Agenda and minutes

Apologies were received from:

·       Alan Hill – Calne Town Council

·       Isobel McCord – Bremhill Parish Council

To elect a Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Resolved:

To appoint Cllr Ashley O’Neill as Chairman of Calne Area Board for the forthcoming Year.

To elect a Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year.

Resolved:

To appoint Cllr Tom Rounds as Vice-Chairman of Calne Area Board for the forthcoming Year.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to Calne Area Board and introduced the Councillors and Officers present. The Chairman thanked Cllr Tom Rounds for Chairing the Area Board during a very difficult year for everyone due to Covid, although a number of great Area Board events were held in line with covid restrictions.

The Chairman explained that he would like to build on the success of the previous year, with a focus on community engagement, inclusive Area Board meetings with outcomes being achieved.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 8 March 2022 were approved and signed as a correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will make the following announcements:

·       Great British Spring Clean

·       Reminder of Platinum Jubilee Plans

·       Taxi Driver Recruitment Press Release

The Chairman drew attention to the following announcements which were noted by the Area Board:

·       Great British Spring Clean

·       Reminder of Platinum Jubilee Plans

·       Taxi Driver Recruitment Press Release

To appoint representatives to outside bodies, and to reconstitute and appoint Non-Priority Working Groups for the year 2022/23.

The Area Board considered a report requesting appointments of Councillor representatives to outside bodies, the reconstitution of and appointment to non-priority working groups for the Year 2022/23.

Resolved:

1.    To make appointments to outside bodies for 2022/23 as detailed below:

2.    To reconstitute and appoint the following Councillors to Area Board Non-Priority Working Groups as detailed below:

3.    To note the LHFIG Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix C

4.    To agree the Terms of Reference for any non-priority Working Groups as set out in Appendix D.

To receive an update from the Community Engagement Manager and for the Area Board to agree its priorities going forward.

The Area Board considered the report of the Community Engagement Manager (CEM) and the Area Board Chair which provided a summary of success in progressing the Area Boards priorities for 2021/22, and highlights area where priorities could be set for the coming year.

To receive updates from the Area Board members for each priority area.

The Community Engagement Manager (CEM) reminded the Area Board that data from the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment for the Calne area was combined with other sources of data along with other local intelligence to produce the Community Area Status report. This information in turn informed the Area Board which priority areas it should focus its energy and resources on.

The CEM explained that the Area Board had focused its attention on the following themed priority areas and highlighted a number of key achievements from these areas:

·       The Environment – Champion Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Older and Vulnerable People and Families – Champion Cllr Tom Rounds

·       Young People – Champion Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney

·       The Economy – Champion Cllr Tony Trotman

·       Community Resilience – Champion Cllr Ashley O’Neill

The Area Board noted a number of changes that could influence the selection of priorities including the need t identify alternative venues and addressing sustainability of locally important groups, for instance the Men’s Shed and the Foodbank.

The Area Board then considered potential priorities for 2022/23, taking into account evidence and areas that would make a positive impact on the Calne area. The report detailed the suggested three priorities for each 2022/23 theme along with a lead Councillor taking responsibility for overseeing its delivery and reporting back to the Area Board on progress, with appropriate support from the CEM. The four themes are:

·       Young People – Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney

·       Older People – Cllr Tom Rounds

·       Environment – Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Economy – Cllr Tony Trotman

The Area Board commented on the cost-of-living crisis being experienced across the country and it was suggested that the challenges arising from this would be weaved into all priority areas as appropriate. Additional comments included, the need for further information about the availability of grant funding for community groups, it was suggested that this was an issue that each theme could investigate this further for their areas; a productive Youth Forum meeting held recently; the internal circulation of the Air Quality Plan; concern about delays in relation to the Air Quality Action Group which should be resolving itself due to officers previously being engaged in issues associated with the pandemic.

Resolved:

a.    To acknowledge the progress update from the 2021/22 local priorities work.

b.    To agree the priorities to focus on in the coming year, as detailed in the report and summarised below along with the Lead Councillor:

·       Young People – Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney

·       Older People – Cllr Tom Rounds

·       Environment – Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Economy – Cllr Tony Trotman

3. To acknowledge and note the existing externally operated groups in place for the priorities detailed above.

To receive an update from Diane Gooch.

The Area Board received an update from Diane Gooch on the following matters:

·       A successful ‘Big Get Together’ event held on 14 May 2022 at the Town Hall, Calne

·       The Reconnect meeting was now limiting numbers attending to 40 and a recent meeting with local Councillors listening to the attendee’s concerns, in particular negotiating footpaths and the need for additional benches to rest at.

·       Meetings of the Local Voice continue

·       Celebrating age concerts

The Chairman thanked Diane for all her hard work in the community as the Older People’s Champion. In response to issues raised above, it was suggested that the LHFIG could be approached for help with regard to issues with footpaths.  Cllr Pearce-Kearney agreed to take this issue forward and encouraged all Councillors to attend the reconnect mornings.

To receive an update from Alison Ingham.

The Area Board received an update from Alison Ingham on the following matters:

·       A successful ‘Big Get Together’ event held on 14 May 2022 at the Town Hall, Calne and organised by Calne Health & Social Care Forum in association with Calne & Yatton Keynell Primary Care Network and Calne Area Board. Calne Town Council and Wiltshire Council were thanked for their support and providing facilities.

·       The Fall and Prevention Strategy was highlighted at a recent Calne and Social Care Forum meeting, with the next meeting being held on 28 July 2022 at the Town Hall.

The Chairman thanked Alison for all her hard work in the community. It was noted that the Councillors who attended the Big Get Together gathered valuable insight into the concerns and wishes of those attending the event. It was suggested that a potential future agenda item could be in relation to social prescribing, which appeared to be a developing opportunity for GP surgeries to be involved in to address non-medical needs.

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.     Clinical Commissioning Group

d.    Healthwatch

e.    Calne Community Safety Forum Update – Glenis Ansell

f.      Town and Parish Councils.

g.    Calne Town Council

To receive updates from the partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received and noted the written report attached to the agenda pack. Insp James Brain provided a verbal update and commented on the performance of the Police over the previous 12 months, local priorities including the rise in anti-social behaviour, drugs supply, community speed watch and parking issues at Derry Hill School.

The Area Board thanked the Police for their hard work and the positive influence made in rural areas and Holy Trinity School.

The Chairman thanks Insp Brain for attending the meeting.

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board received and noted the written report attached in the agenda pack

c.     Clinical Commissioning Group

The Area Board received and noted the written report attached in the agenda pack.

d.    Healthwatch

The Area Board received and noted the written report attached in the agenda pack.

e.    Calne Community Safety Forum Update

There was no update for this meeting.

f.      Parish Councils

                                               i.     Bremhill Parish Council – A verbal update was provided by the CEM at the meeting covering the following areas:

·       A thank you to highways & bridge team for their work repairing roads and bridges. 

·       Participating in the SUSTRANS Route 403 Cross Council Working Group, with the first meeting being held on 20 May 2022.

·       Working with community groups to develop green blue strategies as part of the Parish Council review of its Neighbourhood Plan.

·       Celebrating the Queens Jubilee in all the villages with events over the Bank Holiday weekend.

·       Calne Area Parish Forum re-established to share ideas and work together on cross boundary issues. Particularly useful was exchange of information on the speed of vehicles and the use of SIDs to deter speeding.

                                              ii.     Cherhill – Comments were received about the beacon lighting on the Thursday of the Jubilee weekend of events, footpath walking and attendance at the first LHFIG meeting.

                                            iii.     Compton Bassett – there was no update available.

                                            iv.     Heddington – Comments were received about regular Parish meetings being held on Zoom, the Parish Warden being active in the village, a bus shelter erected last year and being well used and references to the Jubilee celebrations.

                                             v.     Hilmarton – Comments were received about the welcome presence of the PCSO in the villages, events associated with the forthcoming jubilee celebrations, attendance at the first LHFIG meeting, and the replacement play park project out for consultation.

g.    Calne Town Council – Steve Nash, new Director of Council Services provided the following update:

·       The Town Council welcoming residents along to Jubilee picnic on The Green on Sunday 1pm-3pm

·       Our Calne Connection Magazine being published and will be delivered  to households from Monday 6 June.  The focus in on Summer Carnival , Town Council Annual Report and promoting upcoming Covid Vaccination Clinics and the Neighbourhood Plan - Homes and Housing Needs Survey.

·       Summer Carnival will take place on Saturday 25 June from 1pm – 6pm with the procession leaving for the town centre at  ...  view the full minutes text for item 26.

To determine the following 4 applications for Community Area Grants:

1.    Calne Area Board Initiative - £1000 towards Calne Health and Wellbeing Big Get Together

2.    Cherhill Parish Council - £901.90 towards Cherhill Village Notice Board

3.    Castlefields Canal and River Park Association - £555.98 towards Elliptical Living Willow Arbour Bench and Jubilee Plaque

4.    Launch 2 Learning - £5000 towards Youth Mental Health and the effects of online learning during Covid with academic catch-up

The Area Board considered three applications for Community Area Grant funding and one for a Youth Grant funding.  The Chairman invited a representative of each applicant to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

Resolved:

1.    To note the following retrospective grant allocation:

a.    Calne Area Board Initiative - £1000 towards Calne Health and Wellbeing Big Get Together

2.    To approve the following three applications for Community Area Grants:

a.    Cherhill Parish Council - £450.95 towards Cherhill Village Notice Board

b.    Castlefields Canal and River Park Association - £555.98 towards Elliptical Living Willow Arbour Bench and Jubilee Plaque

c.    Launch 2 Learning - £5000 towards Youth Mental Health and the effects of online learning during Covid with academic catch-up, subject to the Community Engagement Manager clarifying the business status of the project delivery group.

(Note: The grant request from Cherhill Parish Council for £901.90 at 2a above was received prior to the review of Area Board Grant Criteria, and therefore, the Area Board agreed to fund 50% of the request, in line with the previous criteria).

To consider recommendations arising from the LHFIGs meeting held on 29 April 2022.

The Chairman reported that Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet, at its meeting on 26 February 2022, had approved proposals to expand the remit of Community Area Transport Groups, along with increases in funding, and rename them as Local Highway and Footpath Improvements Group (LHFIG).

The Area Board received the notes of the first LHFIG meeting held on 29 April 2022.

Resolved:

a.    To note the discussions and updates from 29th April 2022, outlined in this report

2. To close the following Issues:
   
   

3-20-1 Compton Bassett, Church Corner

3-22-3 Calne, Curzon Street – request for directional signs to Springfield Academy

3-22-6 Calne, Curzon Street Narrowing – request for yellow box marking

3. To add the following Issues (with funding) to the Priority Schemes List:

3-20-11 Calne, Anchor Road area – request for a 20-mph assessment

3-21-14 Calne, Mill Street Proclamation Steps

3-22-2 Derry Hill / Studley – Request to provide a suitable shared use path between Studley and Derry Hill and an onward link to the Calne/Chippenham National Cycle route NCN403

To receive an update from Cllr Tony Trotman.

Cllr Tony Trotman provided a copy of the meeting notes for the last meeting in April 2022 and these are attached to these minutes. The Area Board noted that the next meeting is scheduled for 16 June 2022.

To receive an update from Cllr Ashley O’Neill

The Chairman reported that he was unable to attend the last meeting of the Parish Forum but understood that discussions took place about the Community Governance for Calne and plans for the Jubilee celebrations.

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

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting of the Calne Area Board is scheduled for 6 September 2022, 6.30pm at the Calne Hub & Library.

The next meeting of the Calne Area Board is scheduled for Tuesday 6 September 2022, 6.30pm at the Calne Hub and Library.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.