Agenda and minutes

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

The Chairman reported that the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) for the proposed works to New Canal Street had been published.  Works to move the bus stops and relay the surface, move the taxi rank and install new disabled parking would start towards the end of January.

It was noted that survey on the seating and lighting arrangements had recently been undertaken, with over 100 responses.  The results would be made available on the Area Board website.  It was also noted that a decision would shortly be made on the surface material.

Councillor Ricky Rogers referred to the meeting on 1 August 2012, where the Area Board had agreed the outline design, and commented that he understood that the Area Board had agreed to look again at the allocation of disabled parking bays.  On the basis, Councillor Rogers MOVED that the Area Board instructs the Cabinet Member not to proceed with the Traffic Regulation Orders relating to disabled parking bays in the guildhall square and surrounding roads, until a review of the proposals by the Salisbury Area Board has taken place.  This motion was seconded.  The motion was subsequently amended replacing the word “instructs” with “requests”

During discussion it was suggested that the process for determining the plans for the Guildhall Square had been long and subject to much consultation and debate, however the time had come for decisions to be taken and for implementation to begin.

Upon being put to the vote, the motion was NOT CARRIED.

The Chairman fed back on the outcome of the motion at the previous meeting regarding the mini-recycling site at Waitrose.  The Cabinet Member had replied that it would only be possible to re-introduce the collection of plastics and cardboard at this site if there was a proven need.  Ideas were welcomed as to how the need could be demonstrated.

All plastic could now be taken to the recycling centres.

The Chairman also noted that the initial design proposals were now underway for the Maltings.  It was requested that the Stanhope designs could be put on the Wiltshire Council website.

The Chairman referred to the presentation on Autism at the previous meeting, commenting that work was on-going to identify some outcomes which could be achieved.  Particular focus was on why diagnosis rates were statistically lower in Salisbury than elsewhere, and a briefing note was included in the agenda.  As a first step, an application for funding was on the agenda at item 15 to seek funding to produce a leaflet with a view to increasing public awareness of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD).

Angus Macpherson, the Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon, introduced himself to the meeting and explained that he and his team would be attending Area Board meetings to allow for direct public involvement in the oversight of policing in the county.  Some literature was available on the tables in relation to the draft Police and Crime Plan, and it was hoped that some workshops would be undertaken.

To receive updates from representatives of the following partner organisations:

a)    Salisbury City Council

b)    Laverstock and Ford Parish Council

c)    Police

d)    Fire

e)    NHS – to include an update from Tony Barron (Chairman of NHS Wiltshire) on the Old Manor Hospital Site

Cllr Cheryl Hill, Deputy Leader of Salisbury City Council, gave an update on the work of the City Council:

·         The Christmas Lights Switch on had been affected by the appalling weather, with the fireworks being cancelled due to the high winds.  These would be kept and used for the 2013 Christmas Lights.  However, the band switched on the lights from the Guildhall steps prior to their appearance at The Chapel nightclub, and despite the weather, there had been a good turnout.

·         Following the success of the Jubilee and Olympic Torch Events, the City Council had agreed to put on another free event at Hudson’s Field, this time with the theme “Salisbury through the Ages”.  It was hoped that this would involve partners across the city and result in a family fun day for the whole community.

·         Work was due to commence on the Crematorium at the beginning of March, and was now expected to cost £100K more than originally envisaged, due to the Listing of the building.

·         Work had begun on the refurbishment of the Queen Elizabeth Gardens, although this was now about two weeks behind schedule due to the unusual severe flooding.

·         Work had been completed on the new older children’s playground in the Churchill Gardens. Which would be officially opened in the Spring when the ground would be less waterlogged.

·         The Council was in the process of agreeing its budget for the next year, with an extensive capital programme, including a new stair lift for the Guildhall to enhance access.

·         An event was being held on Monday 18 February at 5.00pm in the Guildhall about Becoming a Councillor, with the elections due to be held in May 2013.

Cllr David Law of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council reported that the Community Farm in Laverstock had hosted the 3^rd Annual Nativity event organised by St Marks Church, with over 500 people attending.  Cllr Law also referred to problems in Ford due to the ongoing roadworks and road closure at Broken Cross bridge.  The excess traffic was causing significant damage to the verges, which were soft due to the heavy rain.

The Chairman noted that Inspector Andy Noble, would give the Police update under the following two agenda items.  It was noted that apologies had been received from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.

Tony Barron, Chairman of NHS Wiltshire, gave a short update on the Old Manor Hospital site.  The Development of the primary care centre had started and was due to be completed on time.  In relation to the rest of the site, the marketing was now underway, having been delayed for 12 months to allow Wiltshire Council to develop a business plan to take over the site for use as a close care facility for older people.  However, this had not been forthcoming, and so under the rules for disposal of land by a public body, the PCT was now obliged to put the site on the open market.  Work was ongoing with Wiltshire  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive an update on the Police’s Safe Places project, seeking to provide locations within the city where vulnerable people can go to feel secure.

Inspector Andy Noble gave a short presentation about the Safe Places scheme, which provided safe havens for vulnerable adults when they were out in the City.  Under the scheme, shops and businesses could sign up to the scheme, and display a “safe places” sticker in their window.  Vulnerable people who registered for the scheme could choose to have an ICE (in case of emergency) care which enabled staff at the safe place to identify the vulnerable person and to contact someone they know or trust, such as a parent or carer.

Inspector Noble also gave an update on reports of anti-social behaviour at Gainsborough Close.  A number of cross-agency measures were proposed to address this, including improvements to the lighting, temporary deployment of an additional CCTV camera, and additional security to the communal doors on the flats.  In addition, regular community meetings were being held.

Councillor Ricky Rogers thanked the police and the housing officers for their work on this, adding that the proposed works to the communal doors and stairways would address most of the problem.

In respect of his general update, Andy commented that the crime figures were fairly stable, with a slight reduction (8%) on the same period in the previous year.  Burglary was down by 35%, as were anti-social behaviour and criminal damage (10%).  However there was a slight increase in violence and theft from motor vehicles, and people were reminded not to leave valuables in cars, even when locked out of sight.  Andy also noted that detected crime was up from 24% to 29%.

To update the Area Boards on current integrated youth services.

To receive an update from the Community Area Partnership.

 To receive feedback on the Participatory Budgeting Event on 10 December run by SCAAP on behalf of the Area Board, and to ratify the decisions made.

To receive a presentation on the Council’s purchasing policy, to inform consideration of a suggestion that the environmental credentials of contractors should be given greater consideration.

The Chairman commented that this item was on the agenda, following a suggestion that the Area Board should consider whether Council policy should give greater consideration to the environmental credentials of contractors.

Tom Smith, Head of Procurement, gave a brief overview of purchasing as part of the wider Procurement function at Wiltshire Council.  The Council purchased a wide variety of goods and services, from stationery and fuel to social care placements, cleaning services and construction of new buildings and roads.

The purchasing policy encouraged fair, transparent and open competition, with the following aims:

·         Achieving best value

·         Ensuring the Council has sufficient supplies and services

·         Work with suppliers to find efficiencies, but not a the expense of quality

·         Purchasing sustainably

·         Complying with EU Procurement Regulations

In relation to the suggestion about environmental considerations, Tom explained that work was well underway on a draft Sustainable Commissioning and Procurement Strategy, which sought to develop procurement as a means of promoting economic, social and environmental well-being.  This includes measures such as seeking local partners and adopting policies that promoting the health and well-being of contractors’ workforces.  It was hoped that this would lead to procurement that would achieve benefits for the environment, community, and the economy over the whole length of a contract, or over the lifetime of an item of equipment, and minimise waste and damage to the environment.

The Area Board thanked Tom for the presentation, and noted that there were a number of local groups who may be able to feed in to the production of the Sustainable Commissioning Procurement Strategy, including Agenda 21, and Transport 2000.  It was suggested that a workshop could be held to allow for community input into the strategy.  Tom undertook to raise this with colleagues in the Climate Change Team and feedback to the Area Board.

The Chairman referred to the written report in the agenda, and explained that the Studio Theatre had applied for the Community Asset Transfer of the plot of Council owned land to allow for the expansion of the car park, in view of the increasing popularity of the theatre.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board approves the application from the Studio Theatre for the transfer of a piece of land to the rear of Studio Theatre, Ashley Road, Salisbury, SP2 7TN, as set out in the report.

Reasons For Proposal - This proposal supports and implements Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy.

The Chairman explained that the Area Board did not have sufficient funds remaining in its budget for 2012/13 to fund all applications on the agenda.  In view of this, and to avoid penalising those applications who were at the end of the list, the Area Board would hear from all applicants in turn, and then make its decision based on the relative merits of all applications.

The Chairman then invited a representative from each of the grant applicants to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.  After each of the applicants had spoken the Chairman invited questions and discussion, then asked for a show of hands from those present to reflect public opinion.

After hearing from all applicants, the Chairman proposed to go through and determine whether the Area Board would support each application, however only applications for £1,000 and less would be confirmed at the full amount requested at this stage.  The Area Board bid for Lorrywatch was WITHDRAWN due to the thin support from the room, and the fact that the success of the project would rely on volunteers.  All other applications were approved, and it was proposed, seconded and AGREED that all applications for £1001 and above would be reduced pro rata in line with the remaining budget.  All applications for £1000 or less would receive the full amount.

Decision

The Friary Transitions Group was awarded £350 towards funding a facilitated youth group.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Salisbury Quakers (Green Fair) was awarded £870 towards putting on a free event t promote greener living.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Visit Wiltshire was awarded £2,693.76 towards a Salisbury Tourism Marketing Campaign.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

St Francis Church Hall was awarded £4,489.60 towards redeveloping the external of the re-built hall.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

St Marks’ Pre-School was awarded £4,489.60 towards developing the outdoor space in an outdoor learning experience.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Salisbury Arts Centre was awarded £4,489.60 towards the Salisbury Odyssey programme.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

The Trees for St Marks Road Group was awarded £888 towards purchasing and planting trees.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Churches Together was awarded £1000 towards putting on an Exhibition of Artwork.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Bemerton Methodist Church was awarded £948 towards a breadmaking project.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.

Decision

Harnham Schools Travel Group was awarded £750 towards producing a travel leaflet.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13

Decision

Salisbury Blind Choir was awarded £890 towards set up costs.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 15.

To note the Board’s Forward Plan, including details of future agenda items.

The date of the next meeting is Thursday 14 March 2013, 7pm at South Wilts Grammar School for Girls, Stratford Road, Salisbury SP1 3JJ.