Stoke Bishop Neighbourhood Open Forum 7pm Tuesday 2 nd February 2016 Stoke Bishop Primary School, Cedar Park Reports and Information 1. Police Crime Figures for Stoke Bishop 1
2. Neighbourhood Watch NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH REPORT FOR NEIGHBOURHOOD FORUM FEBRUARY 2016 I attended the AGM of the National NHW Network (NHWN) at the beginning of December. At this meeting a number of changes were officially announced that will be taking place over the next year or so. Two of these in particular will affect all NW schemes across the country. The NW logo has been updated and was unveiled. There are a couple of additional modern gadgets added to the uniform of the police officer, and facial and hairstyles changes for the civilians, however, it remains basically the same as before, so you may not even notice the revisions! NHWN now own the licence for the logo, and schemes wanting to use the Roundal logo on Newsletters, street signs, window stickers etc. will in future have to apply to NHWN for a licence to use it. Public Liability Insurance (PLI) cover, arranged and paid for by NHWN, covers NW street signs, and any events held under the banner of NW, will only be afforded to schemes that have registered their details on the NHWN website: www.ourwatch.org.uk The current PLI will be renewed on 31 st March 2016 and will continue to cover all NW schemes registered with the police, whether registered on the Ourwatch website or not. Scheme Coordinators will be given until the PLI becomes renewable in March 31 st 2017, to register their schemes on the Ourwatch website. A great discount on Selectamark security marking products has been agreed for NW scheme members. Details on applying for the discount code have been added to the Membership Card Discount List which can be accessed on the website: www.bristolnhwnetwork.org.uk There is a new security device designed to protect French Doors from being forced open, it s called PATLOCK. It fits on the door handles and prevents them being opened even if the doors are forced. Discount is available for NW scheme members. Details on the website: www.ourwatch.org.uk A large NW scheme is more onerous to administer, and is therefore frequently more difficult to recruit people willing to take on the role of Coordinating such a scheme. I attended the AGM of a local scheme with such a problem, and suggested an alternative to keeping the scheme in the same large format. Best practice has shown that smaller schemes, encompassing just one street or part of a street are often more successful as its easier to keep in touch with people and build a community spirit as people are more inclined to know or at least recognise their neighbours. I explained that If nobody is willing to take on the Coordinator role, a scheme can no longer be a registered NW scheme. All street signs need to be removed, as they no longer have Council permission to be displayed and are no longer covered by PLI. It is also most important that anyone claiming discount on their house insurance informs their insurance company of the change in conditions. At this meeting, it was decided that there was sufficient interest to try to keep the scheme running in some format, and how this will progress will be discussed and decided by a small steering group of willing volunteers. 2
Avon and Somerset Constabulary are in the process of helping with the formation of a Force NHW Association. All NW scheme Coordinators from across the city were invited to attend in an initial meeting at Police HQ in December, following which they were asked to put their name forward if they wished to participate further in progressing the formation of the association. I attended a second meeting on Saturday 23 rd January at HQ which was also attended by Kate Algate and Sunny Moore from National NHWN. From this meeting a small steering group has been formed to move the setting up of the Force NHW Association forward. If you would like more information please contact Wendy Hull on E-mail: bristolnhwnetwork@gmail.com Report prepared by Wendy Hull, Chair, Bristol NHW Network. 3. Working Group for Older People (WGOP) Report for Neighbourhood Forum February 2016 On Wednesday 9 th December four members of the WGOP, Gay Huggins, Val Bishop, Sue Boyd and Wendy Hull accompanied forty one older people on their 2015 Christmas trip. Three Dial-a-Ride buses, driven by really helpful, friendly drivers collected people either from their homes or from their preferred prearranged collection point. They were taken firstly to Wyevale Garden Centre (previously known as Cadbury Garden Centre), where they could do some Christmas shopping, or just look around at the vast array of Christmas decorations and other goods on sale. The coffee shop proved a magnet for many as soon as we arrived, before the shopping commenced! At 12.15pm we made our way back to the buses for the onward trip to the Walton Park Hotel for lunch. We were made very welcome by the staff, and ushered into a large room with lovely views out over the channel. There were colourful Christmas table decorations, and of course each place setting had a Christmas Cracker. Wendy, with her Neighbourhood Watch hat on, gave a security leaflet and bell alert, which clips onto bags and purses to help prevent bag and purse snatches, to each guest. 3
Everyone had pre-booked what they would like for their Christmas meal, and the food and service were both exceptional, and thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. Tea, coffee and chocolates rounded off the meal nicely. The staff were so friendly and couldn t have been more helpful. This was much appreciated by all the guests, who thoroughly enjoyed the chatter and laughter going on around the tables during the meal. Guests were given a light hearted Christmas Quiz, which they could complete in between courses and afterwards whilst having their coffee and mince pies. The winner of the quiz scored 22 out of 25, quite an achievement, and she was thrilled to receive a prize for her efforts! See over: How many can you score? If you would like the answers, please e-mail:wendy@bristol99.plus.com Feeling satisfied and content after a most enjoyable day out, at 3.15pm everyone made their way back to the Dial-a-Ride buses waiting outside the hotel, for the return journey to Bristol, during which a 2016 calendar was handed out to everyone. Many messages and cards have been received from the guests in appreciation for the work carried out by the WGOP, enabling them to take part in the outings, which are so enjoyed. For some it s their only opportunity to leave their homes and to socialise. The next outing will take place on the 16 th June to Puxton Park. Details will be available in due course. Wendy Hull 4
CHRISTMAS QUIZ WORKING GROUP FOR OLDER PEOPLE S CHRISTMAS OUTING 1. If written alphabetically, which of Santa s reindeers would come last? 2. These are the first letters of a Christmas carol DDMOH what is the carol? 3. In the UK it is traditionally believed that eating a what each day of the twelve days of Christmas brings happiness the following year: Sausage; Mince pie; Carrot; or Turkey drumstick? 4. Christmas Island, in the Indian Ocean, is a territory of which country? 5. The North Pole, said to be Santa's home, is located in which ocean? 6. Which Christmas condiment is made from fruit sometimes referred to as marshworts? 7. Which southern central US state, whose capital city has the same name, was the last to recognize Christmas as an official holiday? 8. In which country, the largest of its continent, is it said that finding a spider web on Christmas morning brings good luck, and so Christmas trees are decorated with artificial spider webs? 9. In the song 'The Twelve Days Of Christmas', how many swans were a- swimming? 10. In Mexico, it is said that wearing what colour/color underwear on New Year's Eve ensures finding new love the following year: Yellow; Green; Red; or Brown? 11. The Latin word meaning 'coming' gave us what term which still refers to the coming Christmas period, and also gives name to a particular tradition popular with children? 12. In 2004, the post office of which country (intnl. dialling code 49) gave away twenty million free scented stickers, to make Christmas cards smell like fir trees, cinnamon, gingerbread or honey wax? 13. The surname Chandler derives from the making or selling of what? 14. Which type of thin biscuit has the same name as a Christmas novelty which goes bang when pulled? 15. Rudolph the red nosed reindeer had a red nose, but did he have antlers? 16. Which of Santa s reindeers shares it s name with a small solar system body? 17. The song Mary s Boy Child reached number one in the UK charts in 1957. Who sang it? 18. By what means did God warn the Wise Men not to return to Herod? 19. Which Christmas carol includes the lyrics on Christmas day in the morning? 5
20. What is New Year s Eve called in Scotland? 21. From which country does the Poinsettia plant originate? 22. When Saigon fell, the signal for all Americans to evacuate was a song by Bing Crosby being played on the radio. What was that song?` 23. These are the first letters of a Christmas carol GKWLLO what is the carol? 24. What was "Roasting on an Open Fire" Sung by Nat "King" Cole? 25. 'O tidings of comfort and joy' are lyrics taken from which carol? 4. Young Peoples Working Group Currently, this Group is not active. In December 2013, the Partnership received a verbal presentation about Youth Work in the NP3 area which highlighted the requirement to assess the level of need in each Ward and to increase the numbers of Page 2 of 4 young people coming forward as volunteers to further its work regarding the North Area Youth Forum. A mapping document outlining areas of need will be circulated to members of the Neighbourhood Partnership via the Neighbourhood Partnership Coordinator. The Partnership Members would also provide the Youth Team with links to known providers/organisers of youth facilities, such as church youth groups. 5. Local Community Small Grants The most recent round of applications included two from Stoke Bishop. One was from the Stoke Bishop Community Association for 3,000 towards the cost of replacing the doors on the Village Hall for more secure and draught-free ones. As this building is listed, the doors would be made of wood and look exactly as the existing ones, but would be much more secure and would save the loss of heat which is happening at the moment. This grant was approved unanimously by the panel, provided two written quotes were supplied. These had been delayed by the Christmas holiday period. The second application was for 3,900 for additional equipment for the playground to suit older children and the less able. This application had been discussed by the Environment Group in advance, and it was suggested that the money for this came from the CIL fund, which must be spent or the Council will recover it. Provided this is agreed by the Councillors, then the Well Being Grant will not be used. The Grant is able to be rolled over to the next financial year. We also recovered the cost of the repair of 300 to the bus shelter on the Downs from the Green Capital Fund which had originally been reserved for trees in Devonshire Road but that scheme had been cancelled, so the Well Being Grant Fund, for Stoke Bishop, is now standing at 7,050. 6
With effect from April 2016, our Ward will increase to take in part of Sea Mills up to Sylvan Way. It is hoped we will be allocated a proportionate increase in our Grant but we will be looking at applications from Sea Mills as well in future. If you know of a good project that requires funding, please find an application form and the criteria on our website: www.activenp.co.uk or contact one of your Ward Representatives for advice or help. Gay Huggins 6. Transport Working Group Report by Peter Robottom The completion of implementing the Downs Parking restrictions was reported and the good news is that while it has had the desired effect of enabling the free movement of the No 4 bus services across the Downs, there seems to have been very limited displacement of commuter parking into Stoke Bishop. The kerb-side parking problems in Stoke Park Road, Shaplands and other nearby roads appear wholly or almost wholly related to student parking, the University being invited back to the Forum to give an update on action to address these issues. Both the committed Cribbs/Patchway Neighbourhood development and the new Strategic Planning and Transport Issues consultation were raised over concern at the transport implications for the Partnership area. There was nothing to report on the immediate study and residents were urged to get there comments into the strategic consultation that is separately noted on the Forum agenda. As for current projects, Rob Grieve, the Area engineer for BCC, reported that the reconsultation on the location for the Shirehampton Road Zebra crossing had favoured the original location just to the Sea Mills side of the Stoke Lodge access. The scheme will now be taken forward and also includes improving the pedestrian facilities at the Druid Hill/Parrys Lane mini-roundabout. The issue of parking both for Sea Mills station and the Portway Park & Ride and for the allotments adjoining the Old Signal Station was raised. Possible solutions were put to the Mayor during his visit on 21 January 2016. As a minor work, further road markings will be provided to deter parking across the dropped kerbs at Stoke Bishop shops. Finally, it was agreed that issues being recorded on the Council s Traffic Choices Tracker website should be brought to the Open Forum meetings with those logging the issues being invited to come along and air their concerns. We will take any that are represented at this meeting and draw attention to those that have already been addressed or previously considered, though we would not recommend deletion of any until after the next Forum as those logging issues may have received only very short notice of this meeting. 7
Traffic Choices from BCC website 643 13/01/15 769 18/03/15 775 27/03/15 885 28/05/15 888 03/06/15 943 30/07/15 964 14/09/15 1012 05/10/15 Parking restrictions on Shaplands Parking opposite driveways causing obstruction in Poplar Avenue Problems crossing Stoke Hill due to traffic speeds/volume Vehicles obstructing dropped kerbs at Stoke Hill shops Parking Restrictions on the Downs and Sneyd Park Request for a pedestrian crossing at Dingle Road Traffic Calming on Branscombe Road Zebra crossing wanted between Avon Way and Lyndale Avenue. Parking restrictions on Shaplands, following some residents having obstructed driveways. Funding provided by Halls of Residence expansion. Road is too narrow for cars to be parked opposite the driveway without causing access problems. Request for double yellow lines opposite driveway to maintain access. Difficulty crossing Stoke Hill from Old Sneed Hill due to limited visibility with parked vehicles and bend at the bottom of the hill.dangerous to allow children to walk to school on their own.feels a zebra crossing would benefit children on route to school and shoppers and access to village hall. Pedestrian dropped kerbs have an advisory keep clear marking however motorists regularly park across them. The means people with wheelchairs, buggies, pushchairs need to travel along the road to access the footway. Parking Restrictions around the Downs No safe pedestrian facilities to gain access to bus stops on either side of the road. Traffic speeds are very high along this road and is used very often as a shortcut to get to the Portway. A request for traffic calming measures. Particular area of concern is near the junction with Avon Way. Many children cross Sea Mills Lane, near the bottom of Avon Way, which is a busy road. A zebra crossing is wanted to enable the children to cross safely. Hyatt Baker S106 works completed but currently subject to review. See also ID 783 and ID 1165 Any double yellow lines unlikely to be considered in isolation due to cost of TRO (approx 4k). Could be included in any future Parking Review in the area. Crossings in this stretch of Stoke Hill and Druid Hill have been considered several times in the past and dismissed due to poor sight lines and loss of on-street parking by the shops. Currently, there are several central pedestrian refuges to aid pedestrians crossing this section of road. "Disabled" markings will be painted on the road to emphasise the position of the dropped kerb (funded from the NP's "Minor Signing & Lining" budget). Already addressed as part of the "Downs Parking Review", implemented in December 2015. Survey area for possible crossing location. Location straddles 2 Neighbourhood Partnerships Establish the extent of the reported problem by undertaking SpeedWatch checks to establish the number of speeding vehicles. Junction protection at Avon Way could be provided by DYLs but this requires a TRO. A Zebra Crossing would cost approx 25k - subject to survey and a demonstrable need. What local support has been identified? 8
7. Environment Working Group Alan Preece, Peter Robottom and Stephanie French (SF) are the NP representatives on this group, which last met on 14 January 2016. The meeting was chaired by David Mayer and the following issues were discussed: - choosing tree sites and financing for new and replacement trees update on Stoke Lodge Cedar of Lebanon project (There have been problems with sorting a scaffolding quote as there is an issue with the wet ground, but SF is currently sorting this with the sculptor and it looks as if a solution is near) funding for additional equipment (The local BS9 net has put in a request for funds for equipment for older children and this may, in the end, be funded from CIL money rather than Well Being, and at the same time combined with the Mayor s fund to provide larger space and equipment which is classed as accessible ) (Very much supported by the Mayor who has suggested links with the University Botanical Garden to develop this.) (AP has produced a simple leaflet to help locate and treat Knotweed which is fairly rife in areas around the Trym and Stoke Lodge) (Anti-wildlife and unnecessary management by BCC objected to by residents and not faced up to by BCC officers) ler (Likely to need regular repeated treatment, but in addition a reed-bed is being set up to assist silt trapping and pollutant of roads being extracted) Date of next meeting: 2pm Thursday 28 April 2016 (Venue TBA) To view the Notes (current notes not yet ready) from all the meetings see: http://www.activenp.co.uk/environment-2/ 8. Tree report Verbal report from Stephanie French, including update on future of the Cedar of Lebanon 9. Communications Working Group The Ward is represented here by Alan Preece and Peter Weeks. The last Communications Working Group meeting was held on 12 January 2016 and the issues discussed included: 9
- update on meeting with Knowle West Media Centre for the provision of IT support, including training and hosting the NP3 website -page A5 flyer now available in libraries, church halls etc. The complete 4-page flyer was also included in the January edition of the BS9 Magazine -wide event held on 24 October 2015 Date of next Meeting: 5pm, Tuesday 12 April 2016 at Westbury-on-Trym Library (venue is subject to confirmation). To view a full set of Notes (when published), please refer to our web site: www.activenp.co.uk/communications-2/ 10. Governance Working Group Alan Preece is our Ward Rep for this Group. The group met on 2 December 2015 and 26 January 2016 to clarify the implications and any necessary changes to the NP s Terms of Reference, as a result of the forthcoming Ward Boundary changes particularly with the creation of the new Westbury & Henleaze Ward and the inclusion of part of Sea Mills in Stoke Bishop. The Group s options and recommendations will be taken to the next NP meeting on 7 March, where they will be discussed and the agreed way forward confirmed in time for the boundary changes and forthcoming NP elections, which take effect in May 2016. Further information on all the Working Groups can be found on the NP3 website: www.activenp.co.uk but from our point of view the main changes are positive efforts to encompass representation from Sea Mills 11. Report of Mayor s visit 21 st Jan. We had a short 50 minute visit by Mayor George Ferguson to Stoke Bishop and a chance to show some of the NP initiatives, wish list and achievements. Items covered were: a) The stop on the Portway for the 902 bus service which has attracted lots of all day commuter parking in Roman Way and Hadrian s Close, and explained the missed opportunities to cover the old pre-fab sites with gravel to use as off-street parking, which Council officers have obstructed previous moves to implement. b) The fantastic new Avon Wildlife Trust Park (Bennett s Patch and White s Paddock) which is, at present, barriered off by gates and fencing to prevent illegal access. Any potential access by foot has been blocked by the bus lane which took over the footpath, particularly over the railway bridge. The only access is from Sneyd Park Nature Reserve or Bramble Drive along footpaths which are totally inaccessible to the elderly and less able, as well as the young in pushchairs, and which can be very muddy and slippery in the winter. c) The rather derelict Roman House site that needs both TLC and a new sign to replace the one damaged by a car accident over 5 years ago. The Mayor appreciated that we are obtaining a proper information sign using some Green Funds. d) Damage to the embankments and the dangerous parking situation in Hadrian s Close/Sea Mills Lane caused by commuter s parked cars. 10
e) Solid parking along Sea Mills Lane so again nowhere for the 80 or so allotment holders to park if one wants to take sacks of compost or pop in to harvest a few vegetables. f) Lack of station parking makes use of the public rail transport very restricted. We then travelled by car through Sea Mills as the new area to be incorporated into the Stoke Bishop Ward to point out the impact on demographics and likely needs for the enlarged Neighbourhood Partnership. Moving on to Stoke Lodge, we showed some of the achievements and important facilities: g) Playpark achieved after 17 years of the designated funds being held by BCC who seemed very reluctant to release them. We pointed out the devolved funds that the NP has used to extend the facilities, the future plans using some of the Mayor s Fund for Green Spaces to provide older facilities and for the less able. h) Improvements to the car park and additional spaces achieved with Knotweed clearance and Payback help. i) Met the head of the Adult Learning Centre who explained the changes, the future extension of courses and the importance to the local community for the retired, isolated or otherwise disadvantaged of not only Stoke Bishop but also greater Bristol. j) In addition, whilst showing the improvements the NP has made to the grounds, we pointed out the overgrown garden behind the car-park and mentioned the drive by some residents to develop this into a sensory garden. The Mayor gave special enthusiasm to this idea and mentioned other groups (such as the University Botanical Garden) who might be able to help and spoke about possible sources of funds available soon. As might be expected Mr Ferguson s responses were all positive although constrained with shortage of funds that is now a general theme, but there was support for the way we are using the locally devolved funds to enhance the local environment, and notes were taken of the transport problems that he promised would be passed to the relevant departments. Alan Preece, Ward Representative 11