September 28th 2009 - Meeting minutes

Neighbourhood Watch Meeting 28th September 2009

Firstly we'd like to thank all members of the Bankeyfields estate who turned up for the meeting, we are grateful for your support.

To Councillor Mega Ryan, for attending the meeting at a short notice.

Also a big thanks go to the Sandyford Cricket Club for opening up, and allowing us to make use of it.

Crime alerts…..
1. Shed Breakins
No one from hurricane came to elaborate. No items were taken but damage was done to sheds. The person was disturbed and fled over a 9ft drop into the graveyard

2. Party on swallows rise estate police issued a notice regarding the noise and nuisance, this was not an isolated incident from this property, 01782 234234 there is a unit dedicated to this issue who come and monitor the noise. Letters were sent to the address by both the council and police, and no further incidents have been noted.

3. Speeding on the estate as a suggestion was to try to get the speed on the estate reduced to 20mph, We may need to look into a campaign to reduce the speed to 20mph Meagan will take the issue to AIT.

4. A complaint was raised about HGV is regularly parked on the swallows rise estate, it was suggested he may have an operators license but this may need to be clarified.

5. Trouble in the park abusive parents abusing other parents, again we can use the Stoke on call number, police were called but no action was taken however they moved the people away. The officers who attended a certain instance responded very quickly to this incident and reassured the residents that the issue would be resolved. Serious incidents were occurring and have been reported however major concerns were made regarding childrens safety.

Unless we utilise the Stoke on call number to report all incidents we have no chance of getting further support from the authorities.

An alcohol restriction zone was suggested but we need to get photo evidence of this, so if anyone can safely get any snaps, please pass them on or bring them to the next meeting.

Further: We ask residents to post on the Bankeyfields website, or use the Bankeyfields Neighbourhood Watch contact us form any reports of anti social behaviour or threats towards children so that all parents have the oppurunty to be on guard.

6. Harry Hancocks is becoming an issue with cars parking and dohnutting on this car park. Councillor Ryan will look at getting the barrier back in place.

7. Telephone Scams this is a perennial problem and we have to be aware of. Please see crime alerts.

8. Road improvements, have begun and a special gratitude was given to all involved.

9. Discussion Residents association

Unfortunately, we did expect a larger number of residents to turn up to discuss this issue, however this didn't happen.

Cllr Ryan gave us an insight into the workings of a Residents Association

We'd need a Chair, secretary and treasurer. Megan also suggested you'd need at least nine members in total to sit on the board, who would hold a closed meeting once a month.

A further two public meetings would also need to be held and advertised.

Advantages:
Council workers can be invited to attend meetings and will be able to attend. Police will come and the fire service.

Members of the RA could then sit on a regular city wide resident association meeting.

Closer ties with the city council would mean better understanding of our problems, and tackling issues.

Issues:
Where is the boundary going to be for the residents association.

Have we enough work or issues to become a residents association.

Does a resident association have the backing of the Bankeyfields community?

Only one volunteer, at present.

Outcome
It is believed that we will carry on for a few months into the new year and we will leaflet the local area to canvas opinion.

Other issues

Bankeyfields newsletter: Anyone wanting to write a entry into the newsletter is asked to use the bankeyfields contact us form to submit it. Topics can focus on, local groups, business, issues, news (good or bad), events.

Suggestion: Can we involve the children of the estate in events, can we arrange for more activities, A junior NHW meeting was suggested.

Overgrown: The alleyway on William Coltman way and Spitfire Way to RMW needs to be cut down due to over grown weeds and brambles

Land adoption: Meagan told us the adoption of the estate is again been held up by Severn Trent Water, the council are happy to sign off the process.

Meeting concluded.

The next meeting will be held again at Sandyford Cricket Club on the
2nd November 7pm start.