Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed everybody to Holt United Reformed Church and introduced the Area Board members and officers present.

 

Apologies were received from Cllr Ian Thorn, Simon Coombe – Limpley Stoke Parish Council and Mike Franklin – Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service.

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

 

There were no declarations of interest.

 

i)                 To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Bradford on Avon Area Board meeting held on 8 January 2014. 

 

ii)               To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the Bradford on Avon Community Area Transport Group meeting held on 3 March 2014.   

 

·       The minutes of the Bradford on Avon Area Board meeting held on the 8 January 2014 were signed as a correct record.

 

·       It was agreed that the minutes of the Bradford on Avon Community Area Transport Group meeting held on the 3 March 2014 would be signed off at the next Bradford on Avon Area Board meeting where all councillors were in attendance.

i)                 Holt Manor

ii)               Flooding

iii)              Bradford on Avon Historic Core Zone

iv)             Dementia Strategy Consultation

v)               Library Memory Groups

vi)             World War 1 Commemorations

 

Youth Advisory Group

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue 

Wiltshire Police

 

Chairman’s Announcements

 

i.Holt Manor - It has been decided that no further legal action will be taken by Wiltshire Council. The report contained in the agenda was noted.

 

One contributor felt that the views of Holt Parish Council and the Bradford on Avon Area Board had been ignored by Wiltshire Council.

 

 

ii.Flooding - Cllr John Potter – Bradford on Avon Town Council gave a short update of the recent flooding issues faced by the town and the responses made.

 

Points made included:

 

·       That during the recent flooding temporary barriers had been set up by the Fire Service, a supply of these barriers were now being kept locally on hand for future flooding emergencies.

 

·       That Bradford on Avon Town Council thanked the Fire & Rescue Service and staff of Wiltshire Council for their efforts over the Christmas and New Year period when the flooding was at its peak.

 

·       That representatives of the Environment Agency would be coming to a meeting in Bradford on Avon on 15 April to discuss the town’s flooding issues.

 

·       That the Town Council was to join Wiltshire Council’s Flood Working Group and would be refreshing its Emergency Flood Plan.

 

Cllr Trevor Carbin requested the feasibility of traffic barriers that could be used during periods of flooding in Staverton. During the recent floods cars had tried to drive through flood waters near Cereal Partners had then become stuck and needing assistance.

 

Bill Parks – Highways Department, Wiltshire Council advised that he was happy to attend any meetings with the Environment Agency re the flooding in Bradford on Avon and that that discussions re Staverton traffic barriers were ongoing.

 

The Chairman thanked all concerned for their hard work during the flooding.

 

 

iii.Bradford on Avon Historic Core Zone – Drainage installation work and road closure of Market Street and Masons Lane.

 

Cllr Rosemary Brown highlighted a letter from the Mayor of Bradford on Avon and the Bradford on Avon Chamber of Commerce sent to Cllr John Thomson - Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene and Broadband at Wiltshire Council requesting that Wiltshire Council considered allowing 2 hours free parking at the Bridge Street and St Margaret’s Street car parks during the period of the road closure of Market Street, 7 April – 6 May 2014.

 

Georgina Knight from the Olive Tree in Market Street spoke of the importance of the HCZ scheme to the traders and to the wider vitality of the town centre. A meeting with traders was suggested to bring them up to speed with the latest plans for the scheme.      

 

Decision

 

·       That the Bradford on Avon Area Board endorses the letter from the Mayor of Bradford on Avon and the Bradford on Avon Chamber of Commerce sent to Cllr John Thomson - Cabinet Member for Highways and Streetscene and Broadband, Wiltshire Council.

 

 

1v.Dementia Strategy Consultation

The report contained in the agenda was noted.

 

 

v.Library Memory Groups

The report contained in the agenda was noted.

 

 

vi.World War 1 Commemorations

Peter Dunford – Bradford on Avon Community Area Manager  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

i)Community Area Grant

Holt Pre-School seeking £353 for a new ipad.

 

ii)Councillor Led Grant

Councillor Rosemary Brown requesting £1,000 towards the set up costs of the Bradford on Avon air quality analyser at its new location.

 

 

The Wiltshire Councillors were asked to consider one application seeking 2013/14 Community Area Grant funding and one application for Councillor led funding:

 

i.Community Area Grant

 

Decision

Holt Pre-School awarded £353 for a new ipad.

Reason

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

 

ii.Councillor Led Grant

 

Decision

Councillor Rosemary Brown awarded £1,000 towards the set up costs of the Bradford on Avon air quality analyser at its new location.

 

Cllr Laura Mayes – Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Wiltshire Council.

 

To consult the Area Board on the Review of Youth Activity.

 

Cllr Laura Mayes – Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, Wiltshire Council gave a presentation which outlined the consultation proposals put forward on the Review of Youth Activity.

 

Points made included:

 

Why do we need a review?

 

•        Statutory duty to secure access to leisure-time activities for young people.

 

•        Currently, provided through a range of services including open access youth development service across the county - mix of centre and street-based youth work.

 

•        Department for Education updated statutory guidance;-

 

•        new focus for councils - to enable services, rather than direct provision.

•        enhanced role for voluntary and community sector.

 

Consultation – the four options

 

1.     Retain the current in-house service but reduce the cost.

2.     Outsource the service.  

3.     Encourage and support staff to form a Public Service Mutual.

4.     Develop a community led approach.

 

The Consultation Process

 

•        Started Friday 31 January – for 10 weeks.

 

•        Widely publicised;

•        Schools, focus groups, young people’s groups, staff, communities, stakeholders.

•        20,000 text messages to young people linking to survey.

•        Voluntary and community services.

•        Channels include website, Sparksite, facebook, twitter, media.

•        Final report for future provision – cabinet on 22 April

 

Laura Mayes explained that the current preferred option of the Cabinet of Wiltshire Council was Option 4 the community led approach which would see “Community Youth Workers” working on behalf of the voluntary sector in the community.

 

Young people representing the Bradford on Avon area spoke of their personal experiences of the Youth Centre and of how the Youth Services have helped them and other vulnerable young people in times of need. Full transcripts of their presentations have been formally submitted to the consultation process.     

 

 

Questions and points raised from the floor included:

 

Q.Are the local youth centres at risk of closure?

A.If the youth service is well used then it would continue to operate.

The youth workers have a vital role to play working with the young  people.

 

Q. Holt Youth Club is set up as a charity and is well run and popular with young people, but were it to lose its youth worker vulnerable local young people would really suffer.

A.The Holt Youth Centre works well and is a model that could be replicated across the county.

 

Alan Fox, Chairman of Broughton Gifford and Holt Youthwork Project asked:

 

Q.Whatare the views of the members of the Area Board on the possible recommendations out for consultation, and what are they proposing to do about any or all of them?

 

A.Wiltshire Council should be looking at extending Youth Work, not cutting it.

 

The Chairman thanked the youth group and Cllr Mayes for attending the meeting.

 

Cllr Jonathan Brown – Bradford on Avon Town Council.

 

To receive a report on the results of community consultation.

 

Cllr Jonathan Brown – Bradford on Avon Town Council gave an update on the results of community consultation.

 

Points made included:

 

Phase 1 topics and recurring themes

 

•        Improve and include the swimming pool in the campus.

•        Provide a gym.

•        Provide more community ICT.

•        Better library facilities / include in campus but don’t move from Town centre.

•        Bigger museum needed.

 

What you told us

 

•        “Faster computers in the Library, keep it in the centre.

•        “Cafe at the Library”.

•        “Longer Library opening hours”.

•        “ An internet cafe and social meeting area would also be of benefit to people”.

•        “A new home for our museum to tell Bradford's history”.

•        “ Improved museum with temporary exhibition space in the campus foyer”.

 

Responses from young people

 

•        Over 289 responses received

•        Key messages:

 

–       Skate park.

–       Gym.

–       Swimming pool.

–       Sports hall/indoor facilities.

–       Athletics track.

–       More spaces for young people.

 

Lucy Murray-Brown, Head of Campus Operational Models, Wiltshire Council reported the next steps:

 

•        Communicate phase 1 consultation results March / April 2014.

•        Develop a working proposal in consultation with services and partners for Area Board consideration Summer 2014.

•        Plan and carry out second phase consultation Autumn 2014.

 

The Chairman thanked Jonathon Brown for his update.

 

Peter Dunford - Community Area Manager

 

To receive a report on feedback arising from the recent JSA event.

 

Peter Dunford – Bradford on Avon Community Area Manager reported back on outcomes arising from the recent “What Matters To You in Bradford on Avon” event at St Laurence School.

 

Children and young people

 

1. Youth centre greater investment and open to all with extended hours. 31%

 

2. Increase sports and Arts participation by eliminating costs and increasing transport availability.21%

 

3. A "one stop shop" for all information about all available activities,(Youth centre, Sport, Clubs). 21%

 

4. St Laurence school ‘Here to Help’ support service - further improve and extend the service. 7%

 

5. Opportunity to engage in discussions about what YP want. 20%

 

 

Community safety

 

1. Maintain Low ASB by targeting persistent offenders better lighting on pathways/alleys, hedge cutting and Youth Service provision for young people. 18%

 

2. Road Safety, speeding on key routes, Moulton Drive, Trowbridge Rd, New Town, A363 Cumberwell, Wingfield. Community Speed Watch. 20pmh Town limit. 29%

 

3. Core Zone, Full understanding needed. Pedestrian crossing and Safety, loss of pavements, increased traffic significant ageing population. 31%

 

4. Vulnerable Persons at home. home fire/security checks, dementia risk, missing persons, Welfare checks, Cocoon Watch. 23%

 

 

 

 

Culture

 

1. Better statistics required as currently portrays a distorted image of low engagement due to narrow definition of culture. 2%

 

2. Need to capture vast range of culture i.e. ad-hoc events/festivals with fuller detail of groups on asset base. 20%

 

 

3. Celebrate local social history, involving locals, helping community integration and less gentrification of arts. 28%

 

4. Building on tourism as biggest employer in area. Strategy/package needed to capture tourists. 36%

 

5. Potential of campus in increasing or best utilising volunteers, communication of local culture. 15%

 

 

Economy

 

1. Do something about parking in the centre to encourage bigger footfall
2. Move wilts council market way from a car park that actually discourages footfall in the town. 18%

 

3. Re brand the town - independent, fair trade, quirky just 6 miles from bath. 10%

 

4. Superfast broadband now to encourage innovators into the town encourage IT crowd. 24%

 

5. Do something about safety aspects of the town to encourage people to visit. 18%

 

6. Events manager - awareness of what we have to offer, trade shows, mini Crufts. 15%

 

 

Environment

 

1. Flooding, including drain maintenance and development control to mitigate flooding i.e. sustainable urban drainage systems. 33%

 

2. Traffic, providing sustainable transport including community buses, delivery/collection services and a footbridge. 39%

 

3. Climate change.  Renewable energy e.g. hydropower at Avoncliff., more support for energy efficiency e.g. with Selwood.14%

 

4. Protecting wildlife, improving our declining SSSI's, facilities for birds on buildings. 2%

 

5. Support sustainable local food production, including working with farmers to reduce flooding. 12%

 

 

Health and wellbeing

 

1. Getting the right care for vulnerable people - both paid and unpaid. 38%

 

2. Poverty: Supporting vulnerable people. 17%

 

3. Improving access to information and advice. 8%

 

4. Improving mental wellbeing: tackling loneliness and social isolation. 36%

 

 

Housing

 

1. Affordable housing need more particularly in Villages, ensuring they stay as affordable homes in the future. 48%

 

2. Developing a quality measure for future proofing houses, larger rooms, accessibility for older and disabled people. 12%

 

3. Homelessness, especially hidden, overcrowding  ...  view the full minutes text for item 10.

Simon Relph - Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust

 

Simon Relph - Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust presented an application for the transfer of land adjoining the Tithe Barn, Bradford on Avon to be transferred to Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust in accordance with Wiltshire Council’s Community Asset Transfer Policy.

 

The Area Board considered the application submitted by Bradford on Avon Preservation Trust.

 

Decision

 

·       That the Bradford on Avon Area Board approves the transfer subject to the matters referred to in paragraph 9 of the report.

 

Wednesday 14 May at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon.

Wednesday 14 May at St Laurence School, Bradford on Avon.