Agenda item

To note the written reports and receive any verbal updates from the following:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

   iii.        Defence Technical Training (see also agenda item 10)

   iv.        NHS Wiltshire

    v.        Parish and Town Councils

   vi.        Community Area Young People’s Issues Group

  vii.        Neighbourhood Planning Working Group

viii.        Community-Led Planning Steering Groups

   ix.        Chambers of Commerce/Business Associations

    x.        Community Groups

   xi.        Housing Associations.

Updates from partners were received as follows:

      i.        Wiltshire Police

The written report was received and noted. Inspector Chris Martin reported that the Police had successfully arrested and charged someone in connection with a spate of local burglaries. The person arrested had admitted to a number of local offences so it was hoped that the situation was now resolved.

There had been a slight increase in violent crime without injury more recently, and this was mainly domestic-related and thought to be due to an increase in reporting.

It was suggested that the Police could make more use of Twitter and social media to communicate and inform the local community. Inspector Martin acknowledged the merit in this, and would pass the message on for further consideration.

    ii.        Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The written report was received and noted. There were no further updates.

   iii.        Defence Technical Training

Captain Bob Rusbridger reported that the plans for the Defence Technical Training Site at Lyneham had been approved by the MOD on 1 August. The MOD could now enter the assessment phase of the process, which would include a planning application, for which the relevant surveys were currently underway.

The Defence Infrastructure Team was now based full time at Lyneham, and the site would cease to be RAF Lyneham at the end of the year.

A full community consultation process was being constructed at present.

   iv.        NHS Wiltshire

The written report was received and noted. There were no further updates.

    v.        Parish and Town Councils

The written reports were received and noted. There were no further updates.

   vi.        Neighbourhood Planning Working Group

Councillor Mollie Groom reported that both Broad Town and Lydiard Millicent were starting their consultations. Support was also available to other parishes interested in developing a community-led plan.

The Chairman reported that Cricklade Town Council had resolved to withdraw from the Neighbourhood Planning Frontrunner scheme.

Action – the Area Board was to seek clarification on how this would affect the funding of the scheme.

 vii.        Chambers of Commerce/Business Associations

Bob Jones of Cricklade Business Association reported that work was ongoing with Visit Wiltshire regarding the tourism project. Surveys would shortly be sent out to parish councils in order to capture relevant information for a visitor guide.

viii.        Community Groups

Extended Services – Andrea Smith thanked the Area Board for awarding a grant towards the programme of summer activities. All 27 activities proved very successful and attracted 611 children in total.

Councillor Bill Roberts proposed a formal vote of thanks to Andrea for her hard work at improving the general quality of life in the area.

Memory Cafe – a memory cafe would be held fortnightly on Fridays in the Royal Wootton Bassett Civic Centre.

Wiltshire Involvement Network – a meeting would be taking place in Melksham Assembly Hall on 14 November from 10am, where representatives from local hospitals would be present to answer questions. This event would be followed by a group meeting at 1.30pm.

Cricklade Leisure Centre – the leisure centre had been partially closed for some time to allow for improvements and refurbishments. It was reported that these were on schedule and budget.