Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting and expressed his delight in the success of the Health Fair. Thanks were given to all those who had taken part, in particular to Cllr Bucknell.

To receive any apologies for absence.

The following apologies for absence were received:

Xina Hart (Community Youth Officer)

Sue Stockley (Corsham Chamber of Commerce)

Cllr Ruth Hopkinson (Corsham Town Council)

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2014.

Resolved:

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 25 September 2014 as a true and correct record.

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

There were no declarations of disclosable interests.

To receive the following Chairman’s announcements:

·       Car parking consultation.

·       Survey on Wiltshire Countryside

The Chairman drew attention to an update in the agenda pack providing details of a car parking review and a video explaining the review was played.

A survey from Cranfield University on outdoor space in Wiltshire was available in the agenda pack.

The Chairman highlighted the success of the slipper exchange and Dementia Friends session run as part of the Health Fair.

The Community Area Manager, Dave Roberts, was thanked for his hard work for the Area Board since 2009, he would go on to work with Amesbury Area Board. Penny Bell, Community Engagement Officer, would be continuing to work alongside the Area Board.

To receive any updates from the following partners:

a)    Wiltshire Police

b)    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c)    NHS Wiltshire

d)    Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

e)    Corsham Community Area Network (CCAN)

f)     Chamber of Commerce

g)    Springfield Community Campus

h)   Schools

i)     Young People

Written updates from Wiltshire Police, Corsham Chamber of Commerce and Corsham Town Council were included in the agenda pack.

Mike Franklin, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, provided a verbal update describing how the service would merge with Dorset Fire Authority on 1 April 2016 and that an initiative ‘Warm and Safe Wiltshire’ had been launched in partnership with Wiltshire Council.

Dr Simon Burrell, NHS Wiltshire, described progress in the level of coordination between different healthcare providers and increased dialogue between surgeries in the Corsham Area. A Care Coordinator was helping with this link up.

Pauline Lyons, Box Parish Council, described the success of its WW1 exhibition and the placement of poppy plants around the village. The availability of tennis courts and footpaths in the area was cited as a way Box could help people to live healthy lives. It was questioned whether non-domestic rates should be paid on the tennis courts. The parish council emphasized it was keen to maximise the participation of parish councils at Area Board meetings.

Tom Hall,Colerne Parish Council, updated that the parish council was engaged in the boundary revision and hangar redevelopment. Colerne’s tennis courts had been refurbished, as had the War memorial thanks to a grant from the Area Board. In addition to the general WW1 War commemorations, memorials were being held for individual servicemen from Colerne.

A representative from Corsham Town Council reminded that the town’s Christmas light switch- on would be held on 5 December.

Terry ONeil, Lacock Parish Council, updated the Area Board that the parish council and National Trust had jointly funded the maintenance of a footpath through the village. It was also noted that there was a new acting principal at Wiltshire College whom the parish council was working with to increase the profile of the college. Thanks were given to Dave Roberts and the parish council was looking forward to working with Penny Bell on future projects.

The Chairman welcomed Kevin Gaskin, Corsham Community Area Network, back to the Area Board.

Penny Bell thanked Somerset Care and Brantano for their help in running a successful slipper exchange with approximately 80 pairs of slippers exchanged, the remaining slippers would be taken out to the parishes in the coming weeks. The Dementia Friends session proved to be a success and would help to make Corsham dementia friendly. Thanks were also given to Sainbury’s for donating fruit for the Health Fair.

The Chairman provided an update on behalf of Xina Hart, Community Youth Officer, which described that two successful events for young people had been held since she had been in post. As a consequence of these events many organisations had volunteered to be part of the Local Youth Network (LYN). Young people had requested more information about facilities available to them in the area and wanted to develop these further. The the need to increase transport links to rural communities was also identified as a priority for the young people.

To receive an update from CCAN and approve its past and future funding.

There was no additional update from CCAN.

To receive updates and recommendations from the Local Youth Networks (LYNs).

To note expenditure recently incurred for youth events.

Following the appointment of a Community Youth Officer, the Area Board is asked to amend a resolution agreed at the meeting on 25 September 2014 regarding the funding of positive activities for young people to read as follows:

‘The Community Youth Officer, in agreement with the Community Area Manager or Community Engagement Officer and the Chairman of Corsham Area Board, may authorise expenditure in support of positive activities for young people of up to £1,000 per project between Area Board meetings which will be recorded at the next available Area Board, and that this approval be reviewed annually’

It was explained that under the new Youth Model the LYN would identify funding priorities for young people.

The Area Board considered the membership of the LYN management group.

Resolved:

To appoint the membership of the LYN management group to include the following members:

Bob Hancock (Box Green Room Youth Centre), Geoff Fortune (Lacock Youth Group), Naomi Silverton (Pound Arts), Sean Marsh (Urban Saints Adult Helper), Miranda Morgan (Corsham Town Council), Josh Towers (Young Person), Joy Wingrave (Young person), Chloe Lintern (Young person), Cllr Sheila Parker,  Cllr Alan MacRae.

Two vacancies on the management group remained which the Board hoped would be filled by those involved in sports or education for young people.

The Area Board considered expenditure recently incurred for youth events.

Resolved:

To note expenditure totalling £320, including £70 for cookery sessions on the training kitchen and £250 for food and refreshments for young people from an event held on 22 October 2014 and expenditure of £200 to pay for sports coaches for the Kick It Out event held on 29 October 2014.

Following the appointment of a Community Youth Officer, the Area Board considered an amendment to a resolution agreed at the meeting on 25 September 2014 regarding the funding of positive activities for young people.

Resolved:

To amend a motion agreed at the meeting on 25 September 2014 to read: ‘The Community Youth Officer, in agreement with the Community Area Manager or Community Engagement Officer and the Chairman of Corsham Area Board, may authorise expenditure in support of positive activities for young people of up to £1,000 per project between Area Board meetings which will be recorded at the next available Area Board, and that this approval be reviewed annually’

Toreceive an updatefromthe CATGfollowingits lastmeeting heldon16^th October andto consideranyrecommendationsarising.

The Area Board was updated following the recent CATG meeting and considered its recommendations on the placing of signs at the junction of Silver Street and Velley Hill.

Cllr Tonge explained Town Council concerns about the size and content of the signs and similar concerns from Gastard ward were heard. It was explained that the highways officer’s reports had taken these into consideration and the new signage would be in accordance with new regulations.

Resolved:

To install the new advance direction signs in the interests of road safety and traffic management.

To remove the bend warning signs to help reduce the impact on the environment, resulting in three fewer sign assemblies than before.

Toconsider thefollowingapplicationsto theCommunityArea GrantsScheme:

·         Wiltshire Scrap Store- £960 to improve disabled access to the centre.

·         Neston Memorial Hall- £2,000 to contribute to replacing flooring at the hall.

·         Colerne Village Hall- £5,000 to contribute to the installation of a cinema and associated equipment.

Applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme were considered.

Anna Nicholas, Colerne Village Hall, described that in order to screen more films the Village Hall needed to purchase its own equipment.

Funding was needed for Neston Memorial Hall to replace flooring in order to appeal to the wedding market, improve everyday use by the preschool and to reduce cleaning costs.

The Area Board agreed to provide a yearly report on Community Area Grant recipients.

Resolved:

To grant Wiltshire Scrap Store £960 to improve disabled access to the centre.

To grant Neston Memorial Hall £2,000 to contribute to replacing flooring at the hall.

To grant Colerne Village Hall £5,000 to contribute to the installation of a cinema and associated equipment.

To consider a member initiative from Cllr Alan MacRae and Cllr Philip Whalley to support Corsham Swimming Club.

The Area Board heard that Corsham Swimming Club was struggling to sustain itself due to pool closures in Corsham and Bath University.

Members considered an initiative from Cllr Alan MacRae and Cllr Philip Whalley to support Corsham Swimming Club.

Resolved:

To grant Corsham Swimming Club £1,500

To receive a short presentation from Prof. Ron George about a  vision to build         leisure / recreation facilities in the village of Lacock.

To ask Corsham Area Board to support this venture.

Prof. Ron George gave a presentation on a vision to build leisure facilities in Lacock. The aim of the project would be to create a community sports club and continue providing facilities in the village by converting a semi-derelict pavilion to provide a multipurpose space.

The Area Board considered the project.

Resolved:

To support the development of leisure facilities in Lacock.

To receive a short introduction, including a 10 minute film, on the Better Care Plan, followed by a question and answer session.

The Chairman introduced Maggie Rae, Corporate Director, and Cllr Jane Scott OBE who gave a presentation on the Better Care Plan.

It was described that the Plan would ensure integrated care. Care would centre on helping older people to live independently and would involve changes such as providing them with one point of contact and care seven days a week. Carers would also be increasingly supported so they could better help elderly people to recover from illness. The Plan would provide secondary care in the community to help people recover in their own homes and health professionals would assist individuals to take responsibility for having a healthy lifestyle.

A video on the Better Care Plan was played. The video explained how the new Plan would work and that it was particularly pertinent due to increasing life expectancy and the expense of caring for the elderly in Wiltshire.

During a Question and Answer session it was explained that there was no new funding but that, as a consequence of the Plan, money would be better spent and savings would be made through providing more care at home. It was confirmed that only private providers who share the same values would be commissioned and care providers would be paid for the outcomes they achieve rather than the number of patients they see. Not-for-profit organisations would play a role in the service and there would be feedback loops with GPs therefore helping to identify the right service providers. It was acknowledged that a high percentage of elderly people in the county self-fund their care which could mean they were currently paying too much and not receiving the best quality service.

Support was shown for responding to the importance of audiology, particularly for older people. Cllr Scott expressed regret that, due to restrictions from central government, the plan could not be extended to the wider population. It was confirmed that initiatives to encourage drinking water, healthy eating, exercise and stopping smoking would continuously be promoted.

The next meeting of the Area Board will be 21 January 2015 at the Springfield Campus.

The next meeting of Corsham Area Board would be held on 21 January 2015.