Agenda and draft minutes

There were no apologies.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2024.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 5 June 2024 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.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will give an update on outcomes and actions arising from previous meetings of the Area Board:

• Update on the Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project 

• Update on Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Transitional Safeguarding Project 

• Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council
• Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Consultation 

The Chairman provided an update on the following matters:

·       Update on the Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project – the written update was noted.

·       Update on Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Transitional Safeguarding Project – the written update was noted

·       Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council – the written briefing was noted.

·       Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Consultation – Details of the engagement events were noted along with the written update.

The Board is asked to note the following Information items:

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire – Annual Report 2023/2024

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

The Area Board noted the following information items:

•                Community First – the written update was noted

•                Healthwatch Wiltshire – the written update was noted

•                Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System) – the written update was noted

To receive a presentation from John Ruderman, Melksham Community Transport Coordinator about community transport.

The Chairman welcomed John Ruderman, Melksham Community Transport Coordinator who provided detail about Melksham Area Community Transport and its impact on the local community. Mr Ruderman commented on the following:

·       Established over 20 years ago with one transit minibus

·       Detailed how the organisation is structured, including the roles of the Chairman, Treasurer, Transport Manager, 4 paid drivers and trustees

·       Expansion of the vehicle fleet to 5

·       The services currently provided to schools and the local community.

·       Highlighted issues with funding, recruiting drivers and the application for permits to run the buses.

The Area Board thanked Mr Ruderman for his presentation and all the work undertaken in the local community. Members indicated that they would be keen for the transport services to be expanded into Bradford on Avon as it appeared there was sufficient demand from residents. It was noted that the use of EV vehicles were not a viable option for the service to the initial financial outlay, length of lease and access to vehicle charging points.     

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including: ·

·       Parish and Town Councils 

·       Climate Friendly Bradford 

·       Wiltshire Music Centre 

·       Health and Wellbeing

·       Local Youth Network

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note the following written and online updates attached to the agenda: ·

·       Bradford on Avon Town Council 

·       Neighbourhood Policing Team to include a road safety update

Verbal Updates

·       Wingfield Parish Council – the written update published in the agenda supplement was noted.

·       Climate Friendly Bradford – The Area Board were informed that there are now eight action groups, two sustainable fashion shows have been held, the Energy Group has been awarded a £10,000 grant from Futureproof as a part of its Local Energy Advice Demonstrator Programme which is also supporting two members of the Energy Group to complete Domestic Retrofit Advice training,

·       Wiltshire Music Centre - there was no report.

·       Health and Wellbeing – there was no report.

·       Local Youth Network – there was no report.

Written Updates:

·       Bradford on Avon Town Council – An update was provided about Poulton Play Park Area and the work taking place to secure additional funding to complete the project, and consideration of the initial traffic management scheme for Bradford on Avon Town Centre at Full Council on 24 September 2024. 

·       Neighbourhood Policing Team

The Area Board received a written update and presentation from Insp Andy Lemon, which included rural village engagement, routine speed gun patrol, youth centre visits, tackling rural crime, detail about crime statistics between June and August 2024 compared to statistics for June to August 2023 and an update on road safety.

The Area Board and residents commented on the fall in violent crime over the reporting period, recent traffic collisions and possible causes, tackling bicycle theft, engaging with community speed watch to increase road safety and report of idling vehicles.  

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

Remaining Budgets:

Area Board Initiatives:

Community Area Grants:

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

Young People Grants:

Delegated Funding

The Board is asked to note any funding awards made under the Delegated Funding Process, by the Strategic Engagement & Partnership Manager, between meetings due to matters of urgency:

·       None

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

The Area Board considered a number of applications for Community Area Grants and Young People Grants and heard from the applicants.

Resolved:

1.       Community Area Grants:

·       Atworth Village Hall and Recreation Ground – to award £3,000  (£700 from the Older and Vulnerable budget and £2,300 from the Community Area Budget) towards – lighting in the Atworth Village Hall Car Park.

2.       Young People Grants:

·       Bradford on Avon Community Area Network - to award £2,500 towards – Young Futures

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 22 July 2024, as set out in the attached report.

The Area Board received the notes of the LHFIG meeting held on 22 July 2024. They also heard from Andy Kelly who commented on a number of Schemes, in particular, A36 and the impact on Bradford on Avon following its temporary closure, the TRO for Wine Street, the B3108 to Hartley Farm and general speeding issues in Bradford on Avon.

Resolved:

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 22 July 2024.

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

The Area Board received a presentation from Brian Firth on behalf of Keep it Green BoA about the impact on residents of Bradford on Avon of the site formerly used as a golf course, and for several decades prior as a landfill site, being listed as a reserved site for potential development in the draft Local Plan. Mr Firth indicated that the site is inappropriate to include as a reserve site, and asked for the site to be removed with immediate effect.

Members thanked Mr Firth for attending the Area Board and suggested that he should submit a letter of representation to the Government consultation about ‘Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system’ prior to the consultation closing on 24 September 2024.

Future Meeting Dates (7.00-9.00pm):

·       20 November 2024

·       19 March 2025

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact the Engagement and Partnership Lead, Caroline.LeQuesne@wiltshire.gov.uk

The Area Board noted that the next meeting would be held on 20 November 2024 between 7.00pm and 9.00pm at St Margarets Hall, Bradford on Avon.