Agenda and minutes

Chairman’s Announcements:

 

·       Integrated Performance Report.

 

·       Police and Crime Commissioner – Precept.

 

·       Community Infrastructure Consultation.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the Melksham Assembly Hall for the meeting of the Melksham Area Board.

 

The Chairman thanked the young people who were in attendance and who had helped to put the agenda together and would be presenting several of the agenda items during the meeting.

 

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

 

·       Integrated Performance Report.

 

·       Police and Crime Commissioner – Precept.

 

·       Community Infrastructure Consultation.

 

Apologies were received from Cllr Chris Petty – Melksham Town Council and Cllr Richard Wood – Melksham Without Parish Council.

 

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 11 December 2013 (copy attached).

 

Decision

 

·       The minutes of the meeting held on the 11 December 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.

i.In 2013, Wiltshire built on the legacy of the 2012 Olympics with a range of community activities and new initiatives. As we enter 2014, it is time to look forward to see how the Area Boards can build upon the good work delivered so far to create a lasting legacy for Wiltshire. Cllr Jane Scott OBE will outline some of the new opportunities available to the Area Board in 2014.

 

ii.Ratification of a Melksham Area Board working group to support local commemorations of World War 1.

i.Jane Scott OBE – Leader of Wiltshire Council outlined Wiltshire Council’s “Legacy for Wiltshire”, which highlighted events which had been supported since 2012 and what events were planned for 2014 in Wiltshire to bring communities together including the big pledge, cycle Wiltshire and WW1 commemorations.

 

In 2013 the Council had supported business events, health fairs and checks, school Olympic Games and more.

 

The Big Pledge – to be launched on 2 April. What will you do as an individual, a group or team, or a community to make a difference to improve your health and wellbeing?

 

WW1 commemorations will include local events and remembrance; a briefing for communities will be held on 1 May; a countywide event with the military will be held on 30 July; a programme of education, local stories and history will also feature.

 

Cycle Wiltshire will be a major event as part of British Cycling event calendar; a 2 day event in south of county including a family day and elite cyclists day; it will have a major impact on the local economy; will give a huge opportunity for participation and spectating; will provide a huge opportunity for communities en route; and will attract large number of visitors and media to area.

 

The Chairman thanked Jane Scott OBE for her presentation.

 

ii.Ratification of a Melksham Area Board working group to support local commemorations of World War 1.

 

Decision

 

·       It was agreed by the Melksham Area Board that a working group, made up of Cllr Jon Hubbard – Chairman, Melksham Area Board, Cllr Jonathon Seed – Vice-Chairman, Melksham Area Board and Cllr Pat Aves – Melksham Area Board member would be set up to support local commemorations of World War 1.

 

Presented by members of the Youth Advisory Group and Amy Bird – Consultant in Public Health, Wiltshire Council.

Members of the Youth Advisory Group assisted by Amy Bird – Consultant in Public Health, Wiltshire Council presented a “Healthy Eating” quiz.

 

The quiz incorporated an interactive section where the YAG Group monitored which type of food the attendees chose from a selection during the networking session prior to the meeting.

 

The Chairman thanked the YAG members and Amy Bird for an interesting and very useful presentation.

 

A question and answer session with members of the Youth Advisory Group and Jay Gascoigne – graduate trainee, Wiltshire Council.

The Youth Advisory Group members held a question and answer session with Jay Gascoigne – graduate trainee, Wiltshire Council and Jane Scott OBE – Leader of Wiltshire Council.

 

Both Jay Gascoigne and Cllr Scott were asked about their own career paths and how their experiences of education had prepared them for the careers and challenges that they both now faced working at Wiltshire Council.

 

The Chairman thanked the YAG members for their hard work, and Jay Gascoigne and Cllr Scott for attending the Area Board and sharing their thoughts with the YAG members.

 

The Chairman outlined the Melksham Jobs Fair, "Opportunity Melksham" which was to be held on Saturday 15 March at the Melksham Assembly Hall.

 

The Chairman highlighted the usefulness of the event, with many seminars being held throughout the day as well as practical help in CV writing and preparation strategies when applying for Jobs.

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

 

a. Melksham Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

b. Community Area Partnership

c. Wiltshire Police

d. Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner

e. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

f. NHS Wiltshire/Clinical Commissioning Group

g. Melksham Town Council

h. Parish Council Nominated Representatives

i. Melksham Chambers of Commerce

j. Melksham Senior People’s Forum

 

The following Partner updates were noted:

 

Melksham Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

 

·       The YAG group were looking to attract more members.

 

 

Melksham Community Area Partnership (CAP)

 

·       The Partnership had recently met and were now looking at how they should work with the Area Board in the coming year.

 

 

Wiltshire Police – Insp Matt Armstrong.

 

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

 

·       That there was now a Melksham Neighbourhood Policing Team facebook page.

 

 

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – Mike Franklin

 

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

 

·       That Wiltshire and Dorset Fire & Rescue Services were considering a merger, which if agreed would happen during 2016.

 

The Chairman thanked the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service for their tireless work in dealing with the recent flooding across Wiltshire.

 

 

NHS Wiltshire/Clinical Commissioning Group - Dr Rob Matthews – Spa Medical Practice, representing the local GP practices at the Area Board meeting.

 

·       That the opening hours of the Melksham x-ray service were currently being looked into.

 

Letters from Cllr Jon Hubbard and Steve Gray – Melksham Town Council regarding open access to the Melksham x-ray department sent to Craig Forster – Head of Radiology, Royal United Hospital, Bath were tabled at the meeting.

 

 

Melksham Town Council

 

·       The written report was noted.

 

 

Melksham Senior People’s Forum – Brian Warwick

 

·       That around 3,000 copies of the Melksham seniors newsletter had now been circulated.

 

·       That the Seniors Christmas party held on Monday 16 December had been a great success.

 

·       That the Melksham Shed Club had met for its first meeting, with some 40 people in attendance.

 

·       Wednesday 9^th April – Melksham Seniors Annual General Meeting.

 

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.

 

To ask Councillors to consider the following Grant Applications:

 

i.Community Area Grant Applications.

 

ii.Councillor Initiated Projects.

 

Councillors were asked to consider the following grant Applications:

 

i.Community area grant applications

 

Decision

Wiltshire Mind - Mental Health Awareness and Wellbeing Days awarded £481.

 

Decision

Semington Parish Council – Semington War Memorial Refurbishment Project awarded £1,500.

 

Decision

Melksham Community Environmental Group – Poppy Seeds Project awarded £94.50.

 

Decision

Crazy about Knitting – Setting up of new Knitting group at Melksham Baptist Church awarded £500.

 

Decision

Melksham Town Sound – Melksham Town Sound FM Funding awarded £500.

 

Decision

Bowerhill Village Hall Trust - Installation of solar panels on the roof of the Bowerhill Village Hall awarded £2,500.

 

Decision

2385 (Melksham) Air Cadets - Melksham Air Cadets New Minibus awarded £2,500.

 

Decision

Shaw Hill Playing Field and Village Hall – Shaw Village Hall Marquee awarded £500.

 

Decision

Atworth Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Group – Duke of Edinburgh’s award expedition supervisor awarded £325.

 

Decision

Golden Fleece Cricket Club – Groundwork awarded £500.

 

Decision

Tourist Information Centre – IT Equipment awarded 2 x £499.

 

Decision

Atworth Parish Council – Village War Memorial refurbishment awarded £2,895.

 

Decision

Shaw and Whitley Friendship Club – New dishwasher awarded £924.

 

Decision

Whorwellsdown District Girlguiding – Guides visit to Zoom awarded £392.

 

Decision

Atworth over 55s Afternoon Tea Group – Atworth Benches awarded £500.

 

 

ii.Councillor led initiatives

 

Decision

Cllr Pat Aves – Flyers to advertise events happening Melksham during 2014 awarded £586.

 

Decision

Cllr Pat Aves – Digital equipment for the Rachel Fowler Centre awarded £1,000.

 

Cllr Jon Hubbard – Audio equipment for Melksham Assembly Hall awarded £1,200.

 

Decision

Cllr Jon Hubbard – Melksham Christmas lights infrastructure awarded £4,200.

 

Decision

Cllr Jon Hubbard – Drop in counselling awarded £2,800.

 

Decision

Cllr Jonathon Seed – Summerham & Seend transport resolutions and Poulshot pavement awarded £1,700.

 

Decision

Cllr Roy While – Pedestrian survey at Valldata Bowerhill Melksham awarded £1,000.

 

Decision

Cllr Terry Chivers – South West in Bloom planters awarded £2,000.

 

Decision

Cllr Terry Chivers – Apple pulping machine awarded £745.

 

Decision

Cllrs Jonathon Seed, Jon Hubbard and Pat Aves – Legacy Funding requests from groups for events and activities to commemorate World War I awarded £3,807, on the understanding that up to £5,000 would be allocated if other funds became available.

Cllr Jon Hubbard advised that at the Melksham Area Board meeting held on the 11^th December 2013, Joan Savage had advised the Area Board that Seend Parish Council had concerns re the proposed “Solar village” plans that would site a large number of solar panels on land around the village of Seend.

 

On taking advice from officers of Wiltshire Council the Area Board were advised that this issue was a planning matter and as such should not be discussed at an Area Board meeting.

 

 

Youth workers at the Canberra Youth Centre raised concerns re the possible closure of the centre as part of Wiltshire Council’s proposals to make cuts to its Youth funding provision.

The Chairman thanked the young people for their hard work and thanked Jay Gascoigne and Cllr Jane Scott for attending the meeting.