Agenda item

To note the written reports and receive updates from any partners who wish to contribute:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

   iii.        NHS Wiltshire

   iv.        Parish and Town Councils

    v.        Chippenham and Villages Area Partnership (ChAP)

   vi.        Chippenham Vision

  vii.        Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

viii.        Youth Strategy Update

   ix.        Lyneham Steering Group

    x.        Children’s Parliament.

Updates from partners were received as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

The written report from Wiltshire Police was distributed at the meeting. Inspector Martin Schorah introduced himself as the new Area Inspector for Chippenham, Calne and Corsham.

Inspector Martin Schorah drew attention to the latest crime figures for Chippenham, which showed a decrease in crime across the area. Work was ongoing to maintain these results and to decrease crime levels further.

The Street Pastors scheme was now fully up and running, and the radios and high visibility jackets for door staff had also been implemented.

In response to concern regarding drugs activities at Birds Marsh, Inspector Schorah reported that a series of targeted, uniformed patrols had been carried out, and surveillance was an option if the problem persisted, although it was noted that the surveillance unit was in high demand and incidents had to be carefully prioritised.

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written report was noted and there was no further update.

   iii.        NHS Wiltshire

The written reports were noted and there were no further updates.

   iv.        Parish and Town Councils

The written reports from Castle Combe, Grittleton, Kington Langley, Kington St Michael and Christian Malford Parish Councils were noted. Further updates were received as follows:

Christian Malford Parish Council – the ongoing issues and problems associated with HGVs using the B4069 through the village were ongoing. The issue that was originally been logged with the Area Board had now been closed, but the Chairman provided reassurance that this meant that the issue had been passed on to another department of the Council to be handled.

Seagry Parish Council – an allotments meeting had been held and a tender accepted to replace the fencing. The Parish Council was pleased to report that it had not had to increase the parish precept to cover the costs associated with the allotments. The new parish hall should be up and running in time for next year’s Jubilee.

Chippenham Town Council – notice was issued that the Town Council intended to bestow Freedom of Entry to the town on Thursday 19 January 2012 at approximately 11am. The Town Council aimed to keep any disruption to a minimum, but it was hoped that people would come out to support the event.

Biddestone & Slaughterford Parish Council – hazards were occurring as a result of Chinese lanterns being set off into the sky and it was requested that care was taken.

    v.        Chippenham and Villages Area Partnership (ChAP)

The inaugural meeting of the Parish Forums was due to be held soon, which would provide a voice for the rural parishes. Another recent focus was the proposed skate park, and ChAP had spent time at the River Festival carrying out a survey with regards to a preferred location. The secondary schools had also been surveyed.

It was also reported that ChAP was still in the process of pursuing charitable status.

   vi.        Chippenham Vision Board

The written report was noted. It was also reported that hundreds of jobs had been safeguarded after more than £3 million of government funding was secured in a bid to the government which was developed by Wiltshire Council working with local company DTR VMS.

The grant, which was part of an overall investment of £21million in Wiltshire from the regional growth fund (RGF), would safeguard 195 jobs and help secure around 800 more jobs in other companies which supply DTR VMS.

In response to a question, it was also noted that the Vision had produced a very details response to the Wiltshire Core Strategy consultation, which was available on the Vision website, and the next steps in the process were now awaited.

 vii.        Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

The written report was noted and it was reported that the CAYPIG was currently looking into economy and enterprise apprenticeships, and it was hoped to present more detail about this to a future meeting of the Area Board.

viii.        Lyneham Steering Group

The RAF Lyneham site was now subject to the Defence Technical Change programme. The current site was due to close in December 2012, with a consultation period of 12 to 18 months. It was envisaged that the new operations at the site would be fully established by 2020.

   ix.        Children’s Parliament

Congratulations were given to Judy Edwards, Manager of the Chippenham Partnership of Schools, for being awarded ‘runner up’ for the Children’s Parliaments’ Road Safety Campaign at the VCS awards.