The meeting received reports from Wiltshire Police and the Police and Crime Commissioner, heard a presentation from the Strategic Engagement and Partnerships manager about the proposed Neighbourhood Collaborative in Westbury, and considered a grant application from Westbury Parochial Church Council All Saints Church. A decision was made to award a grant of £5,000 to the church towards its Friday Fun Youth Club, which provides weekly activities for young people aged 11-19. The Area Board also approved the minutes of the last Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group (LHFIG) meeting held on 31 October 2024 and approved the spending recommendations contained in it.

Area Board Priorities

Councillor Gordon King reported on the progress made with the Neighbourhood Collaborative in Westbury. He informed the board that the readiness review was complete and that the next stage was to meet with local volunteer groups to choose a project to focus on.

Councillor Carole King drew attention to a recent article published by the Police and Crime Commissioner that outlined several successful bids to the Community Action Fund from local youth groups.

Graeme Morrison, Strategic Engagement and Partnerships manager, outlined the plans for a Westbury Environment Day, which is to be organised in conjunction with Westbury Town Council in June 2025. The Area Board is also hoping to develop a pollinator project similar to one being developed in another area.

Mr Morrison also mentioned that, in addition to the council’s statutory duty to measure levels of nitrogen dioxide, the council is becoming increasingly concerned about levels of PM2.5¹ in the air. 100 devices for measuring PM2.5 will be made available across the county, and it is likely Westbury will receive some of them.

Councillor Suzanne Wickham gave a progress update on the work being done to find a suitable school venue for the cookery sessions being delivered by Funky Foods to families in the area. She also mentioned that St Johns Ambulance will be providing free first aid training at libraries across the county.

Wiltshire Police

Inspector Lou Oakley reported that there had been a significant increase in anti-social behaviour, including shoplifting and arson, in Westbury. She said that three youths are suspected of being involved and that patrols are being increased.

Wiltshire Police has been working to improve its response to business crime, and a delivery plan is being developed by Inspector Oakley, who has been given operational lead in the county for business crime. An Offender Intervention Panel has been set up to manage prolific offenders, and PC Hamel has produced packs for retailers in Warminster, with the aim of replicating that work in Westbury.

Wiltshire Police ran Op Sceptre on 11 November, which was a dedicated national week of action targeting knife crime. The “Blunt Truth” knife crime awareness sessions have been delivered to Year 9 students at Matravers School.

Wiltshire and Swindon Police and Crime Commissioner Phillip Wilkinson outlined the improvements that have been made to Wiltshire Police since he came to office three years ago. The force is now out of special measures and recently received an “outstanding” rating. He said that this was a result of having a proper HQ and an effective chain of command.

There are two new areas of focus for the new Police and Crime Plan, which is currently being rewritten: retail crime and harm caused to shop workers. The rural crime team has been expanded from two to nine officers. There has been a substantial increase in the number of speeding tickets issued in the county.

Grant Application

Westbury Parochial Church Council All Saints Church submitted an application for £5,000 to help fund its Friday Fun Youth Club. After discussion of the application, the board approved a grant of £5,000.

Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group

The board noted the minutes of the Local Highways and Footpath Improvement Group meeting held on 31 October and approved the spending recommendations contained in it.