Agenda and minutes

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

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

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·       Councillor Fred Westmoreland

·       Councillor Graham Wright

·       Councillor Toby Sturgis

And also from:

·       Mike Franklin – WFRS

·       Mark Smith – Service Director Neighbourhood Services

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2012.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 19 July 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillors are requested to declare any pecuniary or non-pecuniary interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive updates from:-

a)    the Town and Parish Council Representatives;

b)    from other partners; and

c)     outside bodies on which the Area Board is represented.

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.

Councillor West passed on the thanks of Winterbourne Stoke Parish Council for the traffic count completed on the A303. This detailed 1064 vehicles broke the speed limit with speeds of 46.84 mph and above and showed there is real concern. He highlighted two issues being linked, these being cars jumping red lights at the pedestrian crossing and the tailback of traffic in Winterbourne Stoke at peak periods which have arisen from the completion of works at Countess Road roundabout.

NHS

Written report noted

Wiltshire Involvement Network

Written report noted

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Written report noted.

Police

Inspector Lange introduced the written report circulated at the meeting and attached to these minutes. He highlighted the increase in non-domestic burglary, which he explained was a trend seen throughout the south of the country and emphasised the need to lock sheds and garages. He welcomed the reduction in Anti-Social Behaviour and explained they would continue to work in the same style given the success seen.

He provided an update on the theft of catalytic converters, confirming an arrest had been made which had led to a conviction and fine.

He welcomed the enthusiasm seen for the Speedwatch working group, and highlighted the need to manage expectations within this.

In response to questions he confirmed that he had not seen a significant increase in child abuse cases in the Wiltshire area.

Councillor Hewitt introduced the written report and appendices seen at pages 31 to 36 of the agenda and drew attention to the following amendments:

In the Update from the Community Area Transport Group:-

Paragraph 3.2 the table should read:

Paragraph 4 should read:

The Amesbury Community Area Transport Group’s Budget currently stands at £15,779. If the board agrees the recommendation (ii) below, this will leave £5,157 available for spend in 2012/13

Paragraph 5 (ii) should read:

To support the Group’s decision’s to commit £10,622 from the 2012/13 budget, as detailed in paragraph 3.2 above.

He explained that the Amesbury dropped kerb work would be held back till after completion of works at Broken Cross Bridge.

The good work of the Group was noted, and both the CATG and the Police were thanked for their work on the school run.

Decision:

1.     The Board noted the minutes; and

2.     The Board supported the Group’s decisions to commit £10,622 from the 2012/13 budget as detailed.

To receive an update on the A338 Broken Cross Bridge closure.

Councillor Hewitt introduced the update provided at pages 37 and 38 of the agenda.

He explained that access to the gated area would be opened to let traffic through the Winterbournes and Laverstock Ford via a hard surface over the fields. The other side would be gated and only vehicles with permits would be allowed through. Gatemen would allow access to taxis, public transport, emergency vehicles and doctors.

In answering questions he confirmed that deliveries to housebound people would still be permitted as an exception, and that the Council would be relying on local people as well as doctors and parish councils to identify such people. He confirmed that only houses in the gated area would be leafleted

To inform the Board about the forthcoming roadworks at Longbarrow

Mark Arberry from the Highways Agency and Graham Lyons from ASJU introduced the presentation which detailed why the works were being done and confirmed that the exact date was not yet known. He explained that overnight work seen on the schedule could be misrepresented and clarified it was for resurfacing works at the end of the programme and would be restricted to a few nights.

He explained that they would be maintaining a single carriageway throughout the works and they were hoping to keep the A360 open throughout. Plans for diversion saw a similar strategy to the one used at the Countess roundabout works and every effort would be made to give drivers the opportunity to leave the A303 where possible.

The bottleneck caused by traffic in the outside eastbound A303 lane where the road narrows was identified as a pinch point and road markings would used to make it as clear as possible and keep the A303 flowing.

In answer to questions he explained that they were hoping not have to close the road for 8 days as seen in the plan, that they were holding regular meetings with Wiltshire Council on the continuing works at Airman’s Cross and that they had looked at a potential diversion along the A345 Amesbury, although they were confident this would not be needed.

He was reminded that Shrewton High Street could not take any more traffic and asked to bear this in mind when looking at diversions.

Confirmation was given that there would be no traffic lights installed at Longbarrow as the need was not there at present, they would take in account that holiday traffic would be diminishing until the Christmas congestion and they would look to adjust their work process to take this into account. He agreed that an emergency phone number would be made available throughout the works and a letter would be sent to the stakeholder and a board placed on the road.

The Board thanked Mark and Graham for attending the meeting.

Councillor Richard Britton gave a verbal update on the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner which showed a major shift in governance.

He reminded the Board of the date for election for the Commissioner being 15 November 2012, and gave details of their roles and responsibilities which included setting the precept, producing the Police and Crime Plan and holding the Chief Constable to account for delivery of the Police and Crime Plan.

He explained that the Police and Crime Commissioner was an elected person with real power, setting priorities and strategic planning however they had no control over operational matters.

He provided an overview of the Police and Crime Panel which was a politically balanced body with the power to veto the precept, veto to appointment of the Chief Constable and hold the Commissioner to account on the delivery of their plan. The Panel was composed of elected members who were well placed to understand community priorities.

In answering questions he confirmed that anyone wishing to stand for the role of the Police and Crime Commissioner needed 100 signatures from registered electors within the police area and a £5000 deposit.    

To receive a presentation from Derek Streek, Head of Housing Management, informing and consulting the Area Board on the review.

Derek Streek, Head of Housing Management, introduced the presentation and explained that Wiltshire Council was conducting a review of all social housing as a result of the introduction and potential implications of the Welfare Reform Act. These were detailed as the loss of benefits for certain people due to under occupancy and were causing concern.

He explained that the Localism Act 2011 provided guidance on future allocations and gave the council freedom to manage their waiting list and exclude certain categories. At present Wiltshire Council operated an open waiting list. A consultation was starting today which gave people the opportunity to provide their views and he asked the meeting’s opinions on a range of possible measures.

The responses to the questions were:

1.     How should a Wiltshire Council consider Local Connection?

a.     Maintain an open register for all

b.     A Local Connection to Wiltshire is required to join

c.     Priority to those with a local connection in the area – All in favour

2.     What is a Local Connection to an area?

a.     Employed in the area – 12 in favour

b.     Lives or previously lived in the area – 11 in favour

c.     Family currently reside in the area – 16 in favour

3.     Should additional priorities be given to the following?

a.     Under Occupation – 14 in favour

b.     Employment – 12 in favour

c.     Training – 1 in favour

d.     Those who volunteer in the community – 3 in favour

4.     Should we include any exclusions in with the policy?

a.     Those with no identified housing need – 10 in favour

b.     Those evicted or caused severe Anti-Social Behaviour – 14 in favour

c.     Those with significant rent arrears – 9 in favour

He explained that the intention today was to start the debate and thanked everyone for taking part.

To consider an application from Amesbury Town Council for the transfer of a small piece of land toward the top of South Mill Hill, Amesbury.

Karen Linaker, Community Area Manager explained that this item had been withdrawn under the Crichel Down rule. Concern was raised as to how this had not been indentified earlier and it was confirmed that this would be taken up with the Director of Law and Governance.

A query over village hall bin removals was noted and feedback to Councillor Sturgis to get a response. Concern was raised over the cut in opening hours at household recycling centres, it was requested that these be changed back.

(ACTION: Karen Linaker)

It was noted that the next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board would be held on 22 November 2012 from 6.00 pm.

An informal meeting of the Amesbury Area Board with town and parish councils would take place on Monday 18 October 2012 at the Bowman Centre, Shears Drive, Archers Gate, Amesbury SP4 7XT from 6.00 pm

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.