Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer to preside over the election of a Chairman for the forthcoming year.

The Democratic Services Officer opened the meeting and called for nominations for the position of Chairman for the forthcoming year.

 

Cllr Simon Jacobs nominated Cllr Iain Wallis for the position of Chairman, which was seconded by Cllr Tamara Reay.

 

There were no further nominations.

 

Decision

 

To elect Cllr Iain Wallis as Chairman for 2024/25.

To elect a Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year.

The Chairman nominated Cllr Dominic Muns for the position of Vice-Chairman for the forthcoming year, which was seconded by Cllr Kelvin Nash.

 

The Chairman noted that although Cllr Muns was not in attendance, in line with Part 3 of Wiltshire Council’s constitution, he had provided written confirmation to Democratic Services that he was happy to accept a nomination for the position.

 

There were no further nominations.

 

Decision

 

To elect Cllr Dominic Muns as Vice-Chairman for 2024/25.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from:

 

·       Cllr Dominic Muns

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 26 February 2024.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Kelvin Nash, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 26 February 2024, as a true and correct record.

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

 

In relation to the grant application from Wiltshire Museum towards Discover Devizes at the Assize Court, under Item 15, Cllr Laura Mayes declared an Other Registerable Interest (ORI) that she was a trustee of Assize Court Trust. As set out in the Code of Conduct, Cllr Mayes made a statement as a member of public, and remained for discussion. She did not take part in the vote on the item.

The Chairman will give any updates on outcomes and actions arising from previous meetings of the Area Board.

The Chairman encouraged attendees to look at the questions and answers from the Area Board’s Highway Matters event that were attached to the agenda.

The Area Board is asked to note the following Information items:

 

·       Community First

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Consultation on Statement of Licensing Policy.

o   Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal.

o   Local Nature Recovery Strategy Public Engagement.

o   Multiply – numeracy support for adults.

The Chairman referred the Area Board to the following items included in the agenda pack:

 

·         Community First, pg. 83-90

·         Healthwatch Wiltshire, pg. 91

·         Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System), pg. 93-94

·         Wiltshire Council Information Items:

Ø  Consultation on Statement of Licensing Policy, pg. 95-96

Ø  Local Nature Recovery Strategy Public Engagement, pg. 97

Ø  Multiply – numeracy support for adults, pg. 99

To receive updates from:

 

·       Police and Crime Commissioner – Philip Wilkinson OBE

·       Chief Constable – Catherine Roper

·       Wiltshire Police (Devizes Neighbourhood Policing Team) – Inspector Ben Huggins

Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson, OBE, MPhil, gave a strategic overview of recent developments within Wiltshire Police, including that that the force had now out of the special measures. Key points included:

 

·         The PCC congratulated Chief Constable Catherine Roper for leading Wiltshire Police out of special measures.

·         His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) had produced a draft report that aligned with the views of the Chief Constable and PCC.

·         Wiltshire Police was improving at tackling all types of crime and was no longer judged as inadequate by HMICFRS. They were building foundations for continual improvement and getting out of special measures had boosted morale and confidence in the force.

·         Wiltshire Police could do even better and continue to improve customer service.

 

 

 

The head of the Devizes Neighbourhood Police Team, Inspector Ben Huggins then gave an update about the measures being taken to tackle crime in the local area. The following points were made:

 

·         All crime types in Devizes between April and May 2024 were lower than the equivalent period in 2023. 

·         The number of crimes against the person, predominately domestic offences, remained relatively high.

·         There had been a series of burglaries in April and May, but three suspects had been identified, one of which had been charged and the other two were on bail.

·         A series of preventative checks had been undertaken by cadets to test age verification for the purchase of knives.

·         Police Community Support Officers had been in the community tackling anti-social behaviour such as cycling on pavements. 

·         A number of closure orders had been obtained for premises linked to anti-social behaviour and drug use and Wiltshire Police were working closely with housing services.

·         The Roots & Shoots scheme was working with young people to prevent them falling into crime.

·         Facebook Live sessions had been run with parish councils and it was planned to repeat these in future.

 

 

Cllr Laura Mayes arrived at 6:47pm.

 

 

Chief Constable Catherine Roper then updated the Area Board about the plans that she had been implementing to improve service delivery. The following points were raised:

 

·         A three-year strategic plan and series of community commitments had been published online, showing how Wiltshire Police was tackling the crimes that mattered to local communities.

·         Proactive work was being carried out alongside partner agencies in Devizes to support young people.

·         Wiltshire’s Burglary Team was achieving a successful outcome in resolving 20 percent of incidents, which was a threefold improvement on the same period in 2023.

·         She met with HMICFRS every six months to review performance and Wiltshire Police had an in-depth inspection every two years.

 

 

During the discussion, the following points were made:

 

·         The Area Board thanked PCC Wilkinson, Chief Constable Roper and Inspector Huggins for their updates and welcomed the news that Wiltshire Police had come out of special measures.

·         The Chief Constable offered assurances that the Roots & Shoots youth initiative would continue in Devizes. 

·         The Girl Guide Policing Challenge had just been launched and the Scouting Policing Challenge would also  ...  view the full minutes text for item 79.

Verbal Updates

 

To receive any verbal updates from representatives:

 

·       Town and Parish Councils

 

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note the following written and online updates attached to the agenda:

·       Devizes and District Foodbank

 

 

The following partner provided a verbal update:

 

Devizes Fairtrade Group

 

Jasper from Devizes Fairtrade Group reminded the Area Board that Devizes had become a fairtrade town in 2006. He reported that Patrick Kaberia, a tea producer from Michimikuru in Kenya, would be visiting Devizes in September to talk to schools. He explained at, as climate change was causing increasing problems for farmers in the developing world, working with cooperatives to ensure that they got a fairtrade premium was increasingly important.  Mr Kabira had last visited the United Kingdom in 2016 to promote fairtrade and had shared lots of information, including about the work to stabilise the soil on his land. A meeting was being planned for 19 September where the public would be invited along, including local farmers. Fairtrade refreshments would be provided. The Fairtrade representative encouraged elected members to make Wiltshire a fairtrade county.

 

The following partner provided a written update:

 

Devizes and District Foodbank, pg. 123-125

To receive a summary report from the Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager (SEPM) on the work of the Area Board over the previous year.

 

To confirm Area Board priorities, as informed by the Joint Strategic Needs Assessment, for the year ahead and appoint lead councillors to those priorities.

2023/24 End of Year Report

 

Area Board Delivery Officer Caroline LeQuesne referred attendees to the report on pages 127-129 of the agenda pack and gave an overview of some of the Area Board’s achievements in 2023/24.  Achievements included:

 

·         Supporting youth activities in Lavington and Bromham.

·         Helping food banks to buy essential items.

·         Working with partners on creative projects to combat social isolation.

·         Supporting Community Speed Watch teams and promoting engagement with the police.

·         Helping young people to access employment opportunities.

·         Supporting events such as the Devizes to Westminster International Canoe Race.

 

She noted that over two thirds of grant funding awarded by the Area Board had been awarded to the areas in the two quintiles in their community area with the highest levels of deprivation.

 

Community Area Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (CAJSNA)

 

The Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager (SEPM), Richard Rogers, gave a summary of the CAJSNA data and outlined how the Area Board could use it to help inform their priorities for the forthcoming year. He reported that 168 people in the Area Board’s area had responded to a community survey, 138 of which were aged 45 or older. He then went on to outline the top five priority areas identified by those that had taken part in the survey:

 

·         Health

·         The environment

·         The cost of living

·         Children and young people

·         Safety

 

 

The SEPM also provided data about how the challenges in Devizes Area Board compared to other community areas in Wiltshire:

 

·         Of the 18 Area Boards in Wiltshire, Devizes that the fifth highest proportion of people that were 65 or older.

·          It had the third highest number of unpaid carers.

·         It had a higher rate of youth unemployment, children receiving free school meals and households living in deprivation than the Wiltshire average.

·         Devizes had the highest level of crime committed by under 18s of any Area Board in Wiltshire, although much work had been undertaken recently to reduce this figure.

·         Devizes had the second highest percentage of under 18s receiving treatment for substance abuse.

 

 

Area Board Priorities

 

The Area Board were then invited to discuss and approve their priority areas for the forthcoming year. The SEPM emphasised the importance of targeting resources towards areas where the Area Board could have the greatest impact and to align them with community and Wiltshire Council goals.

 

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Simon Jacobs, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To agree, and appoint lead members to, the following priority areas for 2024/25:

 

·         Addressing climate change and protecting the environment (Cllr Tamara Reay)

·         Improve opportunities for children and young people (Cllr Dominic Muns)

·         Valuing and supporting our vulnerable and older people (Cllr Simon Jacobs)

·         Increasing the safety of our community (Cllr Kelvin Nash)

·         Support those in greatest need and improve their resilience (Cllr Iain Wallis)

To consider the Area Board Membership of Outside Bodies and Working Groups as detailed in the attached report.

The Chairman invited the Area Board to appoint representatives to its outside bodies and working groups. He also invited the Area Board to note the terms of reference of the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group and Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Gorup.

 

It was noted by the Chairman that he was happy to remain appointed to the Devizes Development Partnership and take up a position on Devizes Leisure Centre Group.

 

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Philip Whitehead, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To:

1.    Appoint Members as Lead representatives to Outside Bodies, any Non-Priority Working Groups and to the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG), as set out at Appendix A (page 135);

 

Outside Bodies

 

·         Devizes Leisure Centre Group – Cllr Iain Wallis and Cllr Philip Whitehead

·         Devizes Development Partnership – Cllr Iain Wallis

 

Working Group

 

·         Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group (AQST) – Cllr Tamara Reay

 

LHFIG

 

·         Cllr Kelvin Nash

 

2.    Note the LHFIG Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix B (pages 137 - 140)

3.    Note the AQST Terms of Reference as set out in Appendix C (pages 141 – 142)

Residents are invited to ask questions of their local area board councillors.

There were no questions from the public.

To consider the update and any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 17 April 2024, as set out in the attached report.

 

Recommendations:

 

·         Devizes Area Board to note the discussions from the LHFIG meeting of 17th April 2024

·         To confirm the progress of the High Priority schemes agreed by LHFIG.

·         To thank the parish councils that attend the Group, bring local residents’ concerns to us and engage in interesting and constructive discussion.

Cllr Kelvin Nash introduced the recommendations of the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 17 April 2024 and noted that the group was working on no fewer than 16 high priority schemes. He was pleased to report that a number of projects had recently been completed, including bus stop improvements in Easterton and waiting restriction measures in West Lavington. He also explained that a project in Great Cheverell would now be taken forward by Wiltshire Council through the safer school journeys initiative rather than the LHFIG.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Nash, seconded by Cllr Philip Whitehead, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

·         To note the discussions from the LHFIG meeting of 17th April 2024

·         To confirm the progress of the high priority schemes agreed by LHFIG.

·         To thank the parish councils that attend the group, bring local residents’ concerns to us and engage in interesting and constructive discussion.

 

 

To receive any updates and consider any recommendations from the Devizes Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group.

Cllr Tamara Reay gave an update about the recent achievements of the Air Quality and Sustainable Transport Group (AQST). She thanked the AQST, Cycle Friendly Devizes and Wiltshire Council officers for their work in improving air quality measurements in the town. Recent achievements included the adoption of the Devizes Local Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Plan (LCWIP), which had drawn up plans to improve cycling and walking along London Road that were due to start in 2025. In addition, Cllr Reay reported that a recent review of passenger transport had led to a new bus service being introduced at Lay Wood. She praised new initiatives, such as demand responsive transport through the Wiltshire Connect service, introduced in Pewsey Vale and Marlborough, where people could book a bus on an app, or by ‘phone. Services only cost £2 and there was an aspiration to introduce the scheme to other areas in the longer term.

 

Cllr Reay also took the opportunity to congratulate Cllr Dominic Muns on his appointment as the Cabinet Member for Waste and Environment at Wiltshire Council. She noted that the next meeting of the AQST group would be online, at 4pm, on 13 September and invited local parishes to come along.

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
£25,869	£7,700	£23,320

 

 

Community Area Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1755	Mid Wiltshire Ramblers, towards path maintenance group purchase of brush cutter	£169.60
ABG1810	The Mind Tree Cafe CIC, towards The Mind Tree wellbeing hub start up work and making the building and environment safe and secure	£3,028.81
ABG1811	Wiltshire Museum, towards Discover Devizes at the Assize Court	£5,000

 

 

Young People Grants:

 

Ref/Link	Grant Details	Amount Requested
ABG1732	2397 Devizes RAF squadron, towards an Archery Skills Project	£640.65
ABG1754	West Lavington Youth Club towards SEN Inclusiveness	£2,340
ABG1780	Market Lavington Parish Council, towards exercise and fitness equipment	£5,000
ABG1805	Wiltshire Youth for Christ, towards summer holidays pop up week on The Green Devizes	£570
ABG1816	Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts, towards Youth Event Activities YEA Devizes	£5,000

 

 

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

 

The Area Board noted the budgets remaining for allocation at the meeting and heard from representatives in attendance, who gave a brief overview of, and answered any questions about, their projects.

 

Community Area Grants

 

Mid Wiltshire Ramblers Requesting £169.60 Towards the Purchase of a Grass Cutter for their Path Maintenance Group

 

On the proposal of Cllr Philip Whitehead, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To award Mid Wiltshire Ramblers £169.60 towards the purchase of a grass cutter for their path maintenance group.

 

Reason

The application met Community Area Grant criteria 2024/25.

 

 

 

The Mind Tree Café Community Interest Company Requesting £3,028.81 Towards the Mind Tree Wellbeing Hub Start Up Work and Making the Building and Environment Safe and Secure

 

On the proposal of Cllr Laura Mayes, seconded by Cllr Whitehead, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To award the Mind Tree Café Community Interest Company £3,028.81 towards the Mind Tree Wellbeing Hub start up work and for making the building and environment safe and secure.

 

Reason

The application met Community Area Grant criteria 2024/25.

 

 

 

Wiltshire Museum Requesting £5,000 Towards Discover Devizes at the Assize Court

 

Cllr Mayes did not vote on the item having declared that she was a trustee of Assize Court Trust, an Other Registerable Interest under Wiltshire Council’s Code of Conduct.

 

On the proposal of Cllr Simon Jacobs, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To award Wiltshire Museum £5,000 towards Discover Devizes at the Assize Court.

 

Reason

The application met Community Area Grant criteria 2024/25.

 

 

 

 

Young People’s Grants

 

2397 Devizes RAF Squadron Requesting £640.65 Towards an Archery Skills Project

 

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Whitehead, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To award 2397 Devizes RAF Squadron £640.65 towards an archery skills project.

 

Reason

The application met Young People’s Grant criteria for 2024/25.

 

 

 

West Lavington Youth Club Requesting £2,340 Towards Special Educational Needs Inclusiveness

 

On the proposal of Cllr Whitehead, seconded by Cllr Jacobs, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To award West Lavington Youth Club £2,340 towards Special Educational Needs inclusiveness.

 

Reason

The application met Young People’s Grant criteria for 2024/25.

 

 

 

Market Lavington Parish Council Requesting £5,000 Towards Exercise and Fitness Equipment

 

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Mayes, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To awards Market Lavington Parish Council £5,000 towards exercise and fitness equipment.

 

Reason

The application met Young People’s Grant criteria for 2024/25.

 

 

Wiltshire Youth for Christ Requesting £570 Towards a Summer Holidays Pop Up Week on The Green in Devizes

 

On the proposal of Cllr Jacobs, seconded by Cllr Whitehead, it was resolved to make the:

 

Decision

 

To award Wiltshire Youth for Christ £570 towards a summer holidays pop up week on the Green in Devizes.

 

Reason

The application met Young People’s Grant criteria for 2024/25.

 

 

 

Devizes Outdoor Celebratory Arts (DOCA) Requesting £5,000 Towards Youth Event Activities Devizes

 

As DOCA had been unsuccessful in an application to the Arts Council for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 86.

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

There were no urgent items.