Agenda item

To receive any updates from partners:

·       Wiltshire Police.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service.

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System).

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire.

·       Community First.

·       Age UK Wiltshire.

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives.

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted a written updates attached to the agenda. In addition, Inspector Kevin Harmsworth provided a verbal update which covered the following points:

·       Attention was drawn to the following local priorities for Westbury, as referenced within the report:

o   Westbury Town Area

o   Leighton Recreation Ground

o   Rural Crime

·       In addition to the written Road Safety Update, Inspector Harmsworth stated that enforcement activity had recently taken place with penalty points handed out and individuals enrolled on speed awareness courses.

·       Regarding the Engage Process, though Wiltshire Police remained in special measures, since Inspector Harmsworth came into post, there had been improvements in levels of service and investigation standards.

·       Wiltshire Police had recently been internally audited with recommendations on how to further improve.

·       Attention was drawn to the role of civilian enforcement officers, with residents encouraged to contact the police should they wish for a patrol to be requested for a location.

After the verbal update, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       Gratitude was directed towards residents who partake in Community Speed Watch as often people have been abused, to which the Inspector suggested that residents should take note of number plates and report any abuse.

·       Cllr Dean noted that he had been contacted by a constituent at Easter, citing that he was dissatisfied with an encounter which had taken place between himself and a Police Officer on Warminster High Street, with concern that the officer had refused to identify himself or wear collar numbers. Inspector Harmsworth explained that there are some officers in uniform and some not for under cover purposes; that officers should have numbers on their shoulders and chest as well as being able to produce a warrant card or officer ID. Furthermore, should residents still be concerned, they can ask for verification through the loudspeaker of the Officer’s radio or if still unsatisfied back away. It was also clarified that this process also applies to PCSOs.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Clarity was sought from a Member of Bratton Parish Council that at the previous meeting there had been reference in the report to an incident on Imber Road, in which the Fire Service had been called on 27 June 2023. The report had referenced that the Fire Service had been unable to get their truck down Imber Road due to cars parked and had trouble in rocking the cars out the way. Further clarity was requested on this issue.

·       Community First

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       AgeUK Wiltshire

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Town and Parish Council Nominated Representatives

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Cllr Jeff Ligo on behalf of Bratton Parish Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       Bratton Week took place from 24 June to 2 July 2023, which had gone well and had attracted a number of visitors. Events included a School Fete and Scarecrow Trail, as well as being a vehicle for voluntary organisation groups to raise money.

·       The Parish Council is still battling to achieve a Neighbourhood Plan.

·       Cllr Keith Rayward had recently been elected as the Chairman of the Parish Council.

·       Cllr Suzanne Wickham congratulated Bratton Parish Council for the success of Bratton Week.

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Cllr Sheila Kimmins on behalf of  Westbury Town Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       The Town Council had recently elected a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

·       The Soapbox Derby held in May went very well and had been attended by 8,000 people.

·       New CCTV had now been installed in the town centre, with the Town Council pleased with the visibility and product that could be printed, with the hope that it would act as a deterrent.

·       Work had been conducted to establish a Post Office in Westbury, with meetings taking place and hope that an announcement would follow in the future.

·       The Westbury Area Network Foodbank was looking for drivers as there was some outlying areas requiring deliveries.

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Cllr Helen O’Donoghue on behalf of Edington Parish Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       Village improvements are on-going including footpaths and yellow lining.

·       Work on the Neighbourhood Plan is stalling, due to Wiltshire Council wanting a specific number of houses which the Parish doesn’t currently have. In response Cllr Matt Dean offered to speak with Nic Thomas (Director of Planning), regarding the issue and report back to the Area Board.

The Area Board received the following verbal update from Richard Culverhouse on behalf of Heywood Parish Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       The Heywood Neighbourhood plan is nearly complete and ready to go back to the public.

·       Correspondence had taken place with Westbury Town Council regarding a Governance Review, which will then be taken back to Wiltshire Council in October.

·       An on-going challenge for the Parish Council is an open church graveyard in the PCC area, with several people approaching the Parish Council due to its overgrown state. The Arch Deacon of Wiltshire had provided advice that it should be the responsibility of North Bradley Parish Council, so there was hope for progress.