Agenda and minutes

The Vice-Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Amesbury Area Board and thanked Shrewton for hosting the meeting.

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

Apologies for absence had been received from:

·         Cllr John Smale

·         Mike Franklyn

·         Inspector Lange

In the absence of the Chairman the Vice-Chairman Chaired the meeting.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 29 may 2014.

Decision

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8 May 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.

Cllr Graham Wright declared a non-pecuniary interest in grant item 1, as he was the Chairman.  Cllr Wright confirmed that he would not vote on the item. Cllr Wright also declared a non-pecuniary interest in grant item 3, as he was a member of Durrington Town Council.

To receive the following Chairmans announcements:

·         Mini recycling sites

·         Army re-basing

The Chairman referred to the announcements contained in the agenda pack and those on the tables.

Army Re-basing

A brief update was given noting that a general outline of the re-basing plans were online and still to be finalised and that all applications for the re-basing would go to strategic planning.

A question was asked if all of the meetings for the Army re-basing would take place in Salisbury City Hall and it was noted that that had not been agreed, although it was preferred that the meetings take place in the south of the county. It was agreed that the Area Board would write to the Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee and the Southern Area Planning Committee and request that the re-basing meetings be held in the south of the county.   

Petitions

A petition was noted and handed in which requested work for traffic calming measures on London Road in Shrewton and included 263 local signatures. The Chairman of the Southern Area Planning Committee noted that he would try to help.

The garden waste consultation was discussed. It was noted that the Amesbury area had a large elderly population who frequently looked after their gardens. The area also boasted large gardens and green areas making a cut to the service difficult for the area. The Area Board decided to not take a collective vote on the consultation due to a lack of information. The following was identified as required in order to make a decision:

-        The costs associated with the options considered and the saving that would be made;

-        The impact on recycling and the anticipated drop in numbers.

The Area Board advised that in the mean time residents should continue to fill out the consultation form and make comments and the Area Board would request further information.

John Walker, Allocations and Options Manager at Wiltshire Council, gave a presentation explaining the new housing allocation policy. The policy was reviewed following the introduction of the Localism Act and the introduction of the new freedoms and a consultation was launched incorporating a large number of stake holders and approved at Cabinet in November 2013.

The following the changes have been made to the policy:

• The applicant must have a local connection to Wiltshire

• Local Homes allocated to Local People

• Creation of an open market register for those with no identified housing

need

• Review of the bands

• Introduction of reasons to be excluded from the register

• Allocations made in line with the bedroom standard

The new housing policy would be implemented in November/ December 2014.

A concern was raised on the bidding process and the difficulties faced by the elderly, vulnerable and those without internet access. It was noted that the option to bid by telephone was available and those who had registered would receive the relevant information via post. Concerns were also raised about the difficulties when phoning the call centre when no one would answer the phones and the Area Board was informed that the management team were aware of the issues and working to resolve them.

Cllr Westmoreland as Chairman of the housing panel agreed to take a better look at the situation.

The Chairman thanked Mr Walker for the presentation.

To receive a verbal update on the A303.

An update on the A303 was noted which included a note from the Stonehenge Visitors Centre to say that the car parking plan was working and that there had not been any congestion at Airman’s Corner due to the pre booking message the centre had rolled out.

It was also noted that the Area Board was still waiting for the feasibility study to take place and as soon as the information was available they would let people know.

Questions were asked about the Atkins study and if the study covered the rush hours and rat running and the locations of the cameras. It was noted that the cameras would cover the rush hours and the rat running and if any information which suggested that would not happen had been received, that should be passed onto the Area Board Members to look into. It was noted that the cameras would be located in the same positions as the previous study in May and additional cameras would also be placed.

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

Sgt Ricky Lee referred to the update in the agenda noting that overall crime had decreased. It was also noted that the policing team had been monitoring the travellers travelling through Amesbury and that these should be moved on within the week. Reports had also been received that some travellers had been driving vehicles advertising services and carrying out poor jobs. The Area Board asked that the community look out for each other and to check the credentials of the services they were hiring. The policing teams had also been carrying out drug warrants within Amesbury which had been successful. 

Fire & Rescue

An update on the current consultation had been circulated and the public was urged to take part.

Shrewton Neighbourhood Plan

Local resident Patrick Curry updated the Area Board on the Shrewton Neighbourhood Plan noting that there were a lot of changes taking place that needed a bottom up approach. A meeting would be taking place in October which was open for the public to attend.

Questions were asked on the Governance Reviews and what role the Area Board had within the review. It was noted that the Area Board did not have a specific role in the reviews but if key questions could be passed onto Cllr Humphries who would do his best to get more information.

Locals Access to Stonehenge

A question was raised on access to Stonehenge for local people and it noted that there was no intention to stop access for locals. Local people would need to register for a local resident’s card from the Amesbury library; however there had been a lack of take up to get the card. Comments were raised on the difficulties faced by the elderly and vulnerable to get access to the internet/ library and on producing the documents required to get the local access card. The Chairman of the Stonehenge World heritage Site noted that he would take the comments away with him. It was also noted that the local access card would need to be renewed every year.

Stapleford Parish

A special congratulation was given to Stapleford Parish for being awarded for the ‘Best Kept Village’.

Mini Recycling Sites

Comments were raised from Steeple Langford about the removal of the mini recycling sites stating that they did not feel well served and wanted the mini centre returned.

Provision of Youth

Cllr Westmoreland informed the Area Board that a meeting would be taking place which would inform them on how much money the Area Board would have for youth provisions. An idea was put forward to utilise local centres as youth cafes and welcomed ideas from all those in the area. It was agreed to constitute a youth panel to formulate ideas going forward. 

To receive updates from the following:

·         Health and Well-Being

·         Crime and Community Safety

·         Sport, Leisure and Culture

·         Environment

·         Economy, Housing and Tourism

The following updates were received:

Health & Wellbeing

A meeting would be taking place to discuss mental health with corporate officers which would look at the strategy locally to Amesbury.

Crime and Community Safety

Street Pastors had been successful and behaviour is being controlled. Discussions had also taken place with taxi drivers to help solve any local issues during the night.

Sport, Leisure and Culture

It was noted that a local sports field would soon be taken over and that the Boscombe Mounty was closed for repairs.

Environment

A previous idea to train volunteers to enforce and stop dog fouling had not been successful due to the controversial nature. A new idea for a ‘Green do walk’ where volunteers would sign a pledge, wear a badge and carry bags. A link with full information could be circulated.

A letter had been sent to Cllr Jane Scott to try and get businesses to supply litter bins.

Economy, Housing and Tourism

When the housing panel is ready they would look at tenants and residents issues. 

Attention was drawn to the report as seen in the agenda.

A question was raised about the Minutes as they did not include the 20 mph limits from Great Wishford and Steeple Langford. It was noted that Steeple Langford had been replaced by Bulford due to the ranking of priorities.

Decision:

a. The Board noted the report and minutes of the latest CATG meeting

b. The Board agreed to support the following request, which was put forward for funding at the 16 July 2014 CATG meeting:

- To relocate the bus shelter from Camelot House, Amesbury to Raleigh

Crescent, Amesbury at a cost of £1200.

(Amesbury Town Council had been asked to contribute 10% to the cost of the works).

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

There were no updates.

At the Chairman’s invitation, Cllr Fred Westmoreland, Lead Member for Grants, introduced the item, thanking Cllr Noeken and the other members of the grants panel who had assisted in reviewing the bids.

A special thank you was given to Cllr Noeken for his work as Lead Member for grants and that the Area Board appreciated all of his hard work.

1.     Decision

Larkhill Community Partnership was awarded £2,000 towards the ‘Digging War Horse’ WWI community project.

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

2.     Decision

Durrington Town Council was awarded £5,000 towards the creation of a path and avenue of trees.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2014/2015

3.     Decision

Langford Parish Hall Committee was awarded £1,731.66 towards the hall’s upgrade of equipment.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2014/2015

4.     Decision

Idmiston Parish Hall Committee was awarded £994.08 to replace the role of honour plaque.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2014/2015

5.     Decision

Amesbury Bowls Club was awarded £2,600 towards the costs of a replacement mower.

Reason - The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2014/2015

(ACTION: Karen Linaker)

Additional Comments:

Cllr Wright did not take part in the vote on items 1 & 2.

The next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board will be held on 2 October at Woodford Village Hall.

Cllr Westmoreland informed the Area Board that Wiltshire Council had another furniture give away and would notify all those interested when he had the dates. It was noted that to attend people would need to register.

It was noted that the next meeting of the Amesbury Area Board would be held on 2 October, 7pm at the Woodford Village Hall.

The Chairman thanked everyone for attending.