RATTON AND RODMILL NEIGHBOURHOOD PANEL. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD AT RATTON ACADEMY TUESDAY 8 TH OCTOBER 1013. Present: David Wilkins ( Chairman ), Alf Pulfer ( Neighbourhood Watch ) Colin Belsey ( ESxCC Councillor ), David Linsell ( Ratton School Academy, Head Teacher ), Joan Wray ( NHW Resident ), Jeanie Sowerby ( NHW- Ratton ), PC Lisa Cousins ( Sussex Police ), Mirka Kitti ( Neighbourhood Advisor EBC ) Pat Taylor. Community Service Manager. EBC ) Sandy Howlett ( Councillor. EBC ), Sandy Boyce Sharpe ( Hampden Park NP ) David Lee( NHW Rodmill ) Colin Murdoch ( Councillor. EBC ). 1. Apologies : Emma Jordan. ( Neighbourhood Advisor. EBC ), Austin Milson ( PCSO Sussex Police), Janice Vango ( Minutes Secretary ). 2. Minutes of the previous meeting : Minutes agreed and signed. 3. Matters Arising : 3.1 Waste Bin on Kings Drive. Emma Jordan, one bin has been provided, another to be provided at the Sussex Downs bus stop opposite Selmeston Road 3.2. Speed Cameras : Speed camera scheme is developing. Have purchased camera. List for training needed from Ratton School, Fire service & NHW. 3.3 Overgrown Vegetation/ Road markings Wish Hill. Alf P. said he could not understand the performance of the Council with regard to a request from NHW members to have overgrowth cut back and road markings re-done. He explained how it had taken five separate attempts to get this work finished over a period of almost a year. The work has still not been finished as white line in centre of road has been missed out and ther is still some overgrowth and double yellow lines covered. Colin Belsey to liaise with Alf to show him what now needs doing so that he can discuss this with Highways. 3.4 Bench removal Tovey Close. David Lee said the bench had been removed and was unlikely to be replaced as it was not policy to have seats at ALL bus stops. 3.5 Neighbourhood advisors Absence.
Emma Jordan apologised for not having advisors at the last meeting and had explained to David Wilkins why that happened. However she assured the Panel that there would be representation in the future. 3.6 Police representation at the Panel meetings. David Wilkins had taken the matter up with Insp Rachael Barrow who apologised for the lack of attendance and assured D.W. this would not happen again. A.O.B. Deputy Chair. David Wilkins explained to everyone about the difficulties he was having regarding hearing some of the points raised at meetings and said that as this was worsening it would be advisable to get some help with chairing meetings and attending District Panel meetings. It was agreed that something needs to happen in the near future. At District Panel meetings Insp Rachael Barrow suggested that the provision of a loop system would help but this would not not solve DWs particular problem, Volunteers to assist or Chair the meeting need to be sought. A.P. said D.W. was doing very well especially with the difficulties he was experiencing. ( Back to agenda ) 4. Ratton School Academy ( Any issues ) David Linsell said his school was working with St.Wilfred s Hospice and looking at ways of them interacting with the community. It was thought the local skate park was not really appropriate next to the hospice. There would be some consultation on having a sixth form at the school which would them perhaps put them in competition with other educational centres in the area such as Park College. There had been no further development of the proposed sports facility at Ratton School but discussions were still going on. 5. Neighbourhood Watch report Alf Pulfer gave a description of some of the difficulties that the General Committee were having to face at this time. It needed a new Chairman and four Ward Coordinators and things were a bit difficult at the moment. The good news is that we have a new Ward- Co-ordinator for Old Town and a new Membership & Admin secretary to take care of the business end. The main NHW Committee has asked for a small Sub-Committee to be formed to look at the way we operate and to revise this to make us more steamlined and better
prepared for the future. Any help that can be offered to assist us would be greatly appreciated 5.1 Local Ratton & Rodmill update. Little had changed since the last meeting. No need for any more recruitment in Ratton or Rodmill, every street was covered. Some housekeeping to do with four Street Co-ordinators living in Spring Close, Manor Way & The Close, Willingdon Road and Timberley Road. Activity One or two burglaries in the area and a mixture of cold calling and scams. We need to launch the new NCCZ in Ratton as all signs are now in place, a leaflet needs to be produced by Colin Belsey and the NCCZ packs have not been received. It is hoped we can launch the scheme with the next delivery of our newsletter. C.B. to deal with this. Alf also stated he had now given time to recruitment in Old Town which has been neglected over the years and he is working with the new Ward Co-ordinator to promote recruitment. In the last four or so months we had recruited seven new schemes covering an additional 251 homes. There is a plan ahead to working with the Police to set up more schemes. Many schemes had fallen by the wayside and will be re-instated wherever possible. 5a. Presentation by Pat Taylor (CSM EBC ) Pat Taylor gave a very informative presentation of her role as Community Services Manager for Eastbourne Borough Council. She said her roles was very varied and covered such things as arranging funds for volunteer groups, rent reduction at community centres and other buildings and was responsible for the upkeep of the properties. She was also involved in youth partnerships and college activities. On 29 th October there will be a Youth Fair event at the Winter Gardens and the public were urged to attend, there will be dance and gymnastics and lots of other activities. Pat is also involved in healthy eating campaigns. We were all very interested in what she does and the Chairman thanked her for her 15 minute presentation. Pat will forward a full description of her responsibilities in due course. 6 Police report. S.I.D. P.C. Lisa Cousins gave a brief report and said that the new speed warning device was now active in Eastbourne, it shows a sad or smiley face depending on your speed and also shows your speed as indicated at the time. It is meant to make people aware of how they are driving. Lisa quoted an instance of where a certain vehicle was noted for speeding and with the help of her colleagues in Traffic was able to stop the driver and prosecute him.
Crime in the area was recorded as fairly low although some burglaries had taken place, theft of scrap metal from some and speeding still being an issue. Should you need to have the speed device ( SID) in your area please contact PCSO Austin Milson who will deal with your request. 7. Street meetings. This was not discussed but certain street meetings had taken place in Ratton & Rodmill. No serious issues came to light. 8. Report from District Panel/ Chairs meeting. Minutes of the meeting to be forwarded by Sgt Fiona Munro to David Wilkins who will in turn send to all to all panel members Mainly discussing issues and best practise on how to deal with them. Subjects discussed were such things as : Preventing parking on verges, Vauxhall Motors offloading of vehicles,b.t building in Moy Avenue, 50 fine for cycling on the pavement, street lighting and plans for a Drop in Centre in Brassey Avenue which will include a foodbank. 9. Ratton Issues Update. Jeanie Sowerby discussed how she was having difficulty getting a dog bin placed by the Council in Meadowlands Avenue/ Branston Road. After some discussion Councillor Belsey said there was some confusion as to where it should be, he had just received a call from a resident in Willingdon Park Drive to say she has got a dog bin she did not want or ask for. It was agreed that it was best practice to telephone Neighbourhood First on 01323 410000 and if nothing happens within one or two weeks panel members should contact the Panel Council representatives ( I.E. Colin Belsey or Colin Murdock ) and explain the problem. It was agreed that this would be done. There had been an incidence of nuisance noise coming from motorcycles which it was thought has now ended as it had gone quiet. Jeanie Sowerby had made a lot of effort in tracing offenders for dumping rubbish at the back of the shops in Lindfield Road. She finaly traced it back to a shopkeeper there, she confronted them to get it moved, it was soon gone. 10. Rodmill issues update. David Lee raised the problem that at the junction of Selmeston Road and Westfield Road ladies have to, because of parked cars, walk out into the middle of the road to get the bus driver to stop at the bus stop. It is thought that a yellow bus parking area should be provided for the bus to pull in therefore making it safer for everyone. Colin Belsey listened to David on this issue and said he would look at the problem and report back.
David raised another matter of a resident in Rangemore Drive who wishes to park outside his home but was refused, although a lady across the road has a permit but no car. Why is it that such a permit could not be given to someone who needs it. It is believed the gentleman lives at number 30 Rangemore Drive and has no run up to a drive, so needs to park on the road. Colin again agreed to look at this problem and report back to David. 11. A.O.B. Sandy Boyce Sharpe advised that the level crossing at Hampden Park will be closed down on 18 th November for 7 days. A reminder that Operation Crackdown is operated by Sussex Police where you can report anti social driving covering a number of bad and potentially accident incidents There have been discussions on Street lighting, Bus Stop locations and Field in Trust. If any work is need on street bollards this can be done through a Mr.Bollard ( What a coincidence ) See Sandy Boyce Sharpe for further information The meeting closed at 17.50 hrs. Date of next meeting : 26 th November & 4.00pm. Ratton School.