Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman for the forthcoming year 2011/12.

Apologies for absence had been received from the following:

• Wiltshire Councillor Paul Sample
• Marianna Dodd – Salisbury Community Area Manager
• Bev Flanagan – Wiltshire College
• Rhian Bennett – Programme Lead, Carers (Wiltshire Council)

Councillors are requested to declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

a.    End of Life Care

b.    Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields Initiative

a)            End of Life Care – The Chairman referred to the written information set out on page 19 of the agenda, and to the display boards at the back of the room.

b)            Queen Elizabeth II Playing Fields Initiative – Information at page 21 of the agenda.

c)            Car Parking charges in Salisbury  - The Chairman commented that a number of public bodies, including the Council, had let the people of Salisbury down in this matter.  He apologised on behalf of the Area Board, and emphasised that elected representatives were now working to reach a solution to the problem.  Possible solutions under consideration were the reintroduction of a 1 hour parking charge, and a ticket refund scheme, particularly for independent retailers.  Work in this area was ongoing.

d)            Salisbury Vision – Consideration was also being given to holding an extraordinary meeting of the Area Board regarding the Salisbury Vision to seek public input and to clarify certain issues.  More information on this would be forthcoming.

Su Thorpe, Leader of Salisbury City Council, gave an update on behalf of the City Council:

• A number of events were planned for the parks in the City – details were available on the website.
• Armed Forces day had been very successful, with over 4,000 people attending.
• Next week the wildlife photographer of the year exhibition would open at the Guildhall – this was organised by the Natural History Museum.
• The Judging for Salisbury for the Britain in Bloom competition had taken place, with three judges being taken to the nominated sites including the Queen Elizabeth Gardens play area, and the community orchards.
• The Bemerton Heath Community Centre development project was now well underway – Councillor Thorpe thanked the Area Board for its support for the successful Performance Reward Grant bid towards this project.
• As had been reported in the Salisbury Journal, plans were now well advanced for the second carnival on 22 October.

David Law of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council had nothing to report.

Before inviting the police report, the Chairman noted that this would the last Area Board meeting attended by Inspector David McMullin, as he would be retiring in a few weeks’ time.  The meeting expressed thanks to Inspector McMullin for all his hard work and wished him all the best for his retirement.

Inspector McMullin referred to the Police update report which had been tabled, highlighting a number of points:

• The new structure of the Neighbourhood Policing Teams was now in place.
• The Community Street Watch initiative in Bemerton Heath had been success.  This initiative was a proactive extension of Neighbourhood Watch, and saw volunteer members of the public patrolling the area in high-visibility jackets.  Inspector McMullin thanked all involved in setting up and running this project, including Councillor Ricky Rogers.  It was hoped that this could be rolled out across the county.
• In terms of crime figures, there had been a slight increase in burglaries and theft from vehicles – the figures were set out in the tabled report.  However, Wiltshire remained one of the safest counties in the country.

Mike Franklin, of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, referred to the written report at pages 27-28, and commented that he had nothing further to add.

It was noted that the NHS written update was set out in the agenda at page 29.

The Chairman introduced this item, explaining that he would take the three presentations followed by questions and comments at the end.

To receive a presentation from James Cawley (Service Director – Strategy and Commissioning, Wiltshire Council) on the Older People’s Accommodation Strategy, including details on the proposed future use of parts of the Old Manor Hospital site.

To receive a presentation on the Council’s programme to improve services to older and vulnerable people in Wiltshire.

Nicola Gregson (Head of Commissioning: Care, Support and Accommodation) gave a presentation on the Council’s programme to help people stay in their own homes and access support and services remotely.  An important part of this was building links and becoming familiar with services before they were needed. 

The Council was seeking to provide a broader range of services, but also to rationalise service providers to reduce costs. 

Technology could also play a key role in helping older people to remain in their own homes.  For example, alarms and fall detectors could be linked to a response service.  A pilot scheme on this basis had identified the benefit of offering a non-medical visit after a fall, as people would often refuse an ambulance.  It was planned to roll this out across the county.

An equipment service was also being established, which could advise, order, visit and install a variety of equipment including handrails, shower grab handles, specialist chairs etc. This service would be available to people who funded their own care, and those who were funded by the council.

The Chairman thanked Nicola for the presentation.

To receive presentations on carers from Wendy Kinge, Manager of the Salisbury branch of Carers Support, and Rhian Bennett, Programme Lead (Carers) for Wiltshire Council.

Wendy Kinge, Manager of Carers Support (Salisbury), gave a presentation on Carers.

It was estimated that 1 in 10 of the UK population were carers; anyone who provides unpaid support to a family member, partner or friend was classed as a carer.  Wendy made the distinction between carers and care workers, who were paid providers of care.  Carers often did not see themselves as carers, as it could be a gradual process.

In Wiltshire, there were 39,886 carers, of which 969 were under 18.  Across the UK as a whole, 58% of carers were women, and 80% were of working age.

Acting as a carer could have a significant impact on people, for example in terms of health, finances, employment, relationships, and personal time.  However a number of voluntary and public organisation existed to support carers, by mitigating the impact of caring, and by providing services to the people that they looked after.  Carers were also encouraged to register with their GPs. 

The Chairman thanked Wendy for the presentation.

Following the above presentations, the Chairman will invite questions and comments from the floor.

The Chairman invited questions and comments on the three presentations.  The following points were raised:

• It was clarified that the Older People’s Accommodation Strategy proposed two 80-bed nursing homes for Salisbury, along with a 64 bed care home for people with dementia, and a 50 unit extra care scheme.

• Reference was made to a site just off Salt Lane, which was believed to be in the Council’s ownership and currently for sale.  It was suggested that this would be an ideal location for a care home.  Councillor John Thomson commented that all council-owned land was evaluated for possible uses prior to being sold.

• Concern was raised that a request from Salisbury’s Got Talent (a not for profit organisation offering support to older people and disabled people) had submitted a request for that site, which had not received a response.  Councillor John Thomson undertook to investigate.  It was also noted the council had changed the way is funded people; service users often now had control of their own budget and so there may be increased opportunities for organisations such as Salisbury’s Got Talent.

ACTION: Councillor John Thomson

• It was noted that the Council was currently in discussion with the PCT regarding the Old Manor Hospital site, with a view to acquiring part of the site to develop some form of care home provision.  Councillor Thomson commented that this approach was being followed for all PCT land disposal to ensure that such sites continued to provide benefit for the people of Wiltshire rather than being sold and the money returning to the Department for Health.  In addition, it was acknowledged that the Old Manor Site incorporated an historic building which required maintenance.

• The proposed GP surgery on the Old Manor Site was a project being managed by the GPs and the PCT.

• It was noted that the Tenants’ Panel could be involved in publicising services and in contributing to consultations on new services.

• Reference was made to the need for a card for disabled people.  Blue badges were not always suitable as they had to be left in vehicles for parking.  The Chairman undertook to look into this.  Debrah Biggs referred to the Safe Havens project which was being launched on 28 July, and the ICE (In Case of Emergency) cards, which listed any disabilities or medical conditions of the bearer.

ACTION: Councillor Richard Clewer

• It was suggested that a priority for older people was improving the condition of pavements.

• In response to questions, Nicola reported that the new equipment service for older people would start in October, with the response service starting in January.

• Concern was raised regarding disabled access to the Council Offices in Bourne Hill.  Steve Milton (Head of Community Governance) undertook to investigate the possibility of improved signage.

ACTION: Steve Milton

• In response to a question regarding the demise of Southern Cross, James commented that only low occupancy homes were expected to be affected.  The Southern Cross homes in Wiltshire were around 90-95% occupancy and so were not  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10d

To consider a report from the Salisbury Community Area Transport Group (CATG), setting out the group’s recommendations for the priority scheme(s) to receive funding from the Area Board during 2011/12.

The Chairman introduced the written report at pages 35-42 of the agenda, and referred the meeting to the recommendation of the Community Area Transport Group (CATG).  This proposed a bid to the substantive highways scheme fund for around £38,000, which would be added to the Area Board’s budget of £29,516 to fund a puffin crossing at Harnham Road.  If the bid was unsuccessful, then a zebra crossing would be pursued, although traffic speed would need to be addressed first; a further report on this would be submitted to the CATG if required.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board noted and approved the recommendation of the Community Area Transport Group, and approved the release of funding (£29,516) for the proposed Puffin Crossing on Harnham Road, subject to a successful bid to the Substantive Highways Scheme fund for £38,000.

Reasons – As set out in the report, and to allow the scheme prioritised by the CATG to proceed.

ACTION: Tom Gardner

Further to the discussion at the previous meeting of the Area Board on 12 May, the Board is asked to appoint the membership of the Shadow Community Operations Board.

The Chairman explained that the Shadow Community Operations Board (COB) was to lead on the development of a Campus proposal for Salisbury, including undertaking consultation and compiling a business case.

It was hoped that the Shadow COB would also seek input from the business community with a view to providing business incubator units at the campus.

It was also emphasised that the Shadow COB was an informal, non-decision-making body; formal decisions relating to the campus would be made in public by the Salisbury Area Board.

Decision

The Salisbury Area Board appointed to the Shadow Community Operations Board (COB) as follows:

ACTION: Rachel Goff

To receive a presentation on the Commissioning Strategy for Services to 13-19 year olds, how this will affect youth services in the community area, and opportunities for Community Groups to get involved.  Followed by the opportunity for questions.

The Chairman, in his role as Portfolio Holder for Youth and Skills, gave a presentation on the consultation document “Commissioning Strategy for Young People Aged 13-19).  This document sought to improve outcomes for young people in Wiltshire by providing a good range of quality services, providing an early response to the needs of young people, and by improving partnership working.  The document had a broad scope and included services such as health, education, leisure, housing amongst others.  In addition, the youth service needed to make savings of around £600,000 – it was hoped that this could be achieved through rationalisation of staff and buildings. 

A number of actions had already been undertaken in order to seek input into this consultation, including a number of workshops and events for young people and those who worked in the relevant service areas.  Key issues for young people were transport, lack of facilities in villages, lack of jobs, and the high cost of housing.

In terms of the future provision of youth services, a number of options had been proposed; these were set out in the tabled paper, and could also be viewed on the Council’s website.  In summary they consisted of:

1. Testing the market for Youth Work services to be provided under contract via competitive tendering. 
2. Developing local partnerships with the voluntary sector or secondary schools / colleges.
3. Local management of services and closer alignment with Campus developments.
4. Changing local youth work offer through reduced reliance of existing buildings – this would probably be via four centres across the county.  It was likely that the nearest one to Pewsey would either be in Devizes or Marlborough.

The consultation had started on 13 May and would run until 5 August 2011.

The consultation had been advertised in the normal way for Wiltshire Council consultations, and information was being made available at meetings of all 18 Area Boards.  Documents had been tabled inviting responses to the consultation.

It was noted that Wiltshire was making cuts of 19% to the youth services budget compared with 50% in Hampshire and 73% in Somerset.

The Chairman encouraged everyone to feed their views into the consultation.

The Chairman invited a representative from each of the grant applicants to give a brief overview of their project to the Board.  After each of the applicants 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 each application.

Decision

St Thomas and St Edmund PCC was awarded £5,000 towards improving health and safety accessibility and facilities for the groups, subject to the confirmation of the £500 contribution from Salisbury City Council.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would improve the accessibility of this community facility.

Decision

The Salisbury Nepalese Society was awarded £500 towards establishing a forum for the Nepalese community in Salisbury.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would help set up this forum for the Nepalese community in Salisbury to support each other, and to help overcome language barriers within the community.

Decision

D’velop Ltd was awarded £1,000 towards running the Friary Photography Summer Course 2011.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would allow this project to proceed.

Decision

Headway Salisbury was awarded £2,265 towards establishing a support group for people with an acquired brain injury.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would allow this charity to be set up.

Decision

Friends of the Friary Tenant Participation Group was awarded £1,000 towards holding a Friary Summer Fun event.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would help further develop the sense of community within the Friary by encouraging residents to meet other residents, with long term benefits of greater respect for one another, less anti-social behaviour, and increased confidence

Decision

Salisbury Stingrays ASC was awarded £1,000 towards training two existing poolside level 1 teachers/coaches to level 2 status.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2011/12 and would increase the number of poolside helpers who were qualified to run sessions, in turn allowing more children to participate.

ACTION: Steve Milton

Before moving onto the next item, the Chairman asked members of the public whether they wanted to continue with the show of hands from those present prior to the Area Board voting on each application.  The view was that this was a good idea and should continue.

It was noted that the deadline for receipt of Community Area Grant applications to be considered at the next Area Board meeting in September was 4 August.

The Chairman also noted that the Area Board had a budget of £7,808 to spend on projects which benefitted young people.  Applications for this funding were invited; those interested were advised to speak to Marianna Dodd (Salisbury Community Area Manager).  The deadline for applications for this funding was 6 October; applications would then be considered at the Area Board meeting on 17 November.

To note the nominations to Outside Bodies made at the meeting on 23 July 2009, which will continue for the 2011/12 year.

The Chairman moved a number of changes to the Area Board’s nominees on Outside Bodies, and other organisations.  These were seconded and agreed as set out below

Decision

1.    The Salisbury Area Board’s nominees on Outside Bodies be changed as follows:

2.    The Salisbury Area Board’s representatives on Area Board working group be changed as follows:

ACTION: James Hazlewood