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, and Chris Elias – Chairman of Royal Wootton Bassett rugby club who welcomed the Area Board to the club.

 

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Mollie Groom, Ruth Szybiak – Cricklade Town Council and Sergeant Martin Alvis – Wiltshire Police.

To approve the minutes of the meeting held on the 27 November 2013.

Decision

 

·       The minutes of the meeting held on the 27 November 2013 were agreed 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.

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

 

Chairman’s Announcements:

 

·       Wiltshire Voices – Living with Dementia.

 

·       Community Enterprise Funding for Royal Wootton Bassett Post Office.

 

·       Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

The following Chairman’s Announcements were noted:

 

·       Wiltshire Voices – Living with Dementia.

 

·       Community Enterprise Funding for Royal Wootton Bassett Post Office.

 

·       Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL).

 

A celebration of youth talent including minis and juniors from Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club, and young people from the Royal Wootton Bassett Youth Development Centre.

 

The Area Board meeting was treated to a celebration of local youth talent including minis and juniors from Royal Wootton Bassett Rugby Football Club, who were on hand training outside under the new flood lights.

 

Royal Wootton Bassett’s Got Talent winner Frankie gave a short live performance, singing and playing acoustic guitar.

 

Young people from the Royal Wootton Bassett Youth Development Centre were presented with their Peer Leader Awards by Kevin Sweeney - Area Manager for the Integrated Youth Service, and Cllr Mary Champion, which recognised and rewarded local young people for the time and effort that they had put into local youth work.

 

 

Purton & Cricklade YAG update

 

·       We are currently working with Purton Parish Council and Cricklade Town Council to run a petition to reinstate the full 53 bus service.

·       We have also made and ran a questionnaire about the local areas; we sent this out to as many young people as we could in the area. We were proud to have got over 280 responses and we refer to the results in our regular meetings.

·       We have had a meeting with local councillors and MP’s about the positive changes we would like to make in our communities. Using the results of our questionnaire as evidence of support.

·       We are currently working to promote the Wiltshire app, to help other young people report problems in our area. We are currently planning assemblies to present to our fellow students in school about the app.

·       Some of us are also going to be attending the next Area Board meeting and the county wide YAG meeting, to discuss the future of the Youth Service.

·       Working alongside Purton Parish Council to improving public spaces, and cycle/ walking tracks to and from Swindon to Purton & Cricklade.

·       Completed training to use this spark site for young people!

 

A short DVD film was shown which highlighted the new Spark site phone app which gives young people up to date information on a range of youth related topics such as local music gigs etc.

 

The Chairman thanked all the young people for attending the Area Board meeting.

To receive updates from our key partners, including:

 

a. Wiltshire Police

b. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c. Military Civilian Integration Partnership

d. Defence Technical Training

e. NHS Wiltshire

f. Youth Action Group (YAG)

g. Neighbourhood Planning Working Group

h. Community-Led Planning Steering Groups

i. Chambers of Commerce/Business Associations

j. Community Groups

k. Housing Associations.

 

Updates from partners were received as follows:

 

Wiltshire Police – Inspector Mark Thompson

The written update was noted.

 

 

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – Mike Franklin

The written update was noted.

 

Points also raised:

 

·       That Wiltshire & Dorset Fire & Rescue Services were considering a possible merger, a consultation would be carried out during 2014.

 

 

Military Civilian Integration Project - Captain Bob Rusbridger

 

Points made included:

 

·       That the MCIP meets three monthly to bring together Wiltshire Council and the military.

 

·       That the Lyneham and Tidworth 20/20 projects were both important projects for Wiltshire.

 

·       That the help and input from the Lyneham Steering Group had been much appreciated.

 

 

Defence Technical Training

Captain Bob Rusbridger introduced Mark Brazington – (Hercules), who had been appointed as the contractor for the Lyneham project. Captain Rusbridger advised that he would be continuing in his role as the Lyneham MOD project manager.

 

Points made included:

 

·       The building of 11 new buildings on the site as well as refurbishing existing buildings.

 

·       Hercules were currently surveying current assets on the site.

 

·       Hercules were working with the end users to validate their design for the site.

 

·       Building expected to properly commence Easter 2014.

 

·       That all excavated material would stay on site to be used as road build up etc.

 

·       Hercules had assured the MOD of their intentions to contribute towards the local economy thus:

 

20% of labour to be resourced within a 25 mile radius of the site

10% of work opportunities to go to the previously unemployed

36 apprentices or trainees to be employed

2 graduates to be employed

20 weeks of work experience placements to be offered.

 

·       That the Area board would be the main conduit for information on the project.

 

 

Questions raised included:

 

·       Have you taken into account the problems that may be caused by the temp closure of the Royal Wootton Bassett railway bridge?

          a.this shouldn’t be a problem as all site freight would be using the approved freight routes.

Post meeting - Hercules had also looked in detail at potential road closures, considering the moratorium on site vehicles using the B4069, and having liaised with the local highway authority, are confident that site deliveries will not be disrupted or contribute toward local congestion.

 

·       Would any asbestos removed from buildings remain on site?

          a.No, all asbestos had already been removed from the site.

 

 

Cricklade Neighbourhood Planning Group – Mark Clarke

 

Points made:

 

·       That an application had been received for 17 houses to be built on land on the outskirts of Cricklade on the Purton Road.

 

 

Green Square – David Line

 

Points made:

·       Proposed development of the Green Hay estate, to increase the housing stock.

 

 

Royal Wootton Bassett Sports Association – Paul Harrison

 

The written report was noted.

 

Paul Harrison also advised that the RWBSA were keen to meet with the Area Board members to discuss site access for the proposed new site on the Malmesbury Road.

 

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In 2013, Wiltshire built on the legacy of the 2012 Olympics with a range of community activities and new initiatives.  As we enter 2014, it is time to look forward to see how the Area Boards can build upon the good work delivered so far to create a lasting legacy for Wiltshire.  Cllr Jane Scott OBE will outline some of the new opportunities available to the Area Board in 2014.

Laurie Bell - Associate Director (Communications and Communities), Wiltshire Council outlined Wiltshire Council’s “Legacy for Wiltshire”, which highlighted events which had been supported since 2012 and what events were planned for 2014 in Wiltshire to bring communities together including the big pledge, cycle Wiltshire and WW1 commemorations.

 

In 2013 the Council had supported business events, health fairs and checks, school Olympic Games and more.

 

The Big Pledge – to be launched on 2 April. What will you do as an individual, a group or team, or a community to make a difference to improve your health and wellbeing?

 

WW1 commemorations will include local events and remembrance; a briefing for communities will be held on 1 May; a countywide event with the military will be held on 30 July; a programme of education, local stories and history will also feature.

 

Cycle Wiltshire will be a major event as part of British Cycling event calendar; a 2 day event in south of county including a family day and elite cyclists day; it will have a major impact on the local economy; will give a huge opportunity for participation and spectating; will provide a huge opportunity for communities en route; and will attract large number of visitors and media to area.

 

After a short discussion it was agreed that the Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade Area Board would make the Royal Wootton Bassett & Cricklade community area Dementia Friendly as their “Big Pledge”.

 

The Chairman thanked Laurie Bell for her presentation.

 

Clive Barker, Chief Finance Officer, will outline proposals to increase the precept.

 

Clive Barker – Chief Finance Officer, Wiltshire Police & Crime Commissioner gave a presentation that highlighted the Police and Crime precept.

 

Funding for the police had reduced and main government grants had also reduced. Following the precept freeze in 2010-2011 the commissioner was now considering lifting the freeze and raising council tax payments by £3.15 per household in order for the police to continue to be funded adequately.

 

Clive Barker presented statistics explaining that funding for Wiltshire compared to the rest of the south west was the 3^rd lowest. Since 2010-2011 there had been reductions in the police force which has been offset with partnerships and collaborations.

 

It was noted that there would be a consultation running from 6th January until the 3rd February and any comments would be welcomed.

 

The Chairman thanked Clive Barker for his presentation.

 

To receive written and verbal updates from our town and parish councils.

 

Royal Wootton Bassett Town Council

 

The written update was noted.

 

It was agreed that a letter of thanks on behalf of the Area Board would be sent to Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse who would be leaving the area to take up a new appointment in Dorchester on the 11^th February.

 

 

Cricklade Town Council

 

Points made:

 

·       Cricklade Primary and Junior schools were planning to merge and become Cricklade Primary School.

 

·       The roundabout on the outskirts of Cricklade has now been planted up to give a good floral display come the spring.

 

The Chairman thanked the Parishes for their updates.

 

 

 

To consider two applications for funding from the Area Board’s grant scheme.

Councillors were asked to consider the following applications for funding from the Area Board’s 2013/14 budget:

 

Decision

Purton & Cricklade Youth Centre awarded the sum of £150 towards a new sound system for both centres.

Reason

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

 

Decision

Purton & Cricklade Youth Centre awarded the sum of £399 towards a new table tennis table for both centres.

Reason

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

 

To consider reports from the following task groups:

 

·       Community Area Transport Group.

 

     To consider the enclosed consultation report from Lydiard Millicent  Parish Council and the proposals for a part-footway through Lydiard Green as deferred from the last meeting.

 

·       Royal Wootton Bassett Shadow Community Operations Board.

 

·       Cricklade Shadow Community Operations Board.

 

·       Dog Fouling Task Group.

To consider reports from the following task groups:

 

Community Area Transport Group.

The Area Board members considered the consultation report from Lydiard Millicent Parish Council and the proposals for a part footway through Lydiard Green as deferred from the last meeting.

 

Decision

The Area Board approved the following recommendations from the CATG:

 

That the sumof £10,964 already allocated to this project from the 2012/13 budget, alongwith the sum of up to £3,536 from this year’s 2013/14 budget, should beallocated to this project, resulting in a total CATG contribution ofup to £14,500. This was on the basis that:

 

•        Phases 1 , 2 and 3 of the project would be delivered as a minimum

•        The Parish Council will contribute the remaining funds to enable phases 1, 2 and 3 to be completed – being a sum of at least £3,000. This sum was confirmed by the Parish Council.

•        The Parish Council would approach the industrial units at Bagbury Lane to explore whether any financial contributions towards the project could be secured.

 

Review of the C415 from Royal Wootton Bassett to Broad Hinton.

 

A query was raised as to whether the parish/town council comments

had been forwarded to the relevant Highways Officer for the next

steps to be determined – It was agreed that this would be followed up.

 

 

Royal Wootton Bassett Shadow Community Operations Board.

 

The tabled update was noted.

 

 

Cricklade Shadow Community Operations Board.

 

The written report was noted.

 

It was noted that the Cricklade SCOB would meet on the Tuesday 21^st January.

 

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.

 

The Chairman will invite any remaining questions from the floor.

 

Please note future meeting dates below:

 

• Wednesday 19 March 2014 – St Bartholomew’s School, Royal Wootton Bassett.

 

• Wednesday 21 May 2014 – venue to be confirmed.

Concerns were raised over the proposed closure of Skew Bridges and the impact that this would have on the local community.

 

The Chairman advised that a meeting was planned for the 17^th February with Network Rail to discuss this. Outcomes of this meeting would be fed back at the next Area Board meeting.