Agenda item

To receive the following announcements through the Chairman:

·       COVID-19 Update

Please follow the regulations and stay at home wherever possible. An update on targeted COVID-19 community testing for asymptomatic people is included in the agenda pack.

·       Census 2021

Census day will be on March 21 and households can take part online. See  https://census.gov.uk/ for more information.

·       Last Area Board before the May elections!

A big thank you to all Members, officers, partners, community members and residents that have been involved in the last 4 years.

Due to the boundary changes which will come into force after the May elections, the Amesbury Community Area will be changing, please see the agenda pack for more details.

Electoral Timetable - At present the Wiltshire Council Unitary Elections are taking place on Thursday 6 May 2021, along with the Police and Crime Commissioner Elections and Parish Elections. Social distancing measures will be in place at polling stations, you can also register to vote by post. The deadline to register to vote is 19 April 2021 and the deadline to register for a postal vote is 5pm on 20 April 2021. To register to vote go to https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote  or see https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/Elections-2021  for further details. The count will most likely take place over 4 days, Friday 7 May (verification), Saturday 8 May (unitary), Sunday 9 May (parish) and Monday 10 May (PCC).

·       Fostering in Wiltshire

We are currently seeking to recruit 100 new foster carers over three years so that our children can continue to live in their local communities, within Wiltshire. To become a foster carer, people need to be over 21 years of age and have a spare bedroom. More details are available on the fostering website: www.fosteringwiltshire.uk.

·       Wiltshire Independent Visitor Scheme

The Wiltshire Independent Visitor Scheme provides independent befriending support to children in the care of Wiltshire Council. Our volunteer Independent Visitors (IVs) play a really important role, visiting the young person they are “matched” with regularly, listening to them and taking an interest in their lives. They offer consistency, and quality, fun, one to one time. IVs make a long-term commitment to support a young person until they leave the care system, and often beyond this time. If you would be interested in becoming an Independent Visitor please visit https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/children-young-people-independent-visitor-scheme.

·       Become a Councillor

Would you be interested in becoming a councillor? There are further details in the agenda pack or see Becoming a councillor - Wiltshire Council for further information.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Authority - Consultation of draft Community Safety Plan 2021-24

DWFRS are consulting on their draft Community Safety Plan, which sets out the key challenges and risks facing them over the coming years. With future financial uncertainty, the plan details what DWFRS intend to carry on doing and what they intend to review and do differently, in order to continue to provide a high level of service to communities. Please visit the DWRFS website to view the draft plan and the accompanying video, which provides a short overview. The consultation period runs from 17 February until 13 May 2021. If you wish to raise anything specific, or require any further assistance in accessing the information, please email DWFRS directly at consultation@dwfire.org.uk.

The Chairman made the announcements as detailed in the agenda. Additionally, particular thanks were passed on to retiring Members, Cllrs John Smale, Fred Westmoreland and Mike Hewitt.