Agenda and minutes

The Chairman will welcome those present to the meeting.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Malmesbury Area Board.

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were provided from Cllr Chuck Berry, who attended the meeting in a hybrid capacity, Louisa Young (Area Board Delivery Officer) and Station Manager Dean Hoskins (Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service).

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2022.

The minutes of the meeting held on 29 November 2022 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 29 November 2022.

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

There were no declarations of disclosable interest.

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·       King Charles III Coronation - Community Celebrations

·       Wiltshire Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Partnership Family Help Project Background Briefing

The Chairman and Members of the Area Board made the following announcements, which were contained in the agenda pack.

·       King Charles III Coronation – Community Celebrations

The Chairman drew attention to the agenda pack which included a briefing note which aimed to ensure that communities wishing to celebrate the King’s Coronation were signposted to the council’s web page where they would find the appropriate tools, support, and guidance to apply to hold a community party. Further details could be found within the agenda pack.

·       Wiltshire Families and Children’s Transformation (FACT) Partnership Family Help Project Background Briefing

The Chairman drew attention to the agenda pack which included a briefing note that explained that Wiltshire’s multi-agency FACT partnership had identified how partners work together as a system to provide early intervention and prevention (Family Help) as a priority transformation activity for the next two years. These new Family Help arrangements would ensure that children, young people, and families would be able to access the right help at the right time through a co-ordinated approach to prevention and early intervention. Further information was included within the pack regarding what the project would aim to deliver across Wiltshire as well as a pilot that was set to take place in Warminster and Westbury.

Helean Hughes (Director of Education and Skills) outlined the role of the FACT Partnership, with it explained that the pilot would run for 2 years in Warminster and Westbury, with the schools at the heart of the project to ensure that families receive the support they need. Currently the project is 6 months in with an evaluation set to take place in the future with the potential for upscaling the size of the project if successful.

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

·       Positive activities for young people – Cllr Gavin Grant

·       Green Issues – Cllr Martin Smith

·       Reducing loneliness and social isolation – Cllr Chuck Berry

·       Highway Safety – Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall

·       Community resilience – Cllr Gavin Grant

The Area Board received the following updates from the respective Councillors regarding the following local Area Board priorities:

Positive activities for young people – Cllr Gavin Grant

·       Work is being conducted to get Malmesbury Local Youth Network meetings up and running again.

·       The Area Board has a partnership with the RISE Trust, which has provided professional youth outreach and drop in work (co-funded with Malmesbury Town Council). This is looking to be sustained and developed.

·       The Youth Survey from Wiltshire Council has now been undertaken by Malmesbury School, with important issues and matters identified. Councillor Grant and the Kim Power, the Mayor of Malmesbury have met with the Headteacher to discuss the issues raised and how they could be responded to.

·       Work has been completed by the Stay Safe Initiative, with bullying identified as an issue within the survey feedback. This work has also expanded to primary schools.

·       There has been a growth of youth drama workshops provided by The Last Baguette Theatre Company.

Green Issues – Cllr Martin Smith

·       A networking event on Climate Action is being planned for later in 2023, with the purpose of assembling related groups to share ideas.

·       Public EV charging points projects in Malmesbury and Sherston are progressing using Joju Solar (Wiltshire Council Partners). Such projects have been reliant upon multiple grant funding with the charging point in Sherston set to be on the High Street and the Malmesbury project at survey stage. There is also the potential for an installation at Cowbridge Mill.

·       Regarding the Adopt a Street project, there has been no reported progress on this from Malmesbury Town Council but this will be investigated.

·       A signed cycle route between Malmesbury and Sherston is set to be completed in March through the LHFIG, with other cycle routes looking to be identified to increase connectivity between Malmesbury and surrounding villages.

·       The roll out of the Solar Together Wiltshire scheme is progressing.

·       On 28^th April 2023 in the Malmesbury Town Hall Assembly Rooms at 7.30pm a talk is set to take place by Rob Hopkins, one of the founders of the Transition Towns Movement about sustainable towns and communities.

Reducing loneliness and social isolation – Cllr Chuck Berry

·       It was acknowledged that everyone is currently going through a period of crisis together, with parishes identifying those who are suffering through isolation.

·       The Health and Wellbeing Forum is set to meet on Wednesday.

·       Bringing people together will improve the position of isolation.

Highway Safety – Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall

·       Work is being done with the Malmesbury LHFIG to plan and implement small highways projects to improve local roads with several schemes currently being finalised.

·       Lobbying has taken place to the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for more support on speeding enforcement and the use of data from speed monitoring devices.

·       Lobbying has taken place for the Police to support a Lorry Watch Scheme.

·       Local schools have been encouraged to apply for a 20mph speed limit outside of their gates during collection and drop  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To receive an update from Wiltshire Police on local issues.

The Area Board received an update from Inspector Louis McCoy on behalf of Wiltshire Police. The update covered the following matters:

·       Inspector McCoy provided an overview of the recent team changes as well as the responsibilities that he had been given since joining the team in January 2023.

·       It was noted that the Response and Neighbourhood Teams had now been realigned to be under one structure, which would lead to a joined-up partnership approach to resolving problems. An example of the success of this work was cited as a local harm causer who had been charged with a violent offence in the past 5 days.

·       Fortnightly tasking meetings take place in Wiltshire Police with a view to identifying longer term problems, repeat themes, offenders, victims, and feedback from the community.

·       Inspector McCoy invited PC Charles Joseph, a student officer to speak about his journey and progression since joining the Police in December 2021.

·       Reference was drawn to the report attached to the agenda, which outlined the following areas as local priorities:

a)    Repeat Offenders

b)    Anti-Social Behaviour

c)     Community Engagement

·       An overview of Project Zero was provided, which involved the Roads Policing Unit and partners attending locations of public concern regarding anti-social driving and speed complaints and target through various intelligence means drink and drug drivers. This led to 1 arrest for drug driving, 14 fixed penalty tickets, 12 traffic offence reports and 3 vehicles seized for disqualified driving or no insurance offences.

·       The report also included snapshots of the work of PCSO Becky Walsh and PC Jo Phelps to demonstrate Police activity Malmesbury as well as community investigations.

·       Attention was drawn to private space violence, with it noted that in January 2023 over 50% of the violence that occurred in Malmesbury was Private Space violence and Domestic Abuse. It was stressed that the Police can’t deal with such statistics alone and therefore need to work with Councillors and local charities to help spot the signs of such abuse and help those in need to seek support.

Following the update there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       It was questioned what the underlying cause of the Private Space violence and Domestic Abuse might be and whether this was linked to covid or the Cost-of-Living crisis. It was stated by Inspector McCoy that there was no statistics or figures however poverty and cashflow had always been a factor in the causation of arguments and domestic incidents.

·       Positive feedback was provided regarding PCSO Beck Walsh who had followed up successfully on an illegal car rally having had it mentioned to her on the same day.

·       It was questioned what the Area Board could do to support the Police as it seemed as though they were under-resourced from a vehicular perspective. To which it was clarified that the Police have touchdown points at the Local Council Hub and that though bikes are used in the Malmesbury area, this can sometimes become difficult with distance. Inspector McCoy confirmed  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive updates from the following partners:

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Community First

·       Health and Wellbeing Update:

o   Malmesbury Area Health and Wellbeing Forum

o   Health & Wellbeing Champion

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Dorothy House Hospice Care

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda pack. The Area Board received a further verbal update from Chris Harvey (Watch Manager) and Jamie Johnstone (Crew Manager) of the Malmesbury Station on behalf of Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service. The update covered the following matters:

·       It was noted that recently in the local area the Fire Service had been quiet except for an incident in Lea.

·       Recruitment has been successful with 12 people now at the Malmesbury Station and another 3 people joining in order to take the Station up to full compliment.

·       The Fire Service has inspected the Charlton Park Bio-fuels site, with the site being low risk, having an open water source and set to have a concrete pad to facilitate fire truck usage.

·       The local battery storage plant is still under review.

·       A positive news story was shared regarding how firefighters in Malmesbury resuscitated and saved the life of a gentleman who had had a cardiac arrest.

Following the update there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       The Fire Service were thanked for keeping an eye on local issues.

·       It was clarified that though the local battery storage plant was the largest installation in Europe, it was possible to get a fire truck into the premises.

·       Regarding dealing with fires in electric vehicles, it was clarified that the Fire Service gets regular updates to their system which allows vehicle registration numbers to be entered for specific guidance.

·       It was stated that Parishes from rural areas are working together to provide a network of people who would be happy to assist clearing fields or placing firebreaks to reduce public risk.

·        BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Community First

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Malmesbury Area Health and Wellbeing Forum

Kim Power, Chair of the Malmesbury Area Health and Wellbeing Forum, provided an update to the Area Board, which covered the following points:

·       Reference was drawn to the Cost-of-Living Support leaflet, which would be attached to the minutes for reference and included 12 organisations who had worked in partnership. The leaflet covered all ages with there hope that the partnership work would continue.

·       The Health and Wellbeing Forum is currently looking at a lot of initiatives with a wide and diverse membership. Additionally, Age UK Wiltshire have expressed a desire to join the Forum.

·       Over 26 events have taken place in partnership with Celebrating Age Wiltshire, most notably a play in the Cloister Gardens, which was performed to an audience of over 160 people.

·       Reference was drawn to the potential price rise of energy bills in April.

·       Health & Wellbeing Champion

Julie Dart, Health & Wellbeing Champion provided an update to the Area Board, which covered the following points:

·       The  ...  view the full minutes text for item 8.

To receive a presentation on the proposal of Emergency Contact Hubs and their purpose.

The Area Board received a presentation from Camella Town (National Power Outage Project Officer) and Chris Manuel (Community Resilience Lead Officer) for a presentation on Proposal of Emergency Contact Hubs and their purpose. The update covered the following points:

·       It was outlined that emergency contact hubs were a concept that originated from New Zealand, with it envisaged that every parish and village would have an identified building where they could go to for refuge and information in a national power outage or emergency.

·       The communications structure of emergency contact hubs was outlined, with initial information being received by the Devizes Police Headquarters, which in turn be able to feed information back to central government.

·       It was noted that community hubs would be ran and owned by the community, building on community knowledge and experience already in place.

·       An example of the role that an emergency contact hub would play during a national power outage was provided.

·       The benefits of having an emergency hub were outlined, including but not limited to, that it would allow communities to be part of a national community resilience network; being able to build on current community resilience structures in place and enabling support for vulnerable people.

·       The next steps of the proposal were outlined, with those interested encouraged to speak with their communities and to get in touch with wiltshireandswindonprepared@wiltshire.gov.uk. Additionally, the team would visit the proposed hub to discuss the hub itself as well as community resilience and training.

To receive a presentation from Scottish & Southern Electricity about registration for their priority service.

The Area Board received a presentation from Melanie Grace on Scottish & Southern Electricity’s Priority Service. The presentation covered the following matters:

·       Scottish & Southern Electricity run a priority service register for people who might need extra support during a power cut.

·       The criteria for being eligible for the register was that you must be over 60 years of age, or have children under the age of 5, or be a person who is reliant on electricity for medical news.

·       The register is a free service and allows such individuals to be flagged up in the event of the power cut, therefore allowing SSE to provide support. Examples included sending text updates or even providing mobile phone power banks.

·       Those on the register are also provided with support on how they can improve their own resilience.

·       SSE also runs a yearly Resilient Communities Fund, which can be applied for by anyone who is looking to provide actions towards community resilience.

·       Further information could be found via the following website: https://www.ssen.co.uk/

To have a discussion about food provision and information regarding benefits and grants available to families.

The Chairman noted that a briefing note was included in the agenda pack from Wiltshire Council, which outlined the support that is available to people, including bus fare reductions, cost of living payments and winter fuel payment. It was also noted that a Cost-of-Living Support leaflet, produced by Malmesbury Town Council, Wiltshire Council and other local organisations, would be attached to the minutes.

The Area Board will be asked to consider the recommendations from the 24 January 2023 Malmesbury Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting outlined in the report.

Cllr Elizabeth Threlfall introduced the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 24 January 2023. Cllr Threlfall encouraged those in attendance to raise issues through the My Wilts App to get them resolved as well as outlining successful work which had taken place through the LHFIG.

After which, it was;

Resolved:

The minutes and recommendations of the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group meeting held on 24 January 2023 were agreed as a correct record and were signed off.

To consider the following applications for funding:

Community Area Grants:

·       Sailability at Whitefriars aka SatW - £5,000 requested towards Sailability at Whitefriars Quayside Project Phase 2 of a planned upgrade to the pontoon and jetty

·       RENEW Malmesbury CIC - £1,680 requested towards Improvements to community offer at Renew Malmesbury

·       Malmesbury Cricket Club - £200 requested towards Refurbishment of Ladies Toilets at Malmesbury Cricket Club

Older and Vulnerable Adults Funding:

·       Sherston Community Choir - £260 requested towards Sherston CommunityChoir MusicFund

Youth Grants:

·       The Stay Safe Initiative CIC - £725 towards The 2023Digital EmpowermentProgramme

·       The Last Baguette theatre company CIC - £1,500 towards Arts workshops for young people in Malmesbury in 2023

The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

Community Area Grants:

Sailability at Whitefriars aka SatW - £5,000 requested towards Sailability at Whitefriars Quayside Project Phase 2 of a planned upgrade to the pontoon and jetty.

Resolved:

Sailability at Whitefriars aka SatW was awarded £2,500 towards Sailability at Whitefriars Quayside Project Phase 2 of a planned upgrade to the pontoon and jetty.

RENEW Malmesbury CIC - £1,680 requested towardsImprovements to community offer at Renew Malmesbury.

Resolved:

RENEW Malmesbury CIC was awarded £1,680 towards Improvements to community offer at Renew Malmesbury.

Malmesbury Cricket Club - £200 requested towards Refurbishment of Ladies Toilets at Malmesbury Cricket Club.

Resolved:

Malmesbury Cricket Club was awarded £200 towards Refurbishment of Ladies Toilets at Malmesbury Cricket Club.

Older and Vulnerable Adults Funding:

Sherston Community Choir - £260 requested towardsSherston Community Choir Music Fund.

Resolved:

Sherston Community Choir was awarded £260 towards Sherston Community Choir Music Fund.

Youth Grants:

The Stay Safe Initiative CIC - £725 towards The 2023 Digital Empowerment Programme.

Resolved:

The Stay Safe Initiative CIC was awarded £725 towards The 2023 Digital Empowerment Programme.

The Last Baguette theatre company CIC - £1,500 towardsArts workshops for young people in Malmesbury in 2023.

Resolved:

Councillor Gavin Grant declared that he was Chair of Trustees for HEALS of Malmesbury, an organisation in which the project would be provided in conjunction with. The funding application was therefore deferred as Councillor Grant was required to not take part in a vote due to his interest and Councillor Chuck Berry was unable to vote due to joining in a hybrid capacity; therefore, leaving Area Board without the minimum required number of voting Members (three) as per the Wiltshire Council Rules of Procedure 12.1.

Previous Grant Uplifts

The Chairman noted that as per the report attached to the agenda, there were three previously awarded grants which could potentially have their funding amounts further uplifted. The Area Board then considered the following funding uplifts:

Sherston Apple Day juicing equipment grant - £349 uplift.

Resolved:

The Sherston Apple Day juicing equipment grant was awarded a £349 grant uplift.

Cross Hayes Preschool Outdoor Shelter - £500 uplift.

Resolved:

The Cross Hayes Preschool Outdoor Shelter grant was awarded a £500 grant uplift.

RISE Trust - Malmesbury safe space and outreach project - £100 uplift.

Resolved:

The RISE Trust grant was awarded a £100 grant uplift.

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

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting of the Malmesbury Area Board will be held on 6 June 2023.

The date of the next meeting is 6 June 2023.