Agenda item

(a)       Wiltshire Police

 

Inspector Ron Peach referred the meeting to the written update in the agenda which included:

 

·         The ‘Bluz n Zuz’ disco held on Friday 8 July had been well received.

 

·         A drive to target beauty spot thefts from vehicles over the summer period included increased patrols by Neighbourhood and Response officers as well as a programme of education for motorists who, in some instances, continued to leave valuables in clear sight in unattended vehicles.

 

·         Structural changes within the response model of Emergency Response is expected to be take effect next month which would include clustering responses around hubs to improve administration, meet demand and improved profile.  A more remote working approach plus Airwaves Radio Sets (ARS) should allow for a more consistent cover.

 

In most cases the response time criteria (set at within 20 minutes in rural locations) was being achieved. 

 

Further partnership working was also expected which could include, for example, shared custody facilities with neighbouring counties.

 

·         Upon questioning the high increase of cases in relation to Non Dwelling Burglary, clarification was provided that the Priority Crime Team were working to reduce this figure.  It was acknowledged that the high figure was in part due to the high levels of theft of metal, the price of which had significantly increased over recent months.

 

(b)       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

 

            Cllr Robert Hall presented the written update provided by Mike Franklin of the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

 

In addition clarification was provided that in conjunction with local appliances sent to fire call-outs, facilities from outside of the County were also used where required with 90% of all call-outs responded to within 20 minutes.

                                                                                                            

(c)        NHS Wiltshire

 

The written updated provided by NHS Wiltshire, as detailed on page 29 of the agenda was noted.

 

 

(d)       Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP)

 

Bob King, Chairman of PCAP gave an update on the work of Partnership.  At the last meeting held it was agreed that an e-survey would be circulated to parish councils and individuals to ascertain the effectiveness of PCAP and the direction in which the Partnership should take in future.

 

PCAP will be holding its next meeting in Rushall on Thursday 22 September.

 

Within this item, a statement from Cllr Stan Bagwell of Enford Parish Council was given in relation to Wiltshire Council’s Core Strategy on Transport where concern was raised that the A345 was not taken into consideration as a highly used highway from the north to the south of the County.  A copy of the statement can be found attached to these minutes.

 

The statement had been presented to the Tidworth and Amesbury Area Boards in July and a copy also sent to Clare Perry MP.

 

The Cabinet Member for Resources confirmed that the latest draft of the Core Strategy did not refer to the A345 nor did it give much precedence to the A303 but that he had raised his concerns with both Strategic Planning Officers and the Inspectorate in relation to this. 

 

A copy of the response to the Planning Inspector’s invitation of 5 August to comment on the implications of the July 2011 National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF) and which took into consideration the comments made by Amesbury Town Council on the Wiltshire Core Strategy was presented.

 

Upon questions received in relation to the budget for Highways set by the Council, clarification was provided that the setting of the budget had to take into consideration the needs of the county as a whole and that any increase would result in a reduction of funding elsewhere.

 

The Community Area Manager (CAM) addressed the Board with details of the light switch-off project where nominations were sought from PCAP on areas which could take part.  An application has now been received from the village of Huish and details of the proposal from within the Parish were presented.

 

The Board, upon vote, were in favour of the proposal to switch off 3 lights between the hours of midnight and 5:30am.  The Highways Department would now be requested to make an assessment on the viability of the proposal.

 

 

(e)       Parish Councils

 

No further updates were received from Parish Councils.

 

(f)        Pewsey Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

 

The last meeting of the CAYPIG focused discussion on the 13-19 Strategy.

 

The next meeting will take place at 7pm on 21 September at the Shack where the needs of young people in the area will be considered.  New members would be welcome to attend.

 

(g)       Extended Services

 

There was no update provided.

 

(h)          Pewsey Campus – Shadow Community Operations Board

 

The Chairman of the Pewsey Shadow Community Operations Board (COB) provided a brief presentation on the work undertaken to date.

 

This included that two meetings of the COB had been held to date on 11 July and 1 August respectively.  The next meeting is hoped to take place at the end of September.

 

The initial part of the public consultation to seek the opinions of residents was now well underway with approximately 6,000 mail shots within the area sent and a further 100 questionnaires sent to recognised groups such as parish councils, primary schools, secondary schools and community groups and bodies.  All residents should now have received a copy of the questionnaire but additional copies were available at the meeting for those wishing to take one.

 

Subject to approval at each stage the following timelines are currently being worked towards:

 

·         November 2011 - Formal consideration of the proposal by the Area Board

·         January 2012 – Approval by Wiltshire Council Cabinet

·         April 2012 – Commence construction

·         April 2013 – Planned completion date

 

Following closure of the consultation period and upon consideration of the completed questionnaires a further more detailed consultation will be undertaken. 

 

An extraordinary meeting of the Area Board will be arranged for the beginning of October where details of the initial consultation will be presented.

 

The Chairman thanked Bob Woodward for his presentation and encouraged all to complete the questionnaires.