Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair, Cllr Martin Smith, welcomed everyone to the meeting.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2024 were presented for consideration and it was:

Resolved

To approve and sign as a true and correct record of the minutes of the meeting held on 11 June 2024

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee.

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will provide information about:

·       Sherston GP

·       NPPF Consultation

·       Gypsy and Travellers Consultation Overview - Wiltshire Council

·       Lea and Garsdon Church of England Primary School – OFSTED Inspection

The Chairman provided information about:

• Sherston GP
• NPPF Consultation
• Gypsy and Travellers Consultation Overview - Wiltshire Council
• Lea and Garsdon Church of England Primary School – OFSTED Inspection

For the Board to note the following items included in the agenda pack:

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire Annual Report 23/24

·       Community First

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       FACT Transitional Safeguarding Project

·       FACT Family Help Project

·       Wiltshire Youth Council

·       Cost of Living Update

The Board noted the following items included in the agenda

pack:

• Healthwatch Wiltshire Annual Report 23/24
• Community First
• BSW Together (Integrated Care System)
• FACT Transitional Safeguarding Project
• FACT Family Help Project
• Wiltshire Youth Council
• Cost of Living Update

To receive updates from partners including:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership

c.     Town and Parish Councils

Updates were received from the following partners:

• Wiltshire Police

It was clarified that the reason for a hotspot of crime in Great Somerford was due to a concentration of theft of catalyst converters in the area.

It was clarified that there was no longer a specific PCSO for each parish, with there now being a specific PCSO for the entire Malmesbury area.

To receive updates from Lead Councillors for the local Area Board priorities.

Councillors updated attendees on their respective priorities:

Youth engagement, improving opportunities, and SEND provisions and outcomes. – Cllr Gavin Grant

Addressing climate change, improving active travel and reversing biodiversity loss. – Cllr Martin Smith

Supporting positive mental health and wellbeing and reducing social isolation. – Cllr Chuck Berry

Improving highway safety. – Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall

Community Resilience. – Cllr Gavin Grant & Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall

Full information can be found in the PowerPoint attached to the minutes

To receive information from Councillors and the Strategic Engagement Partnerships Manager on how the Board aims to work towards its priorities.

The Board and attendees received information from Andrew Jack, Strategic Engagement Partnerships Manager, on how the Board aims to work towards its priorities, including a PowerPoint presentation that was attached to the agenda.

Resolved

To note and agree to the priority workplan for 2024/25

To consider any grant applications made to the Board.

Community Area Grants

Charlton Recreational Centre requested £2500 towards Charlton Village Hall energy improvements.

Proposed by Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall and seconded by Cllr Chuck Berry it was:

Resolved

To award Charlton Recreational Centre £2500 for energy improvements to the Charlton Village Hall.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Charlton Recreational Centre requested £2500 towards Charlton Village Hall fitness equipment.

Proposed by Cllr Martin Smith and seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant it was:

Resolved

To award Charlton Recreational Centre £2500 for fitness equipment for the Charlton Village Hall.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Malmesbury Victoria Football Club requested £2500 towards ground grading improvements.

Proposed by Cllr Gavin Grant and seconded by Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall it was:

Resolved

To award Malmesbury Victoria Football Club £2500 for ground grading improvements.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Corston Quarry and Pond Local Nature Reserve Voluntary Management Group requested £500 towards a mower for Corston Quarry and Pond Local Nature Reserve

Proposed by Cllr Martin Smith and seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant it was:

Resolved

To award Corston Quarry and Pond Local Nature Reserve Voluntary Management Group £500 for a mower.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2024/25.

Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants

Wiltshire Music Centre requested £1500 towards Celebrating Age Wiltshire events.

Proposed by Cllr Gavin Grant and seconded by Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall it was:

Resolved

To award Wiltshire Music Centre £1500 for Celebrating Age Wiltshire events.

Reason – The application met the Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants Criteria 2024/25.

To consider and approve recommendations made at the recent meeting of the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group held on 2 July 2024.

The Board considered the notes and recommendations from the recent meeting of the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group (LHFIG) which took place on 2 July 2024.

Proposed by Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall and seconded by Cllr Gavin Grant it was:

Resolved

To approve the recommendations from the meeting of the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group on 2 July 2024

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

Ashton Keynes Quarry Planning Application

The Board’s Councillors expressed their sympathy with the residents of Ashton Keynes and expressed their concerns over the application. Councillors wished to hear residents’ views on the subject, and invited any questions that could be communicated to the relevant personnel. 

Public Questions & Comments

Ashton Keynes Parish Council repeated their “widely known” stance of being against the application, however wished to “not repeat themselves” and let members of the public express their views.

Questions asked and concerns raised by the public included:

• How welfare concerns relating to noise and dust would be addressed and mitigated

• Whether the procedure had been correctly followed by Wiltshire Council, and whether this could be reviewed

• Concern was raised over the nearby lake potentially needing to be “pumped” and how the applicants would protect the lake and its wildlife

• How increased traffic flow, including the use of village roads by heavy vehicles, would be addressed

• Whether climate change concerns had been considered and mitigated for

• What plans had been put in place for after the potentially extraction was over including the replacement of the disturbed terrain

• Concern was raised over flooding issues and the potential for such a development to make the situation worse

The Board thanked attendees for their questions and comments and suggested that they could write to the planning inspectorate to further their objections.

Resolved

That the Area Board communicate with the Director of Planning and the Cabinet Member for Planning to express the concerns and questions of the public.

That the Area Board communicate with the Director of Planning and the Cabinet Member for Planning to request information as to why and how the initial reasons for officer rejection and conditions have now been resolved/met.

To request that Wiltshire Council review its planning process on Officer and Delegated Decisions.

The next meeting of the Malmesbury Area Board will be held on 26 November 2024.

The next meeting of the Malmesbury Area Board will be held on 26 November 2024.