Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Cllr Richard Britton, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Southern Wiltshire Area Board and invited officers and councillors on the top table to introduce themselves.

The Chairman welcomed Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning, and apologised as her attendance had not been included on the agenda.

Finally the Chairman explained that the running order of the agenda would be slightly amended and that item 13 – Application to Release R2 Funds would be considered straight after item 8 – An Update on R2 Funding.

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillors are requested to declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

Although there were no declarations of interest, Cllr Ian McLennan wished to state that he had worked closely with the Laverstock & Ford Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Committee on their Community Area Grant Application.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the previous two meetings held on Thursday 2 February and Tuesday 6 March 2012.

The minutes of the previous meetings held on Thursday 2 February and Tuesday 6 March 2012 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

To receive Chairman’s Announcements.

New grant scheme.

A greatly simplified small grants scheme would be introduced in April and would be available to groups of individuals rather than formal organisations.  The maximum award would be £350 and there would be few restrictions imposed (e.g. no match funding required), however the final decision would still rest with the Area Board.

Social media for Parish Councils.

A short overview type event was being organised over an evening to consider the various systems and social media available and their relevance for Parish Councils. Depending on the outcome and feedback from the event further workshop sessions may be organised to consider options in more depth.

Queen’s Diamond Jubilee – Salisbury event, 1 May 2012.

Congratulations were offered to Penny from Laverstock who had coined the strapline for the Area Board’s jousting tent “Deep roots; new shoots”.

The Chairman was delighted with the activities and displays that would be on offer, including the Woodfalls Band, Cuckoo Fair maypole dancers, Downton Lace display and The Downton Mace, Whiteparish First Responders, Landford Community Partnership, Alderbury and Whaddon Local History Research Group and River Bourne Community Farm.

It had been confirmed that the event would be attended by a senior member of the Royal Family.

Cllr Fleur de Rhé-Philipe, Cabinet Member for Economic Development and Strategic Planning, introduced her portfolio.

South Wiltshire Core Strategy

This had been approved by Wiltshire Council at Full Council and subsequently adopted.

Draft Wiltshire Core Strategy

This was out to consultation for the third time (the consultation can be accessed on this link) and would be presented to Cabinet and Full Council in June 2012. It was hoped that the Wiltshire Core Strategy would be adopted by the end of 2012.

Once the Wiltshire Core Strategy was in place work would start on local plans. Officers would be available to help villages, should they wish to, work on Neighbourhood Plans, etc.

Employment

The level of unemployment was much lower in Wiltshire (2.2%) than the national average (4%) over the past three years. Youth unemployment was also lower in Wiltshire (8%) than the national average (5.9%).

A local enterprise partnership led by the private sector had been set up with Swindon. There were representatives from different sectors and organisations including Wiltshire Council, Education and the Armed Forces. This had attracted over £9m investment into the county to be used for a loan scheme to help develop new jobs.

Apprenticeships were booming in Wiltshire with a very successful “100 apprentices for 100 days” scheme.

Good news

The Maltings and Car Park in Salisbury had been earmarked for redevelopment. A developer had come forward and plans would be made available for consultation. Salisbury had also been identified as one of the best performing business areas.

It had been announced that the buildings of RAF Lyneham (following relocation to RAF Brize Norton) would be used for defence and technical training for all services.

The Wiltshire Chamber of Commerce had been allocated £1m to be used for small businesses experiencing difficulties or start up businesses.

Questions and comments included:

·         Ensure procedures are in place for Village Design Statements as soon as the Wiltshire Core Strategy is approved – assurance was offered that every effort would be made. Additional officers would be available to help villages meet the new requirements. Every spatial planning officer would be responsible for a specific area.

·         Confusion over the current government guidance with regard to the Core Strategy and the Localism Act – seminars and development events were currently organised for Wiltshire Councillors and the services concerned were aware of the need for information for Town and Parish Councils. Adequate events would be organised to ensure communities received the necessary information.

·         Doubts over the strength and value of modern apprenticeships – it was clarified that education was part of the apprenticeship scheme. For example apprentices were currently working for Wiltshire Council and training to become accountants. Cllr Chris Devine added that in many cases apprentices attended College a couple of days alongside their work placement.

·         Concerns over the extra demand on water resources created by new housing / industrial development – Wiltshire Council was very aware of this issue and in consultation with providers such as Wessex  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17.

The Board noted the information on current consultations as detailed in the agenda. Further information could be obtained from the consultation portal accessible on http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/consultations.htm.

The Chairman especially drew the meeting’s attention to the Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Strategy Consultation.

Cllr Leo Randall encouraged people to take part in the Changes to National Park Governance consultation run by the Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) which can be accessed on

http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2012/03/08/national-park-governance-1203/.

Inspector Andy Noble talked the meeting through a case study of patterns of burglary. He detailed the long and arduous work that had to be undertaken to build a case strong enough to go to Court. The example he used also demonstrated the advantages of partnership working (in this case with Hampshire) as crime seldom recognises borders!

Unfortunately no member of the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service was able to attend the meeting to provide information on their Integrated Risk Management Plan for 2012 – 15. However Cllr Chris Devine as a Wiltshire Council representative on the Fire Authority summarised the proposals and explained that it was not all about cost savings but about improving response.

The consultation document was available in many formats and he urged people to get involved with the consultation:

Electronically:           consultation@wiltsfire.gov.uk

By telephone:           01380731114

By post:          Scott Taylor (Public Consultation Lead) Manor House,   Potterne, Wiltshire, SN10 5PP

Downton and Redlynch Parish Councils had been working hard to reach a satisfactory decision regarding the asset transfer - Mudeford Road Chalk Pit.

The transfer of the freehold of the Chalk Pit to Redlynch Parish Council was fully supported by both parish councils with the following covenants in recognition of the original purpose and history of the Chalk Pit:

1.    Downton Parish Council to have two representatives on any management committee set up by Redlynch Parish Council;

2.    If planning permission is required for any change of use both Parish Councils to agree to such change;

3.    If at any time in the future a use is found that generates a profit, that profit is divided equally between the two Parish Councils after the costs have been taken into account;

4.    If at any time the Chalk Pit is sold, any profits (after any costs have been taken into account) or loss accruing from the sale is divided equally between the two Parish Councils. If a loss is to be incurred from a sale then Redlynch Parish Council must seek approval for the sale from Downton Parish Council.

ACTION: Tom Bray to convey comments regarding the asset transfer to the relevant officer.

The Chairman introduced the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) Update and explained that the CATG had decided not to pursue projects where the relevant Parish Council was not present.

He drew the meeting’s attention to the list of projects detailed on pages 33-34.

He was also pleased to announce that the Speed Indicator Devices programme had been finalised and would start soon. He invited everyone to attend the next meeting of the CATG on 23 April 2012, however this meeting was subsequently postponed. The new date is to be confirmed.

To receive information on changes to R2 funding and current funds available by parish.

Officer: Sally Canter, Head of Admin & Technical Support

Sally Canter, Head of Admin & Technical Support, explained the work undertaken over the last two years to capture all information and details regarding Section 106 Agreements as there had not previously been a database giving an overall picture.

She offered reassurance regarding the future of R2 funding as the policy had been saved in the South Wilts Core Strategy.

Further investigation was still required due to the volume of information to be analysed, these were listed on pages 45-48 of the agenda. She invited comments and questions, and information about errors or missing data by contacting Debbie Evans on 01380 734772.

In responding to questions asked and comments made the following was clarified:

·         Money approaching expiry date could be retained for R2 funding only if it had been earmarked for an identified scheme, meaning that enough information and details would have to be provided and comply with Section 106 requirements.

·         There were other policies (e.g. R3 and R4) which could be used (for example for indoor activities not covered by R2) but a case would need to be made for these at planning stage, then be included in the Section 106 Agreement if appropriate. Discussions would need to take place with the Land Adoptions team.

It became clear that not much was known about R3 and R4 funding and Cllr McLennan felt that it was of the upmost importance for Parish Council to specify the funding to be linked with an application when making comments on planning applications. Sally Canter offered to organise training on the relevant policies as required.

The Area Board noted the information provided.

ACTION: Tom Bray to liaise with Town and Parish Councils and Sally Canter to determine the required training.

Steve Ibbetson, Technical Services Manager, introduced his report on an application by Downton Parish Council for the release of R2 funds in excess of £30,000 for their skatepark project.  He explained that the money was available and the proposal met the terms of a Section 106 Agreement.

A representative of Downton Parish Council confirmed that this was something the village had wanted for many years.

Decision

The Southern Wiltshire Area Board approved Downton Parish Council’s request for £38,400 of developer contribution money towards the cost of constructing a skateboard park at Moot Lane Recreation Ground, Downton.

To receive a review of 2011/12 from the Community Area Manager.

Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager

Tom Bray, Community Area Manager, delivered a presentation showing what the Area Board had worked on and achieved in 2011/12. The full presentation is available online at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/southernwiltshireareaboard.

The Chairman took the opportunity to thank Tom Bray for his hard work and diligence over the year which had been a big part in achieving these outcomes.

The Chairman also expressed his pride in what the Area Board had achieved, which he felt was in part due to focusing on practical and achievable projects.

To consider the action plan developed as a result of our JSA event and Community Plan.

It is important that you find a couple of minutes before the meeting to have a look through the action points.

The Chairman explained that information from the Joint Strategic Assessment (JSA) event held on 6 March 2012 and feedback received on the Community Plan 2010-15 had been analysed and collated into an action plan included in pages 61-70 of the agenda.

The Chairman invited the meeting to consider each section of the Action Plan in turn and discuss whether any topics or actions should be added or deleted.

There were two changes proposed to the Action Plan however during the debate it was discussed that Parish Councils could make a difference if they engaged robustly with reviews of public transport, but they would need to be ready to get involved with exercises such as establishing demand and usage, etc.

Decision:

The Area Board endorsed the proposed Action Plan.

To determine Area Board Themes for 2012/13 using interactive voting handsets. One theme will be selected as the Area Board Theme for 2012/13.

The broad themes that have emerged so far are focusing around:

·       Footpaths

·       Community Safety

·       Youth Transport

·       Vulnerable Families

·       Domestic Violence

·       Volunteering

If you think there are other themes that could be included in this list please contact the Community Area Manager by 4 April 2012. You should include supporting information outlining why this theme should be considered.

Email: tom.bray@wiltshire.gov.uk

Tom Bray, Community Area Manager, invited those present to vote on six identified themes:

·         Footpaths

·         Community Safety

·         Youth Transport

·         Vulnerable Families

·         Domestic Violence

·         Volunteering

The vote was taken in two parts:

1.    Ranking the importance of the issue.

2.    Ranking the ability of the Area Board to achieve practical outcomes for the issue.

Footpaths and Community Safety were the “top two” once the votes were combined.

Tom Bray would now issue the survey to his extensive network and ask them to vote in the same way as the Area Board did. The results from the Area Board meeting and the network consultation would be combined and fed back to the Area Board.

Proposals and if possible costings for some of the ideas would be brought to the next meeting of the Area Board.

To consider the attached report detailing an application from Winterslow Parish Council to switch off some street lighting.

Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager

The Area Board considered a report detailing an application from Winterslow Parish Council to switch off some street lighting. If approved the next stage would be for technical officers to assess the site to ensure the right lights were switched off.

It was pointed out that no adverse comments had been received in Downton where half the lights had been switched off for the past five months.

Decision:

The Area Board approves the switching off of selected approved streetlights in Winterslow subject to technical assessment by Highways in liaison with Winterslow Parish Council.

To note the attached report detailing the progress of Local Issues in the Community Area.

Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager

The Chairman reminded everyone to use the issues system as it was the first step in getting an issue resolved.

You can report an issue in your community on line

https://forms.wiltshire.gov.uk/area_board/report_issue.php?area_board=Southern%20Wiltshire or by contacting the Community Area Manager.

Decision:

The Area Board noted the progress on issues reported by the Community Area Manager.

The Board will consider 3 applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme.

Officer: Tom Bray, Community Area Manager

The Area Board considered three applications for funding from the Community Area Grant Scheme. Applicants present were invited to speak in support of their application. After discussion Area Board members voted on each application in turn.

Decision

Nomansland Cricket Club was awarded £990 towards the refurbishment of their storage shed.

Reason

This application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2012/13, demonstrates a direct link to the Community Plan 2010 – 15 as detailed in the officer’s report.

Decision

Laverstock and Ford Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Committee was awarded £1,479 towards the purchase of heavy duty tents to be used at the Jubilee event and beyond.

Reason

This application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2012/13, demonstrates a direct link to the Community Plan 2010 – 15 as detailed in the officer’s report and would provide a lasting facility for the village.

Decision

The Youth Advisory Group/ Youth Service was awarded £5,000 towards the leisure credits scheme for young people.

Reason

This application met the Community Area Grant Criteria for 2012/13, demonstrates a direct link to the Community Plan 2010 – 15 as detailed in the officer’s report and would provide meaningful activities for young people and reward volunteering in the community.

A copy of the Forward Plan is attached for information.

The Chairman thanked everyone for coming and closed the meeting.

The next meeting of the Area Board will be on Thursday 7 June 2012, 7.00 pm at Coombe Bissett & Homington Village Hall.