Agenda item

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

·       Wiltshire Police and Crime Commissioner – Angus Macpherson, Police and Crime Commissioner, was unable to attend the meeting. Graeme Morrison therefore ran through the presentation provided. The presentation can be found as part of the agenda https://cms.wiltshire.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx?CId=173&MId=13227&Ver=4. The presentation included the following key points:

o   The presentation included links to the Police and Crime Plan 2020 update and the Commissioner’s Annual Report 2019/2020.

o   Details were included regarding Operation Uplift, which is the national announcement of a further 20,000 police officers to be achieved by March 2023 along with details of recruitment intakes.

o   An update was provided regarding policing during the pandemic. Key points included that the government has provided the police service with additional powers. Wiltshire Police are aiming to engage with individuals, explain, encourage and then only enforce as a last result. All Fixed Penalty Notices issued have been scrutinised for correct use of legal powers and proportionality, with Wiltshire leading the way.

·       Wiltshire Police – The Area Board received an update from PC Kevin Harmsworth on behalf of Wiltshire Police. PC Harmsworth reported the following matters:

o   Inspector Simon Cowdrey was introduced to the Area Board and will be presenting Wiltshire Police reports going forward.

o   Two new PCSOs will be patrolling Westbury town and rural areas as of 20^th December.

o   Anti-social behaviour has been taking place in Westbury parks and play areas. The police are aware of this and are patrolling to disperse groups under Covid regulations.

o   Operation Elf is set to take place to combat a rise in shoplifting. PCSOs and PCs will be out offering advice to residents with the aim of prevention.

o   Covid care packs have been distributed to neighbourhood teams and work is taking place with Graeme Morrison towards the Local Area Status Report to learn how the Covid pandemic has affected the community.

o   Wiltshire Police are working with key health partners to adapt a patrol strategy as GP surgeries and hospitals could be a target for theft following the Covid vaccine roll out.

o   A campaign named “Act Early” can be found online (https://actearly.uk/) to target potential extremist behaviour, with people lonely in lockdown and potentially exposed to extremist material.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service – the Area Board noted the update attached to the agenda supplement 1.

On the Community Safety Plan, page 26 of the Supplement, supporting information was included about corporate targets in 2018/2019. The Area Board asked about the inclusion of corporate targets for 2019/2020.

·       Westbury Town Council – The Area Board received an update from Ian Cunningham on behalf of the Town Council. Ian reported the following matters:

o   A virtual Christmas lights switch on recently took place and a film was produced which currently has over 9000 views.

·       Dilton Marsh Parish Council – The Area Board received an update from Kathy Hutt on behalf of Dilton Marsh Parish Council. Kathy reported on the following matters:

o   The Carnival Committee have recently put up a Christmas tree on the green and a resident has built a Santa sleigh, which will go past houses on the weekend.

o   On 23^rd December, it has been suggested that residents stand on their doorsteps and sing carols.

·       BA13 Community Area Partnership – The partnership hasn’t had an AGM this year but are hoping for one to take place in January, with a full report to be brought to the Area Board meeting in February.

·       Community Engagement Manager – The Area Board received an update from Graeme Morrison on the following matters:

o   The largest piece of work has been the Local Area Status Report, with hopefully a report to follow at the next Area Board. Four meetings were successfully held and engaged with based on the themes of local business and age specific groups. If individuals haven’t yet engaged, there is an online survey (https://www.sli.do/),which can be accessed with the event number 266.

o   Graeme Morrison has met with Cllr Carole King and Cllr Gordon King with the view of getting a Health and Wellbeing group back up and running. A project is set to take place working on digital literacy and connectivity for older people, with the hope of bringing a report to the next Area Board.

o   Graeme Morrison has met with Cllr Wickham to look at setting up an active management group set up for the Local Youth Network in 2021. This will support the local soapbox race, detached youth work and the Westbury Young People Award.