Agenda item

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

 

a. Melksham Youth Advisory Group (YAG)

b. Community Area Partnership

c. Wiltshire Police

d. Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner

e. Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

f. NHS Wiltshire/Clinical Commissioning Group

g. Melksham Town Council

h. Parish Council Nominated Representatives

i. Melksham Chambers of Commerce

j. Melksham Senior People’s Forum

 

The following Partner updates were noted:

 

Melksham Community Area Partnership (CAP) – Phil McMullen

 

·       That Melksham Without Parish Council had provided MCAP with funds of £1,500 to use on projects that would be used in the Melksham Without community area.

 

 

Wiltshire Police – Sgt James Williams

 

·       The written report contained in the agenda pack was noted.

 

·       While reductions around both types of burglary was strong for the whole sector there were five incidents over the last spring break week involving residents who went on holiday in their caravans were targeted. The absence of a caravan usually parked on a drive can be an indicator of an empty home. It was agreed that local beat officers would speak to caravan owners to warn them of the risk of thefts in the area.

·       That local Speedwatch volunteers and Police offers were now monitoring traffic using Snowberry Lane.

 

 

Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – Mike Franklin

 

Mike Franklin made a short statement re the proposed merger with Dorset Fire & Rescue Service but advised the meeting that he was unable to answer any questions on the proposed merger or consultation.

 

Points made included:

 

·       That Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority was facing an annual budget shortfall of between £3.1m-3.9m which it needed to resolve by 2017/18.

 

·       The Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority wanted to protect frontline services that could be significantly threatened if this money was not found. Following an options appraisal the Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority are currently developing with Dorset Fire Authority a business case to combine our political authorities, this would allow us to rationalise management, reduce the costs of support departments and indeed strengthen our prevention and youth education activities.

 

·       No decisions had or would be made until September 2014 when the business case would be considered.

 

·       As part of developing this document we would be consulting our staff, the public and other key stakeholders such as the police, local authorities etc. The consultation would involve a leaflet and questionnaire which would be put in public libraries and buildings and made available on-line. It would also be sent to a large number of local people in Wiltshire and Dorset and key groups including town and parish councils. Residents forums would be independently run as would business and voluntary sector forums.

 

·       A draft business case for consultation would be produced that would be supported by a suite of more technical documents. These would be available through our website or upon request. Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority would be promoting this exercise through our websites, social media and the press. We would set up a helpline and e-mail address to support any queries.

 

·       The consultation runs from 21st July to 20th October.

 

·       Wiltshire and Swindon Fire Authority are determined to protect frontline services and ensure the Services we provide internally and to our communities are Safe, Strong and Sustainable.

 

 

Cllr Jonathon Seed advised that he was disturbed that Mike Franklin was unable to answer any questions on the proposed merger and that the consultation appeared to have one option – a merger with Dorset Fire & Rescue Service.

 

Mike Franklin advised that Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service were planning to hold meetings to give more information on the proposed merger with the Chief Fire Officer in attendance.

 

It was agreed that a letter would be sent to the Chief Fire Officer – Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service outlining the Melksham Area Board’s disappointment over the consultation process.

 

Decision

 

·       That the Melksham Area Board urges Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service to consult on all available options when considering cost savings with its proposed merger with Dorset Fire & Rescue Service.

 

 

Melksham Town Council – Bruce Sanders

 

·       The written report was noted.

 

·       That the Melkham Food & Drink Festival had been a great success.

 

 

Atworth Parish Council

 

·       That Atworth Parish Council would be holding a day of celebration at the Atworth recreation ground to mark 100 years of the Atworth village hall.

 

 

Melksham Chamber of Commerce – Graham Ellis

 

·       The Chamber needed to highlight what its role was, and what it could do for local businesses.

 

·       The Melksham railway service was going from strength to strength.

 

·       That the Chamber of Commerce was looking to hold a consultation “where shall we be in 2020”.

 

 

Melksham Heritage Discovery Fair – Lisa Ellis

 

·       That the Melksham Heritage Discovery Fair would be held on Saturday 5 July at Well House Manor, Melksham.

 

The day would include talks and group discussions and a book signing, and an opportunity to have old photos scanned for free.

 

 

Melksham Senior People’s Forum – Brian Warwick

 

·       That the group would be holding two meetings per month from January 2015.

 

·       Work had begun on the planning of this year’s Seniors Christmas party.

 

·       The Summer 2014 newsletter was currently being put together.

 

·       That the Shed Club were looking to find a more suitable meeting place. An industrial unit would be idea for club use. Note: Teresa Strange who was at the meeting advised that the Scouts would be happy for the Shed Club to meet at the Scout Hut.

 

·       That it was International week of older people during October.

 

 

The Chairman thanked everybody for their updates.