Agenda and minutes

The Chairman, Cllr Mike Hewitt welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Amesbury Area Board.

At the Chairman’s invitation, the Councillors and officers introduced themselves.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2018.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 18 January 2018 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.

Councillor Robert Yuill declared a non-pecuniary interest on item 12, due to being a member of the Amesbury Carnival Committee and Amesbury Town Council.  Councillor Yuill confirmed that he would not vote on those grant applications.

The Chairman will introduce the announcements and invite any questions.

The Chairman noted that agenda item 11 – Health and Wellbeing Group would be discussed first.

The Chairman referred to the announcements included in the agenda pack.

To receive an update on activities and achievements 2017/18

Cllr Graham Wright presented a report by the Health and Wellbeing Group.

There were Safe Places operating in Amesbury, Durrington, Larkhill and Winterbourne and the scheme was continuing to grow. Dementia Friends have delivered sessions to Amesbury Police, Library and Stonehenge Visitor Centre staff and volunteers creating over 100 new Dementia Friends. Over 30 Parishes attended a Dementia Friendly event ran by the Health and Wellbeing Board to promote Dementia Friendly Communities. In December, the group organised a successful visit to Stonehenge for over 50 older people. The Area Board previously provided £5,000 to Farley’s Malone on the Health and Wellbeing Group’s recommendation. Many Successful lunches have been run for the Amesbury Community Area, and Christmas meals, hampers and presents have also been provided. Consultations run by Celebrating Age, another group that received funding from the Area Board, have been well attended.

The Chairman thanked Cllr Wright and urged people to let Dave Roberts, Community Engagement Manager, know if they knew of anyone in need that could be helped by Health and Wellbeing Group initiatives.

The Chairman referred to the updates set out in the agenda and invited further updates from Town/Parish Councils and other Partners, including outside bodies.  It was noted that the preferred option was for written updates, to minimise time spent during the meeting.

Wiltshire Police

Inspector Pete Sparrow introduced himself as the new Inspector for Amesbury and Salisbury. He had been a policeman for 23 years and was looking forward to his new role. It was explained that previously Amesbury had been grouped with the Devizes Area but would now be grouped with Salisbury. Engagement with the community and recruitment are two of their priorities. The Chairman requested written reports for the parishes.

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service

Cllr Robert Yuill, as a member of Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, introduced Amesbury Station Manager Jason Moncrieff. A report was presented detailing the staffing levels at Amesbury Fire Station. Amesbury is an on-call station, so all firefighters have other jobs and are paged when needed. Amesbury had two fire engines and to man these they need approximately 20 on-call firefighters. However, they currently only have 9, meaning they have to bring in cover from other areas which is expensive. The service is looking to recruit more firefighters and help support businesses who employ on-call firefighters. Recruitment details could be found on their website https://www.dwfire.org.uk/fire-station/amesbury/.

i.              Update for the financial year 2017/18

ii.            Grants

Councillor Darren Henry gave an update on the recent Local Youth Network meeting held at Stonehenge School. The meeting was successful with the young people engaged in the process. They debated the grant applications and made recommendations to the Area Board.

The grant applications were presented and it was;

Resolved

To grant Wessex Community Action £5,000 toward running the Amesbury Youth Café.

To grant La Folia £1,750 for Continuing Songs at Wiltshire College, Salisbury 2018.

To grant 1st Boscombe Down Guides £400 for a 1st Boscombe Down Guides Summer Activity Camp.

To receive an update from Lovells.

Three representatives from Lovells attended the meeting and John Leary, Project Director, presented an update to the board. They were making good progress on the three sites in Bulford, Larkhill and Ledgershall. Foundations had been completed in Bulford while more complex groundworks were taking place at the other sites. They were hoping to have all 900+ homes completed by 2020 and some would start being handed over to service personnel in late 2018 and in 2019. Lovells were committed to community engagement and would keep the community updated.

Comments focused on a footpath that may be effected, and diversions during the works. Lovells stated that they would try to ensure the footpath remained open, possibly by having a manned gate to allow access. They would keep the community up to date with details regarding diversions and try to minimise disruption where possible.

To receive an update from Highways England.

The Chairman welcomed a representative from Highways England to present proposals for the A303 Stonehenge Amesbury to Berwick Down.

The main points of the presentation were:

• A tunnel would be built as the road passes Stonehenge.
• A bypass for Winterbourne Stoke to link the existing dual carriageway section around Amesbury with the dual carriageway at Berwick down.
• A viaduct will be built to carry the road over the River Till.
• Junctions will be upgraded and made safer.
• A time scale was provided showing that work on the site would not begin until 2021 due to the planning act and DCO timescales.
• A consultation would be taking place, which had been extended to 23 April 2018. Public events would take place and would be advertised nationally and locally via press, social media and the Highways Agency website.

Comments and questions from the public focused on; public rights of way, what would be happening to the spoil from the tunnel, preference for a lower viaduct, safety of junctions, rights on the junction at Bullington/Allington track, and access from Winterbourne.

Highways England responded that all public rights of way would be retained, although it is possible that some may need to be diverted slightly. They were also hoping to build new byways. The spoil from the tunnel would be going to Parsonage Down and various other sites. These sites would be landscaped and hopefully returned to agricultural use. The height of the viaduct is unlikely to be lowered. Environmental concerns and ecological impact meant that it had to be a certain height so as not to have an adverse effect. Their aim was to improve the safety of all junctions. The Allington Track would be made one way to improve safety. The road at Winterbourne would be closed, access to the A303 would be via a new junction.

The Chairman thanked Highways England for the presentation.

To consider an update and recommendations from the Community Area Transport Group (CATG) in relation to the funding available towards Local Transport Projects.

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

To ratify the recommendation from the CATG to agree the Highway Maintenance Scheme 18/19.

The board considered the report from the Community Area Transport Group and all highway maintenance schemes in the agenda.

Comments were made on the A345 and the fact that it was in poor repair. The Chairman advised residents to contact the new highways officer.

Resolved:

To approve all Highway Maintenance Schemes detailed in the agenda for 2018/2019.

To determine the applications for Community Area Grant funding.

To receive a summary of grants for 2017/18.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillor Fred Westmoreland, Lead member for Grants, introduced this item. Attention was drawn to the agenda report summarising grants delegated to the Amesbury Area Board in the 2017/2018 financial year introduced the grants.

The Chairman noted that there were 8 grant applications but due to insufficient funds at the end of the financial year there was only funds left for 7.

Cllr Westmoreland then introduced the grants and it was;

Resolved

To grant Amesbury Bowls Club £2,256.75 for the continuous improvement of facilities.

To grant Avon and Bourne Valley Artists £350 to fund an art exhibition.

To grant Amesbury Town Council £733 for a defibrillator at the Centenary Pavilion.

To grant WRVS £1,000 to provide welfare PC’s.

To grant Amesbury Community Group Carnival £980 for the Amesbury Carnival.

To grant Durrington Short Mat Bowls Club £2,875 for an electric carpet machine.

To grant Shrewton Silver Band was awarded £980 for band music and stands.

To grant Brambles pre-school £2,500 for a new woodland project when the 2018/2019 budget is confirmed. On the condition that the balance of funding is in place and that the planning conditions are met.

Reason: Insufficient funds at the end of the financial year.

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 24 May 2018 at Durrington Village Hall.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board would be held on 24 May 2018 at Durrington Village Hall, High Street, Durrington, Salisbury, SP4 8AD.

The Chairman thanked Jessica Croman for her work supporting the Board.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.