Agenda and minutes

The Chairman welcomed all those present at the meeting.

Apologies were received from:

Kim Power – Malmesbury Town Council

John Tremayne – Easton Grey Parish Council

Terry Mockler – Hankerton parish Council

John Mathews – Sherston Parish Council

Mike Franklyn – Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Martin Rae – MVCAP

Mark Allen – MVCAP

Dave Wingrove -  Ashton Keynes Parish Council

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14 January 2015.

The Minutes of the previous meeting held on 14 January 2015 were presented.

Approved

To approve the Minutes of the previous meeting as a true and accurate record.

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:

a.      Wiltshire New Housing Allocation Policy.

The Chairman and Area Board Members made the following announcements:

a.    Wiltshire New Housing Allocation Policy

The Area Board was referred to the announcement in the agenda pack and informed they could also access the information online.

b.    Safe Places

Following the January Area Board a group of volunteers agreed to set up ‘safe places’ initially in Malmesbury and then rolling it out across the community area and already business are agreeing to participate. The scheme will provide a safe place for anyone in the community who needs a safe place whilst out in the town or villages. Once training has been completed the scheme will formally launch.

Sue Poole, the town mayor,  and the volunteers were thanked for their hard work and support.

Local businesses who are interested in becoming a safe place were urged to contact Miranda Gilmour at Miranda.gilmour@wiltshire.gov.uk.

c.    Warm & Safe Wiltshire

Warm & Safe Wiltshire was a collaborative effort between Wiltshire Council, Wiltshire Fire & Rescue and partners to help residents live in safer and healthier homes.

The scheme can help improve energy efficiency, advise on benefit entitlement and advise on reducing the risk of falls and fires in the home. More information could be found at the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue website where people can also request a free home fire safety visit.

The Area Board was asked to contact 0300 003 4575 or email WarmandSafe@wiltshire.gov.uk If they knew someone who  could benefit from this service.

Simone Lord from Develop will be in attendance to discuss volunteering opportunities in the community area. There will be a short presentation and the chance to ask questions.

The Chairman welcomed Simone Lord to the Area Board.

A presentation was given on DEVELOP and the volunteer opportunities in the community area. It was noted that DEVELOP was a charity organisation who  provide group support to new and emerging groups, charities and volunteers in all areas of policy development, governance and providing volunteers. They could also assist with training, recruiting volunteers, mentoring, researching and marketing.

The Malmesbury area currently had a low percentage of volunteers compared to other areas and DEVELOP are keen to increase this percentage and create volunteering opportunities. Currently the charity are training a volunteer co-ordinator, who would be based in the local area, who would provide advise on all of the services DEVELOP offer.

A question was asked about tradesmen volunteers and it was noted that the volunteers can come from any background.

The Chairman thanked Simone for her presentation.

Claire Langdon will be in attendance to discuss the Council’s plans to cut its own and residents’ carbon emissions, and how the green agenda can be used to create new jobs and boost Wiltshire’s economy.

The Chairman welcomed Clare Langdon, Manager of Green Economy Team, to the Area Board.

A presentation was given on the Council’s plans to cut it’s own and residents carbon emissions and how the green agenda could be used to create new jobs and boost the economy.

A quiz was given based on Wiltshire’s energy consumption. It was noted that Wiltshire Council had been aiming to reduce it’s carbon emission by tackling energy efficiency, affordable warmth, renewable energy and sustainable transport.

So far in the Malmesbury area the leisure centre has had a number of invest to save projects which have delivered energy efficiency and cost savings on fuel bills. The project installed technology to generate both electrical power and heat for the leisure centre. A combined heat and power unit has reduced the cost of running the leisure centre by using gas to generate electricity for use on site, instead of drawing it from the National Grid. Heat is a side product of this process and is used to warm the building and pool water, therefore reducing the need for additional heating. This installation has saved approximately £47,000 over the past two years of operation.

Lighting upgrades had also taken place across the leisure centre. On average 25 per cent of energy use at sports facilities is consumed by lighting. As well as improving energy efficiency, it is also important for sports lighting to be high quality in terms of light emitted, robustness and durability. The sports hall, swimming pool hall, studio, gym and reception areas have all benefited from new lighting, including the use of LED. The total estimated savings from these improvements, and the use of occupancy sensors is £5,700 a year.

Through the EU funded SEACS (sustainable energy across the common space) programme, an energy ambassador was employed by Wiltshire Council to work with schools for 18 months, from late 2012 to early 2014.

Sherston Primary School was one of nine schools that received in depth support from the SEACS ambassador. As well as identifying practical ways for the school to reduce its energy consumption, pupils took part in workshops to make them more aware of the energy the school uses. This included using a thermal imaging camera to show heat loss from the building.

Luckington Community Primary School also participated in this project. Pupils at the school joined others in Wiltshire to make posters reminding people to switch things off; as part of their campaign of awareness raising and energy reduction. A pupil at the school submitted the winning entry to the poster competition and the school received power saving devices for every PC and laptop as a prize.

Community Activity:

Since 2011 the Malmesbury and the Villages Community Area Partnership (MVCAP) have had a website dedicated to identifying local community issues and addressing them by forming partnerships with local agencies, organisations and community service providers.

One of the actions to come out of this voluntary group is the community led One Planet Action Plan, which  ...  view the full minutes text for item 24.

The Area Board will be updated on activities and events since 2012.

Miranda Gilmour, Community Area Manager, gave a presentation on the Legacy for Wiltshire which highlighted events throughout 2014 and up and coming events in 2015.

2014 was a great success throughout Wiltshire which help build closer links with communities and local businesses. Key event dates for 2015 included:

March 26 – Business and sports dinner to support Olympians and Paralympians.

May to September – The Big Pledge – Communities are encouraged to make a pledge whether it be big or small. The area Board and Communications would be happy to help and promote any events where they can.

May 3 – 10 – Cycling festival

June 13/14 – Community celebration in the Malmesbury Abbey (pending award of funding bid).

June 15 – Magna Carta celebrations  - Schools and local communities were being encouraged to take part in the Magna Carta celebrations by creating a new modern Magna Carta, school competitions, designing and making community baron’s to be displayed or carried in the Wiltshire wide festivals and the Magna Carta parade on 15 June in Salisbury.

September 6 to 12 – Walking festival

It was noted that the event in the Malmesbury Abbey would be very appropriate considering the history.

The Chairman thanked Miranda for the presentation.

Gordon Macpherson, Chairman of Malmesbury Town Team, will be in attendance to deliver a presentation on the Malmesbury Town Centre action plan and answer any questions.

The chairman welcomed Gordon Macpherson, Chairman of the Malmesbury Town Team, who gave a presentation on the work of the Town Team. Extensive research had been carried out which highlighted that Malmesbury was not attracting many visitors to the area, pubs and leisure facilities were less occupied in the evenings, businesses need to promote themselves better and there was a negative mind set. It was noted that the information was a top line overview and that more detailed information was available on request.

New members would always be welcomed to the Town team and it was essential for the community to have an input.

A comment was made on the car parking review and the options available to comment on, with the paper going to Cabinet on the 17 March 2015, comments were being accepted on the review until the end of April.  It was noted that there was an opportunity to transfer Burnham Road car park to the Town Council.

The Chairman thanked Gordon for the presentation.

The Area Board will receive the final report of the Station Yard Car Park Working Group.

The Station Yard car park group was run by MVCAP at the request of the Malmesbury Area Board to look at local concerns about antisocial behaviour, criminality and antisocial driving centred on the Malmesbury Station Yard long stay car park. The Station Yard long stay car park in Malmesbury is a relatively isolated area near the centre of town. There has been a low background level of anti-social behaviour associated with the car park for a long time with occasional “spikes”.

The project began in July 2013 and the final report completed in January 2015. During this period a large amount of evidence as collected by the group.

The Area Board is asked to consider the options recommended by the working group.

The Station Yard Car Park Working Group’s monitoring undertaken last summer had returned a surprisingly low response rate. It was mentioned that the youths could have possibly moved on and it was noted by the Police Inspector that, although he did not have exact figures to hand, disturbance figures were low.

It was noted that disturbances at the Station Yard car park had reduced over the years because of better communication, collaborative working and pub watch, in which the Police were thanked.

A number of options were discussed to deter any disturbances which included:

Bolted down speed bumps

High friction surfaces

CCTV

Shrub cover/ height

Improved lighting

It was noted that speed bumps, high friction surfaces and CCTV were expensive in relation to the level of concern and that lighting had already been improved.

It was agreed to maintain the shrubs.

A question was asked about using the car park at night. It was noted that many people did not use the car park out of fear and because it is a long way away from people’s homes to walk in the dark.

The Chairman thanked the working group for the report and urged local residents to keep watch.  

To receive updates from the following partners:

a.     Wiltshire Police

b.     Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.     Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

d.     Malmesbury and the Villages Community Area Partnership (MVCAP)

e.     Good Neighbours

f.      Malmesbury Campus

g.     Highways Community Co-ordinator

h.     JSA update

i.       Young People

j.       Town and Parish Councils

a.    Wiltshire Police

A written update was provided.

b.    Wiltshire Fire & rescue

A written update was circulated.

c.    Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group

A written update was provided.

d.    Malmesbury and the Villages Community Area Partnership (MVCAP)

MVCAP were disappointed that they would no longer receive funding. A special thanks was given to the Area Board, Cllr John Thompson and Miranda Gilmour for their help and support.

MVCAP would still exist as a charity and will do what they can to continue their work.

The Chairman thanked MVCAP for their work/ help over the years.

e.    Good Neighbours

A verbal update was given highlighting their achievements of raising £800. They had been working with safe places and befriending has been difficult, Age UK has been trying to develop some volunteering opportunities.

f.      Malmesbury Campus

It was noted that a lot of work had been taking place around designing the building.

g.    Highways Community Co-ordinator

A written update was provided.

h.    JSA Update

There was no update.

i.      Young People

It was noted that the LYN had been busy with the following:

·         LYN Management Group training event

·         ‘We Will’ charter created and signed by the members

·         A logo has been developed

·         New Facebook page

·         Online survey - over 800 responses so far and hoping to get close to 1000 before it closes on Friday.

The Area Board was asked to agree the membership of the LYN and the allocated group roles and it was;

Resolved

To agree the group roles and new youth members as per the report.

An urgent youth grant was presented and it was;

Resolved

To award Thrive Counselling £2100.

j.      Town and parish Councils

It was noted that the river bank by Cotswold House had now been cleared. Thanks were given to Matt Perrott and the Area Board and congratulations were given to John Gundry for driving this work forward. 

The Community Area Manager will provide a summary of current community issues and the area board will agree those to be closed.

The following issues have been recommended for closure by the Community Area Manager:

• Issues 3851, 3846 & 3823 - largely concern HGV on Callow Hill Brinkworth.  This matter has been referred directly to be considered for a formal assessment against Wiltshire’s Freight Assessment and Priority Mechanism (FAPM) process.  Data from 2013 may be able to be used; alternatively data will be collected this autumn as Callow Hill will be shortly closed for bridge works.
• Issue 3651 - Bus shelter request at Dauntsey St James – as the petitioner has failed to approach the parish council.  The matter appears to be for an individual rather than the community.
• Issue 3221 - Request for pavement in Charlton – the parish council have decided not to proceed.
• Issue 3226 - Dark Lane/Bristol Street Junction concerns – the matter having been resolved.
• Issues 3453, 3455, 3457 & 3505 - Parking in Burnivale – Some lining has been undertaken and the remainder is scheduled.
• Issue 3574 - No Through Road sign requested for Reeds Farm – matter referred to relevant department.

The following issues have been recommended for referral to the Community Area Transport Group (CATG):

·         Issue 3845 - Speeding on Callow Hill, Brinkworth.

·         Issue 3800 - Road safety concerns Whychurch Hill.

·         Issue 3761 - Pedestrians crossing the road needed on B4696 (Thames Path).

·         Issue 3754 - Perceived speeding Ashton Keynes Road, Minety.

·         Issue 3878 - Road safety on High Road Ashton Keynes.

·         Issue 3879 - Pedestrian safety, Station Road, Minety.

Miranda Gilmour explained changes to the report regarding issues recommended for closure and referral and it was;

Resolved

To close the following issues:

·       Issues 3851, 3846 & 3823 - largely concern HGV on Callow Hill Brinkworth had been referred.

·       Issue 3651 - Bus shelter request at Dauntsey St James – the petitioner failed to approach the parish council.

·       Issue 3221 - Request for pavement in Charlton – the parish council had decided not to proceed.

·       Issue 3226 - Dark Lane/Bristol Street Junction concerns – the matter has been resolved.

·       Issues 3453, 3455, 3457 & 3505 - Parking in Burnivale – Some lining has been undertaken and the remainder is scheduled.

·       Issue 3574 - No Through Road sign requested for Reeds Farm – matter referred to relevant department.

To recommend for referral to the Community Area Transport Group (CATG):

·       Issue 3845 - Speeding on Callow Hill, Brinkworth.

·       Issue 3800 - Road safety concerns Whychurch Hill.

·       Issue 3761 - Pedestrians crossing the road needed on B4696 (Thames Path).

·       Issue 3754 - Perceived speeding Ashton Keynes Road, Minety.

·       Issue 3878 - Road safety on High Road Ashton Keynes.

·       Issue 3879 - Pedestrian safety, Station Road, Minety.

The Area Board will be asked to approve the recommendations of the Malmesbury Community Area Transport Group as detailed within the CATG report.

A correction was provided in respect to the financial summary.  The balance should have read: £24,239.86.

Parish councils were reminded that they were responsible for contributing 25% towards CATG actions. It was noted that the Area Board at its next meeting would consider the top limit contribution costs for the Parish Councils.

The Chairman was congratulated on his quick response and actions on the B4042.

Resolved

To note and approve the actions and recommendations of the 10 February 2015 Malmesbury CATG meeting.

To approve the CATG budget balance.

Councillors will be asked to consider the Community Area Grants report and make recommendations on the applications received. The following applications have been received from:

1.     Athelstan Museum are seeking £4,000 capital funding towards phase 1 (development phase) of a project that will see the purchase, restoration and refit of 18th century listed former Moravian Church.  

2.     Malmesbury Tennis Club are seeking £12,000 capital funding towards the cost of  building two additional floodlit hard courts and a floodlit mini tennis court with practice wall.

3.     St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council and partners are seeking £5,000 capital funding towards the construction of a new walking link between the Cowbridge residential development and Malmesbury town. 

4.     Oaksey Parish Council is seeking £500 capital funding towards an auto-winder installation for the church tower clock in All Saints Church, Oaksey.

5.     Crudwell Village Hall Committee is seeking £5,000 capital funding towards tarmacing part of their car park and marking out parking bays. 

6.     Wilts & Berks Canal Trust is seeking £2,900 capital funding towards the provision of a disabled toilet for the community meeting room in the Peterborough Arms pub, Dauntsey Lock.

7.     To allocate the balance of the area board revenue budget of £1,951.20, to the Malmesbury and Villages Community Area Partnership (MVCAP), for 2015 legacy projects.

The Community Area Manager outlined the funding report and noted that the only capital funding would be available in the next financial year and it was;

Resolved

1.     To award the Athelstan museum £4000 capital funding towards their phase 1 development to restore the former Moravian Church, condition to receipt of Heritage Lottery funding.

2.     To award the Malmesbury tennis Club £5000 capital funding towards the cost of two courts and a mini tennis court.

3.     To award St Paul Malmesbury Without Parish Council £5000 capital funding towards the construction of a new walking link.

4.     To award Oaksey Parish Council £500 capital funding towards an auto-wider.

5.     To award Crudwell Village Hall Committee £2894.91 capital funding towards the tarmacking of their car park.

6.     To award Wilts & Berks Canal Trust £1750 capital funding towards the provision of a disabled toilet, subject to the Parish Council supporting.

7.     To approve the allocation of funds of £1951.20 to the Malmesbury and Villages Community Area Partnership for 2015 legacy projects.

The Chairman thanked all those present for their attendance.

The next meeting would take place on:

Wednesday, 6 May 2015, 7.00 pm at the Crudwell Village Hall, Tetbury Lane, Crudwell SN169HB.