Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting and give an overview of the meeting.

The Chairman introduced the officers and Members present, and explained the purpose and structure of the meeting.

To receive presentations covering topics such as strategic business plan priorities, maintenance, Local Transport Plan, congestion and public transport.

The panel for the Highways Matters event comprised the following:

·         Cllr Caroline Thomas - Cabinet Member for Transport, Street Scene and Flooding

·         Samantha Howell - Director, Highways and Transport

·         Dave Thomas - Head of Highways Asset Management & Commissioning

There were also contributions from John Derryman, Head of Strategy, Performance and Oversight with the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Cllr Thomas introduced the event, providing context about the importance of highway infrastructure and many of the issues, restrictions, and investment in the highways assets as well as roads in Wiltshire. She noted that unlike many councils Wiltshire Council was in a reasonable financial position, and had provided more investment in flood prevention, signage, flypost removal, flytipping and other matters.

Samantha Howell and Dave Thomas provided details on the Local Transport Plan, public transport review, highways maintenance, pothole repair, flood prevention work, road defect statistics for South West Wiltshire and the council area as a whole, the role of Local Highway and Footway Improvement (LHFIG) groups, parish stewards, verge clearance. The presentation is attached with the minutes.

John Derryman provided details of investment by the OPCC in road safety infrastructure, including more cameras, more officers, and increased partnership working and enforcement, with a substantial increase in tickets issued in the last year.

Chris Hilldrup from National Highways was also in attendance, and provided a brief overview of strategic road issues relating to South West Wiltshire and beyond.

Officers present to answer highways and transport questions from attendees.

Multiple questions had been received from parishes and members of the public in advance of the meeting. Where those questioners were present a response was provided verbally by the presenters, with an opportunity to ask supplementary or further questions. Full responses would be provided in writing to all questioners and published as an attachment to the minutes of the meeting.

At the meeting there were follow-up questions relating to:

gully clearance, as well as capacity to deal with intense rainfall even without any defects;

Road closure orders and inadequate diversion signage;

Speed limits in East Knoyle and access onto the A350;

Reporting of highways and flooding issues;

Speed limit assessment processes;

The work programme for highways improvements;

The very poor condition of the roads to/from Gutch Common and in the Donheads more generally;

More reactive feedback needed following reporting of issues;

Other highways issues in Wilton, Barford St Martin, West Knoyle, Sutton Mandeville, and Dinton.

The Chairman will summarise the session and highlight any next steps / actions.

Following the session, the Chairman noted the concerns which had been raised at the meeting. He noted the submitted questions would receive written responses to be included with the minutes of the meeting, and trusted that the officers in attendance would take on board the comments which had been received.

A break was taken from 2020-2025.

To receive any apologies for absence.

No apologies were received from Members.

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

There were no declarations.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2023.

It was,

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes of meeting held on 20 September 2023 as a true and correct record.

The Board is asked to note the following written updates:

·       Health and Wellbeing Group Notes (Sep)

·       Wiltshire Police Road Safety

·       Salisbury Community Police Team

·       Warminster Community Police Team

·       Police and Crime Commissioner Annual Report 2022-23 (online)

·       Community First

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

Wiltshire Council Information Items:

·       Cost of Living Update

·       Independent Visitor Scheme

·       Archaeology Service

Please note that in order to allow additional time for the Highway Matters item the Area Board will only receive written partner updates at this meeting.

The written updates included within the agenda were received and noted.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 15 November 2023, as set out in the attached report.

Items requiring a funding decision are:

• 4a – Teffont Horse Warning Signs – £1,288.50

• 4b – Kilmington 30mph Speed Limit TRO – £1,500.00

• 4c – Dinton 30mph Repeater Signs – £1,481.32

• 4f – Wilton 20mph Speed Limit Assessment – £2,175

• 4g – Barford St. Martin NAL Sockets – £607.50

• 4h – Minster Street Wilton Coloured Surfacing – £1,413.75

The notes from the most recent Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group meeting were received, and it was,

Resolved:

To note the minutes and approve the recommendations as set out in the agenda, as follows:

4a – Teffont Horse Warning Signs – £1,288.50 

4b – Kilmington 30mph Speed Limit TRO – £1,500 

4c – Dinton 30mph Repeater Signs – £1,481.32 

4f – Wilton 20mph Speed Limit Assessment – £2,175 

4g – Barford St. Martin NAL Sockets – £607.50 

4h – Minster Street Wilton Coloured Surfacing – £1,413.75

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

Remaining Budgets:

Area Board Initiatives:

Community Area Grants:

Young People Grants:

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

The grant applications as submitted to the meeting were received and considered. It was noted prior to debate that there was insufficient remaining community grant funding to approve all the applications to the full level that had been requested.

Older and Vulnerable People Grants

An application for £500 was considered as an Area Board initiative for the ‘Health and Wellbeing at the Lakes’ project to support older people in a day of wellbeing activities. On the motion of Cllr Bridget Wayman, seconded by Cllr Richard Budden, it was,

Resolved:

To award £500.00 for the Health and Wellbeing at the Lakes project.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

An application for £500 was considered as an Area Board initiative for a Silent Disco event in Mere. It was confirmed the event would take place in March 2024. On the motion of Cllr Richard Budden, seconded by Councillor Bridget Wayman, it was,

Resolved:

To award £500.00 for the Silent Disco event.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

An application for £500 was considered as an Area Board initiative for the a third round of ‘Tech Savvy Sessions’ to support older people with digital familiarity. The success of previous rounds was noted, and details were sought on the level of demand and geographic reach of the project. On the motion of Cllr George Jeans, seconded by Cllr Bridget Wayman, it was,

Resolved:

To award £500.00 for Tech Savvy Sessions Round 3.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

Community Area Grants

An application from Hinton Hall Management Committee was considered for £4000 towards the cost of refurbishing the east window of Hinton Hall, Tisbury. Comments were made about the use of the hall, regeneration work required, and details sought from the applicant about how the rest of the cost would be funded.

On the motion of Cllr Richard Budden, seconded by Cllr George Jeans, it was,

Resolved:

To award £3000.00 to Hinton Hall Management Committee.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

An application from The Fonthill Gifford Recreation Hut was considered for £2500 towards the cost of installing a disabled toilet. The history of the hut was described, and details sought on whether the parish council would be contributing toward the cost to some degree, which the Area Board considered appropriate if the grant were to be approved.

On the motion of Cllr Richard Budden, seconded by Cllr Bridget Wayman, it was,

Resolved:

To award £1500.00 to Fonthill Gifford Recreation Hut.

Reason:

The application met the grants criteria.

An application from Ebbesbourne Wake was considered for £4791.88 towards the cost upgrading the village hall to allow new usage. The most recent use as a nursey was described by the applicant, and it was confirmed the parish council would be contributing to the project. Comments were made about the importance of supporting village halls for many communities.

On the motion of Cllr Nabil Najjar, seconded by Cllr George Jeans, it was,

Resolved:

To award £3900.00 to Ebbesbourne Wake Village Hall.

Reason:  ...  view the full minutes text for item 55.

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

There were no urgent items.