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. Wiltshire CCG
4. Healthwatch Wiltshire
5. MADT (Marlborough Area Development Trust)
6. Transition Marlborough
7. Marlborough Community Operations Board (COB)
8. Town / Parish Councils

a)    Wiltshire Police

A written update was circulated.

Crime rates were explained as having fallen in the Marlborough community area.

b)    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Mike Franklin was in attendance to deliver a verbal update.

The combination with Dorset Fire and Rescue Service had been approved by Eric Pickles MP. This had gone to the Houses of Parliament on 2 March 2015 where it would lay for 40 days.

The combination would become legislation if it was not called in.

It was noted that the Fire and Rescue Service council tax precept had increased by 1.98%.

c)    Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)

A written update was included in the agenda pack.

d)    Healthwatch Wiltshire

A written update was included in the agenda pack.

The update covered the work carried out on dementia and the Better Care Plan.

People were invited to speak to Healthwatch. Contact details were available in the update.

e)    Marlborough Area Development Trust (MADT)

There was a short presentation on the progress made by the MADT.

The community WiFi was one of the MADT’s main projects. This had been up and running since 2011, with the most extensive deployment in Marlborough Town. Thanks were expressed to the various organisations who had been involved in rolling out the project.

Content filtering had been implemented for the community WiFi. This was noted to be important in a public system. 

The new tourist information kiosk was almost finished and was stated as now being “fiddleproof”. The software would run from Marlborough’s directory services. Anyone who did not have an article on the directory and needed one was urged to do so. The free online Business Directory was available through www.marlborougharea.org.

A significant upgrade to the WiFi around Marlborough Town was being sought through the Smart Town Initiative.

f)      Transition Marlborough

A written update was circulated.

There was an update on transport related matters. It was stated that the more people that were able to travel via buses, bicycles, and train, the better.

The Area Board had helped out with the resurfacing of the Treacle Bolly bridleway. This would be completed within a few weeks.

An information request had been sent to Wiltshire Council on the effects of bus network cuts to those in surrounding villages. Difficulties of access to shops and hospital appointments were raised as concerns, along with long term isolation. It was also mentioned that they supported installing a bus shelter at the Ladbrokes bus stop.

Concerns were raised over possible downgrading of services to the Bedwyn train station. Many Bedwyn residents were explained as having moved there for the rail link to London Paddington.

A railway station for Marlborough was described as being desirable and practical. Funding was being sought from Wiltshire Council for a feasibility study.

g)    Marlborough Community Operations Board (COB)

The update was received in minute 23.

h)    Town/Parish Councils

Marlborough Town Council –

A written update was provided in the agenda pack, along with a short presentation from the Mayor of Marlborough, Marion Hannaford Dobson.

The first meeting of the Marlborough Steering Group for the Marlborough Neighbourhood Plan had been held on 24 March 2015.

A Community Covenant had been signed between Marlborough and the 4^th Military Intelligence (4MI) on 27 October 2014. It was hoped that this would strengthen links between Marlborough and 4MI. Future projects were being identified.

The Commonwealth flag had been raised by Marlborough on 9 March 2015 to mark Commonwealth day.

Dog fouling problems had been raised as a concern in Marlborough. Parish Councils had agreed actions on how to tackle to problem.

Marlborough Food and Drink Festival would be held on the common during 16 and 17 May 2015.

The Annual Parish Meeting would be held on 27 April at 7.00pm.

A question was asked on the closing of the Marlborough high street on the Friday evening before the Mop fair. It was explained that meetings had been held on this project, but that health and safety protocol meant that the rides needed to be present on Friday for examination. It was being negotiated so that they arrived at 3pm on the Friday.