Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Councillor Mike Hewitt thanked everyone for attending the meeting of the Amesbury Area Board.

The Chairman thanked Durrington Town Council for the use of the village hall and for providing refreshments to the Area Board, and urged the public to inform Karen Linaker of other venues which could be considered for use for future meetings.

a)     Health Fair and Workshop 25 February 2010

b)     Greener Living Roadshow 27 February 2010

c)      Speed Limit Review

d)     NHS Out of Hours Service

The Chairman made the following announcements.

a)     Health Fair and Seminar

A Health Fair and Seminar for the Amesbury Community Area would be held on Thursday 25 February 2010, from 3.00pm to 8.00pm at the Bowman Centre, Archers Gate, Amesbury.

b)     Greener Living Roadshow

Wiltshire Wildlife Trust would be holding a Greener Living Roadshow on Saturday 27 February 2010, at the Co op in Amesbury.

c)     Speed Limit Review

A DVD on the Speed Limit Review had been sent to all Parishes in Wiltshire, for consultation. Parishes had been asked to put forward comments on the proposed changes to the A and B class roads detailed in the DVD. The closing date for comments was 5 February 2010.

The Chairman informed the Parish Clerks present that the DVD would be available to view after the Board meeting for those who had not been able to view it. Any comments from Parishes would still be included in the consultation.

d)     NHS Out of Hours Service

Changes to the NHS ‘Out of Hours’ service for Wiltshire would take place later in the year, after the signing of a new contract. Some changes would have an impact on the Amesbury Community Area. NHS Wiltshire would present details of the changes at a future Area Board meeting.

The Chairman also spoke on the recent consideration of the Health Protection Agency at Porton Down to relocate to a site in Essex. The Board were informed that the Leader of Wiltshire Council wanted all to be done to ensure the relocation did not go ahead, because of the impact on local jobs, housing market and overall confidence in Porton Down.

Apologies were received from Bill Dowling – MOD and Jo Howes – NHS Wiltshire.

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

Councillor Ian West declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 14 – Community Area Grants, application from Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council, as he was a member of it. Councillor West left the room for the item and did not vote.

Councillor Graham Wright declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 15 – Performance Reward Grants, application from Durrington Parish Council, as he was a member of it. Councillor Wright left the room for the item and did not vote.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 8 December 2009 (Copy attached).

Decision

That the minutes from the meeting held on the 8 December 2009 be approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive any updates.

Wiltshire Police Authority

Councillor Richard Britton in his capacity as a member of the Wiltshire Police Authority (WPA) gave an overview to the Board on the role of the WPA

Some of the key responsibilities of the WPA are:

• To ensure that the Communities in Wiltshire and Swindon, receive an efficient and effective policing service.
• To hold the Chief Constable to account for delivery of the policing service.
• To scrutinize performance.
• To set the annual policing budget.
• To appoint chief officers
• To monitor complaints.

The WPA is comprised of nine Councillors (six from Wiltshire Council and three from Swindon Borough Council), and eight independent members.

Wiltshire Police Force

Inspector Martyn Sweett circulated a briefing paper and gave an update to the Board on the following points:

• Neighbourhood Policing Teams – Update on recent changes to the team.
• Neighbourhood Policing Teams – Current Priorities and Consultation Opportunities.
• Performance and Other Local Issues.
• Crime and Detection Rates.
• Abstraction Rate Performance.

Inspector Sweett particularly highlighted that:

• There had been a 28.6% increase in dwelling burglaries (from 56 reported in 2008/09 to 72 reported in 2009/10) – mainly due to people leaving their properties unsecured. He urged people to spread the message about the importance of locking doors.
• The Amesbury Area was the best in the County for police detection rates.
• The little boy seriously injured on the Packway (Larkhill) in January, was recovering well, and that whilst speed had not been the issue in this incident, a 30mph speed limit was needed on this stretch of The Packway, particularly because of the shops, schools and community centre.

Councillor Graham Wright and Peter Hekrow (Chairman of Figheldean Parish Council) thanked Inspector Sweett and his team for their good work.

Adrian Hampton (Head of Waste, Recycling and Cleansing Service) will explain how public consultation on the harmonisation of the Council’s waste service will take place.

Adrian Hampton (Head of Waste, Recycling and Cleansing) gave an update of the Council’s intention to consult with members of the public on the possibility of harmonising the different waste services inherited from the merger of five councils into one unitary council.

He explained that a final decision on how waste services would be managed in the future could not be made until after the election, as it would be wrong to pre-empt election pledges and have a service that was not in line with a national strategy.

He referred to a number of ways in which the waste service in the south of the county was different to that in other parts of the county, and how this impacted upon individual behaviours with regard to recycling – having consequences for the cost of the service, the environmental impact and the council’s overall performance. He encouraged all to read the literature soon to be issued on the review of waste services and to attend future road shows and events which would be held as part of a consultation process.

During the ensuing discussions, the following points were made:

• Residents must be given accurate and honest statistics, particularly relating to the impact on the environment of residents travelling to recycling sites because of full curb side bins.
• There were some complaints regarding the breakdown of the weekly waste collection service during the recent bad weather. Although there was sympath to the reason behind a reduced service during the icy conditions, one incident where a street had not had a collection for a six week period was due to a failure in the service.
• Improvement to communication with residents during bad weather was requested, with the use of radio or internet being explored as alternative avenues to get information out to the public.
• Wiltshire Council’s effort to reduce the amount of waste that went into landfill sites – confirmation was given that Wiltshire Council had a strategy to reduce this.

To receive a presentation detailing the A338/A346 Working Group’s conclusions and recommendations (Report attached).

The Chairman invited Councillor Charles Howard to present the report which had been produced by a working group supported by the Bourne Valley Alliance, and comprising representatives from the Tidworth, Pewsey, Marlborough and Bourne Valley areas. 

The report considered several factors relating to the A338 / A346 corridor from Salisbury to Swindon:

• Volume of traffic – around 7,000 vehicles used the corridor daily, rising to 16,000 between Marlborough and the M4.
• Priority locations – such as bridges and towns, where the road was particularly narrow.
• Future increase in traffic – new Distribution Centres planned for Solstice Park and Andover Airfield were likely to increase Large Goods Vehicle (LGV) usage of the corridor.
• Accidents – The corridor had a higher than average accident rate, with 205 accidents in five years, resulting in 343 casualties (including 8 fatalities and 75 serious injuries).

The report had concluded that the corridor was unsuitable for the volume of traffic it currently sustained, in particular the volume of LGV traffic.  This was impacting on the local area in terms of noise pollution, vibrations and air quality.

The Working Group had identified two options to reduce the impact of the volume of LGV traffic:

• Bypasses – Previous attempts to secure bypasses along the corridor had been unsuccessful, and costs were likely to make this option unviable.  In addition, bypasses would encourage increased use of the corridor in the long term, which would only exacerbate the existing environmental and social impact.
• “De-priming” – The A338/A346 corridor currently formed part of the National Primary Route Network.  As such, it was not possible to impose weight/width/length or night-time restrictions on the roads.  If the route were to be removed from the Primary Route Network, then such restrictions would be possible. 

Councillor Howard advised that the Working Group’s preferred option was to apply to the Department for Transport for the A338/A346 corridor to be de-primed, and that the Area Board’s support for this approach was now sought.  It was emphasised that further studies/consultation would be required prior to any restrictions being imposed.

The Chairman then invited comments and questions, and the following points were raised:

• Concern from Amesbury Town Councillors that the Working Group’s report focused only on the north of the A303, and that a consequence of de-priming could be that traffic would be displaced through Amesbury.
• More work was needed to identify a route which would take lorries on to the A303 without detriment to Amesbury or Durrington.
• That an additional recommendation be included in the report, to change the height restriction on the St Thomas’s Bridge, London Road, Salisbury.
• A suggestion that when lorries left the south coast, they could be diverted to the A30, A303, A34 and M40, instead of using the A338.

Allan Creedy (Transport and Development Manager) highlighted that the Amesbury Area Board was the third Board to consider the A338/A346 Working Group Report, and so far each Board had reached a different recommendation. Therefore it would be the job of  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive a verbal update from Kevin McCaffrey - Youth Development Officer.

Kevin McCaffrey (Youth Development Coordinator) gave an update to the Board on the progress of issues raised at the CAYPIG meeting in September 2009, in particular the skate park project in Amesbury.

Kevin asked the Board for their help in finding volunteer minibus drivers to transport young people from the rural villages to activities in Amesbury, Durrington and Salisbury.

Anyone interested should contact: Kevin McCaffrey on 01980 654172 or

Karen Linaker on 07917 751728 or by email Karen.linaker@wiltshire.gov.uk

To receive a series of presentations relating to the Stonehenge Community Area Partnership.

Councillor Graham Wright introduced the item, and explained that the Board would hear from three speakers.

Laura Pictor from Wiltshire Forum of Community Area Partnerships (WFCAP) explained what a Community Area Partnership (CAP) was and how it should work, some of the points were:

• Wiltshire now had twenty Community Areas.
• The main purpose of a CAP was community planning.
• CAPs work as an umbrella, that could bring together parishes and working groups that were working separately in the community.
• Community led planning was important, as it uniquely captured views from all walks of life.
• A CAP was able to access hard to reach groups of people.
• A CAP works with a Steering Groups to write the Community Plan.
• The CAP reports the outcome of the Community Plan to the Area Board.

Norman Bayne – Vice Chairman of Stonehenge Community Area Partnership (SCAP) gave an update on the development of SCAP so far, explaining it had been a difficult task but they were determined to make it work. He invited local groups and organisations to nominate representatives who would attend SCAP meetings and provide feedback to their groups.

SCAP planed to generate more interest by attending local events, and parish meetings to discuss the work of the group. SCAP would be attending the Health Fair on 25 February 2010.

Lieutenant Colonel Steadman of Larkhill Garrison gave an update on the work of the Larkhill Community Partnership since its formation in February 2009.

Larkhill had many amenities, including stables, riding, a pony club, clay pigeon shooting and scout facilities. All could be used by the people of Durrington. The military vision for Larkhill was to transform the garrison into a village, making it a nicer place for people to live and work.

Successes delivered in the last ten months include:

• Partnership with SCAP formed
• Funding for long awaited Multi Games Unit secured
• Zebra crossing made safer by a repaint
• Potential for a second zebra crossing had been agreed
• Packway regenerated during a two hour make-over by volunteers
• New signage ‘Welcome to Larkhill’
• 30mph speed limit review for Packway ongoing
• Garrison to deliver activities for their youth
• Speed-watch for local volunteers had been completed
• Dual Dog and Litter bins were in place
• A working plan had been produced that was delivering results
• A new Community Centre had opened in November 2009

Ian Mitchell from the Amesbury Community Partnership (ACP) explained that the group were the successor to the Amesbury Market Town Partnership (AMTP).

The role of the ACP was to deliver, with the help of local stakeholders and agencies, the social and community priorities for Amesbury set out in the ‘Amesbury Community Strategic Action Plan’ produced by the AMTP following extensive local consultation.

Achievements of the ACP included:

• Community Shop
• Updates to the Tourism Leaflet
• ‘Shop Local First’ campaign
• Upgraded toilets in the Town centre
• Production of a Historical DVD with the Amesbury Society

People were urged to register issues of concern on a display at the back of the room for future  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To receive an update from the Community Area Manager on local issues.

Karen Linaker – Community Area Manager, gave an update on the progress of some issues that had been logged on the Issues System. Some of the issues were:

• Requests for cycle routes and footpaths
• Broadband provision in Winterbourne Stoke
• Post office closure in the Wylye Valley
• Coach park spaces in Amesbury
• Dog Fouling
• Light Pollution from local businesses
• Request for a bus shelter for the Bourne Valley route, at the bus stop in Salisbury City Centre
• Absence of a Bus Service on Antrobus Road, Amesbury
• Highway and Road issues in Durrington

You can report an issue in your community area, and track the progress of all issues logged on the system, by going on line to:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/communityandliving/areaboards/amesburyareaboard.htm

The Chairman invited comments from the floor, some of the points raised were:

• A need for improved publicity on the shared taxi service for Antrobus Road was required.
• Urgent improvements were required along Windsor Road, in terms of layout and surfacing, particularly due to the level, type and speed of traffic using the road.
• The amount of pot holes along the Durrington Road had caused expense to residents, in replacing tyres.
• The road surface along the A338 from Broken Cross Bridge was in a poor state.
• The resurfacing of Winterslow Road in Porton had not been included in the priorities matrix, and would be in a terrible state once the Pheasant Road re-opened in March.

Mark Smith – Service Director for Amenities and Leisure agreed to look into the above mentioned road issues, as a matter of priority.

Pot holes could be reported to Clarence by calling 0800 23 23 23. Once reported, a site would be assessed within seven days, and details entered onto the system for repair in order of priority.

To receive updates from the Town and Parish Council representatives.

The Board received updates from Town and Parish Councils.

Amesbury Town Councillor Ian Mitchell commented on the major change to the South West Core Strategy (as publicised in the Salisbury Journal recently) and raised his concern that the evidence base was not robust enough to justify future development, particularly because of the weak transport infrastructure.

Councillor Ian West informed the Board that Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council were pursuing a bid through the South West Regional Development Agency for Broadband provision in their area, and were awaiting the decision which was due in April.

The Chairman gave an update to the Board on behalf of Allington Parish Council, explaining that following the collapse of the cemetery wall there had been some concern that the Parish would be responsible for funding the repair works, estimated at £12,000 – £14,000. It had since been established that Wiltshire Council was responsible for the failing structural work, and would be financing the repairs. The Chairman urged all Parishes to carry out risk assessments on walls and structures which fell under the responsibility of their Parish.

Amesbury Town Councillor Roger Fisher informed the Board that the Town Council had raised a bid of £56,000 of R2 funding for a project to play/leisure equipment in the play park at Harvard Way, for children aged between 8 – 14 years old. It was hoped that the provision of equipment for the older children would alleviate the problem of the toddlers play park being vandalised in the future. The bid would be considered by the Board, at the next full meeting on 29 April 2010.

The Board were asked to review the Town Councils request for R2 funding for this project before the next meeting in April, to speed up the process and allow the Town Council to get the project underway.

Decision

That the Community Area Manager would look into ensuring that a decision to confirm R2 funding was made as soon as possible and preferably prior to the 29 April 2010 meeting.

To receive feedback from Wiltshire Councillors following recent meetings of groups on which they preside as the Board’s representatives.

Councillor Graham Wright gave an update from the last meeting of the Durrington Swimming Pool Management Body, some points covered were:

• At the last meeting of the Body, there had been support for the Dance 4 Life initiative.
• Figures showed that the numbers of users of the Centre remained the same.
• A PR campaign to advertise the facility more widely was planned.
• Sponsorship would be sought through SCAP.

Councillor John Noeken undertook to provide the minutes from the last meeting of the Amesbury Sports & Community Centre Managing Body to the Democratic services Officer for inclusion in the minutes. Some of the points discussed at the meeting of 10 February 2010 were:

• There has been no response from individual customers to form a ‘User Group’.  An invite would be sent to users and club members.
• Building works in the neighbouring Amesbury Community Resource Centre were due to be completed by 20 February 2010.
• Results from the Wiltshire Leisure Facilities Strategy, an ongoing review of the 23 Wiltshire Council leisure facilities across the County, was expected Summer/Autumn 2010.  Councillor Noeken proposed the gathering of financial and usage figures in preparation of any findings/conclusions from this review.
• The idea of a new 3G multi-use games area on the area between the sports centre and Holders Road was discussed.  The idea originates from Phil Monk from the Stonehenge School, further discussion would take place.
• The next meeting would be on 5 May 2010, 7pm at Amesbury Community & Resource Centre.

The Board will consider three applications for funding from the following:

• Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council
• Durrington Walls Wind Band
• Bulford Parish Council

Councillor John Noeken introduced the item, explaining that he was the Chairman of the Grant Review Panel. Also on the Panel this round was Trevor Woodbridge (Independent Representative) and Roger Fisher (Parish Council Representative).

Applicants that were present were invited to speak on their applications. After hearing from the applicants, the Board discussed the applications, and then voted on each one.

Councillor Ian West left the room and did not vote for the first application from Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council, as he was a member of that Council.

Decision

Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council was awarded £490 towards their project to replace the Parish notice board.

Reason

The application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and would provide a useful asset for the community.

Decision

Durrington Walls Wind Band was awarded £922 towards their project to provide music tuition for local children from families experiencing financial hardship.

Reason

The applicationmet the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and would provide an opportunity for children who would otherwise be prevented from learning to play a musical instrument.

Decision

Bulford Parish Council was awarded £5,000 towards the refurbishment of the village hall kitchen.

Reason

The applicationmet the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2009/10 and would benefit the local community.

The Chairman informed the Board that Cabinet had agreed that Area Boards could roll over any unspent funding to the next financial year.  This applied for this year only and did not set a precedent for future years.

Councillors to consider whether to endorse applications for funding from the Performance Reward Grant Scheme (Report Attached).

Councillor John Noeken explained that the Board had been asked to endorse two bids for funding from the Performance Reward Grant Scheme, to enable them to be passed to the next stage. The applications were:

• Avon Valley College for a grant of £20,000 to assist with capital costs of building a purpose led Media Centre to provide facilities to aid and enhance the college and surrounding community.

• Durrington Town Council for a grant of £7,495 to assist with the costs of a ‘Larkhill Rejuvenation and Road Safety Project’.

Decision

The Area Board agreed to support the bid from Avon Valley College, for £20,000 towards their Media Centre project, for the college and surrounding communities to use. The applicant was requested to ensure that the facilities of the Media Centre were widely advertised to ensure maximum community use.

Decision

The Area Board agreed to support the bid from Durrington Town Council for £7,495 towards their ‘Larkhill Rejuvenation and Road Safety Project’, as it demonstrated real partnership working with the Larkhill Garrison.

Councillor Graham Wright left the room and did not vote for the application from Durrington Town Council, as he was a member of that Council.

The Area Board will jointly host a Health Fair and Seminar with NHS Wiltshire and the Stonehenge Community Area Partnership on the 25 February 2010, from 3pm at The Bowman Centre, Amesbury.

Please see the attached Amesbury Area Board Forward Work Plan, which contains a list of forthcoming agenda items for 2010/11. This list is subject to change.

The Chairman informed the Board that a Forward Work Plan had been produced and was attached to the agenda, but warned that as it was a working document it was subject to change.

One member of the public asked if the Chairman would consider either not having a timed agenda, or if timed then could the Board stick to the timing of the items, so not to over run so greatly.

Councillor Fred Westmoreland was pleased to see that a Forward Plan had been produced and suggested that for the April meeting, more of the items could be produced as written reports for noting, as there was no need for a presentation every time. This would save some time at the meeting and would assist the Chairman in keeping to the timing on the agenda.

The Chairman explained that it was difficult not to over run and allow everyone who wished to speak the opportunity to do so. He announced that an opportunity for consultation with Town and Parish Councils would be arranged to discuss the development of the Area Board so far, the date of that meeting would be circulated in due course. He thanked everyone for attending the meeting.