Tidworth Town Council

TIDWORTH TOWN COUNCIL

Community Engagement

February 2014

Minutes of the Community Engagement Committee meeting held on 18th February 2014 in the Community Centre at 6.30pm Attended Apologies: Councillors Kemp (in the chair), R Ansell, S Dagger, C’llr S Miles, A Connolly and A Flack M Stratton and L Zaouia. N Foyle, Lisa Kennedy Absent: (Tesco ), John (Tesco), Marion Gabriello, Tina C’llr S Slater and J Franklin Edwards (Holy Trinity), Brian Pratt, Barbara Campbell, Joel Gladwin (plus father and Sam) Item Agenda Item Action by 2 Declaration of interest none 3 Minutes of previous meeting ratified at February Full Town meeting. No matters arising 4 Chair report Wiltshire Council is to cut Youth Services budget by £500k to £800k leaving only 8 full time and 4 part time youth workers. The proposal is currently in consultation with 4 options, the favoured option being Community led services. The consultation is available online (Sparksite) for young people. Adults are required to send thoughts via email which is less accessible. Consultation information has been passed to Scouting. Feedback on the poor accessibility of the consultation on Wiltshire’s website has gone to C’llr Chris Williams. C’llr Kemp also reported back on the JSA meeting held at Wellington Academy. The event was very well attended with several TTC councillors taking part in various discussion groups. At the end of the evening the top priorities were voted upon. This information will be collated and circulated via Area Boards as soon as available. 5 Christmas The dates for Christmas events are now 4th-7th Dec as there is a Christmas Market willing to attend on these dates. Ideas for Christmas 2014 were discussed with Santa and Reindeers again being the most popular. C’llr Kemp to enquire about ice rink options for 2014. It was suggested residents could be asked for views on Christmas activities however feedback from Christmas 2013 had already been received and surgeries will provide the community with an opportunity to give their opinions and ideas. C’llr Kemp noted that the Community Centre would be the focus of Christmas 2014. A large tree and lights outside for Carols instead of Hampshire Cross as this will have fewer restrictions and be more convenient. Suggestions such as a firework display will also be considered. 6 Skate Park Decision Young resident Joel Gladwin gave a presentation in favour of a skate park for Tidworth. He had been escorted from various sites in Tidworth on several occasions concluding that there is nowhere to ride a BMX or skateboard without causing a hazard to others. He was also concerned about adding to negative misconceptions of young people in the area. Focusing on riding keeps him out of trouble but in order to pursue his hobby he must travel to Andover’s skate park

of 2 facility which requires parental input as bikes are not allowed on buses. Joel has been contacted by Tidworth Freeride Club who offered support to get the project off the ground. His friend Sam had spoken to other riders who are willing to raise money for the project. C’llr Dagger advised he had been in touch with Ludgershall council for information on the company they used and is happy to take the lead on the project. C’llr Kemp assured that the council would get behind the project but there may be people who object so feedback and a consultation would be essential. Surgeries C’llr Kemp to attend first ‘Meet Your Councillor’ session in Tesco’s Lobby 19th February 2014, sessions will be available thereafter on the first Tuesday of the month at the Community Centre and the third Wednesday of the month at Tesco’s Lobby. There was some discussion around the use of Twitter but the committee decided this was perhaps not the best communication at this time. Street Market 2014 C’llr Kemp met with the organisers and planning for Friday 4th April is running smoothly. The organisers are to provide an event poster. Reuse existing Street Market banner but to amend dates. C’llr Kemp also met with Tom from Wiltshire council and stipulated that the Street Market is a community event. C’llr Kemp to visit businesses about the Street Market with posters and letters. 2014 Timeline update C’llr Kemp announced plans for a food and live music festival at the Community Centre on Saturday 26th July 2014. Show Off Dance will be invited to perform. C’llr Ansell suggested inviting multiple local dance groups to engage in friendly competition in the form of a dance off. 7 Tidworth Times Editor notified Persimmon of pixelated advert and is awaiting their response. She also contacted Royal Mail who require postcode and sector numbers for Tidworth and Perham Down before delivery can be booked. C’llr Dagger advised that delivery should be to residential properties only. Photography C’llr Kemp to send images to be judged. WW1 C’llr Kemp announced that the WW1 committee had been formed with C’llrs Miles (chair), Flack, O’Connell and Birch. C’llr Miles to organise inaugural meeting for handover of updates and information. C’llr Kemp noted that the next WW1 commemoration meeting is to be held on 27th February 2014 at TLC. 8 Any Other Business C’llr Stratton received enquiry about whether there would be an Easter craft fair. C’llr Kemp advised that craft stalls could be booked at the Street Market on 4th April but there were no plans for an Easter craft fair event. 9 Date of next meeting: Agenda items March 18st 2014 @ 6:30pm to the Clerk 7 days before meeting

There being no further business to discuss the meeting closed at 7:50pm