Decision details

The Area Board received and noted the following updates from key partners:-

(a)          Wiltshire Police Community Coordinator, PC Amy Hardman presented a report from which it was noted that a multi-agency operation to tackle illegal fishing had started in March 2017.  Under the banner of Operation Clampdown, water bailiffs and volunteer bailiffs were trying to target specific locations and were liaising with local fishermen at these places to establish where illegal fishing was taking place and whether or not any criminal offences were occurring. They were also linking in with the Environment Agency, Angling Trust, Rural Crime Team and with the Community Police Team to develop intelligence relating to offences and possible suspects.

The Area Board was informed that through feedback and working with local communities, community messaging was developing well and daily updates about local crimes were being uploaded on www.wiltsmessaging.co.uk  This was enabling the Force to reach as much of the community as possible and was being well received.

It was reported that overall, crime reported within Westbury had been just under the figure predicted for March. However, the area around Westbury Market Place had been made a priority area for the Community Police Team, which should involve increased patrols during the evenings and nights and also during the day throughout the school holidays. Statistics for the villages around Westbury indicated that crime figures were below those predicted in all crime types.

PC Hardman drew attention to the availability of a new toolkit which was available from Wiltshire Council at www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-events-toolkit.pdf  This toolkit provided guidance and advice for most types of events, including topics ranging from traffic management to toilets, and gave contact details for which agencies and departments needed to be contacted when applying for various licences or road closures.

Dr Peter Biggs requested information about the cost of carrying out the investigation regarding the late Sir Edward Heath and if all the officers involved had now returned to their usual duties.  The Chairman responded by saying that the Chief Constable would be asked what information was available and this would be reported back to the next meeting.

(b)          Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service  A report was presented by District Commander Andy Green from which it was noted that there had been some changes in senior staff since the retirement of Darren Gunter, Chief Fire Officer (CFO).  Ben Ansell had been appointed CFO with effect from 1 December 2016 and Jim Mahoney was now Assistant Chief Fire Officer with responsibility for Operations (Response).

The Fire and Rescue Authority had approved a budget of £53.735 million for 2017/18 together with a requirement to increase council tax with a 2.6 pence per week increase for Band D properties, resulting in an annual fire precept Band D of £70.59 within the council tax for the year starting on 1 April 2017.

(c)          BA13+ Community Area Partnership  The written report was received and noted.

Carole King further reported that Healthwatch Wiltshire had very recently published a couple of reports on Dementia, titled “You Said, We Did: Dementia – monitoring the quality of dementia services”and “Talking to people about dementia: a focus on primary care”, both of which were available from Phil McMullen.

She also reported that the first meeting of Dementia Awareness Westbury would be held shortly and that Dementia Awareness Week would take place during the period 15 to 21 May 2017; there would be an awareness stand at the end of High Street, Westbury on Saturday 20 May between 10.00am and 12.00 noon.

(d)          Health & Wellbeing Group  The Community Engagement Manager reported the success of the workshop on Cooking with Confidence  for adults with mental health needs which was held the previous day at Matravers School and was attended by 25 people. A second workshop was due to be held the following week at which a similar number of participants had registered to attend. It was planned to hold further sessions after May and a report would be made to the Area Board in due course.

(e)          Westbury Town Council Cllr Stephen Andrews, Mayor of Westbury, presented his report.  He drew attention to the reinstating of the two hours free parking in the three Pay and Display car parks in High Street, Warminster Road and Westfield House, Westbury, hopefully from 1 June 2017.  It was noted that Wiltshire Council would be paying for the upgrading of the ticket machines and the Town Council would provide the necessary signage.