Agenda and minutes

Chairman’s Announcements

·         Changes to Electoral Registration System.

·         Stonehenge & Avebury WHS Management Plan 2015.

·         Army Rebasing.

·         Integrated Performance Management

·         Dementia in Wiltshire

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Tidworth Area Board.

Attention was drawn to announcements in the agenda pack which detailed changes to the electoral registration system, a consultation running on the Stonehenge and Avebury World Heritage Site Management Plan 2015 and a performance management report from the Clinical Commissioning Group.

It was explained that 246 new houses for Ludgershall and 100 for Tidworth were expected as part of the Army rebasing programme. Planning applications for the rebasing were expected in mid-February and consultation days were running in the local area throughout January and February. An update from Healthwatch Wiltshire was highlighted which explained the organisation would be monitoring local dementia services.

To receive any apologies for the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Mike Franklin, Michael Mead, Janet White and Michael Milner.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on the 17 November 2014.

Resolved:

To confirm and sign the minutes of the meeting held on 17 November 2014 subject to the following amendment to Item 4 Minutes:

‘Matters Arising- there were none’ to be removed.

It was noted that concerns had been raised at the 22 September 2014 meeting over the re-routing of HGVs, this had been reflected in the full minutes of the meeting.

The Area Board is asked to approve the proposed list of schemes for 2015/16.

Peter Binley - Head of Highways Asset Management and Commissioning

Highways and Transport, Wiltshire Council or representative.

Peter Binley, Head of Highways Asset Management and Commissioning, updated the Area Board on major road maintenance and integrated transport schemes conducted in 2014-15. The officer explained the Council had £21million to spend on maintenance each year for 6 years and would be treating minor roads after major works had been completed. The A342 Andover Road would be a key scheme for 2015-16 and it was noted that work on Meade Road had already been completed.

It was confirmed the Council would assess the work of contractors performing the maintenance one year on and any repairs would be at their expense. Alistair Cunningham, Associate Director Economy and Planning, confirmed he would investigate whether work to solve a bottleneck on Meade Road, Ludgershall, could be undertaken.  Cllr Connolly queried the exclusion of the A338, Pennings Road, from the list of maintenance schemes for 2015/2016.  Peter Binley accepted that this was an omission and should be included within the list of schemes.

Resolved:

1)    To note the progress made on implementing road resurfacing and safety schemes in 2014/15.

2)    To agree the proposed highway maintenance schemes for 2015/16, with the addition of work on the A338 Pennings Road through Tidworth and the removal of work already completed on Meade Road.

To receive an update on the Parish Boundary Review.

John Watling - Head of Electoral Services, Wiltshire Council

John Watling, Head of Electoral Services, gave apologies.

Steve Upton gave a presentation on SPICE Credits; a community currency to support volunteering by allowing volunteers to exchange their time for discounts on activities. SPICE linked to priorities in the Joint Strategic Assessment and those present were encouraged to contact Steve for more details on steveupton@justaddspice.org /07429 370 855.

To receive a presentation from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Kieran Kilgallen, Chief Executive (PCC) explained there was likely to be an increase to the precept from 2015 of 1.9%. It was emphasised the increase was not an increase in the Council Tax by Wiltshire Council and was needed as the Police Service would receive a 5% cash reduction in its funding from central government. The consultation on the precept increase would be running until 4 February 2015. During a question and answer session it was confirmed that strategic alliances, the sharing of buildings and reductions in back-office funding would cover the remaining funding shortfall. The officer confirmed that lobbying was being undertaken to increase the percentage of fines paid by criminals returned to fund the Service.

To receive an update from Wendy Higginson, Community Youth Officer.

Wendy Higginson, Community Youth Officer, updated on a Youth event prior to the previous Area Board meeting which had identified priorities for young people. On 10 December 2015 the LYN Management Group had met for the first time, action points from that meeting were summarised, including that there would be another Youth event in Spring 2015. Work was being done to launch a new dance project at the Wellington Academy and those present were reminded that funding for positive activities for young people was available.

To receive an update from Cllr Mark Connolly.

Cllr Mark Connolly advised that work would begin on Collingbourne Ducis Pelican Crossing in April and would last approximately 4 weeks; it was possible that 2 Community Speedwatch teams could be established in the Tidworth area.

Questions were raised over the possibility of Speedwatch on the A338, if a metrocount had not been undertaken recently the CATG could look into running one again.

To receive an update on the Campus Project.

Cllr Mark Connolly explained the Campus project was on hold in the Tidworth Community Area due to Army rebasing. The Army Service Family Accommodation to be built in Ludgershall would provide a community centre that could be a campus hub. Tidworth Town Council had decided to re-commence its planned Civic Centre development due to the delay in the Campus project and would work with Wiltshire Council and other agencies to consider if this could become a campus hub.  There were also three other sites being considered: Tidworth Leisure Centre, the Memorial Hall and Castledown Business Park.

Mary Cullen, Community Area Manager, introduced the applications received for the Community Area Grants Scheme.

It was commented that Wellington Primary Academy Parent Teacher Association (PTA) had contributed £50 towards the £1000 project cost. Members suggested larger contributions would be expected from a larger and longer-established school.

It was confirmed the funding applied for by the Plain Schools Partnership would benefit the Wellington Academy.

Members expressed concern that Netheravon All Saints School PTA contribution to total project cost was lower than expected; a larger contribution would be expected for future applications.

The Chairman explained Community First used to provide funding to village halls however this was now the responsibility of the Area Board.

Resolved:

To grant Collingbourne Ducis Village Hall £3683.74 for the replacement of chairs and tables.

To grant Enford Short Mat Bowls Club £969.20 for a new indoor bowls mat.

To grant Wellington Primary Academy £950 to create a woodland area for after school activities.

To grant the Plain Schools Partnership £1360 for equipment to support outdoor afterschool activities.

To grant Netheravon All Saints School £450 for the replacement of trees in the woodland area.

To grant Collingbourne Kingston Village Hall £3549.40 to install double glazing.

The Area Board considered two member-led initiatives; it was agreed the application from Enford Parish Council was eligible for health and safety reasons. Funding for Tidworth Community Area Awards was considered and the Chairman thanked Mr Tony Pickernell (TCAP Co-ordinator) and the Awards Team for all their hard work in organising this event, which was considered a credit to the community.

Resolved:

To grant Enford Parish Council £572.80 for a replacement to a bench in the Play park

To grant TCAP £650 to purchase trophies, frames and certificates for the Community Area Awards.

Thanks were given to TCAP for the Christmas band Concert held at Tidworth Garrison Theatre in December when over 700 school children attended. The garrison band was thanked for its entertainment and provision of the venue, as was Parnham Coaches for providing transport at a discounted cost.

Resolved:

To approve a grant of £650 awarded to TCAP between Area Board meetings to facilitate the Christmas Band Concert.

Inspector Christian Lange, Neighbourhood Policing Team, updated on recent staff changes and that overall local crime levels remained static. The Military Community Policing Team was now established and would be working alongside the Neighbourhood Policing Team. Thanks were given to Mary Cullen and Tony Pickernell for the training day they provided on Dementia. There was a question from the floor regarding police representation at parish and town council meetings; Inspector Lange gave an assurance that police representatives would attend these meetings whenever possible

Col James Denny, Tidworth Garrison, advised there would be a large military deployment exercise between the 8 and 15 March. Residents should expect increased noise and traffic movement around the area. The Wiltshire Loans and Credit Union would be opening in Tidworth on 2 February

Tony Pickernell, TCAP, informed the meeting that a Memory Café in Ludgershall for those living with Dementia had opened in St James Church Hall and would run on the first Monday of each month at 10am. A Proms Concert would take place in the Garrison Theatre on the 18 Feb. The concert would be a free event and those present were encouraged to apply for tickets. A request for nominations for the Community Area Awards was made. Additionally, the TCAP Chairman requested town and parish councils make donations towards the organisation’s funding.

Owen White, Ludgershall Town Council, updated the meeting that planters were being organised to brighten up the town centre and noted great satisfaction with the Wellington Academy production of a ‘You are here’ board.

Humph Jones, Tidworth Town Council, advised the development of the Civic Centre would be a large piece of work for the Council in 2015.

Many free adult education courses would soon be running at the Wellington Academy thanks to funding from the Local Housing Association. Khristian Still from the Academy encouraged residents to get in touch if they know students demonstrating good positive attitudes in the community.

Mary Cullen, thanked partners for their great work in the community to support JSA priorities.

The next meeting of the Tidworth Area Board will be on Monday 9 March 2015 at the Castle Primary School, Short Street, Ludgershall.

The next meeting of the Tidworth Area Board would be held on 9 March 2015.