Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the business themed meeting of the Amesbury Area Board and thanked Antrobus House for hosting the meeting.

The Chairman thanked Till Valley Singers for their performance and thanked Karen Linaker, Community Area Manager, for her hard work and support over the years and wished her luck in her new role.

At the Chairman’s invitation, the Councillors and officers sitting at the front of the meeting introduced themselves.

There were no apologies.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 6 October 2014.

Decision

The minutes of the meeting held on 2 October 2014, 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.

To receive the following Chairman’s announcements:

·       Countryside Survey

·       Army Re-basing Update

·       Car Parking Review

·       Climate Local initiative

The Chairman drew attention to the announcements included in the agenda:

·         Online Survey

·         Army re-basing update

·         Car parking consultation

·         Local youth network

To hear from the Chairman of the Chamber.

Bruce Eyre, Chairman of the Stonehenge Chamber of Trade, gave a verbal introduction to the Stonehenge Chamber of Trade giving notice to the benefits of joining. It was noted that the Chamber of Trade worked closely with Wiltshire Council on a number of schemes and helped businesses build a loyal customer base.

The Chairman thanked Mr Eyre for his presentation.

To receive a presentation on superfast broadband.

Sarah Cosentino, Wiltshire Council Business Analyst, gave a presentation with Matt Lloyd, who represented BT, on the superfast broadband rollout in Amesbury.

It was noted that up to 91% of Wiltshire residence would have super fast broadband access, although the broadband infrastructure (exchange areas) did not follow the same boundaries as parishes, which meant that some areas would get broadband before others.

A community pack would be sent out to communities once the broadband was operational and noted that residents would need to switch internet providers to gain full access to the superfast broadband.

A question was asked about connection for isolated rural businesses and it was noted that the broadband rollout would not cover all areas due to the lack of funds.

The Chairman thanked Sarah Cosentino and Matt Lloyd for their presentation.

To receive information on the traffic monitoring outcome.

Mr Paul Chase, representing Atkins, gave a presentation on the Stonehenge traffic routeing study.

Mr Chase gave background information and limitations of the study, noting that the study had a 92% registration number plate recognition success rate and a cut off time of 40mins. Two studies had taken place, the first over Easter and the second in August.

A question was asked for officers to meet with Councillors in a separate meeting to discuss the details of the study. It was agreed that the CAM and Phil Tilley, Wiltshire Council Highways Development Control Officer, would arrange for that to happen.

It was noted that the information from the survey would be presented to Wiltshire Council and the study could be used as evidence to drive better traffic calming measures. It was also noted as being useful for emergency planning.

The Chairman thanked Mr chase for the presentation.  

Jon Yates to give a brief outline on the work of the organisation.

Jon Yates from the Wiltshire & Swindon Community Foundation gave a verbal presentation informing the board of the work that the foundation carries out.

It was noted that the foundation was able to offer grants to community groups using a different qualifying criteria to the Area board to fund areas such as running costs.

Mr Yates also bought attention to the Wiltshire Uncovered report which identified the need for strategic grants and was available at: www.wiltshirecf.org.uk.

Information was given on the ‘Surviving Winter Appeal’ which was an appeal aimed at raising funds to support those in Wiltshire who need help over the winter months.

The Chairman thanked Mr Yates for the presentation.

To discuss the Local Youth network.

Karen Linaker, Community Area Manager, referred to the report contained within the agenda and explained that a LYN management group was in the process of being formulated.

The Area Board welcomed Jenny Bowley and Gemma Howell, Community Youth Officers for Amesbury.

A question was asked about getting support from the LYN for the bridging project and it was decided that clarification would be need on the age group for funding, and if needed an urgent application could be agreed outside of the Area Board.

It was resolved that;

i)             To confirm the composition of the new LYN Co-ordinating Group.

ii)            To confirm funding support of the new Youth Drop In / Cafe at £5,500.

iii)           To note that discussions have commenced with Wessex Community Action to provide staffing and administration support for the drop in initiative.

iv)           To confirm support for the Cabinet Members delegation of authority to the Community Youth Officer and Community Area Manager to authorise expenditure and costs associated with the delivery of local objectives between meetings, provided that:

(a) Such decisions are required by reasons of urgency

(b) Such expenditure does not exceed £1,000

(c) All members are consulted and agree to the proposed decision

(d) The decision is reported to the next meeting

v)             To confirm support for the use of funds up to £1,000 to pay for the 3rd and 10^th December events at the Redworth Club.

vi)           To record the boards thanks to Cllr Richard Gamble, the Portfolio Holder for Schools, Skills and Youth who has been providing support and assistance to the board as it takes up its new role regarding the provision of positive activities for young people in this community area.

Karen Linaker, Amesbury Community Area Manager, introduced the report which was included in the agenda noting that the issues were progressing.

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.

Police

Inspector Lange referred to his report noting that they were pleased with the LYN which would addresses issues with challenging behaviour due to a lack of services. New legislation had replaced the ASBO order and would now be known as CBO’s. It was also noted that there would be a change of Sergeant, Rickey Lee is moving and Tina Osbourne would replace him. 

Questions were asked about school parking and rural staffing. It was noted that multi agency meetings were taking place to tackle school parking although not all schools were cooperative. New PSCO recruits would cover staff shortages around March 2015.

The Chairman thanked Inspector Lange for his update.

Safe Places

It was noted that safe places had begun in Amesbury and they were in the process of looking for local businesses to join.

To receive updates from the Community Working Groups.

HEDPAT

HEDPAT would be taking the lead role of the Amesbury housing panel and would invite reps to identify local issues.

Sport

Amesbury Football Club was grateful for the £500 grant and were currently surviving.

Crime

Extra bins for the area had not progressed due to technical issues.

The Health Select Committee reported that hospital admissions were down although the Amesbury area was the worst in Wiltshire and that villages needed to be on alert. 

To receive an update from the Chairman of the Amesbury Community Operations Board.

It was noted that Amesbury was on the back end of the campus priority project and that it was best to discuss again in 6 to 9 months.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Councillor Keith Humphries, Lead member for Grants, introduced the item.

Decision

Plains School Partnership was awarded £750 towards new trees.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2014/15.

Decision

Bulford & Durrington Sunshine Club was awarded £460 towards a Christmas lunch party.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2014/15.

Decision

Amesbury Community Group was awarded £500 towards a Christmas lunch party.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2014/15.

It was noted that the Area Board would only support applications for Christmas lunch parties under exceptional circumstances.

(ACTION: Karen Linaker)

The next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board will be held on 29 January, 7pm, Atrobus House, Amesbury.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board would be held on 29 January 2015, 7pm at Antrobus House, 39 Salisbury Rd, Amesbury SP4 7HH.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.