Agenda item

To receive updates from the following partners:

a.    Wiltshire Police and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner Precept Consultation and video

b.    Fire and Rescue Service

c.    Health Services

d.    Devizes Community Area Partnership

e.    Town and Parish Councils

f.      Devizes Community Area Wellbeing Group

g.    Community Engagement Manger

h.    McCarthy & Stone - Update on retirement living at Browfort

Written updates were available in the agenda pack from Wiltshire Police and Health Services.

The Chairman invited representatives from McCarthy and Stone to update on retirement living accommodation at Browfort. It was explained this would be a 55 unit development providing assisted living for the over 70s and was planned for completion in February 2019. Cllr Jacobs advised the Area Board had been invited to put forward a name suggestion for the new development and was in favour of a link to Ernest Shackleton, the explorer who had lived in the town at the Browfort site. David Dawson, Wiltshire Museum, gave details of a letter Shackleton had written from Browfort.

The Police and Crime Commissioner provided recent updates from Wiltshire Police and introduced a video requesting public comments in respect of his 2018-19 precept proposals. It was considered the proposed precept increase was necessary since Wiltshire Police was the 4^th lowest funded force in the country and, without the increase in income, staff would be reduced. Councillors asked what the PCC would reply to those who considered the rise in precept was more than a modest increase and may struggle to afford it. The Commissioner advised the precept differed depending on the banding of properties and that generally feedback from the consultation had been positive. The question was also asked what else was being done to save money and plan for financial pressures over the coming years. Mr MacPherson advised Wiltshire Police had already reduced the cost of its estate and would continue to work with other forces to save costs, however this would not pay for the bulk of funding needed to fund increased staff pay costs, and ultimately if the precept was not increased it would mean a reduction in staff, and therefore in policing across the county. Following further questions it was confirmed Wiltshire Police would continue to work with other forces and standardise its systems. The Commissioner also advised that following the resignation of the Chief Constable, he would evaluate staffing structures, however considered the structure favoured recruiting to this role.

Andy Green, Station Commander Fire and Recue Service, was invited to present his update which highlighted the ‘Are We Getting Through?’ campaign, and recent use of PCSOs as on-call responders. In response to questions, it was confirmed Devizes Fire Station was fully crewed and attracting retained fire-fighters was not a problem in the town, although it was elsewhere in the county.

Mike Challinor, Devizes Community Area Wellbeing Group, updated on progress organising a community wellbeing day in June and other events the Group was running. It was noted the Men’s Shed was to hold an open day on 25^th January. The Group had an application featured later on the agenda to train volunteers as walking netball coaches.

Graeme Morrison, Community Engagement Manager, introduced ‘Clean Up Wilts’ a 2018 campaign that local residents could become involved in by organising litter picks on the weekend of 3 March. Individuals and groups were invited to contact Graeme if they wanted more details and assistance sourcing equipment.

Resolved:

To thank all Partners for their updates.

To suggest the naming of the McCarthy & Stone development as Shackleton House/Place after Ernest Shackleton.