Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will welcome members to the Calne Area Board.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to Calne Area Board and introduced the Councillors and Officers present.

Apologises for absence will be announced.

Apologies were received from:

·         Police Commissioner Angus Macpherson who was substituted by Kieran Kilgallen (Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner).

·         Cllr Richard Aylen (Calne Without Parish Council).

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2013.

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 December 2013 were signed and approved as a correct record of the meeting with the following amendment:

·         Cllr Ed Jones was present at the meeting.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To note the following announcements:

a)    Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL)

b)    Integrated Performance Management Report

The Chairman drew attention to the written announcements included in the agenda pack, which were:

a)    Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) – Cllr Trotman explained what the CIL involved and explained the report provided within the agenda. Cllr Trotman was noted as the contact for CIL.

b)    CCG – The report provided on page 13 of the agenda was noted by members.

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.    NHS Wiltshire

d.    Calne Community Area Partnership

e.    Calne YAG (Youth Advisory Group)

f.     Town and Parish Councils.

The partner updates provided were noted which included:

a)    Wiltshire Police – The Chair introduced Inspector Nick Mawson, the new Sector Head for Calne and Corsham. Insp. Mawson spoke to attendees about his team and discussed the report within the agenda. The ‘Community Walk About’ will be held on 21^st February. Cllr Ansell stated her congratulations to PCSO Mark Cook for his work on social media.

b)    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – The Chair brought the list of contacts provided by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service to attendees’ attention. Mike Franklin discussed the report provided and informed attendees that the report had now been superseded. The fire at Wiltshire Waste in Devizes was discussed and the ‘controlled burn’ that is being used to resolve the issue was explained. The Chair congratulated the Service on their work.

c)     Calne Community Area Partnership (CCAP) – It was stated that a public participation event is to be formed and wider consultation sought, in order to get as many people as possible involved to discuss their transport system and its future.

d)    Calne Community Area Young People’s Issue Group (CAYPIG) Cllr Marshall discussed the positive leisure-time activities for young people review. It was stated that there is a move to transform youth provision and concern was raised with a lack of youth participation at the facilities available to them. An online consultation was highlighted which will be presented to Cabinet. The consultation describes four available options (please see the following website: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations/consultationypactivitiesreview.htm). The potential delegation of funding to Area Boards that could arise from one of these options was discussed.

e)    Town and Parish Councils – No update provided.

In 2013, Wiltshire built on the legacy of the 2012 Olympics with a range of community activities and new initiatives.  As we enter 2014, it is time to look forward to see how the Area Boards can build upon the good work delivered so far to create a lasting legacy for Wiltshire.  Barbara Gray from the Campaign and Events team at Wiltshire Council will outline some of the new opportunities available to the Area Board in 2014.

A presentation was given by Barbara Gray (Senior Events and Campaigns Officer) and Terry Bracher (Archives and Local Studies Manager). The ‘Cycle Wiltshire Brief 2014’ was circulated. The presentation discussed how the local economy was supported by Wiltshire Council through events and networking opportunities for businesses. Events are to be planned for the future, including a major cycling event and a business dinner. It was stated that local sporting talent will be sponsored as part of the legacy to produce future success. The next Expo is to be held at Monkton Park, Chippenham on the 19^th June. ‘The Big Pledge’ was discussed and the website is now active. Attendees were encouraged to make a pledge to improve their health and/or fitness and also to consider planning relevant activities in their community. Cllr Crisp added to the presentation that three Winter Olympians representing Team GB are from Wiltshire. Terry Bracher introduced the report provided and how local people could become involved. An event is planned for 30^th July 2014 which will involve local people. Future events and projects in Calne were highlighted during the presentation.

The Board will be asked to consider an initiative and allocation of funding promoting local projects in commemorating the centenary of WW1.

Members considered an initiative to allocate funding to promote local projects in commemorating the centenary of World War I. The event is to be publicised as widely as possible.

Decision:

That £10,000 is delegated to the Community Area Manager (CAM) to set up a scheme to fund projects to commemorate the WW1 Centenary.  Funding decisions to be finalised with the Chairman and Vice Chairman and reported to the next area board meeting.

Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner, will be in attendance to address the Board in relation to the proposed PCC precept.

Kieran Kilgallen (Chief Executive of the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner) consulted on the 2014/15 precept. Grants have been reduced by 23% and the funding gap will be £25M (including inflation) by 2016/17. Wiltshire and Swindon Police are one of the most efficient and low cost forces per capita in the country. The precept at present is very low, as well as being one of the lowest spending authorities in the country in relation to neighbourhood spending. There has been a 13% reduction in officers and 19% reduction in support staff since 2010. There has been a suggestion of a £3.15 increase to the precept per annum for a band D property rather than a referendum which would ultimately prove too costly.

Wiltshire Police are one of the first police services in the country to start recruiting and there is a need to recruit more PCSOs as some have now become regular police officers. There is a need for investment into IT as it is currently not sufficient; an £8M investment is planned. Communications in Devizes will be upgraded as this will provide a better service to the public. Finally, a printed form for feedback was provided to improve the consultation process.

Members asked about the OPCC finances and how the increased precept would affect local people. It was stated by Kieran Kilgallen that the Wiltshire and Swindon OPCC was not servicing any debt and had a reserve available. The sale of Corsham and Chippenham Police Stations was also discussed and how the funds raised would be spent. The continuing importance of the Police presence in Calne was emphasised by members.

Councillors will provide an update on community issues and progress on area board working groups.  The Board will be asked to consider any recommendations arising.

a.    Skate board park working group (Cllr Marshall)

b.    Highways working group (CATG) (Cllr Hill)

c.    Calne campus working group (Cllr Crisp)

d.    Sandpit Road (Section 106) working group (Cllr Trotman)

e.    Air quality working group (Cllr Ansell)

Councillors provided an update on community issues and progress on Calne Area Board working groups. 

a)    Skateboard Park working group (Cllr Marshall) – It was noted that the installation of the CCTV system was progressing. The potential installation of a youth shelter on the site was also discussed.

b)    Highways working group (CATG) (Cllr Hill) – The report as included within the agenda pack was presented to the Board.

Decision:

·         Approve an assessment at the A4, Curzon Street near to Springfield School with regards to a pedestrian crossing.

·         Devolve prioritisation of 2 nominations for 20mph speed limit/zones to the CATG, conditional upon all Parish Councils being invited to send representation to the next CATG meeting.

·         Approve a CATG spend of £250 to replace and provide additional no cycling signs at Phelps Parade/Market Place Calne.

·         To note actions laid out in the meeting notes

·         To note discussions/actions relating to new issues and existing priorities.

c)    Calne campus working group (Cllr Crisp) – An update was provided. The future running of Calne leisure centre was discussed.

d)    Sandpit Road (Section 106) working group (Cllr Trotman) – Some response in local consultation was noted; all of which has been positive at this stage. The ‘un-adopted’ road at Woodhill Rise was discussed and the need for a pedestrian crossing is to be raised with the relevant officers.

e)    Air quality working group - Previous meeting on 23^rd January and the placement of equipment was discussed. It was noted that information was being pursued in regards to health issues relating to pollution in Calne.

To consider the following funding applications and Councillor Initiative:

1.    Lansdowne Hall – £499 to provide a digital projector.

2.    Calne Springs Forward –£1137 towards market stalls for the monthly town market.

3.    Cherhill Village Hall – £499 to provide a digital projector.

4.    Portemarsh working group – £1338 towards a signage improvement project.

5.    Calne Twinning Association – £311 towards promotional banners.

6.    Bus stop at Curzon Street – £5,000 towards the installation of a bus shelter outside Springfield Academy.

The Board is also asked to note the release of the 2^nd tranche of Core funding to Calne Community Area Partnership (£4,432.50) as previously agreed.

Consideration was given to the six applications made to the Community Area Grants Scheme.

Decision:

Lansdowne Hall was awarded £499 to purchase a digital projector.

Decision:

Calne Springs Forward was awarded £1,137 towards market stalls for the monthly town market, conditional upon the balance of funding being in place.

Decision:

Cherhill Village Hall was awarded £499 to purchase a digital projector.

Decision:

Portemarsh working group was awarded £1,338 towards promotional banners, conditional upon the balance of funding being in place.

Decision:

Calne Twinning Association was awarded £311 towards promotional banners.

Decision:

£5,000 was allocated to a councillor initiative for the installation of a bus shelter outside of Springfield Academy on Curzon Street.

A request has been received from the Neighbourhood Planning Group for a representative of the Calne Area Board to form part of its membership.  The Board will be asked to nominate a representative accordingly.

The board received a request from the Neighbourhood Planning Group for a representative of the Calne Area Board to form part of its membership.

Decision:

The Board nominated Cllr Christine Crisp as its representative on the Neighbourhood Planning Group.

The Chairman will set out arrangements for the next meeting.

The next Area Board meeting would be held at 6.30 pm on 8 April 2014 at the Corn Exchange, Calne Town Council, The Strand, Calne, SN11 0EN with refreshments available from 6.00 pm.