Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Tony Jackson, Lizzie Watkin (Director Finance) and Len Turner (Chair, Warminster & Villages Community Partnership).

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2024 were presented for consideration. After which, it was;

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a true and correct record of the minutes of the meeting held on 23 January 2024.

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

The following declarations of disclosable interests were made during the meeting:

·         Cllr Bill Parks declared an Other Registerable Interest (ORI) in the St Lawrence Chapel Warminster Application by virtue of being a Friend of St Lawrence Chapel; Cllr Parks received a dispensation from the Monitoring Officer to remain in his capacity as a councillor, contribute during debate, and to vote.

·         Cllr Pip Ridout declared an Other Registerable Interest (ORI) in the St Lawrence Chapel Warminster Application by virtue of being a Friend of St Lawrence Chapel; Cllr Ridout received a dispensation from the Monitoring Officer to remain in her capacity as a councillor, contribute during debate, and to vote.

·         Cllr Andrew Davis declared an Other Registerable Interest (ORI) in the St Lawrence Chapel Warminster Application by virtue of being a Feofee of St Lawrence Chapel; Cllr Davis received a dispensation from the Monitoring Officer to remain in his capacity as a councillor, contribute during debate, and to vote.

The Chairman will give an update on outcomes and actions arising from previous meetings of the Area Board.

The Chairman made the following announcement that an Environment Watch Day had been planned at Warminster Civic Centre on Saturday 23 March from 12pm-4pm. This would include a film about positive environmental action and an opportunity to partake in activities.

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

Remaining Budgets:

Area Board Initiatives:

Community Area Grants:

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

Young People Grants:

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

Area Board Initiatives:

Warminster Area Board - £500 towards Skate park event.

Decision

Warminster Area Board was awarded £500 towards skate park event.

Moved – Cllr Andrew Davis

Seconded – Cllr Pip Ridout

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Community Area Grants:

St Lawrence Chapel Warminster – £2,000 towards St Lawrence Chapel Front Pillar.

Decision

St Lawrence Chapel Warminster was awarded £2,000 towards St Lawrence Chapel Front Pillar.

Moved – Cllr Christopher Newbury

Seconded – Cllr Bill Parks

Cllr Andrew Davis abstained from voting on this application.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Upton Scudamore Community Association - £900 towards Defibrillator renewal.

Decision

Upton Scudamore Community Association was awarded £900 towards defibrillator renewal.

Moved – Cllr Bill Parks

Seconded – Cllr Christopher Newbury

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Older and Vulnerable Grants:

Horningsham Lunch Club - £500 towards Horningsham Lunch Club.

Decision

Horningsham Lunch Club was awarded £500 towards Horningsham Lunch Club.

Moved – Cllr Bill Parks

Seconded – Cllr Christopher Newbury

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Youth Grants:

Champions In Community – £3,600 GROW Young People Community Model for Warminster.

Decision

Champions In Community was awarded £3,600 towards GROW Young People Community Model for Warminster.

Moved – Cllr Andrew Davis

Seconded – Cllr Pip Ridout

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Upon conclusion of hearing the grant applications, the Strategic Partnerships Engagement Manager (SEPM), Liam Cripps noted that if any organisations would like to place an application for the remaining amounts of money, they would be able to do so if it was deemed as urgent and for an amount under £500. This would be decided under a process in place where the SEPM would be able to award money through delegated powers. Applications would need to be received by 31 March 2024. It was noted that an application for £300 relating to an Older and Vulnerable Grant had been received.

To receive a presentation on the Community Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) with feedback welcomed on how the data relates to individual local areas.

The Area Board received a presentation from Caroline LeQuesne (Area Board Delivery Officer). The presentation covered the following matters:

·       Once a year the Area Board renews its local priorities, with this next set to be done in May. One of the ways in which this is done is to consider local data available, to assess what areas are doing well and not so well.

·       A significant part of this data is the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSNA) and Community Area Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (CAJSNA), which is a collection of data captured from Wiltshire Council services and partner organisations. This data is then formatted so that residents can understand it.

·       The last JSNA was completed in 2020 and is completed every 4 years. In 2020 Covid heavily affected the data.

·       An interim health and wellbeing recovery JSNA was completed in 2022 to recognise the affect which Covid had had on people and the economy.

·       It was outlined that the data could be accessed via the following website: Wiltshire Intelligence - Bringing Evidence Together

·       It was stressed that data is not always entirely accurate, can go out of date and can be affected by significant events such as Covid.

·       Statistics specific to Warminster were provided from the following areas including:

o   Children and Young People

o   Cost of Living

o   Crime and Safety

o   Health

o   Older People

·       Reference was drawn to a QR code included within the presentation, which was for a community survey, in which the results would be brought back to the next Area Board meeting to help decide the priorities.

·       It was noted that the survey would close in April.

After the presentation, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       It was clarified that the Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum was aware of the JSNA data, however it was noted that it was important to sense check the data. Such data had been used for analysis of parts of Warminster previously and could be a valuable guide.

·       Clarity was provided regarding young people who were economically active but unemployed, with it noted that this meant that a young person was able to work but was not currently in work.

·       It was stated that a conversation would take place between officers and Wiltshire Police as there seemed to be a difference in data relating to hate and knife crime.

·       It was clarified that the data had been produced by the Wiltshire Council Public Health team and was publicly available. The anomalies would also be provided as feedback to the Public Health team.

To receive an update on Warminster Leisure Centre Improvements from Cabinet Member for Public Health, Leisure, Libraries, Facilities Management, and Operational Assets, Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling.

The Area Board received an update on Warminster Leisure Centre Improvements from Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities, Leisure and Libraries Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling. The update covered the following points:

·       Cllr Blair-Pilling stated that he wanted to speak during the meeting as there was a number of projects to improve leisure centres across Wiltshire.

·       It was stated that leisure is not a statutory duty to the Council.

·       The strategic objectives of leisure centres were outlined, with a push towards financial sustainability. Currently leisure is making a small profit for the Council however the largest cost is not shown within the leisure dedicated budget, which is £6million towards running the buildings. With such costs, it is therefore necessary to explain why leisure centres should not be closed.

·       Community impact, public health impact, economic impact and environmental impact were areas discussed and considered.

·       The importance of prevention within the Wiltshire Council Business Plan was emphasised, with a need to spend money early to prevent.

·       Investments by the Council were outlined including the following:

o   The Community Campus programme, recently in Pewsey in Melksham.

o   £25million towards a new leisure centre in Trowbridge.

o   £10mllion of investment towards leisure centres in Devizes, Marlborough, Royal Wootton Bassett, Chippenham, and Warminster.

o   Continual investment in equipment.

o   Maintenance issues across all leisure centres.

·       It was emphasised that Wiltshire Council was not closing leisure centres but investing.

·       The decision process was outlined, including a focus on objectives and evidence, relevant expertise and advice, dedicated teams and working groups as well as the Leisure, Culture and Communities Board.

·       JSNA data for Warminster was referenced as well as that Warminster had an older population compared to the Wiltshire average.

·       An overview of the changes at Warminster Sports Centre was provided, including:

o   Relocating and enlarging the fitness suite to make it more accessible and re-equipped.

o   Refuribishing the studio.

o   Providing a new consultation room.

o   Providing a new community space.

o   Relocating squash provision to Leighton Sports Centre, Westbury.

·       It was outlined that there was an unsatisfied need and potential for Warminster with the following data provided:

o   Currently there was 556 fitness memberships in Warminster, however this could potentially be increased to 1,000+.

o   The existing gym size was 107m²  however this could be expanded to a proposed 213m².

o   Over the last six months Warminster squash court had been booked 24 times a month.

·       A timeline for the improvements was provided, with construction to begin summer/autumn 2024, with the new facilities available early 2025 (subject to change).

After the update, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       It was unclear whether use of the swimming pool would be disrupted due to the work, however it was hoped that disruption would be minimised to all centre users.

·       Clarity was provided that the changing rooms at this moment in time would not be included within the improvements as this area was under the responsibility of Facilities Management. Concentration would  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To note the written reports and receive any updates from the following:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

·       Warminster Community Police Task Group (CPTG)

·       Warminster Garrison

Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives are encouraged to attend the meeting and provide an update on issues and successes arising in their respective areas.

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted written updates attached to the agenda. In addition, Inspector Louise Oakley provided a verbal update which covered the following points:

·       A new policing model had been introduced in January with the response team based in Warminster now moved to Trowbridge with there now being no response from Warminster station.

·       An overview of the team was provided, with it noted that there were two officers for each area and that it was tricky to deal with demand because of this.

·       The team was hit hard last year with management changes, however Inspector Oakley planned to stay in Warminster to provide a consistent approach and to build the team.

·       Detail was provided within the report about Community Commitments, which was launched by the Chief Constable in January 2024.

·       A list of public engagement activities and resources was provided as well as data for Police visits made in the Warminster and Westbury area, with it noted that since January there had been a 26% increase in community engagement.

·       The local priorities for Warminster were included within the report attached to the agenda, these specifically were as follows:

o   Anti-social behaviour

o   Burglaries

o   Shoplifting

o   Vulnerable people

·       Reference was drawn to the road safety update which had been included in the agenda, which included an overview of the Community Road Safety Team as well as data produced in the Warminster Area from July 2020 to February 2024.

After the verbal update, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       Clarity was provided that the local priorities set for Warminster were identified by Inspector Oakley and that the operational priorities set by the Chief Constable were worked towards as part of these.

·       Further clarity was provided on the JSNA data, which had suggested that Warminster had high knife and hate crime. Inspector Oakley noted that knife crime had been minimal with the incident that did take place occurring through a stop and search. Regarding hate crime there had only been two reports since Inspector Oakley had returned to post. It was agreed that discussions would take place to investigate what had happened with the JSNA data.

·       Regarding the Community Police Task Group, it was clarified that Warminster was the only Area Board with such a group and that it might be a better use of time not to have such a meeting to get officers back onto the streets.

·       It was questioned why the Community Speed Watch numbers were so high for the Upper Deverills, to which it was clarified that that this area records the highest number of checks compared to other areas, which therefore shows in the data. This area has also always had the highest amount of speeding.

·       A detailed overview of the staffing was provided by Inspector Oakley, with it noted that there were no more funded posts for the team.

·       It was noted that the rural area was covered by one  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

The Board is asked to note the following items:

·       BSW Together Update

·       Community First Update

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire Update

·       Local Nature Recovery Strategy Public Engagement

·       Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition

·       Wiltshire Council’s Cultural Strategy 2023-2030

·       Update from Selwood Housing

The Chairman of the Area Board drew attention to the following information items, which were contained in the agenda pack:

·       BSW Together Update

·       Community First Update

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire Update

·       Local Nature Recovery Strategy Public Engagement

·       Wiltshire Best Kept Village Competition

·       Wiltshire Council's Cultural Strategy 2023-2030

·       Update from Selwood Housing

To receive any updates on the following local Area Board priorities:

·       Improving outcomes and positive activities for Young people – Cllr Andrew Davis

·       Health and Wellbeing – No councillor appointed

·       Environment, Biodiversity, and sustainability – Cllr Tony Jackson

·       Community Safety – Cllr Pip Ridout

·       Transport and Access – Cllr Bill Parks

The Area Board received updates from Lead Councillors in relation to the following local Area Board Priorities:

Improving outcomes and positive activities for Young people – Cllr Andrew Davis

·       A FACT (Families and Childrens Transformation Programme) pilot had been live in Warminster and Westbury since Easter 2023, with the idea to test and develop some concepts whilst working in partnership with local groups and communities. Additionally, further work would be taking place from the FACT team this year.

Health and Wellbeing – No councillor appointed

·       It was noted that David Reeves had provided an update from a health and wellbeing perspective.

Environment, Biodiversity, and sustainability – Cllr Tony Jackson (Area Board Delivery Officer, Caroline LeQuesne read out Cllr Jackson’s written submission)

·       Cllr Jackson attended a Wiltshire Council Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) Workshop on 19 March. This was to establish the long list of desired outcomes facilitated by Natural England. During the workshop, Cllr Jackson emphasised the importance of establishing mycelium and insect databases. Cllr Jackson agreed to brief members on the outcome of the workshop and the LNRS Team had agreed to attend a future AB Meeting.

·       An Environment Watch Day had been planned for 23 March with huge thanks to Caroline LeQuesne for supporting and coordinating the event.

·       As the River Wylye runs through 3 of the 5 Warminster Area Board divisions and forms part pf the Cranborne Chase National Landscape; Cllr Jackson would be attending the annual forum in April.

Community Safety – Cllr Pip Ridout

·       There is hope to have a Community Safety event in September with the Police and Fire Service stating they would be happy to attend. This event wou8ld include digital safety and many other areas.

Transport and Access – Cllr Bill Parks

·       The previous meeting of the Area Board had been a Highways Matters special event which had included officer presentations and a Q+A session.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 24 January 2024, as set out in the attached report.

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

Cllr Bill Parks introduced the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 24 January 2024.

Cllr Parks drew attention to the Wiltshire Highways Maintenance Programme 2024/25-2029/30 for the Warminster Are, which would be included as part of the minutes.

After which, it was;

Resolved:

The minutes of the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group meeting held on 24 January 2024 were agreed as a correct record as well as approving the spending recommendations within.

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.

Future Meeting Dates:

·       30 May 2024

·       12 September 2024

·       14 November 2024

·       13 March 2025

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact the Area Board Delivery Officer, Caroline.Lequesne@wiltshire.gov.uk

The date of the next meeting was30 May 2024.