RAMSEY NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM
A G E N D A
TUESDAY, 20 APRIL 2010 - 7:00 PM
RAMSEY COMMUNITY CENTRE, RAMSEY
Time Allocation
1. WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN 5 minutes
2. NOTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING HELD ON 19 JANUARY 2010 5 minutes (Pages 1 - 6)
3. RAMSEY NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM PROGRESS REPORT 5 minutes (Pages 7 - 8)
4. NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING PROFILE
Presentation by the local Neighbourhood Policing Team on the 30 minutes policing profile for the neighbourhood.
5. ISSUES FROM JANUARY MEETING
To include updates/information on the following topics raised at the 10 minutes previous meeting:
• Street lighting • Flooding – presentation from Shirley Howells Environment Agency • Presentation from Dibs Fletcher, Youth Worker on work done with young people in the Ramsey area.
6. NEIGHBOURHOOD ISSUES
An opportunity for those present to raise any issues of local concern 45 minutes in the neighbourhood.
To include:
Speeding through Pidley (Cllr Boyd, Pidley Parish Council) A short presentation from Drug Link on Mephedrone
7. ST IVES ROAD SAFETY COMMITTEE 10 minutes
Covering the Parishes of Broughton, Bury, Colne, Old Hurst, Pidley-cum-Fenton, Ramsey, Somersham, Upwood & The Raveleys, Warboys, Wistow and Woodhurst.
8. FUTURE ITEMS
An opportunity for those present to raise issues for inclusion on the 5 minutes Agenda for future meetings.
9. FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMME
To note the programme of future Forum meetings as follows: 5 minutes
21 July 2010 – Ramsey Community Centre 20 October 2010 – venue to be confirmed
10. PANEL PRIORITISATION
The Panel to: 15 - 30 minutes
• Prioritise issues emerging from the Forum; and • Allocate responsibility where necessary to ensure that issues raised in the Forum are dealt with by the appropriate organisation.
11. CURRENT CONSULTATIONS
NONE AT THE CURRENT TIME.
Membership of Panel
Councillor P Bucknell (Chairman) - Huntingdonshire District Council Station Officer Burgess - Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Mr B Finnimore/Mr T Roberts - Luminus Inspector R Gourlay - Cambridgeshire Constabulary Councillor T Lavender - Ramsey Town Council Councillor V Lucas -Cambridgeshire County Council /Cambridgeshire Community Services Councillor P McCloskey - Somersham Parish Council Councillor Ms K Prestage - Bury Parish Council
Please contact Mrs Kirsty Squires, Neighbourhood Co-ordinator, Tel No: (01480) 388767 / email: [email protected] if you have a general query on any Agenda Item, wish to tender your apologies for absence from the meeting, or would like information on any decision taken by the Forum.
Agenda and enclosures can be viewed on the District Council’s website – www.huntingdonshire.gov.uk (under Councils and Democracy). If you would like a translation of Agenda/Minutes/Reports or would like a large text version or an audio version please contact the Democratic Services Manager and we will try to accommodate your needs.
Emergency Procedure
In the event of the fire alarm being sounded and on the instruction of the Meeting Administrator, all attendees are requested to vacate the building via the closest emergency exit.
Covering the Parishes of Broughton, Bury, Colne, Old Hurst, Pidley-cum-Fenton, Ramsey, Somersham, Upwood & The Raveleys, Warboys, Wistow and Woodhurst.
Agenda Item 2
RAMSEY NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM WARBOYS VILLAGE HALL
Tuesday 19 January 2010
PRESENT:
Panel Cllr Peter Bucknell - Huntingdonshire District Council (Chairman)
Nigel Burgess - Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue Service
Barry Finnimore - Luminus Group
Cllr Victor Lucas - Cambridgeshire County Council/Cambridgeshire Community Services
Cllr Tony Lavender - Ramsey Town Council
Cllr Karen Prestage - Bury Parish Council
Inspector Rachel - Cambridgeshire Constabulary Gourlay
Other Representatives Cllr Mrs Mary - Warboys Parish Council Bucknell
Cllr Peter Ward - Huntingdonshire District Council
Cllr Mrs Angela Wyatt - Warboys Parish Council
Cllr Graham Siggs - Somersham Parish Council
Gill Hanby - Huntingdonshire District Council
Cllr Judith Bullard - Somersham Parish Council
Cllr Lesley Minton - Somersham Parish Council
Terry Jordan - Cambridgeshire County Council
Cllr Deborah - Wistow Parish Council Robinson
Cllr Patsy Coles - Wistow Parish Council
Sgt. Ben Newton - Cambridgeshire Constabulary
Cllr Patricia Taylor - Ramsey Town Council
Cllr Sally Pryke - Warboys Parish Council
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Cllr Jon Hunt - Warboys Parish Council
Cllr Peter Reeve - Cambridgeshire County Council/Huntingdonshire District Council
Cllr Mike Newman - Huntingdonshire District Council
Cllr Stephen Kessel - Warboys Parish Council
Cllr Steve Criswell - Cambridgeshire County Council/ Huntingdonshire District Council
Penny Litchfield - Huntingdonshire District Council
Roy Reeves - Huntingdonshire District Council
Kirsty Squires - Huntingdonshire District Council
Amanda Jerrom - Huntingdonshire District Council
Tracey Guinea - Huntingdonshire District Council Members of the 6 Public
APOLOGY: Councillor Andy Monk Huntingdonshire District Council
ACTION 1. WELCOME BY CHAIRMAN
In his role as Chairman, Cllr Bucknell welcomed everyone to the meeting.
2. COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT IN HUNTINGDONSHIRE
The Chairman explained the purpose of the Neighbourhood Forums in Huntingdonshire as:
♦ providing an opportunity to promote understanding of the democratic arrangements and functions of public sector organisations in the local neighbourhood; ♦ informing, consulting and involving the public on issues of local importance; ♦ enabling local communities and the public to raise issues of concern and highlight priorities for action to public sector organisations; ♦ and influencing the decision-making processes that direct service delivery.
The Chairman reminded those present that issues raised should relate to a local area or community. Individual issues should be discussed with the relevant agency at the end of the meeting.
2 The chairman advised that regular updates would be provided on issues raised through the District Council’s website once pages were operational and that those responsible for investigating issues would be asked to report back on progress at the next meeting.
3. MEMBERSHIP
Mr Reeves reported that the determination of policing priorities and allocation of issues to be investigated which had been raised at Forum meetings would be dealt with by a Panel of representatives from partner organisations which for the Ramsey neighbourhood forum comprised:
• Cllr Bucknell (Chairman) - Huntingdonshire District Council • Cllr Lucas - Cambridgeshire County Council/ Cambridgeshire NHS • Inspector Gourlay- Cambridgeshire Constabulary • Cllr Lavender - Ramsey Town Council • Cllr K Prestage - Bury Parish Council • Station Officer Burgess – Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue • Mr B Finnimore/Mr T Roberts – Luminus Group
It was reported that an additional parish council representative was required and that parishes within the Parish Councils neighbourhood would be invited again to appoint an additional councillor.
Cllr Lucas was appointed Vice-Chairman of the Panel.
4. CAMBRIDGESHIRE POLICE AUTHORITY – YOUR POLICE FORCE PRESENTATION
The Chairman introduced Cllr Lucas who was a member of Cambridgeshire Police Authority.
Cllr Lucas delivered a presentation on the Police Authority’s role, budget and priorities for 2010 and answered questions from those present.
Cllr Lucas drew attention to a consultation leaflet that had been circulated on the Police Authority priorities for the coming year and asked if this could be completed and returned at the end of the meeting. 5. NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING PROFILE
Inspector Gourlay provided an update on the neighbourhood policing profile for the Ramsey area.
Previously identified priorities were:
Alcohol-related crime and disorder in High Street/Great Whyte/Little Whyte, Ramsey • A number of high visibility patrols and visits to licensed premises had resulted in arrests being made and penalty notices issued
3 • The Pubwatch scheme in Ramsey was continuing to develop.
Antisocial Behaviour on Westfield Road, Ramsey • Increased patrols both on foot and in unmarked vehicles had been carried out in the area but no evidence of an ongoing issue had been found. The Policing team would continue to visit as part of their routine patrols but it was suspected that this might be a temporary problem.
Antisocial Behaviour High Street Warboys • High visibility foot patrols had been carried out to address crime as it arose during the specified times. One youth had been arrested on drunk and disorderly charges and the guardian awareness programme had been utilised to ensure parents were aware of issues involving their children.
Information on the policing profile for the area had been distributed to all present. Inspector Gourlay and her team answered questions relating to neighbourhood policing issues:
• In reply to a question on the success of issuing fixed penalty notices in Ramsey High Street and what would happen if these were not paid, Inspector Gourlay explained that the fines were issued through an automated system and would be pursued if unpaid, resulting in a court summons. Parents were responsible for unpaid fines relating to their children.
• A question was raised relating to the number of fixed penalty notices that could be issued to an individual. Inspector Gourlay explained that such notices would only be issued when there was no previous history of similar offences by that individual. If there was, a fixed penalty notice would not be appropriate.
• Cllr Reeve expressed his appreciation to the neighbourhood policing team for their high visibility patrols in the Ramsey area but commented on the need for a police presence at appropriate times to deal with issues in the town centre including ASB outside local taxi and fast food outlets at public house closing times.
• In terms of the age range of youths causing anti- social behaviour, Inspector Gourlay advised that this covered young people in the age group of 14-18 years.
• Attention was drawn to issues relating to the British Legion Club in Westfield Road in Ramsey which it was reported was the subject of a separate meeting by relevant authorities.
4 • A representative of Warboys Parish Council expressed appreciation for the ongoing work of the policing team in addressing ASB issues in the village but commented that the problem of underage drinking continued at various locations, culminating in recent damage to the Parish Centre.
Inspector Gourlay noted potential hotspots for discussion as priority areas for the coming quarter as:
ASB at Great White in Ramsey ASB at The Green in Somersham.
6. NEIGHBOURHOOD ISSUES An issue was raised about stunt bikes outside Somerfield in Neighbourhood Ramsey which the neighbourhood policing team agreed to Policing team look into and discuss with the concerned party at the end of the meeting.
An issue was raised in relation to drink related ASB in the Neighbourhood Maltings area of Ramsey, with vandalism occurring on policing team Cromwell Close off Biggin Lane as a result of youths using the area as a cut through to reach the airfield.
It was suggested that the benefits and value of the District Chairman/Mrs K Council’s CCTV service in the area be discussed at the Squires September meeting of the Forum, with the neighbourhood policing team stressing how useful they found the system in supporting their work.
Cllr Lavender drew attention to issues in the autumn months Neighbourhood (which had reduced since the bad weather had arrived) Policing team involving groups of youths in the early hours of the morning around Park Road and Cromwell Close. Inspector Gourlay advised that her team would be happy to deal with this and requested details as and when the issue recurs.
Arising from concern by a resident about anti social and dangerous driving in Fellows Drive, the neighbourhood policing team agreed to investigate. Neighbourhood Policing team A concerned resident highlighted an issue with Anti Social Behaviour and harassment in The Green, Somersham which the neighbourhood policing team agreed to discuss with the resident at the end of the meeting.
Mr Finnimore explained that housing issues could be raised at forum meetings and that Luminus had a dedicated ASB team who worked closely with the neighbourhood policing team to deal with tenant related issues.
Mr Burgess gave a brief introduction to the service provided by Cambridgeshire Fire and Rescue in the Ramsey area, where many of the fire-fighters were retained or part time officers who were on call for emergencies. He explained the cover and back up system used with neighbouring authorities to ensure that appliances were available when
5 needed.
Cllr Taylor asked why the Rainbow Health Centre in Ramsey Cllr Lucas had calls diverted to an out of hours service when the surgery was still open and dealing with patients which Cllr Lucas agreed to investigate.
7. FUTURE ITEMS The Chairman requested items for future agendas, in response to which the following suggestions were made: Chairman/ K • Street lighting and flooding Squires • Youth services – to look at provisions for young people in the area K Squires/Locality • CCTV mobile unit to attend the July meeting. Manager/HDC
It was agreed that these items would be added to the agenda for future meetings.
8. FUTURE MEETING PROGRAMME
The Forum noted that the next meeting would be held on Tuesday, 20 April 2010 at the Ramsey Community Centre and it was suggested that the July meeting be held in Somersham.
The Chairman thanked all for attending and asked that people take the time to complete and return the feedback forms provided.
9. PANEL PRIORITISATION
At the conclusion of the Forum meeting, the Panel agreed the following Policing Priorities for the three months to March 2010:-
1. Alcohol-related ASB and criminal damage linked to the night-time economy in High Street/Great Whyte/Little Whyte, Ramsey.
2. Youth-related ASB and criminal damage at The Green and surrounding streets in Somersham.
3. ASB in the Biggin Lane/Park Road/Cromwell Close area of Ramsey.
Panel members were also asked to address those issues marked for their attention in the notes of the forum meeting.
6 RAMSEY NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM ISSUES RAISED AT FORUM MEETINGS – PROGRESS REPORT
FORUM DATE TASK/ISSUE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY/ AGENCY & RESPONSE ACTION 19 January 2010 Great Whyte in Ramsey - night time Neighbourhood Policing Team (agreed policing Update to be provided at the economy issues priority for quarter Jan – April 2010) meeting via policing profile
report
The Green, Somersham - youths Neighbourhood Policing Team (agreed policing Update to be provided at the gathering outside shops priority for quarter Jan – April 2010) meeting via policing profile
report
Youths outside Somerfield, around 6pm, Neighbourhood Policing Team Update to be provided at the on bikes causing danger to motorists meeting
The Maltings - drinking and non drinking Neighbourhood Policing Team Update to be provided at the related ASB meeting
7 It was requested that the case for Kirsty Squires HDC to add to agenda and arrange For future agenda retaining CCTV in the area be looked at speakers as appropriate – liaise with Chairman for the September meeting
Vandalism, Little Whyte Neighbourhood Policing Team Update to be provided at the
meeting
Cromwell Close - cut through to airbase Neighbourhood Policing Team (agreed policing Update to be provided at the - youths causing damage priority for quarter Jan – April 2010) meeting via policing profile Agenda Item3 report
Biggin Lane - gangs of youths Neighbourhood Policing Team (agreed policing Update to be provided at the wandering around area in early hours of priority for quarter Jan – April 2010) meeting the morning Fellows Drive - youths in vehicles Neighbourhood Policing Team Update to be provided at the gathering and causing concern meeting
RAMSEY NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM ISSUES RAISED AT FORUM MEETINGS – PROGRESS REPORT
FORUM DATE TASK/ISSUE RESPONSIBLE AUTHORITY/ AGENCY & RESPONSE ACTION Opening hours and access to Ramsey Cllr Victor Lucas, Cambridgeshire County Council The practice is keen to improve Health Centre / telephone calls after agreed to look into this. the perception of the service it 6pm going through to out of hours provides and to gather feedback service even if surgery is open and is interested in setting up a PPG. Practice group to attend a future forum meeting to discuss with those present Windows broken at Warboys Parish Neighbourhood Policing Team Update to be provided at the Centre, other vandalism, sign damaged meeting
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