Agenda item

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

6.a. Wiltshire Police

6.b. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

6.c. CCG

6.d. Health Watch

6.e. Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

6.f. Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Some written updates were received before the meeting and are included in the agenda pack.

The Area Board received and noted updates from the following partners:

          6a. Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received an update from Sergeant Kevin Harmsworth and Inspector Simon Cowdrey on behalf of Wiltshire Police. Sergeant Harmsworth reported the following matters:

·       Operation Elf ran over Christmas to combat a rise in shoplifting, this led to an 11% reduction in shoplifting offences from 2019.

·       Wiltshire Police continue to respond to all Covid-19 legislation breaches. Now in lockdown 3, the police stance has now moved towards enforcement.

·       Patrols have taken place at vaccine distribution hubs including in the Avenue Surgery.

·       Online crime prevention advice is available for schools along with online lessons which are available through email.

·       In January there were 7 community speed watch checks and a breakdown is available upon request through email.

·       An arrest was made recently for intention to supply drugs and in December a Misuse of Drugs Act warrant was issued in Chitterne after a small Cannabis growth was found.

·       The police have been working with the Town Council around the skatepark and had previously received significant numbers of calls regarding youth gatherings. These have since stopped.

·       Attention was drawn to the Police and Crime plan 2017-2022 which sets out four local priorities for policing.

·       A digital investigation unit has been set up within the last year to combat cybercrime and aid safeguarding.

·       Sergeant Harmsworth clarified the area that police officers cover within the local Warminster Area.

          6a.a. OPCC Precept and Police Premises

The Board received an update from the Police and Crime Commissioner, Angus Macpherson. The update covered the following matters:

·       The precept consultation period has now ended and there was a proposal that the Band E precept should be increased by £15 a year. The January survey showed that 64% of respondents were in favour of this increase.

·       The extra money will be used to fund an extra 46 officers and all those recruited will join neighbourhood policing teams, which is being rebuilt to get back to neighbourhood task groups.

·       The new police station located on the former Wiltshire College site is heading towards completion with staff set to move into the building in April.

Following the update, the following questions were addressed by the Police and Crime Commissioner:

·       Information was sought regarding officer recruitment and applications. It was clarified that there hasn’t been a struggle for applicant numbers, however, there has been a struggle for these applicants to reflect the society of Wiltshire and the minority groups in proportion to the population as a whole. A number of PCSOs have been lost to regular police officers. Specials have been lost however more will be recruited.

·       The old police housing between central carpark and central road, will be disposed of once the new station is established in the town centre and this process will look for the best value of money.

• When asked about recruitment for the community speed watch, it was clarified that a support officer will be recruited so that a camera can operate at sites over the year.

6.b. Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – The Area Board noted the update attached to the agenda supplement 2.

6.c. CCG – The Area Board noted the updates attached to the agenda.

6.d. Health Watch – The Area Board noted the update attached to the agenda.

6.e. Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

Len Turner, Chair of the WVCP, updated members on the following matters:

• Services provided by the Community Hub are suspended due to the lockdown restrictions. Volunteers will return to normal services when the restrictions are withdrawn, and they feel safe to work. Cornerstone is currently providing a telephone service but no face-to face contact.
• WVCP is supporting organisations alongside the development trust as a fund holder. If there is a group that would like to form a new initiative but is not formally constituted, the WVCP would be happy to talk to them.
• There has been a desire from local businesses to recreate a chamber of commerce for Warminster. If there is a sufficient amount of people who would like to take responsibility, then this could go ahead.

6.f. Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Fiona Fox provided an update on behalf of Warminster Town Council. The update covered the following matters:

·       In September the Town Council set a new strategy for the next 5 years, starting from 2021. This includes the four strategic priorities: to take on new services, assets and responsibilities; building a strong and health community; enabling the new normal; reducing environmental impact.

·       The Town Council has worked with the Police to improve behaviour at the skatepark.

·       The Weymouth Street path leading down to the lake pleasure grounds has now been closed due to Public Health and Wiltshire Council advice.

The Area Board noted that written updates had been received from Warminster Town Council, Chapmanslade Parish Council, Horningsham Parish Council and Maiden Bradley Parish Council.