Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

• Alexa Davies – Engagement and Partnerships Lead
• Sarah Chidgey – Baydon Parish Council

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 3 December 2024 as a true and correct record.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 3 December 2024, as a true and correct record.

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

Cllr Caroline Thomas noted that she had received a dispensation from the Standards Committee in relation to an Other Registerable Interest by virtue of being Chair of Trustees of Marlborough Youth Forum. The dispensation allowed Cllr Thomas to remain in the room and to take part in the discussion on the youth forum’s application, but not vote on the item

All three Area Board councillors noted that they were members of Marlborough Town Council. Although membership of a town council applying for funding could be considered as an Other Registerable interest under the Wiltshire Council’s Code of Conduct, there was a standing dispensation for all councillors allowing them to remain in the room, take part in the discussion and vote on the item.

The Chairman will give an updates, including:

·       Grant funding for older and vulnerable people is available from BJ Richards, a fund managed by Wiltshire Community Foundation.

The Chairman reminded the Area Board that grant funding for older and vulnerable people living within Marlborough town was available from the BJ Richards Foundation, a fund managed by Wiltshire Community Foundation that was based in Devizes.

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

·       Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

·       Crime figures for Marlborough Rural East, Rural West and Town online

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Cost of living update

o   School appeal panel member recruitment

o   Wiltshire local elections 2025

o   Devolution update – Heart of Wessex

o   Family and Community Learning Service impact report

The Area Board noted the information items as set out in the agenda pack, these were:

·       Cost of living update, pg. 13

·       School appeal panel member recruitment, pg.15

·       Wiltshire local elections 2025, pg.17-18

·       Devolution update – Heart of Wessex, pg. 19-21

·       Family and Community Learning Service impact report, pg. 23-48

The Chairman reported that Wiltshire Council had agreed to join Dorset, Somerset and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole councils as part of a new strategic authority. She noted that there would be no merger of the councils but, under the new model, a mayor, who will have additional powers in a range of areas, such a planning, transport and skills, would be elected.

It was explained by the Chairman that, on 5 February, the government announced the areas that would proceed as part of the Devolution Priority Programme. Wessex was not amongst them, so the individual councils would work with central government to consider the next steps to ensure the area did not miss out on the proposed benefits.

To receive a verbal update from Chief Constable Catherine Roper on the financial pressures facing Wiltshire Police.

If you would like to submit a question in advance of the meeting, please email areaboards@wiltshire.gov.uk.

Chief Constable Catherine Roper gave an update about the financial pressures facing Wiltshire Police. Points included:

·       Wiltshire Police were facing a £6.8 million budget shortfall in 2025/26. £1.6 million of the required savings had already been identified.

·       A financial review was underway to find the rest of the required savings, which would look at the force’s estate and vehicle requirements. The last option to be looked at for efficiency savings would be staffing and the force had a commitment not to reduce the number of police officers.

·       No police station with a front counter would be closing.

·       The Chief Constable was committed to improving the level of service provided to the public despite the financial challenges facing the force.

During the discussion about Wiltshire Police’s financial situation, points included:

·       The Area Board thanked the Chief Constable for her update and recognised the financial pressures facing the force.

·       Wiltshire Police had received additional funding, but the financial shortfall was created by an increase in other pressures, such as meeting pay awards, an increase in employer National Insurance contributions and measures needed to comply with new dangerous dog legislation.

·       The force were looking at ways to use their estate more effectively, including through use of their mobile police stations.

·       The Chief Constable believed that proposed reductions in the number of vehicles used by Wiltshire Police would not have an operational impact.

·       The mid-term financial plan had been written covering the next three financial years, to ensure that the level of service, and specialist kit required, could be provided.

Other points raised included:

·       Thanks were given to the police for the work that they were doing in keeping people safe.

·       The Vice-Chairman highlighted that he had noticed an increase in the presence of the police in rural areas.

·       The Chairman stated that she was sympathetic to the cost pressures facing the police, such as National Insurance.

·       Chief Constable Roper explained that Wiltshire Police should look and feel closer to communities and invited suggestions about events where neighbourhood teams could meet the public. The police were open to engagement in a variety of settings to improve visibility, such a recent visit by the Chief Constable to a dementia group in Calne.

·       The Vice-Chairman suggested that the police would be very welcome at the National Farmers Union breakfast and offered to make further enquiries.

·       A number of recent arrests had been made for hare coursing.

·       Shiela Glass, Chairman of Ramsbury and Axford Parish Council, reported that three vehicles had been abandoned on land owned, or leased, by the parish council and highlighted the parish council’s frustrations with the process for removing vehicles left on private land.

·       A number of obstacles to removing the vehicles were highlighted, including that it had not been possible to obtain details about the owners from the DVLA due to data privacy requirements and being provided with the incorrect forms. It had also not been possible to track the issue despite it being reported on the MyWilts App.

·       In response, Inspector  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

a.    Wiltshire Police – Inspector Simon Garrett

b.    Town / Parish Councils

Written Updates

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

·       Community First

·       Neighbourhood Policing Team

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue - video

Note: Speakers are reminded that they each have a 3-minute slot, unless they have previously discussed alternative arrangements with the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager.

The Area Board noted the following written updates:

·       Community First, pg. 59-63

·       Neighbourhood Policing Team, pg. 49-57

Neighbourhood Police Team – Inspector Simon Garrett

Inspector Simon Garrett gave an update on behalf of the Neighbourhood Police Team. Points included:

·       There had been no change in the composition of the team since the previous meeting.

·       There had been an increase in the number of violent offences in November and December 2024 when compared to the equivalent period in 2023.

·       The overall number of thefts was lower in November and December 2024 than in September and October. However, the number of thefts of vehicles containing tools, across the south west of England, had increased.

·       A shed had recently been broken into and £5,000 worth of good had been stolen.

·       Wiltshire had a lower burglary rate than the most directly comparable police force areas.

·       The further action taken (FAT) rate, the number of crimes investigated which led to a positive outcome, such as a conviction or out of court resolution, was 17.8 percent. This was an increase on recent years and the figures for the last eight months had always been higher than the 24-month average.

·       The overall detection rate for the Neighbourhood Police Team in January was 36 percent, which was higher than the force average of 18 percent. A year earlier, the rate across the force had been around nine percent, so significant improvement had been made.

·       Out of court resolutions had been used following an incident where young people had set fire to some bins in Marlborough. The police were working closely with the children and their families.

·       The current detection rate for burglary across Wiltshire was around 10 percent.

·       The Neighbourhood Police Team had been helping to keep roads open following a period of bad weather in December and January.

·       Over £20,000 of stock had been stolen from the Vodaphone store on Marlborough High Street on 28 December. A vehicle involved in the incident had been apprehended on the A338 and the suspects were now on remand and awaiting sentencing.

During the discussion, points included:

·       The Area Board thanked Inspector Garrett for his update.

·       In response to a query about why the statistics in the slides went back over a two-month period, rather than a longer one, it was explained that this was done to provide the Area Board will rolling updates.

·       Inspector Garrett provided assurance that detection rates had improved month on month. 

·       It was confirmed that the police could move vehicles from the public highways if they were causing an obstruction. Wiltshire Council normally had responsibility for moving vehicles, but not if they were on private land.

·       In response to a query from Lynzey Paradise, from Avebury Parish Council, about how they could find out about engagement opportunities with the police sooner, it was noted that they were listed online. A Police Community Support Officer was also due to speak to the BBC later in the week to help to promote events.

·       When asked about speed enforcement  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive information including the following topics:

·       how to report issues

·       the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group agenda

·       positive highway work carried out

·       forthcoming works

·       parish steward schedule

Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manger (SEPM), Andrew Jack, gave a wide-ranging presentation about Highway related issues.

Statistics

·       Wiltshire had over 2,800 miles of roads, including around 190 miles in the Area Board’s area.

·       Over £4 million had been invested in major highway repairs in the Area Board’s area since 2019.

·       Wiltshire Council was investing an extra £22 million in highways spread over two years.

·       In 2024/25 Wiltshire Council would spend approximately £43 million on highways and transport.

·       The speed at which Wiltshire Council were repairing potholes was improving.

Reporting Maintenance Issues

·       The MyWilts App could be downloaded from a smartphone to report maintenance issues such as potholes. The phone’s GPS could be used to drop a pin on a particular location if the person reporting an issue was there at the time.

·       MyWilts could also be accessed via Wiltshire Council’s website if a person did not have a smartphone.

·       People with an account would receive progress updates on the issues that they had reported. It was acknowledged that updates could sometimes be delayed, although the council were working to improve the system.

·       Issues could be reported by ‘phoning Wiltshire Council, although this would not be quicker than reporting via MyWilts, as the operator would log the job on the app.

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG)

·       The LHFIG was a working group of the Area Board that town and parish councils could refer issues to.

·       The LHFIG could tackle a range of improvement works, such as pavements and cycling routes. The LHFIG could also fund reviews of, and infrastructure for, speed limit changes.

·       Speed limit reviews tended to be fairly costly with a fixed cost of £3,100.

·       LHFIGs could fund posts for speed indicator devices but could not fund the devices themselves. 

·       Town and parish councils would be expected to cover 25 percent of the costs of projects.

·       The group met four times a year, was supported by an engineer and had a budget of approximately £25,000.

·       The LHFIG decided priorities and created a workplan of projects. Projects would be removed from the list once they had been completed. 

·       It was possible for 20 mile per hour limits to be implemented where traffic was already typically travelling between 20 and 24 miles per hour. 

The Vice-Chairman then gave an overview of recent projects completed by the LHFIG, including traffic calming on the A4 at Manton and a parking scheme in Kennet Place. He emphasised that the scheme in Kennet Place had been successful, and it was possible that it could be rolled out to other areas that requested it. He also encouraged people to drive within the speed limit as it made it harder for other people, inclined to speed, to do so.

Positive Work Carried Out in 2024

·       New pathways and a toucan crossing had been installed on the A346 Salisbury Road.

·       Road resurfacing, new road markings, and adjustment of ironworks had been completed on the A4 Bath Road.

·       Utility and maintenance works had been completed on  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive updates on the Area Board’s three priorities.

The Area Board received updates on the progress made towards its priority areas.

To receive an update from the lead councillor, Caroline Thomas, on the work being done towards the Area Board’s priority of children and young people.

Cllr Caroline Thomas gave the following update:

·       Marlborough Area Youth Forum’s youth club was receiving £4,500 in funding from the Household Support Fund to provide hot meals twice a week.

·       Parade Cinema was offering relaxed screening for neuro-diverse young people.

·       The Wiltshire Children and Young People’s Emotional Wellbeing Survey 2024 had yielded fascinating results. Only three schools in the Area Board’s area had participated, all of which were primary schools. A summit would be held on 10 March to discuss the findings.

·       Marlborough Youth Council was being re-established

·       Skateboarding and scootering tuition would be available at the Recreation Ground on 19 February.

·       Marlborough Area Youth Forum would be holding half a day of events at the Rec on 31 May and 23 August.

·       Street Tag, an interactive app to promote participation in physical activity, was being launched in Wiltshire.

·       Marlborough Sports Forum would be hosting a curry and quiz night on 27 February to raise funds to support young people, including grants for talented individuals.

·       A junior leisure membership of Wiltshire Council run leisure centres was available for just £9.99 per month, including unlimited swimming and gym usage for over 11s.

To receive an update from Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group.

Jill Turner, Chair of Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group, gave an update including:

·       A spring networking event would be held at St Peter’s Church on 20 March, which would be an opportunity for local organisations to get together to improve community resilience.

·       A further health and wellbeing day would be held at the newly refurbished Marlborough Leisure Centre in the autumn, which would help to promote the importance of good fitness.

The Area Board thanked the Chair of Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group for her update. Cllr Caroline Thomas also took the opportunity to encourage more people to volunteer to become Link drivers.

To ratify the funding recommendations from the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group on 30 January 2025, as set out in the attached report.

Further information about the LHFIG process can be found here.

The Vice-Chairman introduced the report on pages 91 to 118 of the agenda pack. A member of the public thanked the Area Board for their support for a 20 mile per hour zone near the St John’s area.

The Vice-Chairman noted that there needed to be some minor amendments to the notes regarding the below issues, so that they recorded as:

·       Section 5  No. 5)  8-23-1 Marlborough 20mph Review. ‘LHFIG agreed to progress advert for proposals in report plus George Lane’

·       Section 7 No. 1) 8-24-14 title changed from A4 Avebury – Overton Hill to West Kennet to A4 Beckhampton to Manton.

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

Decision

1.    To note the corrections to the LHFIG notes from the meeting on 30 January [as above].

2.    To progress and/or allocate funding towards the following issues:

·       8-23-5 – Lower Prospect, Marlborough – to allocate £3,000 for a parking scheme (subject to 25 percent town council contribution)

·       8-23-7 - Orchard Road, Marlborough – to allocate £3,000 for a parking scheme (subject to 25 percent town council contribution)

·       8-24-10 – Union Street, Ramsbury – to allocate £3,000 for an experimental order (subject to 25 percent Ramsbury Parish Council contribution)

·       8-24-16 – Trusloe Longfields, Avebury – to allocate £3,100 for a speed limit review (subject to 25 percent contribution by Avebury Parish Council)

·       8-24-18 - Vespasian Road, Marlborough – to allocate £1,000 for a ‘no through road’ sign

·       8-24-14 – A4 Beckhampton to Manton – to allocate £3,100 (subject to 25 percent costs split between Avebury, Kennet Valley and Preshute parish councils)

3.    To note and ratify the revised estimated costs for the following issue:

·       8-19-10 – Frees Avenue, Marlborough - £6,500 (subject to 25 percent form Marlborough Town Council) after revision and readvertising [£4,700 was already allocated in October, so this is an increase of £1,800].

4.    To note the estimated contribution towards the following proposed substantive scheme, which the Area Board voted to progress at their meeting on 18 June 2024:

·       8-23-2 – Mildenhall Footway - £10,000 - Further works are required before a substantive bid can be made including a Topological land survey (approx. £1,800) and Trial holes (approx. £4,000).

5.    To close the following issues:

·       8-22-17 - Chilton Foliat – HGV issues on the B4001 (not progressed)

·       8-22-10 – New Pavement at Chilton Foliat (complete)

·       8-24-01 – Mildenhall Thicketts Road (not progressed)

·       8-24-07 – Ramsbury 20mph limit (not progressed)

To reflect upon the support that the Area Board has provided to the community over the past four years.

Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager (SEPM), Andrew Jack, gave an overview of the Area Board’s achievements since 2021. He explained that the Area Board played an important role in bringing community groups together with town and parish councils. During the current Council term, the Area Board had invested over £178,000 in community projects, which had helped to unlock over £1.6 million in community funding.

He reported that the Area Board was reviewing how it could focus funding on less affluent areas and presented a graph showing how funding had been awarded to different geographical areas, categorised into quintiles by deprivation.

The Chairman noted that it was important to channel funding to those most in need. She also highlighted that funding that was awarded for projects in more affluent areas often also benefitted those on lower incomes as they would travel to access community facilities nearby.

During the update by the SEPM there was a disturbance and the meeting had to briefly be adjourned.

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

Remaining Budgets:

Area Board Initiatives:

Community Area Grants:

Young People Grants:

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

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 questions about their project.

Area Board Initiative:

Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group Requesting £500 Towards Spring Networking 2025

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To award Marlborough Health and Wellbeing Group £500 towards spring networking 2025.

Reason – The application met the Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria 2024/25.

Community Area Grant:

Mildenhall Village Hall Requesting £5,000 Towards a New Kitchen

On the proposal of the Cllr Caroline Thomas, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To award Mildenhall Village Hall £5,000 towards a new kitchen.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grant criteria 2024/25.

Older & Vulnerable Adults Grants:

The Chairman emphasised that there was insufficient Older and Vulnerable People’s funding to award both of the applications in full, so invited both of the applicants to introduce their projects before any votes took place.

Greatwood Charity Requesting £1,024.56 Towards Community Outreach to Cotswold House Eating Disorder Unit at Savernake Hospital

On the proposal of the Vice-Chairman, seconded by Cllr Thomas, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To award Greatwood Charity £1,024.56 towards community outreach to Cotswold House Eating Disorder Unit at Savernake Hospital.

Reason – The application met the Older and Vulnerable Adult’s Grant Criteria 2024/25.

Marlborough Festival Community Interest Company Requesting £2,395 Towards a Day Out for Older and Vulnerable Adults

During the discussion, the Area Board welcomed the idea of supporting a day out for older people, including a concert the night before. However, they did have some concerns about £580 in the overall budget being allocated for filming and observed that it might be challenging to gain consent for recording. The representative explained that the footage would be used as a community resource and shared with Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership; they had also made a video about the need to consent to footage being used. As the Area Board still had some reservations about the filming and had insufficient funding to support both Older and Vulnerable People’s Grants in full, their preference was to award the application from Greatwood and allocate the remaining funding to Marlborough Community Festival. 

On the proposal of the Vice-Chairman, seconded by Cllr Thomas, it was resolved to make the:

Decision

To award Marlborough Festival Community Interest Company £1,960.44 towards a day out for older and vulnerable adults.

Reason – The application met the Older and Vulnerable Adult’s Grant Criteria 2024/25. A lower than requested amount was awarded as there was insufficient funding remaining to award both Older and Vulnerable People’s Grants in full. The Area Board were keen to support the project but had some reservations about funding being allocated to the filming.

Young People’s Grants:

Marlborough Town Council Requesting £5,000 Towards Marlborough Youth Development Fund

In response to queries about the project, Matt Powell, Youth Development  ...  view the full minutes text for item 14.

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

There were no urgent items.

Future meeting dates (starting at 7.00pm):

·       20 May 2025 (extraordinary meeting after Full Council, County Hall)

·       3 June 2025

·       30 September 2025

·       18 November 2025

·       10 February 2026

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact andrew.jack@wiltshire.gov.uk or alexa.davies@wiltshire.gov.uk .

Future meeting dates were confirmed as:

7:00 – 9:00pm with networking from 6.30pm

·       20 May 2025 (extraordinary meeting after Full Council, County Hall)

·       3 June 2025

·       30 September 2025

·       18 November 2025

·       10 February 2026

Meeting details, agendas and minutes can be viewed here.