Agenda item

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service - https://youtu.be/6aLZv-GMRBA

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

·       Warminster Community Police Task Group (CPTG)

·       Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received a verbal update from Inspector Kevin Harmsworth which included the following points:

·       Inspector Harmsworth noted how he had been promoted to the role of Inspector and that the Police operating model had undergone change with a back-to-basics process after being placed in special measures. As Inspector, his role would be to oversee the response and performance of teams.

·       The Police looked forward to welcoming new Chief Constable, Catherine Roper to the force.

·       Regarding Stop and Search, it was highlighted that a new project “Revolving Doors” had now been undertaken to allow those stopped an opportunity to provide anonymous feedback through a leaflet.

Inspector Harmsworth provided an update of the local priorities for Warminster:

·       Non-dwelling burglaries to sheds/outbuildings – In December and early January there had been an increase in this crime type, which seemed to have since decreased following the arrest of a local male. Prevention work had taken place through follow up visits with victims as well as the use of Selecta DNA.

·       Motorcyle Excess Speed & Antisocial Riding, Longbridge Deverill – A problem orientated approach to policy had been undertaken in Longbridge Deverill with residents to investigate alleged excess speed and anti-social riding. This had been in conjunction with “Project Zero”.

Inspector Harmsworth raised the following additional points:

·       Within the agenda supplement was an update from Community Speedwatch, which included that over 2 million vehicles had passed during over 8,000 Speedwatch sessions. To assist this, schemes had been asked to obtain SIDs to capture data in real time.

·       A hotel watch scheme has started in the Bath Arms in Warminster to minimise the chances of exploitation.

·       Work with town CCTV has continued and has seen success with two individuals detained earlier in the day for stealing a hairbrush from Boots. A wider piece of work would take place with town CCTV managers to share best practice and plan for future demand.

·       The rural crime team has continued to progress with work.

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

·       It was stated that it would be positive for the Police to build a relationship with active Speedwatch teams in villages.

·       The issue of highways safety and the positioning of SIDs was raised, with it noted that a policy was being redrafted which would include the positioning of SIDs and identifying safe sites for their use. It was suggested that it would be positive for Sarah Holden (Road Safety Supervisor, Wiltshire Police) to attend a future Area Board meeting.

·       The issue of speeding around the county boarder with Somerset was raised as well as the difficulty of cross boarder liaison.

·       It was clarified that the data collected from SIDs is not calibrated, however this takes place when civilian officers visit locations.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda which contained a link to a 10-minute video which showed notable incidents that the force had attended, and the good work that was achieved across the Service in the last three months.

The Chairman noted that Deputy Chief Fire Officer (DCFO) Derek James ad been awarded the King’s Fire Service Medal as part of the New Year Honours List. Additionally, it was raised that Warminster fire station had received the best inspection rating in the Southwest, being graded as outstanding in one area and maintaining a status of good in two other areas.

·        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.

·       Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

Len Turner spoke on behalf of the Warminster and Villages Community Partnership and updated that the future of the partnership was being reviewed with the hub building currently closed and would re-open in March. It was outlined that the partnership acts as a fund holder for new organisations to allow them to get set up and grow. Concern was raised that it had been two years since the Town Council had made an application to Wiltshire Council for a community asset transfer for the hub building, to which it was clarified by the Chairman that this should be dealt with by Warminster Town Council.

·       Warminster Community Police Task Group (CPTG)

Cllr Ridout updated that the next meeting of the CPTG would be at 7pm on 23 March 2023 at Warminster Police station, with the minutes of the previous meeting set to be circulated. It was clarified that this would not be a hybrid meeting.

·       Warminster Area Health and Wellbeing Forum

David Reeves and Stephanie Stevens provided the Area Board with a verbal update on behalf of the Warminster and District Health and Wellbeing Forum, which covered the following points:

·       It was stressed that Health and Wellbeing is a top priority for the Council, therefore the aim of the Forum is to build and improve connections between organisations throughout the local area.

·       It was acknowledged that the pandemic had caused a loss of face-to-face meetings, which had been important to the Forum for networking and meeting with organisations. Therefore, funding would be needed to get back to having meetings.

·       It was noted that the Forum was in the process of forming a constitution and a formalised structure through a steering group. The constitution was almost complete and would be presented to members of at its AGM on 8 March 2023 with new officers voted in.

·       Plans for the Warminster Area Health and Wellbeing Forum Fayre on 22 April 2022 were outlined, with it noted that 40 participating groups had signed up. The Fayre would be free to attend and would include a raffle, two local sporting heroes, stalls, and the town crier.

·       A booklet for the Fayre had also been produced which would include contact details for a list of 140 clubs and societies in Warminster as well as details on the participating organisations.

·       The Forum thanked Len Turner and the Warminster and Villages Community Partnership for running their finances.

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

·       It was questioned whether the constitution for the Warminster Area Health and Wellbeing Forum would include those within the BA13 area, to which it was clarified that this postcode would be included, and the Forum logo would be updated accordingly.

·       It was suggested that the Health and Wellbeing Forum get in touch with the villages, to which it was clarified that once up and running, funding could be used to go on the road to visit villages.