Agenda and minutes

To welcome those present to the meeting.

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

At the Chairman’s invitation, the Councillors and Parishes present at the meeting introduced themselves.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence had been received from the following:

·       Cllr Kevin Daley

·       Matthew Maggs of the Dorset and Wilsthire Fire and Rescue Service

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 23 September 2021.

The minutes of the last meeting were considered and it was,

Resolved:

To approve the minutes of the meetings on 23 September 2021 as a true and correct record.

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

Cllr Graham Wright declared a non-pecuniary interest in agenda item 10, Community Area Grants. In particular the grant application from Durrington Town Council, as he was Chairman of the Town Council. Although Cllr Wright  would be entitled to vote on this application, he declared that he would not vote on that item.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·       Procedural Note

Please note that all decision recommendations (such as grant awards) at this meeting will be ratified by the Leader of Wiltshire Council following the meeting. This is to comply with legal requirements as the meeting is being held online.

·       Changes to Wiltshire’s Taxi Tariffs

·       Update on Leisure Centres transferring to Wiltshire Council 

·       Youth Council update

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire update

·       B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG update

The Chairman made the following announcements:

·       Procedural Note

The Chairman announced that all decision recommendations (such as grant awards) at the meeting would go through the Leaders Decision Making process following the meeting. This was to comply with legal requirements as the meeting was being held online.

For the following announcements the Chairman referred the meeting to the written details included with the agenda and agenda supplement.

·       Changes to Wiltshire’s Taxi Tariffs (pages 11 – 14)

·       Update on Leisure Centres transferring to Wiltshire Council (page 15)

·       Youth Council update (pages 17 – 19)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire update (page 21)

·       B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG update (page 23 – 26)

·       National Highways A303 Stonehenge update (Supplement 1)

·       Fisherton Tunnel Works (Supplement 1)

A free flow session which gives an opportunity for parishes and partners to update the Board and for attendees to ask questions or suggest ideas. All partners and parishes are welcome to update us, but time is limited so please keep updates brief.

To include:

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       Wiltshire Police (to include night-time economy update)

·       Community Speed Watch

·       Open Floor – the chance any other partners, parishes or attendees present to update the board, give feedback, or ask questions

The Chairman invited partners, parishes and attendees to give updates or ask questions.

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Matthew Maggs, DWFRS representative had sent apologies, so the Chairman referred attendees to the written update at pages 27-31 of the agenda.

·       Wiltshire Police

Inspector Tina Osborn gave an update to the meeting stating her written report was available in supplement 1. The Inspector highlighted priorities such as rural crime and hare coursing. Rural patrols were continuing, some proactive operations had been undertaken and the force were looking to undertake more proactive operations.

There had been some anti-social behaviour, but the perpetrators had been identified by CCTV and dealt with. There had been an increase in burglaries, including theft from outbuildings, where items such as power tools and bikes had been stolen and house burglaries where items such as tablets and jewellery were stolen. Attendees were reminded to keep buildings secure, not to leave possessions out on display and to report anything suspicious.

Operation Sceptre was a nationwide awareness week on knife crime, school visits had been undertaken to highlight the dangers and risks of carrying knives and metal detectors used. A nationwide campaign on drink and drug driving had also been underway.

Sgt Steve Jolly gave an update on anti-social behaviour in Amesbury’s night-time economy, which had been increasing and the force were working in partnership with the MOD and trialling the Royal Military Police and Police patrolling together. On 4 December a targeted operation had been undertaken with patrols on foot giving a high presence and undertaking a zero-tolerance approach. Premises were also reminded of their responsibilities as licenced venues. The operation had positive outcomes with no disorder present and venues refusing entry to patrons if already over intoxicated. Further such operations would be undertaken. The police were working closely with licensing, premises and pub watch which was working well.

Shrewton Parish Council highlighted issues faced with vehicles and in particular military vehicles ignoring the weight limit and transiting through Shrewton. Cllr Iain Blair-Pilling as lead on military civilian liaison had been working on the issue and Russell Holland, Deputy Police and Crime Commissioner explained that he would feed the issue back. Steve Jolly of the Police explained that they were aware of the issue and would raise this with high level army contacts and trading standards, he encouraged attendees to send pictures or details to the Amesbury Community Policing Team.  

·       Community Speed Watch (CSW)

John Derryman of Community Speed Watch gave an update to the meeting. Mr Derryman explained that he had undertaken a voluntary role, working with the PCC as a county co-ordinator for CSW. He was trying to pull together the 115 CSW teams with over 1,000 volunteers, who ran around 10-15 sessions a day supporting the police in their road safety strategy. A meeting had been held on 15 November with around 50 CSW team leaders and the PCC which covered hot topics, proactive suggestions and ways to make CSW more efficient. He  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive an update on youth work in the Stonehenge Community Area from Cllr Mark Verbinnen, lead Member for children and young People.

The are no Youth Grant applications.

Cllr Mark Verbinnen as Chairman of the Local Youth Network (LYN) gave an update on LYN and youth activities.

It was stated that there had been a well attended LYN meeting on 30 November 2021. There was a rural youth project event coming up on 16 February 2022. A comprehensive youth survey had taken place with 380 responses from the Stonehenge Community Area, the results would be available soon and those results would be used to deliver projects in 2022. Work was also underway with local and Wiltshire wide youth councils. There was still £16,000 available for youth grants so people with youth projects in mind were encouraged to make contact. Healthwatch Wiltshire had produced a guide to mental health and wellbeing services you children and young people which was available here: https://www.healthwatchwiltshire.co.uk/young-healthwatch-wiltshire. Bulford Army Cadets had recently moved into new accommodation and Cllr Verbinnen had attended the opening.

To consider any updates and recommendations from the Community Area Transport Group (CATG)

The Minutes of the latest CATG meeting are attached for information.

The Chairman gave an update on the CATG, and on how projects were progressing. He highlighted that it was a successful meeting and he was disappointed that Shrewton Parish Council were not successful in their substantive funding bid.

The Chairman proposed that the board approved the top priorities and funding recommendations of the CATG as detailed in the agenda pack (page 50), which was seconded by Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling and it was,

Resolved:

That Stonehenge Area Board approve the top priorities and funding recommendations as follows:

·       1-20-15 Durrington 20mph speed limit assessment £2,500 (CATG £1,875, Durrington PC £625)

o   Funding already approved, project in progress.

·       1-21-3 Amesbury, London Road bus shelter replacement £6,600 (CATG £4,950, Amesbury TC £1,650)

o   Funding already approved, project in progress.

·       1-21-5 Winterbourne Stoke/Berwick St James B3083 signing improvements £2,000 (CATG £1,750, Winterbourne PC £250)

o   To confirm the funding recommendation of £1,750 .

·       1-21-8 Amesbury, Redworth Drive bollard installation – £1,000 (CATG £750, Amesbury TC £250)

o   To confirm the funding recommendation of £750.

·       1-21-10/12 Woodford Valley C42 speed limit assessment £2,500 (CATG £1,875, Woodford PC £625)

o   Funding already approved, project in progress.

·       1-21-17 Netheravon A345 speed limit assessment £2,500 (CATG £1,875, Netheravon PC £625)

o   To confirm the funding recommendation of £1,875.

·       Durnford speed limit assessment £2,500 (CATG £1,875, Netheravon PC £625)

o   To confirm the funding recommendation of £1,875.

The Chairman announced that the next CATG meeting would be held online on 2 February 2022 at 10.00am.

To receive an update from Cllr Dr Monica Devendran as Chair of HWBG and to consider the following application for a HWB grant:

·       God Unlimited Outdoor Therapy, £1500, towards supporting the mental health of frontline workers affected by COVID.

Grant report with further details can be seen under agenda item 10. 

Cllr Dr Monica Devendran as Chair of the Health and Wellbeing Group (HWBG) gave an update to the meeting. There had been a well attended HWBG meeting on 17 November 2021. An older people’s survey had been undertaken by Silver Salisbury and some of the results from that were fed back at the meeting. There were still HWB grants funds available, so groups were encouraged to make contact regarding projects. Particularly if they fitted within the Area Board priorities:

·       Support for Mental Health,

·       Digital Inclusion,

·       Climate Change / Environment,

·       Opportunities for Young People,

·       tackling Isolation and Loneliness

Social prescribing was now up and running in Amesbury. Some really useful information regarding Health and Wellbeing could be found online at: https://adults.wiltshire.gov.uk/. My Black Dog Mental health support, located at the (Bowman's Centre) had given an update on their important work.

Cllr Devendran introduced a HWB grant, from God Unlimited Outdoor Therapy, for £1,500 towards supporting the mental health of frontline workers. This had been considered by the HWB group at their meeting and had been recommended for approval.

A representative of God Unlimited spoke in support of their application. The Board considered the application, and it was,

Resolved:

·       To grant God Unlimited Outdoor Therapy, £1500, towards supporting the mental health of frontline workers affected by COVID.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, as lead Member for grants, to introduce the following applications for Community Area Grant funding for the Board to consider:

·       Netheravon Parish Council, £5000, towards adult outdoor exercise equipment.

·       South Newton Parish Council, £3750, towards South Newton recreation ground.

·       Shrewton Parish Council, £753 towards bus shelter repairs.

·       Durrington Town Council, £5000 towards Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations bring the community together.

·       Community First Responder for South West Ambulance Foundation Trust, £3000 towards a Razor chair for use by the Netheravon Community First Responder group.

·       Fittleton cum Haxton Parish Council, £1728.15 towards a Fittleton cum Haxton Speed Indicator Device.

·       Enford Parish Hall and Reading Room, £2000 towards developing a community garden and three parking spaces.

Cllr Ian Blair-Pilling, as lead Member for grants introduced the Community Area Grant applications, explaining that all applications had been scrutinised and met the grant criteria. Representatives of the organisations applying for grants spoke in support of their applications. It was,

Resolved:

·       To grant Netheravon Parish Council, £5000, towards adult outdoor exercise equipment.

·       To grant South Newton Parish Council, £3750, towards South Newton recreation ground.

·       To grant Shrewton Parish Council, £753 towards bus shelter repairs.

·       To grant Durrington Town Council, £5000 towards Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations bring the community together

·       To grant Community First Responder for South West Ambulance Foundation Trust, £3000 towards a Razor chair for use by the Netheravon Community First Responder group.

·       To grant Fittleton cum Haxton Parish Council, £1728.15 towards a Fittleton cum Haxton Speed Indicator Device.

·       To grant Enford Parish Hall and Reading Room, £2000 towards developing a community garden and three parking spaces.

To receive an update from Jacqui Abbott, Community Engagement Manager (CEM).

Jacqui Abbott (Community Engagement Manager) highlighted the top 5 priorities of the Area Board and that meetings would be held to focus on groups working together on the priorities.

·       Positive Activities for Young People

The officer stated that she would be setting up an online workshop on 16 February 2022 which would build on the results of the youth consultation and surveys. There was still funding available so it was hoped that groups could come forward and apply for funding to plug gaps in provision.

·       Improving Mental Health

The officer was working to develop a log of activities coming up under this priority and a directory of groups available for support so that she could help promote them.

·       Digital Inclusion

Grant funding was available to support digital inclusion, so groups were encouraged to contact her for details.

·       Climate Change

Highlights included the Greener Durrington project and that 420 trees had been planted recently at Avon Valley College with support from military A local toolkit was being developed. There would also be an Area Board drop-in on 6 February 2022 on Mitigating Climate Change.

·       Loneliness and Isolation

Highlights included:

o   Silver Salisbury / Amesbury – which had been a great success and there would be more next year! Thanks were passed to Irene Kholer.

o   Celebrating Age - ongoing

o   Various events (Covid limiting now)

o   Paths4All

o   Home | Your care Your support Wiltshire

o   Plus an Older People's activity directory was being developed 

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 Amesbury Area Board will be held on 31 March 2022, 6.30pm.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending and wished them a very Merry Christmas.

The next meeting of the Area Board would take place on 28 March 2022.