Agenda item

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

·       Wiltshire Police  

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – report attached  

·       Health – reports attached  

·       Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing – verbal Update

·       Pewsey Community Area Partnership  – verbal Update

·       Parish Councils – verbal Update

·       Community Engagement Manager – verbal Update

To receive updates from partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received a written and verbal update from Insp Al Lumley, Wiltshire Police, which included detail about the Community Policing Team, Wiltshire Police performance to December 2021, hate crime overview and local priorities and updates in relation to the Pewsey area. 

Insp Lumley responded to questions about a recent email sent to the Police and Crime Commissioner, subsequently forwarded to the Assistant Chief Constable about PCSO’s in Pewsey that had not received a response. Insp Lumley agreed to seek a response. Other general questions related to PCSO’s non-attendance at Parish Council meetings and a request for their attendance at the annual Parish Council Assembly;  The Area Board suggested that the written update from Wiltshire Police could also be circulated to Parish Council’s by the Community Engagement Manager for their information.

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board received a written and verbal update from Chris Wood, Station manager from the Fire and Rescue Service, which included detail about the Community Safety Plan, reducing the level of risk and harm from fire, interaction between the Protection Team and Local authorities, on call recruitment and recent news about electric blanket safety, waste site fire near Devizes and motorcycle safety.

The Area Board noted that a performance inspection was currently being undertaken of the Fire and Rescue Service in the Pewsey Community Area, and an update would be provided at a future meeting.

It was noted that Pewsey were likely to lose one of their fire appliances which would result in delays of appliances reaching emergency situations.  Cllr Oatway expressed his concern, especially as he was the Vice-Chair of the Fire Authority and was unaware of the matter. Cllr Oatway confirmed that he would investigate this matter further.  

c.     Health

The written update attached to the agenda pack was noted.

d.    Older People’s Champion and Health & Wellbeing

The update was provided by Dawn Wilson alongside the PCAP update below.

e.    Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Dawn Wilson provided a general update and more specifically on the Health & Wellbeing Group as follows:

·       An in-person meeting was held on 8 February 2022 and highlights from that meeting included:

                                               i.     Lower than expected numbers attending the Carers Café, which is open to all carers,

                                              ii.     the Great Bedwyn walking group were offering two walks a month and they were also supporting the establishment of other walking groups across the county,

                                            iii.     the Gateway Club had reopened,

                                            iv.     Shalbourne Connect was still going strong

                                             v.     Wiltshire Council discussing the funding of Day Care Centres

                                            vi.     The Memory Café had restarted following the relaxation of Covid restrictions

                                           vii.     The funding of older people events during the Jubilee weekend; and

                                         viii.     PCAP continuing to ask questions of Wiltshire Council on matters of mutual interest and on behalf of the Area Board

Colin Gale provided an update on the work of the Transport Group:

·       Wiltshire Council were successful in being awarded a grant of £1.2m from the Department for Transport for bus service improvements in Wiltshire, this includes an allocation specifically for Pewsey Rural bus services based on a demand responsive transport system. The proposal was currently with the DfT for review. A Project Manager had successfully been appointed to take the project forward.

·       It was noted that Covid and recent storms had negatively impacted rail services and these were starting to return to pre-Covid levels. A Great Western Railway stakeholders meeting was held on 2 February 2022 and discussed smart ticketing, freedom travel passes and special deals for peak fares in April 22.

Susie Brew provided an update in relation to Tourism and raised the following:

·       Attended a meeting with GWR with a focus on leisure market . It was noted that GWR had partnered with the Pewsey Vale Tourism Partnership and provided advertising on the GWR website and provided access to their other advertising streams. The Itineries project was of great interest to GWR who would provide some funding for schemes and help with the App, providing many opportunities for the project.

·       Itineries Project – The Group have completed and launched the Mid Wilts Way route and Kennet and Avon Canal route. The Longer Pewsey Vale Circular Way, a 77 mile long route around the Vale, will be launched in the Spring of 2022.GWR would be attending the launch to talk about the partnership and its benefits.

·       Walkers Are Welcome - accreditation has been awarded and is up and running. The Group are looking to set up footpath groups with the support of Parish Councils to oversee and maintain the footpaths.

f.      Parish Councils

There were no Parish Council updates

g.    Community Engagement Manager

There was no Community Engagement Manager update.