Agenda and minutes

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·       Karen Linaker – Amesbury Community Area Manager

·       Mark Smith – Service Director Neighbourhood Services

·       Janet Tidd – Idminston Parish Council / Good Neighbour Co-Ordinator

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2012.

a)    Informal Adult Education in Wiltshire – update

b)    Understanding Autism

c)     Local Funding for Towns

Community Infrastructure Levy

The Chairman drew attention to the announcement circulated at the meeting and attached to these minutes and highlighted that the consultation deadline had been extended for Town and Parish Councils until Wednesday 5 December 2012.

a)    Informal Adult Education in Wiltshire - update

More information was available on page 13 of the agenda. The Chairman drew attention to the Cabinet decision to facilitate adult education locally.

b)    Understanding Autism

The information available on pages 15 to 18 of the agenda was noted. The Chairman drew attention to the new plan and noted that it would be discussed by the Community Facilities, Health and Well-Being Group.

c)     Local Funding for Towns

The information available at page 19 of the agenda was noted and Amesbury Town were congratulated on their successful bid.

d)    Potential Bus Station Closure

Councillor Noeken drew attention to news of the closure of the Wilts. & Dorset bus stations in Amesbury and Salisbury to enable their sale for redevelopment. The Board agreed to notify the planning department of their concerns regarding the bus stop and pick up positions and the need to give consideration to lay-bys within any redevelopment proposal.

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.

NHS

Written report noted.

Wiltshire Involvement Network

Written report noted.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Written report noted.

Police

Inspector Lange introduced the report seen at pages 27 to 29 of the agenda. He noted that there had been an increase in non-domestic burglaries year on year and this area would be targeted. He highlighted that 7 warrants had been issued in the last 10 days to search houses, which had resulted in stolen goods being recovered. He urged people who had lost items to contact the police. He confirmed that work undertaken to address the issue of young people in Amesbury town had been quite successful.

In response to questions he confirmed he would look at the law around mobile traffic lights and that he would take both the issue of people running red lights at Broken Cross Bridge and the speeding issue within the closed road to the next Speeding Working Group to look at ways they can help.

Boundary Commission

Councillor West informed the Board that the Boundary Commission had adopted the counter proposals for Till and Wylye Valley, which restored them to the Salisbury constituency and thanked the public for their support. He urged all to support the revised proposals.

Tenants Panel

Councillor Hewitt announced he would be seeking representatives from the Tenants Panel to report back to their Area Boards.

To receive updates from the Community Plan Working Groups:

·       Crime and Community Safety

·       Sport, Culture and Leisure

·       Community Facilities, Health and Well-Being

·       Environment

·       Housing, Economic Development, Tourism and Planning

Community Facilities, Health and Well-Being

The first meeting of the group had identified target areas which required specialist work.

Crime and Community Safety

Work had been done to identify the level of detail needed to advance issues including domestic abuse and alcohol misuse, and further mapping exercises were needed to make advances in these areas. Attention was drawn to the current Alcohol Awareness Week and all were encouraged to take the pledge to give up alcohol for 2 days a week.

Sport, Leisure and Culture

It was highlighted that the responsibility for this crossed into the remit for the Shadow Community Operations Board (SCOB) and the group were looking forward to being a useful arm for the SCOB team in terms of information gathering. Concern over transport for youth to get to sport facilities was raised and it was noted that this was currently under investigation.

Environment

Dog fouling was one of the priority issues identified and Parishes highlighted the need to understand the law behind dog fouling and enforcement. The need for funding local training was noted.

Housing, Economic Development, Planning and Tourism

The need for simplified guides to planning, neighbourhood plans and asset transfer was highlighted. The idea for a community diary was well received and supported.

To receive an update from the Speeding Working Group

Councillor Hewitt provided an update on the work of the CATG, talking through the budget sheet seen on page 31 of the agenda and highlighted how it showed the benefits of partnership working.

Thanks was given to the CATG for the work on Church Street in Amesbury which would provide a major improvement and the dropped kerbs completed in Salisbury Road, Shrewton which had improved road safety.

The Board noted the budget.

To introduce Janet Tidd as the Good Neighbour Co-Ordinator for the Amesbury area.

To view a short film on the impact of the Welfare Reform Bill. More information can be found in the agenda.

To receive a presentation from Graeme Morrison celebrating the year’s events.

To agree nominations to the Amesbury Shadow Campus Operations Board.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler introduced the item and detailed how the shadow community operations board (SCOB) would assist with the planning of the campus proposal for the Amesbury Community Area. He explained that it would include accessible IT facilities, community space, catering facilities and personal care facilities for the disabled.

He explained that the key role of the SCOB would be to consult with and communicate out to the local community identifying what facilities are both wanted and needed in the community area.

In response to questions he explained that a review of leisure services had shown that it would cost the same to implement the campus programme as it would to keep existing leisure facilities open and health and safety compliant.

Decision:

i.                 The Board agreed the appointments to the Amesbury Shadow Community Operations Board as detailed below:

ii.               The Board agreed to extend the expression of interest for a representative of the Wider Community for another three weeks.

To facilitate the smooth and efficient running of Area Board business and to reduce the need for unnecessary extraordinary meetings the Board is asked to consider the following recommendation:  

That in respect of urgent matters that may arise from time to time between meetings of an Area Board, the Community Area Manager, in consultation with the unitary councillors on the Area Board, be granted delegated authority to make any necessary decisions (such as agreement of CATG funding allocations and Community Area Partnership Funding).  A report explaining the decision and the reasons why it was considered to be urgent shall be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the area board to ensure that such decisions are subject to public examination.

The Board was asked to agree the recommendation as set out in the agenda.

Decision:

The Board agreed that in respect of urgent matters that may arise from time to time between meetings of an Area Board, the Community Area Manager, in consultation with the Unitary Councillors on the Area Board, , be granted delegated authority to make any necessary decisions (such as agreement of CATG funding allocations and Community Area Partnership Funding). A report explaining the decision and the reasons why it was considered to be urgent shall be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the Area Board to ensure that such decisions are subject to public examination.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillor John Noeken, Lead Member for Grants, introduced this item.

Decision

Splitz Support Service was awarded £3250 towards TeenZtalk.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the community plan by helping young people involved in or affected by domestic abuse.

Decision

Bourne Valley Scout Group was awarded £800 towards Scout Archery.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the Community Plan by providing additional activities for young people in one of the more rural parts of the community area.

Small Grants Scheme

Decision

Orcheston Wives was awarded £350 towards Orcheston 1900.

Reason - The application met the Small Grants Scheme Criteria 2012/13.

(ACTION: Karen Linaker)

The forward plan was noted.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board would be held on 31 January 2013 from 6.00 pm – venue to be confirmed.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and apologised for the lack of technical support due to the awful weather conditions to the North.