Agenda and draft minutes

The Democratic Services Officer will open the meeting and call for nominations for Chairman for 2023/24.

 

The Democratic Services Officer opened the meeting and called for nominations to elect the Chairman for the forthcoming year.

 

Resolved:

 

To elect Cllr Ruth Hopkinson as Chairman for Corsham Area Board for the forthcoming year

The Chairman will call for nominations for a Vice-Chairman for 2023/24.

The Chairman called for nominations to elect the Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year.

 

Resolved:

 

To elect Cllr Helen Belcher OBE as Vice-Chairman for Corsham Area Board for the forthcoming year

 

Apologies were received from:

 

Tony Clarke (Colerne Parish Council)

Adam Walton

 

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2023 were presented for consideration and it was:

 

Resolved:

 

To approve and sign as a true and correct record of the minutes of the meeting held on 26 January 2023.

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

 

Dispensation – Cllr Helen Belcher (OBE) and Cllr Ruth Hopkinson both declared that they were Members of Corsham Town Council but had been granted a dispensation.

 

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

 

·        Five To Thrive Corsham Community Pilot

 

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

 

Five To Thrive Corsham Community Pilot

 

The project provided support for those struggling with stress and/or recovering from trauma to give them a more positive outlook on life and help build resilience. The chair invited people to attend the event.

 

The Board is asked to note the following Information items:

 

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Independent Visitor Scheme Volunteers

o   Wiltshire Libraries

o   Cost of Living (March & April)

o   National Numeracy Day

The Board received and noted the following announcements:

 

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Independent Visitor Scheme Volunteers

o   Wiltshire Libraries

o   Cost of Living (March & April)

o   National Numeracy Day

 

Full details can be found in the agenda pack.

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

 

(a)  Wiltshire Police – Inspector Pete Foster

(b)  Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (to follow)

(c)   Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

(d)  Corsham Climate Action – Adam Walton

 

 

Written Updates

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

·       PC updates (some to follow)

·       Campus Update (to follow)

 

Verbal Updates

The Board received verbal updates from representatives, including:

 

(a)  Wiltshire Police – Sgt Michael Tripp

 

In Corsham, efforts have been made to connect with the community and gather opinions on Policing in the area to help shape response, policy, and delivery.

 

There have been 23 School talks and presentations to over 650 children, and 4 Engagement Sessions with Scouts, Beavers, and the Youth Rugby Club.

 

It was emphasized that the delivery of Selecta DNA marking kits to victims of burglary over the last two years had been particularly successful.

 

(b)  Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

 

Corsham Town Council

 

Following the Annual Council Meeting on 15 May 2023, Cllr Helen Belcher OBE was elected as the new Chair of Corsham Town Council. The report also noted that their work on climate change and the environment continues with their ‘Plastic Free Community’ Scheme and Eco Fairs. The Town Council was delighted to have been able to support Corsham’s Coronation activities with funding for events including a tea party and miniature concert in the town centre. Anticipation was given for the Business Leader’s Lunch that took place on the 9 June.

 

Box Town Council

 

Box Town Council have elected a new Chair and were continuing to implement their own Climate Strategy. Work from Cotswold Wardens on Public rights of way in the area was highlighted.

 

 

Written Updates

The Board was asked to note the following written and online updates attached to the agenda:

·       PC updates

·       Campus Update

Corsham Climate Action

A representative from the Integrated Care Alliance will be attending the meeting to share an update on the former Corsham Health Centre, Beechfield Road.

 

 

This item was deferred item to the next Corsham Area Board Meeting on 20 July 2023.

To receive updates from the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager and Lead Councillors about the progress made towards the Area Board’s priorities over the last year.

 

Officer: Ros Griffiths, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager

The Board received an update from Ros Griffiths, the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager, and Lead Councillors about the progress made towards the Area Board’s priorities over the last year.

 

A presentation video was played for those in attendance that highlighted several achievements of the Board over the last year.

 

·       Youth engagement and positive activity opportunities (Cllr Helen Belcher)

 

The Local Youth Network had supported the completion of Wiltshire Council’s

Youth Needs Assessment, invested in local outreach and safe space youth provision and arranged workshops to provide local groups and individuals

with opportunities to understand contextual safeguarding of young people.

 

·       Addressing climate change (Cllr Derek Walters)

 

The Corsham area Climate group had facilitated site visits to local organisations and businesses to understand their sustainability programmes and had promoted local events such as Corsham’s Eco Fair, Repair Café and Sustainability Breakfast. The Area Board had invested in community orchards and solar panels at Corsham RFC.

 

·       Promoting wellbeing and reducing social isolation in older and vulnerable people (Cllr Brian Mathew)

 

The Area Board had continued to co-ordinate the Corsham Health and

Wellbeing Group, supported the development of the Celebrating Age

programme across the community area and worked in partnership to

organise a multi-agency ‘foot health’ and slipper exchange event to promote

falls prevention and the local activities offer.

 

·       Supporting the local economy (Cllr Ruth Hopkinson)

 

The Area Board ‘economy’ lead had supported the Corsham Means

Business networking drop ins and shared advice and opportunities

for local businesses.

 

The full report can be found in the Agenda Pack.

 

To consider the Priority Areas and Appointments of Priority Group Representatives 2023/24:

 

·       Youth engagement and positive activity opportunities (Cllr Helen Belcher)

·       Addressing climate change (Cllr Derek Walters)

·       Promoting wellbeing and reducing social isolation in older and vulnerable people (Cllr Brian Mathew)

·       Supporting the local economy (Cllr Ruth Hopkinson)

 

Officer: Ros Griffiths, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager

 

 

The Board considered the Priority Areas and the Appointment of Priority Group Representatives for 2023/24.

 

It was:

 

Resolved:

 

To appoint the following Councillors as Priority Group Representatives for 2023/24:

 

·       Youth engagement and positive activity opportunities (Cllr Helen Belcher)

·       Addressing climate change (Cllr Derek Walters)

·       Promoting wellbeing and reducing social isolation in older and vulnerable people (Cllr Brian Mathew)

Supporting the local economy (Cllr Ruth Hopkinson)

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

 

Officer: Ros Griffiths, Strategic Engagement & Partnerships Manager

 

Remaining Budgets:

 

Community Area Grant	Older & Vulnerable	Young People
£16,527	£7,700	£13,816

 

Community Area Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG858	Neston Memorial Hall – Solar Array Project Total project cost £20.300	£5,000
ABG1151	Corsham Military Graves, Signage Collaboration Project Total project cost £1,000	£500

 

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1137	Area Board Initiative – Coronation Tea Party Total project cost £1000 (As noted below: £500 already awarded under delegated powers)	£166.66 top up
ABG1169	Corsham Community Club – Funding help 2023 Total project cost £7,500	£3,000

 

Young People Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG887	The Portable Wellbeing Studio – Corsham School Project Total project cost £5,980	£2,980
ABG1200	Peacock Arts Trail – Corsham Youth Zone project Total project cost £1,700	£850
ABG1202	The Open Blue Trust – Traveller History Month Celebration Total project cost £351.45	£351.45
ABG942	Rewired Counselling – Spark 2023 Total project cost £3,900	£1,383

 

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:

 

• ABG1137 - Area Board Initiative – Coronation Tea Party (detailed above), was awarded £500 under delegated powers. Top up of £166.66 requested at the meeting.

 

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

 

Community Area Grants

 

1 – Neston Memorial Hall, Solar Array Project - £5000

 

Cllr Derek Walters proposed an award of £3000, this was seconded by Cllr Brian Mathew.

 

It was:

 

Resolved

To award a reduced amount of £3000 to Neston Memorial Hall for their Solar Array Project.

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

 

 

2 – Corsham Military Graves, signage collaboration project £500

 

Proposed by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE and seconded by Cllr Derek Walters.

 

It was:

 

Resolved

To award Corsham Military Graves £500 for their signage collaboration project.

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

 

 

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

 

3 – AB Initiative, Coronation Tea Party – A top-up of £166.66

(This was previously awarded SEPM delegated funding and was considered under Delegated Funding)

 

4 – Corsham Community Club, Funding Help 2023 - £3000

 

Proposed by Cllr Brian Mathew and seconded by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE

 

It was:

 

Resolved

To award Corsham Community Club £3000 for Funding Help 2023.

Reason – The application met the Older and Vulnerable Grants Criteria 2023/24

 

 

Youth Grants:

 

5 – The Portable Wellbeing Studio, Corsham Sch Project - £2980

 

Proposed by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE and seconded by Cllr Brian Mathew.

 

It was:

 

Resolved

To award The Portable Wellbeing Studio £2980 for their Project.

Reason – The application met the Youth Grants Criteria 2023/24

 

6 – Peacock Arts Trail, Corsham Youth Zone project - £850

 

Proposed by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE and seconded by Cllr Brian Mathew.

 

It was:

 

Resolved

To award Peacocks Art Trail £850 for their Corsham Youth Zone Project.

Reason – The application met the Youth Grants Criteria 2023/24

 

7 – The Open Blue Trust, Traveller History Month Celebration – Previously published as £351.45 however updated to £500.

 

Proposed by Cllr Derek Walters and seconded by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE.

 

It was:

 

Resolved

To award The Open Blue Trust £500 for their Traveller History Month Celebration.

Reason – The application met the Youth Grants Criteria 2023/24

 

8 – Rewired Counselling, Spark 2023 - £1383

 

Proposed by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE and seconded by Cllr Brian Mathew

 

It was:

 

Resolved

To award Rewired Counselling £1383 for Spark 2023.

Reason – The application met the Youth Grants Criteria 2023/24

 

 

Delegated funding:

To note that one award has been made through the SEPM delegated funding process between meetings, this was:

 

• The AB Initiative, Coronation Tea Party – which was initially awarded £500, and further topped up by £166.66.

 

Information links: Area Board Grants &  Grants Criteria

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 26 April 2023, as set out in the attached report.

 

Recommendations:

 

·       5-21-19 Box Market Place, Signage & lining £1875

(Box PC contribution £625)

·       5-22-2 Chapel Plaister Junction Improvements - £2250

(Box PC contribution £750)

 

 

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

 

The Board noted the minutes and considered the recommendations arising from the last LHFIG Meeting held on 26 April 2023.

 

Proposed by Cllr Ruth Hopkinson and Seconded by Cllr Brian Walters.

It was:

 

Resolved

 

To note the LHFIG minutes and approve the following recommendations:

 

·       5-21-19 Box Market Place, Signage & lining £1875

(Box PC contribution £625)

·       5-22-2 Chapel Plaister Junction Improvements - £2250

(Box PC contribution £750)

 

The Area Board is asked to:

 

a)    Appoint Members as Lead representatives to Outside Bodies, any Non-Priority Working Groups and to the LHFIG, as set out at Appendix A;

 

b)    Note the Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix B.

The Area Board was asked to:

 

a)    Appoint Members as Lead representatives to Outside Bodies, any Non-Priority Working Groups and to the LHFIG, as set out at Appendix A;

 

b)    Note the Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix B.

 

Proposed by Cllr Brian Mathew and seconded by Cllr Derek Walters it was:

 

Resolved

 

To appoint Cllr Ruth Hopkinson as lead representative to the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) for the following year.

 

 

Proposed by Cllr Ruth Hopkinson and seconded by Cllr Brian Mathew it was:

 

Resolved

 

To appoint Cllr Helen Belcher OBE as lead representative to Pound Arts.

The next meeting of Corsham Area Board will be on 20 July 2023