Heald Green Communtiy Engagement Event
| Published: 15th May 2008 22:36 |
16th April 2008
Heald Green Village Hall
Format for the Meeting
1) Introductions
2) Meeting Objectives Outlined
3) Presentation by Brian Nash - re: work undertaken in Heald Green by District and Neighbourhood Team (environment and economy directorate)
4) Feedback on Previous Issues from the floor
5) Update and work undertaken by agencies
6) Priority Setting
7) Any Other Business
1) Introductions
Members of the "top table" were introduced:
Stuart Entwistle(Anti Social Behaviour Action Team Officer), Paul McDerment (Parks & Recreation Manager), Julie Wharton(Youth Service, Senior Area Worker), Brian Nash (District Centres Regeneration Manager), PC Mark Shaw(chair), PCSO Norman Smith, Mandy Symes (Community Safety Operations Manager).
2) Meeting Objectives Outlined
Meeting has been called to update on previous crime and disorder priorities for the area, and also to set new targets for the next 3 months.
3) Presentation - Heald Green District and Neighbourhood Regeneration Team
• District and Neighbourhood Regeneration Team are concerned with the main shopping and business area.
• Undertaken a number of surveys with traders and shoppers.
• Issues raised have been around traffic, parking environmental issues and anti social behaviour. etc.
• Many businesses long established and do value the local community.
• Working closely with businesses to improve facilities in the area.
• Work closely with other Council services and local agencies including GM Police.
• Have formulated an Action Plan which will guide activity over the next few years.
• Attractions to serve Local Community Needs
• Ease of Access for all
• Attractive, Safe and Welcoming Environment
• Work together in Partnership
• Promotion of facilities and events
• The Action Plan for Heald Green can be found on the Council website:
www.stockport.gov.uk/content/business/regeneration/localcentres/healdgreen
4) Feedback on Previous Issues
Bamford Close - residents advised this still continues to be quiet.
East Avenue Park - continues to be a problem with youths causing criminal damage. Recently all the newly planted plants have been ripped up.
5) Feedback on Work Undertaken by agencies
Police
Briefing given by PC Mark Shaw re: Operation Tonto (Anti-Social Behaviour Operation).
• Prosecutions have been made on Finney Lane re: alcohol sales.
• Letters have gone out to all off-licences asking them to only serve to over 21's - this is not mandatory but the aim is to ensure all off-licences buy into the agreement.
• One of the main offenders from Finney Lane has been arrested.
• East Avenue - youths have been tackled with letters being sent out to parents.
Question "If someone underage is found with alcohol, why aren't they arrested"
Response: Possessing alcohol by someone who is underage is not an arrestable offence. However, alcohol found on young people will be taken off them. In addition where appropriate, young people have and will continue to be taken home by the police to their parents/guardian. Prosecutions will also continue to be made for adults who sell to/buy for young people.
PCSO Norman Smith advised positive engagement with young people in the area is going to be run by the PCSO's in Café Unity next month on a Friday night.
Youth Services
Julie Wharton also advised that detached youth workers (e.g. workers who are not working from a building) will also be in the area from this Friday (i.e. 18/4)
Anti-Social Behaviour Action Team (ASBAT)
Stuart Entwistle - From January 2008 the ASBAT team have been out with the police in Heald Green most Friday and Saturday evenings. This has involved taking alcohol off young people.
In addition, warning letters have been sent out to parents, most parents react positively. However for those young people who are stopped again, parents are contacted by the ASBAT and the young person is either taken through the Anti-Social Behaviour Order process and/or referred to the young persons alcohol service MOSAIC.
800 letters have been sent out over the last 12months, only a handful of those contacted have gravitated to Anti Social Behaviour Orders.
Interactions with young people are videoed for evidential purposes, and therefore any dispute by that young person can be evidenced and shown to parents.
Residents were advised to call the non-emergency reporting line 0845 833444 if they are experiencing any issues. 999 should however always be used in an emergency.
6) Priority Setting
Cheadle Royal continues to be a massive problem for a number of residents, fencing being broken down, nurses home being set on fire etc.
One resident advised that they have had to call the police service out 3 times in the last 5 days due to the young people causing problems.
Another resident advised that metal fencing backing onto Carnoustie Drive had been recently put up, but then was ripped down again. Residents on Carnoustie have also suffered threats and intimidation.
The meeting was advised that the nurses home has been bought for re-development, which is well underway. In addition the police and the fire service are working with the land owners to look at resolving the issues. Updates regarding progress will be given to those residents who wish to receive them.
Issues at Cheadle Royal were agreed as a priority.
Baslow Drive - Problems with young people congregating in groups of up to 14, wearing balaclavas, causing criminal damage, threatening residents, smashing street lamps etc.
The groups are also there during the day.
Details of the residents for this area have been noted.
Issues at Baslow Drive were agreed as a priority.
East Avenue Park - Problems continue with youths causing annoyance/criminal damage etc.
Issues at East Avenue Park were agreed as a priority.
7) Any Other Business
Resident advised that they had overheard young people discussing that they couldn't now purchase alcohol at Tesco's on Finney Lane and that they would now look to go to the One Stop Shop.
Issues around parking at the mosque on a Friday night. There is a scheme whereby double yellow lines are going to be painted in around the area, however residents do not feel where they are going to be painted will resolve the parking issues.
Meeting was advised that the process behind the placement of the yellow lines is nearly completed, however details of those concerned were taken and will be passed to the relevant local authority officers for response.
GUIDANCE NEEDS TO BE GIVEN RE; WHERE TO REPORT PARKING ISSUES -see link
Christchurch - also parking problems on a Sunday mainly parking on pavements and grass verges. Agreed that Community Safety would send out a letter to the priest asking him to speak to his congregation about responsible parking.
Next Meeting
The next meeting will take place at 7.30pm on 29th July, venue to be confirmed.
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