Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everyone to St Margaret’s Hall, and introduced the Wiltshire councillors who made up the board, as well as the Community Area

Manager, the Democratic Services Officer and the Service Director.

The Chairman introduced Cllr John Noeken – Wiltshire Council Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Resources.

All town, parish and partner representatives in attendance were welcomed by the Chairman.

There were no apologies for absence.

Councillors are requested to declare any personal or prejudicial interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee

There were no declarations of interest.

Decision:

• The minutes of the Area Board meeting held on the 23 November 2011 were approved and signed as the correct record.

i)The following announcements contained in the pack were mentioned briefly:

Wiltshire Police – report noted.

Inspector Dave Cullop also advised that Sgt Chris Hams was making good progress following  illness, and was expected to return to duty in a part time role during February 2012.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue – report noted.

NHS Wiltshire – report noted.

Announcements

Wiltshire Council would be holding a budget consultation forum  at St Johns Parish Centre, Wingfield Road, Trowbridge on Monday 23 January 2012.

ii)The Community Area Transport Group had  met on the 9 January 2012.

The Chairman gave a short presentation on the work of CAT-G which is a partnership between the Council, the Police and the Town and Parish Councils, to discuss highways and transport issues and to agree a programme of minor capital improvement works. Projects supported include feasibility studies, a new zebra crossing in Holt, new pavements in Wingfield, painted pavements in Limpley Stoke and Westwood, and new dropped kerbs and grit bins. Bids are being considered to a fund of £ 25,000 in the current financial year, including programmes for dropped kerbs and improved signage across the community area. A presentation was received at the last meeting from the Hillside Action Group regarding residents wishes for the relaxation of parking restrictions at Budbury Place and the urgent re-opening of the Well Path.   

i)The Lorry Watch Bradford on Avon report included in the pack was noted.

ii) Allan Creedy, (Head of Sustainable Transport, Wiltshire Council) gave an update on the proposed HGV ban on the A36 Cleveland Bridge, Bath.

Points made included:

·         That pressure was building in Wiltshire to oppose the ban.

·         Bath and North East Somerset’s forecasts and calculations on the implications and outcomes of the ban were flawed.

·         Andrew Murrison MP was challenging B&NES on the legality of the ban.

·         The Highways Agency had now written in opposition to the B&NES ban.

·         The ban was originally expected to come into force during the Spring 2012 but this may now be delayed.

Questions raised from the floor included:

·         Who actually rules on whether the ban can be enforced?

a)B&NES were going down the route of an experimental order process, (a way of getting around any challenges to the ban), although the Highways Department could bring subtle pressure to bear on B&NES.

·         Could Wiltshire get its own legal opinion and carry out its own traffic count?

a)Yes, we could get our own legal opinion as a last resort, But would a judicial review be seen as a good use of public money. As for the counting, it is B&NES proposal, so the onus is on them to do any counting etc.

·         Could Wiltshire Council not look at the legality of the B&NES proposal?

a)Wiltshire Council  would still end up in a confrontational position and with expensive legal costs.;

The Chairman thanked Allan Creedy for his update.

Decision:

·         That the Bradford on Avon Area Board writes to Bath and North East Somerset Council requesting that they reconsider their intention to ban HVG’s from the Cleveland Bridge, Bath and in support of the views expressed by the Highways Agency on this issue.

i)Jo Middleton, Communications Officer, Wiltshire Council outlined how the Area Board could support communities in organising local events and reduce form-filling and red tape, including a toolkit which had been produced on how to hold a community event.

Points made included:

·         A real opportunity to reinvigorate our local economy, showcase what we have and what we do so well in Wiltshire and promote our strong and vibrant community spirit.

·         1 or 2 May Diamond Jubilee event in Salisbury at the Cathedral and Close, with a focus on the Magna Carta. All Wiltshire towns invited to showcase their communities.

·         22 May 2012 – Torch Relay through Southwick, Trowbridge and Bradford-on-Avon with associated family entertainment.

·         3 and 4 June 2012 Diamond Jubilee celebrations all over Wiltshire.

·         11 July 2012 Olympic event in Salisbury at Hudson’s Field, with an opportunity to showcase Wiltshire’s talent on a big stage.

ii) Peter Leach, Bradford on Avon Town Council outlined  plans to celebrate the Olympic Torch Relay, Olympics and Diamond Jubilee in the Bradford on Avon Community Area.

Points made included:

·         That costs should be shared and that Bradford on Avon Town Council would match fund any money allocated by the Bradford on Avon Area Board.

·         The Olympic procession was a great opportunity to showcase the town.

·         Events planned in the Westbury Gardens, with a stage for live performances and a big screen television to view the progress of the torch.

·         Events would also be held in St Margaret’s hall to tie in with the other celebrations that were planned.

The Chairman then asked the Parish Council representatives present for indications of what they had planned for the celebrations, events included:

·         Music events.

·         Pig roasts & BBQs.

·         Street parties.

·         Bonfires & beacons.

Jim Lynch, Bradford on Avon Community Area Partnership advised that a local Olympic torch relay race was being planned around the villages. Local pubs and restaurants would be invited to enter the event and adopt a nation that they would represent.

An open meeting would be held on Thursday 16 February 2012, to put forward plans and to get local people involved in the celebratory events.

There were some views expressed that these celebrations were not a good use of public money at this time. Karen Butler, Extended Services Officer at St Laurence School, commented that the school children are very excited at the prospect of these once-in-a-lifetime events. 

The Chairman thanked Jo Middleton, Peter Leach and Jim Lynch for their updates.

Gerald Milward-Oliver, Bradford on Avon Development Trust gave a brief update on the timetable for the BOA2026 ‘Town Plan’ and launch of the Momentum Group.

Points made included:

·         Report to the Bradford on Avon Town Council, 29 February 2012.

·         Momentum Group to meet, 9 March 2012.

·         Report to Area Board for endorsement, 14 March.

The Chairman thanked Gerald Milward-Oliver for his update.

Peter Dunford, Community Area Manager outlined the proposal for an event on Thursday 23 February at St Laurence School to bring together a wide range of stakeholders to discuss the latest socio-economic data sets published in the Joint Strategic Assessment for the Bradford on Avon community area and to agree priorities for action arising.

The data would provide a robust evidence base for community action through initiatives such as BOA2026 and discussion groups would be held on the themes of health and wellbeing; economy and tourism; education and young people; crime and community safety; housing and planning; transport and highways; environment and climate change; leisure, arts and culture. Invitations would be issued shortly.

a)Councillors considered three applications to the Community Area Grant budget, of which £11,558 remained unallocated in 2011/12:

Cllr Matthew Midlane, gave the Grants Advisory panel’s recommendations on each of the applications.

i)Wiltshire Music Centre awarded £4,987 to present six live family music concerts to engage young people in a wide variety of music.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Bradford on Avon Community Plan and Wiltshire Local Area Agreement through its contribution to the promotion of arts, culture, leisure and activities for young people. It contributes to furthering the music curriculum and to out of school learning for 14-19 year olds. 

ii)Bradford On Avon Community Area Network – Sports Festival Group – requested £5,450 for the Bradford on Avon Community Sports Festival and Olympic Torch Event - 10 days of sporting events linked to the 2012 Olympic Games. Councillors agreed to award £4,000 with £1,450 held back to be used if required for the event, delegated under the authority of the Community Area Manager.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Bradford on Avon Community Plan and to the Wiltshire Local Area Agreement through its support to culture, leisure and sport and to supporting community cohesion.

iii)Monkton Farleigh residents awarded £850 for Diamond Jubilee celebrations on 4 June 2012.

Reason

The application demonstrates a link to the Bradford on Avon Community Plan and Wiltshire Local Area Agreement through its support for social and cultural development and for community cohesion in the village. 

b) Councillors  agreed to release the balance of core funding of £4,701 (previously agreed in principle) to the Bradford on Avon Community Area Network.

Wednesday 14 March – Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford on Avon.

Wednesday 16 May – St Margaret’s Hall, Bradford on Avon.

Wednesday 18 July – Winsley, venue TBC.

The Chairman thanked everybody for attending the meeting.