Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Area Board Cllr George Jeans.

Apologies for absence were also received from the following attendees:

·       Broad Chalke Parish Council

·       Inspector Tina Osborne (Salisbury Neighbourhood Policing Team)

·       Stapleford Parish Council

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 11 September 2024.

The minutes of the last meeting were presented for consideration, and it was,

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes of the meeting on 11 September 2024 as a true and correct record.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To receive a presentation from Victoria Moloney, Wiltshire Council Head of Economy and Regeneration, and Tamzin Earley, Wiltshire Council Arts and Funding Manager.

Tamzin Earley, Wiltshire Council Arts and Funding Manager gave a presentation on the Wiltshire Cultural Strategy which is appended to these minutes.

It was noted that the Wiltshire Cultural Strategy was part funded by Arts Council England. The Strategy was endorsed by Cabinet on 15 July 2024 (minute 89) and adopted by Full Council on 24 July 2024 (minute 50). Following adoption work had not stopped, key officers from across the council were being brought together in a cultural forum to help embed it into process across the council.

It was stated that humans have an innate need for creativity, and culture is who we are as people and how we relate to each other and our surroundings. So having a Cultural Strategy was important and could have a positive effect on many things. The reasons behind the strategy, and the vision, principles and themes were detailed in the presentation. Along with what the Strategy meant for South West Wiltshire and the Area Board.

The launch of the Cultural Strategy would take place in 2025, and the Cultural Strategy could be downloaded from the Wiltshire Council website here: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/arts-galleries-arts-service.

Questions were asked regarding involving private businesses and schools in the Cultural Strategy. It was explained that Wiltshire College had been approached and that the council as just at the start of the Cultural Strategy journey at present, so work would continue.

The Chairman highlighted that the Cultural Strategy was one cog in a much bigger piece of work to advocate Arts and Culture and integrate it with other aspects such as developing the economy, for example the Wiltshire Marque (https://www.wiltshiremarque.co.uk/)  and the Explore Wiltshire Events app (https://events.wiltshire.gov.uk/).

Further questions were asked relating to Salisbury City Hall and Visit Wiltshire. In response it was explained that the council was working to remobilise City Hall and secure a third-party operator. Visit Wiltshire was a private company and was still operating.

Victoria Moloney, Wiltshire Council Head of Economy and Regeneration then gave a presentation on Economic Development which is appended to these minutes.

In summary, details were given regarding the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). Funds used to be received from the European Union, and now funds were provided by the UKSPF. The UKSPF supported demand responsive transport and the Warm and Safe scheme (https://www.cse.org.uk/my-home/advice-projects/warm-and-safe-wiltshire/). The UKSPF invested in Wiltshire, with large scale projects to bring forward new companies. In addition, the UKSPF helped to fund the Building Bridges scheme, which helped people to find employment and helped small to medium-sized enterprises (SME’s) to provide mental health support to staff. Other schemes supported by the UKSPF were the Wiltshire Fit for Growth, Fit for Start Up, Fit for Net Zero, and the Rural Hubs Programmes.

The Wiltshire Towns Programme (https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/wiltshire-towns-programme) was briefly detailed, the programme supported the Cultural Strategy and aimed to improve high streets. Part of this was the Explore Wiltshire Events Web application, which the council were keen to get more businesses  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

To receive an update from Catherine Roper, Chief Constable of Wiltshire Police.

To receive an update on local police matters from Inspector Louise Oakley, Warminster Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) and Sgt Susan Malkinson, Salisbury NPT.

Catherine Roper, Wiltshire Police Chief Constable apologised that she was in attendance virtually and had been unable to make the meeting in person. Under her update she would over the strategic position of Wiltshire Police and colleagues that were in attendance would cover local issues.

It was stated that in the summer of 2022 Wiltshire Police were put into the Engage process, which was similar to special measures, as the service had not been performing well enough. The Chief Constable had joined in March 2023 and set about looking how to address issues and make improvements. Issues that had been raised resulting in the Engage process included that there was no strategy, no framework, people were not held to account, and the control room had not been delivering satisfactory responses to 999 and 101 calls.

The Chief Constable had looked to swiftly make improvements, the force was on a journey but had improved. His Majesty's Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) undertook independent assessment and acknowledged that they had improved. Resources in the control room had been increased, dedicated neighbourhood teams had been reintroduced, and people were now being held to account. The force had come out of the Engage process in May 2024.

A summary of the latest HMICFRS report and findings could be seen on the Wiltshire Police website here: 

https://www.wiltshire.police.uk/news/wiltshire/news/2024/august-2024/Wiltshire-Police-improvements-recognised-in-latest-PEEL-inspection-report/. Significant improvements had been evidenced. The force were now 17th in the country out of 43 in the control room in terms of response times, which was a vast improvement. They had more officers than they have had for a decade. Recruitment had now been paused as all roles were full. The force would continue working to improve until they were rated as outstanding.

Area Board Members expressed disappointment that the Chief Constable had been unable to attend in person and hear firsthand what the threat of speeding on South West Wiltshire’s community area’s roads meant day by day, and it was highlighted that the community area had the highest incidence of fatal Road Traffic Collisions (RTCs) in any Wiltshire Council community area. Examples were provided to highlight problems such as speeding in Donhead St Mary and Tisbury. Members requested the support of enforcement teams to help tackle the problems. 

Members further queried whether speeding enforcement had increased and would like to see evidence of where enforcement had taken place. Members pondered whether there was a lack of communication in relation to the enforcement that did take place. The A350 was highlighted as an issue, however under a speed assessment had not met the 85th percentile, but that did not mean that speeding did not take place there and more enforcement was requested. 

The Chief Constable stated that she had received the detailed questions from the Area Board in relation to these issues and would provide a written response to them along with the overlay maps requested, and that she understood that they did not think the enforcement undertaken was sufficient. Members thanked the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

To receive an update on the FUEL Holiday Activity and Food Programme.

Karen Linaker, Wiltshire Council Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager (SEPM) gave a brief update on the Food, Unity, Energy, Laughter (FUEL) Holiday Activity and Food (HAF) Programme, the slides used are appended to these minutes.

The officer noted that all Area Boards placed youth engagement as a high priority. The HAF FUEL programme had been in existence since 2021 and it was stated that young people needed to eat well and be engaged on positive activity, which was particularly important in the school holidays. Wiltshire Council had been provided some funding from the Department for Education (DfE) to help run the programme and it was targeted at those eligible for free school meals (FSM) of which there were around 10,700 in Wiltshire. Around 80,000 meals had been served at the programme so far.

Seeds 4 Success, a youth charity based in Mere, helped to lead on providing the programme in South West Wiltshire.

Winter provision 2024 was about to open and details and booking could be seen online here.   

To receive an update on the Nadder Centre.

Cllr Richard Budden gave a brief update on the Nadder Centre. Cllr Budden highlighted the reports published in the agenda pack in relation to this.

Membership of the Nadder Centre was going up and had been steadily recovering since Covid. The offices for rent were now well occupied. It was noted that there had been a fire at the adjacent open air swimming pool in Tisbury, which had been a disaster for those that use the pool. The damage assessment was complete, and work was underway to confirm indicative costs for the repair works.

A full update on the Nadder Centre would be given at the February meeting of the Area Board.

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

·       Paul Russell (Salisbury NHS Foundation trust)

·       Health and Wellbeing Group

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Paul Russell (Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust)

Mr Russel was the Care Liaison Manager at Salisbury Hospital and also a staff governor. The Salisbury NHS Foundation Trust had entered into a group model, working with Bath and Swindon hospitals, in order to collaborate more closely and comply with national standards. The Bath and North-East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire (BSW) Integrated Care System health partners worked closely together on population health. The Salisbury Trust was the largest employer in the south of the county. They were trying to work with Salisbury BID and the Chamber of Commerce to increase spending of money locally. Making the area more prosperous would also help with recruitment and retention. The Trust were accountable to their members, and the public could become members. Further details could be found online here: https://www.salisbury.nhs.uk/about-us/members/join-us-as-a-member/. 

·       Health and Wellbeing Group

Karen Linaker, Wiltshire Council Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager (SEPM) stated that there had not been a meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Group recently, as they were getting ready for the Salisbury Big Band Christmas Concert which was to take place at the Nadder Centre in Tisbury on Tuesday 10 December from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. The event was free, but booking was required, and people could contact karen.linaker@wiltshire.gov.uk to book. A flyer for the event is appended to these minutes.

·       Town and Parish Councils

There were no updates from town and parish councils.

To receive any announcements or updates from the Chairman.

The Board is asked to note the following information items:

·       Community First

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

o   Cost of Living Update

The Chairman announced that the SGN gas works on the Wilton Road would be completed on the day of the Area Board and that this would be followed by road reinstatement. The traffic lights would be removed by 6pm on Friday 15 November.

The Chairman also highlighted an Environment Action Flood Event, being hosted by Salisbury Area Board, which was taking place on 10 November 2024, from 10.00am to 3.00pm at the Salisbury Guildhall, SP1 1JH.

The Board noted the Information Items as set out in the agenda pack, these were:

·       Community First

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Wiltshire Council Information Items:

o   Wiltshire Council Consultation Portal

o   Cost of Living Update

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:

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

Local Highway and Footway Improvement Groups (LHFIG)

The LHFIG is taking place on 13 November 2024 at 2pm. Cllr Wayman as chair of LHFIG will give a verbal update. There will be no notes from the meeting or funding recommendations for approval at this area board meeting. 

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

The Area Board noted the budgets remaining for allocation at the meeting and in noted what the remaining budgets would be if all grants were awarded in full at the meeting.

The Area Board heard from grant applicants in attendance who gave a brief overview of, and were questioned about, their project.

Area Board Initiatives

·       South West Wiltshire Area Board requested £500 towards their Techie Tea Parties mobile phone support project for older and vulnerable adults (Older and Vulnerable grant budget).

Karen Linaker, Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager (SEPM) briefly explained the project.

Cllr Richard Budden moved a motion to award the grant in full. This was seconded by Cllr Bridget Wayman.

Decision:

The South West Wiltshire Area Board initiative was awarded £500 towards their Techie Tea Parties mobile phone support project for older and vulnerable adults.

Reason – The application met the Older and Vulnerable Grants Criteria 2024/25

Community Area Grants

·       Fovant Village Hall requested £1,218.50 towards a high traffic floor sustainable upgrade.

Representatives of Fovant Village Hall explained the project and spoke in support of the application.

In response to questions regarding the use of the village hall and therefore the floor for tap dancing, the representatives explained that they had taken time to investigate how to make the floor tap dancing proof and had taken advice on the best solution. They also highlighted that the tap dancing group was one of the longest lived groups to use the hall and that the income that provided was important to the running of the hall. The hall would be working to create financial reserves for future use. Area Board Members highlighted that village halls were a critical part of rural village life and in isolated locations served a key need.  

Cllr Nabil Najjar proposed a motion to award the grant in full, this was seconded by Cllr Bridget Wayman.

Decision:

Fovant Village Hall was awarded £1,218.50 towards a high traffic floor sustainable upgrade.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2024/25

Older & Vulnerable Grants:

·       Carer Support Wiltshire requested £3,230.00 towards peer support cafes for unpaid carers in Mere, Tisbury and Broadchalke.

A representative from Carer Support Wiltshire spoke in support of the application, explained their project, and highlighted that the cafes were a lifeline for unpaid carers.

Area Board Members asked whether the cafes could be extended to other areas such as Wilton. The group would take that away and investigate the possibility. Members also queried how the cafes were publicised and whether the Area Board could help to promote them. The representative welcomed any support the Area Board could give in publicising the cafes. Funding streams were discussed and explained. Members highlighted that they were supportive but may not be able to provide funding every year, so the group needed to be sustainable.

Cllr Bridget Wayman proposed a motion to award the grant in full. This was seconded by Cllr Nabil Najjar.

Decision:

Carer Support Wiltshire was awarded £3,230.00 towards peer support cafes for  ...  view the full minutes text for item 48.

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

There were no urgent items.