Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting and the Committee introduced themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received by Councillor Laura Mayes, Noel Woolwrych, Simon Fisher, Julie Rose and Inspector Ben Huggins.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023.

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2023 as a true and correct record.

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

Councillor Kelvin Nash declared that he had an interest in an Area Board Initiative grant application that was being discussed at the meeting but not being determined.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·       Independent Visitor Scheme Update

·       Polling District and Polling Place Review 2023 – Consultation

·       Cost of Living Update

·       Wiltshire Council Archaeological Service Annual Newsletter

The Chairman noted that the following briefing notes could be found within the agenda pack:

•         Independent Visitor Scheme Update

•         Polling District and Polling Place Review 2023 – Consultation

•         Cost of Living Update

•         Wiltshire Council Archaeological Service Annual Newsletter

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Police and Crime Commissioner

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Community First

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire AGE UK

·       Town and Parish Councils

The Chairman noted the written updates from Healthwatch Wiltshire, Community First, BSW Together (Integrated Care System) and Wiltshire AGE UK included in the agenda pack. The Area Board received verbal updates from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

Neighbourhood Sergeant Chris Wickham guided those in attendance through the contents of Wiltshire Police’s latest Area Board update, highlighting progress on 101 triaging, crime statistics and trends (including a rise in burglary) and the work of the community speed enforcement team. Sergeant Wickham also promoted the use of Wiltshire Police’s Community Messaging Service to better engage with the work the police were doing.

The Chairman asked whether anti-social behaviour, which was considered a local priority in Devizes but not a force-wide operational priority, had reduced in volume or been overshadowed by more serious issues. Sergeant Wickham noted that it remained on the police’s radar but that it had indeed seen a reduction across the county. Steve Dewar asked if there could be a concerted effort to ensure that the messaging around knife crime made it clearer that while knife crime was a tragic reality even in rural communities, it was still a very rare occurrence and not something of which young people should be anxious.

·       Police and Crime Commissioner’s Office

Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Wilkinson spoke to the recent improvements being undertaken by Wiltshire Police as a result of his office’s work. These improvements included shortening wait times for 999 and 101 calls, enhanced IT systems and higher success rates resolving sexual harassment and assault. He noted the work being conducted to disrupt county lines drug trafficking across the South-West of England, and the measures being taken to address rural crime. He described Operation Ragwort, a plan to build a robust rural crime intelligence network across the South-West. 192 speed enforcement sanctions in 2021, over 12,000 so far in 2023. The PCC noted that anti-social behaviour was indeed dropping but was still subject to scrutiny and needed a collaborative and comprehensive response working alongside Wiltshire Police. He also noted the work being done to improve victim support in the county. He also praised the work of Chief Constable Catherine Roper and endorsed her new Community Engagement Strategy that was being finalised.

Councillor Simon Jacobs asked whether there was a link between a reduction in 999 calls was due to improvements in 101 responses. The PCC responded that it was possibly part of the reason but added that a more pressing issue that emerged from a recent rural crime survey was people not reporting crimes due to a lack of confidence. Councillor Kelvin Nash lauded the work being done to tackle speeding in Devizes but noted the sluggishness of Speed Watch and the difficulties in getting it set up. He added that he would be happy to liaise with future Speed Watch groups to ensure a similar experience was not endured by others.

Councillor Tamara Reay asked what more could be done to address rural crime. The PCC replied that he was keen  ...  view the full minutes text for item 53.

To receive any updates from Lead Representatives of the Area Board priorities.

The Strategic Engagements and Partnerships Manager (SEPM), Richard Rogers, noted the report in the agenda pack on the progress being made towards the Area Board’s listed priorities.

He specifically drew attention to the work being done towards youth, anti-social behaviour, youth unemployment, and building on the recent Safer Streets project.

To consider the update and any recommendations arising from the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting from 18 October 2023.

Councillor Dominic Muns presented the notes and recommendations from the Devizes LHFIG meeting from 18 October 2023.  He moved to accept the recommendations as written and was seconded by Councillor Kelvin Nash.

Resolved:

•       Devizes Area Board to note the discussions from the LHFIG meeting of 18^th October 2023

•       To confirm the progress of the high priority schemes agreed by LHFIG

•       To confirm LHFIG’s contribution to the two new schemes at a total cost of £16,500.

To receive any updates from the Devizes Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group meeting on 9 November 2023.

Councillor Tamara Reay and Richard Rogers updated the Area Board on the recent activity of the Air Quality and Sustainable Transport group, including the opportunities presented by the recently allocated air quality funding, the town centre bus service, Wiltshire Connect, the draft Air Quality Action Plan and Supplementary Planning Document and the status of the Devizes Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which is now awaiting sign-off.

Councillor Simon Jacobs noted that for all the improvements being done towards public buses, they were often very dirty and warranted more regular cleaning. Councillor Tamara Reay echoed the sentiment and explained that the point was noted and would be pursued after the meeting.  

To consider the following grant applications:

Community Area Grants:

·       Busy Kids Outdoor Shelter - £2,000 towards new outdoor shelter

·       Worton & Cheverell FC - £500 towards football goal posts

·       The Patch, Potterne - £5,000 towards establishment of building as community asset

Youth Grants:

·       Devizes Netball Club - £1,432 towards coaching equipment and venue costs

Older and Vulnerable Adults:

·       Devizes Men’s Shed - £270 towards first aid training.

The Area Board then considered and determined the following grant applications:

Community Area Grants:

·       Busy Kids Outdoor Shelter - £2,000 towards new outdoor shelter

It was explained that the Bromham nursery for babies up to 5 years old had lots of outside space that was currently in a state of disrepair. Councillor Philip Whitehead moved to grant the funding in full and Councillor Kelvin Nash seconded the motion.

Resolved:

To grant Busy Kids £2,000 towards a new outdoor shelter.  

·       Worton & Cheverell FC - £500 towards football goal posts

It was explained that the club had no facilities at the main hub, and that winter training needed to be moved. Seven teams were training at Dauntsey’s School, who have allowed the use of their astroturf, which had no goals, and that the club also needed goals for Lavington. Three to four sets would be needed at a total cost of £2,000. Councillor Muns voiced his support for the application, noting the wide reach of the football club across the local villages. Councillor Jacobs asked if the goal posts were transportable, to which it was explained that they were, but not easily, so would likely remain in one location. Councillor Reay thanked volunteers and recognised the importance of youth football clubs for boys and girls alike. Councillor Muns moved to grant the funding in full and Councillor Nash seconded the motion.

Resolved:

To grant Worton and Cheverell FC £500 towards new goal posts.

·       The Patch, Potterne - £5,000 towards establishment of building as community asset

It was explained that Potterne Parish Council supported the initiative at the former village school and were, like the Area Board, pleased to see more a comprehensive business plan. Councillor Reay proposed to grant £3,000, which was seconded by Councillor Jacobs. Councillor Whitehead also formally thanked The Patch for their co-operation sending through the additional information the Area Board had requested.

Resolved:

To grant The Patch £3,000 towards the establishment of the former village school as a community asset.

Youth Grants:

·       Devizes Netball Club - £1,432 towards coaching equipment and venue costs

It was explained that the netball club planned to expand their junior section from its existing 200 members and planned to continue training at Devizes Leisure Centre and Dauntsey’s School but had no equipment at the school. They had, however, raised funding elsewhere to address this. Councillor Jacobs noted that it was good to see Dauntsey’s so involved in supporting sports clubs for young people. Councillor Whitehead moved to grant the funding in full; Councillor Jacobs seconded the motion. 

Resolved:

To grant Devizes Netball Club £1,432 towards coaching equipment and venue costs.

Older and Vulnerable Adults:

·       Devizes Men’s Shed - £270 towards first aid training.

It was explained that first aid training was required to continue operating the Devizes Men’s Shed, which for the six people necessary would actually amount to £405, but as the initial application was based on training for four people, thus the amount only being £270. The Chairman moved to grant  ...  view the full minutes text for item 57.

To ask questions and discuss local issues.

Introducing the next item, the Chairman noted the importance of public engagement at Area Boards and encouraged people to bring any questions or comments to the Committee’s attention.

Benson Miyoba from Champions in Community, a non-profit project group across 5 counties, introduced himself to the Area Board. Benson explained how as a resident in Devizes, he saw a pattern of youth offending and was later commissioned to work with a small group of the highest-risk offenders as a mentor and was also a champion of community outreach for the Football Association (FA). The Area Board, including Sergeant Wickham from Wiltshire Police, applauded the work he had been doing so far and encouraged the prospect of future collaboration.

Rowde Parish Council noted that they were still discussing their neighbourhood plan and asked what other progress there was regarding the Wiltshire Housing Plan? Councillor Whitehead responded that the Local Plan was going through the process and having completed Regulation 19 should now carry legal weight. He speculated that it would probably be finished around 2025, with Devizes, Bishops Cannings and Urchfont’s Neighbourhood Plans at a similar stage. He noted that the county was still suffering from the lack of 5-year housing land supply, adding that this was fundamentally a national government policy issue and encouraging Parish Councils to continue pressing forward with their own Neighbourhood Plans.

Responding to a query about whether Neighbourhood Plans only carried legal weight for two years, Councillor Whitehead clarified that this was only the case if the Council’s Local Plan wasn’t in place, which he denounced as a ludicrous rule but an unfortunate reality. He added that if and when problems with the Local Plan are solved, Neighbourhood Plans would remain valid for their entire lifespan as intended. Councillor Muns suggested that West Lavington Parish Council write to their local Member of Parliament (MP) to encourage him to help address the 5-year housing land supply issue Councillor Whitehead alluded to, remarking that the MP for Devizes, Danny Kruger, supported the idea and was keen to receive testimonies from constituents as evidence. 

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

There were no urgent items.

To confirm the date of the next meeting as 26 February 2024.

The Chairman confirmed that the date of the next meeting would be 26 February 2024. He added that it was a Highways Matters event with Highways Officers and the Cabinet Member for Transport, Flooding and Street Scene in attendance.