Agenda item

To receive the following announcements through the Chair:

·       Community Governance Review 2022-2023

·       Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living

·       Warminster Businesses Forum

·       Neighbourhood Plan and Town Regeneration Progress

·       Strategic Engagement and Partnerships Briefing Note

·       Building Bridges

·       Local Successes

The chairman gave the following updates:

·       Community Governance Review 2022-2023

The Chairman noted that attached to the agenda pack was a briefing note, which set out the background to the Community Governance Review Process. It was stated that Wiltshire Council is undertaking a Community Governance Review in certain areas, which began on 19 August 2022. Warminster has been agreed to be one of these areas, with the Electoral Review Committee having approved the terms of reference for a Community Governance Review which started on 19 August 2022. It was stated that the potential change would be an increase to the number of Warminster Town Councillors. Further details about Community Governance Reviews, could be found within the agenda pack.

·       Update on behalf of the Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living 

It was noted that within the agenda pack was a partner update from the Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living. It was outlined that the Wiltshire Centre for Independent Living is a Disabled People’s user led organization with the aim to ensure that all people in Wiltshire can live the life they choose as valued members of their community. The update included information about the main activities conducted by the centre in order to support people to live independently and to have a voice.

·       Warminster Businesses Forum

Cllr Bill Parks noted that he had recently attended a meeting and that progress was in its early stages. An update would be brought to the next meeting.

·       Neighbourhood Plan and Town Regeneration Progress

The Chairman drew attention  update on the Warminster Neighbourhood Plan that was attached to the agenda pack. The update detailed the recent progress of the Neighbourhood Plan, including the successful application of a £10,000 grant from Locality (the Government’s Neighbourhood Planning funding body), the appointment of a Steering Group and Topic Groups, evidence gathering through an interactive volunteer workshop. A Steering Group meeting had also taken place at the end of August.  Cllr Bill Parks noted that part of the grant would be used to appoint a company to take forward the Neighbourhood Plan.

·       Pop-up Youth Event

The Chairman noted that on 18 October 2022 a pop-up youth event would be taking place for children in school Year 6 and above in Chapmanslade Village Hall. It was noted that the previous event in Codford had been a success and that it would be positive if attendees could share the following link for registration: Pop Up Youth Event Chapmanslade Village Hall for Year 6 upwards Tickets, Tue 18 Oct 2022 at 17:30 | Eventbrite

·       Strategic Engagement  and Partnerships Briefing Note

The Chairman informed that a new staffing structure had come into place for the Engagement and Partnerships team, which has introduced three officer levels of support to local communities and Area Boards. The service would work with communities in an innovative and proactive way to empower them to do even more for themselves and to deliver to the Wiltshire Council Business Plan. Attached to the agenda pack was a brief overview of the respective duties. In addition, the Area Board also welcomed Lizzie Watkin, Assistant Director Finances, to the Area Board who had been allocated as a member of the extended leadership team to attend meetings.

·       Building Bridges

Attention was drawn to the Building Bridges Briefing note within the agenda pack. It was outlined that the project continues to support those furthest from the workplace or with multiple barriers back towards the world of work, education or training. The team offer bespoke 1:1 support to help identify what barriers a person might have which are preventing them progressing and help plan ways to address these. They could even offer up to 12 weeks support once someone has entered employment or education to ensure they have settled in and aid with transition. The chairman stated that referrals can be made by a professional or self-referral and can be made via the website: www.buildingbridgessw.org.uk

·       Local Successes

Warminster Area Board congratulated the following groups for their respective achievements:

·       The Village of Heytesbury, which came 3rd in the Medium Village category of the best kept villages in Wiltshire for 2022 Competition. Heytesbury also won the Newcomers Award, with Knook receiving 4th place.

·       The Warminster Garrison for the Health and Wellbeing Fair that they ran, which took place at the Land Warfare Centre on 27 July 2022.