Present: PCSO Tim Wainwright, Tony Cocklin, Rodger Filson, Chris Phillips, Roger Webb.

Apologies: Watch Commander Lee Aggett, Peter Chatfield, Geoff Gant, Eddie Lord, Bruce Ogilvy, Jonathan Pratt.

Police Briefing
Tim Wainwright used the opportunity of this Panel meeting for a presentation on the new Local Policing Model against the overall background of budget cuts and re-organisation being undertaken by Sussex Police. The specially-produced 'Local Policing Model for Sussex FAQs' document was circulated and discussed. (NB: A copy is attached with these minutes.)

Main points from the presentation were:

• Sussex Police needed to save £56 million in total.
• Sussex Police would be losing 1,000 people over the next five years. This would include 500 PCs and 500 other staff/employees.
• The contingent of 350 PCSOs would reduce to about 200. Plans would involve the 'up-skilling' of PCSOs, enabling them to provide extra support to Police work.
• Neighbourhood Policing Teams would be dissolved and replaced by 'Prevention Teams' and 'Resolution Centres.'
• East Grinstead Police Station at East Court would be closing to be replaced by a 'Police Office' at Chequer Mead. From April 29, the local PCSO team would reduce from three to two officers.
• The proposed merger of Sussex and Surrey Police forces had been deferred, although effective, cost-saving collaboration would continue.

Tim explained that a new regime of prioritised policing would focus on the most serious incidents. Other matters would be dealt with through new Resolution Centres staffed by police officers. These would attempt to resolve issues over the telephone, reducing the need for officers to physically attend incidents. Calls to Resolution Centres would be assessed against three criteria: Threat, Risk and Harm.

Tim noted that in Hampshire, Resolution Centres had already reduced Police call-outs by 80,000 a year.

In general discussion, Rodger Filson queried whether the PNP meetings remained worthwhile and should continue. Tim replied that they should, as required by Police protocol. He advised that the various Panels in East Grinstead would be consolidated into one body. Chris Phillips asked whether this consolidation should include the village Panel. In response, Tim explained that the plan was to keep the Turners Hill/Crawley Down/Copthorne and Ashurstwood panels discrete, as Policing issues in EG town centre were quite different to those in the outer villages.

Panel members agreed that promotion and explanation of the new Local Policing Model within the respective communities should be adopted as a new priority.

Fire & Rescue Services Briefing

Ln his absence, Watch Cmdr Lee Aggett reported that training was now underway on the new appliance for Turners Hill Fire Station. Some alteration to the station was required to accommodate the machine. All training and work was expected to be completed by early May. The current recruitment campaign was progressing well and three or four new recruits were expected to be taken on this month. Further recruitment would continue. Plans were still in hand for assessment of parking/access problems in Crawley Down and Copthorne. Arrangements for this would be made with Tim Wainwright. At the same time, the possible need for home fire safety/smoke alarm checks at Turners Hill Park would be considered.

Ongoing Priorities

• Highways Issues

  The matter of serious road safety/traffic management issues along Turners Hill Road, Crawley Down, remained a major concern. Problems would be severely exacerbated by plans for a further new estate of some 200 houses to be built to the north-western side of the road, close to the Duke's Head roundabout. Chris Phillips reported that Worth PC's attempts for constructive dialogue with Highways officials had been thwarted by WSCC's reorganisation and redeployment of personnel. There was currently no competent official to talk with. With proposals for the next estate to have access to both Turners Hill Road and the A264, a dangerous 'rat run' problem would be created. So far as problems caused by existing housing development were concerned, Worth PC was in favour of installing both traffic lights and roundabouts at key intersections. Chris advised that he would be meeting WSCC officials later in April on behalf of Worth PC.

  Rodger Filson advised that Community Speed Watch activities between April 1 and 15 had recorded a total of 244 speeding vehicles on Turners Hill Road. He could make CSW data available to Chris for the WSCC meeting and this was agreed.

  (Since the meeting, Rodger has provided data showing that 3,434 speeding vehicles were recorded/reported on Turners Hill Road over the 12 months to March 31, 2015.)

   

• Problem Parking/Emergency Access in Crawley Down and Copthorne.

  As previously mentioned, The Plice and Fire & Rescue still planned to carry out a practical assessment of the problems on both villages.

   

• 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.

   

 NEW Priorities

• Local Policing Model
  It was agreed that information on the new Local Policing Model and its implications for residents would be made available within the three village communities.

NEXT MEETING

Date: Wednesday, June 17

Time: 19.30

Venue: The Ark, Turners Hill