Agenda and minutes

1. Ward Surgery –Present: Cllr Madeleine Kirk, PC Alex Dobson , PCSO Michael ‘Jimmy’ Hannon, Iain Dunn Street Environment Officer, James Nicholson and Mora Scaife from the Neighbourhood Management Unit and Parish Council representatives.

2.1 Apologies were received from Cllr Siân Wiseman – Ward Councillor and Cllr Keith Marquis of the Strensall and Towthorpe Parish Council

3.1    PC Dobson gave an over view policing issues in the ward which included  information on farm burglaries and anti social behaviour. Overall. The figures showed that crime was down by 6% from last year.

3.2    Information was given on Police initiatives to help residents to secure property including homes, sheds and cycles, how to contact the safer neighbourhoods policing team and how to and the importance of reporting incidents.

3.3 Residents raised concern about response times to reports of antisocial behaviour in the area of the married quarters on the Army barracks  Response was given that it was important to report incidents in order to build up a picture of the type and frequency of  incidents in order to target resources.

4.1 Iain Dunn, Street Environment Officer gave a presentation on the work of the Street Environment Service. The presentation included information about the work of the service in relation litter campaigns, street scene improvements, education and enforcement, tackling fly tipping, work with businesses to keep our streets clean.

4.2 A query was raised as to what to ask for when looking for someone to undertake tree work at a private property. In response advise was given to always to ask for a receipt for the work and a copy of the companies waste transfer licence.

A  query was raised as to who is responsible for certain services relating to the Strensall army barracks. Residents were advised to contact the Street Environment Service with the details to be looked into.

5.1 Residents where encouraged to speak on any scheme suggestions or grants that they may have put forward or are supporting, and were invited to question anything that needed further clarification.

5.2 ST-11-03 - To install a fence around the play area between Pasture Close and Knapton close . Comment was made that that this runs the risk of segregating the play area.

5.3 ST-11-06 - The repair and resurface of the footpath from Oak Tree Close to Moor Lane. It was established that this was parish council land and therefore potentially not a ward committee scheme.

5.4 ST-11-13 - The renewal of a seat at the corner of Southfields Road and York Road. A representative of Strensall  with Towthorpe Parish Council spoke to this application which had been  suggested to the parish council by  a number of residents. Comment was made that there was an issue with young people congregating and drinking at this location.

5.5 ST-11-15 - A grant to St Mary’s Church for financial assistance towards a project to re-order the interior of the church.

The applicant spoke to this scheme and gave more detail  on  what the funding would be spent on. It was explained that a new boiler would be needed as well as new flooring and other improvements. It would mean that the space would be more usable and would be open as a community space. The total cost of the project is approximately £120,000 which was being raised through various grant applications and fundraising activities.

5.6  A resident enquired as to how decisions are made on which schemes to go ahead with. The process was explained advising that a number of factors including the results of the public consultation  are taken into consideration.

6.1It was advised by a resident that venue bookings should be made further in advance to make sure that the meetings are rotated around the ward fairly.

6.2 A resident thanked for an excellent meeting and the meeting was brought to a close at 9.00pm.