Agenda item

Verbal Updates

To receive any verbal updates from representatives, including:

•       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

•       Health & Wellbeing

•       Youth

•       Parish Councils

Written Updates

The Board is asked to note the following written and online updates attached to the agenda:

•       Neighbourhood Policing Team – to follow

•       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – Quarterly update - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wHP0Q6ToS2s

•       Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership - Update to follow

The Area Board received a number of updates from Partners and community organisations as detailed below:

1. Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP)

The Area Board received an update from the PCAP representative Susie Brew and Colin Gale as follows:

-       PCAP celebrated the 10-year anniversary of the Memory Café and the Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership.

-       Cost of living food vouchers were still available, and residents were encouraged to apply for them.

-       Wilton Windmill and necessary repairs to the sails.

-       A successful grant application to provide a number of kissing gates and replacement stiles in the Pewsey area.

-       Residents were encouraged to read the draft Local Transport Plan 4

-       The expansion of the Connect Bus Service to the Collingbournes, Tidworth and Avebury.

-       Additional funding received for the Bus Improvement Plan, and electric buses are being introduced by Salisbury Reds.

-       The Network Rail Wiltshire Rail Strategic Study has been published and the Pewsey Vale Rail User Group and Bedwyn Trains Passenger Group have been working with TransWilts on the Strategy. There were concerns that the change in government may stifle the improvements as nationalisation may take up funds and resources.

-       Winter railway works were starting on Christmas eve with some extensive works along the west railway line would continue until 27 January 2025.

-       The Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership had expressed concern about the impact of the Government’s recent budget on the local economy in particular pubs and farmers.

-       Hopeful that the direct services from Great Bedwyn to Paddington would be reinstated 

2. Health & Wellbeing

The Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager circulated a number of information sheet that provided details about support for older people, children’s and families and financial support. He would be meeting with the local Social Prescriber to discuss help and support for vulnerable people and will set up a working group to look at what additional support can be offered.

3. Youth

-       The Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager provided an update on the recent Area Board initiative for free swimming at Pewsey Leisure Centre, which would help in the region of 25 young people and their carers. He highlighted that about £3,000 of funding that had been agreed to help young people and also provide 2 events for Oxenwood remained unspent and suggested that this is added to the free swimming fund. He also agreed to speak to the Pewsey Vale Leisure Centre to see if carers can also be accommodated by the initiative.

-       Cllr Wheeler reported on an exciting presentation received by Shalbourne Parish Council about the upgrade and modernisation works at Oxenwood outdoor education centre, which would also provide improved facilities for disabled people.

Decision:

That the remainder of the unspent Oxenwood grant fund of £3,000 be diverted to the free swimming fund.

4. Environment

The Strategic Engagement and Partnership Manager reported that he had acquired two new air quality monitors that can be used to check the air quality outside schools during the drop off and pick up times. They were also available for use by community groups.

5. Parish Councils

There were no Parish Council updates.

6. Neighbourhood Policing Team

The Chairman welcomed recently appointed Insp Simon Garett to his first Area Board meeting. The Area Board received a written update and presentation from Insp Garett, Wiltshire Police, which included detail about the Community Policing Team, the community commitment, crime statistics for Pewsey between September and October 2024 including comparisons with 2023 and the previous 2 months, with a deep dive into burglary crime, local priorities and updates in relation to the Pewsey area, local links and how to become involved in receiving the latest news and alerts by signing up to the Community Messaging Service. 

Members and Area Board representatives commented on hare coursing, a further request for Police PSCO’s to attend Parish Council meetings and response times for calls to 101. Insp Garett explained that the Police understood the impact of hare coursing on farmers and had made a number of arrests in this area. He noted that early reporting was vital in helping the Police make arrests. Attendance of PCSO’s at community meetings would be difficult with the number of officers available, however the Police are aware of their importance to the community and that the community have a point of contact and know where to go for help and support. Improvements have been made to the 101 service with the training of new staff although the service may take a while to be at full capacity.

The Chairman thanked Insp Garett for attending the Area Board meeting and his comprehensive report and responding to questions.

7. Dorset and Wilts Fire and Rescue Service

Cllr Paul Oatway – Chairman of Dorset and Wilts Fire Authority provided an update on the Service included detail on the role of the Service, which included other activities apart from fighting fires, the need to use resources effectively, although it was anticipated that the budget for the next few years was expected to be in deficit, and therefore cost savings would be required to provide a balanced budget. He reported on one way this may be achieved with a reduction in the number of number 2 fire tenders.

8.    Kennet and Avon Medical Partnership

There was no update provided for this meeting.