Community Forum Action Notes

Forum: North & Wall Heath, Kingswinford South and

Date and time: Monday 7th January 2019 at 6.30pm

Venue: The Wordsley School, Road, Wordsley,

Attendance: Cllr Peter Miller (chair),Cllr Edward Lawrence (vice-chair) Cllr Patrick Harley, Cllr Dave Tyler, Cllr Kerry Lewis, Cllr Matt Rodgers, Cllr Nicola Richards

Officers/police: Sergeant Marc Hughes, PC Josh Wildig, Jayne Catley (Liaison Officer), Carol Tromans (Community Development Worker)

Members of the public (number): 13

1. Apologies and declarations of interest: Apologies - Cllr Donna Harley, Cllr Luke Johnson

2. Police and Communities Together

Subject Action/Response Sergeant Mark Hughes fielded questions Since September overall crime: and comments from the floor. Requested Vehicle crimes Sept 27, Oct 31, that individual cases are reported to him Nov 49, Dec 32 directly, concentrating on broader issues. Burglary – average 19 per month Asked by the floor about general crime. Shop thefts – average of 10 per month. Not many house burglaries – more car key targets. Recent successful arrest for street car break-ins. Social Media can incite hysteria. Noted that Police numbers have diminished over the years.

Cllr Kerry Lewis, promoting Police have equipment they can Neighbourhood Watch Groups as a train members of the public for deterrent. Street Watch also a good tool community speed watch. for preventing crime. Active Citizens Fund - groups can apply to Cllr Dave Tyler in favour of the support activities for young people to deter community working better together to get crime better intelligence for the Police to act upon Brockmoor/Brierley Hill/ half the population and twice as many reported crimes as this forum area, which remains one of the safest within the Borough of .

3. Listening to you

Subject Action/Response YMCA Open Door project representative Leaflets left for people to be informed Lorraine Bedford - worked to place 16-25 or to make contact if they are year olds who would otherwise be interested in becoming a host. There homeless with hosts in the community, were approximately 20 hosts in the both for night stop emergency housing borough. Cllr Dave Tyler very and long term placements where they can supportive of the YMCA giving the assist young people for up to 2 years. opportunity for young people to gain Project ran across the whole of the West positive experiences. Midlands Region.

The White House glass museum - when Cllr Dave Tyler replied that funding had is it going to open? been received towards the museum but timetable for opening not certain.

4. Working with you

Subject Action/Response . Youth centre in Kingswinford - is it going Cllr Patrick Harley – some interest in to be re-opened? acquiring site but slow progress to date. Residents asked about changing rooms Cllr Harley – were carrying out a review on football pitches under previous administration - we don’t have as many as we would like, Dell Stadium is a success story.

Residents asked about planning No planning application in place at the application for 800 houses on Ridge Hill moment.

5. Funding

Applicant Recommendation Woodman Mount Pleasant Bowling Club £5,000 from Kingswinford South ward Application for funding to repair bowling allocation. green and fencing. The club is a competitive bowling club spanning 3 generations. Looking to involve local schools. Application is for £5000.

Meeting ended at: 8:10 pm