Agenda and draft minutes

To receive any apologies for absence.

Apologies for absence were received from Cllr Pip Ridout, therefore Cllr Andrew Davis was Chairman for the meeting.

To approve and sign as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024.

The minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024 were presented for consideration. After which, it was;

Resolved:

To approve and sign as a true and correct record of the minutes of the meeting held on 12 September 2024.

To receive any declarations of disclosable interests or dispensations granted by the Standards Committee or the Monitoring Officer.

No declarations of interest were made.

To receive the following announcements and briefing notes through the Chairman:

·       Cost Of Living Update

·       Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Project

·       Vaccine Confidence Training Sessions BSW

·       BSW Together Update

·       Community First Update

·       Local Transport Plan Consultation

The Chairman made the following announcements as per the agenda pack:

• Cost Of Living Update
• Local Electric Vehicle Infrastructure (LEVI) Project
• Vaccine Confidence Training Sessions BSW
• BSW Together Update
• Community First Update
• Local Transport Plan Consultation
• St Lawrence Chapel Grant Application

To note the remaining budgets and to consider any applications for funding, as detailed in the attached report and summarised below:

Remaining Budgets:

Community Area Grants:

Young People Grants:

Further information on the Area Board Grant system can be found here.

The Area Board considered the following applications for funding:

Community Area Grants:

Bishopstrow and Boreham Parochial Church Council - £2,500 towards New gas boiler for St Johns Hall

Decision

It was noted that Bishopstrow and Boreham Parochial Church Council had withdrawn their grant application ahead of the meeting.

Southwestern Ambulance Service Trust Fund - £4,080 Community First Responder Raiser Chair and Observation Kit.

Decision

Southwestern Ambulance Service Trust Fund was awarded £4,080 towards Community First Responder Raiser Chair and Observation Kit.

Moved – Cllr Tony Jackson

Seconded – Cllr Andrew Davis

Representatives of the Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum recognised the work of voluntary organisations in the Warminster Area and congratulated the grant recipient.

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Heytesbury and Codford FC – £3,319.99 towards Football Pitch Dugouts

Decision

Heytesbury and Codford FC was awarded £3,319.99 towards Football Pitch Dugouts with the funding split between the Community Area Grants pot (£2,500) and Young People Grants pot (£819.99).

Moved – Cllr Bill Parks

Seconded – Cllr Andrew Davis

Reason – The application met the Community Area Grants and Young People Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Young People Grants:

Warminster Youth Club - £5,000 towards SEN Youth Club

Decision

Warminster Youth Club was awarded £5,000 towards SEN Youth Club

Moved – Cllr Andrew Davis

Seconded – Cllr Bill Parks

Reason – The application met the Young People Grants Criteria 2023/24.

Warminster Town Council - £5,000 towards Warminster Town Council’s Youth Activities Programme

Decision

Warminster Town Council was awarded £5,000 towards Warminster Town Council’s Youth Activities Programme.

Moved – Cllr Andrew Davis

Seconded – Cllr Bill Parks

Reason – The application met the Young People Grants Criteria 2023/24.

To receive an update from Phillip Wilkinson, Wiltshire & Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner.

To discuss the Police and Crime Plan in relation to the Warminster Area.

The Area Board received an update from Philip Wilkinson, Wiltshire & Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC). The update included but was not limited to the following points:

·       The PCC outlined that he had now been in post for three years and was currently in the process of rewriting the Police and Crime Plan and would be able to be more specific with trends.

·       It was outlined that such improvements had taken place due to having a proper HQ with effective leadership and an effective chain of command in place of the previous committees that had been used. This was therefore enabling the Police to have the right people, systems, and policy procedures in place.

·       It was noted that though there had been improvements there were still issues for concern for example continuing to improve call response rates and providing support for victims.

·       It was outlined that as arrests and prosecutions had risen, each crime type had decreased within the county, including domestic abuse, violent crime, rape, and anti-social behaviour. This suggested a direct correlation with the effectiveness of the Force.

·       A positive overview was provided for speeding, with it noted that previously 1,324 points, fines and courses had been awarded, which had now risen to circa 15,000 in the last year.

·       Wiltshire Police was now the top performing Force for County Line disruptions per capita, with reference made to the joint regional work with other forces for Op Scorpion.

·       It was outlined that the new Police and Crime Plan would include two new priority areas of retail crime and harm caused to shop workers.

·       An overview of the work being conducted regarding rural crime was provided, with it noted that previously the rural crime team had only had two officers, which had now been expanded to nine officers as part of a joined-up approach with fourteen individuals arrested since 1 October who had been engaged in serious rural crime.

After the update, there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       A discussion took place regarding how decreasing crime figures are correlated with Police activity and the public’s reluctance to report crime, to which it was suggested that as trust is rebuilt it crime rates would generally rise due to the public reporting more.

·       The notion of selling Police stations and having Police hubs was discussed, with it suggested that stations that had been closed was due to the running expense not justifying the footfall experienced. It was suggested that Warminster was in a good position as there were four Police stations locally with a custody suite in Melksham. It was stated that currently the PCC did not know the budget he would be set by government, but previously Wiltshire had delivered more than most other Forces in the country though they had received less funding due to population density.

·       A further point was raised regarding custody suites with there having been various research projects to consider how these might be staffed including possible outsourcing.

·       Positive feedback  ...  view the full minutes text for item 6.

To note the written reports and receive any verbal updates from the following:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Warminster Garrison

·       Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board noted written updates attached to the agenda. In addition, Inspector Lou Oakley provided a verbal update which covered the following points:

·       Overview of the geography of the area and the team was provided.

Business Crime

·       It was noted that nationally the Police had experienced increased numbers of retail crime and had not been supporting retailers with an increase in assaults on shopworkers. Therefore, there was set to be a delivery plan to tackle business crime with Inspector Oakley having been made operation lead for the County.

·       Work was being undertaken with the Police Business Analyst to consider data around where crime was taking place, by whom and the reason for any increases.

·       An Offender Intervention Panel had been set up with partners to identify the root cause for problems in order to prevent re-offending.

·       Retail Groups had also been set up across the County to try and build rapport with retailers and to build trust which could lead to increased reporting.

·       PC Hamel had provided packs for retailers which covered key matters as well as how to report crime and guidance regarding the processes followed by the Police.

·       A big operation was set to be ran next week with additional support to be provided by the response team; involving high-vis foot patrols, plain clothes officers and mobile patrols in rural areas.

Youth Anti-Social Behaviour

·       There has been an ongoing issue with Youth ASB for a period of time.

·       The PCC has provided funding for detached youth to take place in the Warminster area.

·       Warminster Town Centre has also been added as an ASB hot spot area for government funding towards overtime officer patrols.

·       Synergy Courses (formerly Salamander) had been piloted in Warminster and were set to be ran in February and March 2025, with 8 children partaking in a course over 5 days with input from Fire and Rescue, NHS Emergency Medicine, Wiltshire Police, and the Army. A key element of the course is follow up support, and at the end of the course each child had the opportunity for a 1-1 to talk about what further support they needed; each child has been offered and accepted, a SWIFT Plus Trusted Adult for 6 months.

·       Sadly, though the Police Chief Constable had wanted to establish a Cadet Unit in Warminster, this had not started yet due to a lack of volunteers.

Rural Crime

·       Rural officers have supported and assisted in operations over the past months both inside and outside of the County.

·       Work is being conducted to visit farmers to provide reassurance.

Drugs

·       Work relating to Drugs has not gone un-noticed or ignored, with 5 drugs warrants issued over the past 8 weeks as well as 3 arrests having taken place in the Warminster area.

After the verbal update, there was time for the following questions and points to be made:

·       Feedback was provided that it was assuring and a deterrent to see officers out on the streets,  ...  view the full minutes text for item 7.

To receive updates from Lead Councillors for the local Area Board priorities:

·       Improving outcomes and positive activities for Young people – Cllr Andrew Davis

·       Health and Wellbeing – Cllr Pip Ridout

·       Environment, Biodiversity, and sustainability – Cllr Tony Jackson

·       Transport and Access – Cllr Bill Parks

The Area Board received the following updates on local Area Board priorities:

Improving outcomes and positive activities for Young people – Cllr Andrew Davis

• It was noted that a youth meeting was set to take place on Thursday 12 December therefore, there would be an update at the next meeting of the Area Board.

Health and Wellbeing – Cllr Pip Ridout

• It was noted that representatives from the Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum had provided an update during the Partner Updates item.

Environment, Biodiversity, and sustainability – Cllr Tony Jackson

• It was noted that Wiltshire Council had ran a consultation until the end of October regarding the closure of Smallbrook Road during toad mating season, with it noted that there had been objections therefore a report had been sent to the respective Cabinet Member for comment.
• Cllr Jackson had attended an event at the Cranborne Chase National Landscape with it stated that the National Landscape was one of the only two dark sky areas in the country. Furthermore, Warminster Town Council had been asked to host the Cranborne Chase Star Fest on 19th-20th March 2025 at Warminster Civic Centre.
• Sustainable Warminster had run an Energy Fayre in November, which despite poor weather was very well attended.
• The Warminster Athenaeum had received funding from the Department of Culture, Leisure and Sport for £30,000 towards energy savings measures.
• Cllr Jackson paid tribute to the work that Nigel Linge and his group of volunteers had achieved, which was cited as a great example of what could be done with community effort.
• Wiltshire Council is currently developing its Electric Vehicle Charging Policy with a consultation taking place with a close date of 19 December and that there were potentially some issues with some current homes in Warminster not having garages or drives.

Transport and Access – Cllr Bill Parks

• Cllr Parks also stated that he had been delighted to have also attended the national planning seminar at the Cranborne Chase National Landscape, which had been very informative.
• Further praise was given to Nigel Linge and his team of volunteers for their work contributing towards greater connectivity of the villages and Warminster.
• It was outlined that there was currently a consultation taking place for the Wiltshire Local Transport Plan Consultation (LTP4), with people encouraged to complete the consultation and attend a Webinar on 17 January 2025 as this would be an opportunity to shape transport in Wiltshire up to 2038.

To note the minutes and consider any recommendations arising from the last LHFIG meeting held on 7 November 2024, as set out in the attached report.

Further information on the LHFIG process can be found here.

Cllr Bill Parks introduced the minutes and recommendations from the LHFIG meeting held on 7 November 2024. 

On behalf of Cllr Ridout, Cllr Davis noted that the work in Weymouth Street was on schedule and with the road set to be reinstated by March 2025. The work would however be shutting down over Christmas from 20 December 2024 and 2 January 2025.

The Area Board received a Right of Way update from Nigel Linge, who outlined some work which had been conducted including the replacement of rights of way signs and waymarks, the clearing of paths at Arn Hill and Longleat Estate and repairs to bridleways in Corsley.

After which, it was;

Resolved:

The minutes of the Local Highways and Footway Improvement Group meeting held on 7 November 2024 were agreed as a correct record with it noted that there was no new spending recommendations within.

Any other items of business which the Chairman agrees to consider as a matter of urgency.

• The Chairman asked those in attendance who had received the recent Government warning ahead of Storm Darragh.
• Dave Reeves of the Warminster Health and Wellbeing Forum placed gratitude towards the Area Board for their support regarding a third pharmacy in Warminster.

Future Meeting Dates:

• 6 March 2025

For information on applying for a grant or grant application deadlines for these meetings, contact the Engagement and Partnership Lead, Caroline.LeQuesne@wiltshire.gov.uk

The date of the next meeting was6 March 2024.