Agenda and minutes

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

The Chairman welcomed those present to the meeting and handed over to the Highways Matters panel. The panel comprised the following:

·       Councillor Mike Sankey – Melksham Area Board Member and Melksham LHFIG Lead Representative

·       Sam Howell – Director Highways and Transport

·       John Derryman – PCC’s Office – Road Safety

·       Chris Clark – Head of Local Highway

·       Councillor Caroline Thomas – Cabinet Member for Transport, Flooding and Street Scene

Councillor Caroline Thomas introduced a series of presentations on highways in Wiltshire, providing context as to the role and importance and impact of transport across the county.

Samantha Howell then spoke to the strategic context of the highways network in Wiltshire, noting that the Council was responsible for maintaining an extensive network of roads, public rights of way and public transport.

The panel described how the highways network is funded and the investment that has gone into it in recent years and going forward. Samantha Howell further outlined the significance of the Council’s Local Transport Plan.

The panel noted that the major local issues that had arisen from public engagement included highway maintenance, problems with the A350, road safety and the Local Walking and Cycling Improvement Plan (LWCIP). 

Chris Clark explained the approach the Council undertakes towards highway maintenance and the difference between reactive and planned maintenance alongside asset management.

He also touched on potholes and explained why the weather conditions over the last twelve months had been so problematic for the roads. The panel also noted the Defect Dashboard that would be further implemented over the coming months to help ensure that the Council’s approach to prevention and repairs remains cost-effective and evidence-led.

Councillor Thomas also noted the ‘We’re Targeting Fly-Tippers’ and ‘Don’t Miss with Wiltshire’ initiatives to tackle verge and litter clearance, also noting that the Council was loaning cleaning equipment to local parish councils.

John Derryman from the PCC’s Office noted that the PCC quickly recognised road safety as a priority for investment, which manifested itself in the form of community speed watch teams, community speed enforcement officers and road safety officers, alongside more vehicles and state-of-the-art cameras. Wiltshire and Swindon road safety partnership a valuable infrastructure to bring together several organisations concerned with road safety. SID data being used to inform enforcement, encouraged parish councils to get community speed watch teams and SIDs in place.

To receive an update on the LCWIP in Melksham.

The update was included in the main presentations item.

An opportunity to ask questions of those present on any local highways matters.

The panel then opened up for questions from the floor, including from the Area Board Committee. Details of these questions and their responses along with the panel’s responses to the questions submitted in advance of the meeting can be found in the separate Q&A document. 

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

The panel then concluded the Highways Matters event and thanked those present for their attendance and participation.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Jon Hubbard.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023.

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2023 as a true and correct record.

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

Councillor Jack Oatley declared a non-pecuniary interest in the Youth Grant being determined, as he is involved in organisations from which the applicant planned to seek referrals.

To receive the following briefing notes through the Chairman:

·       Area Board Priority Report – Update

·       Cost of Living update

·       Polling District and Polling Place Review

·       Independent Visitor Scheme Update

·       Archaeology Service Annual Newsletter 2023

·       Cooper Tires Careers Fair and Redundancy Support

The Chairman noted and summarised the following briefing notes from the agenda pack:

·       Area Board Priority Report

·       Cost of Living update

·       Polling District and Polling Place Review

·       Independent Visitor Scheme Update

·       Archaeology Service Annual Newsletter 2023

To note any written updates from the following partner organisations:

· Wiltshire Police

· Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS)

· BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

· Healthwatch Wiltshire

· Community First

· Town and Parish Councils

The Chairman noted written updates in the agenda pack from the following partner organisations:

· BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

· Healthwatch Wiltshire

· Community First

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

Remaining Budgets if all funding is agreed :

Community Area Grants:

Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants:

Young People Grants:

Delegated Funding

There have been no grants awarded under delegated powers since the last meeting.

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

The Committee then considered and determined the following grant applications.

Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants:

The Riverside Centre requested £480.00 towards a food and community support project with an estimated total cost of £3,000. Councillor Alford moved to award the grant in full and was seconded by Councillor Oatley.

Resolved:

To grant The Riverside Centre £480.00 towards a food and community support project.

Great Hinton Community Committee requested £494.78 towards a Great Hinton Heritage Group. The Chairman moved to award the grant in full and was seconded by Councillor Sankey.

Resolved:

To grant Great Hinton Community Committee £494.78 towards a Great Hinton Heritage Group.

Young People Grants:

The Equivalent Project CIC requested £1,805.56 towards a self-harm support programme with an estimated total cost of £10,000. Councillor Sankey moved to award the grant in full and was seconded by Councillor Holder.

Resolved:

To award The Equivalent Project CIC £1,805.56 towards a self-harm support programme.

To consider the following recommendations from the LHFIG meeting from 2 November 2023:

·       To add the following Issues to the Priority Schemes List with funding:

o   Issue 9-23-9  Speeding traffic on A365 Shaw and Whitley Corsham Road – SLOW road markings (£300 - 100% LHFIG )

o   Issue 9-23-12 Steeple Ashton, Sandpits Lane - signs / road markings (£1077.14 -  100% LHFIG funded)

o   Issue 9-23-14  Steeple Ashton Common Hill / Newleaze – request for pedestrian barrier at exit of children’s play area (£1,800.00 – 75% LHFIG, 25% PC)

o   Issue 9-23-15 Halifax Road Bowerhill ‘H’ Bar Marking request (£300 – 100% LHFIG)

o   Issue 9-23-16 Magister Road, Bowerhill Request for ‘Children at play sign’ (£100 – 100% LHFIG)

·       To add the following Issues to the Priority Schemes List without funding at this time:

o   Issue 9-23-17 RTPI at Mitchell Drive, Bowerhill Estate, Market Place Melksham x 2

The Committee then considered the recommendations arising from the Melksham LHFIG meeting from 2 November 2023 as included in the agenda pack.

Councillor Sankey moved to approve the LHFIG’s funding recommendations and was seconded by Councillor Oatley.

Resolved:

To approve the recommendations from the LHFIG meeting on 2 November 2023.

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

·       6 March 2024

·       22 May 2024

·       6 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 Chairman thanked those present for attending and drew attention to the future meeting dates listed below (7:00pm-9:00pm):

·       6 March 2024

·       22 May 2024

·       6 November 2024