Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Amesbury Area Board and thanked Shrewton Recreational Hall for hosting the meeting.

In particular the Chairman welcomed to the meeting the new Chair of Shrewton Parish Council, Carole Slater, and wished her the best during her tenure.

At the Chairman’s invitation, the Councillors and officers sitting at the front of the meeting introduced themselves.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2011 and the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held on 28 June 2011.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 June 2011 and the minutes of the Extraordinary meeting held 28 June 2011 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Wright declared a personal and prejudicial interest in item 14.4, a Community Area Grant application from the Larkhill Community Action Partnership, as he was the Chairman of that organisation. Councillor Wright confirmed that he would speak to introduce the application but then leave the room during the consideration of the grant.

Councillor Westmoreland and Councillor Noeken declared a prejudicial interest in item no.14.1 (grant application from Amesbury Town Council), as they were both members of Amesbury Town Council.  Both Councillors confirmed that they would leave the room during consideration of this grant only.

Additionally Councillor Westmoreland declared a personal interest in item no.14.5 (grant application from The Amesbury Society), as he had previous involvement in this project.

The Chairman began by noting with regret the sad passing of the former Chairman of Winterbourne Parish Council, Professor Tony Atkinson, who had served his community excellently for many years.

a)    Age UK Befriending Service 

The Chairman welcomed David Kane, who was at the meeting representing the Age UK Befriending service. This was a project which had received funding from the Area Board at the 2 December 2010 meeting. Mr Kane explained that the first 5 months had been a success, and the organisation was now seeking volunteers in particular parishes within the Amesbury community area in order to meet demand. He invited the representatives of the area’s Town and Parish Councils to liaise with Age UK further to ensure those needing the befriending service were aware of it. Information boards and leaflets were available for those requiring further information.

b)    Feedback from Amesbury Carnival

At the Chairman’s invitation Cllr Noeken read out a statement from Amesbury Town Council which gave details of the Amesbury Carnival held Saturday 04 June. Cllr Smale, Cllr Noeken, Cllr Wright and Vicky Cobbold attended on behalf of the Area Board. It was explained that 66 trade and other stands attended the carnival, which attracted around 5,000 people throughout the course of the day.

Letters were sent to all Parish Councils in the community area, inviting them to attend, and next year there will be a pre-meeting with interested Parish and Town Councils to maximise their engagement with the carnival.

c)    e-Petition re Allotments in Steeple Langford

The Chairman noted that an e-petition with 17 signatures had been received, relating to the building of housing on land in Steeple Langford.  Officers were investigating the appropriate response and would be in contact with the petitioners.

d)    Core Strategy Consultation

Information relating to the Core Strategy Consultation was set out on pages 23-25. The Chairman clarified that the document was not the South-West Core Strategy rather it was the generalist strategy for the whole local authority area. There were however some policies and omissions which would impact the local area.

Councillors Wright and Noeken had concerns over the (re-)designation of the A345 and its continued heavy usage and the omission in the core strategy of mention of the A303 in the transport section. Cllr Noeken explained that he and Cllr Wright would ensure an appropriate additional submission was sent in to the council’s planning department to correct this.

e)    Older People’s Accommodation Strategy

The Chairman explained that this was a major programme that the Council would implement over the next 10 years, with the aim of modernising accommodation for older people and to ensure the best-quality and most efficient response to the local needs. Further information was available at pages 27-28 of the Agenda.

f)     Temporary Closure of Winterslow Road, Porton

The Chairman highlighted the temporary closure of Winterslow Road, Porton and at the invitation of Cllr Hewitt, Steve Wilson, (Divisional Highways Manager) explained that access for local residents would remain unaffected by the works, whilst access  ...  view the full minutes text for item 5.

Vicky Cobbold, Amesbury Community Area Manager, reported receipt of two new local issues through the online system. The first issue concerned speeding in Upper Woodford. She was due to meet with a Highways Engineer to agree a location for the metrocount, to ascertain the actual speed of vehicles in the location. The second issue involved speeding and the use of signage along the Upper Gomeldon Road. This query had been passed onto the appropriate engineer.

The Community Area Manager urged local people to raise issues affecting them using the online system as a first point of call.

ACTION: VICKY COBBOLD

Opportunity for updates and information sharing from the Town & Parish Council Representatives, and from other partner organisations.

The Chairman referred to the updates set out in the agenda and invited further updates from Town/Parish Councils and other Partners, including outside bodies.  It was noted that the preferred option was for written updates, to minimise time spent during the meeting.

Police

Inspector Martyn Sweett referred to the written report set out at pages 31-33 of the Agenda. He noted that the Summer solstice celebrations at Stonehenge had passed off relatively well, with a still visible drugs problem but no increase year-on-year.

There was a 4% decrease in the level of total reported crime against the previous year, with the problem of graffiti in the Amesbury area now beginning to tail off. Drugs and metal theft remained issues which the police would pro-actively seek to tackle.

Fire and Rescue

The written update at pages 35-36 was noted.

NHS Wiltshire

The written update at page 37 was noted.

Town and Parish Council updates

No updates were received from Town or Parish councils for inclusion with the agenda.

Presentation from Barry Coombs – see information in the agenda pack.

Barry Coombs explained the work of Community Transport SAFE Wiltshire (Comtrans SW), for whom he was a general manager. The organisation offered low-cost community cars, shoppers’ buses, trips for older people and also contracted for Wiltshire Council.

He wished to highlight a new service that his organisation was prepared to trial if there was sufficient demand. This was a weekly service on a Wednesday from Shrewton, Larkhill, and Durrington service to Amesbury. To join the service local people could become members of the partnership for a £10 fee.

The service, which also offered concessionary fees, was a great opportunity for the local community to provide isolated older people / those on low-income a chance to go shopping and gain cheap access to Amesbury. If sufficient interest was received, then there was the additional possibility of two trips per Wednesday, both of which would be in a fully accessible minibus, equipped with fully-trained and experienced volunteer drivers.

Mr Coombs explained that this service could only operate if sufficient demand was made clear to Comtrans SW.

If you are interested in this service, please contact Comtrans SW, via the main office number 01722 410123.

The Chairman introduced this item by first explaining that the update related to the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) promoted by Wiltshire Council at Airman’s corner regarding Byway 12.

The Stopping Up Orders (SUO) Inquiry formally closed on Monday 27 June 2011 and the Traffic Regulation Order (TRO) Inquiry had been adjourned until Tuesday 20 September 2011. This was in abeyance due to an error in the original notification of the inquiry to objectors.

Despite this break in the Inquiry, the Chairman reported that it should not be considered ‘extra time’ as the Inspector had made it very clear that only circumstances in which he will accept new evidence will be if he considers it pertinent.

Councillor West reported that he had helped create a petition of over 400 local parishioners against the changes which was submitted to the relevant parties. He had appeared as a witness at the SUO Inquiry and would also appear as a witness at the TRO Inquiry. He expected the TRO to force the temporary closing of the B3086 during the works in order to allow a diversion, and that the work would eventually lead to an improved roundabout at Longbarrow Roundabout.

Steve Wilson, Local Roads Manager - Southern Division, then confirmed that there was a specific website for the inquiry and there was a programme officer, Helen Wilson who could be contacted with queries about the Inquiry process

Please see the below address for further information:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/stonehengeinquiry.htm

To receive a presentation on the new Waste and Recycling Collection Service including details on the new optional, free garden waste collection.

The Chairman introduced Tracy Carter, Service Director, Waste Management Service, who gave a presentation outlining the New Waste and Recycling Collection Service.

The changes were based on the belief that all Wiltshire residents deserve the same level of service, regardless of where they live in the county. As a local area, Wiltshire needs to recycle more and landfill less, the waste disposal costs are rapidly increasing and landfill tax will be £80.00 per tonne by 2014, Tracy explained. In this context there was an opportunity to offer additional recycling services to ALL residents, something which would support the aims of the council.

Details of the new service are as below:

A public consultation was completed during summer 2010, and concluded that 72% of residents were in favour of the proposed new service.

All those attending were encouraged to sign-up now for new non-chargeable garden waste collections, to receive a new green-lidded bin early next year and start recycling garden waste from March 2012. Residents who already have a garden waste collection will keep the same bin and did not have to sign up again.

The application period would remain open until 30 September 2011, and residents could sign up via the Council’s website, www.wiltshire.gov.uk/gardenbin, by phoning 0300 456 0102 or by filling in the application form and returning it to the freepost address. The new bins would be delivered in February 2012.

The Chairman thanked Tracy for her presentation and invited questions and comments.

·         Responding to a question regarding fly-tipping and the potential for an increase in this following the proposed changes, Tracy highlighted the fact that a similar system has been in use for some years in the former Kennet and West Wiltshire district council areas with no increase in levels of fly-tipping. She explained that Wiltshire Council is responsible for the picking up of dumped waste on all land it holds responsibility for – including for example the highways under its control. Sidewaste (excess waste left by the side of the wheeled bin), will not be collected. Fly-tipping on private land remained the responsibility of the landowner, but the Council was committed to identifying and prosecuting persistent offenders.

·         Further questions were asked of the policy and it was explained that the Council will capture new residential developments in its database and they will be provided with green bins and other services as necessary. The department recognised that the provision of the new Waste and Recycling Collection Service would be an ongoing commitment.

·         Several of those present asked why under current recycling policy, the Council demanded a strict separation of different types of plastic. It was explained that separation ensured that contamination of the collected plastics remained low and as a result ensured that the end product of recycled goods remained a marketable product.

David Fuller, Amesbury Town Council, asked why there were no communal bins for residual waste offered by the council, and would this be an area to look at for possible improvements and savings. Tracy  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To receive a presentation from Damien Haasjes (Voluntary Sector Youth Development Co-Ordinator) on the Commissioning Strategy for Services to 13-19 year olds, and how this will affect youth services in the Amesbury Community Area.

Cabinet member for Children’s Services, Councillor Lionel Grundy introduced this item. He began by saying that Youth Services had been under review since the early days of the unitary council and before, in order to improve the service delivered to Wiltshire’s young people and deliver value for money. He encouraged those present to contribute to the ongoing consultation, and especially to encourage contributions from local schools and schoolchildren.

Thereafter Damian Haasjes (Voluntary Sector Development Manager) gave a presentation on the consultation document “Commissioning Strategy for Young People Aged 13-19). This document sought to improve outcomes for young people in Wiltshire by providing a good range of quality services, providing an early response to the needs of young people, and by improving partnership working.  The document had a broad scope and included services such as health, education, leisure, and housing amongst others.

A number of actions had already been undertaken in order to seek input into the consultation, including a number of workshops and events for young people and those who worked in the relevant service areas, including 2/3 young people per community area.

Key issues identified for young people were transport, lack of facilities in villages, lack of jobs, and the high cost of housing. The most requested facilities were Kitchen facilities, by a clear margin, and thereafter I.T suites.

Damian clarified that the consultation had started on 13 May and would run until 5 August 2011.

It was also clarified that the youth service needed to make savings of around £600,000 – it was hoped that this could be achieved through rationalisation of staff and buildings. These savings would take effect from April 2012.

In terms of the future provision of youth services, a number of options had been proposed; these were set out in the tabled paper, and could also be viewed on the Council’s website.  In summary they consisted of:

1. Testing the market for Youth Work services to be provided under contract via competitive tendering. 
2. Developing local partnerships with the voluntary sector or secondary schools / colleges.
3. Local management of services and closer alignment with Campus developments.
4. Changing local youth work offer through reduced reliance of existing buildings – this would probably be via four centres across the county.  It was likely that the nearest one to Amesbury would be in Salisbury.

Damian noted there was already good voluntary sector support for youth services in the Amesbury area from existing local organisations.

The Chairman thanked Damian for the presentation.

The Chairman then asked for questions and comments from those present.

Members of the Committee and officers highlighted two existing methods whereby young people in need of transport could receive funding – vouchers which are issued to young people from deprived backgrounds, and through the delegation of £5000 to each area board for transport funding purposes.

Cllr Westmoreland asked why the existing Amesbury Community Resource Centre was not being used by youth services, as it would seem an ideal venue for a youth cafe / drop-in centre.

Allington  ...  view the full minutes text for item 11.

The Area Board is recommended to allocate £3000 of funding towards a youth involvement initiative called Amesbury Area Board Children’s Voice.

Extended Schools officer, Sam Jennings-Bramly outlined the background to the grant application. A total of £3000 was requested for a youth government initiative called Amesbury Area Community Voice.

Work had begun on this project, and phase one would involve projects with school councils, and liaison amongst them, in the form of the School Council Network. Such work would begin to form a way that young people can have a meaningful channel for their thoughts on their area, she explained. The Grant would aim to establish a regular and ongoing dialogue between the young people of the Area and the Area Board and to help the children’s voices influence decision-making.

Consultation already carried out with local children had identified several areas of concern – local wildlife, play spaces and a concern about the mixing of young and older children.

Events could also be linked to the ongoing Amesbury 2012 initiative and even involve the establishment of a Young People’s Area Board – to be attended by the unitary councillors.

The presentation was welcomed by the members of the area board who strongly supported the application.

Decision:

The Amesbury Area Board agreed to assist the Amesbury Area Board’s Children’s Voice (4 – 16yrs) initiative and allocated £3000 from the youth funding budget.

To receive a presentation from Nicola Gregson (Head of Commissioning: Care, Support and Accommodation) on the programme to improve services to support older people and vulnerable people in their own homes.

Nicola Gregson, (Head of Commissioning: Care, Support and Accommodation), delivered a presentation on the programme to help improve services to support older people and vulnerable people in their own homes. It was explained that the Council has been working with the NHS and residents of Wiltshire on a major review of the services that are available to older and vulnerable people living in the county. This is called ‘Help to live at Home’. This county-wide initiative aimed to improve the experiences of vulnerable adults and carers who require support, whilst ensuring that the changes are sustainable in the future.

A key response coming out of early conversations was that there was so much choice of providers in some areas of service provision that older people were sometimes overwhelmed. It was also felt that it was too difficult to get help when it is needed. These two factors could lead to poor take-up of services to which Wiltshire residents were entitled.

Many older people (around 40% according to statistics), were suffering from depression, and concern about crises at night, loneliness and isolation figured highly in consultation responses received.

Finally lots of money was identified as being wasted from duplication of functions. The Council aimed to provide an improved service to an increasing number of vulnerable people by taking the following steps:

•      Bringing together a variety of separate services into one so that a single service is able to meet a wider range of needs.  The sort of services Wiltshire Council are including in this are personal care in the home, housing support and other services that support people in their homes.

•      Ensuring these services focus on helping people learn or re-learn skills they may have lost as a result of illness, or another event that has resulted in them losing confidence and needing some help.

•      Making even better use of the wide range of community services that there are in Wiltshire.

•      Making sure these services are focused on doing what people want and helping people to live independent and fulfilling lives.

•      Supporting sheltered accommodation schemes.

The Chairman thanked Nicola for the presentation. The following points were stressed in discussion following the presentation:

·         The plans were excellent, but needed to be delivered and monitored.

·         Training of older people to act as a monitoring group was a welcome idea, which could ensure the programme’s success and ensure oversight.

·         The Pendant help system that allows vulnerable people to alert outsiders when they have an accident or otherwise are in danger was also praised as an example where technology could be universally helpful and give confidence to those wearing it.

Officers clarified that once the review was complete four organisations would be chosen to run the services. They may in turn sub-contract elements of their work.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillor John Noeken, Lead member for Grants, introduced this item, thanking the other members of the grants panel who had assisted in reviewing the bids: Stan Stubbs (Chairman - Bourne Valley Alliance) and David Healing (Durrington Parish Council).

The Chair clarified that although on the grants panel; Cllr Noeken had left the room during this item and would also do so again for the first application, as he had declared a prejudicial interest.

Grant 1 – Amesbury 2012 & beyond

The Mayor of Amesbury, Cllr Richard Crook outlined the application on behalf of Amesbury Town Council, noting in particular that the council had done extensive research amongst residents to find out what activities they most desired to be included in this project, and 308 messages of support had been received. It was also made clear that the classes, events and other activities were not exclusively for Amesbury residents – rather they were open to all.

Decision

Amesbury Town Council was awarded £4250 towards the Amesbury 2012 & beyond project.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2010/11 and would support a project which would provide activities, education and entertainment for residents of Amesbury and the community area in general, and in doing so benefit the local economy.

Grant 2 – Bulford St Leonards Scout Group

Mr Bob Jones, from the 2^nd Bulford St Leonards Scout group attended the meeting and spoke in support of his organisation’s application, noting in particular the ongoing success of the group and adding the fact that a long-term lease had been obtained on the land, and that the group were in the process of obtaining competitive quotes for the work to be done.

Decision

2^nd Bulford St Leonards Scout Group was awarded £5000 towards the replacement of their existing accommodation.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2010/11 and would ensure the future viability of the 2^nd Bulford St Leonards Scout Group

Grant 3 – Girl Guiding Wiltshire South group

Mrs Rose Dare, representing the Girl Guiding Wiltshire South group updated the area board on the application for a new boiler – and informed the group that the previous boiler had in fact broken down, and reserves were used to fund an immediate replacement.

Decision

Wiltshire South Guiding was awarded £5000 towards the purchase and installation of a new boiler for their headquarters in Berwick St. James, pending confirmation of verbal statements made at the meeting regarding the failure of the existing boiler.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2010/11 and would ensure the continued viability of the Wiltshire South Guiding group.

Grant 4 – Larkhill Community Action Partnership – St Barbara’s Hall

The Unit Welfare officer of 19.Regiment, Major RA John Le Feuvre, summarised the application, listed those groups who would potentially benefit if funding was obtained and informed the board of an agreement in principle with partners to maintain the fabric of the building for 30 years.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

To note the attached Forward Work Plan.

The next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board will be held on 22 September 2011, 6pm at Durrington Village Hall, High Street Durrington, SP4 8AD.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board would be held on September 22 2011, at Durrington Village Hall, High Street Durrington, SP4 8AD.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.