Notes on Liskeard Have Your Say Panel meeting 7th June 2016
1. Ian Drummond-Smith LPA Commander, East Cornwall a. The neighbourhood team has been pared back. Although the annual precept increase to 2020 has been fixed at 2.99%, this is equivalent to a 7% cut. This has resulted in a reduction of 600/700 officers from 2010 levels. b. 137 officers to cover East Cornwall – Newquay to Devon border and a 20 minute response time is required. At Liskeard there is a Sergeant and six officers (because of days off, this is normally 4) on each shift. To maintain response times, this has meant that officers have been lost from the Liskeard and Looe Neighbourhood Team. There is 1 beat officer each at Liskeard, Looe, Torpoint and Saltash. c. The armed response team has been increased by 30/40 officers over Devon and Cornwall, but there has been no increase in overall staff and this must come from existing levels d. New multi-discipline (Police/Fire/Ambulance) Station at Liskeard is still on stream – possibly in 18 months. One at Hale has already been opened. A presence will still be maintained in all four towns (Liskeard, Saltash, Looe and Torpoint) e. ‘Specials’ turnover is high – they tend to join up or realise that it is not for them. f. Mental health – arrest is the last line of defence. Those detained under the Mental Health Act are taken by ambulance to Longreach at Redruth with a police escort. Police remain in attendance until the patient has been seen by a doctor – this can take anything between ½ and 8 hours. Violent offenders are taken into custody, not hospital but Launceston custody has been closed with a saving of £1M. Liskeard offenders are taken to Charles Cross which has 40 cells. Fuel/time! g. There is a budget for interpreters when dealing with non-English speaking people. h. There are approximately 20 specialist officers to deal with child abuse/exploitation/cyber-crime. There are several ongoing cases of child sexual exploitation ongoing in Cornwall. i. Mr.Drummond-Smith has done a ‘Bodmin Moor Tour, but minor infringements are a low priority against more serious issues. A small team of specials is being put together who live around the moor and have experience of rural activities. j. Early calls from the public of raves is important as it is much easier to stop them when dealing with small numbers. 2. Mick Chorlton – South West Lakes a. The fishing at Colliford and Siblyback lakes is good and costs £22.00 per day. b. Car parking is being monitored as it is loosing money, although the Trust does not enforce parking violations. c. 80 trees have been lost due to storm damage. d. New café at Colliford, although work on upgrading the toilets is held up due to asbestos. e. Himalayan balsam is being grubbed out f. Team of bailiffs is trying to reduce anti-social behaviour at Colliford. g. There is information on the Forestry Commission website giving the maximum amount of wood that you can fell without a licence. 3. Rebecca Dickinson – (Cornwall Council Community Partnership) - Cormac a. Damaged signs – replacements are on order b. There will only be one grass cut on A and B roads this year – previously there was two i. No priority when hazards are reported, it will just take its place in the schedule. c. Surface dressing programme underway – Cormac in the West and sub- contractors in the East. 4. Julie Dowton (Bodmin Moor Commoners Council) a. 108 ponies removed from moor i. 17 ponies buried on east moor that had died on the moor b. Worm burden high c. Caradon Hill barrier to be erected to prevent unauthorised vehicles d. Dog attacks on livestock are increasing. Dogs should be on a lead during summer months. 5. Chris Mason (Forestry Commission) a. Unauthorised felling of trees with a chainsaw at Largin Woods to construct a mountain bike track was investigated. b. Cardinam woods OK for mountain bikes/walkers/horses – despite Cornish Guardian report. 6. Simon Diaper (formerly Cornwall Council Dog Welfare Officer) is moving from dog enforcement to criminal enforcement (e.g. flytipping) 7. Sarah Edgcumb (Anti-social behaviour Case Worker, Cornwall Council) a. Introducing diversionary sport, volunteering, etc. to engage ASB offenders. 8. Hellen Priestley (Neighbourhood Beat Manager – Liskeard Rural) a. Two offences in St.Pinnock area i. Theft of a chicken house (plus one chicken?) ii. Making off without payment – subsequently made payment. 9. Hellen and Bob both moving to new duties shortly, so date of next meeting to be advised.
Notes on Liskeard Have Your Say Panel meeting 7th June 2016
1. Ian Drummond-Smith LPA Commander, East Cornwall a. The neighbourhood team has been pared back. Although the annual precept increase to 2020 has been fixed at 2.99%, this is equivalent to a 7% cut. This has resulted in a reduction of 600/700 officers from 2010 levels. b. 137 officers to cover East Cornwall – Newquay to Devon border and a 20 minute response time is required. At Liskeard there is a Sergeant and six officers (because of days off, this is normally 4) on each shift. To maintain response times, this has meant that officers have been lost from the Liskeard and Looe Neighbourhood Team. There is 1 beat officer each at Liskeard, Looe, Torpoint and Saltash. c. The armed response team has been increased by 30/40 officers over Devon and Cornwall, but there has been no increase in overall staff and this must come from existing levels d. New multi-discipline (Police/Fire/Ambulance) Station at Liskeard is still on stream – possibly in 18 months. One at Hale has already been opened. A presence will still be maintained in all four towns (Liskeard, Saltash, Looe and Torpoint) e. ‘Specials’ turnover is high – they tend to join up or realise that it is not for them. f. Mental health – arrest is the last line of defence. Those detained under the Mental Health Act are taken by ambulance to Longreach at Redruth with a police escort. Police remain in attendance until the patient has been seen by a doctor – this can take anything between ½ and 8 hours. Violent offenders are taken into custody, not hospital but Launceston custody has been closed with a saving of £1M. Liskeard offenders are taken to Charles Cross which has 40 cells. Fuel/time! g. There is a budget for interpreters when dealing with non-English speaking people. h. There are approximately 20 specialist officers to deal with child abuse/exploitation/cyber-crime. There are several ongoing cases of child sexual exploitation ongoing in Cornwall. i. Mr.Drummond-Smith has done a ‘Bodmin Moor Tour, but minor infringements are a low priority against more serious issues. A small team of specials is being put together who live around the moor and have experience of rural activities. j. Early calls from the public of raves is important as it is much easier to stop them when dealing with small numbers. 2. Mick Chorlton – South West Lakes a. The fishing at Colliford and Siblyback lakes is good and costs £22.00 per day. b. Car parking is being monitored as it is loosing money, although the Trust does not enforce parking violations. c. 80 trees have been lost due to storm damage. d. New café at Colliford, although work on upgrading the toilets is held up due to asbestos. e. Himalayan balsam is being grubbed out f. Team of bailiffs is trying to reduce anti-social behaviour at Colliford. g. There is information on the Forestry Commission website giving the maximum amount of wood that you can fell without a licence. 3. Rebecca Dickinson – (Cornwall Council Community Partnership) - Cormac a. Damaged signs – replacements are on order b. There will only be one grass cut on A and B roads this year – previously there was two i. No priority when hazards are reported, it will just take its place in the schedule. c. Surface dressing programme underway – Cormac in the West and sub- contractors in the East. 4. Julie Dowton (Bodmin Moor Commoners Council) a. 108 ponies removed from moor i. 17 ponies buried on east moor that had died on the moor b. Worm burden high c. Caradon Hill barrier to be erected to prevent unauthorised vehicles d. Dog attacks on livestock are increasing. Dogs should be on a lead during summer months. 5. Chris Mason (Forestry Commission) a. Unauthorised felling of trees with a chainsaw at Largin Woods to construct a mountain bike track was investigated. b. Cardinam woods OK for mountain bikes/walkers/horses – despite Cornish Guardian report. 6. Simon Diaper (formerly Cornwall Council Dog Welfare Officer) is moving from dog enforcement to criminal enforcement (e.g. flytipping) 7. Sarah Edgcumb (Anti-social behaviour Case Worker, Cornwall Council) a. Introducing diversionary sport, volunteering, etc. to engage ASB offenders. 8. Hellen Priestley (Neighbourhood Beat Manager – Liskeard Rural) a. Two offences in St.Pinnock area i. Theft of a chicken house (plus one chicken?) ii. Making off without payment – subsequently made payment. 9. Hellen and Bob both moving to new duties shortly, so date of next meeting to be advised.