Agenda item

To receive updates from any of the following partners:

Ø  Wiltshire Police

Ø  Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Ø  CCG Covid Update

Ø  Healthwatch

Ø  Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

Ø  Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

Some written updates have been received and are included in this agenda.

Updates were received from the following partners:

·       Wiltshire Police

The Area Board received a verbal update from Sergeant Kevin Harmsworth. The update covered the following issues:

·       Sergeant Harmsworth introduced Inspector Al Lumley who is a new inspector to the Warminster Area and will be attending the Area Board going forward.

·       The Police moved into their new station in April, which included a 16-seat meeting room that could be offered out for community use.

·       Recruitment has actively taken place for independent advisory groups and the equality team has reached out across social media in the hope of achieving greater diversity in panels.

·       There has been a focus on licensed premises during the Euro 2020 football tournament. There has not been major disorder, though it was noted in mid-May there was a military incident that resulted in arrests.

·       Sergeant Harmsworth stated that he is aware of local community tension regarding the potential change of licensing terms for Prestbury Sports Bar. He invited those with concerns to raise them with the Police licensing officer.

·       There have been social media posts from the Deputy Chief Constable which have noted a 16% out and about business as usual reduction during the Covid lockdown. It is now expected that this will return to normal, comparable to the same times in 2018/2019 pre-lockdown.

·       Sergeant Harmsworth drew attention to the crime maps on the Police website, these are accurate with data however work roughly a month behind.

·       In the previous month and a half, the Police have supported Community Speed Watch 10 times and there has been online training for coordinators.

·       There have been reports of E-scooters being used illegally, whenever this has been seen they have been acted upon seized and dealt with accordingly.

·       A misuse of drugs act warrant has recently been conducted in the Cotton House Gardens area of Warminster. More of these will follow when information becomes available.

·       A burglar has been arrested in Sutton Veny and an investigation is currently on-going.

·       County Lines intensification week has recently taken place with a focus on under 18s and this will be bolstered in the future in line with a national operation.

Following the verbal update there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       It was questioned whether the Police are up to strength with PCSOs, to which Sergeant Harmsworth clarified that the force is up to strength bar one member and that Warminster has two PCSOs.

·       The inclusion of villages in future reports was requested.

·       The car crash on Victoria Road was queried, to which Sergeant Harmsworth clarified that an investigation is currently on-going and will form a thread for future drug disruption activity.

·       A Community Policy Group has been set up again to cover the town and surrounding villages. An inaugural meeting is set to take place in September with the Police and Parish Council representatives welcome.

·       Councillor Ridout proposed that a themed area for the Area Board could potentially be Community Safety, which would include both the Police and Fire services.

·       Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

The Area Board received a verbal update from Ray Bridgman, Station Manager.  The update covered the following issues:

·       Ray Bridgman updated that he has taken over from Richard Humphreys and that Warminster also has a new Safe and Well advisor. Information can be found on the service website.

·       Mr Bridgman updated that recruitment for Warminster has been very good and the station is currently only one member short. Availability has also been very good, and the service has been able to go out every time needed.

·       In May there were 4 vehicular fires, 1 residential fire and 3 false alarms.

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UGu-TI6kkmA– Mr Bridgman referred to the linked video, which referenced working with partners, firefighters working at vaccination clinics and driving ambulances.

·       https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MFlq3WEkn_A– Reference was drawn to the linked Wareham fire video, which highlighted the importance of taking picnics to forests rather than a BBQ.

Following the verbal update there was time for the following questions and points to be raised:

·       It was noted that there is a trend of wilding road verges of tall grass and concern was raised about whether these posed a fire risk. Mr Bridgman informed that this hasn’t come to his attention, but he would inquire and feedback at the next Area Board.

·       Healthwatch Wiltshire

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       BaNES, Swindon & Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group (BSW CCG)

The Area Board noted a written update attached to the agenda.

·       Warminster and Villages Community Partnership

Len Turner updated that the Community Hub had re-opened following the relaxation of Covid restrictions in April and a full team of volunteers are working. Additionally, Cornerstone are operating from the Hub Building on the mornings of Monday, Wednesday and Friday. The Hub Building is also looking for other opportunities.

·       Town and Parish Councils Nominated Representatives

The area board noted the following written updates that had been attached to the agenda from the following Parish Councils; Heytesbury, Imber and Knook, Longbridge Deverill, Upton Scudamore, Corsley, Horningsham, Maiden Bradley and Chapmanslade.