Agenda item

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service - https://youtu.be/FS-jj8qoMCw

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Community First

·       Age UK Wiltshire

·       Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

·       Warminster Community Police Task Group (CPTG)

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda. In addition, the following questions and points were raised by Members:

·       Clarity was sought regarding reference to “Speed Education”, following traffic surveys in villages as well as being included within a Police Report. It was suggested that it would be positive to have a detailed answer as to how this differs from “Speed Enforcement”.

·       It was suggested that though the Police had introduced speeding cameras in the town centre, there was a belief that the villages had been overlooked, especially with a developing problem of motorbikes.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

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

·       Community First

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

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

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

·       AgeUK Wiltshire

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

·       Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

Len Turner (Chairman) confirmed that there was nothing to update on behalf of the Warminster and Villages Community Partnership.

·       Warminster Community Police Task Group (CPTG)

Cllr Pip Ridout on behalf of the Warminster Community Police Task Group (CPTG), noted that contrary to the cancellation of the last CPTG meeting, newly appointed Inspector Kevin Harmsworth was keen to work with the CPTG and to set a meeting date up for September.

·       Town and Parish Council Nominated Representative

The Area Board received a verbal update from Cllr Neil Carpenter on behalf of Corsley Parish Council, that the third Wiltshire Challenge Walk had taken place on 13 July with over 80 people attending to walk varying distances. Cllr Carpenter noted that the walks regularly stimulated hours of exercise for residents and that the team running the events had done a fantastic job running the event for free on a limited budget.

The Area Board received a verbal update from Cllr Sue Fraser on behalf of Warminster Town Council, that the “Happy to Chat Bench” in the Warminster Lake and Pleasure Grounds had been well used, with the Town Council having been interviewed on BBC Radio Wiltshire. Additionally, that the Park and Tennis Courts had been popular recently with Wimbledon taking place.

Following the Warminster Town Council update, the following points were raised:

·       There is a monthly Veterans Group which meets in the park.

·       There is interest in resurrecting the Warminster Tennis Club, with coaches having shared interest in coaching children and other participants.

·       It was suggested that another “Happy to Chat Bench” could be placed in the shopping centre, having seen the concept in other towns with success.

·       Wiltshire Council Woodland Team (GAPS)

The Area Board received a short presentation (attached to the minutes) from Naomi Styles (Woodland Officer) on behalf of the Wiltshire Council Woodland Team (GAPS). The presentation covered the following matters:

·       An Overview of the Woodland Grant Application and Planting Support (GAPS) team and the role that the team plays in assisting people to find a grant which suits their needs for tree planting.

·       Reference was drawn to the UK’s Climate Targets as well as how this affects the amount of woodland cover required in Wiltshire.

·       The benefits and reasons for planning trees was outlined.

·       Reference was drawn to the Tree Warden Scheme, which was currently recruiting with the aim of launching in September.

·       Funding options for planting were outlined.

·       Interested parties could get in touch with: GAPS@wiltshire.gov.uk should they require further information.

Following the presentation, questions were received in relation to the targets which had been set as well as ash dieback.