Page 3 Agenda Item 4 CHASE, SOUTHBURY AND TOWN AREA FORUM - 10.6.2008 MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE CHASE, SOUTHBURY AND TOWN AREA FORUM HELD ON TUESDAY, 10 JUNE 2008 COUNCILLORS PRESENT Chris Bond, Lee Chamberlain, Tony Dey, Annette Dreblow, Peter Fallart, Eric Jukes, Kieran McGregor, Michael Rye (Leader of the Council) and Kate Wilkinson ABSENT OFFICERS: Bob Griffiths (Head of Trading Standards and Licensing) and Ann Redondo (Democratic Services) Also Attending: Inspector George and approximately 40 residents 1 APPOINTMENT OF CHAIRMAN Councillor Rye nominated Councillor Peter Fallart for the role of Chairman, seconded by Councillor Chamberlain. RESOLVED that Councillor Peter Fallart be appointed as Chairman for the Municipal Year 2 APPOINTMENT OF VICE CHAIRMAN Councillor Rye nominated Councillor Keiran McGregor for the role of Vice – Chairman, seconded by Councillor Bond. RESOLVED that Councillor Kieran McGregor be appointed as Vice -Chairman for the Municipal Year. 3 WELCOME AND INTRODUCTIONS Councillor Peter Fallart welcomed all those present to the meeting and asked the Ward Councillors to introduce themselves. 4 APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE There were no apologies for absence. - 1 - Page 4 CHASE, SOUTHBURY AND TOWN AREA FORUM - 10.6.2008 5 DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST NOTED that no declarations of interest made in respect of any items on the agenda. 6 MINUTES AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 18 March 2008 be confirmed as a correct record. NOTED the following updates and issues arising: (a) Minute (6.2.2.) Removal of Hedgerow at Spurs Academy and Training Centre at Bulls Cross – Councillor Annette Dreblow advised that she had met with the Architect responsible for the Spurs site, and not the Chief Executive as detailed in the minutes. She reported that a ‘temporary fitting’ had replaced the hedgerow and that new saplings and trees would be planted on the Autumn. Councillor Dreblow added that beehives had been exposed when the hedgerow was removed and that action was being taken on this. (b) Minute (6.1.1.) Millfield Theatre – In response to a resident, Councillor Rye said that there were no plans to close the Millfield Theatre. He referred to a Cabinet report detailing investment in the Millfield Theatre, including extra toilet facilities. (c ) Minute (3 – c) Guy Lodge Farm – Bob Griffiths advised that he would provide an update on the issues associated with Guy Lodge, including the restoration of hedges, at a later date. Action : Bob Griffiths (d) Minute (3 –e) Removal of graffiti on Maidens Bridge – Councillor Dreblow advised that work on the bridge was progressing. 7 UPDATE FROM POLICE (a) Southbury Ward NOTED i. Priorities remained: Leisure and Retail Parks – British Crime Survey, Speeding across the entire Ward and Enfield Rangers FC – youth issues and ASB. - 2 - Page 5 CHASE, SOUTHBURY AND TOWN AREA FORUM - 10.6.2008 ii. Further operations had been held on Sunday evenings, primarily targeting car cruisers on Enfield Retail Park. A number of vehicles have been taken off the road for various offences, driving without due care, excess speed and dangerous condition. iii. There is a dispersal order in place, which covers East of the A10 to the reservoirs and from M25 to A406. This order allows police to immediately disperse groups of people. Successful operations had been reported where young drivers had met. iii. A sound meter had been used to deal with the noise problems associated with vehicles that have had an ‘after market’ exhaust fitted. iv. A successful ‘youth diversion’ programme was held at Rangers FC during the Whitsun holiday. Free activities included football, Basketball dance and art. It is hoped that this event will serve as a platform to launch a new youth club. v. Over the last 3 months, almost 200 ‘stop and search’ operations have been carried out, including Stop and Accounts and Counter Terrorism Stop and Searches. vi. A brothel in Clive Road had been closed down by Safer Neighbourhood Team (SNT) officers. vii. Since the last Forum meeting 1,400 counterfeit DVDs had been seized. viii. As a result of partnership working with the Council, 2 families had been evicted as a result Anti Social Behaviour (ASB). ix. 10 burglaries have occurred on the ward since the last Forum. Burglary patrols continue across the Ward and all victims of burglary receive a visit from SNT officers. Residents can contact the SNT to request a home security survey and would receive a document detailing helpful tips on how to make their homes more secure. x. A bi – monthly newsletter has been launched and residents who would like to receive this electronically are asked to supply the SNT officers with their email address. The following telephone number can be used to contact the Ward officers : 07748 320117. xi. ‘Patrol leaflets’ are delivered to various addresses to reassure residents that patrols are being made in their area. - 3 - Page 6 CHASE, SOUTHBURY AND TOWN AREA FORUM - 10.6.2008 (b) Town Ward i. The three priorities for the ward were, ASB in Pevensey Avenue, Aldersbrook Park and Fillebrook Avenue, ASB caused by intoxicated people walking through Gentleman’s Row and Holly Bush and noise nuisance by school leavers walking through Tenniswood Road and Baker Street. ii. Crime figures for the Ward reveal a reduction for all ‘crime types’ across the Ward. iii. The ward SNT have recorded the second highest numbers of ‘stop and search’ operations across the borough. iv. The supply of drugs from two addresses in the borough was being researched and warrants would be issued in the near future. v. Vulnerable people in the ward would be given the opportunity to view a film and receive a presentation offering advice on home security and bogus callers. These presentations would be offered in the next few weeks. vi. PCSO’s would be visiting primary schools in the near future to advise on road safety, stranger danger etc. vii. The SNT are preparing an operation to deal with speeding vehicles in the Ward, particularly HGV’s on residential roads and overweight lorries. viii. Partnership working with the Council and TfL was continuing regarding the problems associated with ‘bus overcrowding’ after school hours, particularly in the Lancaster Road area. (c ) Chase Ward i. Priorities within the Ward were ASB at the Four Hills Estate and the Hoe Lane area. ii. The setting up of a Youth Panel had helped ease the issues of ASB, as a whole in the area. iii. The high number of cases of ASB in Blossom Lane is a cause for concern. A multi agency meeting had been arranged to be held on 13 June 2008 to discuss the issues. iv. The SNT have been involved in operations to combat speeding vehicles on the A10. The Ward officers are awaiting confirmation to deploy a ‘mobile speed camera’ in the area. - 4 - Page 7 CHASE, SOUTHBURY AND TOWN AREA FORUM - 10.6.2008 A short discussion followed Inspector George’s presentation including: • A resident said that it would be useful to receive results of operations carried out in the Wards; • Councillor Wilkinson raised her concerns over staff shortages amongst the SNT in Chase Ward, highlighting that it was the largest ward in the area, and needed maximum resources to deal with the ASB and other crimes; • Inspector George said it was hoped that the SNT in Chase Ward would be back to maximum strength within the next 3 months. He reported that some staff hade been drafted to strengthen the Haringey / A406 border; • A resident felt that the problems associated with speeding across the wards, could be reduced by installing more speed signs. Inspector George said that the main perpetrators being targeted were young people who ignored speed signs of any description; • Inspector George would report on the defective speed cameras reported by residents on the A10 and the retail park; • A resident added his concerns regarding the reduction of resources in the area, and felt that residents would feel even more vulnerable, especially in the Enfield Town shopping centre. Inspector George advised that in the short term, the resources issues would have an implications, but long term plans would mean dedicated teams installed for local hospitals, schools and shopping centres; • A resident who lived in Fotheringham Road reported that a dustcart had been driven down the road ‘on the wrong side’ and felt that this posed a serious safety issue; Bob Griffiths would take this issue back. • In response to a resident, Inspector George confirmed that the use of CCTV cameras really did assist in crime prevention; • A resident reported that 3 - 4 youths vandalised cars in Willow Road, and was shocked when the police informed him and his neighbours that the youths, who had been arrested, could not be prosecuted as they were ‘under 18 years of age’. He felt that the lack of a criminal record for the perpetrators would not discourage from acts of further vandalism. Inspector George said that the youth would have received a caution; • Inspector George advised a resident that he could still take knives into Enfield Police station for safe dispersal, even though the knife amnesty period had finished; • Inspector George would report back the concerns over the CCTV camera in Bullsmoor Lane, which appeared to have been ‘turned round’ and was now peering into the flats there; • Inspector George advised residents to report their concerns of graffiti to the SNT and agreed with a resident that the summer weather encourages this type of ASB; - 5 - Page 8 CHASE, SOUTHBURY AND TOWN AREA FORUM - 10.6.2008 • A resident thanked the police for monitoring drivers that used ‘fog lights’ unnecessarily, and felt that their action had been a deterrent.