Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed attendees to the meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board.

Assistant Director for Transformation and Business Change at Wiltshire Council, Stuart Honeyball, introduced himself and stated that he was looking forward to engaging with the local community.

The Area Board’s new Delivery Officer, Karlene Jammeh, also introduced herself and said that she welcomed the opportunity to support the Board in achieving its priority goals.

Cllr Jeans arrived at 6:33pm.

To receive any apologies for absence.  

Apologies for absence were received from:

·       Mrs Churchill (Wilton Town Council Clerk)

·       Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) Philip Wilkinson 

·       Deputy PCC Russell Holland

·       John Derryman (Strategic Planning and Performance Officer, PCC’s Office)

·       Assistant Inspector Louise Oakley (Warminster CPT)

·       Inspector Tina Osborn (Salisbury CPT)

·       Nic Courtice (Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue)

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm as a correct record and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 5 October 2022.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Errington, it was:

Resolved

To approve the minutes of the previous meeting, held on 5 October 2022, as a true a correct record.

·       Cost of Living

·       Community First

·       Family Help Project

·       Area Board Delivery Officer

The Chairman referred the Area Board to the following information included in the agenda pack:

·         Cost of Living Support, pg. 83-86

·         Community First Update, pg. 7

·         Families and Children’s Transformation Partnership, pg. 9-10

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

·       Wilton Men’s Shed

·       Youth – LYN

·       BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Health and Wellbeing Group

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Fovant Speeding update

Written updates were available from the following partners:

·       BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Together (Integrated Care System), pg. 11

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire, pg. 13

·       Fovant Parish Council, pg. 15 – 21

·       South West Wiltshire Health and Wellbeing Group, pg.1-2 in Agenda Supplement 1

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, pg. 3-7 in Agenda Supplement 1

Verbal updates were also provided by the following partners:

Wilton Men’s Shed

The Treasurer of Wilton Community Land Trust, Peter, gave an overview of the origins and aims of the Men’s Shed. He explained that the idea for the Men’s Shed came about after a centre for veterans opened in the town. Grant funding from the Armed Forces Covenant, originally intended for a planned enterprise zone for veterans, was able to be put towards the project. Financial support was also provided by a number of organisations, including the Wilton Town Council and the Area Board. The Men’s Shed launched in August 2021 and has been successful in supporting men with isolation in the town.

During the discussion, the Area Board praised the work of the charity. The representative was keen to highlight that, although the project primarily supported older men, it was open to women and people of all ages, including those that lived in the wider Area Board area. As well as a chat and a cup of tea their members also got involved in projects such as repairing second hand items.

Fovant Parish Council

Tony Philips, Chairman of Fovant Parish Council, thanked the Area Board for making a financial contribution towards installing three Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) on the village’s 20mph roads. He explained that they had two objectives: to provide better reminders to motorists about speeding; and a pilot scheme to show how SID data could be used to support police enforcement. The data collected, available on pages 19-21 of the agenda pack, showed that over half of vehicles exceeded the enforceable limit, with 80 percent exceeding 25mph. He emphasised that the data collected would not require further technical handling by the police and felt that limited police action in the village would soon impact on driver behaviour.

During the discussion, Sarah Holden, Supervisor at Wiltshire Police, praised the parish council’s work in collecting the data and highlighted that they were running a three-month pilot study in Amesbury using SID data and hoped to roll this out throughout the county. It was also stressed that consideration was being given to how the ensure that the cameras remained effective in the long term.  

To receive an update from Wiltshire Police about local issues, including combating speeding. A presentation will be delivered about Community Speed Watch.

Community Speed Watch

Sarah Holden, Supervisor at Wiltshire Police, delivered a presentation praising the impact that Community Speed Watch teams had on in keeping Wiltshire’s roads safe. She reported that 8,000 community speed watches had been carried out in Wiltshire over the past two years and that, as a result, over 67,000 letters had been sent to drivers. She also highlighted that the police had employed three new Community Road Safety Officers to work closely with partners.

She then elaborated about the role that technology could play in improving enforcement. Police officers would have access to apps using Microsoft Power BI software to provide them with Community Speed Watch data. It was also hoped that certain information could be presented live on the police website. In addition, Community Speed Enforcement Officers would have access to heat maps, using QlikSense technology, to identify areas with high levels of speeding. Further details can be found between pages 23 and 44 of the agenda pack.

During the discussion, points included:

·       The Area Board thanked the supervisor for her presentation and for the work being down to support Community Speed Watch teams.

·       It was confirmed that there was a group Community Speed Watch to share information, such as where enforcement action had taken place.

·       Members praised the enforcement action in Wilton and stated that they would welcome further enforcement action in the rural areas of the Area Board.

·       It was clarified that civilian used Automatic Number Plate Recognition (AMPR) cameras could be used to build an intelligence picture about specific vehicles but could not be linked to SID data, as they were covert.

·        The Assistant Director for Transformation and Business Change noted that Wiltshire Council also used Microsoft BI software and was reviewing its website, so highlighted that there might be possibility for collaboration with the police.

·       In response to a query about evidence of the impact of the SIDs on speeding, the supervisor noted that an analyst would be studying this, and the findings could be shared via the Road Safety Forum.

·       It was confirmed that speeding letters being sent because of the collection of Community Speed Watch data could be sent to vehicle owners living anywhere in the country.

·       It was noted that, non-emergency, crimes needed to be reported, either online or through calling 101, to comply with Home Office rules around reporting.

Salisbury Community Police Team

A written statement was provided by Inspector Osborn on behalf of Salisbury Community Police Team, which was read out by the Democratic Services Officer. The statement included information about measures targeted at reducing the number of burglaries of outbuildings in rural areas.  The statement also included details of how the force was working alongside Bowerchalke Parish Council to combat burglaries by installing SelectaDNA signs warning people that households in the area were using property marking kits.

Warminster Community Police Team

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank the outgoing head of Warminster Community Police Team, Inspector Al Lumley, for his work in supporting the Area  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

To receive an update about the Community Area Work Plan. Please see pages 65-68 for the Area Board priority report update. 

• Youth Engagement and Positive Activity Opportunities

• Health and Wellbeing

• Addressing Climate Change and Supporting Cranborne Chase AONB

• Supporting the Economy

• Community Safety

The Area Board considered a presentation from the Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager (SEPM), Karen Linaker, which summarised the progress made towards the Area Board’s priorities since October 2022. She explained that the Area Board had five priorities, informed by both conversations with local residents and Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan.

The SEPM and lead Councillors commented on the action taken and issues

considered, including:

·       There were efforts to enhance dialogue between rural and small-town businesses about common issues facing them, such as energy bills. An example was Mere Jelly, a forum for freelance workers and small businesses meeting in Hillbrush, Mere, to network and support the local economy. 

·       A set of nature recovery events were planned to be held in 2023, in partnership with Cranborne Chase Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB). It was noted that Wiltshire Council have protected their contribution to the budget for the AONB and helped provide additional funding for staffing.

·       The Area Board has supported a number of Health and Wellbeing projects through grants, including Carer Support Wiltshire’s, Make a Friend be a Friend project, as well as Celebrating Age and Silver Salisbury.

·       The Area Board’s Health and Wellbeing Group had met to discuss digital inclusion measures for older people.

·       There were around 20 youth clubs in South West Wiltshire, which support around 350 young people. The AB has supported these activities with grants. New trampolining sessions and counselling may be facilitated, subject to grant funding, in the new year at the Nadder Centre as part of Seeds4Success’s regular Health and Wellbeing youth nights.

·       Praise was also given to Jaki Farrell from Seeds4Success for her hard work in supporting young people. 

A member of Healthy Mere Walking thanked the Area Board for their support and invited members to join their walk around Great Bottom, near Castle Hill, Mere, at 11am on New Year’s Day.

To find out about grants to support EV charging points. Please see some useful links below:

Wiltshire EVCPI grant guidance

The application form for the grants: EVCPI Grant Scheme (wiltshire.gov.uk)

The Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager delivered a presentation about a grant scheme of up to £2,500 available to town and parish councils for the installation of electric vehicle charging points. She noted that a survey of local residents would have to be undertaken to gauge demand for each project, as well as a site survey. Most of the projects would be installed by Joju Ltd and would aim to be completed within six months.

Cllr Jeans spoke about the importance of ensuring that the grant agreement between Wiltshire Council and Co Cars for the Mere Car Club project was implemented by the deadline of 31 March, to ensure that the funding could proceed. The Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager noted that conversations were ongoing with Wiltshire Council’s Legal Services Team to ensure that the deadline was met. Cllr Jeans noted that he would welcome written confirmation.

To find out about local measures to assist with cost of living, including the provision of warm spaces in the community area.

Energy costs advice and guidance - Wiltshire Council

Information was provided by the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager about the support on offer in the Area Board’s area to help people throughout the winter months. She reminded residents that they could find useful information on Wiltshire Council’s website, including details about council tax relief and household support grants:

Council tax, benefits and financial support - Wiltshire Council

The Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager then highlighted that 115 warm spaces had been created throughout the county, including 10 in South West Wiltshire. The location of these, as well as the five community food providers operating within the Area Board’s area, could be found on a map available via the council’s website.  Locations of warm spaces included Wilton Library, Langford Lakes and the Nadder Centre. Locations of food providers included Tisbury Youth Club, Warminster Foodbank and Mere Foodbank.

To note the actions and recommendations as set out in the report from the last meeting of LHFIG held on 30 November 2022, as detailed in the attached papers. A summary of the items requiring a funding decision are:

·       4a - £1,050.00 – pedestrian warning signs (Kilmington)

·       4b - £1,297.50 – no HGV signs (East Knoyle)

·       4f - £1,875.00 – speed limit assessment (Kilmington)

·       4g - £1,314.75 – pedestrian warning signs (Fovant)

·       4h - £1,372.50 – keep clear markings (Ludwell Primary School)

The Area Board received the notes of the LHFIG meeting held on 30 November 2022. On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was:

Resolved

• To approve £1,050 towards issue No 14-21-9 (pedestrian warning signs ,The Street, Kilmington)

• To approve £1,297.50 towards issue No 14-22-02 (no HGV signs, junction Holloway/Church Road, East Knoyle)

• To approve £1,875 towards issue No 14-22-17 (speed limit assessment, New Road and Kilmington Common)

•  To approve £1,314.75 towards issue No 14-22-19 (pedestrian warning signs in Fovant)

• To approve £1,372.50 towards issue No 14-22-20 (keep clear markings outside Ludwell Primary School)

The Board members will consider the funding applications set out in the attached report and summarised below:

CAG = Community Area Grant

O&V = Older and Vulnerable People Funding

YG = Youth Grant

The Area Board considered the funding applications as detailed in the agenda pack. Applicants were invited to speak in support of their projects and to answer questions that arose.

Community Area Grant

Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant

Youth Grants

The next meeting of the Board is on Wednesday 15 March 2023, at 6.30pm.

The date of the next meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board was confirmed as 15 March 2023, at 6:30pm.

The Chairman wished attendees a Merry Christmas.