Agenda item

To receive an update from any partners who wish to contribute:

a.    Parishes

b.    Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.    NHS Wiltshire

d.    Community Area Young People’s Issues Group

e.    Chippenham Area Partnership

f.      Chippenham Vision

g.    Wiltshire Police.

Updates were received from the following:

Christian Malford Parish Council – Councillor Nigel Fairley

While the parish council were pleased that Mouchel’s review of the B4069 suggested a weight limit restriction, they were disappointed that Wiltshire Council had not supported this outcome.  He requested support from the Area Board in overturning this decision.

Decision

The Community Area Board Manager to investigate the matter.

Grittleton Parish Council – Councillor Lesley Palmer

The parish council thanked the Area Board for the speedy delivery of grant money and said that the project was well underway.  The Area Board councillors were invited to visit when complete.

Biddestone Parish Council – Councillor Alison Butler

The councillor was pleased to report that the Government was being approached to ban Chinese Lanterns given their negative environmental impact.

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – Mike Franklin

The written report attached to the agenda was noted. Mr Franklin reported that the service’s preventative work was on-going: 380 homes had received fire safety checks.  The scheme had been widely publicised through household leafleting and partner events.  He invited anyone interested in fire safety advice to contact him (michael.franklin@wiltsfire.gov.uk / 07919 306037).

NHS Wiltshire

The written report attached to the agenda was noted.

Community Area Young People’s Issues Group – Richard Williams

Mr Williams reported that a funding exercise was recently completed regarding resource allocation.  He was pleased to report a small increase in funding.  The first meeting of the Youth Task and Finish group, led by Councillor Darby, was to be held on 8 March.  A donation of £1500 had been received in support of the BMX project.

Chippenham and Villages Area Partnership – Jane Clark

Mrs Clark was delighted to announce that the Action for Market Towns Conference was to be held in Chippenham on 13 and 14 October and it was anticipated that 250 delegates would attend.  She thanked the Chippenham Town Council for their efforts in helping to secure Chippenham as the event’s venue.

Chippenham Vision – John Clark

Mr Clark thanked the Area Board for endorsing the Vision’s Performance Related Grant Scheme bids at the last meeting.  He wished to remind the meeting that National Cycle Route 4 had not been closed and that further work was being done to improve it.  A full-time Vision Director, Tim Martinson, had been appointed.  Mr Clark took the opportunity to announce that this year’s River Festival would include Raft Racing.

Wiltshire Police – Inspector Kate Pain

Inspector Pain pointed out that negative comments regarding the night-time economy of Chippenham had been inaccurate.  Councillor Allen had accompanied her recently on her Saturday night duty of the town and there had been no major incidents.  Councillor Allen thanked her for this opportunity.

Four search warrants had been issued for the misuse of drugs, resulting in five arrests.  Very small amounts of drugs had been found and she commended the community for their help on this issue.