Agenda item

i)        Transport Working Group - meeting to consider priorities and progress with minor capital improvement works

ii)      Seminar on ‘Big Society, Localism and What it Means for You’.  

iii)    Proposed Changes to Arrangements Governing the Conduct of Councillors

iv)    Library Service Review

v)      Outcome of Leisure Facilities Review

vi)    Reducing Child Poverty Strategy Consultation

vii)  Childcare Sufficiency Assessment

viii) Partner updates from Wiltshire Police, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service and NHS Wiltshire

The following announcements contained in the pack were mentioned briefly:

Community Area Transport Group (CAT-G)

Meeting to consider priorities and progress with minor capital improvement works – a date to meet in April to be agreed with parish reps at the end of the evening. (Post meeting Note: the CAT-G was set for Monday 18 April, 2pm at priory Barn, Newtown, Bradford on Avon)    

Seminar - Big Society, Localism and What it Means for You 

Wednesday 6 April, St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon at 6.30pm – open to all.

Localism Bill - Proposed Changes to Arrangements Governing the Conduct of Councillors

The Government’s Localism Bill, published on 13 December 2010, made significant changes to the current arrangements governing the conduct of councillors in Wiltshire which will come into effect in Spring 2012. 

Library Service Review

The Cabinet has accepted the review proposals and the implications for Bradford on Avon are that:

-          all mobile library stops will continue to operate

-          the library opening hours will be reduced to 40 hours per week 

-          new self-service technology will be introduced to improve efficiency

-          volunteers will be trained and supported by library staff 

Outcome of the Leisure Facilities Review

A refined proposal has been agreed by Cabinet that will enable the Council to consider the practicalities and options for campus developments in a wider strategic context, ahead of the transfer of local facilities to the community to manage.

Reducing Child Poverty Strategy Consultation

Consultation on the Wiltshire Strategy will close on 4 April, all comments welcome.

Childcare Sufficiency Assessment  

Local authorities had a duty, under the Childcare Act 2006, to assess the sufficiency of childcare in their area and produce a report. Wiltshire’s second report has now been drafted and it is out for consultation on the Wiltshire Council website.

Changes to Bus Services

As a result of significant reductions in local authority funding, and the Government’s insistence that a high proportion of the savings are achieved in the first year, Wiltshire Council has had to make difficult decisions in setting its budget for the 2011/12 financial year. However, due to efficiency and procurement savings of £850,000 and the use of additional income from car parking to help fund bus services, it has been possible to limit to £600,000 the amount that has to be found from making changes to bus services. This puts us in a much better situation than many of our neighbouring authorities.

The main changes affecting the Bradford-on-Avon Community Area are;

• Reduction in the weekday evening service on route 265 (Trowbridge – Bradford – Bath) from every hour to every two hours after 7pm, and withdrawal of all Sunday evening buses after 7pm.

• Withdrawal of Council funding to First bus for operating a half hourly service on route 265 between Trowbridge and Warminster. This is likely to result in the company reducing their service on this section of the route to hourly.

• Reduction in the frequency of the ZigZag service (Trowbridge – Bradford – Melksham – Corsham – Chippenham) to two-hourly.

• Withdrawal of service X88 which provides a Wednesday and Saturday only shoppers bus from Chitterne to Bath, via Bratton, Steeple Ashton, Hilperton and Staverton.

• Withdrawal of the Thursdays only shoppers bus from Limpley Stoke village and Freshford to Bradford-on-Avon

A question was raised as to when the cuts would take effect. ACTION: PD to ascertain dates for all changes

The following partner updates contained in the pack were noted:

• Wiltshire Police.

• NHS Wiltshire.

• Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.