at Nottingham Moderns RFC

Present: David Boulton (DB) Chairman

Sheila Atherton (SA) Treasurer

Roger Steel (RS) Vice Chairman

Josie Foster (JF) Minute Secretary

Mike Cathcart (MC)

Kate Clark (KC)

Brian Clark (BC)

Brian Hardy (BH)

Jonathon Shewell-Cooper (JS-C)

Invited Guests: PC Nigel Brown – Beat Officer for Wilford and Silverdale.

Brendan Clarke-Smith

Nigel Brown began by introducing himself and giving a brief resume of his career. He had served Clifton, Wilford and Silverdale for twenty nine and half years. He was very pleased to have been invited to our meeting and asked the question what we, as a group, can do to work with him to combat crime in Wilford. From the question and answer general meeting last year with Inspector John Woodward, many residents had been left with the feeling of what is the point of reporting crime because nothing happens. However, each Beat Officer has a mobile phone, which is only switched off when off duty. NB’s mobile phone Nr is 07792 437321. A good start had been made with one of our residents helping him prevent a crime with a motorbike. A bike had been racing through the village on a regular basis and the resident had built a picture of times etc. and kept a log for ten days which built up a pattern, and they were able to address the problem together. It culminated in PC Brown being there and taking possession of the bike, unfortunately, the rider escaped but at least the bike has been confiscated and the bike was found to have the engine and chassis number ground out.

JS-C/RS asked if anything was being done to get bikes off the Emmanuel school field. Most riders from the other side of the river and if we can provide registration number of the bikes that would be helpful. RS said he had made notes of escape roads but NB said the problem is that because of the position of the school it is covered by two police force areas, Rushcliffe and the City. NB would like us to collate certain information such as colour of bike, what are they wearing, and the licence number. RS said he had phoned but no action had been taken. NB said calls are graded and this would be low priority. Beat Managers need to be made aware and they will monitor situation. He will work one weekend with West Bridgford police now he is aware and they will monitor the situation. RS asked if it could be monitored by camera with police out of uniform.

RS has also reported three burnt-out bikes on rugby field.

These actions would come under the Anti-social Behaviour Act 2003. The Police Reform Act also gives greater power to act.

BH offered to collate information if we e-mail him with incidents and he will forward it to N Brown. At the end of the day the police still need witnesses to prosecute.

NB is also aware of drugs being smoked in the churchyard. RS asked why a known drug dealer, and visitors, has been allowed to continue over so many years. NB replied that this address is very low priority. If we take the car registration numbers and hand over to him he will pass this information on to the Intelligence Officer.

The telephone box regularly has glass broken, is it possible to have cameras on it. Cameras are only of limited use because there is only 6 hours of film and not one is available to work them. Why such limitations? Not enough funding for more sophisticated cameras and at the moment they are used for more high profile crime. BT could be asked to fund camera for telephone box - BC-S will write on our behalf.

RS said there had been a gun incident at the Ferry Inn and there had only been a three hour tape in the camera and so was not recorded, a combined digital system was now in place. PC Brown said cameras must only be used on private property and must not be used over public footpaths etc.

According to police records Wilford is not a high priority crime area - he went on to read some of these figures since 1^st January - there have been 151 cases of auto-crime, of cars and from cars, most is from pub car parks, 3 robberies, muggings, removal of itinerants and petty damage.

NB thought residents needed educating on how to protect our property and approved of the idea of setting up a Neighbourhood Watch and he would attend the General Meeting on 13^th May at a venue to be arranged. The main speaker will be Mike Gough who organises the Neighbourhood Watch programmes for Nottingham.

RS asked if anything could be done about a couple of gangs in the village, can they be named and shamed? PC Brown said a letter of warning would be sent but only with very strong evidence.

The good news is that soon there will be seven beat officers instead of two at Clifton which should reduce the number of times NB is called away from Wilford and Silverdale.

Speed cameras could be fitted on the traffic lights at the crossroads but the group would prefer to see a filter light, PC Brown suggested it only required a filter at peak periods and suggested Paul Preston come and discuss the matter with the committee.

RS said he had information on the graffiti tag - as before log any information and let him know.

PC Brown then left the meeting at 9.00 pm and the committee had a short break before resuming the meeting.

Item				Action
1	Apologies None
2	Minutes of the Previous Meeting (4^th March 2004) After some minor alterations the Committee Minutes were accepted as a true record.
3	Review outstanding actions from previous meeting
	3.1	Action following the talk with Pat Armstrong (NET) DB has posted the meeting notes on the Notice Board. DB will write to NET about action re price values on property.
		3.1.1	BC-S writing to Lobby councillors Carried over	BC-S
		3.1.2	RS Drafting a letter about running tram at ground level etc Carried Over	RS
	3.2	Invite Beat Officer to March Committee Meeting DB contacted PC Nigel Brown and arranged for him to attend the meeting.
	3.4	Grange Close Fence DB wrote on 14^th February and will chase up again. Has received an e-mail from Roger Periam (Chair of Governors) which states that the fence is owned by Carter Trust and will come back to him when he has further information.
	3.5	Site line of Bellway House to Church RS has telephoned Bellway but has not had any response. RS will continue to chase.		RS
	3.6	Local Learning Plan – re Area Committee Meeting (11/02/04) JF contacted Colin Mackie and said that we would support his efforts to set up a First Aid Training Scheme. He went on to say that he was also trying to set up a computer group.
	3.7	General Meeting Mike Gough, Neighbourhood Watch, has accepted our invitation to the meeting.

Item			Action
	3.8	School Buses The budget has gone on other items and the school run is classed as non-essential. Until further information is available we are not to take any further action.
4	Chairman’s Report DB had received correspondence from Neil Harby about the speed limits between Clifton Lane and the traffic lights at the crossroads and between Silverdale and the mini island under Clifton Bridge. The Highways Agency is responsible for signage from Silverdale to the mini island and the Local Authority from the mini island to the traffic lights. Neil Harby continues to liaise with the Highways Agency over the possibility of increasing the speed limit to 40mph. RS still thinks the problem is that we need a filter light at the traffic lights at the crossroads. BC-S will speak to Tim Spencer about having one placed there. NET Tram – in relation to Bader Road tram stop - DB reported that NET are continuing to look at the impact of putting one there. DB spoke about his position on the committee. At the end of June he will be made redundant and the new job will mean a significant amount of travel and he will be unable to give the same level of commitment and, therefore, will leave the committee but will agree to be co-opted. He will stand down at the General Meeting and unless a new Chairman is elected then, RS as vice chair will take over until the Annual Meeting. BH asked if it was necessary to leave the committee? DB responded that he would stay if we wish and that he is also willing to continue with the web site. An agenda item for the next committee meeting will be the traffic problem at schools.		DB
5	General Meeting This will be on the 13^th May at Wilford Endowed School. The hall is booked from 7 pm – 10 pm with the meting commencing at 7.30 pm. The theme for the meeting being Neighbourhood Watch with guest speaker Mike Gough. It was decided not to have any refreshments.
6	Open Gardens JF volunteered to co-ordinate this community effort. As we have no project in mind to raise funds for a charity was discussed, after several suggestions it was decided to raise funds on behalf of the Marie Curie Cancer Care. BH would look into the question of insurance. JF would hold a sub-committee of those interested in opening their gardens as soon as convenient. DB would let JF have the names and phone numbers of those who have shown an interest. RS agreed to obtain Marie Curie fundraising support in the form of leaflets, balloons, etc..		BH JF DB RS

Item		Action
7	Any Other Business KC was concerned about trees being cut down on land in front of Grange Close properties and wondered if they were in the Conservation area and if they are write to the Council and see what can be done to stop other trees being cut down. DB said he would look at his map of the conservation areas.	DB
8	Venue for Committee Meetings RS said the Rugby Club would not make a charge for the meetings but would be satisfied with a mention on the Community Web Site. DB said he would place them on the web site.	DB
9	Next Meeting Thursday 22^nd April 2004, 7.30 pm at the Rugby Club.
	The meeting closed at 10.30 pm
	Signed ……David Boulton…... Chairman Date …………26^th April 2004………………………

at Nottingham Moderns RFC

Item

Action

BC-S writing to Lobby councillors

BC-S

RS Drafting a letter about running tram at ground level etc

Invite Beat Officer to March Committee Meeting

Grange Close Fence

Site line of Bellway House to Church

General Meeting

School Buses