Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and stated that he was happy to host the area board meeting at the Box Pavilion for the first time.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jennie Hartless from Box Parish Council.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 19 October 2010.

The minutes of the meeting held on 19  October 2010 were confirmed and signed by the chairman subject to the following amendment:

Under the list of those people in attendance it should be made clear that David Martin is the Clerk to Corsham Town Council and not a councillor.

To declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Councillor Peter Davis declared a prejudicial interest in the grant applications submitted by Corsham Town Council as he was a member of the town council.  Councillor Davis did not speak or vote on these grant applications and left the meeting while they were considered.

The chairman made the following announcements:

(a)               Local Flood Protection

In order to help communities protect themselves from flood risk, Wiltshire Council was introducing a scheme to supply gel sacs, these were similar to sandbags but inflated when in contact with water.

Parish and Town Councils would be able to purchase a stock which they could hold in the community for distribution during a flood event or purchase the gel sacs on behalf of householders.

The gel sacs were available to Parish and Town Councils for £2.50 each and anyone wishing to purchase them should complete and email the form attached to the agenda papers to Sarah Peterson (sarahpeterson@wiltshire.gov.uk) or telephone 01225 713377.

(b)              Results of Waste Consultation

The waste consultation finished on 20 August 2010.  There was a report on the full results of the consultation on the Council’s  website.

Over 10,000 people responded to the consultation and just over 70% were in favour of the proposal.

A report on the consultation was considered by the Cabinet on 19 October 2010 and it was decided to go ahead with the proposal, subject to the detail contained in the Comprehensive Spending Review.

The proposed service changes were planned for summer 2011 and residents would be kept informed throughout the process.

To receive any 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 Area Young People’s Issues Group

(f)                 Chamber of Commerce

(a)               Wiltshire Police

An update report was circulated with the agenda papers.

(b)               Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

An update report was circulated with the agenda papers.

(c)               NHS Wiltshire

An update report was circulated with the agenda papers.  It was noted that a number of changes would be made to the NHS in the coming months with more responsibility being given to GPs.  Public health responsibilities would be transferred to local authorities.  The PCT had to make 40% savings in management costs and this would lead to staff reductions.

(d)               Corsham Town Council

The Christmas lights would be switched on this Friday from 5.30pm outside the Town Hall.

The Corsham Community Area Network had given a presentation to the Town Council regarding the review of street lighting.  The Town Council thanked the local volunteers for their work on this project which would save money.

A meeting was to be held at the Corsham Community Centre to consult on the community campus. 

Basil Hill was now occupied and there were moves to sell the old Copenacre site which would have an impact on the local area.

(e)               Box Parish Council

Local residents were concerned about the development of a community campus for Corsham as they did not wish to lose Box Library or to see this service diminish.

The outcome of the car parking review was awaited and the Parish Council hoped that when a decision was made it would be favourable to grade 4 parking areas.  It was noted that a decision would be made on the car parking strategy at the Cabinet meeting on 14 December.

The Parish Council noted that the old MoD sites were being sold and hoped there would be support for housing on these sites rather than industrial use.

(f)                 CAYPIG

The next CAYPIG meeting would take place on Weds 8 December at 6pm at the Mansion House.

(g)               Chamber of Commerce

Georgina Fairbrass introduced herself as the new president of the Chamber.  She state that anyone in the community area was very welcome to contact her if there was anything they wished to discuss.

To receive a progress report and forward work plan from the Corsham Community Area Network (CCAN) and to consider the network’s request for its second tranche of funding.  

CCAN was now in its second year and was working very well in partnership with the area board and Wiltshire Council.  New members had joined the group and closer links were now being forged with  parish and town councils which was welcomed.

A mid-year report was submitted setting out the work that CCAN had carried out along with a workplan for 2010/11 and a claim for running costs for consideration.

The following work was currently being undertaken:

• Leading a consultation on the new community campus proposal.  Copies of the consultation document had been made available for people to complete, two public meetings were being hosted.  One involved local societies and organisations and one which was open to the general public.  Once the consultation had been completed CCAN would produce a report and submit this to the Cabinet meeting when this matter is considered.

• Compiling a street lighting report – 12 local volunteers had been asked to look at this issue.  They had identified around 400 street lights which could potentially be switched off  between midnight and 5.30am using strict criteria.  The proposals had then be made available in town and parish council offices and on their websites.  Comments were required by mid December and a report would then be brought to the Corsham Area Board in February for consideration.  So far responses had been very favourable.  The chair of CCAN thanked the volunteers for all their work on this consultation.

• Transport issues – there had been a follow up on the bus stop audit.  A leaflet had been printed giving details of the new no 10 bus service at no cost to the council.  This had been achieved through sponsorship and local efforts.  The transport group was also looking at the draft local transport plan to put forward its comments.

New projects included:

·        A public transport partnership to enable better integration in the community area.  This would include face to face contact with providers.

·        Publicity for transport matters.

·        Exploring how CCAN could be involved in the effectiveness of subsidised bus routes.

·        Cycle networks

·        Bus stop audit

·        Timetables

In response to a comment made at the meeting the Transport Group agreed to consider the problems caused by buses when stopping at the smaller bus stops  and whether these could be enlarged to provide more space for the vehicles.

A comment was also made that the bus service numbers 82, 83 and 84 needed more publicity.

It was noted that CCAN had found officers at Wiltshire Council to be very positive and the group had been greatly encouraged by this.  The Area Board felt that the work undertaken with CCAN had been very successful and was an excellent example of partnership working in the local community.

Decision

That the funding request from CCAN for £5,500 be agreed.

To receive a presentation from Graham Steady, Environmental Protection Team Leader, and to comment on the proposals to consolidate Dog Control Orders across Wiltshire.

The Area Board received a presentation from Graham Steady, Environmental Protection Team Leader, regarding proposals to consolidate Dog Control Orders across Wiltshire.

The following issues were discussed:

• It was noted that the current system was inconsistent across the county.
• In the Corsham Community Area there was an order in place which required dogs to be kept on leads on the Box Recreation Ground.  It was proposed that this order should be retained.
• It was important to retain a balance between the needs of dog owners and the general public using the open space.
• A comprehensive order relating to dog fouling was proposed on all public land in the county.
• A dog exclusion order was proposed for all children’s play areas and one particular site in Malmesbury.
• There was a questionnaire on the website asking for comments on the proposals – the closing date was 7 February 2011.
• It was noted that when Box Parish Council entered an agreement to pay for signs for the recreation ground they were promised five but only received two.  Officers agreed to look into this.
• Seb Williams was the dog warden for the Corsham area.
• The council could provide roadshows, team action days, publicity campaigns, advice surgeries to promote responsible dog ownership, microchipping etc and could make presentations at schools as required.  If a parish or organisation wanted to discuss holding a particular event they should contact Simon Cleaver (Team Manager for the Dog Warden and Pest Control Service) or Seb Williams (Dog Warden).
• It was noted that the Corsham Youth Council had been doing some work relating to dog control and dog fouling.

To view a DVD on the Parish Steward Scheme.  Adrian Hampton, Head of Local Highways and Streetscene, will be available to answer any questions.

The Area Board viewed a DVD giving information about the Parish Steward Scheme.  Adrian Hampton, Head of Local Highways and Streetscene, then answered questions relating to the role.

The following issues were discussed:

• The scheme did tie in to the CLARENCE system.
• The role was evolving and work had to be undertaken on a priority basis (for example, this year pothole filling had been a high priority).
• A request was made for a Parish Steward to go to Rudloe to do some general tidying work.
• The scheme offered great flexibility and representatives from Box and Corsham thanked their Parish Steward for doing an excellent job.

To receive a presentation from Doug Anderson, Demography Researcher, regarding the 2011 Census and to find out how local people can be involved.

This item was withdrawn from the agenda as the officer due to make a presentation was unable to attend.  It was likely that the census would be discussed at the next meeting if time allowed.

To discuss the initial site options for the aggregate minerals site allocations.

A consultation regarding the initial site options for the aggregate minerals site allocations was currently taking place.

There were three sites which had been put forward as possibilities in the Corsham Community Area.  These sites were all in the Lacock area and plans were available to view at the meeting.

The Cabinet representative, Councillor Dick Tonge, will talk about his responsibilities for Highways and Transport and will invite questions

Councillor Dick Tonge, Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, talked about his portfolio and answered questions.

It was noted that there was likely to be a 28% reduction in the government grant for next year and that this was likely to be front-loaded.  This meant that a larger proportion of the savings would have to be made in the first year.  A number of managers were to be made redundant in order to make some savings.

The Localism Bill was also due to be published in December.  This was likely to mean that there would be more local delegation of services but the detail was not yet clear.

Councillor Alan Macrae also talked about his responsibilities as Portfolio Holder for Schools.  There were likely to be a number of new academies in Wiltshire as schools had now been given more opportunity to change their status.  This meant that school funding would be provided directly from the government and not from local authorities.  There were also likely to be changes to the school transport system but the details were not yet clear.

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider the following applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme:

(a)      Box Rovers Football Club – To consider an application for £944 to purchase football equipment.

(b)      Corsham Primary PTA – To consider an application for £1,000 to purchase a play den and shelter that can also be used by parents attending after school activities.

(c)      Corsham Town Council – To consider an application for £1,780 to purchase and install new play equipment at Dicketts Avenue Play Area.

(d)      Corsham Town Council – To consider an application for £3.307 to install lighting at the skate park facility to increase safety.

The Area Board considered four applications for 2010/11 community area grant funding.

Decision

(1)       To award Box Rovers Football Club £944 to enable the group to purchase equipment.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan by providing activities for young people.

(2)       To award Corsham Primary School PTA £1,000 to purchase and install a large play den and sun shelter.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan by providing education and lifelong learning and places to meet.

(3)       To award Corsham Town Council £1, 780 to purchase and install new play equipment at Dicketts Avenue Play Area.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan by providing facilities and activities for people in the community area.

(4)       To award Corsham Town Council £3,307 to install lighting at Springfield Recreation Ground Skatepark subject to the successful planning application and the balance of funding being in place.

Reason for Decision

The application demonstrates a link to the Corsham Area Community Plan by offering facilities and  activities for people in the community area and improving facilities which will enhance the community as a whole.

It was noted that there was now a balance of £19,103.12 in the budget for community area grants and local organisations were advised to apply as soon as possible as there was only one further funding round before the end of the financial year.

It was noted that the staff at the Corsham Heritage and Information Centre had been nominated for the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.  They had passed the first stage and had been visited by referees for the second stage on Monday 22 November.  Whether or not they gain the Award, the Area Board agreed to congratulate them on getting this far in the process.

To note that the next meeting will take place on 1 February 2011 at Corsham Town Hall.  The forward work plan for the area board is attached for information.

It was noted that the next meeting would take place on 1 February 2011 at Corsham Town Hall.