Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Corsham Area Board meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from:

 Jo Howes – NHS Wiltshire

Peter Anstey -  Potley and Pockeridge Community Centre.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2009.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 December 2009 were confirmed and signed as a correct record.

Councillors are requested to declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

The Chairman informed those present that during the bad weather, as well as gritting the roads, Wiltshire Council had also:

• Supported elderly and vulnerable people by providing 4x4 vehicles to enable carers to reach them and to ensure that essential medical supplies such as insulin were delivered. 
• Provided support to enable elderly and vulnerable people to receive deliveries of bottled gas and other essential items.
• Assisted the ambulance service by clearing roads and providing 4x4 vehicles for emergencies.
• Cleared roads near schools to enable pupils to sit their exams.
• Issued snow ploughs to farmers to assist them to help their local communities.

To receive an update on the traffic flow review in connection with the developments at Basil Hill and the impact on the A4.

Officers reported that since the last meeting they had undertaken a further review of the requirement for traffic signals on the A4.    This had involved a count of vehicle movements and a survey of pedestrians.  The outcome of this review had shown that there it was now no longer necessary to provide traffic signals at the junctions.   Officers explained that:

• Leafy Lane junction would now have a right turn lane rather than traffic signals.
• The Little Fiveways junction would still have traffic signals.
• The Hare and Hounds junction would now require a minor change to the mini roundabout.  There was the also the possibility of providing two zebra crossings.
• At Park Lane the existing roundabout would be extended.
• Academy Drive would revert to a priority junction.
• Wiltshire Council would need to hold discussions with the MoD and review the agreement for junction improvements.
• The relevant reports would be placed on the Council’s website and would be available to the public.

The Councillors thanked the Pickwick Residents’ Association for their work and input into these proposals and also officers for undertaking the review.  The Residents’ Association thanked the Area Board for the new proposals and for listening to their objections.  The Association requested that it be able to view the detailed proposals at an early stage.  Officers stated that the drawings could be brought to a future Area Board meeting or to an exhibition held in the locality.  It was also important to avoid unnecessary highway clutter and too much signage. 

There was some concern about the amount of traffic travelling through Neston.  It was suggested that the provision of a “no right turn” sign at the MoD exit would help.  However, officers felt that any revised traffic proposals for the A4 at Corsham would not have a significant effect on Neston traffic. 

It was confirmed that the necessary work would not be funded from Section 106 contribution would be funded by the MoD under the provisions of a Section 278 agreement.

a)  The Wiltshire Councillors will consider 9 applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme, as follows:

i)      Corsham Town Council – to purchase shelters, tables and chairs and to enable community groups’ free use of the equipment for outside functions and community events.

ii)     Box Parish Council – to refurbish tennis courts and to create a multi use games area for use by users of the centre, tennis club and local school pupils.

iii)    Corsham Cricket Club – to install external staircase leading to the changing rooms on the first floor of the Cricket Club.

iv)   Kandu Arts – to facilitate consultation with young people in Potley and Pockeridge about problems, root causes and possible solutions to anti social behaviour.

v)    Transition Community Corsham – for development of website and publicity material to allow the organisation to reach more people in the community area.

vi)   Pound Arts Centre – to purchase a new high definition projector to enable them to attract a wider audience to cinema screenings.

vii)  Potley and Pockeridge Youth Group – to purchase tools, seeds and plants for a gardening project and a half term activity to promote and recruit new people to the centre.

viii)Corsham Community Centre – to purchase equipment to enhance and develop a snooker room.

ix)   Mansion House Playgroup – to purchase a shed to provide adequate storage facilities.

Grant application packs for the Community Area Grants Scheme are available from the Community Area Manager or electronically at:

www.wiltshire.gov.uk/areaboardscommunitygrantsscheme.htm.

b)  The Wiltshire Councillors will consider one Expression of Interest to the Performance Reward Grant Scheme, as follows:

Colerne Parish Council - To extend the pavement along from Silver Street to the Recreation Ground entrance.  This is in order to provide a safe access to the Recreation Ground and the doctors’ surgery in The Firs and Colerne Primary School and to allow a direct pedestrian route from the Firs to the Primary School.

(a)       Community Area Grant Funding

The Area Board considered nine applications seeking 2009/10 Community Area Grant funding.

(i)         Corsham Town Council

Decision

To award £1,503 to purchase shelters, tables and chairs and to enable community groups free use of the equipment for outside functions and community events.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will benefit a number of community groups in Corsham and the surrounding area.

(ii)        Box Parish Council

Decision

To award £5,000 to Box Parish Council to refurbish tennis courts and to create a multi use games area for use by users of the centre, tennis club and local school pupils.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will increase participation in sport and create a healthier lifestyle for all ages.

(iii)       Corsham Cricket Club

Decision

To award £1,750 to Corsham Cricket Club to install an external staircase leading to the changing rooms on the first floor of the Cricket Club.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will improve the safety of those using the Cricket Club facilities.

(iv)       Kandu Arts

Decision

To award £1,250 to Kandu Arts to facilitate consultation with young people in Potley and Pockeridge about problems, root causes and possible solutions to anti social behaviour.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will involve young people in dialogue to address the root causes of anti-social behaviour.

(v)        Transition Community Corsham

Decision

To award Transition Community Corsham £995 for the development of a website and publicity material to allow the organisation to reach more people in the community area.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will work towards creating a sustainable solution to address climate change.

(vi)       The Pound Arts Centre

Decision

To award £2,721 to purchase a new high definition projector to attract a wider audience to cinema screenings.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will enable the organisation to show presentations more clearly and to extend its provision for young people.

(vii)      Potley Young Group

Decision

To award £594 to purchase tools, seeds and plants for a gardening project and a half term activity to promote and recruit new people to the centre.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will provide an opportunity for young people and their parents to engage with the garden project.

(viii)     Corsham Community Centre

Decision

To award £903 to Corsham Community Centre to purchase equipment to enhance and develop a snooker room.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will develop and enhance the facilities and environment of the Community Centre.

(ix)       Mansion House Playgroup

Decision

To award £975 to the Mansion House Playgroup to purchase a suitable storage shed.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and will improve the outdoor facilities available to the children.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive updates from the following partners:

a)  Wiltshire Police

b)  Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c)  NHS Wiltshire

d)  Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

e)  Corsham Community Area Network

Corsham Community Area Network requests the Corsham Area Board identifies a Wiltshire Council officer with experience in this field to work in partnership with Corsham Community Area Network, Transcoco, Town and Parish councils and bus providers to take forward the short term recommendations of the Bus Stop Audit 2009. In particular to devise, cost and implement a plan to provide:

·         Accurate and up to date information at all bus stop locations across the community area

·         Accurate and up to date information through relevant websites and texting services

·         Enhanced public awareness of public transport provision across the community area.

f)   Corsham Area Young People’s Issues Group

g)  Chamber of Commerce.

The Area Board received the following partner updates:

(a)       Wiltshire Police

Crime in the area had reduced in the last few months.  There were now eight volunteers to staff the Police Station in Corsham.

Another five areas had expressed an interest in the community speedwatch scheme and surveys had now been carried out.  On the A4 at Box Hill the problem appeared to be one of perception rather than actual speeding.  The Police and Council were currently working together on a speed limit review.  The Police had to prioritise their speed checks and to address known problem areas.

(b)       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Lots of preventative work had recently taken place and in the last two months 48 home safety checks had been carried out.  Safety checks were available free of charge to vulnerable people. 

The Service was also providing the “Safe drive, stay alive” training for young people.  This programme was being extended to include the military and commercial organisations.

(c)        NHS Wiltshire

A written report had been submitted with the agenda papers.

(d)       Corsham Town Council

The Town Council gave some feedback on the use of some grant funding which had recently been awarded.  Some of the empty shop units in the town had been used to display art by local groups and schools.  The project had been very successful.

(e)       Colerne Parish Council

Major refurbishment of the old school buildings had been completed.  £550k had been raised for the project which included four affordable flats, a refurbished playschool room and two community rooms.  In the recent past there had been no additional affordable housing built in Colerne.

A £100 project to refurbish the play area on the recreational ground has been started.

(f)         Corsham Community Area Network

The network was continuing successfully and effectively.  The clerk had recently resigned and the post would be advertised shortly.

An insulation scheme was being run in conjunction with the energy savings trust.  Low cost roofing and insulation could be provided and leaflets were available at the meeting.

The Network had also undertaken a bus stop audit details of which were circulated with the agenda.  This had been produced by volunteers. The Area Board thanked the network for this excellent piece of work and agreed to put Cllr Richard Gamble, Portfolio Holder for Transport in touch with them.

(g)       Chamber of Commerce

The state of Corsham’s economy was reasonable but there were still un-let premises in the town.

Councillor Sturgis will provide a short overview of the waste and recycling review. There will then be the opportunity to ask questions regarding his Cabinet responsibility for Waste, Property and Environment.

Councillor Toby Sturgis the Cabinet Member for Waste, Property and Environment attended the meeting.  The following issues were discussed:

• A review of waste and recycling was currently underway as part of Wiltshire Council’s harmonisation process.
• Landfill tax would be increasing and it was therefore important to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill as far as possible.
• To provide a full weekly service including recycling would mean a 4% increase in Council Tax so it was important to find the right balance.
• Cllr Sturgis informed the Area Board that meters were available for hire at Wiltshire libraries which people could take home and plug in to see the difference in energy use between low energy light bulbs and the old style light bulbs.
• A development plan document was being drawn up to identify locations for gypsy and traveller sites in the area.  It was important to move forward with this policy and consultation would take place in May/June 2010.
• Wiltshire Council was also reviewing its property portfolio and would consider offering any surplus property for community use.

The Chairman will give an update on the adoption of roads on the Katherine Park Estate.

Cllr MacRae explained to the Area Board that roads in Katherine Park could not be adopted until the sewage infiltration issues had been rectified.  The manhole inspection had now been completed.  A further meeting would take place with the developers on Thursday 4 February and a further update could then be given. 

The Community Area Manager will provide an update on issues received and actions taken since the previous area board meeting on 8 December 2009.  This will include an update on the progress of the Community Speed Watch scheme.

The Area Board received an update regarding the outstanding issues in the Corsham community area.  A total of 34 issues had been reported through the issues process since it was launched.

The Chairman will provide an update on the current situation regarding Corsham Railway Station.

Cllr Richard Gamble, Portfolio Holder for transport, had met with local stakeholders to discuss the possible re-opening of Corsham Station.

£252k of Section 106 money was available for a station but this would have to be returned by 2018 if it was unspent.  The Town Council had undertaken consultation regarding this funding and it had been agreed that it should continue to be allocated to the station and not diverted to other projects. 

The Chairman will invite any remaining questions from the floor.  The meeting is reminded that the arrangements for future meetings are set out in the attached Forward Work Plan.

It was noted that the last meeting had been inquorate and therefore unable to make any decisions.  The Chairman confirmed that all the recommendations made at the last meeting had now been ratified by all the Area Board members.

The Area Board noted the forward plan.