Agenda item

To receive updates from our partners. Some reports have been received and are included in the pack.

·         Wiltshire Police

·         Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service

·         BA13+ Community Area Partnership

·         Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group

·         Healthwatch Wiltshire

·         Westbury Town Council

The Area Board received the following updates from key partners:-

(a)       Wiltshire Police  Inspector James Brain presented his report and introduced Police Constable Charly Chilton, Community Crime Coordinator.  He explained that this new post had so far been funded for 10 months and with the aim of working with key partners and the community in resolving problems. 

He drew attention to Community Messaging and explained that its purpose was to provide daily updates on crime in localised areas.  This facility would enable all members of the community to receive daily updates on crime. New crime prevention advice would be imparted this way as well as information about very recent crime incidents.   Inspector Brain was pleased to report that some very positive feedback had been received about community messaging.

Inspector Brain provided an update on the Community Policing Pilot Scheme and following its success in the pilot areas, the Chief Constable would be introducing this model throughout the Wiltshire Force.  Members enquired about the degree of its success and Inspector Brain reported that a full evaluation was being carried out by a Systems Thinking Project Team.

Resolved:

To request Chris McMullin, Head of Business Improvement, to provide a presentation to the Westbury Area Board on the evaluation of the Community Policing Model.

(b)      Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service Andy Green, Station Manager presented his report from which it was noted that during the period 1 June to 14 July 2016, the crew was mobilised 23 times.  There were four fires, including the large incident in Brook Lane, which resulted in the attendance of six fire engines and numerous support appliances.  The remaining calls were either false alarms or minor in nature.

In answer to a question, Andy Green reported that the merger of the Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Services was progressing well.  Procedures were in the process of being rationalised and various risk assessments were being carried out, including the size of fire tenders. 

It was noted that there was a shortage of fire fighters in Westbury and arrangements were being made for an Open Day to take place at which interested members of the public would be given the opportunity to be shown around the Fire Station and have their questions answered.  

(c)       BA13+ Community Area Partnership  Carole King presented an update report from which it was noted that the Partnership sought to:

·         Help the local community articulate their aspirations, needs and priorities.

·         Work together with residents, councils, businesses, voluntary and other organisations in a common effort to achieve these aims.

·         Work with partners on projects to make real and sustainable changes to life in and around Westbury.

·         Contribute to the effective protection of Westbury’s natural and heritage environment.

·         Reflect local concerns and ideas by tackling them in the Community Plan.

Concern was expressed at the difficulties being experienced at times in securing appointments at the White Horse Medical Centre. The Chairman reported that there would be a public meeting of Healthwatch Wiltshire on 8 September 2016 in the Laverton, Westbury starting at 6.00pm, when a report would be presented providing a feedback from local people as a result of engagement in the town this summer, together with research and evidence of health and social care issues in Westbury.   

(d)       Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group An update report was received and noted.

(e)       HealthwatchWiltshire  An update report was received and noted.

(f)        Westbury Town Council An update report was received and noted.