Agenda item

Councillors will provide an update on community issues and progress on area board working groups. This will include:

·       Highways working group (CATG)

·       Calne campus working group

·       Sandpit Road (Section 106) working group

·       Air quality working group

·       Dementia Friends working group

Highways Working Group (CATG) – The Chairman highlighted that the full Community Area Transport Group (CATG) report was available in the agenda pack. Particular attention was drawn to the new process recommended to inform the local community of highways works. The Area Board noted that this would allow for more effective communication with the local community and that the process could be adapted in future. 

Ross Henning, Community Safety Partnership, highlighted the fact that there had been incidents of parking in restricted areas, specifically the London Road Inn and enquired whether traffic wardens patrolled in areas beyond the car parks. It was also noted that there were issues with the four-way traffic lights on The Strand and Ross Henning informed the Area Board that he would be submitting the issue(s) on the community issue system.

Calne Campus Working Group – It was explained that there was likely to be a full update at the next Area Board and that any questions about the campus could be directed to Cllr Christine Crisp, Cllr Alan Hill, or Jane Vaughan, Community Engagement Manager. It was noted that the process of integrating the Hub into the Library building was progressing and that the all-weather pitch at Beversbrook Sports Facility was likely to be ready in the spring.

Sandpit Road (Section 106) Working Group – an update was provided on the Woodhill Rise footpath. It was noted that the process of closing the footpath was underway and the working group was exploring the viability of various options. It was highlighted that the Abberd Way traffic calming that was scheduled for 9 November 2015 had been brought forward to 19 October 2015.

It was highlighted that there was potential for the development of cycling schemes in Calne. Wiltshire Council was working with SusTrans on three potential cycling schemes, one of which was in Calne. It was also explained that any work undertaken by SusTrans would be funded by Wiltshire Council.

Air Quality Working Group – The working group was currently investigating locations for silver birch trees. The trees would be planted in three stages. There were also plans to investigate whether any householders would be willing to put one of the silver birch trees in their gardens in a potential future tree planting scheme. It was explained that the Carbon Dioxide monitor had been retained so the working group would be able to undertake data collection to evidence future funding applications.

It was also noted that the working group had spoken to Beversbrook Surgery about the provision of bike racks at the practice and that a similar discussion would be undertaken with Northlands Surgery.

Dementia Friends – It was confirmed that Cllr Christine Crisp would be the Dementia Friends Champion and would be attending the upcoming course. It was also hoped that a Dementia Friends session would be held in every area in Calne by April 2016.

Local Youth Network – Rebecca Green, Chair of the Local Youth Network (LYN) informed that Area Board that an Unfair Funfair focused on young people’s issues would be held before the next Area Board on 8 December 2015 and everyone was welcome. The LYN had also noted that young people in villages were underrepresented and, as a result, the LYN would be touring all the parishes in the area over the coming year.

In addition, the LYN was planning a North Hub training session for all the LYNs in the North to share practice and ideas.

It was also highlighted that the Salad Bowl, which was a Calne in Bloom project funded by the Area Board, had won the South West in Bloom Youth Award. The award was shared with a youth group in Exeter and covered the entire South West region. The Chairman congratulated the group and thanked all of those involved for their very positive work.

Resolved:

1.     To note the Working Group updates.

2.     To adopt the new process recommended by the Highways Working Group (CATG) for consulting local residents on the details of major CATG schemes.  Process is as follows:

(a)  Following feasibility study Highways would provide a list of local residents to be consulted.

(b)  The Town/Parish Council representative for the CATG should take details back to the Town/Parish Council.

(c)  The local unitary member should be informed of the details.

(d)  The Town/Parish Council and the relevant unitary member should be asked to promote the proposed scheme to local residents.

(e)  Plans of the scheme should be made available at the Area Board at which the scheme will be approved.