Agenda item

To receive updates from the partners listed below:

a.    Wiltshire Police and Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner

b.    Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

c.    NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group

d.    HealthWatch Wiltshire

e.    Town and Parish Councils

f.     Area Schools Update

The Area Board received and noted the following updates from key partners:

(a)  Wiltshire Police           The written report was received and noted.

(b)  Dorset and Wiltshire Fire & Rescue Service       The written report was received and noted. In addition, Tom Burns, Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, introduced Darren Nixon, the new Station manager for North Wilts.  The following comments were raised and questions asked:

·         The merging of Wiltshire and Dorset Fire and Rescue Services was progressing well and achieving the anticipated budget savings, although the Service was still experiencing minor teething problems.  

·         Concern regarding the use of Chinese Lanterns and the potential risks of fire.

(c)  NHS Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)  The written report was received and noted.

The Chairman reported that representatives from Patford Surgery would be invited to a future meeting and asked to provide a brief update on the future of the Surgery.

(d)  Healthwatch Wiltshire            The written report was received and noted. 

(e)  Bremhill Parish Council        The following points were noted:

·         Preservation of country lane verges.

·         Planting trees as part of the WWI Trees for Commemoration Project.

·         Successful Horse Show held in September 2018.

·         Progress on the Neighbourhood Plan and the Parish Council’s Plan Team meeting with the consultant preparing the Plan on their behalf.

(f)   Calne Town Council   The following points were noted:

·         Summer Carnival Prize giving ceremony taking place on Wednesday 12^th September at Calne Town Hall.

·         Building Community Connections event taking place on Saturday 15^th September 2018 at Calne Town Hall.

·         Calne Summer Skate series returning to the skate park on Saturday 15^th September.

·         The next Full Council meeting takes place on Tuesday 25^th September

·         Volunteers required for the Calne Bonfire and Fireworks night

The Chairman reported that a question had been received from Mark Edwards, Head of Business at Calne Town Council about concerns relating to the recently approved Hills planning applications at lower Compton and the Section 106 agreement. In particular, the concerns related to traffic plan safeguards and timeframe for its implementation.

The Chairman read out the response received from Jason Day, Minerals and Waste Planning Officer which explained that the S106 agreement secured a Traffic Management Plan (TMP) that requires all HGVs to follow prescribed routes that avoid Calne town centre and sets out measures for investigating any complaint of breach of the TMP and the sanctions to be applied in the event of any breach.  The S106 stipulates that the TMP will come into force once the new planning permissions have been implemented.  

It was suggested that a representative from Hills be invited to a future meeting of the Area Board to address the concerns of residents.  The chairman indicated that she would take advice on this request prior to any invitation being extended to Hills.

(g)  Area Schools UpdateThe Area Board received a presentation from Susan Giddings, Head of Key Stage 3 and teacher of D & T and Engineering at John Bentley School, about the recently held Summer School for incoming Year 7 pupils and the impact of the grant received from the Area Board.

The Chairman thanked Ms Giddings for the very impressive presentation and thanked her and the team for their commitment to pupil’s welfare.

The Area Board also received an update from Jason Tudor, Head of John Bentley School about how the challenges at the school were being met and the progress made to implement improvements recommended by Ofsted following their last visit to the school and prior to Mr Tudor being appointed as the new Headteacher.

Mr Tudor explained that the school was now one of the most improved schools in the country and most improved school in Wiltshire.  The school was also in the process of joining the Royal Wootton Bassett multi Academy Trust, which would open up additional learning opportunities.    

The Chair thanked Mr Tudor for his inspiring update and confirmed that the Area Board would be available to help the school achieve its goals.