Agenda item

To receive any verbal updates from Partners and Community Groups present, including:

·       Police – Neighbourhood Teams

·       Fire & Rescue

·       Youth – LYN

·       Parish Councils

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

·       Health and Wellbeing Group

Note: Speakers are reminded that they each have a 3 minutes slot, unless they have previously discussed alternative arrangements with the Community Area Manager.

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from the following partners:

• Warminster Community Police Team

• Salisbury Community Police Team (Agenda Supplement 1)

• BaNES, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group

• Healthwatch Wiltshire

• South West Wiltshire Health and Wellbeing Group

Verbal updates were also provided by the following partners:

Warminster Community Police Team (CPT)

Inspector Al Lumley reported that there had been a personnel change within the team, as Sgt Kev Harmsworth had been promoted to a different role and replaced by Sgt Oakley. The inspector noted that Sgt Oakley hoped to attend a future Area Board.

It was explained that crime rates had risen slightly over the past year in the Warminster CPT area, including a spike in reports of hate crimes and bilkings (the theft of fuel). However, the inspector reassured the Area Board that the increase was primarily due to repeat offenders in Warminster rather than additional offences in the Area Board’s area. Crime figures in the Wiltshire also remained relatively low when compared to the national average. The inspector also took the opportunity to praise work across the emergency services to minimise the disruption caused by Storm Eunice.

It was noted that an in-house analysis tool had been developed to collect data from community speedwatch teams across the county, allowing the police to focus on the most prolific areas of speeding. A location to target would be identified within the team’s area at their fortnightly tasking meeting.  In response to a question from the Chairman of Fovant Parish Council, the inspector confirmed that villages were included in the data. Data was provided by speedwatch teams, but it was the intention of the Police and Crime Commissioner that information from speed indicator devices and metro cameras would also ultimately be included. The Area Board Chairman noted that Cllr John Derryman had been appointed as a volunteer coordinator to improve communication about speeding data within the county.

Cllr George Jeans thanked the police for apprehending a suspect in relation to the recent beak in at Mere Post Office.

Health and Wellbeing Group

Cllr Nick Errington provided an update about the discussions held at the Health and Wellbeing Group’s meeting held on 17 February. He reported that conversations had been held about how to promote the work of the link team of volunteer drivers. The Make a Friend, be a Friend project had also been talked about and was planned to be launched in April. Other items raised at the meeting included Carer Support Wiltshire starting a hotline and plans for a silent disco to be held at the Nadder Centre.

A working group had met on 3 March to help identify where support could be targeted to best help people living with dementia. Community Engagement Manager (CEM) Karen Linaker stated that they had been working with the Salisbury Dementia Group, as well as the Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Support, to share ideas. She also noted that a follow up meeting was planned. The CEM then spoke about the transition plans being put in place as the Housing Related Support Service was withdrawn at the end of March.

Youth Update

The CEM explained that the Area Board was working with Jaki Farrell form Seeds4 Success to organise a wellness and wellbeing event on 3 April at the Nadder Centre. The event would be a treat for young people, as activities on offer would include and assault course and zorb football.