20th September 2011
Practical Solutions Group
20 September 2011,
Melbourn Village College
MINUTES
1. Present: County, District and Parish Councillors, Youth Worker, MVC vice principal, Arts Development Coordinator, PC, PCSO, Licensing Officer.
2. Apologies: ASB case worker and one parish councillor.
3. Minutes of last meeting: approved.
4. Matters Arising not already on the agenda: there were none.
5. Melbourn Area Youth Development and MVC: Academy Status and practical implications for community work
- Youth Club’s first meeting of the school year had had 20 attendees, the highest number of any ‘first’ meeting. A great start and a wide range of villages represented, including some outside of the MAYD parish council area.
- Suggested MAYD approach Thriplow, Harston, Hauxton, and a re-approach to Barrington given that the club is now up and running rather than aspirational.
ACTION: Chair will initiate approaches
Some teething issues:
- CRB checked escorts for drivers need to go via Youth worker and CCC, not MVC (apologies to MVC for this misunderstanding).
- Youth Centre (former Community Centre) is now much more of a multi-use space and there will need to be a certain amount of goodwill and compromise as the space is shared.
- It was agreed that good, constructive communication will be key.
Academy Status at Melbourn Village College (from October 1st):
“The main financial benefit of converting to Academy Status will be our ability to choose how to spend the money at our disposal. This money must still be used for the benefit of our students. One recent example of joint financial work is the £20,000 which we have invested in updating our Youth Centre, which, we hope will be of benefit for all users. We hope to be able to discuss more of this shared working. In summary, we look forward to working in partnerships with different groups to see how joint decisions can be advantageous for all.”
6. Melbourn Parish Council and Community Hub
Proposed Melbourn Community Hub
Following the sale of the old Police site, the developers Iceni and Hundred Houses have offered to sell to the Parish part of the land and to build a community centre. The centre will have facilities such as: a new library; small group meeting rooms; a Community Access Point with facilities such as computers; an Information Centre for visitors and local residents; and central access for residents with community needs. The building would have disabled access and associated facilities; and a kitchen where visitors could access refreshments. The building will not be a hall for large meetings or parties.
The Parish Council is in the process of consulting with all residents in the Parish for their views and a letter has been delivered to every household. The letter explains the reasons behind the project, possible uses and outline costs. There is the voting form, where residents are asked to vote whether or not they felt the village would benefit from a community centre. The consultation period runs from the 5th September to 4pm 7th October 2011.
7. Melbourn Village Plan Implementation
The Parish Council had approved the proposals for the Implementation Team, and a constitution document had been prepared. This provides for the membership of the IT to comprise the whole of the Parish Council (as ex officio members), together with between 9 and 12 residents elected by the residents themselves at general meetings. The Parish Council will be represented at meetings by three of their members appointed by them. The first public meeting will be called later in the year, when the proposals will be explained and contributions will be sought from volunteers who are interested in particular initiatives or recommendations of the Village Plan.
8. Support for after-school clubs:
- Journalism Club would be going ahead on eight Wednesday afternoons either side of half-term, with the first project being geared toward a presentation on college life for the MVC open day Oct 17. Chair and a parish councillor will run the club.
- Basketball Club had already started with an enthusiastic and growing group of mostly Year 9s, under the tutelage of two Year 11s. Chair agreed to be the main adult contact point. Chair, one parish councillor and one district councillor agreed to be the club’s adult supervisors.
- Vice Principle asked that both clubs have their diary times inserted in college diary.
9. Police update – attached below
10. County Council Localism Project in South Cambs: Community Connect. Deferred due to lack of time.. Agreed to have an agenda item at the November meeting on general transport for young people, as an information item.
ACTION: Chair
11. Annual Review of PSG – members of the PSG were asked to comment and to ratify any amendments at the November meeting.
12. Date of next meeting: 22 November, 10-12, MVC.
The meeting closed at 12:00, with thanks given to MVC for their hospitality.
Report from police
POLICE UPDATE – 12TH JULY 2011 to 20TH SEPTEMBER 2011
DWELLING BURGLARIES: 2 have been reported to the Police within this time frame. Both happened overnight on the 19/08/2011. Electrical items stolen. Appear to be opportunism. Entry was gained through a conservatory and the other through an open backdoor.
ROAD RELATED: 3 have been reported to the Police. These appear to be in the same area of ELM WAY & BEECHWOOD AVENUE. Police have been to scene on all occasions. A ticket was issued to one vehicle for Inconsiderate Parking. One vehicle was deemed to be parking in a dangerous manner so the Police had the vehicle recovered and removed from its location. The third incident was connected to the same on-going problem.
ROWDY / NUISANCE: 23 Incidents called into the Police.
BEECHWOOD AVENUE: Youths seen in the area playing ‘knock and run’. This was reported at midnight on 19/07/2011. Police attend area search no trace.
BACK LANE / LONDON WAY: 2 incidents reported to the Police. Both from the night of the 11/08/2011. 1 am Police attended the location after reports of 20-30 youths making a lot of noise shouting and swearing. Police attend and youths in the area were given words of advice and moved on. The other incident was unfortunately called in the following day stating that ‘kids’ were congregating in a ‘wooded area’ at 4 am!! And were very noisy.
HIGH STREET: 2 incidents were called in referring to youths running around the HIGH STREET screaming, shouting and swearing. Police attended and some youths were stopped and words of advice given. This happened at midnight. One incident happened on 10/08/2011, the other on 03/09/2011, both around the same time.
CHURCH LANE / CHURCH WALK: 1 incident was called in with regards to lots of banging, screaming and shouting. Police attended and the area search but the culprits were not found.
THE MOOR: 03/08/2011an incident was called in stating that there were 12 -20 youths building a fire on the rec. Police attended but found no fire but did speak with a couple of youths who were in the area. Words of advice were given. The other incident was on 11/08/2011 when 12 youths were reported on the Bowling Green possibly causing damage. Plain clothed Police who were in the area attended. Some youths made off but officers did give strong words of advice to others who were then asked to leave the area. This was at 21:32 hrs.
THE POLICE CONTINUE TO ACTIVELY ENSURE THAT ASB WITHIN THE MELBOURN AREA REMAINS UNDER CONTROL AND LOW. THIS HAS BEEN ACHIEVED BY STATIC AND HIGH VISIBILITY PATROLS, UTILISING OUR SPECIAL CONSTABLES TO COVER TIMES WHEN THE NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICING TEAM ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE TEAM HAVE ISSUED MANY TICKETS, PROSECUTING PEOPLE FOR THE FOLLOWING:
- SPEEDING
- USING A MOBILE PHONE WHILE DRIVING
- NO SEAT BELT
- PARKING ON DOUBLE YELLOW LINES
- PARKING/ CAUSING AN OBSTRUCTION
THE TEAM HAVE ALSO CONFISCATED MANY ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES FROM THE YOUTHS OF MELBOURN AND 13 GAP LETTERS HAVE BEEN SENT OUT TO PARENTS.
TRENDS
- Youths coming from ROYSTON
- QUADS acting in an antisocial manner down the HIGH STREET/LONDON WAY & BACK LANE.
- Youths congregating in the new ‘BMX JUMP PARK’
