Agenda and minutes

To elect a new Chair for 2019/2020.

The Democratic Services Officer opened the meeting and called for nominations for Chairman for 2019/2020.

Cllr Richard Gamble, seconded by Cllr Peter Evans, moved that Cllr Simon Jacobs be elected as Chairman.

There being no other nominations, it was:

Resolved:

To elect Cllr Simon Jacobs as the Chairman for 2019/2020.

Cllr Simon Jacobs then took the Chair.

To elect a Vice-Chair for 2019/2020.

Nominations were sought for the position of Vice-Chairman for 2019-2020.

Cllr Philip Whitehead, seconded by Cllr Peter Evans moved that Cllr Richard Gamble be elected as Vice-Chairman.

There being no other nominations, it was:

Resolved:

To elect Cllr Richard Gamble as Vice-Chairman for 2019-2020.

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting and congratulated Cllr Philip Whitehead on becoming Leader of the Council.

The Chairman invited the councillors and officers present to introduce themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from:

·         Phil Peaple, Station Commander, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service

·         Georgina Keily-Theobald, Headteacher, Downlands School

·         Rev. Keith Brindle, St. James Church

·         Cllr Judy Rose, Devizes Town Council Mayor. However, Cllr Rose did arrive later in the meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2019.

Resolved:

The minutes of the meeting held on 15 July 2019 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman, with one slight amendment to minute number 55 regarding the Schools Update. Where the minutes refer to a pupil from Lavington School swimming the channel, this should read pupils.

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

Cllr Simon Jacobs declared an interest in agenda item 15, Area Board Funding, as Cllr Jacobs had proposed the Members Initiative grant for ‘No Cold Calling Signs’ for Devizes. Cllr Jacobs declared that he would not take part in the discussion or vote on this item.

Cllr Sue Evans declared an interest in agenda item 15, Area Board Funding. For transparency Cllr Sue Evans declared that she is a member of Devizes in Bloom. Therefore, Cllr Sue Evans declared she would not take part in the discussion or vote on the Devizes and Roundway In Bloom CUDS grant application.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman (written briefing notes are available in the full agenda pack, or online):

·       How Dementia Friendly is Wiltshire

A report is available detailing what people living with dementia and their carers value most about dementia friendly initiatives, it can be accessed via this link: https://www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk/report/2019-07-24/how-dementia-friendly-wiltshire.

·       Consultation on Proposal to Increase Downland School Capacity

Wiltshire Council is proposing to increase the number of places at Downland School from 69 places to 90 from September 2019.

Downland is a special school, situated on the southern edge of Devizes, that supports the needs of children and young people who have an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) identified to support their Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs.

A consultation on the proposal is now open and will run until 21 September 2019. Please email SpecialSchools@wiltshire.gov.uk to comment.

·       Special School Provision Consultation

·       Wiltshire Council is consulting on its proposals for Special Schools in North Wiltshire, see the agenda report for more details. The Consultation will close on Monday 30 September 2019. Please email SpecialSchools@wiltshire.gov.uk to comment.

·       The Great West Way

The Great West Way (https://www.greatwestway.co.uk/)  is a new 125-mile touring route between London and Bristol based on ancient routes, roaming through idyllic countryside, quaint villages and elegant towns. Devizes, which is on the route, is getting great publicity! See https://www.loveexploring.com/guides/86980/great-west-way-top-things-to-do-where-to-stay-and-what-to-eat.

·       National Citizens Service

NCS is a life-changing programme open to all teenagers aged 15-17 to discover who they are and what they can do. In Devizes youngsters have been working with Open Doors learning about the issues surrounding homelessness. The Area Board would like to encourage other local charities to work with the NCS. https://www.ncsyes.co.uk/what-is-ncs?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI1Mf3-JKo5AIVBrDtCh1LCwOSEAAYASABEgLF8PD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

·       CATG, Air Quality and LYN

There are no agenda items for CATG, Air Quality and the LYN for this meeting as these groups have not met since the last Area Board meeting.

·       Careers Day

The Devizes Area Board are arranging a Careers Day on Wednesday 2 October 2019.

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·         How Dementia Friendly is Wiltshire

A report was available detailing what people living with dementia and their carers value most about dementia friendly initiatives, it could be accessed via the following link: https://www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk/report/2019-07-24/how-dementia-friendly-wiltshire.

·         Consultation on Proposal to Increase Downland School Capacity

Wiltshire Council was proposing to increase the number of places at Downland School from 69 places to 90 from September 2019.

Downland, a special school, situated on the southern edge of Devizes, supported the needs of children and young people who had an Education Health and Care Plan (EHCP) identified to support their social, emotional and mental health needs.

A consultation on the proposal was open and would run until 21 September 2019. People could email SpecialSchools@wiltshire.gov.uk  to comment.

·         Special School Provision Consultation

Wiltshire Council was also consulting on its proposals for Special Schools in North Wiltshire, more details were available in the agenda report. The Consultation would close on Monday 30 September 2019. People could email SpecialSchools@wiltshire.gov.uk to comment.

·         The Great West Way

The Great West Way (https://www.greatwestway.co.uk/)  was a new 125-mile touring route between London and Bristol based on ancient routes. Devizes, which was on the route, was getting great publicity! See https://www.loveexploring.com/guides/86980/great-west-way-top-things-to-do-where-to-stay-and-what-to-eat.

·         National Citizens Service

NCS was a life-changing programme open to all teenagers aged 15-17 to discover who they are and what they can do. In Devizes youngsters had been working with Open Doors to learn about the issues surrounding homelessness. The Area Board would like to encourage other local charities to work with the NCS. See https://www.ncsyes.co.uk/ for details.

·         CATG, Air Quality and LYN

There were no agenda items for CATG, Air Quality and the LYN as these groups had not met since the last Area Board meeting.

·         Careers Day

The Devizes Area Board were arranging a Careers Day on Wednesday 2 October 2019.

Devizes School would be hosting the event, mainly for year 13 pupils who would be taking A levels next year. The event would provide an opportunity for them to meet up to 20-25 local Devizes businesses to discuss opportunities.

Andrew Jack would provide further details in the CEM update item.

To receive updates from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Fire and Rescue Service

·       Health Services

·       Schools updates

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Lucy Heasman – Making Devizes Makaton Friendly

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from Wiltshire Police, Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service, Healthwatch Wiltshire and Dauntsey’s School.

In addition to the written updates, the following verbal updates were given by the partners present:

·         Wiltshire Police

Acting Inspector Pete Foster referred the meeting to the written report in the agenda pack and gave a verbal update.

Crime over the last couple of months had been steady with no spikes. Acting Inspector Foster was aware that there were concerns regarding drug dealing in the area. Tactics the police used to help deal with this were; stop and search; drug warrants; closure orders; arrests and signposting users to Turning Point in order to help them address their issues. It was stated that there were different types of dealing. County Lines, which had recently had a lot of coverage in the media, involved gangs coming into an area and using youngsters, or vulnerable people from that area to deal. Devizes had not experienced this. One known gang member had come into the area and had since been arrested. Localised dealers did not have gang affiliations. Work was being undertaken regarding Sheep Street car park in order to stop people sleeping there and to prevent drug use there. The local police would be getting involved in Operation Sceptre which was intended to help prevent knife crime.

Cllr Richard Gamble complemented the police on the new format of the written report.

In response to a question from the audience regarding a new machine in Station Road (a black box with 2 cables across the road), Acting Inspector Foster stated that this was not something the police had put down. The police did not do speed checks in Station Road but did check for anti-social behaviour. Cllr Philip Whitehead stated that the machine had been put in place by Wiltshire Council to collect data on road usage and speed. They usually remained in place for a week or two and collected data 24 hours a day. This was in response to an issue raised at the CATG. Data on parking figures came from parking machines.

Cllr Simon Jacobs said thank you for the update and on behalf of the residents of Stanford Court in Sheep Street, Devizes.

·         Health Services

The Chairman announced that the CCG should be attending the November Area Board meeting to give an update on the Devizes Health Centre. Progress was being made, if a little slowly.

·         Schools Updates

Phil Bevan, Head teacher, Devizes School gave an update to the meeting.

All the schools were celebrating their results. This year had been a record breaking year for Devizes School GCSE results. They were up 15% with percentages into the high 60’s now. All performance measures were also up, with 75% of all students having made good progress. The majority could go on to the sixth form.

Sixth form results had also been strong, although not quite as good as the GCSE results. The school and pupils were excited about the upcoming  ...  view the full minutes text for item 75.

To consider the Area Board representatives to Outside Bodies and Memberships of Working Groups as detailed in the attached reports.

To appoint representatives to the following Outside Bodies for 2019/2020 (as set out at Appendix A):

·       Devizes and District Association for the Disabled Executive Committee

·       Devizes Air Quality and Transport Strategy Working Group

·       Devizes Development Partnership

·       Devizes Leisure Centre Group

·       Devizes Local Youth Network

To appoint representatives to the following Working Groups for 2019/2020 (as set out at Appendix B):

·       Community Area Transport Group

·       LYN Management Group

·       Devizes Community Area Health and Wellbeing Group

·       Air Quality and Transport Strategy Working Group

To appoint a Chairman to the Health and Wellbeing Group (currently Cliff Evans).

To note the terms of reference for the Working Group(s) as set out in Appendix C.

The Board considered the Outside Bodies and Working Groups reports attached to the agenda.

It was proposed that the Area Board reconstituted the working groups of the Area Board and appointed working group representatives and members to outside bodies as detailed in the reports.

Cllr Simon Jacobs was to resign as an additional representative from the Outside Body, Devizes Development Partnership due to a potential conflict of interest with his new role as Portfolio Holder for Finance and Procurement.

Cllr Philip Whitehead would be resigning as a representative from the Outside Body, Devizes Leisure Centre Group, due to his new role as Leader of the Council. As a replacement, Cllr Peter Evans was appointed to the Outside Body, Devizes Leisure Centre Group.

The Outside Body, the Local Youth Network and the Working Group, the LYN Management Group, were to be merged and going forward were to be a Working Group called the Local Youth Network (LYN).

Cllr Laura Mayes was appointed the new lead member for the Working Group, the Local Youth Network (LYN), with Cllr Simon Jacobs as the second member.

The Working Groups, CATG and Air Quality and Transport Strategy were to be run in tandem going forward. The groups would still have separate budgets but would have complimentary agendas in the hope that more aims of both groups could be achieved.

Cllr Richard Gamble was appointed as the lead member for CATG and the Air Quality and Transport Strategy Group with Cllr Peter Evans as the second member as required. 

Cliff Evans was re-appointed Health and Wellbeing Chairman.

Keith Brindle was appointed Health and Wellbeing Vice-Chairman. 

Resolved:

The Devizes Area Board agreed to:

a)    Appoint Councillor representatives to Outside Bodies as set out at Appendix A, with the amendments above;

b)   Reconstitute and appoint to the Working Group(s) as set out in Appendix B, with the amendments above;

c)    Note the Terms of Reference for the Working Group(s), as set out in Appendix C;

d)   Appoint a Chairman for the Health and Wellbeing Group, in accordance with Appendix D, with the amendments above.

For clarity the Outside Bodies and Working Groups 2019/2020 as amended have been attached to the minutes as appendices.

To receive a presentation on Online Safety from Alan Brown and Jennie Shaw from the Wiltshire Bobby Van.

To board received a presentation on Online Safety from Alan Brown and Jennie Shaw of the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust.

The Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust was a charity which had been active for over 20 years. They offered free home security for those that qualified (over 60’s or over 18 and disabled).

The group introduced the Stay Safe Online initiative 2 years ago. They could give talks and advice on a one to one basis or to groups. The reasons for introducing the initiative were the statistics. In the UK in 2017 there were over 17 million incidents of online fraud resulting in over £4.6 billion being taken. Although this was mostly commercial losses, individuals could still be affected and lose money. Online threats included Phishing, Malware, Ransomware, Social Engineering, Fraud and Identity Theft.

The “4 T’s” of being safe were:

·         Threats, for example hawker; imposter; burglar.

·         Targets, anything that leads to money could be a target, for example personal data, including information that goes on social media (like posting holiday snaps); financial details and security data.

·         Tactics, to try to prevent problems people should ensure that they use secure connections, have up to date software and strong authentication. For example, update software whenever prompted to do so. Do not use open networks, like those found in Coffee Shops unless you are using a VPN. Passwords should be at least 10-12 characters and it was a good idea to use two step verification. Also backing up your files, pictures and date was a very good idea.

·         Tell, if an issue occurs tell your bank, the police and Action Fraud UK.

Common sense and scepticism should be used, if something seems to good to be true then it usually is.

The following links could be useful for people to find out more:

·         https://www.actionfraud.police.uk

·         https://www.ncsc.gov.uk

·         https://www.cyberaware.gov.uk

·         https://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk

·         https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk

·         https://www.getsafeonline.org

Jennie Shaw, also of the Bobby Van Trust advised that all services were free of charge including home security checks, they do not charge for fitting window locks etcetera. The trust was always looking for volunteers. 101 could put people in contact with them.

Cllr Philip Whitehead stated that he remembered when  the trust had just started. An old lady nearby was broken into, the trust they fixed her door and made her feel safe, which also helped her emotional well-being.

The Chairman thanked Alan and Jennie for the presentation and their good works.

To receive a Friends Against Scams awareness session from Tom Hutchinson from Wiltshire Councils Trading Standards.

The board received a Friends Against Scams awareness session from Tom Hutchinson, Principal Trading Standards Officer from Wiltshire Councils Trading Standards.

Friends against scams was a national trading standards initiative. Scams cost the county millions of pounds every year. The four main types of scam were:

·         Postal. Including things like lottery scams, catalogue scams, clairvoyant scams and inheritance scams.

·         Telephone. Including vishing, SMShing, investment scams, pension scams and computer scams.

·         Online scams, usually via emails either phishing for data, or asking for a small payment to get a big prize.

·         Doorstep Scams, usually doorstep callers, often referred to as rogue traders. Or bogus callers who may carry out distraction burglaries.

To get victims hooked scammers relied on shame, social isolation, loneliness, vulnerability and the fact that the victim may not even realise they had been a victim.  The victim may have seen the scammer as a friend or may not want to admit they had been scammed. Unfortunately this created a cycle. Once a person had been scammed they were more likely to be targeted by scammers again.

Scamming could have terrible impact on people’s lives. Consequences could include poor physical/mental health; debts; damaged relationships; being more likely to end up in care; repeat victimisation and even attempting suicide.  

Trading Standards wanted to enlist the community to help to prevent these terrible consequences happening. In order to spot a scam victim, people should look for financial hardship or self-neglect. Along with signs like people going to the post office a lot more than usual or receiving more post or possibly free gifts. Likewise people getting many more phone calls or texts than usual. For doorstep scams people could look for others getting unnecessary or poor quality work done, or making more cash point withdrawals than usual. Unusual online relationships were another sign to look out for.

Top Tips to avoid getting scammed included: never disclosing security details; not assuming everyone was genuine; not being rushed; listening to your instincts and staying in control.

To report a fraud people could contact Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040. For advice people could also contact Citizens Advice on 03454 040506. Depending on circumstances it may also be worth contacting the persons bank, Adult Social Care or the Police on 101.

Neighbourhoods could put up No Cold Calling Zone signs in their area. The Devizes Area Board was funding some of these as part of a grant initiative later in the meeting.  People could also use the Buy With Confidence Scheme to find Trading Standards approved businesses.

In response to questions it was stated that you should not buy products on the doorstep. If you asked someone to leave and they refused to do so then call the police.

It was agreed that vulnerable people may be targeted by legitimate charities and may be persuaded to give more than they can afford. Whilst this was not illegal trading standards could provide advice to people. For example it may be worth signing up for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 78.

Residents are invited to ask questions of their local councillors.

There were no questions from the audience.

To receive an update on the Devizes Health and Wellbeing Group and consider any applications for Health and Wellbeing funding.

Cliff Evans, Chairman of the HWBG gave an update to the meeting.

One of the roles of the HWBG was to make connections, connecting services with the people who wanted to use them. The group had started an initiative called Generations Together. This would be taking place in Briggs Lodge care home in Devizes. The care home would be providing a room and refreshments for the initiative. Groups would be invited to come and talk to residents. The pilot of the scheme involved a preschool group, and a school age group coming in and talking to residents. The hope was to bring people together across generations.

Anyone was welcome to attend the HWBG who usually met the week before the Area Board.

The Chairman thanked Cliff and the group for their work.

To receive any updates from Andrew Jack, Community Engagement Manager.

Andrew Jack, Community engagement Manager gave an update to the meeting. He was happy for people to contact him on 01225 713109, 07769 917270 or andrew.jack@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Planning for the Careers Day at Devizes School was well underway. The event would take place on  Wednesday 2 Oct, 1.20pm, Devizes School. Around 180 students were due to attend. Mainly from year 13 although some from year 12 as well. So far 16 local employers had signed up to take part in the careers day and it was hoped this would increase. Many of the employers had come back very quickly and were enthusiastic to engage with the school. Employers taking part included the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust, colleges, police, army, solicitors, accountants and Wiltshire Council.

Wiltshire Council and the Area Board would soon be undertaking a Joint Strategic Needs Assessment to find out what people’s priorities were. It had been four years since the last one. There would be two levels of consultation:

·         An on-line survey from the end of September 2019 and

·         A public meeting in Spring 2020

It was hoped they could identify fewer top priorities than previously, meaning they were more focused for action.  There would be updates at future area boards.

There would be a Youth Summit in 2020, this was a work in progress so details had yet to be decided. It was hoped the event would take place at Wiltshire History Centre, Chippenham; the date was to be decided; the aim was to promote what was on offer for young people across “northern” Wiltshire; showcasing some of the providers and activities available; bringing young people from other areas to see what’s available and sharing ideas, projects and services with activity providers.  

There had been some changes to the grant criteria. A new document was available on the area boards pages of the website which detailed the changes. The main change was that applications of £1,000 or under still did not need match funding, but would be looked on more favourably if there was a contribution. This could be in-kind contribution, including time - £50 per day for volunteers and £100 per day for professional time.

Devizes Park Run had previously received funding from the Area Board and would be starting in September. The runs would take place every Saturday morning at 9.00am at Rowdeford School.

In response to a question from the audience it was stated that first aid training for volunteers was still being looked into.

The Chairman asked Steve from Youth For Christ to update the meeting on his work. There had been pop up events on the green in Devizes and in Trowbridge. These provided a free, safe and engaging space for youngsters. They were looking to use the van as an asset in urban and rural communities and planned to take it out as much possible. It could also be used in schools as a temporary outdoor classroom.

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

·       Member’s Initiative – Cllr Simon Jacobs, £125.00 for New No Cold Calling Zone signage for Devizes

·       Devizes and Roundway In Bloom CUDS, £500.00 towards Clean Up Devizes - continued activities

·       Bromham Social Centre, £2000.00 towards Bromham Social Centre Kitchen Upgrade

·       Wharf Theatre, £5,000.00 towards Wharf Theatre Technical Upgrades

·       Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (Devizes Branch), £500.00 towards Promotional equipment for Devizes Branch KA Canal Trust

·       Great Cheverell New Pavilion Trust, £2,000.00 towards Great Cheverell Pavilion Hearing Loop

·       South Western Ambulance Charity, £1,600.42 towards Lifting Chair for Devizes Community First Responder group

The Board considered the following applications for youth grant funding.

Representatives of all applications other than the South West Ambulance Charity application spoke in support if their requests. The South West Ambulance Charity applicant stated that if approved they would attend the next area board to demonstrate the equipment and thank the board.

It was;

Resolved:

·         To grant ‘Member’s Initiative – Cllr Simon Jacobs’, £125.00 for New No Cold Calling Zone signage for Devizes.

·         To grant Devizes and Roundway In Bloom CUDS, £500.00 towards Clean Up Devizes - continued activities

·         To grant Bromham Social Centre, £2000.00 towards Bromham Social Centre Kitchen Upgrade

o   (This item was considered earlier in the meeting, prior to the Chairman’s Announcements, so that the applicants could speak in support).

·         To grant the Wharf Theatre, £5,000.00 towards Wharf Theatre Technical Upgrades

·         To grant Kennet & Avon Canal Trust (Devizes Branch), £500.00 towards Promotional equipment for Devizes Branch KA Canal Trust

·         To grant Great Cheverell New Pavilion Trust, £2,000.00 towards Great Cheverell Pavilion Hearing Loop

·         To grant South Western Ambulance Charity, £1,600.42 towards Lifting Chair for Devizes Community First Responder group

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.

The next ordinary meeting of the Area Board will be held on 18 November 2019 at Devizes School at 6.30pm.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and advised that the next meeting of the area board would be held on 18 November 2019 at Devizes School at 6.30pm.