Agenda item

To receive updates from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

·       Health Services

o   Healthwatch Wiltshire

o   BSW Together (Integrated Care System)

·       Community First

·       School’s updates

·       Town and Parish Councils

·       Sustainable Devizes

·       Opendoors

·       Devizes Development Partnership

·       Devizes and District Foodbank

In addition to the written updates in the pack, the following verbal updates were given:

·       Wiltshire Police

Further to the written update provided in the agenda supplement by Wiltshire Police, Inspector Benjamin Huggins gave a brief community report, covering local crime rates and types of crime, including a hate crime overview. Attention was also drawn to the statistics of the Speed Enforcement Officer.

Inspector Huggins pointed to an emerging priority of youth crime, highlighting the partnership work being done to target, prevent and educate.

Inspector Huggins also provided an update on the Station Road Car Park closure order, stating that the order had expired but was still being actively policed.

Inspector Huggins notified the Area Board of the recent change in operating model for the Police, with Inspector Huggins now serving as Inspector for the neighbourhood policing team as well as response teams, resulting in greater flexibility to draw upon the breadth of the policing team.

The Chairman asked if there was a link between shoplifting and the youth crime affecting Devizes. Inspector Huggins thought there may be a link and also described a cultural shift, mentioning an increase in homeless crime.

Councillor Jacobs asked for an update on the new Chief Constable Catherine Roper, who was appointed in February 2023. Inspector Huggins pointed to her wealth of experience in metropolitan policing and also to her residency in rural Wiltshire. He described her leadership as a breath of fresh air, with an emphasis on neighbourhood policing.

Councillor Whitehead enquired about an outstanding promise from the Police about a walkaround in his division, which Inspector Huggins affirmed he would be happy to fulfil.

Councillor Wallis asked about speeding on Dunkirk Hill, which Inspector Huggins noted. Councillor Dominic Muns commented that the speed enforcement work in Market Lavington was having a positive impact.

·       Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS)

Further to the written update provided in the agenda supplement by Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service (DWFRS), Station Manager Robbie MacPherson reiterated that there was little to report, with no concerning trends emerging, but was keen to promote the Service’s ‘Safe and Well’ message regarding the safe heating of homes during the ongoing cost of living crisis.

·       Opendoors

Noel Woolrych announced the appointment of the new Chair of Opendoors, Karin Cardiff.

·       Devizes Development Partnership

Noel Woolrych noted that CCTV cameras were to be installed in the central car park, west central car park, along the side of the Shambles, the cycle racks by the Super Loo, the top of Morris Lane, the slaughterhouse and Little Brittox.

·       Devizes and District Foodbank

The Chairman noted that Alex Montegriffo of the Devizes and District Foodbank had sent apologies and directed attendees to the written update from Devizes and District Foodbank. 

Note: The Chairman announced that he was going to alter the agenda order and take the Youth agenda item and al the grants at this point in the meeting, as some attendees needed to leave the meeting early.