Agenda item

To receive any updates from the following partners:

(a)   Wiltshire Police

(b)  Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

(c)  Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

(d)  Corsham Community Area Network (CCAN)

(e)  Chamber of Commerce

a)    Wiltshire police

PC Hazel Anderson gave an updated report: 

·         Two cautions had been issued to males in possession of cannabis.

·         There was a small rise in alcohol related incidents. Two males were arrested for assaulting Police and one male for being drunk and disorderly. Alcohol was confiscated from youths and home visits made following a stop and search at Springfield Recreation Ground.

·         There were reports of shoplifting in the town. Enquiries were ongoing.

·         The Area Board were reminded to secure unattended vehicles and remove valuables from display following several incidents of car crime. An insecure motorbike was stolen from Beechfield Road and items were stolen from a secured vehicle. On another occasion, a laptop and guitar were stolen from beside a vehicle by two unknown males.

·         A burglary occurred on Park Lane where a TV and iPad were stolen. Carwash equipment worth £6,500 was stolen from C K Handwash. The safe at the British Legion was stolen and the cash register drawers from Thomas’ Butchers were stolen. There have been a number of non-dwelling burglaries where sheds were broken into. 

·         The board was reminded to secure, mark and insure bicycles following the theft of a high-value bike.

·         Criminal damage was reported on Lacock playing field. The Police believe the damage was caused by a metal detector. Enquiries are ongoing. 

·         Two females were issued local resolutions after they damaged pumpkins grown by local school children. Each wrote a letter of apology and contributed £20 to the school gardening club.

·         A few incidents of anti-social behaviour occurred. Youth workers were successfully working with the Police to prevent this in the future. 

·         A disco for ages 7-11 took place on 25 October at Corsham School. The disco was funded by the Police. The disco was well attended and another is planned for 19 December 2013.

·         Road safety week ran from 18to 24 November 2013. This was sponsored by the road safety charity, Brake. The Police in Box asked primary school children to show road traffic accident photos to motorists that were pulled over.

·         Corsham NPT have attended a workshop on Restorative Justice which seeks to bring together offenders and victims to discuss the impact of crime.

·         There was an increase in anti-social behaviour. Victim based crime and domestic burglary reduced.

·         The Police Facebook page was proving successful. It can be found at Facebook.com/CorshamPolice.

b) Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Figures relating to the number of incidents and calls were circulated with the agenda papers.

c)    Box Parish Council

·         A donation to install play equipment on the recreation ground was received. The equipment will be installed in December. 

·         Two meetings with Network Rail to discuss heritage listed bridges had been aborted. This had caused concern amongst Parishioners.

·         The Parish Council had given a grant to Speed Watch to buy school children high visibility jackets.

d)    Colerne Parish Council

·         The skate park committee were seeking funding.

·         The Parish Council hosted a training evening for their new Councillor and a snow warning training day which was funded by Wiltshire Council.

e)    Corsham Town Council

·         The strategic plan was making good progress.

·         The Remembrance Day Sunday service was well attended.

·         The Christmas light switch on will take place on 6 December. Festivities will start at 17:15 with the light switch-on at 18:00.

·         On 30 November a wishing tree will be installed on the High Street and the public are invited to make a wish between 10:00 and 13:00. 

·         A bench marking survey will result in a report on the economic performance of the high-street.

·         A forum will meet on 3 December at 19:00 to discuss how walking can be encouraged.

·         Meetings were occurring with groups interested in commemorating the centenary with the aim of achieving a co-ordinated approach over 4 year period.

The Chairman congratulated Corsham for receiving fair-trade status thanked Nicky for her work.

f)     Corsham Community Area Network (CCAN)

·         The Sustainable Homes Group which was linked to the Community Plan had been launched.

·         Meetings had occurred to develop the Arts and Culture Chapter for the JSA.

·         The Wildlife Trust will be visiting Katherine Park to conduct a survey regarding starting a community project relating to the Nature trail in the park.

·         Following discussions with Community First and the Public Transport Unit, the commerce was looking into a project on community transport.

·         The Community Area JSA plan to meet in February 2014. The Area Board were asked to contact Dave Roberts for details.

·         The Network was seeking photographs of the Suffragist Centenary Celebration to add to a photo book record of the event.

g)    Corsham Chamber of Commerce

·         Good progress has been made since the AGM which Councillor Jane Scott was due to attend in March. Network events were well attended.

·         Kevin Gaskin gave presentation on the work of CCAN and collaboration discussions between the two groups could now occur.

·         101 local business people had attended the Commerce since May. 

·         Christmas lunch will occur on 11 December at Guyers Hotel. All business people were encouraged to attend.

·         A business breakfast will occur on 8 January 2014.

·         A meeting will occur on 12 February 2014 although the venue is yet to be confirmed.