Agenda item

To receive any updates from partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received a verbal update from Sergeant Louise Oakley which included the following points:

• Structural change had taken place in the Westbury area team, with Inspector Al Lumley having been promoted to the role of Chief Inspector. Sergeant Kevin Harmsworth would be the new Inspector from January in the new year.

Sergeant Oakley provided an update of the local priorities for Westbury:

• Anti-social behaviour, E-scooters and Youth Crime – There has been reports of general antisocial behaviour, public order offences, theft and damage. PC Mike Obern has been working hard with response teams to deal with youths robustly.
• Westbury Police Station – Towards the end of September someone had moved into the back of Westbury Station with their caravans, which had attracted some trouble. The Police gave a formal notice in October with court proceedings and eviction in hand.
• Speed Enforcement – A large proportion of speeders have been from the local area with it also noted that the Police are reliant on Community Speed watch teams for data.
• PEEL Inspection Progress – Progress has been made in improving the areas which had been identified as most critical, with changes to team structures having been made to ensure of a more consistent service.

Following the presentation there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       An observation was made that trouble in the centre of Westbury had recently increased over weeks with a huge increase in young people attempting to purchase alcohol from public houses as well as hanging around the town centre and Library. Work is being conducted to put up signage and extend CCTV.

·       It was welcome that the Police were set to conduct some test purchasing in local shops.

·       A comment was made that it seems as though work is being conducted to tackle the symptoms of youth crime rather than the causes. It was suggested that it is often difficult from a Police perspective as the crimes being committed are often not serious enough for arrests and court proceedings to take place.

·       Jon Hubbard spoke on behalf of 4Youth and stated that they are looking to do a pop-up café on a Friday night in the new year as currently it seems as though there isn’t a place for young people to go. It was suggested that such an approach could have success as the 4Youth workers would have a different presence to that of the Police. It was suggested that if residents were aware of a youth gathering that they could email:hello@4youth.org.ukand then the mobile team could pay a visit with the Police also welcome to attend.

·       A plea was made the Police make the town centre a focus.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

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

·        BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

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

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

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

·       Town and Parish Councils

The Area Board received an update from Sheila Kimmins on behalf of Westbury Town Council. The update covered the following points:

• Remembrance Sunday was very well attended and went very well.
• The Planning Inspector for the Government had been in Westbury regarding the planning application for the incinerator with it hoped that it would be soon known whether the application would be approved or not.
• It was noted that Westbury Town Council now owns Vivash Park.
• Regarding Christmas, the Town Council are holding a Christmas Card competition with the Christmas lights set to be turned on in the Market Place on 3 December.

The Area Board received an update from John Pollard on behalf of Edington Parish Council. The update covered the following points:

• The first Carpet Bowls session recently took place, which had been funded by the Area Board, with future sessions likely to take place.
• Edington Church has functioned as a warm space with other events in the village advertised including a curry and quiz evening on a Saturday.