Agenda item

To receive updates from the Town and Parish Council Representatives, and from other partner organisations, including outside bodies on which the Area Board is represented.

The Chairman referred to the updates set out in the agenda and invited further updates from Town/Parish Councils and other Partners, including outside bodies.  It was noted that the preferred option was for written updates, to minimise time spent during the meeting.

Police

Inspector Christian Lange spoke to his paper, which had been circulated as part of the Agenda Supplement 1.

He highlighted the effects of the change to the Police’s basing and response model which he had first raised at the previous meeting. The aim of regrouping patrols and basing them at Salisbury was to increase resilience and flexibility. On the bases of recent statistics these changes appeared to have improved response times for both 999 calls (97% now within target) and priority cases (88% to 93% increase).

Inspector Lange also explained the value of Police working directly with the community – using recent work combating anti-social behaviour in Porton as an example. In Porton residents affected by anti-social behaviour have been put in contact with youths’ parents, which gives communities an opportunity to solve problems themselves before further involving police. Both Cllr Hewitt and Inspector Lange thanked the youth worker for the Porton area for her much appreciated help with this scheme.

The Inspector also urged residents to secure their cars and premises as there had been a number of thefts from unsecured cars and premises over the last few weeks.

Questions were received regarding graffiti in Amesbury; Motorcycle riding on restricted byways; and the new non-emergency 101 police contact number.

It was confirmed that police operations against graffiti artists in Amesbury were ongoing and achieving some success in reducing levels of graffiti. The inappropriate riding of motorbikes also continued to be monitored. The cost of telephoning the non-emergency 101 police contact number was confirmed as 15p per call, across mobile phones and landlines no matter how long that call lasts.

Fire and Rescue

The written update at pages 29-32 was noted.

NHS Wiltshire

The written updates at pages 33- 34 were noted.

Town and Parish Council updates

No written updates were received from Town or Parish councils for inclusion with the agenda.

Snow planning in Amesbury and surrounds

Councillors from the Amesbury area gave an update on the local preparations should adverse Winter weather conditions affect the area. An order has been placed for more grit bins to be strategically placed around Amesbury and these stocks will be replenished by Wiltshire council.

Alongside this, there is the opportunity for individuals to register an interest in joining the Winter Weather Network. The intention was to mobilize drivers (already identified) with 4x4 vehicles to help keep the estate roads and other roads through the Town clear for vehicles.

It was emphasised that advice had been received from Wiltshire Council’s legal service regarding individuals’ liability if they clear snow from the pavement. Put simply, if an individual clears snow from the pavement and leaves the section of pavement in a condition that any reasonable person would view as being "safer", then there should be no liability, as the individual cannot be said to have been "negligent". Individuals requiring further information were advised to see the government’s Directgov website: http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Nl1/Newsroom/DG_191868

Amesbury Town Council events in late 2011

Cllr Andrew Durcan, Deputy Mayor of Amesbury informed those present of two projects / events to which all residents from Amesbury and the wider community area were welcome:

Lantern Parade

On Wednesday 21st December, there will be a special lantern parade along the original processional route from Stonehenge to Amesbury on the eve of Mid-Winter Solstice. This will lead away from Stonehenge as the sun sets at 4pm and arrive in Amesbury at about 5.30pm for refreshments, last chance market and craft stalls.

Historic Amesbury Mosaic

Amesbury Town Council needs your ideas! A new mosaic is being designed for Archer’s Gate to replace the existing one that is damaged.  The new mosaic will be wall mounted and will feature historical events and stories of Amesbury from Mesolithic times to now. There will also be opportunities for local people to learn mosaic skills and help make the border. The deadline for ideas and drawings is 31 December 2011.

For further information on either project please contact Amesbury Town Council