Agenda item

To receive updates from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Community First

·       Update from BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Schools updates

·       Town and Parish Council

·       Sustainable Devizes

·       Opendoors

·       Devizes and District Foodbank

The Chairman then invited the Area Board’s partner organisations to provide any verbal updates in addition to the written ones included in the agenda pack.

·       Wiltshire Police

Inspector Ben Huggins and PS Chris Wickham provided an overview of the neighbourhood policing team structure and highlighted stop-and-search and proportionality data. They mentioned a slight spike in criminal damages in Devizes town centre and a continuation of rural thefts. They highlighted the work being done by community speed enforcement officers to counter speeding offences, and stated that youth violence remained a priority when dealing with anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Reay raised the issues recently encountered by several Seend residents in getting through via 101 phone calls. Inspector Huggins reassured the Councillor that Wiltshire Police was in the midst of an active recruitment drive to address shortages in staff at call centres. Councillor Nash also pointed out that there were other ways of reporting crimes such as through the website. The Chairman raised problems with street drinking in the marketplace, to which Inspector Huggins stated that Wiltshire Police were liaising with Wiltshire Council to install a Public Space Protection Order. Noel Woolrych from Opendoors promoted the Safer Streets project currently being undertaken alongside Wiltshire Police, advising that online sessions were being run on 9 and 18 July 2023 via Facebook.

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS)

Watch Manager Philip Flowers and Michael Cleaver provided an update from DWFRS. They promoted their ‘safe and well’ initiative and advised that the service offered protection for commercial properties with fire safety visits. Councillor Nash added that statistics would be available following an upcoming Fire Authority meeting.

·       Devizes Town Council

Simon Fisher, Devizes Town Council clerk, stated that the council were in the process of addressing anti-social behaviour in the town, with consultation likely and evidence required to progress with Wiltshire Council. He noted that a significant concern was the possibility of displacement. Councillor Whitehead and Councillor Nash sought clarity over the size and scope of the ASB order and the likely need for collaboration with Bishop Cannings council.

·       Sustainable Devizes

Graham Martin highlighted the recent Sustainability Fair as part of a twinning weekend themed around sustainability, noting the contributions from Nursteed and Devizes Schools. Councillor Reay thanked Mr Martin and the other volunteers for their work putting on the event.

·       Opendoors

Noel Woolrych provided a brief update from that morning, involving a range of statistics about the demographic of individuals making use of the service and their number. He expressed his thanks to the local supermarkets for their contributions.

·       Devizes and District Foodbank

Alex Montegriffo, community organiser and campaigns manager for Devizes and District Foodbank, provided an update on the work they had been doing. They noted that more people were being supported by the foodbank than at any point since data began, while also highlighting the new project at the St. James Centre, the work of Wiltshire Food, the recent push for affordable school uniform and the Household Support Fund’s move to public health. Full details of the report can be found in the agenda pack. The Chairman thanked Alex for their work and emphasised the value of their engagement with the boater communities and other marginalised groups. Councillor Reay also offered her assistance in resolving any outstanding issues regarding the provision of alternative fuel payments.

·       Wiltshire Youth For Christ

Wiltshire Youth For Christ Team Leader Steve Dewar updated the Area Board about the success of their recent Roots for Shoots project and their mentoring work across local secondary schools. He described how teenage boys often lacked positive engagement and how as a result, the team were ensuring that the support systems in place for local young people work properly. The Chairman thanked Steve for his work and paid tribute to the success of youth provision in the community.