Agenda and draft minutes

To welcome those present and give an overview of the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed attendees to the meeting and gave an overview of the procedure.

To receive presentations covering topics such as strategic business plan priorities, maintenance, local transport plan, congestion and public transport.

The Area Board received a presentation from the following officers and councillors:

·       Sam Howell (Director Highways and Transport),

·       Jason Salter (Head of Service for Passenger Transport)

·       Chris Clark (Head of Local Highways)

·       Jack Francis (Highway Project Engineer)

·       Cllr Caroline Thomas (Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene, and Flooding)

·       Cllr Nic Puntis (Portfolio Holder for Flooding)

The presentation covered, but was not limited to, the following matters:

Introduction:

An overview of the Wiltshire transport context was provided, including how the highway network represented the Council’s largest and most valuable public asset with a replacement value of over £5billion including over 2,800 miles of road. There were 346 miles of A roads, 199 miles of B roads, 1,037 miles of C roads and 1,247 miles of unclassified road.

The relation of Highways and Transport to the Wiltshire Council Business Plan was outlined.

Statistics were provided about the number of assets that needed to be maintained, including 50,000 streetlights.

Investment in the Network:

·       An overview of the funding available to Highways Maintenance was outlined, including that there was a Highways Maintenance fund of £21million, which was topped up by additional funds, such as a £3.6 million pothole fund.

·       Other sources of funding top ups were covered, including additional investment from Wiltshire Council of £10 million for preventative maintenance and further Government funding to span a two-year period. By the end of financial year 2024/25 Wiltshire would have received an additional £5.228 million from the curtailment of the HS2 rail project.

·       It was noted that as a local authority, Wiltshire was robust and had a preventative eye. The importance of prioritising issues was outlined.

The Local Transport Plan:

·       The importance of having a Local Transport Plan was outlined, with it setting a framework for maintaining and improving transport in Wiltshire.

·       The importance of the Local Transport Plan aligning with the Local Plan Review to help deliver Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan priorities was stated, with key themes identified including decarbonisation, freight, road safety and active travel.

·       It was noted that there would be plenty of opportunities to be involved in the consultation for the Local Transport Plan.

Public Transport Review:

·       An overview was provided about the public transport review, which would aim to shape the future bus policy as well as priorities for support.

·       There had been over 1,000 responses to the consultation, which ended on 10 November 2023.

·       The aim was for a new policy and network to be implemented from April 2024.

Highways Maintenance:

It was explained that the Council had three different approaches to maintenance:

o   Reactive Maintenance - Responding to issues as they arise, such as repairing potholes or replacing damaged signs.

o   Planned Maintenance - Scheduling regular maintenance tasks to prevent issues from arising in the first place or getting worse.

o   Asset Maintenance - Taking a long-term view of highways maintenance and involves evaluating the condition of roads and infrastructure and prioritising maintenance tasks based on factors like condition, safety, cost, and rate of deterioration.

·       An overview of benchmarking  ...  view the full minutes text for item 22.

Wiltshire Council Officers will answer the written and verbal questions submitted by the public.

If you would like to submit questions in advance of the meeting please email them to areaboards@wiltshire.gov.uk  using “Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade – Highways Matters” in the subject line.

Thanks were given by the Area Board for the presentation. The Chairman asked for further information on a couple of issues that she felt were important for local residents:

Question – Chairman: Was there any further information available about the progress towards the Royal Wootton Bassett to Swindon Cycleway, such as a timeline for the works?

Answer: A design had been completed by National Highways following detailed survey work on third party land. A contractor had been appointed by National Highways, who would be providing most of the funding for the scheme. The scheme was ready to enter the planning permission stage and details about the timeline would be provided in due course. The Director of Highways at Wiltshire Council noted that she was meeting with the Regional Director at National Highways so would receive further information at that meeting.

Question – Chairman: Please could we have information about Wiltshire Council’s verge cutting policy on rural roads?

Answer: Wiltshire Council had moved from a policy of cutting through May and June on all rural roads, to a policy of just cutting the areas of poor visibility. This approach helped to improve the biodiversity of the highway verge by enabling wildflower pollinators. The full network was cut in September. Parish councils were welcome to comment on the policy in their areas.

An open question and answer session took place co-ordinated by the Area Board’s Chairman. Questions raised included:

Question - Jason Cook (Royal Wootton Bassett Environment Trust): Why were over 50 mature trees removed from the A3102 and what is the plan to replace these trees?

Answer: Unfortunately, it had been necessary to remove a number of mature trees due to ash dieback and to improve visibility at junctions. A number of self-seeded trees on the road had had to be removed. Work was being undertaken to improve safety along the A3102 using funding from the Department for Transport’s Safer Roads Fund. Efforts were made to plant replacement trees where possible. Wiltshire Council had recently recruited more officers to Grant Application and Planting Support (GAPS) Team.

The Chairman noted that she would have welcomed improved communication of the tree felling in advance of the project.

Mark Hopkins, Clerk at Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, noted that they had a gift a tree scheme. He stated that he would welcome a more efficient process for planting trees on Wiltshire Council owned land.

Question - Jason Cook (Royal Wootton Bassett Environment Trust): What is Wiltshire Council’s policy on collecting the cuttings after verge clearance?

Answer: Trials for ‘cut and collect’ were being run along the A350 corridor in areas wide enough and where the risings could be composted down. Wiltshire Council had been monitoring ‘cut and collect’ trails undertaken in Dorset and were keen to adopt the policy more widely. However, there were often constraints in implementing this policy on narrower verges.

Question – Stephen Kelleher: What is being down about speeding on the junction next to Purton Stoke towards Hayes Knoll?  ...  view the full minutes text for item 23.

The Chairman will summarise the session and highlight any next steps.

The Director of Highways noted that answers would be provided to pre-submitted questions in addition to the queries answered on the night.

Cllr Jacqui Lay noted that she would pass on queries she received from residents and asked that answers could be attached to the minutes along with the other written questions submitted in advance. 

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from:

·       Cllr Mary Champion

·       Phil Heads - Chair, Royal Wootton Bassett Volleyball Club

·       Bridget Long – Headteacher at Broad Town Primary School

·       Andy Bunn – Cricklade Leisure Centre

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

Cllr Steve Bucknell declared an Other Registerable Interest in relation to Item 11, that he was a member of Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club. He would remain in the room and participate as a member of the public but not vote on their application.

Cllr Steve Bucknell declared a further Other Registerable Interest in relation to Item 11, that he was a member of Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council. It was noted that under Wiltshire Council’s Code of Conduct it was possible to participate fully in the debate and vote without a need for a dispensation in respect of membership of a town or parish council.  

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2024 as a true and correct record.

On the proposal of Cllr Steve Bucknell, seconded by Cllr David Bowler, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 17 January 2024 as a true and correct record.

The Chairman will give an update on outcomes and actions arising from previous meetings of the Area Board. The following written updates are also provided:

·       Community Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

·       Local Nature Recovery Strategy

·       Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition

·       Wiltshire Cultural Strategy 2024-30

·       Community Safety Forum Notes

·       Community Care Group Notes

·       Youth Forum Notes

·       FUEL Programme – Easter Holiday Activities

The Chairman then referred the Area Board to the following updates available in the agenda pack:

• Community Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, pg. 13-14

• Local Nature Recovery Strategy, pg. 15-16

• Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition, pg. 17

• Wiltshire Cultural Strategy 2024-30, pg. 19

• Community Safety Forum Notes, pg. 21

• Community Care Group Notes, pg. 23-25

• Youth Forum Notes, pg. 27-28

• FUEL Programme (for eligible children) – Easter Holiday Activities, pg. 29

She highlighted that the Community Area Joint Strategic Needs Assessment was an interesting bit of research and would be used to help inform the Area Board’s priorities.

Cllr Jacqui Lay reported that the Royal Wootton Bassett Banking Hub was now open and the official ribbon cutting ceremony would be held the following week. She noted that lots of work had gone on behind the scenes and wanted to publicly thank the Postmaster, the participating banks and Cllr Steve Bucknell for their efforts. The Chairman explained that there were named bank days with a community banker for a particular bank visiting on one day per week. The cash desk was not affiliated with a single bank. Cllr Steve Bucknell observed that it was the responsibility of each individual bank to send a representative to the hub, so if a member of the public found that their bank was not participating and wanted them to attend, they should raise this with their bank directly. 

Jason Cook from Royal Wootton Bassett Environment Trust stated that he would have welcomed greater publicity ahead of the consultation on the Local Nature Recovery Strategy drop-in session on 5 March. The Chairman said she would provide feedback to officers.

An online survey was available for those that had been unable to attend the Local Nature Recovery Strategy drop-in session. More public sessions to discuss the mapping of priorities would be held in the summer, by which time a communications database would have been established.

Cllr Lay encouraged people to volunteer to be a judge in the forthcoming Best Kept Village competition.

To receive written updates from our key partners, including:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Wiltshire Police Road Safety Update

c.     Community First

d.    Healthwatch Wiltshire

e.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

f.      Cricklade Town Council

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from:

Wiltshire Police, pg. 31-37

Wiltshire Police Road Safety Update, pg. 39-49

Community First, pg. 51-53

Healthwatch Wiltshire, pg. 55

BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Integrated Care Board, pg. 57

Cricklade Town Council, pg. 59

Mark Clarke, Chairman of Cricklade Town Council, reported that the unitary by-election for the Cricklade and Latton division would be held the following day.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the latest LHFIG meeting held on 10 January 2024, as set out in the attached report.

Recommendations:

·       Community dropped kerbs (18 sites) Increase overall funding to £59,351.00 (3rd Party contributions = £18,790.50)

·       11-23-08 Common Platt Lydiard Millicent. Progress alternative scheme for Common Platt. Allocate funding of £10,000 including Topo survey costs of £1800.00. (Combined 25% contribution from Lydiard Millicent PC / Purton PC – TBC)

·       11-23-17 Lydiard Millicent – Greatfield – Allocate funding of £1,900.00 for topo survey (25% contribution from Lydiard Millicent PC)

·       11-23-18 Tockenham new passing bay. - Allocate funding of £1,800.00 for topo survey (25% contribution from Tockenham PC)

·       11-23-19 Tockenham passing bay signs - Allocate funding of £922.00 for new signs/posts (25% contribution from Tockenham PC)

·       11-22-14 Broad Hinton Junction with B4041 Advance GW sign / SLOW – Allocate funding of £750.00 (25% contribution from Broad

·Hinton and Winterbourne Bassett PC)

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

The Chairman noted that the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) had agreed to invest as much of its outstanding funding as possible to ensure that it was allocated.

The Area Board then considered the recommendations arising from the LHFIG meeting of 10 January 2024. On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Jacqui Lay, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

• Community dropped kerbs (18 sites) Increase overall funding to £59,351.00 (3rd Party contributions = £18,790.50)

• 11-23-08 Common Platt Lydiard Millicent. Progress alternative scheme for Common Platt. Allocate funding of £10,000 including Topo survey costs of £1800.00. (Combined 25% contribution from Lydiard Millicent PC / Purton PC – TBC)

• 11-23-17 Lydiard Millicent – Greatfield – Allocate funding of £1,900.00 for topo survey (25% contribution from Lydiard Millicent PC)

• 11-23-18 Tockenham new passing bay. - Allocate funding of £1,800.00 for topo survey (25% contribution from Tockenham PC)

• 11-23-19 Tockenham passing bay signs - Allocate funding of £922.00 for new signs/posts (25% contribution from Tockenham PC)

• 11-22-14 Broad Hinton Junction with B4041 Advance GW sign / SLOW – Allocate funding of £750.00 (25% contribution from Broad

• Hinton and Winterbourne Bassett PC)

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

Area Board Initiatives:

ABG1681 - Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Youth Forum requesting £500 towards the Royal Wootton Bassett Youth Festival Showcase 2024.

Community Area Grants:

ABG1634 - Wootton Bassett Infants School Parent Teacher Association requesting £4,150 towards Vale View Gardens Community Park.

ABG1643 – Broad Town School Association requesting £1,475 towards an interactive whiteboard for Broad Town Primary School.

ABG1660 – Royal Wootton Bassett Arts Festival £500 towards a laptop for registration/admin.

ABG1673 – Royal Wootton Bassett Carnival requesting £1,500.

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

ABG1615 - Parkinsons UK Jane Henderson Local Volunteer Officer South West requesting £500 towards Parkinsons CCF Café 2024.

ABG1641 - Wootton Bassett Infants School Parent Teacher Association requesting £500 towards Vale View Gardens Community Park.

ABG1649 – Wiltshire Music Centre requesting £500 towards Celebrating Age Wiltshire Creative Mini Project in Royal Wootton Bassett Library.

ABG1663 - Purton Community Fridge and Larder requesting £500 Purton Community Fridge Free Meal.

ABG1686 – Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Club requesting £450 towards walking rugby.

Young People Grants:

ABG1592 - Cricklade and District Community Association requesting £1,500 towards a teen gym at Cricklade Leisure Centre

ABG1664 – The Rise Trust Youth requesting £720 towards Lyneham detached youth work.

ABG1679 – Broad Hinton Youth Club requesting £950.

ABG1683 – Royal Wootton Bassett Volleyball Club requesting £642 towards a development pathway.

ABG1711 – Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council requesting £5,000 towards the youth festival and ongoing provision.

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

The Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager explained that there was insufficient funding remaining in both the Community Area Grant and Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant budgets to award all of the applications to those pots in full.

There was £2,239.26 of Community Area Grant Funding available, £13,750 of Youth Grant funding and £950 of Older and Vulnerable People’s funding remaining. It was noted that it might be possible for applications to one pot to draw upon funding from a different pot, but only if they met the relevant criteria.

The Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager also reported that the following two applications had been withdrawn since the publication of the agenda:

·       Broad Town School Association requesting £1,475 towards an interactive whiteboard for Broad Town Primary School (Community Area Grant).

·       Purton Community Fridge and Larder requesting £500 Purton Community Fridge Free Meal (Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant).

Area Board Initiative

The Area Board considered the following Area Board Initiative:

Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Youth Forum Requesting £500 Towards the Royal Wootton Bassett Youth Festival Showcase 2024

On the proposal of Cllr Steve Bucknell, seconded by Cllr David Bowler, it was resolved to make the:

 Decision

To award Royal Wootton Bassett and Cricklade Youth Forum £500 towards the Royal Wootton Bassett Youth Festival Showcase 2024.

Reason: The application met the Youth Grant Criteria 2023/24.

Community Area Grants

The Area Board considered the following applications to the Community Area Grant Scheme 2023/24. As there was insufficient funding remaining in the Community Area Grant budget to award all of the applications in full, the Chairman invited each of the applicants to introduce their projects before the Area Board voted on any of the applications.

Wootton Bassett Infants School Parent Teacher Association requesting £4,150 Towards Vale View Gardens Community Park

Andy Carr and Nicki Harris spoke in favour of their application. They confirmed that young people between the age of 13 and 19 (or 25 with Special Educational needs) would benefit. It was noted that Horizons College, a specialist facility for Young People between the ages of 16 and 25 with additional needs, was a stakeholder in the project.

The Strategic Engagement and Partnerships manager clarified that the project would be eligible for Youth Grant funding. It would not be possible to draw on funding from the 2024/25 financial year. It was also highlighted that there was a separate application to the Older and Vulnerable People’s budget of £500 to support Vale View Gardens, so it was a multi-generational project.

As the Wootton Bassett Infants School Parent Teacher Association had also requested £500 from the Older and Vulnerable People’s budget and there was limited funding available in the Community Area Grant Budget, this application was voted on alongside their other application. The Area Board indicated that they were happy in principle to support the application for £4,150 but waited to consider the other applications first.

Please see their application in the Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant applications section for details of the vote.

Royal  ...  view the full minutes text for item 31.

An open, public question and answer session to raise issues with your local representative (please note that if answers cannot be provided on the night, written responses will be provided after the meeting).

The public had the opportunity to ask questions of the Area Board.

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

There were no urgent items.

Future Meeting Dates (6:00-8:30pm):

·       26 June 2024

·       9 October 2024

·       11 December 2024

·       12 March 2025

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, please contact the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager andrew.jack@wiltshire.gov.uk.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting. The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 26 June 2024, at 6:30pm in Clyffe Pypard and Bushton Village Hall.