Agenda item

To note the attached Partner updates and receive any further information partners wish to share:

1. Wiltshire Police
2. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue
3. NHS Wiltshire
4. Parish Forum
5. MADT (Marlborough Area Development Trust) – update on Community Plan

a.            Wiltshire Police

Inspector Ron Peach referred the meeting to the written update set out at pages 27-28 in the agenda.

A drive to target beauty spot thefts over the summer period had included increased patrols by Neighbourhood and response officers as well as a proactive work to encourage motorists not to leave valuables in clear sight in unattended vehicles.

There had also been an incident in Marlborough where a number of vehicle thefts had taken place on one night, targeting tools from vans.  Again, this type of crime could be prevented by owners not leaving valuable tools in vans wherever possible.

Structural changes within Emergency Response would result in the Marlborough area being covered from Swindon.  This was as a result of cuts to numbers of civilian staff, although the reorganisation would help improve administration and meet demand.  The new arrangements would also see the introduction of an automatic resource tracking system, where GPS devices would inform the response team of the location of every vehicle and unit, in real time.  This would help the strategic deployment of units, and in assigning the nearest or most suitable unit to attend emergency incidents.

It was noted that PC David Tippetts was now in place as the Beat Manager for the Rural West Team, with Sergeant Vince Logue also in place as the sector sergeant.

Further to a question, Inspector Peach confirmed that there were currently no plans to close Marlborough Police Station.  This was strategically well-placed, although there may be opportunities for co-location with other local services as part of any future Campus scheme.

b.            Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

The meeting noted the written report at page 29-31.

c.            NHS Wiltshire

The meeting noted the written report at page 33.

d.            Parish Forum

Mary Spender updated the meeting on the work of the Parish Forum:

·         Community Emergency Plan – Fyfield and West Overton Parish Council had sent their plan to the Council’s Emergency Planning Officer to see if this was suitable as a guide/template for other Parishes.

·         Asset Register – The forms for this had not been sent out yet.

e.            MADT (Marlborough Area Development Trust) – update on Community Area Plan

Martin Cook, of Marlborough Area Development Trust, gave an update on the work of the group.  The main focus was currently on the Community Plan.  The first consultation phase was now complete and the results were being evaluated, with some early analysis and initial drafting of the plan. 

There was some concern over the level of input from Parish Councils; it was hoped that this could be addressed through the Parish Forum, although direct input from Parish Councils was welcomed.  Mary Spender commented that the Parish Forum had already submitted a large amount of information.

Geoff Brickell also updated the meeting on the Development Trust’s Community WiFi scheme.  A number of “hot spots” were now up and running in the town, including at the Town Hall and in the Food Gallery.  It was hoped that the technology could now be rolled out across the whole Community Area, and discussion was on-going with Aldbourne Parish Council regarding suitable locations in the village.  Geoff undertook to resend the email notification regarding community WiFi to all Parish Councils.

It was requested that the separate item for Updates from Parish Councils be added to future Area Board agendas, so that individual parishes could raise items other than through the Parish Forum.

ACTION: James Hazlewood

f.             Parish Councils

Mary Spender, speaking on behalf of Fyfield and West Overton Parish Council, raised the issue of the proposed night closures on the A4 from Manton to Lockeridge.  It was agreed that Highways and the police should liaise with the affected parishes to minimise the impact on surrounding roads.

ACTION: Adrian Hampton; Ron Peach; Mary Spender

Michael Edmonds of Baydon Parish Council referred to Section 106 funding, commenting that the parish council was seeking to broaden the terms of an existing Section 106 agreement, to allow the money to be spent of a wider variety of services.  The developer in question had agreed to the change in principle, but Wiltshire Council needed to approve the change. 

Michael Edmonds also considered that the Speed Indicator Devices (SIDs) seemed to be rotating in a random manner and not adhering to the 2-week maximum, which could lead to batteries running flat.