Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Amesbury Area Board and thanked Lady Antrobus Trust 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 Carol Slater, Shrewton Parish Council.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2012.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 22 November 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

a)    Police and Crime Plan Consultation

More information was available on page 9 of the agenda. Matt Bennion-Pedley from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner confirmed the Commissioner’s hope of an ongoing dialogue and confirmed the consultation would be online from 18 February.

b)    Emergency Planning Exercise

The Board noted the details of the exercise and asked that any ideas arising or lessons learnt from the recent bad weather be forwarded to Karen Linaker.

c)     Wiltshire Online

The information available on pages 11 to 15 of the agenda was noted. It was announced that the contract had been signed with BT and a further update would be brought to the board regarding coverage and guaranteed speeds as soon as available.

Karen Linaker, Amesbury Community Area Manager, drew attention to the online submission form available on the website. She explained that the 6 speeding issues from Berwick St James were followed up by the transport group, and noted the Berwick St James speeding group was very proactive.

Councillor Smale provided an update on the issue of school buses not connecting to Allington. He explained officers and Councillor Richard Gamble, Portfolio Holder, were aware of the problem and currently consulting with the bus company and schools regarding timetabling. A full review of bus trips would be completed.

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.

WIN

Written report noted. Attention was drawn to the public meeting being held on Saturday 2 February 2013 which was to discuss the transition from WIN to Healthwatch Wiltshire. It was agreed that Karen Linaker would confirm how future updates would be reported to the Area Board.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Mike Franklin introduced the report seen on pages 21 and 22 of the agenda. He explained that the majority of fires in December had been accidental and reminded everyone about the dangers of chimney fires and highlighted that the flue from a wood / log burner needed to be swept every three months.

He noted that the service had written to all Parish Councils offering assistance in developing their emergency plans, the service’s business plan was still in development and anyone wishing to be involved in the consultation could register on the WFRS website. He announced that 35,000 reflective armbands were being handed out with 25,000 going to schools and 10,000 made available for members of the public. The public armbands could be collected during drills at fire stations.

Police

Inspector Lange introduced the report seen on pages 23 to 25 of the agenda. He explained that figures had increased on previous years and confirmed that they were working hard to reduce them. He urged everyone to report stolen goods as 10 warrants issued in December had recovered stolen property which they were struggling to return to owners.

Although neighbourhood task groups had been set up for Amesbury and Durrington, there was not one for the rural areas and he questioned if the interest is there from the areas to set one up.

A community meeting held with young people had helped reduce anti-social behaviour issues however work was ongoing with families of persistent offenders to obtain acceptable behaviour agreements.

In response to questions he reported that funding was available for youth activities and Jenny Bertram, Youth Development Co-ordinator confirmed that bids were currently being worked on.

Durrington Town Council

David Healing, Durrington Town Council raised an issue over a footpath in a housing estate. It was agreed that a separate meeting should be arranged to discuss the issue.

(ACTION: Karen Linaker)

Amesbury Town Council

Councillor Roger Fisher, Amesbury Town Council raised concerns over the proposed closure of the bus station in Amesbury. Councillor Noeken explained that preliminary investigations are in progress, the results of which would be shared with the Area Board and the Town Council, and it was confirmed that the Portfolio Holder would attend the Town Council meeting on Wednesday 6 February.

Concern was raised regarding the site of a SID device on Salisbury Road, firstly being placed near a roundabout and then close to a traffic crossing.  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive updates from the following:

·       Community Facilities, Health and Well-Being

·       Crime and Community Safety

·       Sport, Leisure and Culture

·       Environment

·       Housing, Economic Development, Planning and Tourism

Community Facilities, Health and Well-Being

The group will be meeting in mid February to continue its focus on improving communication between villages, support for local link schemes, and looking to tackle the challenges people face accessing healthcare

Crime and Community Safety

The group is focusing on Domestic Abuse as a top priority for the Amesbury Area, based on research and the backing of local police and health professionals.  £3,000 has been allocated by the board to assist with this work.  The Panel has commissioned a snapshot exercise to get a better picture of what the issues are and which agencies are involved.  With this information, the Panel hopes to improve communication, the co-ordinated networking and visibility of all relevant agencies so that victims receive better support.

Sport, Leisure and Culture

The group will be meeting in February to continue its focus on improving communication of ‘what’s on offer’, planning an event in 2013 involving all ages and as many of the sports, culture and leisure groups in the area.

Environment

The group is currently focusing on new Dog Fouling laws as one of its main priorities, and is inviting parishes to nominate volunteers to receive training to help them perform dog warden duties in their village. It is recommending that the board earmark funding to assist with the provision of this training locally.

The group recently held discussion with officers regarding the council’s new recycling policy and fly tipping enforcement and is continuing to review the issue of noise in towns and villages

Housing, Economic Development, Planning and Tourism

The group is working on identifying key players to join the panel to ensure proper representation and coverage of issues relevant to local people. A briefing note would be issued to communities regarding village design statements, and it was noted that changes to the planning system gave different weight to new plans.

It was noted that extra resource was needed to support and develop the Community Plan working groups.

To receive an update from Councillor Wright on the work of the Speeding Working Group.

Councillor Graham Wright gave a presentation on the work of the speeding working group and its alternative approach to improve road safety.

He recognised the success of the CATG, highlighted the potential to make a real difference and notified the Board of a portable SID trial taking place in Durrington.

The Board commended the work of the group and asked it to take the issue of the appalling figures from the SID count completed on the A303 up with the Highways Agency.

Councillor Mike Hewitt provided a verbal update on the work of the CATG and noted it had now spent its budget for the current year. Applications were already being taken for funding in the 2013/14 year.

The Board congratulated the group for its achievements and asked it to keep looking at school run parking issues.

It was agreed that CATG minutes should be circulated to all town and parish councils.

To receive details of the SID deployment programme for the forthcoming cycle commencing on 7 January 2013.

The programme attached to the agenda at page 27 was noted.

A request to circulate a one page document explaining the system to all parishes was noted and Tom Gardner will be consulted on this.

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

Janet Tidd introduced herself as the Good Neighbours Co-ordinator for the Amesbury Rural area and explained that with her colleague Phyllis Daze they assisted older vulnerable adults stay in their homes for longer. She highlighted that people had to contact them, or ask someone to contact them.

She confirmed the scheme had received funding for the coming year and they would be available to talk to parish councils.

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

A short video was shown and attention was drawn to the information seen on page 29 of the agenda.

It was explained that the Council was working to mitigate the impact from the Bill as much as possible with customer services staff being trained on the issues involved and briefing packs detailing the implications being issued to councillors.

In response to questions it was confirmed that those affected had been notified.

The Board was asked to earmark £3000 for the training of parish volunteers seeking to act as dog wardens in their parish.

Decision

The Board agreed to earmark £3000 for the training of parish volunteers seeking to act as dog wardens in their parish.

(ACTION: Karen Linaker)

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

Decision:

Amesbury Junior Football Club was awarded £1165 towards training and kit for new teams.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13 and demonstrates a link to the community plan by supporting a local youth sports club to improve and expand facilities and expertise to inspire and encourage young people to engage in sport. It will also assist a local group in ensuring there are opportunities in this area to be a healthier more inclusive community and to engage in volunteering activities.

Decision:

Berwick St James Parish Meeting was awarded £550 towards notice boards.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2012/13 and will secure a vital source of communication for the village especially for those without email or online facilities.

Decision:

The Board agreed to allocate £3750 for community planning activities and administrative running costs.

Reason - to provide the administrative support required to run the 5 community planning panels, and to provide a budget to assist with events or initiatives arising from the panel’s considerations.  Area Board’s are permitted to allocate up to 20% of their annual grants budget for community planning purposes.

(ACTION: Karen Linaker)

To note the attached Forward Work Plan.

The next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board will be held on 21 February 2012 at Durrington Village Hall.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board would be held on 21 February 2013 at Durrington Village Hall.

The Board gave it’s thanks to everyone who helped during the recent flooding.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.