Agenda and minutes

To welcome attendees to the meeting.

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

The new Area Board Delivery Officer Caroline LeQuesne introduced herself and stated that she looked forward to working with the Board.

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·       Curley Haskell

·       Huw Helps

·       Susie Brew

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 2023.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 28 November 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.

As a grant application had been received from Milton Lilbourne Village Hall, Cllr Paul Oatway QPM noted that he lived in the village but was not a member of the village hall.

The Chairman will make the following announcements:

·       National Apprenticeship Week 2023

·       Cost of Living Update

·       King Charles III Coronation – Community Celebrations

·       Wiltshire Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Partnership Family Help Project – background briefing

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

·       National Apprenticeship Week 2023 (page 13)

·       Cost of Living Update (pages 15-20)

·       King Charles III Coronation (pages 21-22)

·       Wiltshire Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Partnership Family Help Project (pages 23-24)

To receive a presentation from Camella Town – National Power Outage Project Officer, Wiltshire & Swindon LRF.

Matty Maggs and Chris Manuel from Wiltshire Council’s Community Resilience Team outlined proposals for the creation of Emergency Contact Hubs, based on a model operated in New Zealand. The aim of the hubs was to draw upon community knowledge to help coordinate support in emergency situations. The hubs would build upon the lessons learnt during the Covid-19 pandemic and be supported by Police Community Support Officers.   Information could be passed to and from the community from the blue light services, as well as key utility providers. The aim was to create around 150 such centres across Swindon and Wiltshire to improve community resilience. The officers were keen to stress that the centres would be community led and encouraged interested parties to come forward and contact camella.town@wiltshire.gov.uk for further information.

During the discussion, points included:

·       The Area Board thanked the officers for the update.

·       In response to queries about how smaller villages and hamlets could get involved, the officers explained that any building with storage could be used.

·       It was noted that the hubs did not have to be led by parish councils.

·       The scheme could build upon emergency planning systems that had already been developed.

·       The importance of communication in promoting the scheme and ensuing that the most vulnerable people were able to access the hubs was highlighted.

·       Test events in three parishes would take place in around a month’s time.

To receive updates from Lead Councillors for the local Area Board priorities.

The Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager (SEPM), Richard Rogers, and Lead Members gave an overview of the progress made towards the Area Board’s priority goals since their previous meeting. Points included:

·       Praise was given for the work of the Open Blue Bus in Upavon and Burbage, particularly the work being done to provide transport for young people and those living within Trenchard Lines. It was noted that this would help to facilitate youth work in the area.

·       A meeting was due to be held the following day about demand responsive transport and it was hoped that the new bus service would be running by Easter.

·       Pewsey Parish Council and Great Bedwyn were due to hold an event to improve collaboration on how they could reduce their carbon footprint.  

·       The Area Board’s priority goals for the forthcoming year would be agreed at their next meeting.

To receive a presentation by the Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager.

The SEPM explained that there were 468 Children Looked After in Wiltshire, 264 of which were living with foster carers. He noted that there was a great shortage of foster carers in Wiltshire, so many children were having to be placed with independent fostering agencies. The reported that there were four children in care in the Pewsey area and that they were still short of two fostering families. He then outlined the characteristics required to become a foster parent in Wiltshire and encouraged people who were interested, or knew of a person who might be, to contact fostering@wiltshire.gov.uk or look at their website www.fosteringwiltshire.uk.

The Area Board thanked the SEPM for his presentation echoing his comments about asking volunteers to come forward. They also highlighted that around three quarters of Wiltshire Council’s budget went towards supporting children and vulnerable people.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service

·       Health

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System) – February 2023

·       Community First

·       Health & Wellbeing

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

·       Parish Councils

·       Youth

Wiltshire Police

Inspector Ben Huggins, the new commander of the Devizes, Marlborough and Pewsey Community Police Team, introduced himself to the Area Board, explaining that he had been in post for three weeks. He highlighted that 18 crimes had been reported in Pewsey in January and February, including four residential burglaries. However, he reassured attendees that they were working closely with other forces to target crimes committed by people travelling from outside of the area.

During the discussion points included:

·       The police were taking pre-emptive steps to reduce thefts at beauty spots over the summer.

·       In response to concerns about visits not being made to reported crimes, the inspector explained that all crimes that did not require an urgent ‘blue light’ response were sent to the local policing team, at which point an officer would make contact with the victim.

·       Attendees noted that they would welcome further engagement with the police. The officers stated that they would like to increase the number of visible patrols but this would be dependent on resources. They also encouraged local people to report incidents.

·       Members of the public stated that they appreciated the resourcing issues facing the police and would be happy to invite the Police and Crime Commissioner to a future meeting.

·       It was reported that the new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, was a big advocate of neighbourhood policing.

·       PC Chris Rideout offered to investigate a reported speeding incident in Upavon.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

          Simon Todd, District Commander for East Wiltshire, referred the meeting to the written update in Agenda Supplement 1. He reported that there had been no deliberate fires in Pewsey within the last year, although there was one accidental dwelling fire in November 2022. He was pleased to note that there had been a downward trend in the number of traffic collisions in Pewsey over the past year.

The Area Board thanked the district commander for the update and praised the outcome of a recent inspection by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services.

Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Dawn Wilson, Chairman of the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) gave an update on the work of PCAP.

·       The PCAP were running local youth meetings for 13–18-year-olds on Thursdays.

·       A walking festival was due to take place at the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beaty, with lots of walks in the Pewsey Vale area. An accessible walk was planned so that people with mobility issues were able to be involved.

·       Pewsey Parish Council had provided funding for PCAP to upgrade its website.

·       Information about warm spaces had been shared at a recent Health and Wellbeing Forum and each meeting was focusing on a different theme.

·       Cost of living grants had been given to vulnerable members of the community, with money from Wiltshire Community Foundation being used to help 22 people so far.

Colin Gale, the Transport and Highways lead at PCAP, also provided an update:

·       He had yet to hear back from Great Western  ...  view the full minutes text for item 63.

To determine the following applications for Community Area Grant Funding:

a)    Wootton Rivers Village Hall, £919.00 towards Film Club equipment

b)    Wilcot Cricket Club, £3,000 towards all weather nets

c)    Woodborough Social Club, £3,000 towards a unisex toilet and insulation

To determine the following applications for Older and Vulnerable People’s Funding:

a)    Pewsey Community Area Partnership, £500 towards the Memory Café

b)    Pewsey Community Area Partnership, £1,000 towards the Cost of Living Crisis Fund

c)    Arts Together, £2,700 towards projects for Isolated and Vulnerable People

To determine the following application for Youth Funding:

a)    Milton Lilbourne Village Hall, £1,450 towards sports and leisure activities for children aged 13-19

The Area Board considered a number of applications for grant funding. A representative of each applicant was given an opportunity to give a brief overview of their project to the Area Board.

Community Area Grants

Wootton Rivers Village Hall requesting £919 towards film club equipment.

On the proposal of Cllr Wheeler, seconded by the Vice-Chairman, it was resolved:

Decision

Wootton Rivers Village Hall was awarded £919 towards film club equipment.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2022/23.

Wilcot Cricket Club requesting £3,000 towards all weather nets.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Wheeler, it was resolved:

Decision

Wilcot Cricket Club was awarded £3,000 towards all weather nets.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2022/23.

Woodborough Social Club requesting £3,000 towards a unisex toilet.

The representative from the social club clarified that they did not have disabled toilet facilities for men and the disabled facilities for the ladies was difficult to access, so the funding would go towards new facilities for disabled members. 

On the proposal of the Vice-Chairman, seconded by Cllr Wheeler, it was resolved:

Decision

Woodborough Social Club was awarded £3,000 towards disabled toilet facilities.

Reason The application met the Community Area Grants criteria for 2022/23.

Older and Vulnerable People’s Funding

Pewsey Community Area Partnership requesting £500 towards the Memory Café.

On the proposal of the Cllr Wheeler, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved:

Decision

Pewsey Community Area Partnership was awarded £500 towards the Memory Cafe.

Reason The application met the Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria for 2022/23.

Pewsey Community Area Partnership requesting £1,000 towards the Cost of Living Crisis Fund.

On the proposal of the Cllr Wheeler, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved:

Decision

Pewsey Community Area Partnership was awarded £1,000 towards the Cost of Living Crisis Fund.

Reason The application met the Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria for 2022/23.

Arts Together requesting £2,700 towards projects for Isolated and Vulnerable People.

On the proposal of the Cllr Wheeler, seconded by the Chairman, it was resolved:

Decision

Arts Together was awarded £2,700 towards projects for Isolated and Vulnerable People.

Reason The application met the Older and Vulnerable People’s Grant criteria for 2022/23.

Youth Funding

The Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Manager confirmed that it would not be possible to roll over remaining funding in the Youth budget to the next financial year. Up to three urgent applications, for a maximum of £500, could still be approved before the next meeting without the requirement for an extraordinary meeting.

Milton Lilbourne Village Hall requesting £1,450 towards sport and leisure activities for children aged 13-19.

A proposal to approve the application was made by Cllr Wheeler and seconded by the Chairman. The applicant then noted that they believed that they had applied for £3,000 rather than £1,450. It was not possible to confirm this at the meeting as there was no internet access in the hall. Members agreed that they were all happy to award the full amount  ...  view the full minutes text for item 64.

To consider recommendations arising from the LHFIG meeting held on 25 January 2023.

On the proposal of the Chairman, seconded by Cllr Wheeler, it was resolved:

Decision

1)    To add the following Issues (with LHFIG funding) to the Priority Schemes List:

·       Issue 10-22-11 Woodborough Signing (£175.00)

·       Issue 10-23-2 Froxfield Speed limit Assessment (£1,875.00)

2)    To add the following Issue (with s106 funding) to the Priority Schemes List:

·       Issue 10-22-10 North Newnton Footway Phase 3 (£2,000.00).

3)    To add the following Issue (without funding) to the Priority Schemes List:

·       Issue 10-22-8 Rushall Elm Row Footway Phase 3

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 22 May 2023 at 7.00pm.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was confirmed as Monday 22 May 2023, at 7pm.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.