Agenda and minutes

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

Apologies for absence were received from:

·       David Robertson – Hindon PC

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

Councillor George Jeans declared that he was a Trustee of Mere Youth Club.

To confirm as a correct record and sign the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 5 February 2014.

Decision

Subject to the amendment below, the minutes of the previous meeting held on Wednesday 5 February 2014, were approved as a correct record and signed by the Chairman:

·       Item 13. Community Area Transport Group – The amount awarded to the West Tisbury, Monmouth Hill changes to the roundabout was £900 and not £1,000.

The Board will discuss any matters arising from the minutes of the last meeting.

The following queries were raised under matters arising:

·         Could we have a date for the delivery of the tailgate spreaders? Answer: The CAM would look into this and report back to the Board.

Action: CAM to report back on tailgate spreaders once a date had been provided.

Note: Following the meeting, the CAM report back that the remaining tailgate spreaders were being held – a training date would be arranged in Sept/Oct 2014 and the remaining tailgates then issued.

·         Had Cllr Scott been emailed the details of the Discover Nadder and Discover Chalke Valley websites so that a link could be included on the Visit Wiltshire website? Answer: The CAM had spoken to Linda Nunn who had confirmed that the request had been received.

The receive announcements from the Chairman including:

·         ‘What matters to you’ – 30 April 2014

·         ‘Focus on A303 through Wiltshire at Area Board meeting on 4 June 2014.

·         The Big Pledge

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/publichealthwilts/bigpledge.htm

‘What matters to you’

A Joint Strategic Needs Assessment (JSA) event for the South West Wiltshire community area had been scheduled for 30 April 2014. Anyone interested in attending could register for a place by following the link: http://bit.ly/1pFBgqP

Focus on A303 through Wiltshire

The Associate Director for Highways and Transport; Parvis Khansari would be in attendance at the next meeting of the Board on 4 June 2014. Information on Wiltshire Council’s current position on its preferred route/solution to current congestion issues on the A303 will be presented.

Community Coordinator

Lee Haine had replaced Rebecca as the Community Coordinator for Highways issues for the community area. 

The Big Pledge

Starting on 2 April 2014 and running for 12 weeks, a Wiltshire wide project called the Big Pledge had been launched. Individuals, groups, businesses and communities could sign up to make a difference to improve health and wellbeing.

Pledge ideas include:

• Get fitter by running walking, cycling or losing weight
• Set aside 2 hours a week to volunteer in your community.
• Stop smoking or drinking for 12 weeks
• Organise a community event
• Attend a course or class to learn a new skill

Further information is available by following the link:

http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/healthandsocialcare/publichealthwilts/bigpledge.htm

Removal of Mini Recycling Sites

On 25 February 2014 the Council approved the budget for 14/15, which included a series of savings proposals. These proposals incorporated the removal of all council-operated mini recycling sites in the county, in order to reduce operational costs and generate contract savings. 

All mini recycling sites would be closed to residents from the 5 May 2014, with containers physically removed by the end of May/early June.  These removals would be completed in series.

A removal schedule was currently being drawn up with Hills Waste Solutions Ltd, and individual parish councils, councillors, landowners and area boards would receive pre-notification of the removal date of their local sites in late March/early April.

Cllr Edge felt that the removal of these sites would see an increase of fly tipping, adding that these sites would be sorely missed.

To note the information on current consultations, to take part and for further information, visit the consultation portal:

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

The Board noted the current consultations which were available by following the link included in the agenda.

To take part and for further information, visit the consultation portal:

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

To view a short DVD looking at some of the work the Area Board has been involved in over the last year.

To note the Priorities and Projects updates attached to the agenda.

The Board viewed a short DVD showing some of the work the Area Board had been involved in over the last year.

To view the DVD follow the link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1OQ5GAyyBgM

The Board noted the Priorities and Projects update attached to the agenda.

To receive information on the current consultation and proposed options for the future provision of services and activities for young people in Wiltshire.

Cllr Laura Mayes, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services

Councillor Laura Mayes, Cabinet member for Children’s Services, delivered a presentation on the current consultation options for the future provision of services and activities for young people in Wiltshire.

Why the need for a review

A report was submitted to Cabinet on 21 January highlighting a number of issues. As it had been 10 years since the establishment of the current service it was now necessary to respond to the changing needs of young people.

Support needed to be targeted at those that need it most, currently the minority of young people access council provision, whilst many others access voluntary, community or commercial outlets.

Campuses would provide new opportunities across the county; the first campus opens in Corsham in June 2014.

As part of the budget setting on 25 February, it was recognised that some funding currently being spent on Integrated Youth Services would need to be saved. There would be no changes to the Youth Offending Service, Motivate or NEATS.

The Council has a statutory duty to secure access to leisure-time activities for young people. Currently, these services are provided through a range of open access youth development service across the county, with a mix of centre and street-based youth work.

The Department for Education updated the statutory guidance, with there being new focus for councils to enable services, rather than deliver direct provision, and to enhance the role for voluntary and community sector services.

In Mere there were 113 young people using the youth services, however over the year the attendance rate was over 2,000 this shows that those using the service in Mere were returning time and time again. Some youth centres in this area were open six days a week, including some Sundays.

Last year, the Area Board was allocated approximately £11,000 to spend on youth initiative projects; however, this was topped up by the Board to over £30,000.

Future provision will offer sustainable help, support and resource to target the young people who need it most. Opportunities would be made available for moreyoung people to access activities. The four options out for consultation are:

1.    Retain the current in-house service but reduce the cost

2. Outsource the service  
3. Encourage and support staff to form a Public Service Mutual

4.    Develop a community led approach

It is recognised that each community area has its own needs, and existing resources vary. Working with people locally will help to assess the needs for the South West Wiltshire community area.

Young people have communicated that that they wish to be more involved in the choices of services available to them. It had also been raised that transport was a fundamental issue in accessing services.

South West Wiltshire Youth Advisory Group (SWWYAG)

A group of young people presented information which had been collated during discussions at the SWWYAG meetings. They had formed a proposal for a fifth option for consideration.

SWWYAG - Option 5

Our idea is to mix community led and in-house models. We would like Wiltshire Council to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 9.

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

·       Police – Neighbourhood Teams

·       Tenants Panel

To note the following written updates attached to the agenda:

a)    Fire

b)    Wiltshire Council Items for Information – No Cold Calling Zone/Toolkit

c)     Wessex Cross Border Working 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.

Fire & Rescue – Mike Franklin

There had been two chimney fires during February. Mike advised that anyone who had not yet had their chimney swept, to consider having it done.

There had been some information in the press recently regarding the possibility of Wiltshire and Dorset Fire Services combining. A Business plan would be produced and considered by both Services.

The Board was then shown a short DVD showing recent work of the Fire Service.

The following question was received:

·       If the Services combine, can we have assurance that there would not be a reduction in services? Answer: There would be no change to frontline services.

Police – Inspector Andy Noble and Inspector Alan Webb

• Movement from the Wilton Road site to Bourne Hill would start in early June.
• The Response teams would move to Amesbury in late June.
• The rank of Chief Inspector would be removed from the structure.
• The Salisbury custody suite would close on 27 June 2014.
• A site in Salisbury had been identified for the new custody suite to be built. The site would include a storage & depot facilities and would be operational in approximately 18 months time.
• Superintendant Charlie Armstrong would be responsible for all business matters in Salisbury (Wilton), Amesbury and Warminster.
• Inspector Noble would be moving to a new post serving Superintendant Armstrong by June. His replacement would be Inspector Dave Minty.
• Inspector Alan Webb would remain in charge of Mere and Tisbury community areas.
• A recent spike in figures for Tisbury was linked to issues at a Public House, Officers had spoken with the licensee, and the situation was now under control.
• Following a spate of non dwelling burglaries, 46 Officers had worked with Dorset Police on a cross border night operation to target theft of tree surgery equipment, fighting cocks and working dogs.

The following questions and comments were then received:

·       Wilton Town Cllr, Phil Matthews personally thanked Inspector Noble for his work. He asked who would replace the PCSO in Wilton once Ben moved on to his PC training programme. Answer: That post would be vacant, it was not know yet who would fill this position. The new tranche of PCSC recruitment would take place in November. Other vacancies existed in Downton and Alderbury. An experienced PSCO form the Salisbury area would be filling the gap temporarily.

·       If you are taking people in custody to Melksham, how will they get back after being released? Answer: Risk assessments are carried out on all prisoners prior to releasing them. Those who are vulnerable or in need of assistance will receive help.

·       What number of staff do you have going into Bourne Hill and where will the vehicles be parked? Answer: There would be around 50 – 60 staff located at Bourne Hill, the fleet would mainly be kept at Amesbury. There are 20 Officers in the Neighbourhood Policing Team, but just one vehicle.

·       Are the Police involved in cold calling residents to enquire about home security, as  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

To receive an update from a member of the Tisbury Campus Shadow Community Operations Board (SCOB).

Cllr Tony Deane

Councillor Tony Deane, Chairman of the Tisbury Community Campus Operations Board, provided an update.

·       The aim would be to move in to the Campus by the end of 2015.

·       The aim of the latest consultation was to pick up any missed issues, and to attract suitable reps with relevant skills to form a Management Committee.

The Board will note the minutes from the last CATG meeting held on 10 March 2014, and consider a recommendation for funding from the allocation for 2013/14, as detailed in the attached report.

Councillor Tony Deane, Chairman of the CATG explained that the Board held a small budget for road improvement schemes, however there was a larger pot of funding available centrally, which CATG’s could submit bids to.

CATG would be revisiting a scheme which had been proposed at the Fovant Triangle, to assess whether other works may be necessary.

The Board noted the minutes from the last CATG meeting held on 10 March 2014, and considered the recommendation for funding from the allocation for 2013/14, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

Decision:

The South West Wiltshire area Board approved the recommendation from the CATG, to fund the following project from the 2013/14 budget.

The Board will consider allocating funding to the Councillor Initiative/Area Board Project – Public Rights of Way Improvement Programme, as detailed in the attached report.

The Board considered a Councillor Led Initiative, proposed by Councillor Jose Green. The project would enhance the public rights of way throughout South West Wiltshire by improving accessibility. The first stage of this project would be to purchase kissing gates to replace stiles. The project itself also aimed to identify improvement/maintenance work that could be taken on by local groups/volunteers.

The priority to improve local footpaths and promote walking was voted top by members of the South West Wiltshire Community Area Network in an online consultation to determine Area Board priorities for 2013/14.

A public event was held on 16 January 2014 to launch a project proposal; 97 people attended and 16 Parish Councils had sent an initial response within the deadline provided. The Public Rights of Way team was currently assessing responses from Parish Councils to determine a programme for implementation.

Further funding will be sought to enhance this programme and any action will be dependent on local volunteer assistance.

Decision:

The South West Wiltshire Area Board allocated £7,500 of funding towards the first stage of this Area Board Project.

Finger Post Funding

The Board will consider 1 application for funding from the finger post funding scheme for 2013/14 as detailed in the attached report.

Councillor Initiative – Chamber of Commerce Support 1 year on

The Board will consider the recommendation to release a second tranche of funding to this Area Board Project for 2013/14, as detailed in the attached report.

Youth Advisory Group - Request to retain unspent funding

The Board will consider a request made by the Youth Advisory Group to retain the unspent balance of £284.86 from a previous award.

Finger Post Funding

The Board consider 1 application for funding from the finger post funding scheme for 2013/14 as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

Decision:

The South West Wiltshire Area Board awarded £350 of Finger post funding to Mere Parish Council, with the condition that each Parish Council that receives funding to replace or refurbish a finger post must provide evidence of doing so within twelve months.

Councillor Initiative – Chamber of Commerce Support 1 year on

The Board considered the recommendation to release a second tranche of funding to this Area Board Project for 2013/14, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda.

Councillors Edge and Jeans both declared pecuniary interests as they were members of the Chamber of Commerce, they did not vote.

Decision:

The South West Wiltshire Area Board awarded the second tranche of funding, which amounted to £21,000 (broken down as £7,000 for each of the three community area Chamber of Commerce), as set out in the report.

Youth Advisory Group - Request to retain unspent funding

The Board considered a request made by the Youth Advisory Group to retain the unspent balance of £284.86 from a previous award.

Decision:

The South West Wiltshire area Board approved the request of the Youth Advisory Group to retain the £284.86 of unspent funding, so that it could be used for a future project.

To note the table of current Issues on the system, as detailed in the attached report, and to consider the recommendation to close the issues as marked in green on the report.

The Board noted the table of current Issues on the online system, as detailed in the report attached to the agenda, and considered the recommendation to closed issues as marked.

Decision:

The South West Wiltshire Area Board agreed to close issue numbers 2947, 3125 and 3188.                                                                                           

The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.

The next meeting of the South West Wiltshire Area Board will be held on Wednesday 4 June at Broad Chalke Village Hall.