Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Mike Franklin, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2015.

The minutes of the meeting on 4 August 2015 were presented and it was

Resolved:

To confirm as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 4 August 2015.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·       School Organisational Planning

·       Redesign and re-commissioning of Children’s Centres

The Chairman drew attention to the written announcements included in the agenda pack.

The Chairman explained that the Wiltshire School Places Strategy would be presented to Cabinet in November 2015 and that there was a presentation on Children’s Centres under item 9 on the agenda.

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       NHS Wiltshire

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Calne Community Area Partnership, including an update about the Calne Community Transport Strategy

·       Our Places Project Working Group

·       Town and Parish Councils

The Chairman drew attention to the written updates available in the agenda pack.

Sgt. Ronnie Lungu, Wiltshire Police was in attendance and introduced himself as the new Sergeant for the Calne and Corsham community areas. He drew attention to the written update in the agenda pack and stated that he looked forward to attending future Area Boards and local events. 

Mrs Alison Ingham, Practice Manager, Northlands Surgery gave an update on the proposed merger of the Patford House and Northlands Surgery merger. It was explained that there had been legal, financial, and premises issues which meant that it was unlikely to be in operation by April 2016 as previously hoped. However, it was emphasised that both practices were committed to the merger in the long term. 

Anne Henshaw, gave an update on the Calne Area Transport Strategy. It was explained that the group was currently sorting through a huge amount of evidence and, owing to the volume of material, was about a month behind schedule. It was hoped to submit a report to Wiltshire Council shortly and hold a stakeholder meeting in January.

Malcolm Gull updated the Area Board on the Our Places Project. It was explained that the project was designed to improve tourism in the community area with the related advantage of improving business. It was noted that the concept of the A4 tourist route had been noticed and was now being run by Visit England. Developments were ongoing and it was planned to signpost all heritage sites and places of interest in the local area as part of the A4 tourist route from London to Bristol.

Another concept of the Out Places Project had been to develop the Heritage Quarter. All areas had been identified and signage, which had been previously funded by the Area Board, was in the process of installation. The Project had also employed a branding company. This company had previously rebranded Wales and Manchester and was applying the same model to Calne. Based on Calne’s history for Wiltshire cured ham, it was planned to develop Calne’s image as the home of the ‘Wiltshire Cure’.

It was also noted that the steering group was in the process of converting into a charitable organisation in order to be sustainable.

Cllr Tony Trotman provided an update on Heritage Week. The Alms Houses had been attended by over 600 visitors in one afternoon, including Lord Landsdowne. There were plans to repeat the event in September 2016 to coincide with National Heritage Week. Cllr Trotman thanked all those involved, especially the Our Places Project and Calne Town Council.

Cllr Robert MacNaughton, Calne Town Council, delivered a presentation on mobility issues and the difficulties of accessing some areas in Calne. Three sites in particular were identified: the entrance to the Beversbrook Farm Festival, The Dumb Post Inn, and the Bowood Estate.

It was noted that this issue affected many local people, including pedestrians, and those using pushchairs, wheelchairs, and mobility scooters. It was explained that the issue  ...  view the full minutes text for item 36.

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

·       Highways working group (CATG)

·       Calne campus working group

·       Sandpit Road (Section 106) working group

·       Air quality working group

·       Dementia Friends working group

Highways Working Group (CATG) – The Chairman highlighted that the full Community Area Transport Group (CATG) report was available in the agenda pack. Particular attention was drawn to the new process recommended to inform the local community of highways works. The Area Board noted that this would allow for more effective communication with the local community and that the process could be adapted in future. 

Ross Henning, Community Safety Partnership, highlighted the fact that there had been incidents of parking in restricted areas, specifically the London Road Inn and enquired whether traffic wardens patrolled in areas beyond the car parks. It was also noted that there were issues with the four-way traffic lights on The Strand and Ross Henning informed the Area Board that he would be submitting the issue(s) on the community issue system.

Calne Campus Working Group – It was explained that there was likely to be a full update at the next Area Board and that any questions about the campus could be directed to Cllr Christine Crisp, Cllr Alan Hill, or Jane Vaughan, Community Engagement Manager. It was noted that the process of integrating the Hub into the Library building was progressing and that the all-weather pitch at Beversbrook Sports Facility was likely to be ready in the spring.

Sandpit Road (Section 106) Working Group – an update was provided on the Woodhill Rise footpath. It was noted that the process of closing the footpath was underway and the working group was exploring the viability of various options. It was highlighted that the Abberd Way traffic calming that was scheduled for 9 November 2015 had been brought forward to 19 October 2015.

It was highlighted that there was potential for the development of cycling schemes in Calne. Wiltshire Council was working with SusTrans on three potential cycling schemes, one of which was in Calne. It was also explained that any work undertaken by SusTrans would be funded by Wiltshire Council.

Air Quality Working Group – The working group was currently investigating locations for silver birch trees. The trees would be planted in three stages. There were also plans to investigate whether any householders would be willing to put one of the silver birch trees in their gardens in a potential future tree planting scheme. It was explained that the Carbon Dioxide monitor had been retained so the working group would be able to undertake data collection to evidence future funding applications.

It was also noted that the working group had spoken to Beversbrook Surgery about the provision of bike racks at the practice and that a similar discussion would be undertaken with Northlands Surgery.

Dementia Friends – It was confirmed that Cllr Christine Crisp would be the Dementia Friends Champion and would be attending the upcoming course. It was also hoped that a Dementia Friends session would be held in every area in Calne by April 2016.

Local Youth Network – Rebecca Green, Chair of the Local Youth Network (LYN) informed that Area Board that an  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To consider the following application to the Community Area Grants Scheme:

·       Tytherton Village Hall – £1,162.50 for new village hall furniture.

Chris Laurence, Tytherton Village Hall introduced the application. It was explained that the current furniture was in need of replacement. It was clarified that it was an aim to build a new Village Hall but that this would take some time and the new furniture would allow the Village Hall to remain in operation whilst the fundraising process was underway.

Resolved:

To grant £1,162.50 to Tytherton Village Hall for new village hall furniture.

Consultation on shaping the future of children’s centres in Wiltshire - a presentation to set out the proposals for re-focusing the delivery of children’s centre services to ensure support towards vulnerable families across Wiltshire.

Lucy-Anne Bryant, Lead Commissioner, Joint Commissioning delivered a presentation on the redesign and re-commissioning of children’s centres. It was explained that the current services were delivered by four voluntary and community centre organisations which were due to expire on 30 June 2016. As Wiltshire Council had less funding to deliver these services, a process of consultation was underway to ensure that the money spent had the greatest positive impact on young children’s development.

The Lead Commissioner presented the proposed future delivery model for children’s centres that had been designed following consultation with partners, stakeholders, and parents and guardians. The proposed locations of children’s centres had been based on an area’s level of deprivation, number of children under 5, and the suitability of a building for children’s centres/ other uses. It was highlighted that many parents and guardians had struggled to access information about children’s centres and the new delivery model would be integrated with health visitors and midwives. There were to be 15 key buildings based in four geographical clusters (North, East, South, and West) and each cluster would have one telephone number so that parents/ guardians could find all the information needed in one place.

The full proposal, including a map detailing the changes was available online: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/childrens-centre-consultation.pdf

It was emphasised that all feedback on the proposed delivery model for children’s services was welcomed. Any comments could be sent to debbie.hirons@wiltshire.gov.uk and anyone was welcome to complete the consultation: http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshirechildrenscentressurvey.

Following questions from the floor, it was confirmed that Calne was one of the more deprived areas in Wiltshire and, as such, would be a main focus in the future delivery of children’s centres. It was also noted that awareness of services was often an issue and explained that informal channels had proved the most effective in raising awareness. As such, a parent/ guardian Champion scheme had been established and was being developed.

The Chairman encouraged all interested parties to submit responses to the consultation.

To receive a presentation from Surriya Subramaniam, Head of Public Protection (Emergency Planning), and to discuss how the Calne area can become more resilient to emergency situations, such as flooding and snow, working with the support of Wiltshire Council.

Also, to introduce the upcoming emergency planning workshops for the Calne community area.

Surriya Subramaniam, Head of Public Protection (Emergency Planning), noted that organised communities were netter placed when an emergency happened. It was explained that there were a number of national and local plans for emergency situations including animal health plans, snow plans, and flood plans. However, it was highlighted that there was no provision for the biggest risk that faced the UK: pandemic flu.

It was explained that, as a result of central cuts, the Emergency Planning team were searching for efficiencies rather than a reduction in services provided. It was suggested that each community area could produce its own plan for emergency situations which would benefit from local expertise, knowledge, and resources. This would allow the local community to be taken care of in the immediate aftermath of an emergency and allow Wiltshire Council to focus on central services, such as hospitals.

The Head of Public Protection (Emergency Planning) suggested that the Calne community area could take part in a multi-agency workshop. The workshop would be attended by emergency planning specialists, and any interested local groups in the area. The aim of the workshop would be to increase information sharing, including templates and techniques, and ultimately empower the local community to maintain its resilience in an emergency situation.

The Head of Public Protection noted the local experience in emergency planning, particularly through the Community Resilience Forum, and suggested that Wiltshire Council could organise a tailored workshop divided into two sections: a refresher on plans, supported by Emergency Planning, Flood Team, Snow Team, Public Health, Animal Health, and the Police Neighbourhood Team, followed by an emergency planning exercise. All local representatives were invited to take part in this multi-agency workshop.

It was confirmed that the Community Engagement Manager and the Head of Public Protection would address the time and venue of this workshop, ensuring that all interested parties were invited.

The Area Board also commended the Wiltshire Council Emergency Planning stall that had been on display at the Emergency Services Show at Hullavington in September.

To receive an annual report from Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, on the outcomes of the previous Police and Crime Plan and the present the new Plan for 2015-17.

There will also be a question and answer session following the presentation.

Kieran Killgallen, Chief Executive, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner, delivered a presentation on the Police and Crime Plan 2014-2015. It was reported that Wiltshire Police had been rated as Good under effectiveness, efficiency, and legitimacy the Her Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary (HMIC) inspection in October 2014. It was also highlighted that there had been a 2.7% reduction in crimes and that 83% of people in Wiltshire felt confident in local policing.

It was explained that the Police and Crime Plan, 2014-2015 had delivered £5 million of savings. These had been achieved through efficiencies in shared buildings, mobile working and integrated Information Technology (IT) services.  The Chief Executive informed the Area Board that a review of the national funding formula for police was currently underway. It was explained that Wiltshire Police received the lowest funding/capita in the South West region. If Wiltshire Police was to be awarded the average funding share, this would provide an additional £7 million/ year of funding.

The Chief Executive explained that there had been developments in policing since the Police and Crime Plan 2014-2015 had been written, including extremism, Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE), and cyber terrorism. The new Police and Crime Plan, 2015-2017 had been developed to include and address these issues.

It was highlighted that the three commitments of the new Plan were to keep neighbourhood teams at the centre of policing in Wiltshire, to protect neighbourhood policing by shifting resources to the front line, and to ensure that any increase in the police element of council tax would be used to reduce the impact of central funding reductions on neighbourhood policing.

It was highlighted that the new Police and Crime Plan, 2015-2017 was available to download from the PCC website: http://www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/Document-Library/Police-and-Crime-Plan/PCC-plan-final.pdf.

The Chief Executive updated that Wiltshire Police was currently working with the Wiltshire Council Systems Thinking Team to trial a Community Policing Pilot. The aim was to transform local policing to better meet the needs of the community and more information was expected to follow.

The Area Board welcomed the reduced crime rate in Calne and suggested that an investment in CCTV may have been a contributing factor. The Area Board also thanked the Community Safety Partnership for its work in this area.

To address any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 8 December 2015.

It was highlighted that there would be an Unfair Funfair at 3.15pm on 8 December 2015 in Calne Library. There would be a variety of stalls offering activities to demonstrate issues of social justice. The Chairman encouraged everyone to attend. The Unfair Funfair would be followed by the Area Board meeting at 5.30pm.

The next Area Board meeting would be held at 5.30pm on 8 December 2015 at Calne Library and would focus on young people’s issues.