Issue - meetings

To receive an update from the partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

c.     Community First

d.    Healthwatch Wiltshire

e.    BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Together – Integrated Care Board

f.      Calne Community Safety Forum

g.    Town and Parish Councils.

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from the following partners:

·         Wiltshire Police, pg. 17-26

·         Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, pg. 27-30

·         Community First, pg. 35-38

·         Healthwatch Wiltshire, pg. 33

·         BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Together – Integrated Care Board, pg.31

·         Calne Town Council, pg. 39

The following partners also provided verbal updates:

Wiltshire Police

Sgt Mike Tripp gave an overview of recent operations and community policing work. Key points included:

·         The new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper, was passionate about community policing and keen to improve engagement.

·         Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) Mark Cook had been working closely with local schools and youth clubs.

·         There had been fewer incidents of youths coming from Devizes to Calne exhibiting violent behaviour. Community Protection Warnings had been given to several individuals.

·         PCSO Nicole Sheppard was operating again in the Calne Area.

·         Operation Exit had seen the police work alongside licensed premises to reduced anti-social behaviour in Calne and make the public feel like it was a safe environment for an evening out.  

·         The town had recently had an issue with drink related anti-social behaviour, with a particular issue with underage drinkers being supplied with alcohol by older people. However, Sgt Tripp was pleased to say that recent efforts to tackle this issue had reduced the number of incidents.

During the discussion, the Area Board thanked the police for their community engagement work. Cllr Rounds praised the impact that the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable for the positive action they were taking, stating that their work was paying dividends with a noticeable increase in police presence. Cllr Thorn reported that he had attended a Neighbourhood Watch event in Devizes where they had shown an excellent video on online safety and suggested that this topic could be considered at a future Area Board. 

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

Watch Manager Tom Burns provided an update. In response to a query from the Vice-Chairman about their online recruitment the Watch Manger said they had had a positive response, although did face challenges getting employers to release their employees at the appropriate time. The Watch Manager confirmed that there was no upper age limit for volunteers, although they would be expected to complete a fitness test.

Calne Community Safety Forum

Diane Gooch from Calne Community Safety Forum explained that they received a presentation from PC Jonathan Bourke at their last meeting and were trying to set up safe spaces for people with dementia. An event about understanding dementia would take place in Calne Library at 2pm on 1 June and they would be working closely with local businesses. 

Calne Without Parish Council

Keith Robbins explained that they had recently held their annual Full Council meeting and that road safety had been an important area of focus, particularly in Derry Hill and Studley. The parish council were conducting a survey of footpaths in the area to establish their usage and maintenance requirements. They also aimed to write a pamphlet about the different types  ...  view the full minutes text for item 82