Agenda and minutes

Localities Members to advise any ‘declaration of interests’ on any matter to be considered.

Councillor Martin asked Locality Members if they had any ‘declaration of interests’ in relation to the next item.  No declarations were made.

The Locality Lead had submitted a report regarding the allocation of the Locality Fund in West Swindon which had 3 elements including community grants, highways fund and streetsmart hours.

Resolved:  – 1) That the criteria to be used for the allocation of Neighbourhood grants in the West Locality for 2012/13 be as set out in the agenda report paragaphs 3.1 to 3.3. 

2) That the allocation of StreetSmart operational hours for July, August & September 2012 be as set out in paragraphs 3.3 -3.6 of the agenda report.

3) That the Locality Lead West to implement the above.

(No Councillors voted against the resolutions)

3.a. Street lights – Stamford Close

Street lights no. 2 & no. 50 were permanently out despite being reported to Streetsmart.

Action: Check progress and report back (Paula Harrison)

3.b. Green waste collections

Green waste collections had been missed in some parts of West Swindon including Westlea.  Mrs Foley of Wareham Close reported 8 missed collections.  Reports to the Call Centre had resulted in different responses or explanations including broken down vehicles and more waste presented on the door step.  Days given for next collection had not been adhered to.  It was agreed that responses needed to be consistent.

Action:

·         Details of Wareham Close issues to be reported.

·         Residents asked to report back if the problems persist.

3.c. Tregoze Way

Mr Hook indicated that measures suggested to address the chicane on Tregoze Way would not result in any improvement.  Requested that officers return and drive through the chicane to experience the problems.

Action: Officers requested to return at peak hours to monitor the chicane (Simon Lymm)

3.d.  Locality Plan

There was a query regarding a locality plan for West Swindon.  Feedback given that there were no current plans to create a locality plan for West Swindon unless residents would like to work on one together with the locality team.

3.e. School Parking

It was reported that problems with parking persisted.  Cars were parking on the double yellow lines outside of Millbrook School, and were blocking the entrance to Pendennis Road.  Black cabs were also parking obstructively.

Action:  This could be addressed as part of walking bus options currently going live in September for Oliver Tomkins and Westlea Primary Schools.  Details of taxis could be taken and reported to the Licensing Team.

The planned site was Saltway Field, behind Saltway Children’s Centre, off Pearl Road/Tewkesbury Way.  The discussion indicated that Purton Park was a good all-round park but was too small.  Consideration was given to the three site choices on the field.  Site B was the preferred site. Site C was too close to existing children’s play area equipment.  There was a query regarding if there was sufficient lighting.  It was agreed that the existing lighting schemes on Tewkesbury Way and the Saltway Centre were good.  There was an indication that incorporating graffiti art on the park would be a good idea to discourage tagging.  It was generally agreed that the site was accessible and well-serviced by bus routes and footpaths.

PC Tom Turner updated the Locality on police activity in West Swindon.  Previous meetings had highlighted issues with dangerous dogs.  In the last month there had been activity resulting in the removal of three dangerous dogs.  Also there had been three successful drug warrants and an eviction on a problem property.  The West Swindon Retail Project had issued ten letters in the last 2 months and created two Acceptable Behaviour Contracts.  Burglaries had decreased however there had been an increase in thefts from industrial estate properties.

Other issues raised included:
-    The walking bus scheme for Oliver Tomkins and Westlea Primary.

-       Big Arts Day restrictions were in place on neighbouring estates and buses would be available.

-       Kiln Park had a motorbike problem – residents were encouraged to report incidents to the Police

-       DVLA were not responding to an expired road tax – it was suggested that this issue was targeted during the West Swindon week of action.

New Policing priorities agreed:

·      Anti-social behaviour in open spaces on going; the current weather had reduced reports however this should be kept a priority at this time of year

·      Theft from vehicles/insecure properties – replace this priority

·      Cannabis and drug abuse by young people

Further contact: swindonwestnpt@wiltshire.pnn.police.uk

As indicated in Locality Fund report, there was £14,250 allocated to the West Locality for Members to approve in small grants.  Members in the West Locality would be using this fund to follow the existing Grassroots and Administration Grants format and paperwork which was currently in use. This meant that groups and organisations who were seeking to deliver projects or activities for the benefit of West Swindon residents could apply for up to £1000.  The next deadline for applications would be 1^st September.  Paperwork for this was on the Council’s website http://www.swindon.gov.uk/cm/cm-grants/cm-grants-community/Pages/cm-grants-community-2012-13.aspx.

Action:  Any queries or help with applications, contact Gail or Paula on swindonwest@swindon.gov.uk or telephone 01793 466418.  Applications must be submitted by the end of 1^st September 2012.  Decisions would be announced at the West Swindon Forum on Monday 10^th September 2012.

Simon Lymm reported the following:

Swindon Travel Choices had £60,000 for funds to encourage West Swindon residents to take more sustainable options such as walking, cycling or buses into town.  Suggestions for the funding this year were: 

·         New and improved bus shelters; dropped kerbs; improved information at bus stops; and secure bike racks.

Discussion identified the following:

·           Deterioration of cycle ways was an issue: drains protrude, tarmac had been damaged by tree roots, large cracks were very visible and repairs were often leaving the surface in a worse condition.

·           All underpasses needed some attention.

·           It was important that people could feel confident using pathways and cycle ways so attention should be paid to safe crossing of roads, dropped kerbs and accessible routes to key destinations across West. e.g. the routes to village centres and the Link Centre were key in order for people to be more likely to cycle.

·           People did not feel that existing bike racks were sufficiently secure.

Additional issue:

Kevin Fisher indicated that Shaw Residents Association had received a significant number of emails referring to the difficulty in crossing Swinley Drive.  One of the issues was that people could not always make it to the middle refuge.  This related to lack of visibility for drivers approaching the bends, overgrown shrubbery and the speed of traffic.  This was a key route.

It was also raised that there was a lack of clarity with some of the road markings, eg. Liskeard Way and Ramleaze Drive - it was not clear if they were intended to be crossings.

Action: 

·           Consider Community Speedwatch as an option. The Locality team could train local people to create a speedwatch team.  Gail and Paula to link with local people.

·           Locality Fund report identified improving line of sight by reducing overgrown shrubbery.

·           Link with Swindon Travel Choices activity.

Residents took up the opportunity to replace broken bins and lids free of charge.  Anyone wishing to replace their box could continue to do this if they visited Gail at the Link Centre drop in, any Friday in the library between 10-12.  Please bring your old box to exchange for a new one.  Lids could be replaced free of charge.

If anyone was interested in being involved in local projects or have ideas, they should get in touch with Paula or Gail – swindonwest@swindon.gov.uk.