Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair will welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman, Cllr Ruth Hopkinson, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

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

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2024 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 10 October 2024.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will give an update on the following items:

• Local Transport Plan Consultation

• Spot The Signs

The Chairman updated the board on the following items:

• Local Transport Plan Consultation

• Spot The Signs

The Board is asked to note the following Information items:

• BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

• Community First

• Wiltshire Police Quarterly Update on Violence Against Women and Girls

• Vaccine Confidence Training Sessions

• EV Chargers

• Cost of Living Update

The Board noted the following Information items:

• BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

• Community First

• Wiltshire Police Quarterly Update on Violence Against Women and Girls

• Vaccine Confidence Training Sessions

• EV Chargers

• Cost of Living Update

Corsham Area Board is pleased to welcome the Chief Constable Catherine Roper.

The Board was pleased to welcome the Chief Constable Catherine Roper.

The CC reminded the Board that the force was put into special measures 2

years ago, and in August received a grade that had zero “requires improvement” ratings and included areas that had improved by two or more ratings.

Control Centres had been a priority and response times were now 8

minutes, down from 28 minutes 2 years ago. There had also been work to

improve the quality of life and leadership structure within the Centres. Wiltshire had progressed from 43/43 to 17/43 in a matter of months, and whilst the CC was quick to assure that further improvement would be made, it was a significant development.

It was clarified that one of the two areas where grades hadn’t improved related to data, where technology had failed the force and therefore accurate data couldn’t be provided. Improvements had been recognised by HMIC but not quite enough yet to allow a higher grade.

The other area where there was no improved grade was investigating crime where support for victims, the administrative process, and overall speed was highlighted following an internal audit, these areas had received an enormous amount of effort to improve, and the aim was to begin evidencing improvements to HMIC in the coming year.

Regarding cost pressures, the Chief Constable stated that the focus was on the community and although she was fully aware that savings would need to be made, that focus wouldn’t change. The CC also clarified that she had been thinking and preparing however the budget settlement wouldn’t be read out until the 19 December.

Councillors thanked the Chief Constable for her detailed account and greeted the positive achievements and outlook provided.

Written Updates

The Board will note any written updates attached to the agenda:

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

a)    Wiltshire Police – Inspector Pete Foster

b)    Town & Parish Council Nominated Representatives

c)    Corsham Climate Action – Adam Walton

The following written updates were noted and attached to the agenda:

Corsham Town Council

Box Parish Council

Lacock Parish Council

Colerne Parish Council’s written update was noted and attached to the minutes

Wiltshire Police

Inspector Pete Foster gave a presentation, which was attached to the agenda, highlighting actions and statistics for Corsham.

Councillors thanked Inspector Pete Foster for his presentation, highlighting the concerns of residents in the area regarding speeding, and urged the police to assist in enabling more SIDs in the area.

Inspector Foster highlighted the potential for an overwhelming amount of data from SIDs, which is purely informative and not an enforcement method.

The Chief Constable also wished to highlight that speeding is a multi-agency approach, including parties such as the Road Safety Partnership but that feedback was always welcomed and would be considered and communicated within the partnership.

It was also clarified from a question relating to the presence of females in Wiltshire Police that the numbers were particularly good compared to the national picture (approximately 30% female), however further thought is always welcomed.

An issue with drugs in Box was highlighted and it was clarified that since an actioned warrant in October no further issues had been reported.

Update on our Priority Areas:

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

·       Addressing climate change (Cllr Derek Walters)

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

·       Supporting the local economy (Cllr Ruth Hopkinson)

The Board’s Councillors gave an update on their respective Priority Areas:

Youth engagement and positive activity opportunities (Cllr

Helen Belcher)

·       LYN Meeting was unfortunately rearranged at short notice but looking to reconvene in January 2025.

Addressing climate change (Cllr Derek Walters)

·       Drew attention to home upgrade grants available for the worst performing homes rated D-G on the EPC rating and could be used for upgrades such as better boilers and insulation.

·       Cllr Walters had recently completed a carbon literacy programme which was described as informative.

·       Trees were due to be planted in Finlay Park

Promoting wellbeing and reducing social isolation in older

and vulnerable people (Cllr Dr Brian Mathew MP)

Health and Wellbeing Group

The following update had been received from Emma Higgins, Head of Combined Place for the BSW Integrated Care Board regarding Pharmacy provision and the Health Centre:

Pharmacy Queries

“The ICB maintains a positive dialogue with those in the Corsham community.”

 “The Health and Wellbeing Board for Wiltshire has given its approval to the most recent Pharmaceutical Needs Assessment, which outlines current provision and whether more is needed, and this remains valid until a new review is carried out in the new year.”

 “We will be working closely with all local partners to ensure the next assessment accurately reflects the needs of people living and working in Corsham.”

Health Centre

“The ICB is continuing to explore with system partners if there is a potential future use for the site and no decision has been made.” 

“Should the site not be required by partners, then the ICB will revert to its original intention to confirm to NHS Property Services who own the site, that the site is surplus to Health requirements and can be disposed of.  A final decision will be made early in the new year.”

Supporting the local economy (Cllr Ruth Hopkinson)

• Cllr Hopkinson has been meeting with many local businesses and urging them to network with each other. A Business Breakfast was being held on 29^th January 2025 at the Digital Mansion between 8-10am, free of charge.

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

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

The Board’s budget was summarised to attendees and the following grants were considered.

SMASH requested £1930 towards After School Peer Mentoring Sessions

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

It was:

Resolved

To award SMASH £1930 towards After School Peer Mentoring Sessions

Reason – The application met the Youth Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Corsham Windband Association requested £5000 towards their Youth Music Development Project.

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

It was:

Resolved

To award Corsham Windband Association a reduced amount of £2500 towards their Youth Music Development Project

Reason – The application met the Youth Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Corsham Rugby Club requested £2500 towards junior equipment.

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

It was:

Resolved

To award Corsham Rugby Club £2500 towards junior equipment

Reason – The application met the Youth Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Corsham Windband Association requested £1045 towards their Primary School Music Development Project

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

It was:

Resolved

To award Corsham Windband Association £1045 towards their Primary School Music Development Project

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Share and Repair requested £423.50 towards a new PAT Tester

Proposed by Cllr Ruth Hopkinson and seconded by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE

It was:

Resolved

To award Share and Repair £423.50 towards a new PAT Tester

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Inclusive Intergenerational Dance requested £2500 towards a Creative Lunch Event

Proposed by Cllr Dr Brian Mathew MP and seconded by Cllr Ruth Hopkinson

It was:

Resolved

To award Inclusive Intergenerational Dance £2500 towards a Creative Lunch Event

Reason – The application met the Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants Criteria 2024/25.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising

from the last LHFIG meeting held on 9 October 2024, as set out in the

attached report.

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

The Board considered the notes and recommendations from the recent meeting of the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group (LHFIG) which took place on 9 October 2024.

Proposed by Cllr Ruth Hopkinson and seconded by Cllr Helen Belcher OBE it was:

Resolved

To approve the recommendations from the meeting of the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group on 9 October 2024.

The date of the next meeting is 20 February 2025.

The next meeting will be on 20 February 2025.