Agenda and minutes

To elect a Chairman and Vice Chairman for the Municipal Year 2012/13.

The Vice Chairman, Councillor Peter Fuller, in the Chair.

The Vice Chairman called for nominations for Chairman of the Area Board for the 2012/13 Municipal year.

Decision

Councillor Graham Payne was elected Chairman of the Area Board for the 2012/13 Municipal Year.

Councillor Payne in the Chair.

The Chairman called for nominations for Vice Chairman of the Area Board for the 2012/13 Municipal Year.

Decision

Councillor Ernie Clark was elected Vice Chairman of the Area Board for the 2012/13 Municipal Year.

The Chairman, Councillor Graham Payne, welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Trowbridge Area Board and thanked the outgoing Chairman, Councillor Jeff Osborn, for his hard work and commitment to the Area Board over the last 12 months.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Steve Oldrieve, Jayne Bullock of Collaborative Schools and Kath Noble of Southwick Parish Council.

      i.        To approve the minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 15 March 2012.

    ii.        Matters arising from previous meetings, to include:

·         Margaret Stancomb asset transfer update – Wiltshire Rural Music School.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Thursday 15 March 2012 were agreed a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Councillor Jeff Osborn provided an update on the asset transfer of Margaret Stancomb School to Wiltshire Rural Music School. It was reported that Wiltshire Rural Music School did not intend to proceed with the transfer, meaning that the site would subsequently be made available to phase 2 of the housing PFI project.

Councillors Jeff Osborn, John Knight, Peter Fuller, Tom James and Helen Osborn all declared general personal interests in Trowbridge Town Council issues due to being members of the Town Council. All councillors had dispensations allowing them to speak and vote on such matters.

Councillor Graham Payne declared a general personal interest in Trowbridge Town Council issues due to being a member of the Town Council. No dispensation was in place.

To include the following:

      i.        Your Say on Local Waste & Recycling Centres (attached)

    ii.        Polling Station Review (attached)

   iii.        11 to 19 Commissioning Strategy Update (attached)

   iv.        Rural Facilities Survey (attached)

    v.        Pathways Improvement Grant Scheme (attached)

   vi.        Cleveland Bridge Weight Restriction (attached)

  vii.        Helping People to Live Safely in their own Homes (attached)

viii.        Trowbridge Recreational Land

   ix.        Extraordinary Area Board (Older People theme) – Thursday 11 October 2012, 10am.

The Chairman drew attention to a number of announcements; full details of which had been included in the agenda pack.

Further announcements were made as follows:

·         Trowbridge recreational land – Councillor Jeff Osborn expressed disappointment that collectively a mutually acceptable position could not be reached regarding the development of a much needed multi sports facility. The Chairman undertook to look into this issue further with Councillor Osborn.

·         Extraordinary Area Board – an Extraordinary meeting of the Area Board would be held on Thursday 11 October 2012, from 10am to 12pm. This meeting would have an ‘older people’ theme. Any person or group wishing to contribute should contact the Community Area Manager, Rachel Efemey.

To confirm memberships of outside bodies and working groups.

Decision

The Area Board confirmed the representatives to Outside Bodies and the membership of terms of reference for Working Groups.

It was reported that the Trowbridge Sports Centre Management Body, to which Councillor Tom James was the appointed Area Board representative, had never met.

Action: Investigate whether an Area Board appointment to this body was still required.

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

      i.        Wiltshire Police

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

   iii.        NHS Wiltshire

   iv.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

    v.        Town and Parish Councils

   vi.        Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group (CAYPIG).

Updates from partners were received as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

The written update was noted. Inspector Lisette Harvey, who had recently taken over the role from Inspector Dave Cullop, reported that the key priorities for the area at present were thefts from motor vehicles, assaults and anti-social behaviour. The public were reminded to leave their vehicles secure at all times and to leave valuables out of view. It was also reported that number plate thefts had been increasing, and motorists should be vigilant at all times.

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written update was noted. Mike Franklin reported that there had been no fatal fires in the Wiltshire service area during 2011/12. This was largely believed to be due to the intervention methods that were being practiced. There was also much partnership working underway, particularly with Wiltshire Council, to provide intervention for older people.

Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service was still consulting on its Integrated Risk Management Plan 2012-15. Further details were available on the website www.wiltsfire.gov.uk , and comments could be submitted to consultation@wiltsfire.gov.uk or by telephoning 01380 731114.

   iii.        NHS Wiltshire

The written updates were noted. There were no further updates. It was noted that the NHS were due to attend the July meeting of the Area Board to provide an update on plans for a Joint Surgery and a Primary Care Centre.

   iv.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

The written update was noted. Tracy Sullivan reported that the proposal to acquire the Town Hall was moving forward well in time with the timeline. A Board had also been appointed and had begun to meet, and information was now being collated to feed into a Business Plan to present to potential funders.

    v.        Town and Parish Councils

Gaynor Polglase, representing the Parish Councils Liaison Group, reported that the group had been busy focussing on many important parish issues, such as the work of the Shadow Community Operations Board, the Cleveland Bridge issue and traffic counts, the proposed Hitachi relocation, wind turbines near Clangers Wood, speeding through the parishes, issues with HGVs, parking issues, and a response was also submitted to the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

Action: It was agreed that the Area Board would write a letter to Councillor Roger Symonds at Bath & North East Somerset Council to oppose plans regarding the Cleveland Bridge.

   vi.        Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group (CAYPIG)

It was reported that the young people were becoming more involved in the work of the Shadow Community Operations Board, and had been assisting with the forthcoming consultation. They had also been involved with the Town Hall developments, and were strongly in support of the project.

Wiltshire Councillors appointed as representatives to Outside Bodies will report on any recent news, to include:

      i.        Transforming Trowbridge

    ii.        Collaborative Schools

   iii.        Trowbridge Shadow Community Operations Board (to include information on the role of deputies).

Updates from Outside Bodies were received as follows:

      i.        Transforming Trowbridge – It was noted that Adam Nardell was no longer in position as the Vision Director for Trowbridge.

Action: it was agreed that the Chairman would write a letter of thanks to Adam Nardell.

Councillor Fuller reported that the application to redevelop the Bowyers site had been considered by the Planning Committee and that the Committee was minded to approve the application subject to conditions. Various legal agreements were required to be produced, which could take some time.

    ii.        Collaborative Schools – Councillor Helen Osborn reported that the Collaborative Schools partnership was fully operational now and had appointed a Board of Trustees and approved a Constitution.

   iii.        Trowbridge Shadow Community Operations Board (Shadow COB) – Colin Kay, Chairman of the Shadow COB, announced that the group had been working on a proposed consultation strategy, which would consist of a phased two-part consultation. The Shadow COB felt it was important to communicate to the people of the Trowbridge area what a campus was, and to determine from local people what services and provisions they felt were required within a campus. Assistance was welcomed from any existing groups that might be able to help with the process.

To agree a process for the allocation of the £7,778 funding allocated to the Trowbridge Area Board for supporting youth related projects.

The Area Board had been awarded a budget of £7,778 specifically to support young people’s projects, and was being asked to decide on the process for its allocation.

Two applications for funding had been received as follows:

      i.        £3,000 was requested by the Youth Development Service for rail travel subsidy.

    ii.        £600 was requested by the Youth Parliament towards a mosaic project.

It was recommended that the remaining budget of £4,178 be delegated to the Community Area Manager to award in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Area Board.

Decision

The Area Board approved the following process for the allocation of its 2012/13 youth budget of £7,778:

      i.        To allocate £3,000 to the Youth Development Service for rail travel subsidy on condition that this was the last time that the Area Board would fund the youth rail subsidy scheme.

    ii.        To allocate £600 to the Youth Parliament towards a mosaic project.

   iii.        To delegate the remaining budget of £4,718 to the Community Area Manager, in consultation with the Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Area Board, to award small grants to young people’s projects of up to £200, subject to the criteria at 3.3 of the corresponding report, and for details of any awards to be reported to the Area Board at the next available meeting.

Application forms for funding were available from Rachel Efemey, Community Area Manager.

To ask Councillors to consider:

1.    Community Area Grants

Three applications seeking Community Area Grant funding, as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Mind – to run a pilot six month art therapy course - £1,816 requested

    ii.        World Evangelism Bible Church –to run a project to help address post traumatic disorders relating to the terminally ill  - £5,000 requested

   iii.        Friends of Southwick Country Park – to run free activities in Southwick Country Park - £899 requested

2.    Area Board Projects

One Councillor-led Area Board application, as follows:

      i.        Trowbridge Area Campus – to pay for consultation regarding the Trowbridge Campus –  £2,220 requested

          Total Amount requested = £9,935

3.    Performance Reward Funding

A bid for £40,000 for the Jubilee Scout Camp Site and Youth Activity Centre for funding ring fenced for the Area Board from the former Performance Reward Funding scheme.

1.    Community Area Grants

The Area Board considered the following applications to the Community Area Grant Scheme:

       i.        Wiltshire Mind

The sum of £1,816 was requested to run a six-month art therapy course.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £1,816 to Wiltshire Mind.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant criteria and demonstrated a link to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

      ii.        World Evangelism Bible Church

The sum of £5,000 was requested to run a project to help address post-traumatic disorders relating to the terminally ill.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £5,000 to the World Evangelism Bible Church on the condition that the applicant networked with the following organisations: Equal Chances Better Lives, Charities Information Bureau and Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant criteria and demonstrated a link to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

Councillor Tom James declared a personal interest in the next application and abstained from the vote.

    iii.        Friends of Southwick Country Park

The sum of £899 was requested to run free activities in Southwick Country Park.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £899 to Southwick Country Park on the condition that it was a one-off application for such activities.

Reason: The application met the Community Area Grant criteria and demonstrated a link to the Trowbridge Community Area Plan.

2.    Area Board Projects

The Area Board considered the following councillor-led Area Board project application:

Trowbridge Area Campus

The sum of £2,220 was requested on behalf of the Trowbridge Shadow Community Operations Board to pay for consultation regarding the Trowbridge Campus.

Decision

The Area Board awarded the sum of £2,220 to the Trowbridge Area Campus consultation project.

3.    Performance Reward Funding

The Area Board considered the following:

Jubilee Camp Site and Youth Activity Centre

A bid for £40,000 was requested for funding ring-fenced for the Area Board from the former Performance Reward Grant Scheme, for a Jubilee Scout Camp Site and Activity Centre.

Decision

The Area Board approved the bid for £40,000 for Roundwood Scout Camp Site and Activity Centre, with the following conditions:

                       i.        That the purchase of the site must be concluded within 12 months of this award

                      ii.        That the Council’s assistance with the purchase should be acknowledged on a permanent sign board at the site

                    iii.        Approval of this award is subject to reasonable public access to the site being extended to all properly supervised scout and guide association groups and fully supervised school and community groups during term times and at other times as may be agreed by prior arrangement with the applicants

                    iv.        This approval is subject to the applicant seeking all necessary consents, licenses, approvals that may be required in connection with the proposed uses and future development of the site

                     v.        The site shall not be sold off or converted to any other use in the future without the prior consent of the Council.

Councillor John Thomson will talk about his responsibilities for Adult Care, Communities and Housing, and respond to any questions.

Questions may be submitted in advance. Please email any questions to penny.bell@wiltshire.gov.uk by 10 May.

Councillor John Thomson, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Adult Care, Communities and Housing, provided an overview of his portfolio.

Councillor Thomson reported that the number of people within the Trowbridge Community Area was predicted to increase by 74.5% by 2026, and the number of people with dementia was predicted to increase by 85.1% by 2025.

The Council was pleased to be able to honour its commitment from last year to invest an extra £52 million over the next four years (2011-2015), and has added a further £19 million into protecting and safeguarding vulnerable adults in this year’s budget.

New older people’s services in the Trowbridge Community Area included Florence Court; a 40-unit extra care scheme, and The Paddocks; a 66-bed care home for people with dementia.

A 10-year, £200 million Accommodation Development Strategy was also being developed which would modernise the way that older people’ accommodation was provided, ensuring the best use of increasingly scarce resources and responding to local needs in local communities.

The Chairman thanked Councillor Thomson for his informative presentation.

To receive a presentation from Hitachi on plans to relocate from Canal Road in Trowbridge to a site in North Bradley near the White Horse Business Park.

Mel Clinton from Nash Partnerships, representing Hitachi, gave a presentation on Hitachi’s proposals to relocate from its current site at Canal Road in Trowbridge, to a site at North Bradley near the White Horse Business Park.

North Bradley Parish Council was concerned about the proposed relocation and highlighted the following issues:

·         The use of existing business parks in Trowbridge should be considered first

·         This proposed development could open up the way for further development in the area

·         There was no good access route into the proposed site

·         This was considered to be a ‘softening-up’ process, prior to a planning application

·         The proposed area of land was sacrosanct and provided a buffer between the business park and the village

·         The proposed site was not part of the Wiltshire Core Strategy.

Hitachi reported that alternative sites had been considered, but none of them were appropriate for the business needs of the company. Hitachi would have to demonstrate in the planning application that alternative sites had been considered and why they were not feasible.

Further comments and issues arose as follows:

·         There was firm opposition to the proposals from surrounding parishes

·         There was some concern that the proposed development would set a precedent

·         The site in North Bradley was not proposed for allocation in the Pre-Submission Wiltshire Core Strategy Document, so during the recent consultation on that document Hitachi had the opportunity to lodge an objection to the non-allocation of that site (and hence to argue its case before the Inspector conducting the Examination in Public in due course) 

·         The West Ashton Road site had been considered, but was not suitable due to the level of infrastructure work that was required

·         Time was an issue as Hitachi needed to be fully relocated by 2014

·         Some people welcomed the presentation from Hitachi as it was open and inclusive

·         The proximity of the proposed site to the urban area of Trowbridge was welcomed by some

·         There was an opportunity to improve cycle path links around the town

·         The proposal would provide more jobs for local people.

The Chairman thanked Hitachi and Nash Partnerships for presenting the information, and reported that there would be an opportunity for people to comment further as and when a planning application was submitted.

      i.        To consider recommendations from the Community Area Transport Group for small-scale local transport and highways improvement schemes.

    ii.        To receive the findings of the topographical survey at Bythesea Road/The Shires Gateway from Martin Rose, Principle Highways Engineer, Wiltshire Council.

The Area Board considered recommendations from the Community Area Transport Group for small-scale highways improvement schemes.

Decision

The Area Board approved the following:

      i.        That £7,500 be committed from the small scale transport and highway improvement schemes budget to go towards a Substantive Highways Scheme bid to implement recommendations from the findings that have come out of the topographical survey that has been carried out at the Shires Gateway.

    ii.        That £595 be committed from the small scale transport and highway improvement schemes budget towards a 3 zone pedestrian count on Bradley Road following issues with pedestrians crossing the road close to the Spitfire Retail Park. The count is to assess the level of the issue to determine if improvements would be required.

   iii.        To allocate a Speed Indicator Device (SID), in rotation with other prioritised SIDs, to Silver Street Lane to assist the Community Speed watch Group.

To receive a presentation from Karen Scott, Voluntary Development Manager, Wiltshire Council, on the work being undertaken with partners to develop and support volunteering in Wiltshire.

Due to time constraints, this item was deferred to a future meeting, if the Area Board so required.

To inform the Area Board of the priorities identified at the Local Knowledge Event in February 2012 and to consider setting priorities for the Area Board funding.

The Area Board noted the outcomes of the Thematic Sessions held at the Trowbridge ‘Local Knowledge: Local Action’ event on Thursday 9 February 2012.

The Chairman will take any items of urgent business.

The meeting is asked to note the future meeting dates below and the Forward Plan.

The Forward Plan of future agenda items was noted.

The next meeting of the Area Board would take place on Thursday 12 July 2012, 7.00pm at the Civic Centre in Trowbridge.