Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman, Councillor Ross Henning, welcomed everyone to the first face to face meeting of the Chippenham and Villages Area Board in two years.

The Chairman then invited Terry Bracher, Heritage Services Manager, to give all those present an introduction to the Wiltshire and Swindon History Centre and the work undertaken there. After which, he mentioned the ongoing situation in Ukraine and how the people of Ukraine were in his and the Area Board’s thoughts.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies for absence were received from any Members of the Area Board but apologies from Inspector James Brain (Wiltshire Police), Tim Elliott (Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service), and Cllr Graham Trickey of Kington Langley Parish Council were noted.

To approve and sign as a true and correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 13 December 2021.

The minutes of the previous meeting of the Chippenham and Villages Area Board held on 13 December 2021 were considered.

Cllr Clare Cape, made reference to the Wiltshire Youth Council update as per the Chairman’s Announcements, and noted that young people were yet to spend time with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and had only spent time with Cabinet Members.

Following which, it was:

Resolved

The Area Board approved and signed the minutes of the previous meeting of the Chippenham and Villages Area Board held on 13 December 2021 as a true and correct record.

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

Cllr Adrian Foster declared an interest in the grant application for the Sheldon Road Methodist Church energy saving project by virtue of being a member of the Church and stated that he would not participate in the debate or vote.

Cllr Dr Nick Murry declared an interest in both the Chippenham Cycle Network Development Group and Avon Needs Trees grant applications by virtue of being a trustee of both groups and as such, would not participate in the debate or vote on either.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·       Ask for Angela Relaunch

·       Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2 – 5 June 2022

·       Changes to Residual Waste Collection Days from 28 February 2022

·       Changes to Highway Code

·       Great British Spring Clean

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·       Ask for Angela Relaunch

o   It was noted that further information was attached to the agenda pack on the Ask for Angela scheme which aims to help keep people safe on a night out and protects anyone who is feeling vulnerable or unsafe while on a date or with someone they have met. Additional information and posters can be found here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/article/1113/Ask-for-Angela

·       Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Celebrations 2 – 5 June 2022

o   It was noted that further information was attached to the agenda pack informing residents about celebrations for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee which was set to be an extended Bank Holiday from Thursday 2 June – Sunday 5 June 2022. Additional information alongside support and guidance to apply to hold a street party can be found here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/highways-platinum-jubilee-celebrations

·       Changes to Residual Waste Collection Days from 28 February 2022

o   It was noted that further information was attached to the agenda pack informing residents that the household waste collection days were changing and would only affect general household waste collections. Additional information can be found here: www.wiltshire.gov.uk/waste

·       Changes to Highway Code

o   It was noted that further information was attached to the agenda pack on the changes to the Highway Code from 29 January 2022, notably:

§  The introduction of a hierarchy of responsibility of road users.

§  Priority for pedestrians at junctions

§  Priority for cyclists, riders and horse-drawn vehicles at junctions.

§  Clarification on road positioning for cyclists

§  More information on safely overtaking motorcyclists, cyclists, horse-riders and horse-drawn vehicles and filtering by cyclists.

§  Adopting what is known as the ‘Dutch Reach’ technique when opening the doors of a parked vehicle.

·       Great British Spring Clean

o   It was noted that further information was attached to the agenda pack and that people wishing to sign up should contact their local Town or Parish Council to see if they have any equipment to borrow or if they are hosting a clean-up event that members of the public can support. People can register their event here: https://www.keepbritaintidy.org/ and more information can be found here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/community-environment-great-british-spring-clean.The Chairman noted that Primary Schools had been supplied with equipment and other Members mentioned that the Guides Leader and various other local groups had been getting involved. Members highlighted that coordination between the different areas within the Area Board was needed to form a more cohesive effort.

·       Agenda Changes

o   It was noted that due to some late amendments to the scheduled agenda, Agenda Item 7 would be postponed until the next meeting of the Area Board and Agenda Item 9 would be moved up to Agenda Item 6.

To note the written updates provided and answer any questions arising from the floor:

      i.         Wiltshire Police

     ii.         Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

    iii.         Parish and Town Councils

   iv.         BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

     v.         Healthwatch Wiltshire

   vi.         Older People/Carers Champion

  vii.         Other Community Groups

Some written updates had been received before the meeting and were included in the agenda pack. Additional verbal updates from Town and Parish Councils and other Partners were received as follows:

1)    Wiltshire Police

o   Cllr Nic Puntis spoke to the parking issues along Old Hardenhuish Lane during drop off and pick up times for the school and noted that he would be meeting with the Headteachers of both schools to have a discussion on possible solutions. It was asked that Inspector James Brain’s attention be drawn to this.

2)    Older People/Carers Champion

o   Julia Stacey, Older People Champion, noted that her work had been quite dormant since the pandemic, but it was highlighted that she and the CEM, Ollie Phipps, spoke weekly to keep up to date with any new/ongoing developments.

o   Alison Butler, Carers Champion and Rural Representative, noted her wish that there should be a reconsideration of how hers and others’ roles fit into the Wiltshire Council working systems to make more of a difference in the local communities.

To receive a presentation by the Prevention and Wellbeing Team.

This agenda item was postponed until the next meeting of the Chippenham and Villages Area Board as noted under the Chairman’s Announcements.

To receive an update on the Neighbourhood Plan.

The Area Board received a presentation from Cllrs Dr Nick Murry, Clare Cape and Ross Henning, Members of the Neighbourhood Plan Steering Group.

The presentation covered the following:

·       What is the neighbourhood plan, the timeline and community involvement alongside what is the Regulation 14 consultation and information about the specific consultation for the Chippenham Neighbourhood Plan (more information found here: http://www.chippenhamneighbourhoodplan.org.uk/ ).

·       Cllrs then moved onto discussing the vision of Chippenham and its identity and detailed the vision and planning policies for the following areas:

o   Green Infrastructure

o   Sustainability and climate change

o   Housing

o   Town Centre

o   Transport

o   Community Infrastructure

o   Economy

Members thanked the Steering Group for all of their hard work in producing the Plan and commended the thought that had gone into sustainable transport and preserving the green corridors. Further questions were asked as to housing allocations for the area, and it was noted that the Area Board should work with neighbouring Boards such as Corsham and Calne to ensure that the communities worked together for future ease.

Members of the public raised concerns as to what they felt were inappropriate housing developments such as more retirement houses and ensuring that developers make efforts to protect wildlife such as integrating hedgehog highways and bee bricks.

To receive an update on the Old College.

The Area Board received a presentation from BECG on the Old College consultation. The presentation covered the following:

·       The shared ownership model between the two developers, McCarthy Stone and Anchor Hanover, and what would be included within the proposed complex, eg: restaurants, salons, assisted living.

·       The differences between the consented scheme and the existing footprint.

·       The site design which was changed to better reflect the area.

·       The planting and maintenance of mature trees due to part of the site being situated in a conservation area.

The Area Board were then given the opportunity to ask questions to the representatives. Points raised included:

o   Inclusion for an onsite pharmacy

o   Allocated parking for carers and visitors and electric charging points

o   Mobility scooter and bicycle storage

o   External aesthetics/landscaping

o   Local demand/need for the development

o   Lifts in the buildings

o   Price points of the apartments

o   Protecting the heritage of the site

o   Distribution of the consultation

In response to the above points, it was noted that the model did not include a pharmacy, but it would be raised to the developers. Additionally, there would be enough parking for residents and visitors but there was no provision for specific parking for carers, however it was noted that not all residents would have their own car on site and as such the issue of available parking spaces for carers was not a concern. It was further confirmed that there would be mobility scooter and bicycle storage located close to the entrance and that 10-20% of the parking spaces would be fitted with electric car charging ports.

It was explained that the main focus of the development was on the internal amenities as opposed to the external landscaping but that the details of such would be included within the landscaping strategy. There was lots of discussion around the need for the development in the local area with members of the public and Area Board noting feedback from residents, however the representatives reiterated that the developers had undertaken research on the site and felt that there was enough demand in the local area for the project. Furthermore, it was noted that the price point was lower due to the shared ownership model and that there would be 1 lift within the McCarthy Stone building and 2 within the Anchor Hanover building. Finally, it was confirmed that the consultation results would be submitted as part of the planning application.

The Chairman thanked the representatives for their time and for delivering the presentation.

To receive an update on the Local Youth Network.

Ollie Phipps, CEM, noted that there was no update bar to say that all youth funding had been spent for the year.

To consider the report and recommendations arising from the last meeting of the Community Area Transport Group held on 22 February 2022.

The Chairman introduced the minutes and recommendations from the CATG meeting held on 22 February 2022. Following which, it was:

Resolved

The Area Board noted the minutes of the previous CATG meeting held on 22 February 2022 and approved the recommendations as detailed within those minutes.

To determine the following grant applications:

Community Area Grants:

To consider the following applications for Community Area Grant funding:

·       Heritage Trails Project - £420, towards Heritage Trails Leaflet Reprint.

·       Sheldon Road Methodist Church - £5,000, towards the Sheldon Road Methodist Church Energy Saving Project.

·       Chippenham Cycle Network Development Group - £3,000, towards Cycle Path Chicane Barrier Removals.

·       Chippenham Town Council - £3,500, towards Chippenham Town Centre CCTV System.

·       Spero Community Food Bank - £3,000, towards the Food Bank.

·       Avon Needs Trees - £1,250, towards Protecting 10,000 Trees in a Biosecure Way.

Health and Wellbeing Grants:

To consider the following applications for Health and Wellbeing Grant funding:

·       Chippenham Library - £3,990, towards Chippenham Library Pause and Relax Activities.

·       Our Time Project - £1,000, towards Movement and Inspire Film for Elders Chippenham.

The Area Board considered the applications for Community Area Grant, Health & Wellbeing and Area Board Initiative funding as detailed in the report attached to the agenda pack.

The Area Board voted on each of the grant applications. Following which, it was:

Resolved

Community Area Grant Funding:

1)    To grant the Heritage Trails Project £420 towards the Heritage Trails leaflet reprint.

2)    To grant the Sheldon Methodist Church £5,000 towards the Sheldon Road Methodist Church energy saving project.

3)    To grant the Chippenham Cycle Network Development Group £3,000 towards cycle path chicane barrier removals.

4)    To grant Chippenham Town Council £3,500 towards the Chippenham town centre CCTV system.

5)    To grant the Spero Community Food Bank £3,000 towards the food bank.

6)    To grant the Avon Needs Trees £1,250 towards protecting 10,000 trees in a biosecure way.

7)    To grant the Ivy Wildlife Garden £1,000 towards Ivy Wildlife Garden Plantings.

8)    To grant the Chippenham Library £3,990 towards the Chippenham Library ‘Pause and Relax’ activities.

Health & Wellbeing Funding:

1)    To grant Chippenham Town Council £1,000 towards Senior Events at the Neeld.

Area Board Initiative:

1)    To grant Wiltshire Council £1,000 towards a Community Conference.

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 Chippenham Area Board will be held on 13 June 2022.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting.

The date of the next meeting of the Chippenham and Villages Area Board was noted as being 13 June 2022.