Neighbourhood Panels - continuing to progress
The latest South area Neighbourhood Panel meeting took place at Kirtling Village Hall on Wednesday,31st March. Darren Dixon, Head of Community Service at the District Council confirmed that, as ever, actions had been taken to address ALL the issues of concern raised by local residents at the last Panel meeting (in January). Meetings with representatives from Newmarket Town Council and Forest Heath District Council have taken place, with a view to reps from both councils being co-opted on to the South area Panel.
A joint Panel meeting (with the Soham and East Panel) will be held at Bottisham Village College on Wednesday, 7th July 7.00 - 9.00pm to provide local residents with an Update on the Wicken Fen Vision - further details will be provided at the next Panel meeting (on 29th June)
Panel representatives from several parish councils in the South area are due to meet officers from the County's Highways team to discuss the impact of the traffic-calming measure at Quy, HCVs through villages, reducing speed limits in all villages [to 30 mph] and the A142/A14 junction (prior to reporting back to the next Panel meeting).Darren Dixon explained the rationale and summary analysis of the Place Survey, 2008. Copies, of the comparison between the Panel area and the District as a whole, are available from Alan Williams at ECDC alan.williams@eastcambs.gov.uk or on 01353 - 665555.
Nikki King from the County's Area Locality Team explained the current provision for young people, the aims of youth work, outcomes for young people, who the Team work with and what the Team can offer to Parish/Town Councils. Representatives from Reach, Lode, Bottisham, Ashley and the Ellesmere Centre expressed interest in receiving help from Nikki and the Team, including help with applications for appropriate sources of funding. Nikki can be contacted on 07766 924738 or by e-mail at nicola.king@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Sgt Will Davis referring to the Neighbourhood Profile (March, 2010) outlined actions taken by the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) to deal with Combating and reducing Anti-Social Behaviour (ASB) in Burwell Reducing acquisitive crime across the whole Panel area
The multi-agency ASB Action Group in Burwell has worked with an emphasis on engaging young people. While working to reduce ASB the police have managed to reduce drug activity too in the area, with very significant quantities of drugs (in different forms) having been seized.
Total crime is down in the Panel area, and reported ASB is down too (to the lowest level since 2007).A summary presentation about the Speedwatch scheme was given. From recent checks it was clear that Bottisham is being used as a 'rat-run', and 20% of drivers were speeding.
Please keep your speed within speed limit guidelines,as excessive speed kills !
As ever, more volunteers are needed, please contact
Tony Jolley jolley@bottishampc.org.uk
or Mathew Shuter Mathew.Shuter@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
Priorities for action
For policing (together with partner agencies) during the next 3 months:taking preventative measures (in partnership with other agencies) to combatpossible increases in seasonal ASB in the Panel area
For other partner agencies:
- Fly-tipping
- Progression of the Highways issues ( see earlier in the article )
- 'Bus services in the Panel area - esp the 10, 10A and 12 services
- Dog fouling esp. in Woodditton, Ashley and Burrough Green
Specific issues raised from our villages
Advice to residents about door-to-door sales scams (need for Peddlers' Certificates, and for involvement of Neighbourhood Watch and County Council multi-agency Task Group).