Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will welcome everyone to the meeting of the Calne Area Board.

The Chairman, Cllr Christine Crisp, welcomed everyone to Calne Area Board and introduced the Councillors and Officers present.

Apologies were received from Mike Franklin (Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service).

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 07 October 2014.

The minutes of the meeting held on 04 November 2014 were approved and signed as a correct and accurate record of the meeting.

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

There were no declarations.

The Chairman will provide information about: 

a.    Wiltshire Car Parking Review.

The Chairman drew attention to the written announcement included in the agenda pack:

Wiltshire Car Parking Review – Attention was drawn to the hard copies of the consultation that were circulated on tables, as well as the availability of the online form.

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.    Police and Crime Commissioner

d.    Calne Community Area Partnership

e.    Town and Parish Councils.

Wiltshire Police – Sonya Stockhill (Community Beat Manager) provided an update on performance in relation to key targets. It was heard that the Calne Youth Officer would build a relationship with the Police. Drug warrants had been carried out and over £1,000 of drugs had been recovered. A spike in rural vehicle crime was raised and the need for the rural community to remain vigilant was stressed. Road conditions were discussed, as well as excessive speeds and parking concerns; in particular near schools.

            An update was provided in regards to Halloween and the need to take care of vulnerable people at this time. ‘No trick or treat’ signs were used for those who wanted them. Members raised concerns in relation to an articulated lorry driving on a restricted weight road.  

Police and Crime Commissioner – A written update was provided and the Commissioner would be present at the February 2015 meeting.

NHS – Calne was the demonstrator site for integrated team working and different departments would come together at Broken Cross to improve the service provided.

Calne Community Area Partnership – A verbal update was provided which stated that JSA issues were being worked on. Work in relation to the transport strategy was ongoing and the Hub continued to flourish.

Town and Parish Councils:

a)    Hilmarton – An update was provided on affordable housing and encouraging progress had been made.

b)    Calne Without – Concern was expressed in regards to the Hills planning application and the Board heard that resurfacing at Norley Lane was planned.

c)    Cherhill – Sonya Stockhill (Community Beat Manager) was thanked for her work in regards to making school parking safer.

d)    Calne Town – Members of staff were thanked for their hard work at the parade and other recent events.

Cllr Howard Marshall and Helen Bradley (Community Youth Officer) - To receive an update on the Local Youth Open Space Event, held on Tuesday 18th November and to hear about the next steps.

The Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the LYN – Rebecca and Jordan – were introduced to the Board by Cllr Howard Marshall and Helen Bradley (Community Youth Officer). They provided an update on the Local Youth Open Space event that was held on 18th November 2014 and discussed their next steps. It was heard that Calne would receive a Youth Work Apprentice. A survey would take place to find how the Calne Community Area could be improved for young people.

Decision:

To note the update and thank the members of the LYN for their work.

Will Ruscoe (John Bentley School) will introduce the schools ‘Respect 24/7’ campaign. It will inform the Area Board that the campaign has been launched by the school to promote respectful relationships with and between young people, the community and the environment. The Councillors will be asked if they would like to join young people in signing up to the pledge and wearing their campaign wrist band.

Will Ruscoe (John Bentley School) introduced the School’s ‘Respect 24/7’ campaign and informed the Area Board that the campaign would promote respectful relationships with and between young people, the community and the environment. Members were asked if they would join young people in signing up to the pledge and wearing their campaign wrist band. Mr Ruscoe discussed their anti-bullying policy and stated that a vast majority of students always show respect for one another. It was heard that 94% of parents in a recent survey stated that they felt their children were safe at the school. Every student at the school signed a pledge board to challenge any bullying that they witnessed. The ‘Respect 24/7’ Ambassadors were introduced by Mr Ruscoe and a road safety week was also discussed. 

Decision:

To pledge to join young people at John Bentley School in their ‘Respect 24/7’ campaign.

The Chairman will acknowledge the young people from the Calne Community Area who have been issued with Positive Tickets by the Neighbourhood Police Team in recognition of their positive actions in the Community.

An update was provided in regards to the Positive Ticket Awards that would acknowledge young people from the Calne Community Area who would be issued with ‘positive tickets’ by the Neighbourhood Police Team in recognition of their positive actions in the community. The scheme was launched on 1^st November 2014 with a mandate to improve links with young people in the Calne Community Area. The scheme was aimed towards 10-17 year olds and all recipients would be invited to an event for their positive behaviour. Six positive tickets had been issued for a wide variety of behaviour including providing first aid after an accident.  Cllr Ansell stated that the good relationship between the PCSO and the Calne Community Area was recently highlighted at a Police and Crime Commissioner’s meeting.

Sarah Cosentino and Marie Nash - To update the Area Boards about the rollout of superfast broadband across the county

Marie Nash (Project Officer, Wiltshire Council) and Matt Lloyd (BT) updated the Board about the rollout of superfast broadband across the county. A booklet called ‘Fibre Broadband Community Pack’ was circulated. Fibre broadband would be provided in the intervention area and this would be done through the Fibre to the Cabinet (FTTC) process. A majority of the broadband within this intervention area would be provided by copper broadband but as much copper would be removed as possible. BT would work around the county in phases and would build outwards from their exchanges. The introduction of fibre/digital cabinets was explained and the telephony network of the county was discussed. It was heard that half of a village could be served by one exchange and the other half from another. The civil engineering work involved in the process was explained. A community pack was circulated and it was heard that established parish council networks were the best way of circulating information. The Wiltshire Online dedicated website could respond to postcode enquiries as to what was happening in the customer’s area. The website was provided as www.wiltshireonline.org and the email address as broadband@wiltshire.gov.uk.

It was heard that BT could only invest in the intervention area that was not covered by another commercial provider. It was stated that part of Compton Bassett was not within the phase 1 Intervention Area. Wiltshire Council was going through an open market review and there would be another round of funding which could reset the intervention area; as a result, more areas could become viable for funding.

Questions were asked in relation to government fibre broadband targets and it was heard that 91% of the UK would receive superfast broadband. Questions were asked as to the speed that Tytherton Lucas would receive and research was being done by BT as to how more rural areas could be reached. Cllr Marshall stated that he had recently gone to fibre broadband and it had worked for one day but had failed thereafter.

It was explained that when a fibre cabinet was installed locally, it was necessary to contact your provider to upgrade your package to a superfast fibre service. It was stated that BT were looking to maximise their coverage as they went. 

Malcolm Gull (Calne Community Area Partnership) and Judy Edwards (Calne Town Council) - This project relates to the Community identified JSA/Area Board priority relating to: ‘Building a positive reputation for the Calne Community Area to attract more visitors to venues and events’.

Malcolm Gull and Judy Edwards discussed the Calne Our Place Project, which related to the community identified JSA/Area Board priorities, which intended to: ‘build a positive reputation for the Calne Community Area to attract more visitors to venues and events’. Culture and tourism was discussed and a need to increase footfall and economic activity in the Calne Community Area was raised. Funding was received which had allowed for consultation and the writing of an operational plan. A consultant was commissioned from a company named ‘Heavenly’ who produced a citizen survey and a workshop. The feedback provided stated that Calne was a historic and friendly place. The proposed Calne Heritage Quarter was discussed and also the creation of a Calne Youtube channel. Issues around the A4 were discussed but also the benefits that the road provided.

The potential use of the ‘Home of the Traditional Wiltshire Cure’ was discussed and the history of Wiltshire Curing was provided. The next steps for the COPP were discussed and it was heard that Bob Marshall was the new Chairman. A steering group had been developed and task groups had been arranged. The delivery phase was stated as April 2015-17.

Sian Wood (Develop) is to provide a presentation to the Area Board on the services Develop Enhancing Community Support can provide to all not for profit organisations in the community.

Sian Woods (‘Develop’) provided a presentation to the Area Board on the services ‘Develop Enhancing Community Support’ could provide to all not-for-profit organisations in the community. It was heard that they act as a broker between groups that are looking for volunteers and potential volunteers. An example of a volunteer working with ‘Chippenham FM’ was discussed and the opportunities and training that were available were explained. Information could be provided to help with registering a new charity and new groups could be helped to be more strategic and objective.

There was a dedicated equalities service and ‘Develop’ could help communities work towards their equality targets. A funding advisor could advise on what funding pots could be available; advice could also be provided to enhance funding applications. Events and networking events were raised to explore potential partnerships with neighbouring organisations. General enquiries and advice was free of charge. It was stressed that ‘Develop’ were here to support the local community.

Councillors will provide an update on community issues and progress on area board working groups. This will include:

a)    Skate board park working group – Cllr. Howard Marshall

b)    Highways working group (CATG) – Cllr. Christine Crisp

c)    Calne campus working group – Cllr. Alan Hill

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

e)    Air quality working group – Cllr. Glenis Ansell

f)     Dementia Friendly Calne Community Area – Cllr. Christine Crisp

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

a)    Skateboard parking working group (Cllr Marshall) stated that the basic shape of the skate park was visible and the 16th January 2015 was the projected finish date. It was heard that a new group of young people would work towards phase 2 of the skate park project.

b)    Highways/CATG – (Cllr Crisp):

Recommendations to the Area Board:

1.1)       To note the completion of priority schemes at Maud

Heath’s Causeway (4.1) and Stockley Lane (4.4).

1.2)       To note the signed off 2013/14 budget (appendix1)

and the current budget for 2014/15 (appendix2)

1.3)       To agree to consider priority issues for 2015/16 at

its meeting due to be held in February 2015.

1.4)       To note actions laid out in these meeting notes

1.5)       To note discussions/actions relating to new issues

and existing priorities.

Decision:

To approve the above recommendations of the CATG.

c)    Calne Campus Working Group (Cllr Hill) – Drawings have been created to be given to a project manager or builder for work on the pavilion at Beversbrook. Permission was needed to continue work on the all weather pitch but this was all in hand. Highways were working on the requirements for crossing the Beversbrook road.

Decision:

To approve the Campus Working Group Terms of Reference.

d)    Sandpit Road (Cllr Trotman) – A verbal update was provided and their last meeting took place on 27 November. There was progress with the proposed pedestrian crossing. Pedestrian surveys were being worked towards. Bollards at Woodhill Rise were discussed and had been signed off and costed but this would likely not take place until Spring 2015. Safe cycling and pedestrian routes was raised and work with Green Square was discussed.

e)    Air Quality Working Group (Cllr Ansell) – The website was now available and free text alerts would be available on air quality issues. The Bobbies on Bicycles funding had gone through and the possibility of walking buses for the school commute was raised. Tree planting schemes and the particulate monitor were raised.

f)     Dementia Friendly Working Group (Cllr Crisp) – The group would be meeting – for the first time - shortly to decide how the group would progress and a report would be presented at the next meeting.

To consider three applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme, as follows:

i.              Goatacre phone box refurbishment group – to convert an old phone box into a community information point and book exchange - £600.

ii.            Jack and Jill pre-school - Asking for match funding towards an interactive SMART table to encourage early computer skills  and family interaction - £2,490.

iii.           Calne Community Area Partnership – Requesting funds to improve access and security at the Hub - £950.

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

i)              Goatacre Phone Box refurbishment group requested £600 to convert an old phone box into a community information point and book exchange. Members sought clarification on how the funding would be spent. The cost of replacement glass and cast-iron beads were discussed.

Decision:

To award Goatacre Phone Box Refurbishment Group £600 of funding.

ii)             Jack and Jill Pre-School asked for £2,490 in match funding towards an interactive SMART table to encourage early computer skills and family interaction. Background was provided as to the needs of some of the children at the pre-school. The interactive and collaborative nature of the technology was explained. It was clarified that the pre-school was a registered charity. It was heard that this Pre-School was placed within an area of deprivation. 

Decision:

To award Jack and Jill Pre-School £2,490 in match funding.

iii)            CCAP (Calne Community Area Partnership) requested £950 in funds to improve access and security to the Hub. It was heard that the HUB was becoming more popular but the front door did not provide adequate security. A combination lock would be fitted. It was heard that the legal department had been contacted. 

Decision:

To award CCAP with £950 of funding.

The next Area Board meeting was expected to be held at 5.00 pm on 10 February 2015 at Beversbrook Sports Facility (Beversbrook Sports Facility,
Beversbrook Road, Calne, Wiltshire, SN11 9FL) with refreshments available from 4.45 pm.