan for the Pewsey area

The following points were raised following the presentation:

·       Concern that the junction of the A342/A345 Upavon to Rushall road only requires a review. Colin Gale reported that the road had completely collapsed on its edges due to heavy lorry movements.  This was confirmed by Cllr Oatway who reported that two lorries had recently come off the road due to its condition. Cllr Oatway had raised the issue with the Cabinet Member, Cllr Dr Mark McClelland.

·       The recent resurfacing of the A345 through the Village of Oare and a couple of issues with a dropped drain and a collapsed drain.  It was noted that the dropped drain was the responsibility of BT and that these types of issues should be taken into account by the local highway engineer prior to the resurfacing works being undertaken.

·       There was also concern about natural passing places on ‘C’ roads not receiving the same levels of treatment as roads. It was noted that the passing places would not receive the same top dressing as a road and in some of these instances substantial support systems would need to be implemented.   

The Area Board were asked to provide any comments on the draft proposals to the Highways Principal Technical Officer who confirmed that these would be taken into account alongside the current proposals.

To determine the following 4 applications for Community Area Grants/Youth Grant:

1.    Open Blue Bus for Burbage and Upavon – £3,400 towards the continuation of the service for a further 3 months. Area Board initiative.

2.    Easton Royal Playground Fundraising Group - £470 towards waste management. Community Area Grant.

3.    All Cannings Village Hall - £4694 towards Village Hall double glazing windows and doors – Community Area Grant

4.    Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) - £1,800 towards an outdoor festival fun in Pewsey – Youth Grant

The Area Board considered four applications for Community Area funding.

The Chairman invited a representative of the applicant, where they were in attendance, to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

The Chairman reminded the Area Board that they had previously agreed an upper limit of £3,500 as a maximum amount awarded by the Area Board for the forthcoming year for any one grant application.

Resolved:

1.    That the following applications be awarded as follows:

a.    Open Blue Bus for Burbage and Upavon – £3,400 towards the continuation of the service for a further 6 months. Area Board initiative

b.    Easton Royal Playground Fundraising Group - £470 towards waste management. Community Area Grant.

c.    All Cannings Village Hall - £3,500 towards Village Hall double glazing windows and doors – Community Area Grant

2.    That the grant application for Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) - £1,800 towards an outdoor festival fun in Pewsey – Youth Grant be withdrawn.

To consider recommendations arising from the CATG meeting held on 8 September 2021.

Notes to follow.

The Area Board received the minutes of the Community Area Transport Group for the meeting held on 8 September 2021.

Resolved:

1.    To close the following Issues: 10-20-5 pedestrian safety at rail bridge, Pewsey

2.    To move the following Issues (with funding) to the Priority Schemes lists:

a.    10-21-1 Little Bedwyn Chevron sign, £450

b.    10-21-4 Easton Royal village gates, £3150

c.    10-21-7 Hilcott carriageway roundels and SLOW markings, £300

d.    10-21-10 Chirton Access protection marking, £50

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 Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 29 November 2021, 7pm at a venue to be determined.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 29 November 2021, 7pm at a venue to be determined.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.