Present: PCSO Tim Wainwright, Crew Cmdr Lee Aggett, Fire-fighter Michael Head, Tony Cocklin, Rodger Filson, Geoff Gant, Bruce Ogilvy, Eddie Lord, Roger Webb.

Apologies: Peter Chatfield, Chris Phillips Jonathan Pratt, Eddie Lord

Police Briefing
Tim Wainwright advised that he was still being required to cover areas in East Grinstead, in addition to the three villages. He reported that there had been a recent rise in the number of thefts from sheds and garages. However, the overall level of burglaries had reduced significantly.

Fire & Rescue Services Briefing

Lee Aggett reported on the launch of a major campaign to recruit more retained (part-time) fire-fighters at Turners Hill Fire Station. Against a background of cuts at other West Sussex Fire & Rescue bases, the drive to ensure that Turners Hill station remained viable had become a priority. The recruitment campaign would feature strongly in the February edition of Turners Hill Parish News and be followed by a leaflet drop in the village and surrounding areas.

Otherwise, there had been no further arson issues, but two serious house fires had occurred - one involving a residence in Crawley; the other at a mobile home near Lingfield. Geoff Gant raised the issue of fire safety for residents at Turners Hill Park, questioning whether homes should be equipped with fire extinguishers. Basic advice was that residents should not attempt to fight fire, but simply vacate property as quickly as possible. After general discussion, Lee Aggett agreed to liaise with Geoff on the organisation of a formal fire safety presentation for TH Park residents.

Minutes of Previous Meeting - Matters Arising/ongoing Priorities

• WSCC/Highways Issues (Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down)
  The apparent lack of interest on the part of WSCC Highways to confront serious road safety issues along the B2028 Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down, remained a matter of much concern and frustration. In the face of significant new housing developments adjacent to the road, there was compelling need for major road safety innovation. After previous fruitless requests for consultation with WSCC, Peter Chatfield had advised that Helena Card was the country council's new highways officer for the area. An attempt would be to contact her on behalf of the Panel. In further discussion, however, it was felt that the Panel could take this highways issue no further beyond raising serious concerns. Responsibility for action rested with the relevant local authorities - Worth PC, MSDC and WSCC. The two Worth Parish Councillors on the Panel, Chris Phillips and Roger Webb, would be asked to pursue the issue through the appropriate local authority channels.
  
• Problem Parking
  The continued problem with parking in Crawley Down was emphasised by Rodger Filson in a In his absence, Chris Phillips advised that work on the new car park at Auchinleck Court, Crawley Down was due to commence in mid-February, following resolution of the dropped kerb licence. This news was welcomed by the Panel.

  Tim Wainwright reported that the recent obstructive parking problem in Crawley Down village centre had been dealt with and no further complaints received. Concerns remained over obstruction in Bowers Place, Crawley Down; and in Church Road, Copthorne. Tim Wainwright and Lee Aggett agreed to undertake a joint test-drive exercise in these problem areas. In the meanwhile, supplies of the Fire & Rescue Services 'Careless Parking' leaflets were provided for use in Copthorne, as requested by Peter Chatfield.

  Roger Webb confirmed that plans for a dedicated parking warden (civil enforcement officer) funded by Worth PC remained in place and would be proposed in the council's 2015/16 budget. He noted that a General Purposes & Finance meeting was scheduled for February 2.

• Wheelie Bin Traffic Calming Project

In his absence, Jonathan Pratt forwarded comments that the wheelie bin stickers had not, so far, made sufficient impact as they were too sparsely distributed. Also, two stickers per bin were needed to cope with bins being left out of position after rubbish collection. Tim Wainwright advised this was not possible as the scheme stipulated just one sticker per bin. He felt that use of the stickers as roadside signs was more effective, but some re-deployment was necessary and this would be discussed with Jonathan.

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

Geoff Gant reported that the proposed No Cold Calling Zone (NCCZ) scheme for Turners Hill Park had received full support from residents and was expected to be operational from the beginning of March. Discussions regarding necessary NCCZ signage would be taking place with the park owners. General discussion led to the possibility of additional NCCZs in other local areas, namely Hill House Close, Turners Hill; and Kiln Close, Crawley Down. Informal consultation with respective residents would take place before any approach on the matter to West Sussex Trading Standards.

• Anti-Social Behaviour

  Tim Wainwright reported that anti-social behaviour was, for obvious reasons, not a problem during winter months. It would, therefore, be dropped as a Panel priority.

 NEW Priorities

No new prioities were identified

Any Other Business

• Street Lighting in Crawley Down: Bruce Ogilvy raised the issue of street lighting following the circulation of a leaflet by the SSE organisation. He was particularly concerned about the lighting inconsistencies along Sandy Lane. In general discussion. It emerged that some street lights were provided by WSCC Highways, via SSE; and others by Worth Parish Council. The former went off at midnight, with the latter staying on all night. This issue was clearly a matter to go before Worth PC and WSCC.

• Vehicle Tax Change/ANPR Cameras: In his absence, Jonathan Pratt forwarded a question about Police now relying on ANPR cameras to catch offenders since tax discs were no longer required on vehicles. Tim Wainwright replied that effective systems were in place between the Police and DVLA. Members of the public could also check on suspect vehicles via the DVLA web site. In the case of vehicles parked for unduly long periods/abandoned, tax or no tax was not an issue. These should be reported to Operation Crackdown for investigation and/or removal. Rodger Filson raised the matter of vehicles registered off-road (SORN). He cited the incident of such a vehicle parked on a verge in Crawley Down. Tim Wainwright explained that this was illegal - SORN vehicles could only be located on private property.

NEXT MEETING

Date: Wednesday, March 25th, 2015.

Time: 19.30

Venue: The Ark, Turners Hill.