Agenda item

To receive updates from representatives of the following partner organisations:

a)    Salisbury City Council

b)    Laverstock and Ford Parish Council

c)    Police

d)    Fire

e)    NHS – to include an update from Tony Barron (Chairman of NHS Wiltshire) on the Old Manor Hospital Site

Cllr Cheryl Hill, Deputy Leader of Salisbury City Council, gave an update on the work of the City Council:

·         The Christmas Lights Switch on had been affected by the appalling weather, with the fireworks being cancelled due to the high winds.  These would be kept and used for the 2013 Christmas Lights.  However, the band switched on the lights from the Guildhall steps prior to their appearance at The Chapel nightclub, and despite the weather, there had been a good turnout.

·         Following the success of the Jubilee and Olympic Torch Events, the City Council had agreed to put on another free event at Hudson’s Field, this time with the theme “Salisbury through the Ages”.  It was hoped that this would involve partners across the city and result in a family fun day for the whole community.

·         Work was due to commence on the Crematorium at the beginning of March, and was now expected to cost £100K more than originally envisaged, due to the Listing of the building.

·         Work had begun on the refurbishment of the Queen Elizabeth Gardens, although this was now about two weeks behind schedule due to the unusual severe flooding.

·         Work had been completed on the new older children’s playground in the Churchill Gardens. Which would be officially opened in the Spring when the ground would be less waterlogged.

·         The Council was in the process of agreeing its budget for the next year, with an extensive capital programme, including a new stair lift for the Guildhall to enhance access.

·         An event was being held on Monday 18 February at 5.00pm in the Guildhall about Becoming a Councillor, with the elections due to be held in May 2013.

Cllr David Law of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council reported that the Community Farm in Laverstock had hosted the 3^rd Annual Nativity event organised by St Marks Church, with over 500 people attending.  Cllr Law also referred to problems in Ford due to the ongoing roadworks and road closure at Broken Cross bridge.  The excess traffic was causing significant damage to the verges, which were soft due to the heavy rain.

The Chairman noted that Inspector Andy Noble, would give the Police update under the following two agenda items.  It was noted that apologies had been received from Wiltshire Fire and Rescue.

Tony Barron, Chairman of NHS Wiltshire, gave a short update on the Old Manor Hospital site.  The Development of the primary care centre had started and was due to be completed on time.  In relation to the rest of the site, the marketing was now underway, having been delayed for 12 months to allow Wiltshire Council to develop a business plan to take over the site for use as a close care facility for older people.  However, this had not been forthcoming, and so under the rules for disposal of land by a public body, the PCT was now obliged to put the site on the open market.  Work was ongoing with Wiltshire Council to ensure that whoever bought the site would be encouraged in extremely strong terms to develop it, at least in part, as a care facility.

The Chairman was in agreement that the site should be used for an additional care facility and encouraged anything that could be done to ensure this.