Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting and introduced the Area Board Members, the officers present including Adrian Hampton- Head of Local Highways and Streetscene South and Bill Parks- Head of Local Highways and Streetscene North and the Parish Councillors in attendance.

Apologies were received from Carolyn Whistler- Chairman of North Newnton Parish Council and Tom Brolan- District Commander, Dorset and Wiltshire, Fire & Rescue Service.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on Monday 22 May 2017.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on Monday 22 May 2017 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.

The Chairman will make the following announcements:

1.    Draft Wiltshire Housing Site Allocations Plan – Advance notice of consultation

2.    Big Pledge London Calling update

3.      Proposed changes to the Connect2Wiltshire bus services in the Devizes and Pewsey area

The Chairman made the following announcements:

Bus Consultation and Review – the Passenger Transport Team are in discussions with suppliers who have tendered at present and they hope to award a contract within the next few weeks

Big Pledge update – Pewsey is currently in 6th place out of 18 Community Areas for the total distance of participants travelled (20952km). Cycling Pewsey is currently fourth place (out of 79 teams) in the London Calling challenge.

Pewsey Starlight Cheerdance Team delivered an energetic and quality performance which was well received by the Area Board Members.

They performed 3 dances; firstly, a dance by the younger girls to the song “Shout out to my ex” by Little Mix; followed by, a group performance of all age  ranges to “I would like” by Zara Larsson; and concluded with the older girls dancing to “There’s nothing holding me back” by Shawn Mendes.

A presentation on the parish steward scheme and discussion on local issues raised.

Adrian Hampton – Head of Local Highways and Streetscene South

Bill Parks – Head of Local Highways and Streetscene North

Adrian Hampton- Head of Highways and Streetscene South introduced this Agenda Item, explaining that he and Bill Parks- Head of Highways and Streetscene North were there to explain the Parish Steward Scheme and address some of the concerns that had been raised.

Bill Parks explained that he was responsible for overseeing the Parish Steward Scheme but the service was contracted to Ringway Infrastructure Services Limited. The contracts manager Steve White was introduced to the Board.

Adrian Hampton delivered a presentation, which explained the role of the Parish Steward Scheme, and the process for requesting work to be done, detailing how the priority sheet works and some of the pressures and constraints on the Parish Stewards themselves. The Area Board attendees were instructed to report all issues/requests, via the MyWiltshire app, online, where reports would be assessed and resolved, whether or not any action is taken.

A number of complaints were raised in regards to the schemes, claiming that the Scheme was not working. Specific examples were given, whereby issues, such as collapsed signs, had been reported but nothing done. Other examples were given of it taking months, to almost a year, for simple tasks to be completed. Emphasis was also made on the perceived lack of communication from the Parish Stewards. The Board were advised that Ringway were keen to address any issues and concerns raised. Steve White offered his contact details to resolve such issues.

It was explained that the scheme relied upon two-way communication. Some Parish representatives, confirmed that where they have a good line of communication with the Stewards, the scheme is working.

It was also clarified by Adrian Hampton that the scheme is an enhanced discretionary scheme and that many Council’s and Highways Authorities do not provide such a scheme. 

The discussion was concluded with the contracts manager, Steve White, addressing the Board and asking for them to bring any issues to his attention, stating that “where I know there is a problem, I can fix it”.

A presentation was delivered by Peter Turvey- Chair, Crofton Branch

Kennet & Avon Canal Trust.

He informed the Board that the boiler repairs had been competed, thanks to the funds provided by the Area Board and other donors.

Photographs were also presented, showing the progression of the project and those persons involved in the repairs.

Cllr Paul Oatway advised the Board that contract documents with Rydon had now been signed with Rydon for the construction of The Vale HWBC.

It was explained that they were awaiting the end of the school exam period before commencing demolition works in early July, with construction works commencing from November onwards.

The Board were advised that the completion of construction works is scheduled for mid-Summer 2018, this will be followed by the fitting out of the new facility ahead of its opening to the public at the end of the summer.

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·        Healthwatch Wiltshire

·        NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group

·        Older People’s Champion and Partnership for Older people (POPP)

·        Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP)

·        Wiltshire Police

·        Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue

·        Pewsey Dementia Action Alliance

·        Others

The partner updates provided in the Agenda pack were referred to.

An additional update was provided by the Chairman for the Older People’s Champion and Partnership for Older people (POPP), stating that Pewsey now has a Carer café running from the Fire Station every 4th Tuesday in the month and the groups hopes to distribute a Pewsey Community Transport leaflet promoting all local community and public transport options following the bus review.

A verbal update was received from Inspector Nick Mawson who explained that policing the Solstice Festival had been managed well. He also advised the Board that Wiltshire Police had recently been successful in preventing a large illegal rave from settling in Wiltshire. The Board were also informed that there had been a significant  reduction in thefts from vehicles, compared to the period prior to the last Area Board,  and that two people had been charged with a large number of thefts from vehicle crimes.

Jan Bowra- Local Youth Facilitator introduced herself to the meeting, explaining that she would be covering for Ros Griffiths- Community Engagement Manager.

The following applications were considered:

A Pewsey BMX Group – Pewsey Dirt Jumps: £1552

It was explained that this application had been reduced, after being refused at the previous meeting. Cllr Paul Oatway stated that he was disappointed that the young people, benefiting from the scheme, had not attended the Board to make representations. He did however agree to support the application. Cllr Jerry Kunkler proposed that the funds be awarded, this was seconded by Cllr Stuart Wheeler.

Resolved:

The Board agreed unanimously to award the funds.

To consider the applications for funding listed below:

1.    Stanton St Bernard Village Hall- Purchase of 70 seater Marquee: £750

2.      Shalbourne Village Hall Management Committee- Shalbourne Village Hall Maintenance and Improvement work: £5000

The Board considered the following applications:

Stanton St Bernard Village Hall- Purchase of 70 seater Marquee: £750

The Board considered that the application was for a worthy cause and were happy to award the small amount requested. Cllr Paul Oatway proposed and Cllr Stuart Wheeler seconded this motion.

Resolved:

The Board agreed unanimously to award the funds.

Shalbourne Village Hall Management Committee- Shalbourne Village Hall Maintenance and Improvement work: £5000

The Board were sympathetic with the ambitions of the project, but were unable to offer the funds requested. It was noted that £5000 was given to Shalbourne Parish Council Area at the last meeting. Consequently, it was proposed by Cllr Stuart Wheeler that the item be deferred, and for a smaller amount to be requested, once it was known what funds they were receiving from other donors. This was seconded by Cllr Jerry Kunkler.

Resolved:

The Board agreed unanimously to defer the application.

There were no Health and Wellbeing Grants

There were no updates from Local Parishes.

Cllr Jerry Kunkler led the Area Board through the reports, as submitted in the Agenda.

All action notes were highlighted and read out to the Board.

Cllr Stuart Wheeler declared an interest in Action Note 6b) Issue 4305- Ram Alley- HGV Issues. He declared that he lived in Ram Alley and would abstain from voting on this Item.

Also on Action Note 6i) Issue 4831- Oxenwood – Bend by The Hassock property. Shalbourne PC representatives confirmed that it had agreed to meet the £100 contributions, referred to.

Resolved:

The Board unanimous agreed to the CATG Action Notes Recommendations.

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 Monday 11 September 2017, 7pm at Coronation Hall, East Grafton.

The next meeting of the Pewsey Area Board was scheduled for Monday 11 September 2017, 7pm at Coronation Hall, East Grafton.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.