Agenda and minutes

There were no apologies.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2018

The minutes of the meeting held on 24 May 2018 were presented for consideration, and it was,

Resolved:

To approve and sign the minutes as a true and correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Councillor Ernie Clark drew attention to his published register of interests in relation to items on this agenda.

To include the following:

      i.        Youth Parliament

    ii.        Special Schools Consultation

It was announced that a petition had been received, which was handed in by Councillor Edward Kirk, in relation to resurfacing St Thomas’ Road.

Attention was also drawn to the Wiltshire Council consultation in relation to special schools, with particular interest to the Area Board for Larkrise School, which was to conclude on 31 July 2018.

Councillor Jane Davies, Portfolio Holder for SEND and Safeguarding, will be in attendance to discuss Special Schools

Councillor Jane Davies, Portfolio Holder for SEND and Safeguarding, was in attendance to discuss her work in assistance to the Cabinet Member for Children, Education and Skills, Councillor Laura Mayes.

She outlined work that had taken place over the last few years with the special schools in Wiltshire, with a recognition that more spaces were needed, some in areas with sites that were already overcrowded. Agreements had been reached with three of the county’s special schools, and a consultation was underway to discuss future arrangements regarding the other three, which included Larkrise.

Councillor Davies explained that the Cabinet was to agree to borrow around £30million in order to properly finance any changes that were necessary to secure a solution for all the schools, which required a thorough process and detailed case. The schools and the parent and carers council had been spoken to, and the public consultation on potential options was the last phase before a decision could be reached.

In response to queries it was stated the options for the remaining three school sites was to have a single site school, reduce to two schools, or keep all three schools open following some extention or rebuilding. It was also stated that if a single school option were chosen various sites in Trowbridge, Chippenham and other areas were being assessed, but no site had been identified at the present time.

The Area Board discussed the presentation from the Portfolio Holder, noting the increased transport times that would likely occur if Larkrise were closed, and that this was a particular concern with many children with special needs. The Area Board also questioned the stated estimate on the minimal cost increase for transport that was provided and requested that full details be provided in the forthcoming Cabinet paper. It was also confirmed that depending on how many sites were to be operated, the nature of provision on offer at the schools would also be assessed, and that it was intended that full solutions would be provided from 2022.

The Area Board thanked Councillor Davies for her attendance and requested everyone contribute to the consultation.

To note the written reports and receive any updates from the following:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

    ii.        Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

   iii.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

   iv.        Town and Parish Councils

    v.        Local Youth Network

   vi.        Trowbridge Wellbeing Centre Development Group

  vii.        Safer and Supportive Communities Group

 viii.        Health and Wellbeing Group

Updates from partners were received as follows:

     i.        Wiltshire Police

The written update was noted. James Williams was in attendance and drew attention to recent work regarding ‘county lines’ drug networks, anti-social behaviour, which had reduced following an operation in coordination with the Youth Offending Team, and questions were raised regarding boy racer incidents that had taken place.

Queries were also made regarding enforcement on cars parked on junctions, and it was explained that this was not a criminal offence and therefore the police were not able to address this matter. The Board were advised to contact the council with any such concerns.

    ii.        Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written update was noted. Larsson Taylor was in attendance, and provided details on community engagement, fire cadet programme and local resourcing.

  iii.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

Colin Kay provided an update that a new coordinator was taking up post from September. It was agreed updates could be provided every other meeting.

  iv.        Town and Parish Councils

The written update from Trowbridge Town Council was noted. Attention was drawn to the recent decision of the Town Council to contribute further funds to the Town Hall Arts. Hilperton Parish Council reported that the response of the council to the Inspector for the neighbourhood plan had been made, and it was hoped that a referendum on the plan would take place in October 2018.

    v.        Local Youth Network

The LYN met last in May, but had discussed its budget and some future ideas by email.

  vi.        Trowbridge Wellbeing Centre Development Group

The group had still not been provided the consultant’s report on the proposals, and so had not yet met with the consultants. Contact would be made with Councillor John Thomson seeking access to the necessary information to move events forward.

 vii.        Safer and Supportive Communities Group

A meeting was being arranged for September.

viii.        Health and Wellbeing Group

The written update was noted.

a.    Community Area Grants

To consider the following applications:

                      i.        Hilperton Village Hall – New Tables - £930.82

                    ii.        1^st Hilperton Rainbows Storage Shed - £789-94

b.    Youth Grants

To consider the following applications:

                      i.        Trowbridge Arts – Music for young people BY young people - £3060.00

c.    Youth Grants

To consider the following applications:

i.       Issue 6185 – Trowbridge Rugby Club – New Road markings - £350.00 subject to parish council contribution of £100.00

The Area Board considered the grants as detailed in the agenda, and after discussion resolved the following:

Resolved:

Community Area Grants

Hilperton Village Hall – New Tables - £930.82 - Awarded

1st Hilperton Rainbows Storage Shed - £789-94 - Awarded

Youth Grants

Trowbridge Arts – Music for young people BY young people - £3060.00 - Awarded

Community Area Transport Group

Issue 6185 – Trowbridge Rugby Club – New Road markings - £350.00 subject to parish council contribution of £100.00 – Awarded

Reason: The applications met the grant criteria.

To receive any updates regarding the Bowyers Site development.

It was announced that unfortunately matters had not progressed to the point that a representative of the owners of the site could make a presentation to the Area Board. The Chairman had been contacted stating that the owners of Innox Mills were close to exchanging with their development partner, and have requested a meeting with senior officers at Wiltshire council to discuss a new planning process.

The Area Board would continue to seek further information between and at future meetings.

To receive an update from the Community Engagement Manager including a proposal to award £1000.00 toward the costs of the local elements of the Wiltshire Walks project.

An update was provided by the Community Engagement Manager, as detailed in the presentation attached to the minutes. Details were provided on a new blog site, poetry project and social trip to Weston Super Mayor for some local elderly people.

Particular attention was drawn to a piece of collaborative work with the Wiltshire History Centre, Wiltshire Ramblers, Public Health Wiltshire and the Open University regarding a mobile app to create local history walks in the community areas. £1000 was requested as a contribution to the project.

The Area Board thanked the Community Engagement Manager for all the work she was undertaking in the community.

Resolved:

To award £1000 toward the Wiltshire Walking Project and note the updates from the Community Engagement Manager

To receive any updates on the impact arising from road works delays

The Area Board discussed the recent road works, which had lasted longer than anticipated. There was some discussion as to whether it could have been single carriageway, and it was requested the Community Area Transport Group discuss the matter further.

Resolved:

To approve the CATG notes, with the West Ashton Road to be discussed at the next meeting

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

Electoral Review

The Area Board were informed that the additional submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England had now been made, and it was expected a decision would be made as to the future council size in late August. A public consultation on proposed division boundaries would then follow.