Agenda and minutes

Chairman’s Announcements:

 

·       Core Strategy Consultation.

 

·       Community Area Joint Strategic Assessments (CAJSA).

 

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the special older persons themed meeting of Melksham Area Board.

 

The Chairman thanked Brian Warwick for his input in putting the agenda together.

 

There were the following Chairman’s Announcements which were covered in the agenda pack:

 

·       Core Strategy Consultation.

 

·       Community Area Joint Strategic Assessments (CAJSA).

 

Apologies were given by Niki Lewis – Service Director, Melksham Area Board, Paul Carter – Melksham without Parish Council, Mike Franklin – Wiltshire Fire & Rescue and Graham Ellis – Melksham Chamber of Commerce.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 31 July 2013 (copy attached).

Decision

 

·       The minutes of the meeting held on the 31 July 2013 were agreed as the correct record.

 

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

 

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

 

a. Melksham Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

b. Community Area Partnership

c. Wiltshire Police

d. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

e. NHS Wiltshire/Clinical Commissioning Group

f. Melksham Town Council

g. Parish Council Nominated Representatives

h. Melksham Chambers of Commerce

i. Melksham Senior People’s Forum

 

The following Partner updates were noted:

 

Melksham Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

 

·       Not present at the meeting due to educational commitments.

 

          It was noted that representatives of Melksham Senior People’s Forum requested an update on the proposed Melksham Skate Park.

 

 

Community Area Partnership Representative – Phil McMullen

 

Points made included:

 

·       That MCAP had organised the consultation document for the proposed King’s Street Coach Park.

 

·       That MCAP had organised a “Mens Health” event at the Spa Medical Centre, Melksham which would be held on Monday 28 October.

 

 

Wiltshire Police – Sgt Sean Brady

 

·       The written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

Sgt Brady also advised that the Police were targeting anti-social behaviour in Melksham town centre.

 

 

The Office of the Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner

 

·       The written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

 

 

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – Mike Franklin

 

The written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

 

 

NHS Wiltshire, Clinical Commissioning Group

 

·       Not present at the meeting.

 

 

Melksham Town Council

 

The written report was noted.

 

 

Parish Council Nominated Representatives

 

·       Nothing to report.

 

 

Melksham Chambers of Commerce

 

·       Not present at the meeting.

 

 

Melksham Senior People’s Forum

 

Points made included:

 

·       That the Seniors group were disappointed in the continued non-attendance of representatives of the NHS Wiltshire/Clinical Commissioning Group at the Area Board meetings.

 

It was agreed that the Chairman would discuss this issue with Maggie Rae - Corporate Director, Public Health, Wiltshire Council.

 

Mary Rennie – Health Watch Wiltshire advised that she would take the matter up with the Clinical Commissioning Group.

 

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.

 

Update from Cllr Roy While & Lucy Murray-Brown – Head of Campus & Operational Models, Wiltshire Council.

Cllr Roy While & Lucy Murray-Brown – Head of Campus & Operational Models, Wiltshire Council gave an update on the outdoor sports provision for the Melksham Campus.

 

Points made included:

 

·       DKA Architects appointed March 2013.

 

·       Creative advisor appointed April 2013.

 

·       1^st round of sub group meetings held May/June 2013:

Design brief development

Working with governing bodies e.g. Amateur Swimming Association (ASA) and English Indoor Bowls Association (EIBA)

Meetings with users e.g. Library, leisure, schools

 

·       Key adjacencies agreed July 2013.

 

·       COB Site visits July – August 2013.

 

·       Melksham House site investigations July – August 2013 e.g. Archaeological trenches.

 

·       2^nd round of sub group meetings held July - September 2013.

 

Next Steps

 

·       Engagement with stakeholder groups and services – October 2013.

 

·       Pre-planning consultation – November 2013.

 

·       Planning submission – December 2013.

 

·       Further updates available at www.melkshamcampus-scob.org.uk

 

 

Woolmore Farm Sports Hub

 

·       Options investigated for the re-provision of rugby facilities in light of complexity over delivering Dunch Lane site.

 

·       Various options discussed collectively with club representatives.

 

·       Preferred option is the development of both Rugby and Football facilities on land at Woolmore Farm.

 

·       Concept of co-location explored and resulting designs developed with both clubs.

 

·       Planning submission planned for late October 2013.

 

·       Current indicative programme targeting to complete the new facilities to enable vacant possession of outdoor areas at Melksham House site in Nov/Dev 2014.

 

·       New facilities targeted to be ready early 2015.

 

·       Phased construction - focus on Melksham House initially with relative sized compound.

 

New Football facilities to include:

 

·       Pitches – 1 main with stadium, 10 x training and junior pitches.

·       Changing facilities.

·       Officials facilities.

·       Large club/event room with catering.

·       Parking.

 

New Rugby facilities to include:

 

·       Same as proposed for Dunch Lane.

·       Pitches – 1 adult main, 1 training pitch, junior and mini pitches.

·       Changing facilities.

·       Club room.

·       Parking.

 

 

Questions raised included:

 

·       Would the rights of way at Woolmore Farm be protected?

a.     Yes, rights of ways would be protected on the site.

 

·       The bowls club are unsure what’s happening to them at the campus site.

a.     The bowls club would still be able to use the bowls green during the building process, it would however be a very busy site.

 

·       Where will people be able to park when the luncheon club moves to the Assembly Hall?

a.     Wiltshire Council would endeavour to keep the Melksham House car park open for as long as possible when the building work starts.

 

·       The lighting on the Swimming pool outer wall to illuminate the footpath in to/out of Melksham House was very poorly lit.

a.     If there is a safety issue Wiltshire Council would look at it.

 

·       Would there be provision for Multi use tennis courts?

a.     Four tennis courts would be delivered as part of the campus build, the provision of multi use tennis courts would need to be investigated.

 

The Chairman thanked Cllr Roy While & Lucy Murray-Brown for their update.

A Wiltshire Voices film “Growing Old” was shown, which highlighted the experiences of several older Wiltshire residents.

Attendees were given the opportunity to take part in an Interactive session - "what helps or hinders you taking an active role in your community"

 

The answers of the interactive session are listed below:

 

What helps us take an interactive role in our community?

 

·       Online listings.

·       Facebook.

·       Notice boards and notices on them.

·       News items on local radio.

·       University of the third age meetings in Bowerhill/Melksham.

·       Computer and internet access.

·       Being old is a frame of mind.

 

What hinders us taking an active role in our community?

 

·       Unreliable bus services.

·       Alleged lack of awareness of what’s going on.

·       Fears about safety after dark.

·       Loop systems not working.

·       Meetings being held in the evenings.

·       Lack of energy.

·       Lack of transport links.

 

Thanked everybody for taking part in the session.

Maps of cycle routes will be available, with a short presentation on the legal aspects of cycling on pavements.

 

Judith Billingham - Road Safety Manager (Education), Wiltshire Council and Sgt Sean Brady – Wiltshire Police gave a short presentation on the benefits of safe, healthy cycling and the legal aspects of cycling on pavements.

 

Questions raised included:

 

·       Should older cyclist use mirrors on their bikes?

a.     Yes, this is a very good idea.

 

·       Melksham Oak School pupils appear to have a poor standard of cycle riding. The shared cycle/pedestrian path means that cyclists tend to jump out into the road when faced with lots of pedestrians, at start/home time periods.

a.     The School has had several Safe Cycling visits about this.

 

·       Should cycles have a bell fitted?

a.     Its not a legal requirement, but is sensible to have one fitted.

 

·       That mobility buggies are difficult to hear when approached from behind on busy town pavements.

a.     Mobility buggy users should have their speed setting set to slow when driving on pavements.

 

 

Points made included:

 

·       That multi-use cycle/pathways need better signage on them.

 

·       Both cyclists and pedestrians need to be more tolerant of each other.

 

·       A rear cyclists/pedestrian entrance into Melksham Oak School from the residential areas would be beneficial.

         It was agreed that the SCOB would look into this.

 

The Chairman thanked Judith Billingham and Sgt Sean Brady for the presentation.

To discuss the provision of coach parking at the Kings Street car park.

Cllr Jonathon Seed outlined a proposal for the provision of coach parking at the Kings Street car park.

 

Points made By Cllr Seed:

 

 

That 63 letters were hand delivered with stamped addressed return envelope containing a short survey letter to residents living in the locality of the King’s Street car park.

 

The survey asked the following question:

 

"Are you happy to see coaches use the King Street Car Park during the daytime or campus opening hours only?“ - Yes or No

In total, 14 respondents said yes, they were happy with the proposal, with 2 respondents who said that they were not happy with the proposal.

 

 

Decision

 

·       Melksham Area Board asks Wiltshire Council to reinstate coach parking at the King Street car park between the hours of 0800- 2300hrs, subject to future review.

 

·       The Board wishes to emphasise that they do not want to see either any overnight parking of Coaches or any lorry parking in King Street Car park.

 

Note: that Cllr Jon Hubbard abstained from the vote.

 

It was also noted that Leekes Store had indicated that they would be happy for coaches to park in their car park.

 

The Chairman thanked members of the Melksham Community Area Partnership for putting the survey document together and delivering them.

 

To ask Councillors to consider the following Grant Applications:

 

i.Community Area Grants

 

·         Poulshot Village Hall - New Poulshot Village Hall damp extraction system.

 

·         Broughton Gifford Friendship Club - New Age Kurling Set.

 

·         Broughton Gifford and Holt Scouts - Broughton Gifford Scout Hut Replacement Doors.

 

 

ii. Councillor Initiative Funding

 

·         Councillor Jon Hubbard seeks £1,162 to develop a community clean up project in Melksham, enabling local working groups to arrange for local clean up sessions by providing them with resources to undertake the project independently.

 

 

iii. Partnership Funding

 

·         To award the Melksham Community Area Partnership £3,917 for Core Funding and for the consultation for Kings Street Coach park of £60.35.

 

 

 

 

Councillors were asked to consider the following Grant Applications:

 

i.Community Area Grants

 

Decision

Broughton Gifford Village Magazine Project Replacement Lap Top – provided with a refurbished Wiltshire Council lap top which was presented to the Broughton Gifford Village Magazine Project at the meeting.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Community Plan – greater inclusion for all.

 

Decision

Poulshot Village Hall were awarded £2,187 for new Poulshot Village Hall damp extraction system.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Community Plan: ensure inclusion of all    and raise the community spirit.

 

Decision

Broughton Gifford Friendship Club were awarded £408 for a New Age Kurling Set.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Community Plan with regard to supporting community activities.

 

Decision

Broughton Gifford and Holt Scouts were awarded £500 for replacement Doors for the Broughton Gifford Scout hut.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Community Plan - promoting activities for young people.

 

 

Councillor led initiative

 

Councillor Jon Hubbard was awarded £1,362 on behalf of Melksham residents to develop a community clean up project in Melksham, enabling local working groups to arrange for local clean up sessions by providing them with resources to undertake the project independently.

 

 

Partnership Funding

Melksham Community Area Partnership were awarded £3,917 for Core Funding and £60.35 for the consultation for Kings Park Coach Park.

 

There were none.

·       Wednesday 11 December 2013 – Semington Village Hall.

 

·       Wednesday 12 February 2014 – Melksham Assembly Hall.

·       Wednesday 11 December 2013 – Semington Village Hall.

 

·       Wednesday 12 February 2014 – Melksham Assembly Hall.