Agenda and minutes

The Democratic Services Officer will open the meeting and call for  nominations for a Chairman for 2022/23.

The Democratic Services Officer called for nominations for Chairman.

Cllr Andy Oliver nominated Cllr Rich Rogers. This was seconded by Cllr Zoe Clewer.

As there were no other nominations:

Decision

Council Rich Rogers was elected as Chairman of Southern Wiltshire Ara Board for 2022/23.

Cllr Rogers in the Chair.

The Chairman will call for nominations of a Vice-Chairman for 2022/23.

The Chairman called for nominations for Vice-Chairman for 2022/23.

Cllr Rich Rogers nominated Cllr Andy Oliver, this was seconded by Cllr Richard Clewer.

As there were no other nominations.

Decision

Councillor Andy Oliver was elected as Vice-Chairman of Southern Wiltshire Area Board for 2022/23.

Apologies for absence were received from:

·         Dorset & Wiltshire Fire & Rescue - District Commander Chris Wood

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held online on Thursday 10 February 2022.

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 10 February 2022, were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

There were none.

To receive Chairman’s Announcements

The Chairman made the following announcements:

• Thanks were given to the outgoing Chairman, Cllr Richard Britton for his contribution as Chairman of the Area Board since 2009.Cllr Britton in response congratulated the new Chairman on his appointment and looked forward to continued work with the Area Board.
• Thanks were also given to Station Manager Matty Maggs who had recently retired from the Fire Service, for his work with the Board.

·         Fire & Rescue Service

·         Wiltshire Council Updates

1.    Taxi Driver Recruitment

2.    Solar Together Wiltshire

·         Healthwatch Wiltshire

·         Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

·         Current consultations: Consultations - Wiltshire Council

The Board noted the information items available in the pack or via online links, which included:

·         Fire & Rescue Service

·         Wiltshire Council Updates

                                      i.        Taxi Driver Recruitment

                                    ii.        Solar Together Wiltshire

·         Healthwatch Wiltshire

·         Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

·         Current consultations:

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

a) Parish Councils and Community groups

b) Community Policing – local issues and priorities

In attendance: Inspector Tina Osborn

Parish Councils and Community groups

There were no updates.

Community Policing – local issues and priorities

Inspector Tina Osborn gave a verbal update in addition to the written update in the agenda pack. Some of the main points included:

·         A current focus on non-dwelling burglaries, due to recent thefts of machinery and tools from garages, sheds and outbuildings. Targeted patrols in some areas.

·         Bike marking events had been taking place with a further event planned in Alderbury in June.

·         Cross border work with other forces continued to identifying suspects

·         People were urged to report anything suspicious, on 101 or 999 depending on the level of urgency

·         Engagement sessions had taken place in Downton following reports of antisocial behaviour, which had now reduced. Work would continue in other areas.

·         People were also urged to immediately report sightings of off road bikes ridden across byways, in order to have a better chance of catching riders in the act.

·         School visits were taking place to tackle knife crime.

·         Officer visibility in community hubs and locations were taking place regularly, new locations included West Dean, Winterslow and Nomansland.

·         There had also been a rise in Catalytic convertor thefts across the area –

Questions and comments included:

·         Cllr Richard Clewer thanked Tina and her team for the work, in particular on the current issues in Downton, noting that the efforts had been  noticed within the community and good progress had been made.

To note the new changes made to Area Board processes regarding :

a)    Priorities

b)    Working Groups & Lead Members

c)    Grant Funding

Officer: Karen Linaker, Community Engagement Manager

The Community Engagement Manager, Karen Linaker gave a presentation on the new changes made to Area Board processes, following a recent countywide review. Some of the main points included:

• First review of Area Boards since formed in 2009
• Updated documentation and policies
• Looked at local priorities, working groups and investment of grant funding
• Boards would now set up to 5 local priorities and allocate a Lead Councillor for each.
• Funding application process updated – projects to align with priority areas and business plan
• New Grant Assessment Panel & Escalation Process
• Revised Grants Criteria & CEM Delegated Authority
• New Area Board Handbook available online
• Engagement events – (last one held on 24 April)
• 4 Business meetings per year

Questions and comments included:

·         How would applicants identify the priorities, as there had been a lack of participation with the parishes in forming those?

Answer: KL- When priorities were set last year, they were chosen through data which came out of the Strategic needs survey – group workshops were held with interested parties. During covid these were held online and resulted in the Board forming a set of priorities. Tonight, the aim was to pause, take stock and start work on 4 new priorities. There was also a link to the Council’s Business Plan available.

The reason the process had been tightened up to tie the priorities and Business Plan together was due to the financial strain and reduced budgets available. This process would help us to make sure the money spent was focused on the priorities identified by the community.

The Area Board is asked to:

                  I.        Acknowledge the progress update from the 2021/22 local priorities work.

                II.         Consider the report along with its appendices and decide upon the priorities it wishes to focus on in the coming year.

               III.        Appoint a councillor lead for each of the selected priorities. 

              IV.        Appoint any required working groups in relation to each priority. Note; any existing externally operated groups may already be in place and should be acknowledged and noted.

Officer: Karen Linaker, Community Engagement Manager

The Chairman set out the movement to work in line with the work plans identified priorities, with further engagement with community groups and residents.

Karen Linaker, Community Engagement Manager outlined the Local Priorities and Appointment of Lead Members report, attached to the agenda.

Karen ran through some of the previous year’s themes, actions and work carried out by the Board, community groups, Members and partners.

The Priorities were led by data evidence and community insight. including:

•      Wiltshire’s Joint Strategic Needs Assessment

•      Citizen’s Advice Wiltshire latest report

•      Wiltshire Community Foundation priorities report

•      Wiltshire Council’s New Business Plan

•      Wiltshire Council’s new Climate Strategy and Natural Environment Plan

•      Insight from our local project work, engagement with health and social care partners, parish councils, voluntary and community sector organisations, schools, residents and many others

The Board considered the proposed 4 New Local Priorities, which were

Environment – start and support new Environment Group, and appoint a councillor lead?

?Young People – continue to implement and further strengthen the new Rural Youth Outreach Project and appoint a councillor lead?

?Health & Wellbeing - support and facilitate a range of projects and activities for older people and vulnerable adults and appoint a councillor lead?

?Thriving Economy - map business operating in the S. Wilts Community Area and strengthen engagement with them and appoint a councillor lead

The Chairman noted that the proposal was to identify lead AB members to take on each of the priority areas.

The Board then discussed the proposed priority areas, noting previous challenges in drawing in the collaboration of the business community and as such questioned the priority area of ‘Thriving Community’. It was also noted that Thriving Economy was not shown in the data as an area of concern.

Suggestions on continuing to work with thriving parishes and focusing on how to better communicate and work better collaboratively.

Support for a focus on vulnerable communities and young people was favoured.

The Board agreed to focus on 3 priorities at the present time and to develop a fourth when appropriate.

Decision

The Southern Wiltshire Area Board agreed to:

·         Acknowledge the progress update from the 2021/22 local priorities work.

·         Consider the report along with its appendices and decide upon the priorities it wishes to focus on in the coming year.

·         Appoint any required working groups in relation to the priorities.

·         Appoint a councillor leads for each of the selected priorities, as below:

o   Environment – Cllr Andy Oliver

o   Young People  – Cllrs, Ian McLennan & Zoe Clewer

o   Health & Wellbeing – Cllr Richard Clewer

The Area Board is requested to:

a.         Appoint Members to Outside Bodies as set out at Appendix A;

b.         Agree to reconstitute and appoint to AB Non-Priority Working Group(s) as set out in Appendix B; and

c.         To note the Terms of Reference for the LHFIG as set out in Appendix C.

The Board noted the report and considered the Outside Bodies and non-priority working groups as listed in the appendices.

Decision

The Southern Wiltshire Area Board agreed to:

·         Appoint Cllr Richard Clewer to the Outside Body as set out at Appendix A;

·         Agree to reconstitute and appoint Cllr Rich Rogers to the LHFIG as set out in Appendix B; and

·         To note the Terms of Reference for the LHFIG as set out in Appendix C

An update from the Community Engagement Manager, Karen Linaker.

Karen Linaker, Community Engagement Manager gave an update on the Project, some of the main points included:

·         Met with key officers & partners –to discuss scoping and delivery of the cycle route.

·         Proposed a mainly off road to link for the villages and the Porton business site.

·         Huge task which would require a substantial amount of funding

·         Transport feasibility study would be carried out by Sustrans

Cllr Oliver noted that there was a good level of engagement from parishes, cllrs, the Porton Science Park, Public Health England and DSTL.

To consider an update report and recommendation for funding to extend this project into its second year.

Recommendations:

1.    To note the update and work that is ongoing in Downton, Alderbury, Winterslow and the Bourne Valley during phase 2.

2.    To earmark £5k from the 2022/23 Area Board Youth Budget to build a fund to enable the Rural Youth Outreach Project to continue for a further year, based on emerging detail in appendix 2.

The Board received an update from Karen Linaker, Community Engagement Manager and noted the report which included recommendations for funding, to extend the project into its second year.

There were hopes for a new youth club in Alderbury, Winterslow had held its first pop-up youth event which had resulted in 8 volunteers being signed up and 40 young people attending.

Downton would require a multifaceted approach with further work over the summer months. Bourne Valley Villages would have an event in July at Hazel Hill Wood.

Some of the main points included:

• Improved engagement with young people, targeting a reduction in isolation of young people in rural areas. ?

• Identification of young people with issues around mental health, educational attainment and physical health issues and signposting to appropriate activities and support. ?

• Increased and strengthened community led activity provision, with stronger communication channels between providers and partners across the communities

• Alderbury, Winterslow, Downton, Bourne Valley villages, Redlynch, Old Sarum/Longhedge, Landford, Whiteparish, West Dean featured in phase 1 “listening tours”?

• Alderbury, Winterslow, Downton and Bourne Valley villages prioritised for phase 2 (pop up youth nights, fun trips out, detached youth work, new and renewed youth groups)

The Chairman noted that there had been a lot of good work over last year involving Community First and Katrina Whatson & team. Momentum was key to keep the enthusiasm rolling. With a good number of volunteer providers carrying out good work to support our youth activities. He urged all to support and make better use of the excellent networks already in the communities.

Questions and comments:

·         Cllr R Clewer - This is making good headway, but not sure if there is a permanent life span.

·         Old Sarum and Longhedge are in top 4 – what does that mean?

Answer: We would need to take stock and when we review how well we had done, the Board would figure out which could be prioritised out of list shown in appendix 2. We do try to commission other things alongside the youth clubs. Other Boards do have charity youth provision such as Seeds4success.

The Board considered the recommendation as set out in the report.

Decision

The Southern Wiltshire Area Board:

·         Noted the update on work during phase 2, and;

·         Agreed to earmark £5,000 from the 2021/22 Area Board Youth Budget to build a fund to enable the Rural Youth Outreach Project to continue for a further year, based on emerging detail in appendix
2 of the published report.

Opening Balance for 2022/23:

The Board will consider applications for funding as set out in the report attached to the agenda and summarised below:

Officer: Karen Linaker, Community Engagement Manager

The Area Board noted the funding budgets for 2022/23, shown on the presentation as:

·         Community Area Grants (CAG) - £22,642

·         Young People (YP) - £19,321

·         Health & Wellbeing (H&W) - £7,700

The new rules for funding, as set out in the previous agenda item on the Area Board Review were noted.

Applications were set out in the report attached to the agenda and applicants present were invited to speak in support of their projects, followed by an opportunity for any questions.

Downton Bowling Club

Chris Parry & Alan Walters introduced the application for £3470 (CAG) towards a club mower.

The applicant confirmed they would provide 50% of the total project cost and that any additional parts for the mower would be purchased by the club.

The club membership included players from 8 – 92 years old and promoted the ‘We stay active’ element of the council’s Business Plan.

The club promoted engagement with residents who may not otherwise be going out or partaking in activities of engagement.

Decision

Downton Bowling Club was awarded £3470 from the CAG budget for 2022/23.

Reason

The application met the Grants criteria 2022/23

Alderbury Village Hall Management Committee

Michael Huntley introduced the application for £1500 (CAG) towards an industrial dishwasher for the hall.

The Hall had received a high standard of refurb and had started to receive enquiries for larger events. The lack of a suitable dishwasher would restrict hire of events/weddings.  

The Parish Council was contributing £750.

The demands on the reserves due to additional projects and extensive further works were explained.

The applicant was a registered charity, the parish council owned the hall.

The application met the ‘Supporting thriving communities’ element of the Council’s Business Plan and the hall supported the local vulnerable and elderly.

Decision

Alderbury VHMC was awarded £1500 from the CAG budget for 2022/23.

Reason

The application met the Grants criteria 2022/23

Alabare Christian Care & Support

Nicky Cushing introduced the application for £1000 (H&W) towards the ‘Somewhere to go Salisbury’ project.

The application had been deferred at the last meeting to allow time to clarify the position on double funding. It had been confirmed that the applicant was able to apply for funding.

The other point raised, had been whether the community area would benefit specifically from the project, the applicant noted that whilst it was difficult to predict who would use the service over the next 12 months, it was open to all.

Cllr Richard Clewer noted that there was undoubtedly demand for the service across the area, and on balance it was a benefit and in line with the criteria

Decision

Alabare Christian Care & Support was awarded £1,000 from the CAG budget for 2022/23.

Reason

The application met the Grants criteria 2022/23

Silver Salisbury Group

Irene Kohler introduced the application for £900 (H&W) towards the 2022 Downton & Surrounding villages project.

This was a continuation of a project which ran in the autumn and aimed to alleviate isolation and loneliness of older people. The project now aimed to  ...  view the full minutes text for item 72.

To note the minutes from the last LHFIG meeting held on 4 May 2022, and consider the recommendations for funding, detailed in the report and summarised below:

•           5a - £562.50

•           5e - £6,000.00

•           5h - £6,727.50

•           5i - £1,807.50

•           6a - £1,200.00

•           6b - £2,250.00

Note: As a result of the change from CATGs to LHFIGs the annual Southern Wiltshire budget allocation has been doubled. The annual allocation for the group now stands at £32,344.

The Board noted the minutes from the last LHFIG meeting held on 4 May

2022, and considered the recommendations for funding, detailed in the

Report.

Decision

The Area Board agreed to award LHFIG funding to the schemes as listed below:

• 5a - £562.50 – A345 40mph signage around Beehive/Longhedge roundabout · 5e - £6,000.00 – Waiting restrictions Church Rd
• 5h - £6,727.50 – East Gomeldon Rd railway arch signage improvements
• 5i - £1,807.50 – Idmiston Rd concealed entrance & warning signs
• 6a - £1,200.00 – Homington Rd – Narrowing sign
• 6b - £2,250.00 – extension of 30mph limit on Gomeldon Rd

The Next meeting is scheduled for 8 September 2022 at 7.00pm

The Next meeting was scheduled for 8 September 2022, at Whiteparish Memorial Centre, starting at 7.00pm.