Agenda and draft minutes

The Area Board Chairman will welcome those in attendance and provide an overview of the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed those in attendance and provided an overview of the meeting. The Chairman also provided Councillors and Officers in attendance an opportunity to introduce themselves.

 

It was outlined that a presentation would take place covering the following matters:

·       Strategic Business Plan Priorities

·       Maintenance

·       Local Transport Plan

·       Congestion

·       Public Transport

·       Air Quality

To receive presentations on topics such as strategic business plan priorities, maintenance, LTP, congestion, public transport and air quality.

The Area Board received a presentation from Sam Howell (Director Highways and Transport), Adrian Hampton (Head of Highways Operations) and Cllr Caroline Thomas (Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene, and Flooding). The presentation covered, but was not limited to, the following matters:

 

Introduction:

·       An overview of the Wiltshire transport context was provided, including how the highway network represented the Council’s largest and most valuable public asset with a replacement value of over £5billion including over 2,8000 miles of road.

·       The relation of Highways and Transport to the Wiltshire Council Business Plan was outlined.

·       Statistics were provided regarding asset management, including maintenance.

 

Investment in the Network:

·       An overview of the funding available to Highways maintenance was outlined, including that there was a Highways Maintenance fund of £21million, which was topped up by additional funds, such as an additional £3.6million pothole fund.

·       Other additional sources of funding top ups were covered, including additional investment from Wiltshire Council and further Government funding to span a two-year period.

·       It was noted that as a local authority, Wiltshire was robust and had a preventative eye with the importance of prioritising issued outlined.

 

The Local Transport Plan:

·       The importance of having a Local Transport Plan was outlined, with it setting a framework for maintaining and improving transport in Wiltshire.

·       The importance of the Local Transport Plan aligning with the Local Plan Review to help deliver Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan priorities was stated, with key themes identified including decarbonisation, freight, and active travel.

·       It was noted that there would be plenty of opportunities to be involved in the consultation of the Local Transport Plan.

 

Public Transport Review:

·       An overview was provided regarding the public transport review, which would aim to shape the future bus policy as well as priorities for support.

·       The consultation timeframe, which ended on 10 November 2023, was outlined as well as that there had been over 1,000 responses.

·       The aim was for a new policy and network to be implemented from April 2024.

 

Local Issues:

·       The following areas were identified as being specific local issues:

o   Highway Maintenance

o   Flooding

o   Air Quality

o   Peak Hour Traffic Delays

 

Highways Maintenance:

·       It was outlined that the Council has three different approaches to maintenance:

o   Reactive Maintenance - Responding to issues as they arise, such as repairing potholes or replacing damaged signs.

o   Planned Maintenance - Scheduling regular maintenance tasks to prevent issues from arising in the first place or getting worse.

o   Asset Maintenance - Taking a long-term view of highways maintenance and involves evaluating the condition of roads and infrastructure and prioritizing maintenance tasks based on factors like condition, safety, cost, and rate of deterioration.

·       An overview of benchmarking for Highways was provided following a 2022 South West Road condition scanner survey, with Wiltshire in a good position compared to other local authorities. Furthermore, it was noted that this data was used to prioritise investment.

·       An explanation of why so many potholes have occurred was provided as well as detail regarding interim and  ...  view the full minutes text for item 62.

Those in attendance will have the opportunity to partake in a Q&A session coordinated by the Area Board Chairman.

A question-and-answer session took place coordinated by the Area Board Chairman. Questions raised included:

 

Question – Resident: It has been noticed that in Rowde, the use of micro surface on roads is not fit for purpose with potholes returning time and time again. Other examples include Avon Road, Salisbury St and Beauclerc St. Why is the Council still using this?

 

Response: Micro surface is well recognised across the industry, however, there have been challenges faced with the amount of wetness retained in the surface. Interim repairs have taken place using a range of methods with additional repairs allowing things to be done differently. The specific locations would be checked by the Highways Team.

 

Question – Resident: Is there a good reason that the road safety standard is worsening?

 

Response: Overall, the road safety standard across Wiltshire is not getting worse. Currently work is being undertaken on the updated annual service report, which would be taken to the Environment Select Committee next week, which had been produced in accordance with national guidelines. The guideline and manual can be found via the following link: Roads, road care and cycle lanes - Wiltshire Council

 

Question – Resident: Can you state the frequency of litter picking along main A roads in the county, particularly those coming into Devizes such as Caen Hill? Currently the Clean Up Devizes Squad does a lot in the town centre but not such roads due to their dangerous nature.

 

Response: For A roads, ideally a litter pick is scheduled twice a year, however by the code of practice the Council must respond to litter complaints placed through the MyWilts app. Caen Hill is specifically litter picked when verge cutting takes place. A roads are scheduled twice a year, with the new cycle beginning now. £2million has been allocated towards picking up litter, which could easily be avoided. The last litter pick in Devizes, was last autumn and officers will provide clarity on when the next one will be. If residents do see litter, don’t wait for the schedule please report it before further litter is deposited in that location.

 

Question – Resident: It was questioned what funding Wiltshire Council provides to Devizes Town Council as they only have the resource to take care of the town centre and relies on groups to clean residential streets.

 

Response: Devizes Town Council receives no payment from Wiltshire Council and anything they do is done under service delegation. Any work that they do to meet that statutory duty is up to them. Extra money which has been allocated is for A roads and not for town centres.

 

Question – Resident: Recently a complaint was placed on the MyWilts app, however this was closed without any action being taken, why is this happening?

 

Response: Complaints should no longer come back with a closed message and should now receive an explanation. This is all to do with the HYAMs system which operates and links into the MyWilts app. The interface between the two systems has  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To conclude the Highways Matters event and discuss how best to move forward.

The Chairman of the Area Board summarised session as well as next steps with key actions to be provided in due course. It was noted that written answers would be provided on the website with the presentation published as part of the minutes.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from Cllr Philip Whitehead.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2023.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2023 were presented for consideration and it was;

 

Resolved:

 

To approve and sign as a true and correct record of the minutes of the meeting held on 20 November 2023.

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

 

Cllr Iain Wallis and Cllr Kelvin Nash declared that they were both Devizes Town Councillors and had both been on the group working to provide a Youth Space in Devizes.

To receive any updates from the Devizes Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group meeting on 8 February 2024.

 

Recommendations:

1.    The area board supports the use of the capital funding made available by the cabinet member for developing routes in the Devizes LCWIP to be used to produce a detailed plan for walking/cycling route DC1 (London Road).

 

2.    The area board agrees for a partnership to be formed with Cycle Friendly Devizes and Devizes Town Council to oversee this project. This may be the existing Devizes Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group

 

3.    The area board agrees to look at using the S106 funding that is already allocated for this purpose to cover any additional expenditure required.

The Area Board received an updater from Cllr Tamara Reay on the recent activity of the Air Quality and Sustainable Transport group.

 

After which, it was;

 

Resolved:

 

1.    The area board agreed to support the use of the capital funding made available by the cabinet member for developing routes in the Devizes LCWIP to be used to produce a detailed plan for walking/cycling route DC1 (London Road).

2.    The area board agreed for a partnership to be formed with Cycle Friendly Devizes and Devizes Town Council to oversee this project. This may be the existing Devizes Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group.

3.    The area board agreed to look at using the S106 funding that is already allocated for this purpose to cover any additional expenditure required.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 23 January 2024, as set out in the attached report.

 

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

Cllr Dominic Muns introduced the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 23 January 2023. It was outlined that all 12 “High Priority” schemes were progressing well, and guidance had been provided to parish groups and other groups on initiatives available to help them.

 

After which, it was;

 

Resolved:

 

1.    Devizes Area Board agreed to note the discussions from the LHFIG meeting of 23 January 2024.

2.    Devizes Area Board confirmed the progress of the High Priority schemes agreed by LHFIG.

3.    Devizes Area Board thanked the parish councils that attend the Group, bring local residents’ concerns and engage in interesting and constructive discussion.

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

 

Remaining Budgets:

 

Community Area Grant	Older & Vulnerable	Young People
£9,519.00	£7,755.00	£5,939.35

 

Area Board Initiatives:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1627	Devizes Area Board - Million Hours Youth Project	£4591.35
ABG1628	Devizes Area Board - Youth Space in Devizes	£4591.35

 

Community Area Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1510	Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts - Devizes Community Arts Hub Capital Support Project 2024	£4844.06
ABG1512	Seend Lye Recreation Field - Replacement mowing equipment for Seend Lye Recreation Field	£5000.00
ABG1582	Drews Pond Wood Project - Drews Pond Wood Project path improvement	£2097.60

 

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1490	Arts Together - Arts Together Projects for Isolated and Vulnerable Older People in Devizes	£2500.00
ABG1567	Alzheimers Support - Sidmouth Street dementia day club supporting local people living with dementia	£1440.00
ABG1596	Our time project – Devizes movement and theatre workshops for elders	£3000.00
ABG1598	Nosh and Natter Seend - Seend Nosh and Natter Lunch Club	£325.00

 

Young People Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1516	The Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race - Devizes to Westminster Canoe Race	£998.00
ABG1566	KOTB Angling Club Kids On The Bank - Kids On The Bank Help Fund	£350.00

 

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

 

Area Board Initiatives:

 

Devizes Area Board - £4591.35 towards Million Hours Youth Project.

 

Decision:

 

The Area Board agreed to award £4,591.35 to further support the youth work outlined in the million Hours funding bid on condition that this bid is successful.

 

Moved – Cllr Iain Wallis

Seconded – Cllr Simon Jacobs

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Devizes Area Board - £4591.35 towards Youth Space in Devizes

 

Decision:

 

If the Million Hours bid was unsuccessful, the Area Board agreed to make no award towards supporting it and instead award the £4,591.35 to help provide a youth space in Devizes.

 

Moved – Cllr Dominic Muns

Seconded – Cllr Simon Jacobs

 

Cllr Iain Wallis and Cllr Kelvin Nash abstained from voting.

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Community Area Grants:

 

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts - £4,844.06 towards Devizes Community Arts Hub Capital Support Project 2024.

 

Decision:

 

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts was awarded £4,844.06 towards Devizes Community Arts Hub Capital Support Project 2024.

 

Moved – Cllr Kelvin Nash

Seconded – Cllr Simon Jacobs

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Seend Lye Recreation Field - £5,000 towards Replacement mowing equipment for Seend Lye Recreation Field.

 

Decision:

 

Seend Lye Recreation Field was awarded £2,577.34 towards Replacement mowing equipment for Seend Lye Recreation Field.

 

Moved – Cllr Iain Wallis

Seconded – Cllr Tamara Reay

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Drews Pond Wood Project – £2,097.60 towards Drews Pond Wood Project path improvement.

 

Decision:

 

Drews Pond Wood Project was awarded £2,097.60 towards Drews Pond Wood Project path improvement.

 

Moved – Cllr Iain Wallis

Seconded – Cllr Laura Mayes

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Older and Vulnerable Grants:

 

Arts Together - £2,500 towards Arts Together Projects for Isolated and Vulnerable Older People in Devizes.

 

Decision:

 

Arts Together was awarded £2,500 towards Arts Together Projects for Isolated and Vulnerable Older People in Devizes.

 

Moved – Cllr Dominic Muns

Seconded – Cllr Laura Mayes

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Alzheimers Support - £1,440 towards Sidmouth Street dementia day club supporting local people living with dementia.

 

Decision:

 

Alzheimers Support was awarded £1,440 towards Sidmouth Street dementia day club supporting local people living with dementia.

 

Moved – Cllr Laura Mayes

Seconded – Cllr Iain Wallis

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Our time project – £3,000 towards Devizes movement and theatre workshops for elders.

 

Decision:

 

Our time project was awarded £3,000 towards Devizes movement and theatre workshops for elders.

 

Moved – Cllr Tamara Reay

Seconded – Cllr Simon Jacobs

 

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

 

Nosh and Natter Seend - £325 towards Seend Nosh and Natter Lunch Club.

 

Decision:

 

Nosh and Natter Seend was awarded £325 towards Seend Nosh and Natter Lunch Club.

 

Moved – Cllr Tamara Reay

Seconded –  ...  view the full minutes text for item 70.

To note future meeting dates (7.00-9.00pm):

 

·       3 June 2024

·       16 September 2024

·       18 November 2024

 

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact the Area Board Delivery Officer, Caroline.LeQuesne@wiltshire.gov.uk

 

The dates of the next meetings were:

·       3 June 2024

·       16 September 2024

·       18 November 2024