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Agenda and minutes

Venue: The Grove Building, Church Street, Mere, BA12 6DS

Contact: Lisa Moore  (Democratic Services Officer)

Items
Note No. Item

6.30pm

42.

Welcome and Introductions

Minutes:

The Chairman, Councillor Jose Green welcomed everyone to the meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board.

 

The Mere Town Council Chairman, Clive Hazzard welcomed the Area Board  back to Mere, and noted that the Andy Young Pavilion could be used as a venue for a fuiture meeting free of charge.

 

The Board also welcomed Cllr Allison Bucknell, Cabinet Member for Communities, Leisure and Libraries and Bill Parks, Head of Local Highways and Streetscene (north) who were in attendance.

 

The Chairman congratulated Cllr Pauline Church on her reappointment to Cabinet, as member for Children, Education and Skills and South Wiltshire Recovery.

43.

Apologies for Absence

Minutes:

Apologies for absence were received from:

 

  • Phil Matthews – Wilton TC
  • Clare Churchill – Burcombe, Compton Chamberlayne, Dinton, Donhead St Mary & Quidhampton PC’s
  • Aubrey Coleman – Mere TC

 

44.

Declarations of Interest

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

 

Minutes:

There were none.

45.

Minutes

To confirm as a correct record and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 4th June 2019.

 

To note any matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 4 June 2019, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

46.

Chairman's Announcements

Minutes:

The Chairman made the following announcements:

 

·       The Local Government Boundary Commission Review - A consultation was running online, Parishes and residents were urged to submit their views on the proposals for the area.

 

There had been some concerns generally in some parts of Wiltshire. Wiltshire Council would re-submit its original proposals.

 

Cllr Wayman – the reason for the change was because there had been over 100 objections from Firsdown in relation to the proposal to move them into the Salisbury area. That then pushed the changes up the county. The concern for the South West Wiltshire (SWW) area was that we had had no relationship with the Deverills, and the proposal for Maiden Bradley to come back in to the Mere area. We need to get in over 100 objections. It makes no sense and would divide the Warminster Area Board and the SWW Area Board.

 

The Board Councillors had been proactive in emailing those parishes affected by the proposals.

 

It was noted that West Knoyle did not want to be separated from Mere. 

 

The Chair noted that objections could be submitted by individuals and not have to be from the parish councils.

 

·       The Board sent thanks and a farewell to Nick Cowan as he would be leaving the Council in August – Alex Howson would be replacing him.

 

·       Cllr Jane Scott had stood down as Leader of the Council and Cllr Phillip Whitehead was elected as the new Leader at Full Council.

 

·       There was a call for more Foster Parents, full information was available online.

 

·       Free swimming would be available for children up to 16 years old, throughout the summer holidays. Registration was required at one on the leisure centres.

 

·       A summer reading challenge for children aged 4 – 11 was being held. To encourage them to borrow six books from the library. Inspired from the anniversary of the moon landing.

 

The Chair noted that Tisbury and Mere libraries were not included, she hoped that could be taken back for consideration. Karen Linaker noted that this was a Wiltshire wide campaign.

 

47.

Information Items and Current Consultations

To note the information items attached to the agenda and available online:

 

 

·       Clinical Commissioning Group

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

o   Healthier Communities

o   Winter Weather Preparations

o   Highways Improvements and Traffic Survey Requests

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items

·       North Wessex Downs Walking Festival

·       Current consultations, to take part and for further information, visit the consultation portal:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations.htm

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board noted the information items attached to the agenda and available online:

 

·       Clinical Commissioning Group

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items

o   Healthier Communities

o   Winter Weather Preparations

o   Highways Improvements and Traffic Survey Requests

 

·       North Wessex Downs Walking Festival

·       Current consultations, to take part and for further information, visit the consultation portal:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations.htm

 

With regards to the winter weather attachment, Bill Parkes noted that parishes could identify their requirement and send them in to his team. He confirmed that the smaller salt shakers were also available.

 

6.45pm

48.

Partner and Community Updates

To receive any verbal updates from Partners and Community Groups present, including:

 

·       Police – Neighbourhood Teams

·       Fire & Rescue

·       Community Engagement Manager

 

To note the following written updates attached to the agenda:

 

a) Police

b) Fire

c) Community Safety Group

 

Note: Speakers are reminded that they each have a 3 minutes slot, unless they have previously discussed alternative arrangements with the Community Area Manager.

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

To Board received verbal updates from Partners and Community Groups present, including:

 

Police – Neighbourhood Teams

Inspector Andy Fee – West Wiltshire Community Policing Team, drew attention to the written report.

 

At the last meeting the Board asked the Police to provide feedback on Community Speedwatch (CSW).

 

West Wilts were the pilot area to start working and integrating CSW. Over the past six months there had been 96 CSW patrols. The Community Support Officer was also starting to go out and provide support to the trained volunteers.

 

CSW had also been made a priority at the weekly Task Group meeting.

Andy noted that this was the busiest Community Policing Team in terms of demand, compared to north Wiltshire, with Trowbridge and Salisbury also taking a lot of work.

 

Question

·         When are the Community Task Group meetings? Answer: They are on a Wednesday at 11am at Trowbridge Police Station.

 

·         Have we got two more Rural Coordinators? Answer: Yes we have.

 

·         Do we have more Officers to go with them? Answer: You have Rich Salter, he is the Community Coordinator for Tisbury and Mere. Working tightly with Neil Turnbull and Pete Sparrow.

 

Andy encouraged people to register for Community Messaging and advised that the drop in sessions they held were important in hearing what the community area was saying.

 

·         What time are the shift changes, as the majority of speeding issue occur at rush hour in the morning? Answer:  Yes that is around our shift change time- I will take that back and see what I can do.

 

·         How do we get to meet the Officers for our area? Answer: Rich Salter is the person you need to email.

 

·         In Swallowcliffe, the group had found the device called the auto speewatch device, it takes pictures and stores information and costs £300, could we use that?  Answer: The PCC would have to endorse that device. It was not currently used in Wiltshire.

 

·         We need as a nation to look at the law and perhaps legalise marijuana. Answer: That is political matter. It is a public health issue, not for me or our Officers to comment on that. It is the law to possess and supply. We work with Public Health agencies.

 

There is a new campaign called ‘Stop Me’ which provides stickers for farm vehicles. These stickers are going out at the moment to farm owners to mark their vehicles with. If there are police behind a marked tractor then it will be stopped to check it is not stolen. All the PCSOs are getting out to the farmers in their patches. Andy would also bring a supply of stickers to the next Area Board.

 

Fire & Rescue

Richard Humphrey, District Commander for SWW was in attendance. An amended update was circulated at the meeting.

 

Report details showed some seasonal related items. On-call recruitment was ongoing.

 

The response figures showed that there were 6 occasions for Tisbury and 5 for Mere where they could not respond due  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

6.55pm

49.

Celebrating Age

The programme manager for Celebrating Age and the community engagement manager will provide information and show a short film before inviting you to take part in a facilitated debate about older people’s isolation and how improved access to culture and arts can help.

 

Minutes:

The Programme Manager for Celebrating Age, Rebecca Seymour and the Community Engagement Manager, Karen Linaker provided information and showed a short film.

 

Karen explained that the Boards strategic partners were able to produce statistics that draw out the key areas for consideration for the south west community areas.

 

The South West Wiltshire Community area had 23 priorities. One of those was older people’s isolation. In the south of the county there were a high number of older people who felt isolated. The Communities team look at what can be done to alleviate this.

 

They came up with the ‘Celebrating Age’ three-year programme to help reach those older people and to support them to get back in to the community and to find something they enjoyed.

 

The programme was supported by a partnership of many organisations, including Wiltshire Council. Six Area Boards had provided some funding towards it.

 

Some of the activities include creating a piece of art, then having discussion and conversation around it. Watching an opera written specifically for our older community members and making Christmas decorations in a church hall.

 

One activity provided subsidised tickets for a panto, lunch and an opportunity to meet the actors. The activities put on are held in accessible venues where possible, to help more people attend.

 

Karen then asked those present to take part in a facilitated debate about older people’s isolation and how improved access to culture and arts could help.

 

Points raised during the roundtable discussion included:

 

·       There was a greater loneliness in the rural farming community.

·       Most people knew older people that might become lonely.

·       A lot of churches were extending their services beyond religion to include a range of community events.

·       Local day centres could increase their activities.

·       Everyone knew where to find 6 people that were categorised as lonely.

·       Give people a reason and purpose to doing things

·       Buddies could be a way to encourage more uptake, as some people feel too shy to go alone to new activities.

·       Friends of Hindon church and village halls.

 

Karen advised that there was scope to bring the programme out further afield if funding to do so could be secured. Six Area Boards had allocated £1500 each to this significant project which was making an impact.

 

Questions and comments:

·       John Jordan, thanked the Board for the contribution towards the Mere Healthy Walks project, as it had helped them to get over 300 people out walking. With the average age of the walking people over 60.

 

·       Were these one-off events? Answer: The six areas each had around 10 events a year. Roughly once a month.

 

·       Irene Kholer’s background was working with adult learning. She added that this project gave people something to look forward to.

 

7.35pm

50.

Action to Tackle Drug & Alcohol Misuse

Community Engagement Manager to verbally update the board following the June area board themed debate on this priority.

 

Minutes:

Karen Linaker gave an update on this themed debate which had focused at the last Area Board.

 

There was a full debate with around 60 people in attendance. The outcomes would be developed by strategically working with the Cabinet Members and key Officers in an exercise to look at how to keep our young people supported in education.

 

At a grass route level, there was a need for more volunteers to go in to schools to read to the vulnerable children whose parents were not able to read to their children because of drugs or alcohol misuse.

 

Questions and comments:

 

·         What might we do around the drug issue with young people in Mere? Answer: We were hoping to bring together a range of people who could work with the young people we need to target.

 

·         Cllr Bucknell – The Life Education Centre was a mobile unit that visits primary schools with a special educator. It teaches about the issues connected to all forms of addictions. It was something we were trying to encourage more schools locally to take up.

 

·         Cllr Church – I am the Cabinet Member for Children and Education. Our main priority is the whole family agenda, we are doing more work with intervention from birth. One of the big things that affect children is alcohol. For children with mild learning difficulties, there is a good agenda at primary level, but not so good at secondary. We want schools to be better supported for those children who might go on to be excluded.

 

·         Cllr Deane - School exclusions were not being addressed by the portfolio holder.

7.50pm

51.

Councillor Initiative - Community Information Space

To consider the Councillor Led Initiative put forward by Cllr Tony Deane for a New Community Information Stand for the Nadder Centre, as detailed in the attached report.

 

·       Funding bid for £150

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered the Councillor Led Initiative put forward by Cllr Tony Deane for £150 to purchase a New Community Information Stand at the Nadder Centre, as detailed in the attached report.

 

Cllr Deane advised that the Nadder centre was putting in the other £100 required. The community had said they need more space to display things and have exhibitions, in our centres, so we have responded by supporting this for them. There will be a branded tablecloth which can be taken to community events.

 

Decision

The South West Wiltshire Area Board allocated £150 to the Community Information Space in the Nadder Centre - Councillor Initiative.

 

8.00pm

52.

Area Board Project - Finger Post Funding Scheme

To consider two funding bids to the Area Board Finger Post scheme for 2019/20, as set out in the report attached to the agenda:

 

1.     Swallowcliffe Parish Council – £375.   The parish council will contribute £125 towards the costs.

 

2.     Fovant Parish Council - £370. The parish council will contribute £370 towards the cost.

 

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered two funding bids to the Area Board Finger Post scheme for 2019/20, as set out in the report attached to the agenda:

 

 

Decision

The South West Wiltshire Area Board awarded Fingerpost Funding as follows:

 

·        Swallowcliffe Parish Council – £375, with the condition that the parish council contributes £125 towards the costs.

 

·        Fovant Parish Council - £370, with the condition that the parish council contributes £370 towards the costs.

 

Decision

To allocate a further £2000 to the Fingerpost scheme for 2019/20

 

8.10pm

53.

Health & Wellbeing Funding

To consider two bids to the Health & Wellbeing budget for 2019/20, as detailed in the attached report:

 

Applicant

Amount requested

Project

Nadder Community Land Trust (CLT)

 

£850

Website and admin support for development of CLT

Collaboration between Salisbury, SWWilts and Southern Area Boards

 

£500

Silver Sunday Programme 2019

 

Supporting documents:

Minutes:

The Board considered two bids to the Health & Wellbeing budget for 2019/20, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

 

Nadder Community Land Trust (NCLT) – Website and admin support for development of CLT, £850

 

Ione Lacey – The NCLT was a big project, and we are not at the grant stage yet. Leaflets had been distributed to show how it worked.

 

The local communities would like to have some properties that they own, that cannot be sold off and were for local people. We have a huge team of professionals working on the project.  We do have a website, it needs to be improved, along with the database upgrade. We need the funds to pay for someone to do that for us.

 

For transparency, Councillors Deane, Wayman and Green all declared that they were members of the NCLT.

 

Questions:

 

·       Sandra Harry – I have just done a website legislation course, it was not now a job for an amateur, they do need to employ someone to do this professionally.

 

·       Wiltshire Council now also had a programme of building affordable housing, how will this compliment that?

 

·       The application details a request for £500 towards website improvement and the other costs of £350 were for admin and database upgrade? Answer: Yes that is right.

 

Decision

The Nadder Community Land Trust (NCLT) was awarded £850 towards the website and admin support.

 

 

Collaboration between Salisbury, SWWilts and Southern Area Boards – Silver Sunday Programme 2019, £500

 

Irene Kholer advised that the Silver Sunday programme was a whole range of activities to help older people get out and about to enjoy themselves. The event would support the International older people’s day on 1st October.

 

Last year Irene put on a programme of activities for older people, including six events that were one off and different. The rest were local activities offering a taster session over a 2 to 3 week period.

 

Lots of people beyond the Salisbury boundary did come in to take part in the Salisbury events.

 

Decision

Silver Sunday Programme was awarded £500 for the collaboration between Salisbury, SWWilts and Southern Area Boards for 2019.

8.30pm

54.

Close

The next meeting of the Board is on Wednesday 18th September 2019, at 6.30pm, at The Nadder Centre, Tisbury.

Minutes:

The next meeting of the South west Wiltshire Area Board will be held on Wednesday 18 September 2019, at Nadder Centre, Tisbury, 6.30pm.

Attachment - CSG notes

Supporting documents: