Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed all to the meeting and asked the Councillors and key officers to introduce themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies were received from Kevin Gaskin, Corsham Community Area Network; Cllr Ruth Hopkinson, COrsham Town Council and from Cllr Jenny Hartless, Box Parish Council.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2015.

The minutes of the meeting held on the 23^rd September 2015 were considered.

Resolved

That the minutes of the meeting held on the 23^rd September 2015 be agreed as correct record for signing by the Chairman.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the following Chairman’s announcements:

·       Wiltshire Apprenticeships

·       NHS Healthchecks

The Chairman drew the meeting’s attention to announcements contained in the pack regarding: Wiltshire Apprenticeships; and NHS Healthchecks. In addition the Chairman made reference to publicity on the Youth Parliament and the Wiltshire Assembly, and the fact that Chloe Lynton, a member of the LYN, had helped arrange the day at the House of Commons. He offered his congratulations and stated that he was pleased to have a young Corsham voice in Parliament.

To receive any updates from the following partners:

(a)  Wiltshire Police

(b)  Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

(c)  Health Services

(d)  Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

(e)  Corsham Community Area Network (CCAN)

(f)    Chamber of Commerce

(g)  Schools

The Chairman drew attention to the written updates in the agenda pack.

Sgt. Ronnie Lungu, Wiltshire Police, drew attention to the written update circulated at the meeting and highlighted the activities to promote measures that householders can take to reduce the risk of household burglary. In addition, the Chairman encouraged people to sign up to local alerts service.

In addition to the written update in the pack, Ann Keats encouraged health service users to provided feedback to Healthwatch.

Cllr Tom Hall, Colerne Parish Council, stated that the potential development of an ex MOD hangar development was causing some debate in the community; and the parish had completed precept planning.

In response to a continued concern about litter waste collection, the Chairman asked that the local member Cllr Sheila Parker continue to work with the parish to address their issue.

Corsham Town Council highlighted activities to encourage local business and in particular the owners of the Martingate centre’s offer to fund free town centre parking in the run up to Christmas.

Richard Rogers state, with regard to the Corsham Community Area Network, that work was ongoing with partners on the JSA, with a plan to present the results to the January meeting.

The Chair of Corsham Partnership of Shcools referred to ongoing  collaborative work for the WW1 centenary focusing on music, art and sport.Other key priorities, highlighted through the JSA, included addressing Childhood Obesity and health. They were seeking to strengthen sporting provision through festivals and competitions including Football and Boccia. The Partnership was also looking to promote tolerance and respect through the PHSE agenda.

The Chairman made reference to the new footpath through Corsham estate to access primary and St Patricks School and that was pleased to see it being well used.

In response to a question from Cllr Philip Whalley, the Chair of the Partnership stated that Corsham area schools were at full capacity, and that this was  likely to be a continuing issue in the future.

A presentation to raise awareness of the charity and how it can be supported.

Ian Wadley, from the Julia’s House Charity, attended the meeting to give a presentation about their work in Wiltshire and their plans for children’s hospice in Devizes.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: that the charity provides care for children with life-limiting conditions; that they strove to provide environment where families can receive support and create positive memories of the remaining time they have with their children; the work of the nurses and the proposals for a new hospice in Devizes; how trust is built between the service and the children and their families; that the charity is seeking to expand community care across the Wiltshire area with a new base in Devizes; that only 6% of their funding is provided by the state with the remainder fund raised; that recent fundraising efforts had recently been supported by film director Guy Ritchie and Hollywood actor Robert Downey Jr; and that they would encourage people to spread the message of the organisation and consider helping to fundraise.

In answer to a question, Ian Wadley stated that Julia was a pediatric nurse who moved to Dorset and had the vision to establish the service.

The Chairman thanked Ian for the presentation.

Officers will be in attendance to discuss local child poverty. Information will be used to inform the Child Poverty Strategy Implementation Plan.

Justine Womack and Kate Blackburn, from the Council’s Public Health team,  attended the meeting discuss local child poverty and to present information regarding the Corsham community area.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: how child poverty is defined and understood; that 17% of children are in poverty in UK, and that the figure in Wiltshire is 10.6% but pockets of very high deprivation; that rural communities will spend more of their income in order to access services; that the Child Poverty strategy was approved by council in February 2015; the impact of poverty on children, including their mental health; the correlation between poverty and children’s readiness for school and, consequently, educational attainment; how families can move in and out of poverty; the local picture for Corsham area and the concentrations in particular areas; how data can be used to investigate further action; the extent of in-work poverty; and how lessons can be learnt across other areas.

Further discussion focused in the action being taken to reduce child poverty and mitigate impacts, including increasing employment and adult skills; financial support to families; ensuring access to good quality housing and environments; and access to education and health services. Specific measures discussed included the rolling out smoke-free playgrounds; and the Shine programme for 7-11 to tackle childhood obesity.

Feedback from the Schools Partnership was that the Shine programme had been very useful, particularly as the tone of the programme was supportive rather than dictatorial. Parish and Local Communities were encouraged to get in touch with officers if they wanted more information about local activities.

The Chairman thanked the officer for the presentation.

An introduction from Blair Keltie to the reality of CSE in Wiltshire and how local people can help tackle it.

Blair Keltie, CSE and Missing Children Manager, attended the meeting to give a presentation regarding the reality of Child Sexual Exploitation (CSE) in Wiltshire and how local people can help tackle it.

Issues highlighted in the course of the presentation and discussion included: that the issues was rightly seen as a shocking and upsetting; how CSE is defined, especially through the experience and viewpoint of children; the profile of the victims; that abuse can happen online; how CSE has been prioritised by police; the links to missing children, and looked after children; the impact of historic cases on the profile of the issue; how the situation is now better understood by the agencies tasked with tackling it; how offenders will target vulnerable children who may be more at risk; the signs that can indicate that abuse may be happening; how the Council plans to implement its strategy to prevent CSE; the important role of Schools, raising awareness of issues of consent and exploitation; what measures, other than prosecution, that can be taken to disrupt exploitation; and how people can contact the team and how training can be provided or available online.

The Chairman thanked the officer for the presentation.

The Wiltshire Councillors will consider the following applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme:

·       Kik Radio - KIK RADIO Community Streaming:           £985.00

·       Corsham Twirlers - Corsham Twirlers Majorette Troupe: £1000.00

·       North Wilts Decorative & Fine Arts Society - Mosaic for Corsham Springfield Community Campus: £1860.00

Richard Rogers, Community Engagement Manager (CEM), present the report which asked the Area Board consider applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme.

1. Kik Radio

A representative from Kik Radio outlined the benefits of the scheme, how the facility could be used to promote community events and how younger people would be involved.

2. Corsham Twirlers

As a representative of the group was present, and in the light of there being questions that the Area Board would like to pose, the Chairman proposed that consideration of the application be deferred. The CEM confirmed that the applicant had been invited to the meeting.

3.  North Wilts Decorative & Fine Arts Society

A representative of project outlined the scheme and the wider benefits, including that they planned to bring children in from the various communities in the Corsham community area; and that they confirmed they had experience of working on similar projects.

The Chairman thanked them for their presentations, and asked that they report back to the Area Board any progress made on their schemes.

Having been put to the vote, the meeting;

Resolved

1. To award Kik Radio - KIK RADIO Community Streaming: £985.00;
2. To defer consideration of the application from Corsham Twirlers; and
3. To award North Wilts Decorative & Fine Arts Society - Mosaic for Corsham Springfield Community Campus: £1860.00

To receive an update from the Local Youth Network, and to consider the following recommendations:

·       To note the update from the Management Group; and

·       To approve grant funding of £1634 to Now Heritage.

Emma Drage, Community Youth Officer, presented the update which also asked the Area Board to consider funding application recommendations made by the Local Youth Network (LYN).

Issues highlighted during the course of the presentation and discussion included: How the needs of young people had been identified; the priorities identified for outdoor/alternative sports; the plans for a youth café facility in the evening at the Camomile Café; the support for mental health and wellbeing, including targeted project work on healthy relationships; how services can be accessed from rural communities; and how volunteer-led Youth group is being established and funded.

The Chairman thanked the officer for the update and for their recent hard work.

Following a presentation from the applicant, and upon consideration of the recommendations of the Local Youth Network, the meeting;

Resolved

To award £1634 to Now Heritage.

To receive the notes from the last CATG meeting held on 29 October 2015, and to consider recommendations as itemised below.

To consider the following recommendations:

1.     To remove Corsham EstatePermissive Path scheme;

2.     To remove Issue No: 3794 - Speed/no pavements at Cross Keys;

3.     To remove Issue No: 3789 - Bus stop at top of Priory Street, Corsham;

4.     To remove Issue No: 3432 - Road safety Grove Road Corsham

5.     To remove IssueNo: 3253 - Commercial vehiclesparkingonPriory Street

6.     To remove Issue No: 3683 - Clutter of road signs Pound Pill / Lacock Road Corsham

7.     To remove Issue No: 3653 - Vehicles blocking turning area Williams Grove Corsham 

8.     To remove Issue No: 4213 - The Tynings – White line parking deterrent

9.     To approve up to 75% of funding for Issue No: 3504 - Speed of traffic B3353 Linleys

10.To note the other updates as required.

Cllr Philip Whalley, Chair of the Corsham Area CATG, presented the notes of the group and the recommendations therein.

Following a vote, the meeting;

Resolved

1.     To remove Corsham Estate Permissive Path scheme;

2.     To remove Issue No: 3794 - Speed/no pavements at Cross Keys;

3.     To remove Issue No: 3789 - Bus stop at top of Priory Street, Corsham;

4.     To remove Issue No: 3432 - Road safety Grove Road, Corsham;

5.     To remove Issue No: 3253 - Commercial vehicles parking on Priory Street;

6.     To remove Issue No: 3683 - Clutter of road signs Pound Pill/ Lacock Road, Corsham;

7.     To remove Issue No: 3653 - Vehicles blocking turning area Williams Grove, Corsham;

8.     To remove Issue No: 4213 - The Tynings – White line parking deterrent;

9.     To approve up to 75% of funding for Issue No: 3504 – Speed of traffic B3353 Linleys dependant on the 25% coming from Corsham Town Council; and

10.  To note the other updates as required.

Thursday 21^st January 2016 – Springfield Campus, Corsham.

The reminded those in attendance that the next meeting of Corsham Area Board would be held on Thursday 21st January 2016 at Springfield Campus, Corsham.

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

There were no urgent items.