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Agenda and minutes

Venue: Online Meeting

Contact: Tara Shannon  Senior Democratic Services Officer

Media

Items
Note No. Item

6.30pm

54.

Welcome

To welcome those present to the meeting.

Minutes:

Cllr Laura Mayes as Vice-Chair of the Area Board welcomed those present to the meeting, ran through remote meeting housekeeping procedures and invited Members to introduce themselves.

 

55.

Apologies for Absence

To receive any apologies for absence.

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from:

 

·       Cllr Simon Jacobs, Chairman of Devizes Area Board;

·       Phil Peaple, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire Service; and

·       Cllr Nigel Carter, Devizes Town Council

 

56.

Minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2020.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The minutes of the last meeting of the Area Board on 14 September were considered. Cllr Gamble highlighted that on page 8 under minute number 47, the item on Assize Court, the name of the lead architect for Purcell was spelt incorrectly and should have been spelt Niall Phillips. After which it was;

 

Resolved

 

To approve the minutes of the meeting on 14 September 2020, subject to the correction in spelling of Niall Phillips name in minute number 47.

 

57.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

Minutes:

Cllr Richard Gamble and Cllr Peter Evans declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 8, the presentation from the Devizes Development Partnership on the Devizes Gateway project as they were both members of the Devizes Development Partnership.  

 

 

6.35pm

58.

Chairman's Announcements

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

 

·       COVID-19

To receive an update on COVID-19 with the latest infection rates, details of the response and local volunteer groups.

 

·       Zero carbon council houses and energy efficient improvements

On 3 November 2020 Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet agreed to significantly invest in zero carbon homes for its council house new build programme, and also improve the energy efficiency of its existing council homes. This forms part of the commitment to make Wiltshire Council carbon neutral by 2030. Further details can be found here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/cabinet-agrees-to-new-zero-carbon-council-houses-and-energy-efficient-improvements and the Cabinet agenda and minutes can be viewed here: https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=141&MId=13085&Ver=4.

 

Minutes:

The Chairman made the following announcements:

 

·       COVID-19

The Vice-Chair updated the meeting on the latest COVID-19 figures for Wiltshire. Our rate was fairly low in comparison to the rest of the country. However, the standard messaging regarding controlling the spread of COVID-19, such as washing hands, covering your face and making space should still be adhered to in order to help reduce infection rates. It was stated that if anyone required support during COVID-19, they should contact the Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub on 03000 003 4576 or wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk.

 

·       Zero Carbon Council Houses and Energy Efficient Improvements

It was stated that on 3 November 2020 Wiltshire Council’s Cabinet agreed to significantly invest in zero carbon homes for its council house new build programme and also improve the energy efficiency of its existing council homes. Further details could be found on the Wiltshire Council website at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/news/cabinet-agrees-to-new-zero-carbon-council-houses-and-energy-efficient-improvements.

 

6.40pm

59.

Partner Updates

To receive updates from the following partners:

 

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       Schools Update

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Devizes indies

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Updates were received from the following partners:

 

·       Wiltshire Police

Sergeant Gareth Edwards of the Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team gave an update, including figures for recent crimes and incidents. Priorities for the team were stated as anti-social behaviour, speeding and drugs.

 

·       Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

Angus Macpherson, PCC, explained that the election for the new PCC and Deputy PCC had been due to take place in May 2020 but had been postponed until May 2021 due to COVID-19. Therefore, the PCC and the Deputy PCC had been invited to stay on for an extra year. The Police and Crime Plan had been updated and was available at www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/Police-and-Crime-Plan. The Annual Report was also available at www.wiltshire-pcc.gov.uk/article/1844/Annual-report.

 

Details were given regarding ‘Operation Uplift’ and police recruitment. A national announcement by government to increase police officers by 20,000 had been made in 2019. In Wiltshire and Swindon the police force had been at 934 officers, this had been increased and would reach a new figure of 1,050 officers in March 2021. However, it did take time to train the new officers.

 

An update on policing in the pandemic was given. Wiltshire Police followed the College of Policing Guidance to Engage, Explain and Encourage, only Enforcing as a last resort. This had been working well and there was scrutiny in place to ensure that any Fixed Penalty Notices were issued correctly.

 

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

A written report was provided which could be found in the agenda pack.

 

·       Schools Update

Ralph Plummer, Headteacher of Lavington School gave an update. The school had not any confirmed cases of COVID-19 during term time. There had been one case during half term but as the pupil was off school no one else had been exposed. The students had been very resilient given the circumstances. Implementing zones within the school had been difficult and it was hoped a solution could be found so that all students could access facilities such as the science block. A successful socially distanced event had been held for Armistice day and Park runs had been taking place for Movember. The Vice-Chair passed on thanks to all staff at the school.

 

Mark Lascelles, Headteacher of Dauntsey’s gave an update. Unfortunately, there had been 6 COVID-19 cases prior to half term and a further 3 that week. Pupils had isolated and remote working was being undertaken, staff had been working very hard to facilitate this. A worry for the school was the rising tide of mental health issues exacerbated by lock down and the uncertainty regarding next summer’s exams. Fortunately, their pupils could still undertake sports and activities outside.   

 

·       Town and Parish Councils

Simon Fisher, Clerk at Devizes Town Council gave an update. There had been some bulb planting at Quakers Walk and some rewilding of the town was taking place. DTC were working with the COVID support group and Devizes indies.

 

·       Devizes Indies

Ida McConnell gave an update; the group had grown from the 4 core  ...  view the full minutes text for item 59.

7.10pm

60.

Air Quality

Updates from the Devizes Air Quality and Transport Strategy Group, with a focus on cycling.

 

To include an update from Sustainable Devizes.

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Richard Gamble, as Chairman of the Air Quality and Transport Strategy (AQTS) group stated that a positive meeting had been held on 6 October 2020, the notes of which could be found at pages 29-34 of the agenda pack. The terms of reference for the group were reviewed and the revised terms would be brought for formal approval at a future meeting of the area board.

 

Air quality data for the town was examined, figures for 2019 showed that almost all locations were already below objective levels. The pandemic had further improved air quality although data would not be representative as it had been such an unusual year.

 

The Public Transport Team were looking at services across Wiltshire and were considering implementing a Marlborough to Devizes bus service. Devizes Town services were being reviewed and the AQTS group stated their wish that any review should look at bus services to the new health centre on Marshall Road.

 

It was explained that there had been discussion regarding £12,000 which had been allocated from AQTS funds in 2012 to the study of the Devizes Gateway railway station project. These funds had not yet been used and as the project was now progressing the Board was asked to agree that £12,000 could be provided from the AQTS budget as a local contribution to the business case report for the Devizes Gateway station. Cllr Gamble proposed a motion to that effect which was seconded by Cllr Laura Mayes. It was;

 

Resolved

 

That Devizes Area Board approve the Devizes Air Quality and Transport Strategy group providing £12,000 from their budget as a local contribution to the business case report for the Devizes Gateway station.    

 

It was stated that an excellent survey on cycling had been undertaken by Sustainable Devizes and Cllr Gamble invited Graham Martin of Sustainable Devizes to give an update to the meeting.

 

Graham Martin explained that Sustainable Devizes had wanted to build on the uptake in cycling that occurred during lock down. Therefore, a survey had been undertaken which had over 264 respondents. It was stated that one of the main reasons people were intimidated by cycling was due to the volume of traffic; the state of the roads and a lack of routes, particularly routes linking surrounding villages and the town. It was hoped that an alliance could be formed to make Devizes cycle friendly. The vision was to create the conditions where cycling was an everyday means of travel.

 

As part of the initial work on this it was hoped that the alliance could be created; stakeholders would be engaged; routes could be identified and designed and these routes could then be mapped and promoted. It was explained that the group had a small multi-skilled team and wanted to establish a working relationship with the Wiltshire Council School Travel Advisor and the Climate Emergency Task Group as well as the Devizes AQTS group.

 

Cllr Whitehead stated that Wiltshire Council had received tranche 2 of the government funding for cycle  ...  view the full minutes text for item 60.

7.25pm

61.

Devizes Gateway

To receive an update from Tamara Reay and Catharine Symington of the Devizes Development Partnership on the Devizes Gateway (Rail Station) project.

 

Minutes:

The Vice-Chair invited Tamara Reay and Catharine Symington, who were working with the Devizes Development Partnership (DDP), to update on the Devizes Gateway project.

 

It was explained that Devizes was the largest town in Wiltshire without connectivity to the rail network, as the branch line had been closed in the 1960’s. However, the Berks & Hants line passed within 3 miles of the town, so in 2018 the DDP developed a proposal for a station at Lydeway. A bid, led by the DDP and Wiltshire Council, and sponsored by Danny Kruger MP was made to the DfT’s “Restoring Your Railway” programme in early 2020. In May 2020 it was announced that Devizes was one of the successful projects in that programme.

 

As COVID-19 had changed the way people lived and worked the rail industry was focused on tourism as a key to recovery. The business case for the Devizes gateway would be based on restoring connectivity to improve:

·       Economic Development - boost potential of local businesses

·       Access to Education - daily access to Higher and Further Education

·       Tourism - developments such as the Assize Courts, the “Great West Way”, and Devizes location between Stonehenge and Avebury.

 

Other factors taken into account were:

·       Sustainable transport

·       Regional and local strategic plans

·       “Levelling Up” and economic and social mobility

·       Support of the Federation of Small Businesses.

 

The location being looked at for the Devizes station was 3.4 miles from the Market Place, along the A342, which was the least congested road in and out of Devizes. Shuttle buses could be provided to and from the station along with cycle and walking routes.

 

In order to take the project forward the business case needed to assess the feasibility of servicing Devizes Gateway and which trains would stop there. The 2 options were:

·       Extension of the Bedwyn services terminating at Westbury or Frome.

·       Stop on the existing Exeter semi fast (2 hourly) and increasing to 1 hourly.

There were many considerations to be looked at when considering these options that would be examined further in the business case.

 

Funding had been secured from the Restoring Your Railway programme and after development of the Strategic Outline Business Case (SOBC), bids could be made for further funding from the DfT. Wiltshire Council and DDP formed a Working Group to progress the SOBC and it was hoped this would be completed by the end of February 2021.

 

If all went to plan it was hoped that the station could open in 2025.

 

7.35pm

62.

North Wiltshire School Project

To receive an update from Alison Enever, Head of Special Schools Transformation on the new North Wiltshire School project.

 

Minutes:

At the invitation of the Vice-Chair, Alison Enever, Head of Special Schools Transformation gave an update to the meeting on the North Wiltshire Schools project. Sean MeKeown, Interim Executive Headteacher of the North Wiltshire School and Anthony Dixon, Construction Project Manager were also present.

 

It was explained that the North Wiltshire School (which was a temporary name), opened as a single school operating over the three existing sites of Rowdeford, Larkrise and St Nicholas on 1st September 2020. Pupils, staff, parents, carers and governors had been working together to choose a permanent new name for the school and this was expected to be announced by Christmas. The Full Governing Board had been formed for the new school and had begun to meet.

 

The team were working closely with parents, pupils and carers, staff and governors to develop a design for the new build which would be on the Rowde site. A community event had been held with local residents and the team would keep people informed and engaged throughout the project.

 

The build was part of a broader ‘System of Excellence’ workplan to deliver an even stronger and inclusion-focused offer across both special schools and mainstream for children with SEND, which was in line with Wiltshire Council’s SEND Inclusion Strategy.

 

It was explained that in Spring 2021 a planning application would be submitted. It was hoped that construction work would begin in Summer 2021 and would be completed in Autumn 2023.

 

Cllr Mayes and Cllr Whitehead passed on their thanks to all involved, particularly the parents of pupils.

 

7.45pm

63.

Open Floor

Residents are invited to ask questions of their local councillors.

Minutes:

There were no questions.

 

7.50pm

64.

Community Area Transport Group (CATG)

To consider the update and any recommendations arising from the Community Area Transport Group (CATG).

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Cllr Richard Gamble Chairman of the CATG stated that the group had met on 14 October 2020 and highlighted several projects which had been completed. Further details, including recommendations could be found in the notes of the meeting, in the agenda pack. It was;

 

Resolved:

 

To note the minutes of the CATG meeting held on 14 October 2020 and approve the recommendations. 

 

7.55pm

65.

Local Youth Network

To receive updates on youth work in the Devizes area.

 

 

Minutes:

At the request of the Vice-Chair, Keith Brindle of Wiltshire YFC gave a brief update to the meeting.

 

It was explained that the situation at present was difficult due to the pandemic, however mentoring was taking place in some local schools and conversations were ongoing regarding how detached work could be undertaken. The group had recently received funding from Wiltshire Community Foundation to undertake a survey of young people in the area to find out how the lock down had affected them; this data was being drawn together. Responses showed that young people had struggled through lock down and were worried about relationships and opportunities.

 

8.00pm

66.

Health and Wellbeing Group

To receive an update on the Devizes Health and Wellbeing Group and consider the following applications for Health and Wellbeing funding:

 

·       Alzheimer’s Support, £2,140.99, towards supporting Devizes’ dementia community through exercise.

·       Bromham Good Neighbours, £840.00, towards a new Parish Magazine - Bromham Hoot.

·       Love Devizes, Revenue: £5,400.00, Capital: £2,100, towards a Coordinator – community volunteering.

·       Bassline Circus, £4,000.00, towards a creative arts workshops for Devizes.

 

Further details can be found at pages 53 to 58 of the agenda.

 

Minutes:

There was no update from the HWB group.

 

Representatives of the organisations applying for Health and Wellbeing funding spoke in support of their applications. The Board considered the applications and it was;

 

Resolved:

 

·       To grant Alzheimer’s Support, £2,140.99, towards supporting Devizes’ dementia community through exercise.

·       To grant Bromham Good Neighbours, £840.00, towards a new Parish Magazine - Bromham Hoot.

·       To grant Love Devizes £7,500.00 in total (with £5,400.00 from the Revenue budget and £2,100 from the Capital budget), towards a Coordinator – community volunteering.

·       To grant Bassline Circus, £1869.00 of the £4,000.00 applied for as this was all the funding left in the budget, towards a creative arts workshops for Devizes.

 

8.10pm

67.

Community Engagement Manager Update

To receive any updates from Andrew Jack, Community Engagement Manager.

 

Minutes:

There was no update from the Community Engagement Manager.

 

8.15pm

68.

Area Board Funding

To consider the following applications to the Community Area Grants Scheme:

 

·       Dauntsey Academy Primary School, £3,578.40, towards an anti-crime CCTV System.

·       Bishops Cannings Cricket Club, £5,000.00, towards improvements to the cricket ground.

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Representatives of the organisations applying for Community Area Grant Funding spoke in support of their applications. The board considered the applications and it was;

 

Resolved:

 

·       To grant Dauntsey Academy Primary School, £3,578.40, towards an anti-crime CCTV System.

·       To grant Bishops Cannings Cricket Club, £5,000.00, towards improvements to the cricket ground.

 

69.

Urgent items

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

Minutes:

There were no urgent items.

8.25pm

70.

Close

The next ordinary meeting of the Area Board will be held on 11 January 2021 at 6.30pm.

 

 

Minutes:

The Vice-Chair thanked everyone for attending the meeting and announced that the next ordinary meeting of the Area Board would be held on 11 January 2021 at 6.30pm.