Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Area Board and introduced the councillors and officers present.

Apologies for absence were received from Ian Cranbrook – MCIP, David Line – Green Square, Sue Doyle & Mike Leighfield – Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council, Ray Thomas – Purton Parish Council, Graham Blunden – Latton Parish Council, Ruth Szybiak – Cricklade Town Council and Inspector Mark Thomson and Sergeant Martin Alvis – Wiltshire Police

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 24 July 2013.

Decision

·         The minutes of the meeting held on the 24 July were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman with the following revisions:

Agenda item No.5 – Planning application for land at Ridgeway Farm

That the reserved matters (application three) had now been submitted on the approved Ridgeway Farm development.

Agenda item No.10 – Dog Fouling Task Group

That Cllrs Mollie Groom and Jacqui Lay attended the Junior Good Citizen Scheme on the 2 July 2013. A scheme to help young people learn about personal & community safety.

The scheme is supported by Wiltshire Council and run by partners to include the Fire Service and Wiltshire Police.

The event was held at Potterne Wick, one session was a “bag it & bin it” awareness presentation as part of the good dog ownership workshop.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

News and information on what’s going on in your local community and across the county:

a.      

Capt Bob Rusbridger – Project Manager, Tri-service Training Establishment, Lyneham gave a brief update on the ongoing project work at the former RAF Lyneham site.

Points made included:

·         That the project had now gone to the Treasury, who would decide who the main contractor would be.

·         At the time of the meeting, planning permission was awaited by Wiltshire Council but has since been granted’.

·         Construction would commence in January 2014, with the contractor taking control of half of the site during December 2013.

·         The contractor would have on-site accommodation to try and minimise the level of contractor traffic in and out of Lyneham. The main entrance would become the contractors entrance.

Questions raised included:

·         What would happen to the Comet aircraft at the main entrance?

a.The aircraft would be going to a museum.

·         What would happen to the air crew and Berlin Airlift memorials?

a.Both memorials would remain on the site with public access.

Sean Cooper – Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner gave a brief update on the recent Police & Crime public opinion survey that had been carried out, the Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade section was included in the agenda pack.

Points included:

·         The Office of the Police & Crime Commissioner thanked everybody who had taken part in the survey.

·         That the survey has given the OPPC a great deal of useful information to work with.

·         Traffic speeding issues in Royal Wootton Bassett – the Community Speedwatch scheme had now been re-launched, so it was hoped that local communities could again take ownership for tackling this issue.

Mike Franklin – Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service presented the written report which was noted. Mike Franklin also advised that fire fighters were taking part in a one day strike today (18 September 2013), and that cover was in place and the service to the public was being maintained.

Wiltshire Council Business Plan – the new plan had now been published, a young person version would also be made available.

Royal Wootton Bassett Drumming Project – had been nominated for a Voluntary and Community Sector award for the ‘Best Community Initiative nominated by an Area Board’. The VCS Awards ceremony would be held on 1 October 2013.

Royal Wootton Bassett Sea Cadets – the Sea Cadets attended the meeting to give a brief update on their recent experience on the Training Ship Jack Petchey, which was funded by a community area grant.

The cadets advised the Area Board that they had had a great time and thanked the Board for granting them the funding.

The Chairman thanked the Sea Cadets and all other presenters for attending the meeting.

To consider applications for funding from the Area Board’s Community Area Grant Scheme, and to receive feedback from a previous grant recipient.

The Area Board considered the following applications to the Community Area Grant Scheme 2013/14:

Decision

Stay & Play 2 were awarded the sum of £1,409 towards start-up costs for an under 5’s playgroup in Cricklade.

Reason

The application meets the Community Area Grant criteria 2013/14, and demonstrates strong links to the Northern Community Area Plan 2005 – 2015; particularly ‘Education & Lifelong Learning’, ‘Health & Social Care’ and ‘Recreation, Leisure & Culture’.

Decision

Royal Wootton Bassett Branch of Wilts & Berks Canal Trust were awarded the sum of £489 for a new seat on the towpath.

Reason

The application meets the Community Area Grant criteria 2013/14 and demonstrates links to the Northern Community Area Plan 2005 – 2015; Recreation, Leisure & Culture.

To receive an update and consider recommendations from this group.

The Area Board received an update from Cllr Jacqui Lay and considered recommendations from this group. The notes of the Dog Fouling Task Group were tabled at the meeting.

The following recommendations were tabled:

·         Education

The Task Group recommends that an educational programme be implemented, to be available to all age groups, beginning with young children of Infant School age, spanning all year groups up to and including Secondary School level, with possible involvement of youth groups such as the Guides and Scouts.

·         Roadshows/Inclusion in Wiltshire Council Roadshows

The Task Group recommends that the issue of dog fouling be included as part of a ‘roadshow’, with the involvement and assistance from partner agencies such as the RSPCA, Vet Surgeries and pet food manufacturers.

·         Public Awareness

The Task Group recommends that an on-going media and PR campaign be implemented highlighting the risks, the fact that wrapped waste can be disposed of in ordinary litter bins, as well as mentioning recent prosecutions.

·         ‘Rent a Warden’

The group recommends that a special ‘community warden’ position be created within Wiltshire Council, so that Town and Parish Councils have the chance to ‘rent’ this warden as and when required.  A similar scheme is in place in Stratton St Margaret.

·         Community Volunteer Schemes

The Task Group recommends that Wiltshire Council encourage and support community volunteer groups who wish to target areas where dog fouling is a problem.

·         Funding

The Task Group recommends that the Area Board has a funding ‘pot’ allocated for tacking this aspect of anti-social behavior.  Initially, this funding would be available to those councils who wish to install dispensing units for dog waste bags.  Each application to be assessed on merit.

·         Developers Contribution

The Task Group recommends that developers pay a small amount per new home towards open spaces which are safe from dog fouling, with sufficient numbers of bins, and fences around play areas.

·         Reinstatement of Dog Licences

The Task Group recommends that the Area Board request Wiltshire Council to lobby the government for the reinstatement of licences.

·         Mapping

The Task Group recommends that all local councils utilise the mapping tools provided by Wiltshire Council to ensure that bins are strategically placed in problem areas.

·         New Residents Pack

The Task Group recommends that ‘New Residents Packs’ are issued to inform the public of litter collection dates, Council Tax rates etc, and promoting responsible pet ownership.

·         Publicity

The Task Group recommends that a high profile campaign be run to target this problem and raise awareness.  Things like a children’s colouring competition/design a poster scheme could be included to ensure all age groups are targeted.  Fines should always be publicized. 

Decision

• That the Dog Fouling Task Group would be asked to review and approve the recommendations prior to them being taken forward by the Area Board

• That the public’s opinion on the recommendations would also be sought via an online survey to be set-up by the Community Area Manager

• That the results of the public survey would be considered at the  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive a presentation from Latton on their completed Community-Led Plan.

Johnathan Bourne - Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council gave a presentation that focussed on community led planning.

Points made included:

The Action Plan

·       Economy.

·       Education and lifelong learning.

·       Environment, Land Use and Countryside.

·       Housing and the built environment.

·       Health and social care.

·       Crime and community safety.

·       Recreation, culture and leisure.

·       Transport.

·       Young people.

Economy

Groups to include:

·       Royal Wootton Bassett Chamber of Commerce.

·       Royal Wootton Bassett Business Association.

·       Town Council – Economic Regeneration Working party.

·       Town Team.

·       Invite groups to a Community Forum, to showcase what they are doing.

          Ideas to include:

·       Speed dating – Groups have 1 minute to talk about the group.

·       Soup and Salad voting evening – To vote for preferred projects.

The Town Garden

·       Town Garden & Row De Dow – A Community park involving the community.

·       Aim to have the Row De Dow clear of brambles.

·       Speak to Matt Perrott to help clear it.

·       Upgrade of Signage and local group to take ownership of keeping it cleared.

·       Speak to Penny Bell regarding funding for Public Pathways

·       Contact walking groups, asking for help to keep it clear.

·       For the Town Centre Garden scheme to come to fruition it would need good community involvement and partnership working.

The Chairman thanked Jonathan Bourne for his presentation.

To present and consider ideas for taking the Area Board forward.

Cllr Allison Bucknell present and consider ideas for taking the Area Board forward.

Points made by Cllr Bucknell included:

•        RWB&C Area Board is more than just the AB Meeting.

•        Currently, tends to focus on meeting and working groups.

•        Great to see regulars at the meetings, but very few new people turning up.

•        Few decisions being made – more information sharing.

•        Our Area Board did not do well in the satisfaction ratings - how can we do better?

Suggestions for the way forward

•        Fewer formal, decision making meetings.

•        Special interest meetings, different times, locations – not decision making.

•        “we go to you” – invite us along to businesses and organisations and talk to us.

•        Make the CATG a formal, decision-making meeting.

•        Increase use of blogsite and social media.

Suggestions made from the floor included:

·       Fewer formal meetings.

·       Make the Community Area Transport Group a formal meeting.

·       Have agenda items that interest local people.

·       Interactive panels, with guest speakers.

Cllr Bucknell thanked everybody for their input.

To consider reports from the following task groups and make any necessary decisions:

a.    Community Area Transport Group

b.    Cricklade Shadow Community Operations Board

c.    Royal Wootton Bassett Shadow Community Operations Board

Updates were received as follows:

a.    Community Area Transport Group

b.    Royal Wootton Bassett Shadow Community Operations Board

c.    Cricklade Shadow Community Operations Board

           The written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

d.    Dog Fouling Task Group

Taken as agenda item.No7.

To receive updates from our key partners, including:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Police & Crime Commissioner

c.    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

d.    Military Civilian Integration Partnership

e.    Defence Technical Training

f.     NHS Wiltshire

g.    Parish and Town Councils

h.    Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

i.      Neighbourhood Planning Working Group

j.      Community-Led Planning Steering Groups

k.    Chambers of Commerce/Business Associations

l.      Community Groups

m.   Housing Associations.

Updates from partners were received as follows:

·       Wiltshire Police

          The written update was noted.

·       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

          The written update had been noted earlier in the agenda.

·       NHS Wiltshire

          There was no update.

·       Parish and Town Councils

          Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council – written update noted.

          Cricklade Town Council – written update noted.

          Cllr Jacqui Lay also gave the Area Board an update on the Widham Farm housing development appeal, in that the developer was putting forward a strong case that we have a ‘Need’ in our community area for more Social Affordable Housing – the numbers were quoted for our area as being something in the region of 400 with only 24 needed for Purton.  This the developer seemed to think warranted building an estate of market housing with 30% affordable housing in Purton outside of the framework.  Hopefully the Inspector will dismiss the appeal however if not then this could open up the gates in the rest of the community area to other developers.

          Purton Parish Council – written update noted.

·       Military Civilian Integration Partnership

          The written update was noted.

The Chairman thanked all the partners for their updates.

The Chairman will invite any remaining questions from the floor.

The meeting is asked to note the future meeting dates below.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending the meeting. The next meeting of the Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Area Board would be held on the 27 November 2013.