Agenda item

To note the written reports and receive any updates from the following:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

    ii.        Wiltshire Police Authority

   iii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

   iv.        NHS Wiltshire

    v.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

   vi.        Town and Parish Councils

  vii.        Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group (CAYPIG)

viii.        Community Groups.

Updates from partners were received as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

The written update was received and noted. The Chairman welcomed Sergeant Dave Hobman to the meeting. In response to a query regarding the development of a new Street Watch Scheme at Studkey Green, Sereant Hobman undertook to look into this and report back. Sergeant Hobman also advised that the Police were able to offer advise regarding marking and protecting property and possessions. He advised anybody concerned to contact their local Beat Manager or Police Community Support Officer.

    ii.        Wiltshire Police Authority

Joy Hillyer of the Wiltshire Police Authority gave a brief report on the new Police and Crime Commissioner. The elections for a single Police and Crime Commissioner for Wiltshire and Swindon would take place on 15 November, and people were encouraged to vote. The existing Wiltshire Police Authority would be abolished on 22 November.

   iii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written update was noted. There were no further updates.

In response to a query regarding smoke alarms, it was areed to seek assurance from the Fire and Rescue Service that work was still underway to encourage and install smoke alarms.

Action: contact Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service to confirm this.

   iv.        NHS Wiltshire

The written updates were noted. There were no further updates.

Much concern was expressed that the NHS presentation at the previous Area Board meeting was confusing and the information presented was not very clear. The Chairman advised that he had been in contact with the NHS and asked that they return to  a meeting of the Area Board in the New Year to provide clearer, more up to date information.

    v.        Trowbridge Community Area Future (TCAF)

The written update was noted. Tracy Sullivan reported that the TCAF AGM would be taking place on 24 September  at Trowbridge Town Hall, and people were encouraged to attend. Tracy also highlighted the Trowbridge Arts Festival that was taking place from 14 to 30 September.

   vi.        Town and Parish Councils

Gaynor Polglase reported on behalf of the Parish Councils Liaison Group that they had received an update on the Bath Cleveland Bridge weight restriction at the last meeting.

Following objections lodged by Wiltshire Council, Somerset County Council and the Highways Authority, an appeal into the matter would be heard by the Department for Transport and a decision expected in the New Year.

 vii.        Community Area Young Peoples’ Issues Group (CAYPIG)

The CAYPIG thanked the Area Board for supporting the skate park lighting, which was hoped would begin being installed in November. A petition was also being developed regarding the possibility of a half-pipe at Studley Green.

Young people from Seymour had identified various issues in Trowbridge Park and were unsure of who to raise these with. Issues in the park included defective floodlights, damaged tarmac, the desire for a youth shelter and the need for the pitches to be levelled.

It was also reported that the CAYPIG would be holding an information/awareness raising event on 7 November regarding the new Youth Advisory Group.

Councillor Jeff Osborn advised that the park was the responsibility of Wiltshire Council and requested that a meeting between Wiltshire Council (Tim Woolford, Streetscene Manager) and the CAYPIG be facilitated in order to address these concerns.

Action: meeting to be set up between Wiltshire Council and CAYPIG.

Action: Letter to be sent to Jane Scott regarding the possible asset transfer of the Town Park to Trowbridge Town Council.

viii.        Community Groups

A briefing from Wiltshire Involvement Network was received and noted.