Agenda and minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence from Members were received from:

• Councillor Ernie Clark

Further apologies were noted from:

• Councillor Marc Bayley, Hilperton Parish Council

To approve and sign as a true and correct record the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 June 2024.

The minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 June 2024 were considered. Following which, it was:

Resolved:

The Area Board approved and signed the minutes of the previous meeting held on 20 June 2024 as a true and correct record.

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

In relation to Agenda Item 6, Area Board Funding, the following interests were declared:

• Councillor Jo Trigg declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of the grant related to Trowbridge Future, for which she is Chair of Trustees.

• Councillor Stewart Palmen declared an Other Registrable Interest in respect of the grants related to Trowbridge Future, for which he is a Trustee; Wiltshire Rural Music, for which he is a representative of Wiltshire Council; and Wiltshire Wildlife Trust.

The Board is asked to note the following information items:

·       Community First Update

·       Cost of Living Update

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire Annual Report 2023-24

·       Update on the Families and Children's Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project

·       Update on FACT Transitional Safeguarding Project

·       Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Neighbourhood Collaborative Update

Updates were provided through the Chair as detailed in the agenda papers.

The following updates were provided through the Chair as per the agenda pack:

• Community First Update
• Cost of Living Update
• Healthwatch Wiltshire Annual Report 2023-24
• Update on the Families and Children's Transformation (FACT) Family Help Project
• Update on FACT Transitional Safeguarding Project
• Overview of Wiltshire Youth Council
• Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)
• Neighbourhood Collaborative Update

To receive a verbal update on the progress of the Trowbridge Leisure Centre Development Project.

Councillor Ian Blair-Pilling, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Communities, Leisure, and Libraries, presented a verbal update on the progress of the Trowbridge Leisure Centre Development Project.

The 5 strategic aims were detailed, namely: financial sustainability, environmental sustainability, and contributions to public health, communities, and the local economy. It was noted that the project was very complex and that the Council wanted to produce a facility that was the best that could be delivered in line with the Sport England Strategic Planning Model. In terms of planning procedure, it was confirmed that the pre-application phase of the project was completed, with the full application being submitted on 6 September 2024, and the consultation ending on 11 October 2024. Subject to planning permission, officers were intending to begin construction in 2025.

A series of slides that displayed indicative images of the finished proposal were then shown, including layouts for both the ground and upper floors. It was explained that the location had been chosen as a result of many factors, such as accessibility for residents, and being existing Council owned land which helped to remove barriers and keep costs down.

As a result of multiple consultations, it was confirmed that there would be a number of facilities across both floors, including a swimming pool and training pool, provision for more senior residents, an adventure play area for children and young people, group spin areas, studio spaces, and over 100 fitness stations. It was further explained that the project’s Design Review Panel consisted of many experts within the field, such as ecologists and architects, and that the site developers were working closely with this Panel to ensure that the design was as best as it could be. Further to this, it was explained that officers had taken a fabric-first approach, meaning that the site and its construction would have protected green spaces, be efficient, all electric, and that the nearby river would be tidied and enhanced, with an aim of being one of the most carbon-efficient leisure centres in the country.

During the discussion, points included:

• Officers confirmed that multiple financial contingency plans and projections had been undertaken and would be reviewed on an ongoing basis as the project progressed.
• Members welcomed the location and sustainability focus but queried the accessibility for residents with regard to pricing structures. In response, officers explained that trials were being undertaken in other leisure centres across the County and that they were also focussing on ensuring that price was not a barrier, accessing hard to reach communities, and creating enthusiasm with the local area.
• With regard to youth provision, it was explained that experts in the area had been consulted upon and that the space would have the ability to be remodelled in the future, allowing for further transformations dependent on local need/trends.
• As the Council’s old East Wing site was currently utilised as car parking spaces for Council staff, Members queried the impact on staff with regard to alternative parking provision and any necessary permits. It  ...  view the full minutes text for item 42.

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

Remaining Budgets:

Community Area Grants:

Older & Vulnerable Adults Grants:

Young People Grants:

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

Area Board Initiative:

• Trowbridge Area Board – £350 to Mental Health First Aid Training for Leader of ‘Man Down’; A Men’s Mental Health Support Group 

Members were informed that since the publication of the agenda, officers had awarded a delegated authority grant from the Older and Vulnerable People budget. As such, it was highlighted that if all the Older and Vulnerable People grants submitted were awarded, the remaining budget would stand at -£599.30. The updated grant report is attached to these minutes.

Resolved:

The Area Board noted the awarded grant of £350 to Mental Health First Aid Training for Leader of ‘Man Down’.

Community Area Grants:

• Wiltshire Wildlife Trust - £5,000 towards River Biss River Corridor Improvements

During the discussion, Members noted that the project was also being funded through the Future High Street Fund and sought clarification as to the additional enhancements and structures that were not included within the original funding bid. The significance of the amount requested in the context of the Area Board’s funding pot and the total estimate of the project was highlighted and Members felt that additional information was needed before making a decision.

Following which, on the motion of Councillor David Vigar, seconded by Councillor Antonio Piazza, it was:

Resolved:

The Area Board resolved to defer the Wiltshire Wildlife Trust grant for River Biss River Corridor Improvements until such time as further information was submitted.

• Creative Minds Arts and Crafts CIC - £2,500 towards SEND and Dementia Therapeutic Art Outreach Project

During the discussion, it was clarified that it was intended to be a long-term project, with aims of branching out to other community areas in the future.

On the motion of Councillor Mel Jacob, seconded by Councillor Stewart Palmen, it was:

Resolved:

The Area Board awarded £2,500 to Creative Minds Arts and Crafts CIC for SEND and Dementia Therapeutic Art Outreach Project.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

• Saxon Group Riding for the Disabled Association - £378 towards New Surface Topper

On the motion of Councillor Stewart Palmen, seconded by Councillor Edward Kirk, it was:

Resolved:

The Area Board awarded £378 to Saxon Group Riding for the Disabled Association for New Surface Topper.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

• Friends of Southwick Country Park - £484.86 towards Friends of Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve Maintenance Equipment.

On the motion of Councillor Edward Kirk, seconded by Councillor Mel Jacob, it was:

Resolved:

The Area Board awarded £484.86 to Friends of Southwick Country Park for Friends of Southwick Country Park Nature Reserve Maintenance Equipment.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria.

Older and Vulnerable People Grants:

• Carer Support Wiltshire - £1,256 towards Care and Share Mental Health Peer Support Café for Unpaid Carers

During the discussion, it was noted that the Older and Vulnerable People grant budget would be overspent if all submitted grants were approved. Therefore, on the motion of Councillor Jo  ...  view the full minutes text for item 43.

To receive an update from Wiltshire Police Chief Constable, Catherine Roper.

Wiltshire Police Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, presented a verbal update to the Area Board. Members were informed that her update would cover the strategic position of Wiltshire Police and that colleagues in attendance would cover local issues under Minute Item 46, Partner Updates.

• It was explained that in June 2022, Wiltshire Police had been placed into a level of enhanced monitoring known as ‘ENGAGE’ by His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS), following a PEEL (Police Efficiency, Effectiveness, and Legitimacy) inspection.
• The Chief Constable had joined the force in March 2023, and had set about looking how to swiftly address the concerns raised and make improvements and was pleased to report that the force had been returned to the default level of monitoring in May 2024, following their most recent PEEL inspection. The results of the latest inspection were published in August 2024 and detailed the significant improvements that had been made since 2022, including a clearer performance framework that was aligned with the PEEL grading system and metrics. A copy of the press release and report can be found through this link.
• In response to a query with regard to staff retention, it was confirmed that retention and recruitment had improved and included transferees from other forces alongside new recruits, leading to a full compliment of staff at present and all new recruitment being pause.  
• The Chief Constables aim of being graded ‘Outstanding’ within the PEEL Programme was noted, and it was explained that the next PEEL assessment period was due in 2026. However, in the meantime, the importance of embedding good practice was emphasised and the Chief Constable reiterated her commitment to achieve this standard for the long-term.
• Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) were raised, and Members queried if their working hours could be amended to include later shift patterns. It was confirmed that all options were being considered in terms of coverage from Neighbourhood Policing Teams for night-time economy periods.

As aforementioned, further updates can be found under Minute Item 46, Partner Updates.

To receive a presentation on the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership.

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Perry Payne from the Wiltshire and Swindon Road Safety Partnership, was not in attendance at the meeting.

Please find the slides due to be presented appended to these minutes. 

To note the following written reports and online updates attached to the agenda:

a)    Wiltshire Police

b)    Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service:

o   Dorset & Wiltshire Fire Service | News & Incidents (dwfire.org.uk)

o   Service Update June 2024 (youtube.com)

c)    Child Friendly Trowbridge

d)    Trowbridge Future

e)    Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives are encouraged to attend the meeting and provide an update on issues and successes arising in their respective areas.

The Area Board received updates from the following partners:

Wiltshire Police

A verbal update was provided by Inspector Andy Lemon alongside the written information attached to these minutes. The following was discussed:

• The Trowbridge Crime Data year-on-year from 2023-2024 was outlined as per the report, alongside a breakdown on statistics relating to anti-social behaviour and associated types of crime.
• It was noted that Wiltshire Police were working closely with retailers in response to shoplifting and theft and were moving forward with various Community Orders.
• The outcome statistics of Trowbridge in relation to the force as a whole was then presented, with the Chief Constable commending the hard work of the team and highlighting the impact of targeting specific areas with particular problems.
• In response to a question regarding the slight increase in violent crime, it was clarified that this could be as a result of increased reporting, arrests, and prosecution. Furthermore, the force was actively encouraging reporting of incidents both inside and outside the home, and had participated in the first Pub Watch meeting which worked towards supporting a safer environment during the night-time economy.
• It was highlighted that there was a wider body of working focussing on prevention and building relationships by working with different partnerships with regard to persistent perpetrators and issues such as shoplifting and substance misuse.
• Other topics discussed included the launch of the Wiltshire Girl Guide Police Badge and Wiltshire Scout Police Challenge Badge, Neighbourhood Watch meetings, and the importance of bringing partners together to discuss how to improve conditions of the multi-storey car park.

Child Friendly Trowbridge

Councillor Trigg provided a brief verbal update in which Members were informed that the organisation was starting to meet with School Councils, positive progress was happening with the Town Hall renovations, and that there were ongoing discussions as to improving provision for young people within the town.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting.

Please note: further information will follow as an Agenda Supplement.

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

The Chairman, Councillor Jo Trigg, alongside Councillor David Vigar, introduced the minutes and recommendations from the previous meeting of the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) held on 19 September 2024.

After which, it was:

Resolved:

The Area Board approved the notes and recommendations of the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group meeting held on 19 September 2024.

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

There were no urgent items.

Future Meeting Dates:

·       5 December 2024

·       20 February 2025

·       20 May 2025

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact the Area Board Delivery Officer:

Caroline.Lequesne@wiltshire.gov.uk  

The date of the next meeting was confirmed as Thursday 5 December 2024.