Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to South Wiltshire Grammar School for Girls meeting of the Salisbury Area Board and invited Mrs Francis Stratton, the school’s Headteacher, to say a few words.

Mrs Stratton announced that the school had become an academy on 1 January 2011 and was now funded directly from the Department for Schools and Education – this process was only available to schools rated as “outstanding” by Ofsted from 2007. 

The Chairman thanked Mrs Stratton for the introduction, and invited the members of the Board to introduce themselves.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

• Wiltshire Councillor Brian Dalton
• Councillor Su Thorpe – Salisbury City Council
• Sir Christopher Benson, Chairman of Salisbury Vision
• Inspector David McMullin.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 January 2011 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

The Chairman referred to the request from Councillors for an “outcomes” column to be added to the issues page on the Council’s website (page 4 of the minutes refers).  This had now been done and so issues which had been “closed” would show a summary of the final outcome.

The Chairman noted that the Street Survival Packs funded by the Area Board at its January meeting, had now been bought by Wiltshire Fire and Rescue and were being distributed by Alabare.

There were no declarations of interest. 

(Note – Later in the meeting, at item 13.3 (Performance Reward Grant Councillor Paul Sample declared a personal interest in the application from Wiltshire Police, as he was a member of Wiltshire Police Authority).

a.    Proposed changes to arrangements governing the Councillors’ Code of Conduct

b.    Childcare Sufficiency Assessment 2011 – consultation

c.    Fairtrade Fortnight

d.    Library Service Review

e.    Reducing Child Poverty Strategy Consultation

f.     Localism Bill Seminar – Venue and date to be announced.

To receive updates from the Salisbury City Council representative and the Laverstock and Ford Parish Council representative, in addition to other partner agencies.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Cheryl Hill, Deputy Leader of Salisbury City Council, to give an update on behalf of the City Council:

• Vision The work on the Guildhall was almost finished and was still within budget, despite running two weeks behind schedule due to the weather.  Staff would be moving in after 15 April, and it would be open for the St George’s Day celebrations.
• Plans were underway for the complete refurbishment and extension of the crematorium, including larger cremators, buildings and car parks.  Plans were being developed in consultation with local funeral directors and clergy to minimise any disruption to the public.
• The city council was employing Sport Coaches to go into smaller schools, which did not have sports coaches, nursing homes etc, to help people that need to keep fit.  The coaches had now completed their training and it was hoped that they would be self-funding.
• The city council had recently planted two community orchards, one at Bishopdown and another at Fisherton Farm, where the local residents had helped plant the trees and would be able to harvest the fruit and nuts.  Suggestions were sought for further sites within the city for similar schemes.

David Law, of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council, referred to the information on the River Bourne Community Farm which had been tabled.  It was considered that the Community Farm was an excellent project benefitting a number of local schools.

The Chairman also referred to the written updates from the Police, Fire Service, and NHS, as set out on pages 29- 34 of the agenda.

Debrah Biggs, Chairman of Salisbury City Community Area Partnership (SCCAP), updated the meeting on the work of the partnership.

An away day had been held recently to agree key ambitions and to discuss what to do with the results of the community plan.  Over 3000 responses had now been received and processed.  Currently work was being undertaken to identify and address any gaps in the demographics of the respondees, following which the results would be analysed.

Some themes had already been identified for sub-groups, and it was hoped that volunteers would come forward to progress these.  A press release was due out on this soon.

To receive a presentation from Richard Walters (Director of Salisbury Vision) on the work of the Vision, focussing on the long-term and strategic aims of the project.

To be followed by a roundtable discussion on your long-term aspirations for Salisbury in relation to the Vision.

The Chairman invited Richard Walters, Director of Salisbury Vision, to give a presentation on the work of the Vision, setting out the long-term and strategic aims of the project.

Salisbury Vision had been set up to develop a holistic and aspirational (but achievable) plan for the city’s future, from physical, economic, environmental and social perspectives. The Vision sought to promote regeneration in Salisbury, and to prevent the risk of a “spiral of decline” by encouraging investment in the city, improving the city’s image, increasing visitor numbers and bringing more income and jobs to the city.

The Vision was run by a Board consisting of representatives from key local organisations, including:

• Salisbury City Council
• Salisbury Area Board
• Wiltshire Council
• Salisbury Cathedral
• Salisbury and District Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Salisbury Community Area Partnership
• Salisbury Civic Society
• Salisbury City Centre Management Ltd
• South Wiltshire Economic Partnership

Richard contrasted average salaries for jobs within Salisbury with average house prices, noting that high house prices relative to wages available within the city had accompanied a trend towards out-commuting in recent years. Many residents were commuting elsewhere to both earn and spend money. In addition, Salisbury was in competition for shoppers with other cities and large towns in the region, including Bath, Southampton and Bournemouth; it was estimated that around £37 million was “lost” to competitor cities every year.

It was considered that Salisbury had an “entrepreneurial culture” with a year-on-year increase in the number of VAT registrations.  However, this had not translated into an increase in the number of jobs available.  There had also been a long-term decline in tourism, in part due to national trends but also due to the continued decline in quality of the city’s public realm.

The Vision was seeking to address these issues, and deliver a “cycle of prosperity”, through investment in the city with a number of on-going regeneration projects:

• The Market Place – following recent consultation on revised design proposals a number of changes had been made taking account of public comments.  A comprehensive re-surfacing scheme was proposed, to deliver a high-quality flexible public space.  A planning application was to be submitted soon.
• The Maltings and Central Car Park – this important but underused area of the city centre was to be transformed with a retail-led mixed-use development, including some residential.  Richard noted that if the proposal affected the library (and it may not), the existing library would be replaced with a new purpose-built structure to provide equivalent or improved facilities either within or close to the existing site.
• Churchfields industrial estate – an initial “pre-masterplanning” feasibility report had been prepared by advisers to the Vision to consider the regeneration of this important employment area.  This recent work, funded by the government, would be reported to the Vision Board in April and would inform the next steps to be taken in this long-term and complex regeneration project.
• Public Realm Strategy – this existed in draft form and could be viewed on the Vision web site  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To prioritise residents’ parking schemes for full consultation and possible implementation.

The Chairman referred to the report set out at pages 35-48 of the agenda.

Concern was raised in relation to the general issue of the lack of availability of parking spaces in some residents’ zones.  Particular reference was made to the trend of houses being split into flats, as this usually increased the number of residents wishing to park in the area.  It was suggested that the Planning department should be mindful of the need for parking spaces when considering such applications.  Councillor John Brady, as the Cabinet Member with responsibility for planning, undertook to note these concerns and discuss with the planning officers, also noting that all new residential developments were required to provide adequate parking.

ACTION: COUNCILLOR JOHN BRADY

It was noted that residents’ parking schemes would not be imposed on residents; full consultation would be carried out, and the support of at least 50% of residents affected would be required.  In addition, these schemes must be cost neutral to the Council, i.e. the cost of the scheme should not be subsidised by other council tax payers.

The Chairman also noted that requests which related to a specific site (as opposed to a whole area or street) could be progressed by the relevant local Councillor, via officers, as a Traffic Regulation Order (TRO).

Decision

Having assessed the proposals at paragraph (o) in the report against the list of requests received (attached as an appendix to the report) the Salisbury Area Board prioritises the following requests to be evaluated by officers for possible implementation, subject to consultation with residents (details of the requests are set out in the appendix to the report, a numbered version of which was tabled at the meeting):

1.    Request no. 21 – Residents’ Parking Zone H – Extend zone as per residents consultation already undertaken

2.    Request no. 24 – New Residents’ Parking Zone in Ashfield Road Area.

3.    Requests no. 11 & 12 – Residents’ Parking Zone D – Full review of zone especially Sidney Street and York Road, plus new Zone to the North, in Kingsland Road area.

4.    Request no. 1 – Residents’ Parking Zone A – Full review of the zone to increase number of available bays.

ACTION: JOANNE HEAL / PAUL SHADDOCK

Marianna Dodd, Salisbury Community Area Manager, referred to the written update which was set out at pages 49-52 of the agenda, commenting that of the 74 issues received, 62 had been closed, and 11 were in progress.

Marianna gave a brief overview of issue 375 relating to abandoned shopping trolleys within Salisbury.  The City used to have a significant problem with this, although incidents had now reduced to around 5-6 per week, usually at 4-5 specific locations.  Supermarkets in Salisbury had been working with Council officers to address the issue.  Locking devices had been installed in some stores, and a van was available to collect trolleys from the “hotspots”.  Supermarkets also had contracts with firms to recover trolleys from further afield.  Wiltshire Council would also recover trolleys from outside the city to Thorne Down or the Churchfields depot.

Abandoned trolleys could be reported on 01722 434320.

To receive an update from Tom Gardner (Traffic Engineer).

Paul Shaddock reported that, further to the Area Board’s decision at its meeting on 30 November 2010, officers were developing a traffic scheme for Harnham Road to improve crossing facilities for pedestrians.

Speed and traffic surveys were currently being undertaken to identify which would be the most suitable type of crossing, and consideration was also being given to reducing the speed of traffic on the approach to the site.

It was anticipated that a preliminary design would be presented to the Area Board at its May meeting.

To receive an update on this project from Councillor Richard Clewer.

Councillor Richard Clewer gave an update on the project to switch some street lights to part-night lighting, with a view to saving energy and reducing light pollution. 

This would now be going forward on some lighting columns on Bishops Road, with the works scheduled to be finished by the end of April.  Consultation was currently being undertaken regarding another potential site at St Lawrence Close in Stratford-sub-Castle.

To consider community grants with the opportunity for questions from the public.

The Chairman invited a representative from the grant applicant to give a brief overview of their project to the Board.  After the applicant had spoken the Chairman invited questions and discussion, then asked for a show of hands from those present to reflect public opinion. The Board members then voted on the application.

Decision

Rainbow Rooms UK was awarded £984 towards publicising and promoting support and services to lesbian gay bisexual and transgender (LGBT) people in Salisbury.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2010/11 and would help raise awareness of services to LGBT people.

ACTION: MARIANNA DODD

To consider three bids for funding from the Board’s Youth Funding budget of £7,825.

The Area Board considered the report at pages 63-76 which set out three applications for funding from the budget of £7825 allocated to the Salisbury Area Board for projects engaging with young people.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board allocated £1,500 to Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service towards the Salamander project.

Reason – To allow this targeted youth inclusion initiative to proceed in the Salisbury area.

It was noted that the Area Board was able to fund the Transitions project; despite being run by Wiltshire Council (Youth Development Service), the project was not part of the core or statutory service, and represented a fixed-term project.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board allocated £3,400 to Wiltshire Council Youth Development Service and Extended Schools towards the Transitions project.

Reason – To allow this targeted youth inclusion initiative to proceed, supporting young people living in and around the Friary estate.

It was noted that, should members be minded to approve the application from St Osmond’s Pre-School, this would leave £25 in the budget.  As such, and given the level of support for the project, and the benefits realised in previous years, it was moved and seconded that the application for £2900 be approved, with an additional £25.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board allocated £2925 to St Osmond’s Pre-School  towards the Sunshine Club project.

Reason – To allow this targeted youth inclusion initiative to proceed, supporting young people living in and around the Friary estate.

ACTION: MARIANNA DODD

To consider whether the Area Board wishes to support any bids for funding from the Performance Reward Grant Scheme.

The Chairman emphasised that these bids were seeking support from the Area Board, and that the final decision on funding would be made by Wiltshire Assembly’s Performance Reward Grant Panel.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board supported the bid from Rainbow Rooms UK to go forward for consideration by the Performance Reward Grant Panel.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board supported the bid from St Paul’s Alms Houses to go forward for consideration by the Performance Reward Grant Panel.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board supported the bid from Wiltshire Police Authority for Ultra Violet Scanning to go forward for consideration by the Performance Reward Grant Panel.

(Note – Following the above decision, Councillor Paul Sample noted that he was a member of the Police Authority and that, due to this interest, he had not voted).

ACTION: MARIANNA DODD

To consider a request for the 1^st tranche of 2011/12 core funding to Salisbury City Community Area Partnership (SCCAP).

The Area Board considered the report at pages 91-108, recommending the release of the first tranche of Core Funding to Salisbury City Community Area Partnership (SCCAP) and  agreeing in principle to the release of second tranche funding in early Autumn, subject to certain conditions.

Following concerns regarding the in principle agreement to the second tranche of funding at this early stage, it was noted that this would give SCCAP the ability and flexibility to plan their spending based on a more accurate idea of the total annual core funding.  It was also considered that this would send a positive message to the employees and volunteers who ran the organisation.

On behalf of the Area Board, the Chairman expressed particular thanks to Debrah Biggs, the volunteer Chairman of SCCAP.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board:

1. Approves the release of the first tranche of 2011/12 Core Funding to Salisbury City Community Area Partnership (SCCAP) of £7,808 from the Area Board’s 2011/12 budget, to be paid after 1 April 2011.
2. Agrees in principle to the full year funding of £15,615 with an agreement to release the second tranche in early Autumn as long as conditions set by the Community Partnership Officer and agreed by the Board, have been met.  At its meeting on 15 September 2011 the Salisbury Area Board will be asked to confirm whether those conditions have been met, and to ratify the release of the second tranche funding.

Reason

1. To allow SCCAP to continue its operations and the development of the Community Plan.
2. To give SCCAP the ability and flexibility to plan its spending, based on a more firm indication of its full year Core Funding.

ACTION: MARIANNNA DODD

To consider the following motion, which would enable the Area Board to respond more swiftly to urgent needs in the Community:

To agree that in respect of urgent matters that may arise from time to time between meetings of the Area Board, the Salisbury Community Area Manager, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Salisbury Area Board, be granted delegated authority to approve expenditure not exceeding £500 [or £1,000, as the Board shall determine] from the budget delegated to the Area Board.  A report explaining any such decision and the reasons why it was considered to be urgent shall be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the Area Board to ensure that such decisions are subject to public examination.

The Chairman introduced the item, commenting that several other Area Boards had agreed a delegation to the Community Area Manager, to allow for Area Board funding to be released quickly in cases of urgent need.  Reference was made to the Street Survival Pack project, which had been raised due to the cold weather in December; the Area Board had not been able to release funding to this project until after its meeting in January.

The view was expressed that to delegate authority in this way could result in decisions being taken in private.  Concern was also raised that the proposed consultation, as listed in the motion set out in the agenda, was with the Chairman and Vice-Chairman only.

During discussion, it was suggested that the consultation should be with the Chairman or the Vice-Chairman, and that all Area Board Councillors should be given one week to respond to email notification of plans to take a decision under the delegated authority.  This amendment was moved, seconded and agreed.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board agreed that, in respect of urgent needs that may arise from time to time between meetings of the Area Board, the Salisbury Community Area Manager, in consultation with the Chairman or Vice-Chairman of the Salisbury Area Board, and subject to the conditions below, be granted delegated authority to approve expenditure not exceeding £1,000 from the budget delegated to the Area Board:

1.    Any decision under this delegation shall only be taken following one week’s prior notification via email to all Area Board Councillors, giving an opportunity for objections; and

2.    A report explaining any such decision and the reasons why it was considered to be urgent shall be reported to the next ordinary meeting of the Area Board to ensure that such decisions are subject to public examination.

To note the Board’s Forward Plan, including details of future agenda items.

The date of the next meeting is Thursday 12 May, 7pm at The Alamein Suite, City Hall, Salisbury, SP2 7TU.