PRESENT: Chair Karen Leakey, Vice-Chair Pam Freegard, Treasurer John Freegard, Secretary and Archivist Kevin Leakey, Muhammad Chaudhry, John Clark, Vi Clark, Paul Izquierdo, Kate Johnson, Brian Jones, Kath Jones, Cluniford Mason, Ishmael Stevens, Madge Sutton, Ros Timlin, Bob Walter, Robert Williams
ALSO PRESENT: Councillor’s – Bob and Julie Wright, Usman Farooq, Tim French, Azim Khan
APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE: Diana Banner, Kay Malko, Evelyn Mason, Rebecca McIntosh, Roy Townsend, Pat Townsend, PC Atkinson - Broad Street Area Beat Manager, Councillor Junab Ali, Frances Barrone – SBC
The following problems, issues and points were reported, raised and discussed
Inconsiderate Parking in back alleyways, double yellow lines and on pavements.
Commercial wheelie bins on pavements.
Residents Parking – Changes to Zone J and Shrivenham Road, and the cost of implementing it.
Concerns raised about the road change around the bus station area. – The closing and lowering of Fleming Way, west of Whalebridge junction, to all vehicles except buses that will only travel east, as busses will travel along this section every minute or so, how safe will it be for pedestrians to cross, as the Parade underpass will also be removed. Problems that will be caused by a new bus lane on the west side of Corporation Street - as the mini roundabout will be removed, vehicles will only be able to turn left at the Broad Street junction. The consequences of the proposed new bus exchange and the alterations to Holbrook Way, Gloucester Street and Station Road - as no new roads are going to be built, the effects this could have on our area, as it will make Manchester Road the main thoroughfare into the town centre. Possible alterations or improvements to Cycle Route 45.
A pothole by the crossing at the east end of Manchester Road is getting bigger and the road is sinking.
There is still a 30mph sign in Broad Street.
The future of the Broadgreen Centre, will it stay under the control of SBC, or will it be put out to tender as has happened at the Central Centre?
CHAIR REPORT
Karen was going to step down from the Chair, but after being asked by many members to continue, has now decided to carry on in the role, but suggested that other members of the group might like to take on specific roles, e.g. rubbish and fly tipping problems, and reporting them directly to councillors and SBC.
The AGM could be held in May, but we have until September to hold one. – It was agreed that the committee would look at this at the April meeting.
There are a number of projects that the community council considered last year and would be good to undertake this year, including – hanging baskets, a community garden at the Broadgreen Centre and a 40-year celebration of the community council.
There have been requests for the drop-ins to return to more formal meetings, Karen proposed that the meetings should return to a more formal format in the future, starting with the reports, followed by a short open forum for members, finishing, if applicable, with a discussion about any projects we are undertaking, however Councillors and the Police Team would be asked to continue to give written reports for the minutes.
The cost for hire of the room has been doubled and is now £16.48 per hour and we have to vacate the room by 9.30pm at the latest.
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM STATISTICS: 01 February 2014 to 28 February 2014
Criminal damage – 9 (2013 – 5) (2 x domestic damage, 6 vehicle damages)
Assaults – 7 (2013 – 6) (3 x domestic incidents)
Theft and Handling – 24 (2013 – 14 (17/24 relate to Tesco and other commercial premises)
Drugs – 4 (2013 – 1) (3x Cannabis street warnings issued)
Dwelling Burglary – 1 (2013 – 3)
Robbery – 0. (2013 – 2)
NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICE TEAM REPORT – PC Atkinson
Although unable to attend the meeting, PC Atkinson forwarded the following report –
In the Broadgreen and Shrivenham Road beat areas victim based crime is up 4.9%. This equates to 25 more reported crimes in the 12 months to February 2014 then in the 12 months previously. Incidents of anti-social behaviour year to date are down 6.7%. In February 2013 we received 8 calls relating to ASB. This is a decrease again on previous months.
Due to issues at the Breakfast and Lunch Clubs at St. Luke’s Church with street drinkers causing Anti-Social behaviour I have put a patrol tasker in place so local and Response officers from across Swindon will be patrolling in the area at the relevant times. All officers are aware of the ongoing issues
Since the last meeting 45 additional patrols have been carried out in the area, specifically targeting ASB in addition to routine patrols. Street drinkers continue to be targeted and dealt with robustly and as a result we have only received no direct complaints in relation to them during this period. Several of the alcohol stores on Manchester Road have applied for later licenses, which Wiltshire Police are actively opposing.
As above since the last meeting Wiltshire Police have received 9 calls relating to anti-social behaviour taking place in public areas in Broadgreen. Anti-Social behaviour incidents in February include youths lighting a fire, a drunk male in the County Ground Hotel and a group of youths causing issues on more than one occasion during half term.
The majority of crimes as above have stayed at a steady level with the exception of shoplifting from Tesco, which has seen a marked increase perhaps due to the recent changes in the benefit system. Drug incidents have increased due to positive pro-active work by local officers, which has resulted in three convictions for using cannabis in public.
Last week local Town Centre Officers carried out a drugs warrant at an address in the area. As a result a cannabis factory was located and over £140000 of cannabis plants were seized and destroyed. One male located inside the address was arrested and has currently been remanded in custody pending trial. This operation was possible due to information passed to Police by members of the public and follows on from the successful results during Operation Harness at the end of January.
Karen Leakey has made me aware that some local residents are concerned at the presence of drugs in the area. Unfortunately drugs are all too common in society these days but Swindon doesn’t have a bigger problem with this than other similar sized towns. I can assure local residents that combating drugs is one of my priorities for the area as demonstrated by our positive results in recent months. The presence of the samurai sword also mentioned at an address during Operation Harness was not in the Broadgreen area and was found at one of the warrants conducted in another part of the town. If any member of the public has any concerns then please feel free to contact me and I’m happy to discuss this with you.
Policing is an Intelligence driven business and the NPT would urge you to contact Wiltshire Police on 101 if you have something you need to tell us. Or alternatively email Community Beat Manager PC 2410 Luke ATKINSON on luke.atkinson@wilthire.pnn.police.uk
COUNCILLORS REPORT:
Enforcement
We are still following up on the need for enforcement in the area. We have been told that it could take some time to process but we have expressed the urgency of this matter. We continue to identify areas where enforcement is needed to officers and will keep this as a high priority for the area. We need to show that there will be no tolerance of this type of anti social behaviour especially by some of the shops in the area. We have met with the Chief Executive of SBC who has given us his support on this important issue. He has offered to walk around the area and I will be setting this up with him to highlight the problems in the area.
Parking
New markings and signs are currently being put in place to help provide more parking for residents. We believe that around 100 spaces have been created. This is being carried out as an experimental order and can be reviewed within the next six months. There is a question about are there enough limited parking spaces in the area?
Although there are now restrictions to 'no parking at any time' along Manchester Road and the adjoining road junctions there are still people parking there. We will continue to push Parking Services to pursue offenders but have had reports that some Parking Attendants have been threatened and attacked. We have stated that there will be zero tolerance of these offences and want all incidents to be followed up with the police.
Wellington Street
Taxis are continuing to park along Wellington Street causing disturbances to surrounding residents. We are extremely frustrated about this matter and will raise this again at the Taxi Forum and ask for enforcement to be carried out.
Shrivenham Road
It has been reported by residents that the area at the back of Shrivenham Road/County Ground is extremely untidy and one resident reported that the fence is falling down. We have contacted officers about this matter and asked for action to be taken to resolve this matter. Some of the work has been carried out, cutting back brambles/bushes.
Curtis Street
There has been another accident at the junction of Curtis Street/Crombey Street. The accidents appear to be occurring due to a combination of speed/loss of control and the influence of alcohol. We have asked for signs reminding people of their speed in Crombey Street and a crumple barrier to be erected at the junction.
Main issues raised by residents
Rubbish, the need for more bins/dog bin -There is a need in the new housing area and the County Ground. Complaints of drinking & prostitution in alleyways.
Councillor Julie Wright talked to the meeting about the work under taken in a week in the life of a councillor.
CORRESPONDENCE
SENT – None
RECEIVED – None
PLANNING
S/PRIORH/14/0225 - Prior Approval Notification for the erection of a single storey rear extension measuring 3.89m (from original rear wall), 2.63m (maximum height) and 2.58 (height to eaves) - 43 Ponting Street SN1 2BW - Application Pending Consideration - Case Officer - Mr Edward Snook
S/13/1897 - Change of use from greengrocers (Class A1) to takeaway and restaurant (Classes A3/ A5) and installation of extractor fan/ flue to rear - 7-9 Corporation Street SN1 1DS - Application Pending Consideration - Case Officer - Tom Buxton
TREASURERS REPORT - to 05 March 2014: John Freegard
The petty cash opening balance was incorrectly recorded in the February minutes as £123.88; it should have read £103.88.
ANY OTHER BUSINESS : Ishmael talked about his hope of putting on a Super Jam tea party. This is to give older or isolated people a chance to socialise and make new friends over as cup of tea and hopefully jam and scones.
Drop-in closed 9.45pm
