Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Warminster Area Board and invited members of the board to introduce themselves.

Apologies for absence were received from:

·       Cllr Andrew Davis

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 10 September 2015 (copy attached).

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting 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 no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will introduce the Announcements included in the agenda and invite any questions.

·       Re-design and re-commissioning of Children’s Centres

·       Health Watch

The Chairman made the following announcements, which were included in the agenda pack:

·       Re-design and Re-commissioning of Children’s centres Consultation:

It was noted that the consultation would end on the 6^th November 2015. Wiltshire Council would be refocusing resources to have a focus on community engagement instead of being centralised and restricted to buildings.

·       Health Watch:

Residents of Wiltshire, aged between 40 and 74, were being encouraged to take advantage of free NHS health checks to help reduce the possibility of them developing life threatening conditions and diseases. It was also noted that it was a national scheme so everyone around the country should be notified.

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

Ø  Wiltshire Police

Ø  Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Ø  Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

Ø  Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Some written updates have been received and are included in this agenda.

Some written updates had been received before the meeting and were included in the agenda.

Police:

The new Warminster Police Inspector James Brain introduced himself, his team and the new role they carry out.

Inspector Brain had taken over from Inspector Alan Webb and had been piloting a new scheme within the area for the last 9 weeks. The pilot scheme would lead the way for policing throughout Wiltshire and would help the force work more efficiently during times of austerity.

The new team would be known as the Community Policing Team and would consist of five teams.

Community Co-ordinator, Charley Charlton, gave an over view of her role which had now replaced the Community Beat Manager. 

Special Inspector, Millis Miller, gave an over view of his role as a volunteer. It was noted that volunteers were now more integrated within the policing teams and the community. They currently supported community speed watch teams and events throughout the area.

A question was asked if the neighbourhood task group would continue to meet and it was noted that the task group was under review to ensure it still met the needs of the area. Under the review they would look at new ways of working, although the rural task group meeting next month would go ahead.

The Chairman welcomed the officers to Warminster and thanked them for their presentation.

Fire:

Jacqui Abbott, Community Engagement Manger, gave an update on behalf of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. It was noted that the Services strategic hub would now be based in the Five Rivers Community Campus in Salisbury and a joint control room based in Potterne. The Chief Fire Officer, Darran Gunter, welcomed the opportunity to attend the Area Board.   

i.              Update

ii.            Grants

Sandra Samuel, Community Youth Co-ordinator,  gave an overview of the grant applications.

Decision

a.     To award Portway Youth £500 for equipment.

b.    To award Funways Youth £3500 for youth provision and request that feedback on progress be presented to the Area Board throughout the year.

Previously Area Boards delegated authority to Community Area Managers& Community Youth Officers to determine funding in exceptional circumstances. Should Boards wish to continue a similar arrangement, previously agreed wording should be updated to reflect the new role of Community Engagement Manager and maturity of the LYN & CYO role.

Decision

That in respect of urgent matters that may arise, the Community Youth Officer, following consultation with the Warminster Area Board Members, may authorise expenditure, in exceptional circumstances, to support youth projects from the youth budget of up to £3,000 in total between meetings of an Area Board. The decision and reasons why it was considered urgent will be reported to the next meeting of the Area Board.

That in respect of urgent matters that may arise, the Community Engagement Manager, following consultation with the Warminster Area Board Members, may authorise expenditure, in exceptional circumstances, to support community projects from the delegated budget of up to £3,000 in total between meetings of an Area Board. The decision and reasons why it was considered urgent will be reported to the next meeting of the Area Board.

The Chairman will invite those attending to raise any urgent items of public concerns and will also invite any questions from the floor.

If you would like to raise an issue please contact the Warminster Community Engagement Manager, Jacqui Abbott on 07771 844 530 or jacqui.abbott@wiltshire.gov.uk or report the issue on the Wiltshire Council Website by using this link or http://services.wiltshire.gov.uk/Forms/area_board/index.php.

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The Area Board was asked for their views on the switching off of street lighting. Recently a resident’s property had been burgled in the rural area of Warminster and was concerned that if the lights had been kept on it would have deterred the burglar.

Members of the Area Board noted that it was a decision of Cabinet to switch the street lighting off, taken after a wide spread consultation and piloting period and that the Area Board was not in a position to change the decision.

A resident made a suggestion that the victim bought a security light for his property.

Neil Carpenter from Corsley asked about the internet roll out across Wiltshire and expressed his opinion that the response received from the project officer was not adequate enough.

It was noted that Wiltshire Council was in a contract with BT which was heavily constrained. Currently there was a survey taking place and the Area Board would wait for the results of that survey. Cabinet Members had been in talks with the local MP’s who were lobbying on behalf of Wiltshire Council to secure more funds. There had also been a high take up of broadband, by Wiltshire residents, which had put money back into the funds, which they hoped would be used to spread broadband further.    

Update and appointment

Jacqui Abbott, Community Engagement Manager, informed the meeting that the Area Board was being asked to appoint a Community Champion for carers and older people. Those present at the meeting were encouraged to pass the information on to anyone who might be interested and to contact Jacqui Abbott or Cllr Keith Humphries.

To receive an update from the Community Engagement Manager.

Jacqui Abbott, Community Engagement Manager, gave an update on the latest community activities. It was noted that the Safe Places project would be launched on the 11^th of November, 1-3pm at the Warminster Civic Centre and all were welcome to attend.

There was also a dementia friendly event taking place on December 17^th, 10-11.30am, followed by a steering group to look at how to take dementia services further into the community.

Other initiatives currently active included; local volunteering, community asset mapping, blogsite & social media, community reporting and men’s sheds.   

To receive an update.

It was noted that two meetings would be taking place and an update would be given at the January meeting.

To consider applications for funding from the Community Area Grants Scheme.

The area board considered the following applications seeking 2015/16 Community Area Grant funding:

Decision

Girl Guiding Wiltshire South Berwick was awarded £4000 towards a new building. The remaining £1000 requested was referred to the Local Youth Network to consider, and officers were authorised to confirm that grant if approved. It was also agreed that if necessary officers could make a further community area grant under delegated powers.

Reason

This application meets grant criteria 2015/16 and has match funding.

Decision

Starquest Astronomy Club was awarded £967 towards new equipment.

Reason

This application meets grant criteria 2015/16.

Decision

Bishopstrow Village Hall was awarded £5000 towards refurbishments.

Reason

This application meets grant criteria 2015/16 and has match funding.

Decision

To approve the Members initiative for £4000 to upgrade Fore Street Play Area. 

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

There were no urgent items

The next meeting of the Warminster Area Board will be on:

·       7 January 2016 – Warminster Civic Centre

The Chairman thanked everyone for their attendance.

The next meeting of the Warminster Area Board would be held on: 7^th January 2016 at the Warminster Civic Centre.