Agenda item

To receive any updates from partner organisations:

a.                  Wiltshire Police;

b.                  Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service;

c.                  NHS Wiltshire;

d.                  Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP);

e.                  Parish Councils;

f.                    Pewsey Community Area Young People Issues Group (CAYPIG); and

g.                  Extended Services.

(a)       Wiltshire Police

The Chairman introduced Inspector Ron Peach, who had taken over from Andy Noble as the Sector Inspector for East Wiltshire.

Inspector Peach referred the meeting to the written update at page 45-46 of the agenda, highlighting a number of points:

·         Overall, trends in crime and anti-social behaviour were down.

·         A cannabis factory had recently been found in Pewsey, thanks to intelligence directly from the community. 

·         Theft from vehicles, particularly those parked at beauty spots, had been an area of proactive prevention by the Neighbourhood Policing Team.  This had led to lower than anticipated figures over the Easter period.

·         It was noted that Sergeant Ben Braine had retired after 32 years service, nearly all of which had been in Pewsey.  Inspector Peach thanked Sergeant Braine for his work and wished him well in his retirement.  It was noted that Sarah Watts was Acting Team Sergeant, and that Vince Logue would be taking over as the new Sergeant from 31 May 2011.

·         Responding to a question regarding the 156.6% increase in non-dwelling burglary, with a 0% detection rate,  Inspector Peach undertook to confirm these figures and report back.

ACTION: Inspector Ron Peach

(b)       Wiltshire Fire and Rescue

            Mike Franklin, of Wiltshire Fire and Rescue, referred the meeting to the written update at page 47-48 of the agenda, an updated version of which had been tabled at the meeting.

            Mike commented that over 170 home fire safety visits had been undertaken in the Pewsey Community Area.  There had only been 11 accidental fires in April.  In addition, the service had provided some support to the Berkshire Fire Service at the recent healthland fires.

(c)        NHS Wiltshire

The Chairman referred to the written update at pages 49-50 of the agenda, commented that NHS Wiltshire was not able to send a representative to every Area Board meeting due to staffing issues.

(d)       Pewsey Community Area Partnership

Bob King, Chairman of the Pewsey Community Area Partnership (PCAP) gave an update on the work of PCAP.

·         The Library had agreed to host the Pewsey Information Shop from September; until then it would be supported by the Parish Council.

·         Volunteers were invited to be sub-group chairs

·         The next meeting of PCAP was on 9 June, 7pm at Rushall – all were very welcome to attend.

Peter Deck spoke as Chairman of the Pewsey Area Neighbourhood (Community Safety) Group (PANG). Following the recent tragic accident outside Woodborough School, PANG had undertaken to formally request that the Area Board undertakes a review of safety at all school drop-off/pick-up points.

Councillor Stuart Wheeler reported that the Cabinet was awaiting the coroner’s report, before considering a possible county-wide review.  Jim Fletcher of Woodborough Parish Council, reported that the Parish Council hoped to discuss this first with the school and education officers, prior to Area Board involvement.

It was agreed that the Community Area Manager should write to the Councillor Lionel Grundy (Cabinet Member for Children’s Services) to pass on these comments.

(e)       Parish Councils

Bob Woodward, referred to the update from Pewsey Parish Council at page 51 of the agenda, reporting on the issues as follows:

·         In relation to the suggestion that Community Speed Watch Volunteers be permitted to train new volunteers, the police had advised that this was not possible as it would breach the standardisation of the operation across the County.

·         The Parish Council and Wiltshire Council were now very close to an agreement over the Parish Council taking over responsibility for the car parks in the village.

·         Wiltshire Council’s Rights of Way team had been in touch over the Parish Council’s queries.  This issue could now be closed.

(f)        Pewsey Community Area Young People’s Issues Group (CAYPIG)

Karen Brown, Youth Development Officer, reported that the CAYPIG had met in March in Great Bedwyn to discuss future working across the wider Community Area.

The Breakfast Club at the Shak had now reopened thanks to funding from the Area Board, and input from the School.  In addition, the Shak had been redecorated.

The next CAYPIG meeting was on 6 June – this would focus on the Campus project and on the 13-19 Strategy consultation, looking at the future of youth service in Wiltshire.

(g)       Extended Services

            Allison Rollinson, Extended Services Coordinator, referred to the written report in the agenda, and noted that a holiday scheme would be run over the summer for young people to prepare a float for the Pewsey Carnival.