Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members, the officers and the visiting cabinet representative, Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       John Brewin – Woodborough Parish Council

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2022.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 10 October 2022 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 make the following announcements:

·       Cost of Living Update

·       Monthly Update from Community First

·       Wiltshire Council Grants for Electric Vehicle Chargers

·       Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Alliance (BSW Integrated Care Board) Update

·       Wiltshire Climate Strategy Delivery plans

·       Building Bridges, Support available for Unemployed/not in education

·       Briefing Note – Temporary Events Notices (TEN’s)

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

·       Cost of Living Update

·       Monthly Update from Community First

·       Wiltshire Council Grants for Electric Vehicle Chargers

·       Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise (VCSE) Alliance (BSW Integrated Care Board) Update

·       Wiltshire Climate Strategy Delivery plans

·       Building Bridges, Support available for Unemployed/not in education

·       Briefing Note – Temporary Events Notices (TEN’s)

To receive an update from Paul Sanders on the Rural Mobility Project – Wiltshire Connect.

The Area Board received a presentation from the DRT Manager, Paul Sanders about the Wiltshire Rural Mobility Project – Wiltshire Connect.

The DRT Manager reported that the Rural Mobility Project had received a grant from the Department for Transport for £1.2m to pilot digital demand responsive transport, part funded through the Council’s normal local bus revenue budget  and Wiltshire is one of 18 schemes. The Area Board noted that the aims of the project included improvements to accessibility, rural mobility, journey times and connectivity with bus and rail, reduced carbon emissions and be a pilot for a fresh approach to rural transport in the county. In addition the DRT Manager commented on the following aspects of the project:

·       Service design approach

·       Engagement survey summary

·       Current bus network in the Pewsey Vale

·       Patronage data on existing services

·       Options to consider with recommendation

·       New remodelled rural mobility bus network

·       Wiltshire Connect DRT vehicles / timetable / app features / branding

·       Estimated timeline

In response to questions, the DRT Manager explained that residents from Froxfield will be able to travel directly to Devizes and Marlborough, confirmed that Trenchard Lines would receive a service, proposals for Sunday services was the ambition and this would develop over time, all Connect vehicles would be accessible and improved publicity would be undertaken, current difficulties in journeys between Woodborough, Devizes and Marlborough, school assisted transport scheme, and the all day/weekly rider fares.

The Chairman thanked Paul for attending the meeting and for his informative presentation.

Cllr Paul Oatway will report further on a public health issue in the Pewsey area.

The Area Board considered a public health issue introduced by Cllr Paul Oatway QPM that was initially raised at the previous meeting, in relation to the spreading of sewage sludge onto agricultural land. Cllr Oatway spoke about his concerns that the spreading of the sewage sludge created unbearable odours, especially during the summertime with prevailing winds carrying the odours some distance across fields and into residential areas, concerns echoed by those attending the Area Board meeting. Cllr Oatway asked about the support available to the affected local communities.

The Chairman welcomed Wiltshire Council Head of Public Protection, John Carter to the meeting, who responded to a number of issues raised during the meeting.  He explained that human waste had been used to spread over agricultural land for many years and this is regulated by the Environment Agency under the Sludge (use in Agriculture) Regulations 1989. The use of ‘splatter spreading’ has been replaced by ‘injection spreading’ which is enforced by the Environment Agency.

The report from the Head of Public Protection indicated that in instances of significant odour over a prolonged period, an officer from Public Protection Services will contact the farmer and visit the area to assess the extent and severity of the odour. They will also try to establish if the odour is the result of any bad agricultural practice. Where farmers are spreading without regard to the code then they will be advised as to what best practice is and encouraged to use it.  If the Council is satisfied that, despite having received appropriate advice, agricultural material is continuing to be spread in a manner which does not follow the Code, and this in turn is resulting in unacceptable levels of odour, then it may be possible to take legal action.

The Chairman thanked the Head of Public Protection for attending the meeting, his advice and responding to questions.

To receive a presentation from Phil Brady on the activities of Positive Community Action as they deliver radical grassroots solutions to food hunger, loneliness and culturally deprived rural communities.

The Chairman welcomed Phil Brady, founding Director for Positive Community Action (PCA) to the Area Board meeting. Phil spoke about the activities of PCA and how they offer support to the local community in the Pewsey area.  

The Area Board noted that the PCA had a staff of 50 volunteers split into 6-7 teams offering the following services to the community:

·       Emergency food and household supply boxes (Basic Universal Resource Plan)

·       Community meals

·       Telephone befriending service (Buddy Crew)

·       Friendship café and fruit & veg market

·       Positive foodshare

·       Creative events and workshops

In response to questions from the Area Board, Phil explained that anyone experiencing hardship or isolation could seek help by contacting the PCA through their website or by telephone. The PCA currently delivered 20 meals a week in Bottlesford and Woodborough and were in the process of converting a double decker bus to travel to local villages as a community bus to deliver services. It was noted that the PCA services were being publicised by Burbage Parish Council and information about services offered could be included in a weekly bulletin/parish council magazines. The PCA did liaise with Devizes Foodbank although not directly as the PCA were not a registered foodbank. In relation to the PCA creating dependency on their services, Phil emphasised that the PCA offered temporary support and then signposted to other organisations like Citizen’s Advice.

The Chairman thanked Phil for attending the meeting and his informative presentation.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service - https://youtu.be/4AFZoVIszBQ

·       Health 

·       Health & Wellbeing

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

·       Parish Councils

·       Youth

(a)           Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received a written update from Acting Insp Luke Atkinson, Wiltshire Police, which included detail about the Community Policing Team, Wiltshire Police performance to September 2022, hate crime overview and local priorities and updates in relation to the Pewsey area.  The Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC), Russell Holland was in attendance along with PCSO Emily Johnson.

Cllr Oatway thanks the Police for their positive approach to a recent incident in Milton Lilbourne.

The Chairman thanked the Deputy PCC, Acting Inspector and PCSO for attending the Area Board meeting and responding to questions.

(b)           Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

There was no update report for this meeting.

(c)           Health

The written report attached to the agenda pack was noted. 

(d)           Health & Wellbeing

Cllr Stuart Wheeler reported that the next Health & Wellbeing Group meeting was taking place on 26 January 2023 and raised the issue of training on the use of defibrillators. He reminded the Area Board that a roll out of defibrillators was undertaken 3-4 years ago and there was a need for further training. Parish Councils were asked if there was an appetite for a group training session. Dawn Wilson reported that Upavon Parish Council had independently organised training sessions and a reduced cost and suggested that this was an issue that could be considered further by the Health & Wellbeing Group.

Dawn also reported that grants were available for projects via the Health & Wellbeing fund up to the end of March 2023.

(e)           Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Dawn Wilson reported on the following: the Memory Café and Movement to Music continued to run in the Bouverie Hall; the annual carol service being held at the Bouverie Hall and joined by the Pewsey Players; supporting Parish Council’s for insurance and banking services and thanks to the Bouverie Hall for supplying a new coffee machine.

Susie Brew commented on the following; Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership website and a blog and new accessibility page; attendance at a  recent Walkers are Welcome AGM;  adopting an idea from Alton in Hampshire to circulate a leaflet to estate agents in the local area; producing a film on map reading and basic orienteering.      

Colin Gale commented on the disruption being caused by rail strikes and the impact on rail users in the area, and a meeting of the Pewsey Vale User Group would be held on 9 November 2022.

The Chairman thanked Dawn, Susie and Colin for all their hard work and the work of PCAP.

(f)             Parish Councils

Burbage Parish Council – Steve Colling, Chairman of the Parish Council reported that Burbage had a Christmas tree sale coming up and Pewsey Community Land Trust would be undertaking a survey for the police house shortly.  

(g)           Other

Youth – The Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager  reported that Parish Councils were currently funding the Blue Bus until March 2023 and it would be visiting Upavon, working with Pewsey School in relation to the operation of the café, with a  ...  view the full minutes text for item 50.

To determine the following 3 applications for Community Area Grants.

a.    Greensward Committee, £1,775 towards Greensward treeworks

b.    Great Bedwyn Village Hall, £5,000 towards Great Bedwyn Village Hall Development Project

c.     The Coronation Hall, East Grafton - £5,000 towards Coronation Hall East Grafton Solar PV

The Area Board considered three applications for Community Area Grant funding.  The Chairman invited a representative of the applicant to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

Resolved:

To approve the following applications for Community Area Grants:

a.    Greensward Committee - £1,775 towards Greensward treeworks.

b.    Great Bedwyn Village Hall - £3,000 towards Great Bedwyn Village Hall Development Project.

c.    The Coronation Hall, East Grafton - £3,000 towards Coronation Hall East Grafton Solar PV.

To consider recommendations arising from the LHFIG meeting held on 9 November 2022.

The Area Board received the notes of the LHFIG meeting held on 9 November 2022, with the recommendations being presented by Colin Gale.

Resolved:

1.    To close the following Issues:

·       10-21-11 Chirton Horse warning signs,

·       10-22-1 East Grafton Speeding issues,

·       10-22-2 Great Bedwyn The Knapp Parking Issues

2.     To add the following Issue (with funding) to the Priority Schemes List:

·       10-22-7 Chirton The Street bollards (£3,000)

3.     To allocate funding to Issues currently on the Priority Schemes List:

·       10-20-3 Rushall Elm Row Phase 2 (£5,600.00),

·       10-21-2 Woodborough Footway Phase 2 (£5,500.00)

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 27 February 2023, 7pm at the Bouverie Hall, Pewsey.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board is scheduled for 27 February 2023, 7pm at the Bouverie Hall, Pewsey.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.