Agenda item

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police and Introduction of the new PCC – Philip Wilkinson

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

·       Health

·       Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

·       Parish Councils

a)    Wiltshire Police and Introduction of the new Police and Crime Commissioner – Philip Wilkinson

·       Police and Crime Commissioner

The Chairman welcomed the recently appointed new Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson to the meeting. Philip introduced himself explaining that he had been in the army for 32 years followed by a number of years working for other government departments.

The Area Board noted that his top priorities included tackling organised crime; both urban and rural, anti-social behaviour and speeding, alongside restorative justice, increased prosecution rates and better victim support.  He welcomed contributions from the community in the preparation of the Crime Plan and for it to become more inclusive.

He supported a number of comments about the need for police to be visible in the Area Board community to enhance public confidence and ability to keep communities safe. In addition to these questions Philip responded to questions about speed watch, mental health and Anti-social behaviour.

The Chairman thanked the PCC for joining the meeting and wished him well in his new post.

·       Police Report

The Area Board noted the written report of the police attached to the agenda pack.

b)    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue 

Dave Adamson, on behalf of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service reported on a recent fire at Woodborough CE VA Primary School, which started in the roof following some recent works. Dave commented on the speed of the appliances arriving on the scene, the impact on learning, the amazing amount of community support offered to the school, the support offered by Wiltshire Council and the ongoing support required. In particular he thanked the public and local social club for their help and support during the incident.

The Chairman and other Board members paid tribute to the Fire Service for their speedy response, how they tackled the blaze and further support if needed. It was noted that the school may have been short of IT equipment and Dawn Wilson explained that she had been in touch with the Green Machine about help with laptops etc if it was needed.

The Area Board noted the written report of the Fire Service attached to the agenda pack.

c)    Health – Healthwatch update – the written report was noted.

d)    Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

Dawn Wilson report that the Group had not met since July and therefore there was nothing to report. Dawn reminded the Area Board of the support offered through Health & Wellbeing grant applications. 

e)    Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Dawn Wilson spoke on behalf of Susie Brew in relation to Tourism and raised the following:

·       Walkers Are Welcome - accreditation has been awarded and is up and running. The Group are looking to set up footpath groups with the support of Parish Councils to oversee and maintain the footpaths.

·       Itineries Project – The Group have been working on this project in conjunction with the Co-Op and the Area Board.  The Mid Wilts Way route and Kennet and Avon Canal route have been completed and launched. The online route planning information will help visitors to plan visits to the Vale. The Longer route, Pewsey Vale Circular Way, an 82 mile long route around the Vale,  is being waymarked with support from Wiltshire Council Rights of Way officers, other partners and funding from the Area Board. This new route could be launched next Spring 2022. Alongside this a new cycling route has been developed and will be available to visitors shortly.

·       The walkers leaflets were being reprinted and would be available at the Visitor info Centre.

·       A Health & Wellbeing event was held on 11 September 2021 at Hungerford, and this was attended by Susie – PCAP promoted the walking and cycling leaflet at this event, along with the Getting Outdoors Programme, which generated much interest. The Group will also attend the ‘This is Pewsey’ event.

·       The Group would welcome and encourage parish councils to sign up to the tourism partnership.

Dawn Wilson provided an update on the Health & Wellbeing Group as follows:

·       A very successful memory café meeting was held at the Bouverie Hall on 20 September 2021, also attended by the National Poetry Group.

·       The Movement to Music class, supported by the Area Board, was going from strength to strength. Dawn thanked everyone who awarded funding for these projects.

Colin Gale provided an update on the work of the Transport Group:

·       Through services for passengers from the Bedwyns have been restored and significant improvements were being made to the service, including the introduction of off peak fares.

·       Wiltshire Council were successful in being awarded a grant of £1.2m from DfT for bus service improvements in Wiltshire. The project was in its early stages of planning, and the Council were recruiting a project officer. The Council were required to produce a plan of proposals for the DfT and the local community had been consulted on the proposals alongside consideration by the Environment Select Committee in September 2021 and Cabinet in October 2021. PCAP’s aim is for the restoration of some of the services that previously ran in the Pewsey area and to achieve improvements to the current service.

f)      Parish Councils – There were no Parish Council updates.