Birch Hill & Neighbourhood Action Group

20 June 2011 6.00 - 7.12 pm Birch Hill Community Centre

Present: Councillor Chas Baily, Forest Council Mrs Sandie Baily, Resident Councillor Mrs Gill Birch, Council Matt Bugg, Birch Hill & Hanworth Ron Clark, Birch Hill and Hanworth Councillor Will Davison, Bracknell Forest Council NSO Michael Foot, Jo Legg, Chairman David Young, Resident

In attendance: Ian Boswell, Bracknell Forest Council Amanda Roden, Bracknell Forest Council

Apologies: Ann Pinkney, Bracknell Forest Homes Karen Pullinger, Bracknell Forest Homes

Action Points

Minute Item

1 Notes of Previous Meeting

The notes of the meeting held on 28 February 2011 were agreed as a correct record.

2 2011 Priority Issues

Cycling Safety

The Chair, Jo Legg had spoken with Phil Burke, Travel Plan Co-ordinator at Bracknell Forest Council regarding cycling safety and was advised that any unmarked cycle paths should be reported to Phil and Bracknell Forest Council would look into this.

The Kebab van was a problem, Phil Burke had taken this issue as far as possible but it was unsure why the van was allowed to park on a cycle path.

A cycle map for the area included a red route and a blue route. A survey undertaken on the red route found that the number of people using the red route had increased by 58%. Work could be undertaken with Phil Burke, and possibly schools in the area, to establish a contact group regarding anti-social behaviour

issues. Schools had their own cycling proficiency scheme.

There was no direct cycle path into Park School and some dangerous roads for children to cross. It was queried whether to raise the issue of children cycling colliding with children walking to Easthampstead Park School at an Extended Services meeting on 15 July 2011. This would be discussed with Phil Burke before the meeting. (Action: Jo Legg)

Speeding

Speed Watch had been undertaken with SID devices by the police on Birch Hill Road on 7 June 2011, 8.45am to 11am, and no cars were found speeding. Another Speed Watch exercise was undertaken on 9 May 2011 with a speed gun between 8.45am and 9.30am, and two cars were caught speeding. Both drivers were prosecuted and one was elligible to attend a course on speeding.

PC Bob Wade had retired but someone would replace him. Resident Matt Bugg volunteered to help with Speed Watch exercises. More volunteers were needed. Another Speed Watch exercise would be organised. (Action: Jo Legg/Matt Bugg)

Speed Watch training would be arranged through the Community Safety Team who now held the SID devices. (Action: Jo Legg/Ian Boswell)

Litter and Dog Fouling

Mr Young had contacted Bracknell Town Council in April regarding meeting with their Environment Warden about local issues. The Bracknell Town Council Clerk had advised that the Environment Warden was not in post at that time but that she would arrange for them to meet with Mr Young as part of their induction programme.

The duties of the Environment Warden would be clarified with Bracknell Town Council but the role was to warn, prosecute and educate people in relation to litter, flytipping and dog fouling with a focus on parks. (Action: Cllr Baily)

Mr Young reported that Pat Kennewell and Tom Wheaton had organised two further litter picks, including the 64th local litter pick on Saturday 7 May and one on Saturday 2 July, which were being advertised via publicity posters. Both events would start at 9.30am near the Scout Hut near Birch Hill shops. All necessary equipment would be provided but a gardening glove would be useful. A message would be circulated to the group with details of the litter pick. (Action: Jo Legg)

Pat Kennewell had been presented with a fake diamond studded litter pick and a picture of this was in the local paper. It was hoped that Shelley Horton, PR Officer at Sainsbury’s could attend the litter pick on 2 July. The pedestrian area at Sainsbury’s was a problem area for litter. Sainsbury’s would look at this with the team who looked after the car park area. It was hoped that this could be combined with the litter pick on 2 July and a picture of the event could be in the local paper.

The Bracknell Armed Forces event on Saturday 25 June would take place in

Bracknell Town Centre, so there should be no litter issue in Birch Hill and Hanworth this year arising from this event. The Big Day Out had been cancelled due to lack of sponsorship. Events: Parks Life on 9 July and Asian Fusion in August would be taking place.

Mr Young would discuss litter issues with once the work had finished on their grounds. Notices had been erected on lamp standards regarding fines for dog fouling.

Twenty cans of alcohol were seized at a birthday party at South Hill Park with fifty young people under age.

The Chair had been advised of a company who could help with litter and flytipping problems and would consider enquiring about further details of their services.

Rubbish was found dumped outside Birch Hill recycling point and the Chair would mention this to Stuart Ballantine, Street Cleansing Manager. (Action: Jo Legg)

It was reported that PCSO Hilary Hyslop had contacted parents after finding children putting graffiti on Birch Hill playpark equipment. Hilary had arranged for the children to clean the graffiti off with their parents present. Some graffiti had also been noticed on a wall in the Italian Gardens at South Hill Park. The graffiti tag used was being investigated further.

3 Neighbourhood Police Team Update

PC Steve Mitchell had transferred to the Bracknell Town Centre Neighbourhood Team. PCSO Anita Kennedy was new to the Birch Hill and Hanworth Neighbourhood Team but had experience with retail issues and young people.

Some civilian staff jobs would be lost as a result of the restructure in Thames Valley Police. There would be an amalgamation of roles and an increase in work for the Neighbourhood Teams.

It was reported that PCSO Hilary Hyslop was looking into the possibility of holding another Football Challenge event this summer using the astroturf and the same coach as last year.

The community website was up and running and almost finished. Crime was low in general in the Borough and Operation Lion Cub had been undertaken on the weekend recently. It was suggested that work could be undertaken with shops in relation to the BBAC retail scheme where intelligence and pictures of offenders could be shared.

The police had met the new manager at Sainsbury’s, Andy Coe, but mainly the police worked with security guards.

4 PAY Scheme 2012

The Chair, Jo Legg would aim to organise activities for young people as had been undertaken last year. Jo would contact Denise from orienteering but funding was needed for the project. Cllr Mrs Birch offered her support to the scheme again.

5 Neighbourhood Forum: September 2011

The Birch Hill and Hanworth Neighbourhood Forum would be held in September instead of a Neighbourhood Action Group meeting. The Forum would be held on Wednesday 28 September, 7.30pm, at Birch Hill Primary School.

The Group discussed possible ideas for the Forum, including: a talk from Andy Coe, the new manager of Sainsbury’s, ‘A Day in the Life of’ the new Environment Officer at Bracknell Town Council, Chief Inspector Simon Bowden or Chief Constable Sara Thornton. It was suggested that there should be just one speaker. The Chair would contact the Environment Officer and Chief Inspector Simon Bowden to ask about the possibility of one of them attending the Forum. (Action: Jo Legg)

Any ideas for the Forum should be forward to Jo Legg. (Action: All)

6 Thames Valley Police Awards: BCU Commendations

Pat Kennewell and Jo Legg had accepted an award at Wellington College from Thames Valley Police for their work with the Birch Hill and Hanworth Neighbourhood Action Group and the Youth Drop-In.

PCSO Hilary Hyslop had been nominated for Thames Valley Police PSCO of the Year and she won the award and the Pride of Bracknell Award. Hilary had also been nominated for the National Policing Award.

The Group thanked NSO Michael Foot for his contributions to the neighbourhood as well.

7 Neighbourhood Issues

Work on building the Story Tree fence would begin soon. There had been a problem with some boys attending the Youth Drop-In. The Drop-In had been closed for a while and was re-opened after Easter. It was easier when the young people could go outside.

8 Feedback from Neighbourhood Action Group Chairs' Meeting on 28 April 2011

Inspector Squire had discussed the idea of demolishing garage blocks and creating car parks in their place. Some were owned by Bracknell Forest Homes and some were privately owned. Almost half of the Neighbourhood Action Groups had speeding as a priority and the police would continue work in relation to speeding.

9 NAG Members' Updates

It was reported that St Margaret Clitherow Church had been closed and would be demolished. St Joseph’s Church would just be used from now on.

The end of year figures had decreased by 10% in the last year throughout the Borough, and in Birch Hill specifically by 22.5%.

10 Dates of Future Meetings

The Birch Hill and Hanworth Neighbourhood Forum would be held on Wednesday 28 September, 7.30pm, at Birch Hill Primary School.

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