An opportunity to listen to Jane and then take part in a question and answer session.
Minutes:
Councillor Jane Scott, Leader of the Council gave the following updates to the Board:
Wiltshire Council’s Business Plan
The council’s Business Plan had been published online, to view a copy follow the link:
http://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/council/howthecouncilworks/plansstrategiespolicies.htm
Paper copies are also available in libraries across Wiltshire.
Over the next four years the council will focus on 12 key actions to help deliver the three priorities, some of these are:
· Roads - Additional money would be invested during 2014–2017 to reduce the historic backlog in highways maintenance. This would include works on major roads as well as rural and estate roads and pavements.
· To continue to improve safeguarding services to protect the most vulnerable in our communities.
· Community Working – to continue working through the Area Boards to invest in a community working structure, with additional funding for CATG and improved working opportunities with town and parish councils.
· To invest in the economy. The unemployment figure for Wiltshire falls well below the national average; the council aims to work to maintain this position, as it believes that a strong county is one where there is a low level of people on welfare.
· Within the next 10 years there would be a new Science Park at Porton, which would provide 2000 high paid skilled jobs.
· Joining up of public services – In 2014 the police would decant from Wilton Road, some of the divisions would be temporarily relocated in Bourne Hill, Salisbury until the Campus building was completed in 2015.
Questions and comments were then received, these included:
· Ron Champion, Chairman of Laverstock and Ford Parish Council invited the Leader to attend a consultation event where the proposed housing development on the WW1 airfield at Old Sarum would be discussed. Answer: If there is a planning application for the site then it would not be appropriate, however if no application had been submitted then the Leader agreed to attend.
· Bill Dunn, Redlynch Parish Council asked whether under the Boundary Review, the amalgamation of the wards Nomansland and Landford could be brought forward by a year, to 2016? Answer: This was a new responsibility handed down to the council. The recommendations from the Electoral Boundary Review had gone to Full Council, where it was agreed that a small team would be formed to look at each boundary. The team would be in contact with all parishes where changes had been proposed.
· In the past Downton Leisure Centre had received a grant of £50,000 from Wiltshire Council. Has the budget been fixed for 2014 and if so how much funding will it receive this year? If no funding was awarded then the Leisure Centre may have to close. Answer: The budget has not been set yet, the council would contact Downton PC as soon as the information was available.
· Pitton & Farley PC did not have the facilities to store grit and had concerns regarding the possibility that responsibility for gritting the parish would be passed on to them. Answer: Two years ago when some parishes began to form parish plans, some chose to take on the storage and distribution of grit during adverse weather. Although this works for some parishes, it will not suit all. For those parishes who have farmers willing to store the salt, the council will deliver 3 tonnes. In addition snow ploughs are available to farmers willing to assist in clearing routes through the parish.
· The Housing Allocation Policy says that local people would be given priority, what does ‘local’ mean, parish or county level? Answer: Local does not mean county. The paper includes the definition of what local means. The document also contains maps which depict what is considered local for each area.
Action: CAM to circulate the document containing the maps detailing the proposed ward changes to all parish councils for information.
· What is being done to alleviate the traffic problems on the A303? Answer: The council was working with the authorities in Somerset and Devon to form a major infrastructure bid for improvement works. The work would need to start at Countess Roundabout, which is where the first blockage occurs. It was understood that the Minister had been quite positive when presented with the ideas.
· Was there a briefing note available on Neighbourhood Plans which could be circulated to parishes? Answer: There is a paper, however it is not ready for circulation as requires updating. Another alternative would be for a few parishes to get together and invite a Strategic Planning Officer to attend and provide a briefing.
The Chairman thanked Cllr Scott for attending the meeting to provide the update.