Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members and officers.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2021.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 20 September 2021 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 provide information about: 

a.    Changes to Wiltshire’s Taxi Tariffs

b.    Update on Leisure Centres Transferring to Wiltshire Council

c.     Youth Council Updates – Video

d.    Community Governance Review

The Chairman drew attention to the following announcements which were noted by the Area Board: 

a.    Changes to Wiltshire’s Taxi Tariffs

b.    Update on Leisure Centres Transferring to Wiltshire Council

c.     Youth Council Updates – Video

d.    Community Governance Review

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       Health

·       Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

·       Parish Councils

·       Community Engagement Manager Update

a.    Wiltshire Police

Insp Al Lumley provided a verbal update from Wiltshire Police, which included detail about Wiltshire Police performance to August 2021 and local priorities in Pewsey.  He commented on Operation Sceptre, harassment crime spike, officer verification checks and rural crime. 

Insp Lumley and the Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Russell Holland, responded to general questions about Operation Sceptre centred around the prevention of knife crime in the Devizes area, survey responses received in relation to the precept consultation and PCSO’s assisting speedwatch, 

Concerns were raised about the impact on the local area in relation to the reduction in the number of PCSO’s. It was noted that previously there were eleven PCSO’s for the Devizes area, one of the posts being unfunded and not filled since the departure of Paul Whiteside in September 2021. The Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner, Russell Holland, commented on the impact of Paul Whiteside leaving the PCSO role and explained that Wiltshire Police have recruited new officers. He was unable to promise an increase in the number of PCSO’s for the Devizes area and explained that the deployment of resources was dependant on demand. However, he would consider the comments made and respond in the first instance to the Community Engagement Manager.

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Wayne Pressley and Mark Hillier, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service provided an update from the Fire and Rescue Service, which included detail about reducing the level of risk and harm from fire, interaction between the Protection Team and Local authorities and on call recruitment.

Cllr Oatway paid tribute to the Fire Service for their speedy response to the recent fire at Woodborough CE VA Primary School and how they tackled the blaze and further support offered. It was noted that investigations were ongoing into the cause of the fire.

Mark Hiller confirmed that Pewsey Fire Station had 16 officers in total, with 5 officers on duty at one time and 3 responding to call outs when necessary.

c.     Health – Healthwatch Update

The written report update was noted.

d.    Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

There was no update report.

e.    Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Dawn Wilson provided a general update and more specifically on the Health & Wellbeing Group as follows:

·       An in-person meeting was held in October for PCAP members, for a general catch up. Conversations were held with Shalbourne Community Growers about using PCAP insurance and banking services and support was being offered to Shalbourne Connect with a project at the Village Hall. PCAP were undertaking an update of the Community Area Plan and this would be discussed further at the next PCAP meeting on 20 January 2022.

·       The Memory Carol Service would be held at the Bouverie Hall on 20 December 2021, with Pewsey Players providing the music.

·       The Local Youth Network met recently and discussed some new ideas.

·       An information event was being held at Upavon Army Camp about a project to engage with families run in conjunction  ...  view the full minutes text for item 34.

To determine the following 5 applications for Community Area Grants/Youth Grants and any delegated decisions:

1.    Pewsey Area Board Initiative - £3,000 towards Supporting Walking and Cycling

2.    Burbage Village Hall CIO - £2,000 towards new chairs for the Village Hall – Community Area Grant

3.    The Coronation Hall, Alton Barnes - £960 towards the installation of a broadband line at the Coronation Hall - Community Area Grant

4.    Alzheimer’s Support - £2,500 towards Pewsey Arts Project supporting local people living with dementia and their family carers - Community Area Grant

5.    Easton Royal Playground Fundraising Group - £2,400 towards Easton Royal Basketball Key Court – Youth Grant

The Area Board considered five applications for Community Area funding.

The Chairman invited a representative of the applicant, where they were in attendance, to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

The Chairman reminded the Area Board that they had previously agreed an upper limit of £3,500 as a maximum amount awarded by the Area Board for the forthcoming year for any one grant application.

Resolved:

That the following grant applications be awarded as follows:

1.    Pewsey Area Board Initiative - £3,000 towards Supporting Walking and Cycling

2.    Burbage Village Hall CIO - £2,000 towards new chairs for the Village Hall – Community Area Grant

3.    The Coronation Hall, Alton Barnes - £960 towards the installation of a broadband line at the Coronation Hall - Community Area Grant

4.    Alzheimer’s Support - £2,500 towards Pewsey Arts Project supporting local people living with dementia and their family carers – Health & Wellbeing Grant

5.    Easton Royal Playground Fundraising Group - £2,400 towards Easton Royal Basketball Key Court – Youth Grant

To consider recommendations arising from the CATG meeting held on 17 November 2021:

The Area Board received the minutes of the Community Area Transport Group for the meeting held on 17 November 2021.

Resolved:

1.    To close the following Issues:

a.    5567 Chirton Wiltshire Yeoman,

b.    10-20-1 Oxenwood & Fosbury Speed Limit assessment,

c.    10-20-2 Pewsey Hospital Road; and

d.    10-21-8 Froxfield The Green.

2.    To move the following Issues (with funding) to the Priority Schemes lists:

a.    10-21-11 Conock Manor Farm horse & rider signs (£300)

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 Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 28 February 2022 starting at 7.00pm

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 7.00pm on 28 February 2022, at a venue to be determined.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.