Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from:

• Cllr Nic Puntis
• Cllr Clare Cape

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2024.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 June 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Cllr Dr Nick Murry declared an interest in agenda item 9 – Area Board Funding and in particular the grant application from Chippenham Cycle Network Development Group – Stainers Way, as he was the Chairman of the Group. Cllr Dr Murry did not speak or vote on this funding application.

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

• Update on the Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project
• Update on Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Transitional Safeguarding Project
• Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council
• Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Consultation

The Chairman provided an update on the following matters:

• Update on the Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project – the written update was noted

• Update on Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Transitional Safeguarding Project – the written update was noted

• Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council – Cllr Peter Hutton welcomed the briefing note and highlighted the important work of the Voice and Participation Group in providing an opportunity for the voice of young people to be heard through the Youth Council as they engage in local governance and community development issues in Wiltshire. Cllr Hutton referred to a couple of ‘Dragons Den’ style events recently held by the Youth Council and suggest that this could be replicated at a future Chippenham and Villages Area Board meeting in the early part of 2025. The Chair, Cllr Henning highlighted his wish to see stronger links between the Area Board and the Youth Council, although he was aware that safeguarding issues would need to be discussed further at future Chippenham Local Youth Network meetings. The written briefing was noted.

• Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan Consultation – The Chair gave details of consultation events coming up for communities to have their say on the Gypsies and Travellers Development Plan. The Director of Planning, Nic Thomas confirmed how communities could attend the online event and the drop-in events held at venues across the county. The Director of Planning explained that Area Board would not receive feedback from these events as alternative arrangements were in place. Cllr Botterill indicated that he took the opportunity to visit the site for the Chippenham area where an increase in 3 spaces was being proposed. Details of the engagement events were noted.

The Board is asked to note the following Information items:

·       Community First – August 2024

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire – Annual Report 2023/24

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System) – August 2024

The board noted the following information items:

·       Community First – The Chair confirmed that he would be attending the Community First AGM being held on 9 October 2024.

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire – The Chair highlighted financial information detailed in the Annual Report 2023/24.

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System) – The Chair welcomed the good work being undertaken by BSW Together and drew attention to oral health issues especially for children and the current lack of NHS Dentists. 

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note any written and online updates attached to the agenda from the following:

·       Neighbourhood Policing Team

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

·       Parish Forum Notes – copy attached for the meeting held on 19 June 2024 (Inc. Parish and Town Councils updates)

·       Other Community Groups

The Area Board received a number of updates from Partners and community organisations as detailed below:

1.    Neighbourhood Policing Team

The Area Board received a written update and presentation from Insp Pete Foster, Wiltshire Police, which included detail about the Community Policing Team, Wiltshire Police coming out of special measures, the Police community commitment, community engagements, Chippenham town and rural areas crime and incident statistics, operational priorities and public space protection order. 

Members commented on:

·       the positive links with the Licensing Team

·       PSPO consultation

·       knife amnesty

·       request to attend the next Parish Forum to speak about Road Safety issues

·       connections between the different types of speed watches including SIDS and Parish Speed Watch

·       update on the review of Wiltshire Police

·       farmers protecting assets to reduce instances of illegal activities

·       cash for crash

·       statistics and the impact of violence against the Police

·       the reporting of suspicious activities where it appears shops are being used as fronts for crime

·       inconsiderate parking, and

·       the positive increase in Police communications with communities  

The Chairman thanked Insp Pete Foster for attending the Area Board meeting, responding to questions and to continue the great work in Chippenham.

2.    Parish Forum Notes

The Area Board received the notes of the Parish Forum meeting held on 19 June 2024.

3.    Town and Parish Council Updates

There were no verbal updates.

4.    Other Community Groups

·       Alison Butler – Carers Champion/Rural Representative commented on the importance of the post office in local communities, especially with the number of banks closing. Cllr Greenman provided an update and responded to comments about the Post Office Horizon IT scandal in his role as a Sub-Postmaster and the President of the National Federation of Sub-Postmasters, South west Regional Council.

·       Alison Butler also commented on NHS dentists, the importance of warm spaces following the Government proposals to withdrawn winter fuel payments for pensioners. Cllr Foster reported that Sheldon Road Methodist Church, Chippenham would be opening as a warm space on Mondays and Saturdays and providing free community lunches on Saturdays.

The Area Board, at its last meeting on 10 June 2024, whilst considering Local Highway and Footpath Improvement Group recommendations, asked for further clarity in relation to Community Infrastructure Levy funding and S106 processes for schemes and projects in the Chippenham community area.

The Director of Planning – Nic Thomas and the Cabinet Member – Cllr Botterill will lead a discussion on this matter followed by a question and answer session.

The Area Board received a verbal report from the Director of Planning, Nic Thomas and Cabinet Member for Finance, Development Management and Strategic Planning, Cllr Nick Botterill, about Community Infrastructure Levy and Section 106 funding processes.

The Area Board were informed that S106 (Section 106) agreements are negotiated between the local authority and the developer and address site-specific mitigation required for a new development, whereas CIL is a broader infrastructure funding source that can be introduced by local authorities but is not required. CIL is intended for general infrastructure contributions, while S106 obligations are for specific mitigation, and S106 agreements are more flexible and negotiated on a case-by-case basis, while CIL is a standardised levy.

The Cabinet Member and Director of Planning explained that on occasions, and due to the length of time in completing large-scale developments, Parish Councils/communities may have different opinions about the use of CIL/S106 funding as priorities may well have changed between the initial consultation and final build phases. The following comments and issues were responded to during the meeting: 

·       There was a view that Chippenham had received a larger share of funding towards various mitigation schemes/sustainable projects.

·       The process/criteria for adding items onto the CIL list, agreed by Cabinet on an annual basis.

·       An annually published infrastructure funding statement providing information about how CIL is spent.

·       The lack of community facilities in Cepan North and Cepan South, particularly highlighted during elections.

·       Safe cycling to Abbeyfield School, Chippenham.

·       The need for early involvement of the planning process by Members in discussions with developers and officers.

·       Enforcement of S106 matters.

·       Secure store areas for electric bicycles in Chippenham town centre.

·       Limitations on Town and Parish Councils in allocating funds towards schemes in their geographical areas.  

·       S106 Group in the Calne Area, administered by Calne Town Council to monitor S106 Schemes, and the potential for a similar Group in Chippenham.

The Chair thanked The Director of Planning and Cabinet Member for their attendance and contributions.

To receive a presentation from Beth Gardner, CEO of Chippenham Borough Lands Charity introducing the work of the charity and providing an update on the charity’s strategic priorities.

This item was deferred to the next Area Board meeting as Beth Gardner, CEO for the Charity was unable to attend this meeting.

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

Remaining Budgets (current Balance / if all grants are approved):

Area Board Initiatives:

Community Area Grants:

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

Young People Grants:

Delegated Funding

The Board is asked to note any funding awards made under the Delegated Funding Process, by the Strategic Engagement & Partnership Manager, between meetings due to matters of urgency:

·       None

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

The Area Board considered a number of applications for Community Area Grants, Older and Vulnerable Grants and Young People Grants and heard from the applicants.

Resolved:

1.    Community Area Grants:

·       Chippenham Cycle Network Development Group – to award £5000 towards – Stainers Way shared use path improvements.

·       St Peters Church – to award £2000 towards– Community Hall Area Flooring Project

2.    Older and Vulnerable Grants

·       Wiltshire Scrapstore and Resource Centre – to award £2500 towards – Supported volunteer placements for older people

·       Chippenham Rugby Football Club – to award £5000 towards – Mixed ability Team Cavaliers

·      Wiltshire Rural Music – to award £1500 towards – Keep Music In Mind helping older people especially those living with dementia

3.    Young People Grants:

·       Rag and Bone Arts CIC – to award £5000 towards - Chippenham Teen Improvisors and Designers Take 2

·       We Hear You – Request for £5,000 towards Counselling in Chippenham for young people aged 13 to 19 affected by cancer – to defer for consideration at the next Area Board meeting.

To receive an update presentation from the Strategic Engagement & Partnership Manager and consider further the following proposed priorities for 2024/25:

·       Youth engagement and positive activity opportunities (Cllrs Macdermid, Alstrom, Foster, Hutton and Henning)

·       Addressing climate change and nature recovery (Cllrs Murry and Macdermid)

·       Promoting wellbeing and reducing social isolation in older and vulnerable adults (Cllr Cape)

·       Supporting the local economy and addressing cost of living challenges (Cllrs Greenman and Henning)

·       Reducing anti-social behaviour (Cllrs Alstrom and Henning)

The Strategic Engagement & Partnership Manager, Ros Griffiths reported further on the proposed priorities for 2024/25, as detailed below and allocations to Area Board members, and explained that, along with Alexa Davies who had recently joined the Team, would be meeting with Priority Leads over the next few weeks to develop plans for the coming year.

The Priorities for the coming year were confirmed as:

• Youth engagement and positive activity opportunities (Cllr Macdermid, Cllr Alstrom, Cllr Foster, Cllr Hutton and Cllr Henning)
• Addressing climate change and nature recovery (Cllr Murry and Cllr Macdermid)
• Promoting wellbeing and reducing social isolation in older and vulnerable adults (Cllr Cape)
• Supporting the local economy and addressing cost of living challenges (Cllr Greenman and Cllr Henning)
• Reducing anti-social behaviour (Cllr Alstrom and Cllr Henning)

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 25 July 2024, as set out in the attached report.

The Area Board received the notes of the LHFIG meeting held on 25 July 2024 and considered the recommendations arising from the meeting.

Resolved:

To receive the notes of the meeting held on 25 July 2024 and approve the funding allocations detailed in the minutes.

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

There were no urgent items.

Future Meeting Dates (6.30-8.30pm):

·       4 November 2024

·       10 February 2025

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact the Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager (SEPM) – Ros Griffiths – email: Ros.Griffiths@wiltshire.gov.uk

The Area Board noted that the next meeting would be held on 4 November 2024 between 6.30pm and 8.30pm, venue to be confirmed.