1Dearne South/Dearne Thurnscoe Area Forum
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1453 DEARNE NORTH/DEARNE SOUTH AREA FORUM Held at the Dearne High School, Goldthorpe Road, Goldthorpe, Rotherham 10th January 2005 41K (1) Present:- Councillors Thomson (Chairman), Brook, Gardiner, A. Hancock, J. Hancock and Sanderson; together with Mr. G. Horner (Co-opted Member). There were approximately 25 members of the public present. (2) Declarations of Personal Interest There were no declarations of interest of a personal nature from Members. (3) Minutes IT WAS AGREED that the minutes of the Forum held on the 6th December 2004 be taken as read and accepted as a correct record and signed by the Chairman. A member of the public referred to the proposed widening of the footpath in Thurnscoe Road and referred to hedges near a property that were protruding. This had been reported and no action had been taken and they commented upon people in wheelchairs not being able to pass in the area. A Forum Member referred to a recurring problem and they need to inform the owner. They thought that if works were not carried out within a certain period of time that this could be done by the authority who could make a charge for the works. They understood that the owner has been notified. A member of the public stated that they had informed the Area Forum Officer and had been to a Councillors surgery and nothing had been done. A Forum Member stated that the Area Forum Officer will take the matter up and get back to the member of the public concerned. (4) Police and Community Safety PC Jane Morris was present at the meeting and gave an update on the Local Partnership Team’s work. She outlined the following actions during December 2004:- • The number of arrests • The submission of files • Reports on summonses • Anti-social behaviour letters to parents. Reference was also made to Operation Mischief and to a positive response from parents in November/December. • 171 and 172 notices regarding motorbikes • Intelligence reports. PC Morris reported on a Pub Watch in Wombwell which they were looking to extend. She stated that the Section 12 drinking ban was in force but they were awaiting the erection of signs before they can act. The Police Community Safety Officers have had high visibility patrols and have highlighted a large number of vulnerable vehicles in the area. Information was also given in relation to drugs warrants in December. A lot of man hours had be spent in hotspots in Bolton- on-Dearne and in Great Houghton where Section 30 notices had finished. 1454 DEARNE NORTH/DEARNE SOUTH AREA FORUM MINUTE NO. 41K In response to a member of the public PC Morris and a police sergeant who was present at the meeting gave their views in relation to what constitutes anti-social behaviour. A member of the public referred to actions reported and to a response by the Tasking Officer of the Local Partnership Team. A member of the public stated that they had been informed that they had received their fair policing ratio in the area (details of the area were given). A Forum Member stated that this was a matter for the Tasking Officer to answer. Following further comments in relation to this matter a Forum Member stated that matters may not be a crime, but if they were producing harassment to people they can ask the police to step in. They commented on matters that might not be breaking the law but which could be anti-social behaviour. Members of the public commented upon the community police visiting an area and on them informing them of the situation in another area in Thurnscoe. In response to a member of the public regarding people using abusive language PC Morris felt that this was anti-social and thought that they should be moving them on. A Forum Member commented upon obscene language and stated that if there was evidence it required pursuing. A member of the public felt that the police can stop such actions. A Forum Member commented on the matter and the police sergeant gave his interpretation and commented that they would want them moving on. They referred to a big difference between crime and anti-social behaviour. If anti-social behaviour was constantly recurring they need to deal with the matter. They asked to be informed of the matter so that they could visit the area, if it was on a regular basis and time they can try and stop it. They can only work with information passed to them. A Forum Member felt that they needed a report back from the Tasking Officer. A member of the public referred to remarks that they have had enough policing. A Forum Member referred to the officer dealing with the problem and the need to know what action he has taken or intends to take. Members of the public commented upon a vehicle and a motorbike in the area and to cleaning up the area when the youths had left. This matter was reported and they referred to comments that they have had enough policing. They commented on the community police attending the area and informing people of the situation in an area in Thurnscoe. A Forum Member stated that they could request the Sergeant present to make further investigations regarding the problem and request the Tasking Officer to report to the next Forum meeting regarding any action taken. In response to a member of the public a Forum Member felt that the Tasking Officer would have written down matters and referred to the amount of information on the Golden Line. Regarding the recording of details they could ask the Tasking Officer when he was present at the meeting. In response to a Forum Member PC Morris commented upon the replacement of an officer. A Forum Member referred to the work of the Team and conveyed their thanks for the care and consideration shown on a recent occasion. A member of the public referred to illegal drinking being carried out by youngsters in Bolton-on-Dearne. They stated that there was a need to find out who was selling a certain brand of alcohol cheaper and referred to a play area down Dearne Road that was littered with cans. They stated that they had also found some drugs on a field near their home and lighter fuel gas and stated that it was the same youngsters that are drinking. There was lighting on the Mexborough Road field and they were using a field at the back of Coniston Drive. Several weeks ago the community constable visited the area and they had requested their assistance. They stated that the officer stated that they were patrolling on a regular basis but they had not seen them since. PC Morris referred to an operation carried out in the previous year in relation to the sale of alcohol around the Dearne area and referred to prosecutions. She also commented upon a proposed similar operation that will be held. The Chairman commented upon the situation in relation to reporting such matters at Forum meetings and on the need for proof. 1455 DEARNE NORTH/DEARNE SOUTH AREA FORUM MINUTE NO. 41K A member of the public referred to the Old Maggot Farm in the Harlington area and asked if it was proposed to be made into an off road motorcycle track. They referred to use of the site by the person that rented the site. It was used every Sunday afternoon by motorcyclists. Following further comments a member of the public thought that the site was used by family members. P.C.Morris asked if they were anti-social and along with a Forum Member commented regarding the legality of people using their own land. A member of the public referred to comments in the press regarding a proposed police prosecution in relation to the use of farmland. A Forum Member stated that they were not aware of licence applied for or grant. The police sergeant felt that they did not need a licence on their land. He also felt that the action they are taking is affecting their quality of life they would have to investigate and consider it if it was anti-social behaviour. It may not be a criminal act. In response to a member of the public the police sergeant stated that they have limited resources and commented upon the size of the team and the area to cover. He commented upon people’s problems and to dealing with problems as best they can. A member of the public stated that they do put information on the Golden Line. A Forum Member requested people to put matters on the Golden Line and referred to the use of the information. A member of the public and a Forum Member commented on there being many children who do not misbehave. The Chairman referred to the figures reported and to the Team out there. He thanked the officers for their attendance at the meeting. (5) Housing Market Renewal – Dearne South The Chairman stated that this was an overview and the start of the consultation process. Andrew Osborn, the Council’s Housing Markets Renewal Manager together with Bruce Lister of Optima and Adrian Welsh of EDAW, were present at the meeting to outline plans for consultation. The consultations form the basis of a master plan for Goldthorpe, Bolton-on-Dearne and through to Middlecliffe. Mr. Osborn stated that the Housing Market Renewal was a government project looking at improving the housing market across the country. He referred to a 10-15 year programme and to one in the South Yorkshire area which covered an area including Bolton, Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and Little and Great Houghton.