Agenda item

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. It was noted that there had been a number of inappropriate sites used and that officers were working to resolve this.

The issue of potholes causing traffic to swerve dangerously was debated and it was confirmed that extra resource and funding had been made available to try and address this.

Idminston Parish Council

It was confirmed that the warranty on surface of Winterslow Road, Porton was still valid and the delamination damage was currently under investigation.

Figheldean Parish Council

An opportunity to purchase community rooms from the MOD had arisen and they are preparing a grant bid.

Sarum Healthy Community Network

Jill Rankin introduced herself as the project manager for the community network and explained that many people currently see their GP for problems that are of a more social or life issue, which proved an expensive way to manage and showed a need to be more supported within their communities.

Surgeries could now refer people to a member of the Community Health Awareness team who would look at the most appropriate way forward and encouraged existing groups within the area to contact her to ensure that resources are meaningfully linked.

Youth Update

Jenni Bertram, Youth Development Co-ordinator explained that the Bourne Valley Youth community transport funding had not yet been spent.

It was explained that funding had originally been for a minibus however this was not a viable option, and ongoing work was looking into ways of paying for taxis to access facilities or for trips and whether funds should be allocated to parishes or held in a central pot.

A proposal to use the funding for transport by using a large taxi firm that could provide a range of vehicles with CRB checked drivers was seconded and accepted.

It was agreed that a meeting should be set up as soon as possible with the youth, to be held at an Idminston Parish Council venue, to discuss their needs.

Decision:

The Board agreed that the allocation of £3000 from the Transport budget can be used to use the services of a large taxi company with CRB checked drivers to assist the funding of transport for youth from the villages subject to sight of final plans.

(ACTION : Jenni Bertram)