Agenda and minutes

To welcome attendees to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to Calne Area Board and introduced the Councillors and Officers present.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from:

 

·       Cllr Ian Thorn

·       Director of Legal and Governance, Perry Holmes

·       Practice Manager at Northlands Surgery, Allison Ingham

·       Alan Hill – Calne Town Council

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2022.

On the proposal of Cllr Trotman, seconded by Cllr Pearce-Kearney, it was resolved:

 

Decision

 

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 6 December 2022 as a true and a correct record.

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

 

Cllr Pearce-Kearney declared that he would leave the room during the consideration of the Older and Vulnerable People’s grant applications due to his work in the NHS and affiliation with the applicants.

The Chairman will make the following announcements: 

 

a.    The Coronation of King Charles III – 6 May

b.    Post 16 Skills and Participation Offer

c.     Family Help Hubs

d.    Cost of Living Update

The Chairman drew attention to the written announcements included in the agenda pack.

 

a. The Coronation of King Charles III – 6 May, pg. 9-10

b. Post 16 Skills and Participation Offer, pg. 11

c. Family Help Hubs, pg.13-15

d. Cost of Living Update, pg.17-22

To receive an update from Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson OBE, new Chief Constable Catherine Roper and Inspector Peter Foster.   

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson OBE, Chief Constable Catherine Roper, Inspector Pete Foster and Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Mark Cook were in attendance to provide an update.

 

PCC

 

The PCC was pleased to report that Calne Police Station would not be closing, but would be refurbished to become the home of the Rural Crime Team and be used by the local neighbourhood team. Similarly, the custody suite in Melksham was due to undergo a £3.5 million refurbishment to ensure that it met Home Office standards. Furthermore, he explained that discussions were ongoing about purchasing six acres of land near Old Sarum and Salisbury Park and Ride to set up a base in the south of the county. The PCC stressed that purchase of the land was not yet complete and that and proposals would be subject to planning. However, he was optimistic that he would be able to make an announcement in the coming weeks. He also noted that it might be possible to open a custody suite at the Salisbury site but that would be dependent on the operational requirements identified by the Chief Constable.

 

Chief Constable

 

The Chief Constable introduced herself to the Area Board, explaining that she was new to the role. She spoke about her experience serving in the Metropolitan Police and stated that she was here to listen and looked forward to working with local communities in Wiltshire. She then outlined three key areas of focus for her as she took on the role, safer public spaces, violence, and burglary. She stated that she was working hard to bring the force out of special measures and that lots of preparatory had been put in place.

 

Inspector Foster

 

The Inspector introduced himself to the Area Board, explaining that he had taken over responsibility for the local community police team, and local 999 response services, in January. He highlighted that a new management system was in place that improved accountability so that he was the line manager for six teams. He felt that the new system had already led to an improvement in the code of practice and investigative standards. He explained that he had a police officer for each town and that a sergeant was allocated to cover Calne and Corsham.

 

During the discussion, points included:

 

·       The Area Board thanked the PCC, Chief Constable and Inspector for the update.

·       The PCC noted that they had employed three new Speed Enforcement Officers to assist Community Speed Watch (CSW) teams and were making better use of the information from speed indicator devices. He highlighted that more tickets were issued in January than last year and that prosecution rates had gone up by 68 percent.

·       Praise was given for the recent work undertaken to improve road safety given concerns about switching off the fixed speed cameras in the county in 2010 and the relatively low number of speed tickets issued since when compared to other authority areas.

·       Cllr Rees from Calne Wilthout Parish Council reported that  ...  view the full minutes text for item 65.

To find out further information from Wiltshire Council’s Community Resilience Team about proposals for Emergency Contact Hubs.

Camella Town and Chris Manuel from Wiltshire Council’s Community Resilience Team outlined proposals for the creation of Emergency Contact Hubs, based on a model operated in New Zealand. The aim of the hubs was to draw upon community knowledge to help coordinate support in emergency situations. The hubs would build upon the lessons learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic and be supported by Police Community Support Officers.   Information could be passed to and from the community from the blue light services, as well as key utility providers. The aim was to create around 150 such centres across Swindon and Wiltshire to improve community resilience. The officers were keen to stress that the centres would be community led and encouraged interested parties to come forward and contact camella.town@wiltshire.gov.uk  for further information.

 

 

During the discussion, points included:

 

 

·       The Area Board thanked the officers for the update.

·       The officers had already attended nine Area Boards and many parishes had been interested in joining the scheme.

·       It was noted that the hubs did not have to be led by parish councils.

·       The scheme could refresh existing emergency planning systems and would not require lots of additional paperwork.

·       Muster provisions could be provided including wind up touches and glow sticks.

·       The Chairman noted that this issue could be discussed at their next parish forum to establish the best way of implanting the scheme locally.

·       Test events in three parishes would take place later in the month.

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

 

a.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

b.    Healthwatch Wiltshire

c.     BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Together – Integrated Care System

d.    Calne Community Safety Forum Update

e.    Community First

f.      Town and Parish Councils.

h. Shared Lives - https://youtu.be/fdxkL3TNuM4

 

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from the following partners:

 

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue pg. 33-38

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire pg.39

·       BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Together – Integrated Care System pg. 41-42

·       Community First pg.43-45

·       Calne Town Council pg.47

 

Th Chairman highlighted that there Community First would be running the Chippenham Lions Club Auction of Promises on Saturday 15th April 2023 (7.30pm) at Sutton Benger Village Hall. He also noted that a link to a video about the Shared Lives scheme was available on the agenda front sheet.

 

 

The following partners also provided verbal updates:

 

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

 

Watch Manager Tom Burns referred the Area Board to the written update included in pages 33-38 of the agenda pack. He was pleased to report that the new fire engine was working well with upgraded equipment. It was confirmed that the Calne station covered Bremhill.

 

Calne Without Parish Council

 

Ioan Rees reported that the parish council had part funded a consultant to look at traffic and speeding issues on the A4. He believed that the speed limit should be reduced to 50mph, with 40mph zones around Derry Hill and Studley.

 

Hilmarton Parish Council

 

The parish council were considering purchasing their own speed indicator device (SID). The play park had now been completed and fly tipping was a local issue.

 

 

To consider applications for Community Area grant funding, as follows:

 

- Calne Town Football Club, Calne Town Club House refurbishment requesting £5000

- The Lansdowne Hall, Project CCTV Update requesting £2151.00

- Sustainable Calne, Sustainable Calne Thermal Imaging Camera Loan Scheme requesting £286.48

- Marden House Centre, Structural repair to Marden House £5000

- Calne Clean Up Crew, Calne Clean Up Crew Town Centre Planter Project requesting £3000

 

To consider the following application for Older and Vulnerable People’s Funding:

 

 

- Wiltshire Community Care User Involvement Network, Administration support for Calne Health Social Care and Wellbeing meetings requesting £500

- Wiltshire Community Care User Involvement Network, Administration support for Calne Voices meetings requesting £500

- Calne Seniors Reconnecting Group, Reconnecting group activities requesting £2000

 

 

 

To consider the following applications for Youth Funding:

 

- Councillor Initiative, Youth Event at KGA requesting £700

- The Open Blue Trust, Open Blue Bus in Calne requesting £2000

 

 

This item was moved forward, ahead of the partner updates.

 

The Area Board considered the following applications for grant funding. Representatives from each applicant were invited to speak in support of their applications.

 

Community Area Grants

 

 

Calne Town Football Club requesting £5,000 towards Calne Town Club House refurbishment.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Trotman, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Calne Town Football Club £5,000 towards Calne Town Club House refurbishment.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Community Area Grant criteria.

 

 

 

The Lansdown Hall requesting £2,151 to replace their CCTV.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Pearce-Kearney, seconded by Cllr Trotman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Lansdown Hall £2,151 to replace their CCTV.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Community Area Grant criteria.

 

 

 

Sustainable Calne requesting £246.48 towards a thermal imaging camera loan scheme.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Pearce-Kearney, seconded by Cllr Trotman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Sustainable Calne £246.48 towards a thermal imaging camera loan scheme.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Community Area Grant criteria.

 

 

 

Marden House Centre requesting £5,000 towards structural repairs to Marden House

 

On the proposal of Cllr Trotman, seconded by Cllr Rounds, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Marden House Centre £5,000 towards structural repairs to Marden House.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Community Area Grant criteria.

 

 

 

Calne Clean Up Crew requesting £5,000 towards a town centre planter project.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Pearce-Kearney, seconded by Cllr Trotman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Marden House Centre £5,000 towards structural repairs to Marden House.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Community Area Grant criteria.

 

 

 

Older and Vulnerable People’s Funding

 

 

Cllr Pearce-Kearney left the room having declared an interest, due to his employment in the NHS and association with the applicants, so did not participate in the debate or vote on these items.

 

Wiltshire Community Care User Involvement Network requesting £500 towards administration support for Calne, Health, Social Care and Wellbeing meetings.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Rounds, seconded by Cllr Trotman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Wiltshire Community Care User Involvement Network £500 towards administration support for Calne, Health, Social Care and Wellbeing meetings.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria.

 

Wiltshire Community Care User Involvement Network requesting £500 towards administration support for Calne Voices meetings.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Rounds, seconded by Cllr Trotman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Wiltshire Community Care User Involvement Network £500 towards administration support for Calne Voices meetings.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria.

 

 

Calne Seniors Reconnecting Group requesting £2,000 towards reconnecting group activities.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Rounds, seconded by Cllr Trotman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

To award Calne Seniors Reconnecting Group £2,000 towards reconnecting group activities.

Reason

The application met the 2022/23 Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria.

 

 

Youth Grant

 

 

The Open Blue Bus Trust requesting £4,400 towards the Open Blue Bus in Calne.

 

The Chairman confirmed that the amount being requested  ...  view the full minutes text for item 68.

To find out more about how to become a foster parent in Wiltshire.

 

Cllr Pearce-Kearney explained that 264 Children Looked After were living with foster carers within Wiltshire. He noted that there was a great shortage of foster carers in Wiltshire. He reported that there were 22 children in care in the Calne area but that they were still short of 15 fostering families. He then outlined the characteristics required to become a foster parent in Wiltshire and encouraged local councils to advertise the scheme and interested people to contact fostering@wiltshire.gov.uk or look at www.fosteringwiltshire.uk.

To receive updates from Lead Councillors for the local Area Board priorities.

 

 

 

· Supporting positive mental health and wellbeing in young people– Cllr Sam Pearce-Kearney

 

· Addressing climate change – Cllr Ian Thorn

 

· Promoting wellbeing and combating social isolation in older and vulnerable people - Cllr Tom Rounds

 

· Promoting and supporting initiatives to address Economic Inequalities– Cllr Tony Trotman

Diane Gooch, the Area Board’s Older and Vulnerable People’s Champion, provided the following updates:

 

·       The connecting group was thriving, having 50 members as well as a waiting list.

·       She thanked the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager and Area Board Delivery Officer for their help with the group. She also thanked Kingston House for providing refreshments and a warm space.

·       Discussions had been going on about an initiative to tackle falls.

·       The Dementia Forum were looking at running sessions in the town hall and a dementia awareness session was being run on 16 March. 

 

 

In was noted that at the previous meeting it had been resolved for Cllr Rounds to approach Patford House Partnership to discuss the future involvement of Patford House Surgery and Beversbrook Medical Centre in the promotion of wellbeing and falls prevention in older and vulnerable people. Cllr Rounds suggested the Area Board fund further falls information cards to be used across the community area. 

 

Cllr Trotman reported that Calne charities had a hardship fund and that information about cost-of-living support was available on Wiltshire Council’s website.

To receive an update from the meeting on 23 February 2023.

Cllr Trotman noted that the next meting of the S106 Group would be on 27 April.

To consider recommendations arising from the LHFIGs meeting held on 3 February 2023, as follows:

 

 

1. To note the discussions and updates outlined in the report.

 

2. To close the following issues:

 

• 6465 Curzon Street (on priority list)

• 3-21-9 Quemerford (on priority list)

• 3-21-10 Yatesbury, The Avenue

 

3. To add funding issue already on the priority schemes list:

 

• 3-21-13 Calne Sandpit Road - £8,709.40

 

4. To move the following issue to the priority list and allocate funding:

 

• 3-22-17 Calne, The Strand - £595

On the proposal of Cllr Pearce-Kearney, seconded by Cllr Trotman, it was resolved:

 

Decision

 

 

1. To note the discussions and updates outlined in the report.

 

2. To close the following issues:

 

• 6465 Curzon Street (on priority list)

• 3-21-9 Quemerford (on priority list)

• 3-21-10 Yatesbury, The Avenue

 

3. To add funding issue already on the priority schemes list:

 

• 3-21-13 Calne Sandpit Road - £8,709.40

 

4. To move the following issue to the priority list and allocate funding:

 

• 3-22-17 Calne, The Strand - £595

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

Cllr Ross Henning raised concerns about the speed limit at the A4 crossroads near Studley. He noted that he was a councillor on Chippenham Area Board and chaired their local Highway and Footway Improvement Group. The Chairman shared Cllr Henning’s concerns about the speed limit in that area.

The next business meeting of the Calne Area Board will be on 23 May 2023, at 6:30pm.

The next Area Board meeting would be held at 6:30pm on 23 May 2023. The Chairman announced that he did not plan to stand for re-election as Chairman for the forthcoming year.