Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Laura Mayes and Helen Bradley.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2017.

Resolved:

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 September 2017.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·        Household Recycling Centres

·        Wiltshire Council Consultations http://consult.wiltshire.gov.uk/portal

The Chairman drew attention to announcements in the agenda pack in respect of: Household Recycling Centres, Wiltshire Council’s Consultations and the Wiltshire Local Plan Review.

The meeting was also advised the CATG had been allocated £9,450 for footpath improvements in the area and applications could now be made for this; funding requests for locations that would benefit older and vulnerable would be prioritised. The Chairman explained the Designated Public Place Order for Devizes had been automatically transferred to a Public Space Protection Order in October and the conditions on the order would remain the same. Following questions it was confirmed that if the conditions were to be changed this would require consultation. Finally, thanks were given to Devizes School for offering to host Wiltshire’s Child Poverty Conference which was to be held on 21 November 2017.

To receive updates from the following partners:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Fire and Rescue Service

c.    Health Services

d.    Devizes Community Area Partnership

e.    Schools updates

f.      Town and Parish Councils

g.    Devizes Community Area Wellbeing Group

h.    Community Engagement Manager update

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from Wiltshire Police, the Fire and Rescue Service, and Health Services.

Acting Inspector James Williams  from Wiltshire Police updated he was leading the Community Policing Team in Devizes as an interim measure following the departure of Nick Mawson. Details of recent Police successes in solving hare coursing were provided and this was commended by Cllr Cuthbert. The response time of the 101 service was discussed and it was acknowledged that whilst the pick up time was improving there was still sometimes a wait, the lines were generally more free in the morning.

Jack Nicholson, Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, advised the Service was reorganising and a different representative may be at the next meeting.

Tony Duck, updated he was continuing to work on attracting coach tourism to Devizes and the new ‘Platinum’ toilet facility would support this. Devizes Museum updated it was working with Wessex Museum Council to share best practice, events and attract funding.

Philip Bevan, Devizes School, advised the recent Remembrance Service organised by the school had been extremely well attended, the Antiques Roadshow had also been held at the School to support fundraising to restore The Grey Lady paining.

Sarah Lowkis, Lavington School, told the meeting of a recent Ofsted inspection which had rated the school as ‘good’ and the school had been working to improve the outcomes for vulnerable learners. A future priority for the school was now to look at post-16 provision.

Mike Challinor, Devizes Community Area Wellbeing Group, advised the last meeting of the group had been a real success and its Film Club was now ready for its first screening on 26 November. The Devizes Men’s Shed was nearly ready to open, members commented it was a shame it had taken so long due to a delay to the legal work by Wiltshire Council.

The Community Engagement Manager requested parish councils submit their proposals for WW1 commemorative tree planning and promoted a Christmas Fayre to be held in the Devizes Hub on 6 December.

Richard Ormerod explained he had started a new air quality group for the town and would like to work alongside the group currently supported by Wiltshire Council.

To receive an update from the Local Youth Network.

The Chairman drew attention to the National Citizen Service which was a 2 week programme for young people to learn skills and contribute to the community. The Board would look to try and support any young people who wanted to join this scheme and would provide for information at the next meeting.

To hear how local businesses can encourage their customers to make healthier food choices, and the support and award the Eat Out Eat Well initiative can provide towards this.

Liz Hubbart, Wiltshire Council Public Protection Officer, gave a presentation on the ‘Eat Out Eat Well’ initiative which supported businesses to use healthier cooking techniques and provide healthier menu choices and work towards achieving the award. Businesses were encouraged to take advantage of this award since funding was available making it completely free for businesses, it was an easy award to achieve and could help businesses have a competitive edge. Feedback from the meeting was this was a positive step to support healthier eating however awareness needed to be raised amongst the public as to what the Eat Out Eat Well ‘apple’ symbol meant if they saw it in a café window. It was requested that details of the scheme be sent to Devizes Town Council, Devizes School and Lavington School.

The Chairman thanked Liz Hubbart for her presentation.

The Chairman invited Dave Redfern to update on changes to the leisure centre service and improvements to the centre in Devizes. The officer provided an overview of the budget and staffing situation to support leisure centres across the county and advised a new manager, Sarah Pluckrose, had been appointed to Devizes Leisure Centre. In Devizes a new ‘Focus 5’ five part gym support programme had been developed to give new gym members a free exercise class and personal coaching session. Membership deals would be offered on Black Friday and there was now a cheaper gym offer for under-18s to encourage them to exercise. Councillors expressed disappointment the refurbishment of the centre had not yet been done and the officer advised this was a top priority for the future.

The Chairman thanked Dave Redfern for the update on leisure services.

The funding application from Bromham Busy Kids was brought forward on the agenda, representatives from the group explained the funding request would go towards kitchen refurbishments and the local member spoke in support of the application.

Resolved:

To grant Bromham Busy Kids £1,112 towards kitchen refurbishments.

Information from Wiltshire Employment and Community Skills team about supported employment and internships for those with SEND, including Aspergers and Autism.

Find out how this could benefit your business by coming along to this session

Further information is also available via video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8j9dh0liP8 

Marnie Kemp, Wiltshire Employment and Community Skills, presented on how her team supported businesses to take on employees and interns with SEND, including Aspergers and Autism.  A video was played giving examples of how this could benefit both the person with SEND and the employers. It was explained the team would help support people with CV writing, interview skills, integration in the workplace and travel to work, they were also on hand to support the employers if they had any questions on how to support their new employees. In Devizes, the Council had placed clients at Haydens Bakery and Honeys and worked hard to match the individual to a suitable role. It was noted that internships were unpaid and could run for 12-24 weeks.

The Chairman thanked the officer for her presentation and commended this valuable work. An invite was extended to join a meeting of the top employers in Devizes which was to be held on 18^th January 2018.

Residents are invited to ask questions of their local councillors.

Devizes Town Clerk advised the Christmas Lantern Parade was to be held on Friday 24 November. A request was also made for the contact details of those who had recently attended an event hosted by the Town Council as addresses and email contacts had not been included on the list.

A question was raised as to why a crossing point had not progressed in Potterne, the local member and CATG Chairman Cllr Whitehead advised the visibility was not sufficient for a crossing, however it was argued that a recent report by officers suggested this was not the case. Cllr Whitehead invited Potterne Parish Council to the next CATG meeting to discuss the matter.

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

There were no funding recommendations arising from the last CATG meeting, however the meeting heard the CATG had set up a small sub group to focus on parking in Devizes.

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

·        First Stages - £895 for equipment to enhance production and funding towards a promotional video;

·        Bromham Busy Kids- £1,112 towards kitchen refurbishments

To consider the following applications for Health and Wellbeing funding:

·        Devizes Dementia Action Alliance - £490 for marketing materials and funding for an Older People’s Film Club;

·        Devizes Men’s Shed Club- £679 for safety equipment and electricity kill switch;

·        Restoration trust- £1,907 to support 10 weekly sessions at ‘Human Henge’

Applications for Area Board funding were considered. It was noted that a representative from First Stages was not in attendance to answer questions on its application for equipment to enhance production and to put towards a promotional video. The local member spoke in support of the applicant, however other councillors questioned whether the assets would be available for use by the wider community and agreed the application be deferred to allow for further discussion on this matter.

Resolved:

To defer the application from First Stages to find out more information about whether purchased equipment would be available for wider community use.

Applications for Health and Wellbeing funding were presented. Devizes Dementia Action Alliance had requested funding to pay for licenses to screen films at the Older People’s Film Club, at least one screening per month was planned. Devizes Men’s Shed required funding for electrical and safety requirements to allow their lease to be granted. The Restoration Trust applied for funding to support a health and wellbeing project of 10 weekly sessions and follow up support for those with mental health issues, the clients would be referred by the Richmond Fellowship.

Resolved:

To grant Devizes Dementia Action Alliance £490 for marketing materials and funding for an Older People’s Film Club;

To grant Devizes Men’s Shed Club £679 for safety equipment and an electricity kill switch;

To grant the Restoration Trust £1,907 to support 10 weekly sessions at ‘Human Henge’

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

There were no urgent items.

The next ordinary meeting of the Area Board will be held on 22 January 2017 at Lavington School.

The next meeting was to be held on 22 January 2018 at Lavington School.