Agenda and minutes

Chairman’s Announcements

Universal Credit

Universal Credit will begin in Wiltshire on 16 March 2015, following an announcement by the Wessex branch of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP)

The intention of reforming the welfare system is to help more people to move into and progress in work, while supporting the most vulnerable.

Universal Credit (UC) is the latest national welfare benefit which will eventually replace six other benefits provided by the DWP and HMRC.  UC will eventually replace Income Support, Income Based Job Seekers Allowance, Income based Employment Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit and Housing Benefit.

A legacy for Wiltshire

What Wiltshire Council delivered in 2014 and what’s coming up in 2015.

·       Supporting Wiltshire's future Olympians and Paralympians.

·       Promoted the Big Pledge – Dementia campaign launched.

·       Organised Cycle Wiltshire.

·       Tour of Britain – through 4 communities – 5,000 schoolchildren lined the route.

·       Supported The Big Walk in Melksham – raised £3,800 for charities.

·       First World War – Wall of Remembrance created and touring the county.

·       Support for Wiltshire's future Olympians and Paralympians.

·       Inaugural business and sports dinner raised £30,000.

·       Foundation fund for future funding and scholarship schemes established - supported 24 local sports stars.

Plans for 2015 include:

·       The Big Pledge - launch May.

·       Cycling festival – w/c 3 May.

·       Cycle Wiltshire – 9 and 10 May.

·       Magna Carta – 800 years anniversary – 15 June.

·       Walking festival – w/c 6 September.

·       The Big Walk – 12 September.

Health Watch Wiltshire

Focusing on Dementia - One of Healthwatch Wiltshire’s (HWW) top priorities is dementia. This is because of what local people told us when we attended the ‘what matters to you’ events which were hosted by Community Area Partnerships and Area Boards in 2014.

Consultation on Specialist Dementia Hospital Care in Wiltshire -NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is consulting on the permanent location of specialist dementia hospital care. To help them make a decision about where this care should be, they want to hear what local people think. HWW has been independently facilitating the consultation.

Wiltshire’s Better Care Plan - HWW want to make sure that health and social care services for older people in Wiltshire are working well for them, their unpaid carers and their families. We are speaking to older people and their unpaid carers about their journey through the health and care system and encouraging them to share their experiences.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Area Board. 

It was agreed to take the Melksham Campus update item as the first order of business, as Laurie Bell - Associate Director Communities and Communications, Wiltshire Council had another meeting which she needed to attend.

Laurie Bell, Associate Director Communities and Communications to provide an update on Melksham campus.

i.Programme update

ii.Campus name and logo decision

Laurie Bell - Associate Director Communities and Communications, Wiltshire Council gave an update on recent developments regarding the Melksham Campus project.

Points made included:

·       That all money that Wiltshire Council had allocated for the Melksham Campus would be spent on it.

·       Woolmore Farm – this part of the project was now about to go live, Newts were being removed from the site before work could begin in earnest.

·       Two contractors had been appointed to deliver the Woolmore Farm project.

·       Meetings were being held with both Melksham Rugby and Football clubs to keep them in the loop as to progress at the Woolmore Farm site.

·       It was expected that both clubs would be based and playing their respective matches at Woolmore Farm for the start of the 2016 season.

·       Melksham House – Wiltshire Council would need to find 5 million pounds to fund this part of the project.

·       Work was still progressing on the Doctors surgery at the site.

·       Some access still needed to be resolved.

·       The time frame for the Melksham Campus project had slipped, but Wiltshire Council was still committed to it.

Maggie Rae – Corporate Director, Wiltshire Council paid tribute to the Melksham Councillors, SCOB members and voluntary sector representatives who had worked tirelessly to get the campus project to the point where it was today.

Questions raised included:

·       Will the Christie Miller Sports Centre be kept fit for purpose for the next two years until the campus is operational?

a.Wiltshire Council would do everything that it could to maintain the Christie Miller until the campus was operational.

·       That there were concerns re the future development of Melksham cemetery for burials.

a.The cemetery did not form part of the campus project, but would be looked at if and when to ensure that future burial space was available.

Campus name and logo decision

After thorough analysis of the responses from the Melksham community, the COB brought its recommendations to the Melksham Area Board, with the Councillors and the attendees given the opportunity to vote on the Campus name and logo.

Decision

·       The name ‘Melksham Community Campus’ was confirmed.

·       The updated ‘community’ logo was confirmed, with the ‘M symbol’ moved to the right hand side and in a green colour.

The Chairman thanked Laurie Bell and Maggie Rae for attending the meeting.

The following Chairman’s Announcements were noted:

·       Universal Credit.

·       A legacy for Wiltshire.

·       Health Watch Wiltshire.

Apologies were received from Councillor Terry Chivers and Councillor David Pollitt.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 11^th February 2015.

Decision

·       The minutes of the meeting held on 11 February 2015 were approved by the Committee and signed by the Chairman.

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

There were none.

PaulJohnson - Chairman of TransWilts CIC.

Presentation from Paul Johnson – Chairman, TransWilts CIC.

Points made included:

·       Growth from 18, 000 to 183, 400 passengers journeys pa in 3 years.

·       Melksham station passengers doubling every year (March – March) 12, 000 to 24, 000 to 50, 000.

·       1 commuter joins every week.

·       Morning peak train 25 – 30 passengers board at Melksham.

·       Access to the station is poor at present, the town deserves to have a better one with car parking and pedestrian underpass with Station Pedestrian/cycle access via Foundry Close.

·       Good support from the Area Board re the Melksham Station Project.

·       A big thanks to Graham Ellis for his hard work and determination in getting the project to where it is today.

The Chairman thanked Paul Johnson for his presentation.

Joint Presentation from Melksham Energy Group, Melksham Climate Friendly Group and Claire Langdon - Head of Green Economy Team, Wiltshire Council.

Clare Langdon- Green Economy Team Manager, Wiltshire Council and Shirley McCarthy – Melksham Climate Friendly Group gave a short presentation and interactive session to promote further public engagement on local climate initiatives and carbon technologies.

Points made included:

Wiltshire Council had in the local area:

·       Melksham River Mead School oil to gas boiler conversion – saving £5,500 PA and 21 tonnes of CO2 PA.

·       Lighting upgrades at Melksham River Mead School, Kingsbury House and the Melksham Depot saving £2,500 PA and 13.5 tonnes of CO2 PA.

Melksham Energy Group

—  Aim: increasing own and community’s understanding of optimum sources and use of energy, taking account of

—  polluting effects, residues and true costs

—  environmental impact

·       Inform on low- and zero-carbon technologies and how to save energy.

·       Campaign for sustainable solutions to need for power.

The Chairman thanked Clare Langdon and Shirley McCarthy for their presentation.

Gurjit Jessel Harding – Spice.

i.          Spice Time Credits

ii.        Local Time Credit earn and spend opportunities.

Presentation from Becca Lamont Jiggens – Spice on the launch of Melksham Time Credits.

Points made included:

·       Successful launch event on Wednesday 18^th March with lots of interested local groups.

·       Two main priorities identified:

 Town Tidy activities

 Getting young people involved

Opportunities to Earn Time Credits

•        South West in Bloom – Town Tidy Days 1pm - 3pm 3^rd May, 7^th June and 5th July.

•        Litter pick on Tuesdays 5.30-6.30pm at King George V.

•        Volunteering at youth clubs, consultation days and other events organised by the LYN or stakeholders.   

Opportunities to Spend Time Credits

•        Wiltshire Spend catalogue.

•        Movies at Melksham.

•        DVD rental from Melksham Library.

•        School holidays organised events e.g. visits to Tower Park, Beach Trips and Outdoor pursuits (Brokerswood).

•        Time Credits were the largest community currency in the world.

•        An excellent way for young people to get involved in volunteering.

The Chairman thanked  Becca Lamont Jiggens for her presentation.

Ceri Evans - Community Youth Officer, Wiltshire Council.

I. Update

·       A drop-in/Youth café is now being delivered at the Adventure centre on Tuesdays   6.30/8.30pm.

·       Atworth Youth Centre will be reopening its doors in April with support from the LYN by way of a grant, administration licence and CYO support. This will enable them to secure a paid worker to deliver sessions.

·       The minibus which was donated by Seend Community is in for repair and MOT, once back on the road this will be a vital link for the young people in the Melksham communities to fully participate in current and future events that the LYN provides.

·       The LYN is holding several consultation days in the coming months -25^th April Assembly rooms, 16^th May Bowerhill pavilion and 18^th July Party in the park.

·       The LYN will be soon actively be running Social media and researching branding options.

·       An initial Young person’s Needs assessment has been completed, this is a working document, which will be continually revised through up and coming consultations.         

II. Recommendations 

·       That the Melksham Area Board approves funding of £4,000 to enable the LYN Community mini bus to be repaired for use and first year running costs.

·       Area Board agrees the addition of two new youth members to the LYN Management Group:

MaisieMarchant

James Wilkins 

Update by Ceri Evans - Community Youth Officer, Wiltshire Council

Points made included:

·       A drop-in/Youth café was now being delivered at the Adventure centre on Tuesdays   6.30/8.30pm.

·       Atworth Youth Centre would be reopening its doors in April with support from the LYN by way of a grant, administration licence and CYO support. This would enable them to secure a paid worker to deliver sessions.

·       The minibus which was donated by Seend Community was in for repair and MOT, once back on the road this would be a vital link for the young people in the Melksham communities to fully participate in current and future events that the LYN provides.

·       The LYN was holding several consultation days in the coming months -25^th April Assembly rooms, 16^th May Bowerhill pavilion and 18^th July Party in the park.

·       The LYN would be soon actively be running Social media and researching branding options.

·       An initial Young person’s Needs assessment had been completed, this was a working document, which would be continually revised through up and coming consultations.         

Decision

·       That the Melksham Area Board approves funding of £4,000 to enable the LYN Community mini bus to be repaired for use.

·       Area Board agrees the addition of two new youth members to the LYN Management Group:

MaisieMarchant

James Wilkins 

The point was made by the Chairman that the LYN Community mini bus would be made available for older persons use when not being used by the LYN.

The Chairman thanked Ceri Evans for his update.

20mph Speed Restriction Assessment reports for Kenilworth Gardens, Melksham and Snarlton Lane, Melksham.

The Melksham Area Board are asked to provisionally approve the sum of

£1,333 for speed restriction as set out within the report for Kenilworth Gardens, Melksham (subject to CATG approval). 

Following the publication of Wiltshire Councils policy for 20mph speed limits, the authority committed to undertaking assessments across the 18 Community Areas.

Each of the Community Areas were requested to nominate defined areas for assessment during 2014/15.

Kenilworth Gardens (+ surrounding area) and Snarlton Lane in Melksham, had been locally identified and selected by the Community Area Transport Group as a possible suitable locations for a 20 mph speed restrictions.

Decision

·       That the Melksham Area Board provisionally approves the sum of £1,333 for speed restriction as set out within the report for Kenilworth Gardens, Melksham (subject to CATG approval)

·       Local Youth Network (LYN) – Cllr Jon Hubbard

·       Children and Young Peoples Network - Cllr Jon Hubbard

·       Economy – Cllr Roy While

·       Health – Cllr Pat Aves

·       Transport – Cllr Terry Chivers

·       Read Easy – Cllr David Pollitt

Local Youth Network - Cllr Jon Hubbard

·       Update provided during Local Youth Network item.

Bowerhill and Hampton Park Business Initiative – Cllr Roy While

•        Steering Group meeting held on March 10^th.

•        Update on the Herman Miller development and Broadband.

•        Bulletin geared to the needs of companies on the estate would be introduced.

•        Vehicle parking was an issue with the group in contact with the enforcement team.

Health – Cllr Pat Aves

·       Another positive health and well being network meeting took place on Tuesday 14^th April.

Read Easy – Cllr David Pollitt

•        Management committee up and running and 2 applicants for voluntary Co-ordinator.

•        Once appointed Co-ordinator will start selecting ‘Coaches’.

•        Secured additional funding from Green Square for the first year’s operations.

The Chairman thanked the members for their updates.

To receive any updates from the following partners:

a. Melksham Local Youth Network (LYN)

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

k.Trans Wilts Community Rail Partnership

Wiltshire Police (Inspector Matt Armstrong) - the written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service (Mike Franklin) - the written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

·       That the merger with Dorset Fire & Rescue Service had now been approved by Parliament.

Community Area Partnership (Colin Goodhind)

·       That the partnership was now active in its campaign to promote Smart Water throughout the Melksham community area.

·       Melksham CCTV – volunteers were now being trained how to operate the system.

·       Neighbourhood Plan – ongoing,

Melksham Town Council – the written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

Melksham Without   Parish Council – the written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

Melksham Senior People’s Forum (Brian Warwick)

·       That the June/July film shows at the Assembly Hall had been cancelled due to the costs of staging them.

·       That the Senior People’s Forum was continuing to work with Wiltshire Online.

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.

To consider applications to the Community Area Grants scheme.

The Wiltshire Councillors considered the following Grant Applications:

Decision

Friends of St George's School, Semington - St Georges School new adventure trail path awarded £2,500.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

Melksham CAP – Bowser awarded £994.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

Bulkington Village Hall - Floor repairs and damp proofing awarded £3,514.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

Melksham Music Festival - Electrical equipment for party in the park awarded £1,584.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

The Learning Curve - IT equipment for introductory internet courses awarded £1,000.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

Wiltshire Mind - New intercom system awarded £984.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

Adventure Centre - Improved drainage for the Melksham Adventure Centre awarded £2,500.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

Melksham CAP - Joystick to maximise the effectiveness of Melksham's CCTV awarded £960.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

Melksham Seniors Forum - Equipment for Older persons activities awarded £500.

Reason

The grant meets the 2014/15 grants criteria.

There were none.

Wednesday 17^th June 2015 – Melksham Assembly Hall.

·       Wednesday 17^th June 2015 – Melksham Assembly Hall.