Present: PCSO Tim Wainwright, Peter Chatfield, Tony Cocklin, Geoff Gant, Eddie Lord, Chris Phillips, Roger Webb.

Apologies: Lee Aggett, Rodger Filson, Bruce Ogilvy, Jonathan Pratt.

Police Briefing
Manpower: Tim Wainwright advised that the strength of the Neighbourhood Policing Team (NPT) was now down to three PCSOs and two PCs, working under Police Sgt. Graeme Prentice. With a full complement expected to comprise seven PCSOs and three PCs, this meant that the NPT staffing level was some 50 per cent below par. As a result, Tim was now required to cover the Stone Quarry and Ashplatts areas of East Grinstead, in addition to the three villages. Panel members expressed concern over the manpower situation.

Burglaries: Police have been focused intensively on the recent outbreak of burglaries in the area, believed to be committed by an organised gang. Five suspects were now in custody. Under the 'Opsmart' initiative, Police were now conducting regular nightly patrols in the villages. Separately, Tim reported that sheds on Crawley Down allotments had recently suffered break-ins. Allotment holders (and householders, in general) were being advised not to store valuable equipment/machinery in outdoor sheds.

Fire & Rescue Services Briefing

In his absence, Crew Commander Lee Aggett asked that three recent incidents be brought to the Panel's attention:

• 1) A carbon-monoxide alarm warning at a property in Balcombe. After gas appliances had been isolated and the area ventilated, a special gas monitor revealed that the carbon-monoxide was coming from a log burner. The occupier was advised not to re-light the burner until the flue had been swept.
• A four-vehicle Road Traffic Collision in Ardingly in which one car hit a house and ruptured a gas main. Nearby homes were evacuated and a water spray set up to minimise risk of ignition. As this was a high-pressure main gas engineers were summoned to seal the leak.
• 3) Fire at a block of flats in East Grinstead. Crews found that the fire was in rubbish bins under the flats. Residents were moved to safety while the fire was fought and successfully contained in the bin store area. It was believed the blaze had been started deliberately.

Minutes of Previous Meeting - Matters Arising/ongoing Priorities

• WSCC/Highways Issues (Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down)
  Following the failure of WSCC's Rob Rhodes-Kubiak to attend the previous meeting as scheduled; and his subsequent advice that he no longer covered highways issues, PCSO Tim Wainwright had written to request the name of the relevant WSCC official. No response had, so far, been received.
  Chris Phillips reported that RR-K and a WSCC colleague had recently met with Worth Parish Council. The council was told by them that, so far as WSCC was concerned, there were no plans and no money available for improvements to Turners Hill Road in Crawley Down. If Worth PC could find funds, WSCC would consider road improvement work. Chris advised that Worth PC was consequently investigating whether money could be made available from Section 106 funds and elsewhere, at least to finance construction of a pedestrian crossing. It was noted that a car park might be made available at the new Hastoe development and a crossing linking that facility with Crawley Down Village Hall could be a possibility.
  In his absence, Bruce Ogilvy asked requested that his "profound disappointment" regarding lack of progress on Turners Hill Road be recorded. This view was echoed by Panel members. In general discussion, Peter Chatfield reported that, according to recent e-mail correspondence, he believed the WSCC official now responsible for highways in the area was one Helena Card (helena.card@westsussex.gov.uk). It was agreed that an approach should be made to her.
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• Problem Parking
  The continued problem with parking in Crawley Down was emphasised by Rodger Filson in a statement relayed in his absence: "More and more vehicles are now parking on double yellow lines, especially outside the pub. Not only is this frankly against the law, it is dangerous for pedestrians and makes life difficult for other drivers, including bus drivers. It is time some serious and robust action is taken before a very serious accident happens in our village." This view was supported.
  Chris Phillips reported that work would soon be underway on the new car park outside Auchinleck Court. There had been a slight delay because of the need for a drop-kerb permit, but the car park should be completed early in 2015. Space would be available for 17-18 vehicles. This was welcomed.
  Existing problems referred to in Rodger's statement were discussed at length. PCSO Tim Wainwright advised that, although he could not issue parking tickets, he could - and would - be able to enforce vehicle obstruction. Obstruction was a particular problem, most notably for buses, outside the pub. One persistent offender had already been warned in writing. In general discussion the idea of an 'obstruction watch and enforcement' exercise was raised.
  Chris Phillips advised that Worth PC's repeated requests to MSDC for parking warden cover had met with no response. The Parish Council was still planning to employ its own, dedicated, part-time parking warden in the 2015/16 financial year. He remarked that, even though funded by Worth PC, the warden would come under MSDC operational control.
  Eddie Lord raised the issue of continuing, similar parking problems in Copthorne, especially by the shop on Copthorne Bank. Peter Chatfield commented that incidents of double-yellow-line parking had been monitored and confirmed this was the principal problem area. Chris Phillips advised that Worth PC had asked WSCC for a double-yellow line parking exclusion area on Copthorne Bank. In addition, the possibility of making Church Road a one-way thoroughfare was debated. The existing unofficial, one-way traffic system operated by the school was cited.
  General discussion took place of general indiscriminate parking where vehicles obstructed pavements. Peter Chatfield asked for any news on availability of 'Pavements Are For People' campaign leaflets. Tim Wainwright believed these were originally used by the East Grinstead Access Group, but understood they were no longer available. It was noted that Fire & Rescue Services had their own 'no-obstruction' warning leaflets. Tony Cocklin agreed to ask Lee Aggett about their availability for general use in the villages.

• Wheelie Bin Traffic Calming Project

It was reported that the 'prototype' scheme to be run in Turners Hill was in place. PCSO Tim Wainwright handed over the set of wheelie bin stickers and associated road signs for passing on to Jonathan Pratt who was co-ordinating the initiative. The scheme would be assessed for possible adoption by other villages after a suitable trial period. Eddie Lord extended congratulations on the design and effectiveness of the stickers/road signs.

Geoff Gant raised the question of a similar speed-awareness campaign over the 10 mph restricted roads at Turners Hill Park. As these were private roads, there was no reason why a scheme could not be implemented. After discussion, it was agreed that Geoff would adapt the wheelie bin stickers/road signs accordingly.

• No Cold Calling Zone at Turners Hill Park - West Sussex Pilot Scheme

Tim Wainwright reported that plans to make Turners Hill Park a No Cold Calling Zone to ward off rogue traders were well underway. It would be subject to a public consultation taking place between December 7 and 15. Geoff Gant was confident that the scheme would go ahead, with no serious objections from residents. The No Cold Calling Zone was a joint initiative involving the Police, WSCC Trading Standards and the TH Park community. Significantly, it would be a designated as an official pilot scheme for the whole of West Sussex. Panel members welcome the initiative warmly, congratulated those involved in its conception and organisation and offered their full support.

New Priorities

• No Cold Calling Zone Support
  Panel members agreed that support for the Turners Hill Park No Cold Calling Zone pilot project; and possible introduction of similar schemes in the area should be adopted as a priority.

• Anti-Social Behaviour
  PCSO Tim Wainwright reported on a continuing spate of serious anti-social behaviour by youths in Copthorne. Incidents had involved threatening activities and vandalism. Likely ringleaders were known to the Police, but the community needed to be made aware that continued, constant vigilance was required. After general discussion, it was agreed that a campaign against anti-social behaviour in all three villages should become a Panel priority.

Any Other Business
PCSO Van: Tim Wainwright advised that the Police had now decided to retired the van provided by the two Parish Councils for PCSO use. It could either be handed back to the councils, or donated to Fire & Rescue Services for emergency training purposes. Turners Hill PC had already agreed the van should go to Fire & Rescue. A Worth PC decision was awaited.

PC Anthony Cheeseman: Tim advised the Panel that Anthony had recently suffered a broken ankle in the course of duty. Now based at Crawley he would be out of action for eight-to-ten weeks. Panel members asked that their good wishes and hopes for a speedy recovery be passed on to him.

NEXT MEETING

Date: Wednesday, January 28, 2015.

Time: 19.30

Venue: The Ark, Turners Hill.