Agenda item

Police

Inspector Andy Noble introduced himself as the replacement for Inspector McMullin, and explained that he would be covering the Wilton Community Area whilst his colleague Inspector Lindsey Winters covered Mere and Tisbury.

Inspector Noble then gave a presentation on the new Policing Model, explaining that the aim was to deliver the same level of service across Wiltshire for less money. As a result of the new model, response times had been improved.

None of the front line services had been cut, instead there had been reductions to the behind the scenes support structure.

In the future the police would be involved with the Campus projects across the county with the intention of being more efficient.

Inspector Noble went on to give area updates, these included:

Mere

There had been 6 residential burglaries across Mere and Zeals, two men remain in custody awaiting trial.

Tisbury

There had been several heating/oil fuel thefts with between 500 – 5,500 litres being stolen at a time. Dedicated patrols were now in operation to tackle this, but people were urged to report suspicious unmarked tankers or fuel carrying vehicles to the police. Close cross border working with Dorset was in progress, on these thefts.

Wilton

There had been a tragic death of a young person in the area; rumours that there had been suspicious circumstances, in terms of foul play were untrue.

Recent rural crime included poaching, two people had been arrested and cross border work was underway to tackle this issue.

Wiltshire Police Authority

Joy Hillyer gave an update and explained that the WPA was monitoring what was happening under the new policing model, adding that so far the WPA was very pleased with how things were going.

From 15 November 2012, the role of the WPA will end and they will be replaced by a Police and Crime Commissioner, further information on this was included in the handout circulated at the meeting. A copy is attached to these minutes.

Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG) – Jaki Farrell

A written update report had been attached to the agenda. Jaki added that they were fortunate in Mere and Tisbury to have had good support from the Area Board and the Parish Councils for youth projects and activities. In the future, changes to the way in which youth services are delivered, it may be necessary to think of additional ways to raise further funds towards activities and running costs of the youth services available in the community areas.

Councillor Green asked if Jaki could offer Fovant Youth Club any suggestions on how to attract volunteers, as they were in desperate need. Answer: Jaki offered to provide Fovant with any advice on volunteering possible.

Action: Cllr Green and Jaki Farrell to discuss the matter further outside of the meeting.

Low Water Levels

Mary White – Chairman of Mere Parish Council read a statement out regarding the low water levels in The Shreen and Ashfield Water, thought to be caused by over abstraction of the water by Wessex Water, supported by the Environment Agency. A copy of the statement is attached to these minutes.

Several other parishes contributed to this discussion, with similar issues of low water levels in the rivers near them. Councillor Noeken suggested that as this was more widespread than just Mere, it may be a matter which affects areas across the whole of Wiltshire. He suggested that one of the Board members brings the matter to the Cabinet meeting the following week.

Action: Councillor Deane agreed to take the matter to Cabinet on 13 December 2012.

Suggestions received from the floor:

·       That if people have important issues such as these to discuss, that they are put forward as agenda items, prior to the publication of the agenda, so that other people with similar issues can prepare for input into the discussion.

·       The Issues System is there for people to log such issues; the Parish Council could have logged this on the system.