Agenda and draft minutes

The Chair will welcome everyone to the meeting and make introductions.

The Chairman welcomed everyone to the meeting of the Tidworth Area Board.

To receive any apologies for absence.

There were no apologies for absence.

To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 7 October 2024.

Decision

The minutes of the previous meeting on 7 October 2024 were agreed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

There were no declarations of interest.

The Chairman will update the board on the following items:

·       Local Transport Plan Consultation

·       Spot The Signs

The Chairman provided information about:

·       Local Transport Plan

·       Spot The Signs

To note the following updates attached to the agenda:

·       BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Community First

·       Wiltshire Police Quarterly Update on Violence Against Women and Girls

·       Vaccine Confidence Training Sessions

·       EV Chargers

·       Cost of Living Update

The Board noted the following items:

• BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

• Community First

• Wiltshire Police Quarterly Update on Violence Against Women and Girls

• Vaccine Confidence Training Sessions

• EV Chargers

• Cost of Living Update

To receive any verbal or written updates from partners including:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Ludgershall Town Hall

·       MOD

The Board received updates from the following partners:

Police and Crime Commissioner

The Board welcomed the Police and Crime Commissioner, Philip Wilkinson, who spoke to his Office’s Annual Report and the upcoming Police and Crime Plan 2025.

The PCC reminded the Board that the force was put into special measures 2 years ago, and was earlier this year was lifted out of it. Specifically, the October 2024 report rated the strategic planning element of Wiltshire Police as outstanding, compared to its inadequate rating 2 years ago.

Alongside the Chief Constable, the PCC had pushed for further improvement in all areas especially in the neighbourhood teams. This includes the reports they give to Area Boards.

Control Centres had also been a priority and response times were now 8 minutes, down from 28 minutes 2 years ago. There had also been work to improve the quality of life for officers working in these control centres, who deal with high pressure calls and situations.

Other areas of progress included:

·       Crime levels were decreasing whilst positive outcomes including arrests for crimes such as knife crime had increased.

·       The chain of command had been improved, including ensuring that all stations and teams had a commander/Inspector.

·       Training had seen an improvement as had the recruitment rate. Every officer in Wiltshire Police now undergoes Domestic Abuse awareness training.

The overall picture was described as positive, although neither the PCC or CC were resting on their laurels complacent and emphasised further improvements.

Previous Police & Crime plans had been less specific, whereas now the PCC felt a stable base had been established to target specific metrics and areas to improve:

·       Speeding – Sanctions had increased from 1324 to 15,000 in the last few years.

·       Retail Crime – shoplifting had been very prominent, from organised gangs to young persons entertaining themselves. For younger, first time offenders, out of court resolutions are used where possible to avoid criminal records being established.

·       Rural Crime –Farming equipments were being robbed to be sold to Eastern Europe for several times the price. This criminal activity involved very organised crime groups and farmers had been seriously injured trying to confront them. The well-established ‘Operation Ragwort’ was highlighted, with focus on being proactive rather than reactive.

To summarise, the Police and Crime Commissioner and Chief Constable wished to see an outstanding rating at the next assessment and were confident this was achievable.

Following questions by the public:

The PCC clarified that volunteers had come forward to assist with protecting fields and deter against rural crime and that discussions were ongoing between himself and the Chief Constable, but reassured that serious action and contingencies were in place.

Tidworth Area Board thanked the Police and Crime Commissioner for his very detailed account and greeted the positive achievements and outlook provided.

Wiltshire Police

Acting Inspector Caroline Ralph, spoke to the local statistics and actions of Wiltshire Police in and around Tidworth.

It was updated that the previous Inspector Ricky Lee had been promoted and would be replaced permanently in  ...  view the full minutes text for item 37.

To receive any updates from Councillors on the Board’s Priority Areas.

Councillors briefly updated attendees on the Board’s priorities:

Improving the health and wellbeing of our community – Cllr Christopher Williams

Developing a sustainable and inclusive youth provision – Cllr Tony Pickernell

Local Environment Action – Cllr Mark Connolly

The Board received a presentation from Carers Together Wiltshire, which was attached to the minutes.

To receive an update on the Board’s budget and consider any grant applications.

The Board was updated on its budget, and the following grant application was considered:

Older and Vulnerable Adults Grants

The Castle Practise applied for £2100 towards Dollys Carers Café.

Proposed by Cllr Chris Williams and seconded by Cllr Mark Connolly it was:

Resolved

To award The Castle Practise £2100 towards Dollys Carers Café.

To consider any recommendations made at the most recent meeting of the Local Highway and Footway Improvement Group on 2 October 2024.

The Board considered the notes and recommendations from the most recent meetings of the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group (LHFIG) which took place on 2 October 2024.

Proposed by Cllr Mark Connolly and seconded by Cllr Chris Williams it was:

Resolved

To approve the recommendations from the meetings of the Local Highways and Footways Improvement Group on 2 October 2024.

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

There were no urgent items.

The next meeting of the Tidworth Area Board will be on 10 March 2025.

The next meeting of the Tidworth Area Board will be held on 10 March 2025.