Steve Law December 2011
MINUTES
North Yorkshire Neighbourhood Watch Association
Committee Meeting Tuesday 6th December Athena House York
1. Welcome
Chairman Steve Law welcomed everyone to the meeting
2 Apologies
The secretary Tina Oates read out the list of apologies: members present voiced concern that some were regular absentees, but Tina assured everyone that these were due to work commitments.: those concerned maintained a real interest in the association by email, proffering comments and ideas when requested.. Jill Galloway proposed that Tina write to those concerned suggesting that they renew their efforts to recruit deputies to represent their district at this county level. A reminder should also be made that the Constitution states there should be 2 representatives from each of the county's districts.
3. Minutes of the Last Meeting.
These were agreed to be correct and their adoption was proposed by Mark White, seconded by Eric Dunstone.
4. Matters Arising
Mark White commented that Sup. Superintendent Javi Ali had as yet not managed to recruit any representatives from Whitby or Scarborough.
Keith Roberts commented on the previous Matters Arising: despite his plea previously regarding Gina Alan's talk to us about the new Police Commissioners, still nothing had been done about it. Ian Wolstenhome NYPA offered to ask her to attend our next meeting if Chairman agreed, which he did.
5. Discussion Item/s: 1.. Deputy Chair:
Thom Wiseman had offered to fill this long vacant post: Jill Galloway proposed that we should accept his offer – seconded by Eric Dunstone - and there was unanimous agreement. The appointment will stand until the June AGM.
2. Constitution Amendment:
In view of possible future difficulties in securing a Chairman Tina Oates proposed a change to the present 3 year time limit for which the post can be held. Varying suggestions had been emailed in prior to the meeting which elicited considerable discussion. Eventually 2 proposals were put to the meeting. The most popular – sent in by Tim Roy of N. Hambleton – was passed
on a majority vote and will be formally adopted at the 2011 AGM in June. This was that any time limit be removed thus leaving the Chairman to stand for re-election each year.
3. Antisocial Behaviour:
Jill Galloway expressed concern that according to the District Reports – and experience in her own village – antisocial behaviour appeared to be widespread over the county as a whole – some occasionally being quite violent. Much discussion and debate ensued, with suggestions and advice being given by Sgt. Roy Brown. Steve Law commented that in Ryedale an application for funds to buy mobile CCTV cameras from criminal money had been made, but was refused. The use of police cameras was suggested by Sgt. Brown. Keith Roberts commented that Harrogate was investigating the purchase of a mobile system from Solon Alternative routes of reporting antisocial behaviour were discussed, with Steve Law suggesting there be 2: one via the local NYP officers the second being through NHW street co-ordinators to area Co-ordinators up through to NYP and NYPA support mechanisms. He asked Sgt. Brown to ensure that our concerns in this county-wise problem be brought to the attention of senior officers at Newby Wiske.
7. Finance Report (This item was brought forward prior to the lunch break)
In the absence of the Treasurer the secretary read Ian Dyson's Treasurer's Report.
This can be seen in full in the Minutes Appendix
3 matters arose: 1. Steve Law pointed out that the £63:34 for the website hosting is for a 2 year period.
2. Ian Dyson had reported a problem regarding an application for Charitable Status in that it requires a £5000 yearly income, which we don't have.
Thom Wiseman accessed the website and found that there is a solution. A discussion regarding difficulties in obtaining funding ensued. Easyfundraising.com was mentioned and Tina was asked to email the details to all committee members. However it was noted that applicants must hold Charitable status so the committee decided that we should once again look at ways to attain this and Tina was asked to circulate this information by email.
3.Steve Law informed us that he had received an email from Bob Mowatt regarding a proposal from Safe in Tees Valley that Durham, Cleveland and North Yorkshire apply jointly for funding iro. £1.2million to improve NHW specifically, Junior NHW. Bob Mowatt has agreed to consider initial preparations for a bid.
6. District Reports;
These had been circulated to members prior to the meeting, so District Leads who were present were asked to summarise them briefly.
Two districts reported difficulty in recruiting committee members: Filey are lacking a Treasurer and Vice Chair, whilst Craven is 4 committee members down, plus the Chairman is struggling to continue having changed his full time employment, resulting in an increased workload.
Steve Law expressed concern at the lack of representation for Scarborough as a whole: there are only he, from Ryedale, Hazel Lindsay of Quarrymount and Mark White from Filey who have any connection with the area, but do not truly represent it. He has appealed to Supt. Javid Ali who has agreed to help find representatives.
Harrogate's Keith Roberts, Mark White from Filey and David McSherry of Selby all expressed difficulties liaising with their local Community Safety Partnerships: in all cases they were not invited to meetings and felt 'passed down the line' when making approaches. Keith Roberts commented that he only gets to meetings when he invites himself! Sgt. Roy Brown said that all district NHW chairman should be included in local CSP meetings and discussions
Hambleton's Bill Wood said that they were considering setting up a website. Thirsk was a problem area as there were very few existing NHW schemes.
York are also considering setting up a website, according to Thom Wiseman. Like Harrogate they too now have a Twitter account.
Several districts aired continuing problems with Ringmaster communication.
The full District Reports can be seen in the Minutes Appendix
8. Police Report
NYP Sgt. Roy Brown distributed copies of his report along with the crime figures of 9am that morning. In view of the previous discussion regarding antisocial crime he didn't have the actual figures to hand but would obtain those details current with the next meeting in March. Overall the figures for Reported Crimes is higher than that of Actual Crimes. As requested at the Scarborough meeting he has now ascertained stock locations of NW street signs across the county, for which 1000 cable ties have been ordered. With Ringmaster the superusers list has been updated and the mapping system is progressing and will be available to all superusers - and the District Leads, who must make their own applications for training. The list of bounced emails has been dramatically reduced.
A full copy of the Police Report is available in the Minutes Appendix
Extra Report: Trading Standards
Natalie Burrows of Trading Standards brought us up to date with current events and scams including the latest one regarding Council Tax Bands. She also reminded us of the legalities of doorstep purchasing where the buyer has a mandatory 7 day cooling off period for goods over £35 which is printed on the back of leaflets. Steve Law suggested that where scams are prevalent Trading Standards should use Ringmaster to warn members of the public. Next year new legislation will make it a criminal offence for cold callers to operate in an NCCZ area.
A full copy of the Trading Standards Report is available in the Minutes Appendix
9. Attended Meetings
Steve Law had attended the previous Regional Meeting. He felt it had been a total waste of time as no Regional information had been given; delegates present had only been interested in their own localised areas. His North Yorkshire report had been totally misquoted / depleted so he had written to the chairman to complain. He had been promised a re-write but so far nothing had materialised and the next meeting was being held at a consecutive time to this meeting. Keith Roberts agreed with this – he had experienced similar problems at Regional – and suggested that Steve copy his communication to National NHW.
10. NY NHWA Business and Action Plans
Steve Law highlighted the sections of the current Action Plan which he would like to have been implemented by all districts by the time he relinquishes the Chairmanship at the June AGM. These are at: Af); ah); ai); aj); ak); AI). Please see the Action Plan for details
11. Window Stickers
In confirming that these are now available from Towergate Insurance, Leeds branch, Steve Law warned that theoretically they could be purchased by non-genuine NHW schemes – or any cognisant member of the public. For Ryedale he has arranged with Towergate to restrict purchases solely to himself or area NYP officers. He suggested that other District Leads do the same.
At the same time he reminded members to encourage their co-ordinators to register on the new national NHW website. Several present said that many of their co-ordinators are rather reluctant to do so.
12. Channel 4
Tina Oates reported on recent communications between her and RDF television regarding a new crime programme based on CCTV footage soon to be launched on Channel 4. Both she and Steve Law had felt it unsuitable for NHW and Steve Law had written to those concerned declining to take part. A message had subsequently appeared on the national site but had later been removed.
Those present at the meeting agreed, expressing concern at the manner in which the programme was to be conducted.
13. AOB
Following the previous item Steve Law passed out copies of a recent Yorkshire Post article which had contained negative and uninformed comments about the state of NHW in North Yorkshire as a whole. There had been no contact with him regarding this. He reminded all members who may be contacted by the media to respond in a positive and corporate manner and refer people to the chairman of the NY NHWA, this being him at the present time.
Steve Law proposed a vote of thanks to Natasha Hardy and Thom Wiseman for arranging the lunch.
14. Date of next meeting
Tina Oates reminded everyone that the date had been changed.
At present it will be
Tues.3rd April at Ripon Police Station 12 noon
however the venue may change to accommodate wheelchair access.
The meeting closed at 3.20pm.
MEETINGS
Next meeting
Tuesday 3rd April at 12 noon Harrogate Fire Station, Skipton Rd. The Community Room
AGENDA
TBA