Minutes of the Meeting held at

Farnham Town Council Offices on

Tuesday, 25 November 2008, at 4.00 pm

 

 

1.   Attendance

Apologies for absence from the meeting were noted from Mr R Potter, Mr D Quick, PCSO T Matthews, PC C Skillicorn-Aston and Mr I Grist. It was noted that Mr Grist is job-sharing with Mrs Eve Bartlett and will not be available to attend meetings in the first half of the week. It was hoped that Mrs Bartlett would be able to attend Tuesday meetings in future.

Mrs Cockburn reported that she had spoken to Cllr John Ward who had confirmed that he was happy to become a Town Council representative on the Task Force, and the Secretary reported that Miss Maria Pryor continued to be the appropriate Students’ Union representative from UCA. Both had been sent notification of the meeting together with the relevant papers and Task Force members expressed the hope that they would be able to attend future meetings.

 

2.   Minutes of the last meeting

The minutes of the last meeting, held on 4 September 2008, were agreed and signed by the Chairman.

 

3.   Matters Arising

3.1   Website

The Secretary reported that there had been no “real” messages sent to the Task Force via the website since the last meeting, only spam. 

 

3.2 Brackets for Mobile Cameras

There being nothing further to report on this matter, it was agreed to remove it from the agenda for the time being.

 

3.3 Publicity

Mr Duckett reported that he was in touch with the editor of the Herald but that he had not yet invited him to attend a Task Force meeting.

 

3.4 Chantrys Neighbourhood Panel

Mr Duckett reported that he had attended two Neighbourhood Panel meetings as an observer and that it was going well. The major concern at present was fly tipping.

 

3.5 Safer Waverley Partnership

Mrs Cockburn reported that it is hoped that there may be opportunities for closer liaison with the Community Safety Team in the future.

 

3.6 Task Force Membership

Mr Duckett reported that he had spoken to the Commanding Officer at Farnham Fire Station who will be happy to come along to Task Force meetings occasionally when invited. He was unfortunately unable to attend the present meeting. 

 

4.   Future Development of Community Safety Role

4.1 Crime Prevention Panel (CPP)

Mr King will take copies of the recent CPP leaflets (relating to Home Security, Garden Sheds and Car Crime) to the Farnham Town Council offices so they can be scanned onto the Council’s website.

 

4.2 Mini Survey of Crime and Safety Issues

This survey is being undertaken by PC Skillicorn-Aston and Mr Potter. It was hoped that a report would be available at the next meeting.

 

4.3 Public Meetings

Task Force members noted that no progress had been made with developing a programme for a  “Community Safety Awareness Day”. Mrs Cockburn agreed to take this forward and will discuss the matter with the Community Safety Team at her forthcoming meeting. Previous suggestions had included involving the Safer Waverley Partnership, providing opportunities for people to learn more about the Crime Prevention Panel & Neighbourhood Watch and to volunteer to join, running a session for UCA students etc. Mr King will provide Mrs Cockburn with further information about CPP activities.

 

5.   Current Projects

5.1 Graffiti

Mrs Maines reported that PC Skillicorn-Aston would be meeting the Farnham area Youth Worker in a few days time and would be discussing the possibility of a graffiti wall in the Woolmead underpass. Both the lighting and the drainage in the tunnel still need to be improved. Mr Duckett will pursue this with Surrey County Council and draw the problems to the attention of the local SCC councillors.

 

5.2 Litter Pick & Bins

Mrs Cockburn reported that, during the last litter pick, volunteers had noted the shortage of litter bins between the Library and the lights at the Borough, and also the difficulty of disposing of lighted cigarette butts. Areas near shops were particularly bad with clusters of butts in alleys close by. Mrs Rayner took note of these points and reported that the problem of dealing with butts was currently being worked on. Mrs Cockburn stated that although the Town Council had asked for volunteers to help with the litter pick, there had not been an easy way of indicating one’s willingness to join in and she thought that it should be made easy for people to leave their names, for example via the website. Mrs Rayner promised to look into this. The Town Council will be repeating the litter picks regularly as part of “Pride in Farnham”. Task Force members agreed that they provide a good opportunity to collect comments as well as litter.

 

5.3 Anti-Litter Poster Competition

It was agreed to repeat the competition with another school during next summer term so that the presentation could be made at the end of the term. Mrs Cockburn will approach the Head Teacher at Pilgrim’s Way. Mr Duckett will find out if Sir Ray Tindle would be willing to sponsor the competition again.

 

5.4 Street Cleaning

Mrs Maines reported that she had asked for an update on street cleaning to be put on the agenda for the next meeting of the Town and Parishes with Waverley Borough Council.

 

5.5 Fly Posting

Mr King expressed his concern about the number of banners festooning the fences around the water company site at the top of Firgrove Hill, which are a dangerous distraction for motorists approaching the crossroads. It was not clear whether this was a Highways or a Planning issue (or both) but Mr Duckett will investigate and speak to the appropriate Waverley Enforcement Team official. Mrs Rayner will arrange for someone to contact the water company on behalf of Farnham Town Council. Mr Duckett will also investigate whether the Town Council is empowered to remove fly posted material generally.

Mrs Cockburn stated that someone from UCA had reported having difficulty finding the appropriate official to speak to about legitimate signage for the University and it was suggested that he should be told to liaise with Waverley Borough Council rather than Surrey.

 

6.   Funding

The Chairman reported that the bank balance at 24 August 2008 amounted to £1170.46.  This sum includes the contribution of £400 from the PCPG which is ring-fenced for the provision of CCTV equipment. After meeting the secretarial expenses and administration costs already incurred this year, there is an uncommitted balance remaining of  £299.19 available to cover further costs arising in 2008/09 and subsequently. The Town Council has indicated that it would provide funding for the administrative costs of the Task Force as and when required, and it seems possible that this will need to be called on around the end of the current financial year.

 

7.   Neighbourhood Watch & Crime Statistics

Mr Terry reported that four new Neighbourhood Watches are in course of being set up. Recent crimes have included thefts of York stone and items from garden sheds, and there has been an increase in the number of house burglaries.  Task Force members thanked Mr Terry for the information that he regularly circulates and agreed that it is very clear and informative.

 

8.   Any Other Business

8.1 Venues for Public Meetings

Mr Terry reported that he was still looking for a venue for a Neighbourhood Watch meeting. Mrs Maines suggested that 40 Degreez might be suitable as the building can accommodate a seated group of 50 or 60 people.

 

9.   Date of Next Meeting

Tuesday, 27 January, 2009     } at 4.00 pm in the Town Council offices.

Tuesday, 28 April, 2009     }

 

Mrs Rayner agreed to make the necessary bookings