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

Apologies: Watch Commander Lee Aggett, Bruce Ogilvy.

Introductory Notes

Date Change: Apologies were extended for having to defer the meeting a week because of Police operational circumstances.

Worth Parish Council Representation: Chris Phillips, Chairman of Worth PC, advised that Roger Webb was now nominated as the Council's official Panel delegate. Chris would continue to attend as many meetings as possible. He also advised that the Worth PC base had now moved from Crawley Down to the new community building behind St. John's Church, Copthorne. Known as 'The Parish Hub,' he invited the Panel to use the building for its next meeting.

Police Briefing
PCSO Tim Wainwright reported that the main local issue was a widespread outbreak of theft from parked vans. The problem was initially centred on Horley and Crawley, but was now spreading across the area. In many individual incidents, tools and equipment worth £1,000-plus was being stolen. A special Police meeting on this situation would be taking place the following day (June 25). In discussion, Eddie Lord reported a recent van theft incident in Copthorne.

Tim went on to note a current spate of anti-social behaviour taking place in the Church Lane and The Meadow areas of Copthorne. Bricks had been thrown through windows of cars and homes. A group from Surrey was suspected and Police were investigating.

An 'invasion' of travellers into Turners Hill recreation ground the previous weekend had been dealt with by re-directing caravans to an official transit site. Coincidentally, during the course of the meeting, Police were called to a traveller incursion at Worth Abbey. The travellers moved onto land at East Street, Turners Hill, later that night; and then to King's Centre, East Grinstead, the following day.

Fire & Rescue Services Briefing

In his absence, Watch Cmdr Lee Aggett reported that, in regard to parking problems in Crawley Down, one of the appliances sent to a fire in Bowers Place was unable to get through because of double-parking obstructions. A special leaflet drop along Bowers Place, plus consultation with residents, was undertaken the following day.

Peter Chatfield noted a similar, recent incident following explosion of an electricity meter in Brookhill Road, Copthorne. An anti-obstruction leaflet drop and dialogue with residents in that area would be welcomed.

Lee further advised that Fire & Rescue had attended several serious recent accidents on local roads. One involved a car rolling over; and another, a car going under a tractor.

Recruitment of retained fire-fighters at Turners Hill Fire Station was continuing with some success. Three new recruits had been accepted, with a further two candidates put forward.

The new 'state-of-the-art' fire engine had now been delivered to Turners Hill after completion of modifications to accommodate the larger vehicle.

Minutes of Previous Meeting/Ongoing Priorities

• Highways/Road Safety Issues: Roger Webb Statement/New Highways Manager/ Dangerous Driving Action Group/HGV Restriction Campaign/ Community Speed Watch Equipment.

  The matter of issue of serious road safety/traffic management issues between the A264 remained a very serious concern for the Panel. Problems were particularly acute along the B2028 through Crawley Down and Turners Hill. Panel member and Worth Parish Councillor Roger Webb was, accordingly, prompted to deliver the following special statement on the matter:

   

  "Recently, there was a report of a lorry on the Turners Hill Road overtaking a car and going the wrong way round the roundabout at the junction with Withypitts. In the same edition of our local paper, there was a report of another accident on Turners Hill Road and when reported on TV (on the late news), the reporter claimed to have made two further sightings of vehicles doing the same thing in the ten minutes whilst he was waiting to broadcast.

  "Recently, I was informed that the Police could not check speeds on Turners Hill Road because they could not find anywhere safe to park their van! West Sussex County Council will not install speed cameras because Police do not support it! I understand this is because this road does not have enough 'points' (these are based on accidents in the past.

  "Past data is not a crystal ball and cannot foretell the future. Any analysis that does not take into account increased traffic flow rates; and both recent and planned developments along this road, with the increase in traffic movements and pedestrian activity that these developments will bring, is deeply flawed. Consequently, I find the current stance by these bodies completely unacceptable. I believe that WSCC and the Police have a duty of care to the residents! I would like to know have WSCC conducted a risk analysis on this road to come to its decision; and if so, can we see it? Have the Police conducted a risk analysis on this road to support their view that further measures are not required? If so, can we see it?

  "I believe we should write to Katie Bourne (Police & Crime Commissioner) asking her to get us a reply from the Police; and write to Richard Speller, WSSC Highways Manager for Mid-Sussex, for a response from the council."

   

  This statement was fully endorsed by the Panel. In discussion, Chris Phillips re-affirmed that WSCC had appointed Richard Speller to the new post of Highways Manager for the Mid Sussex region. He would be addressing an imminent Worth Parish Council meeting and Chris would report back to the Panel.

  He and Roger Webb advised that Worth PC had previously proposed - and offered to pay for - a variable speed camera system on Turners Hill Road, but this was not supported by either WSCC or the Police.

   

  Tony Cocklin reported that, against the background of the aforementioned Wthypitts roundabout incident and road safety concerns in general, the 'Turners Hill Dangerous Driving Action Group' had been formed by a group of residents, mainly parents of children at TH C of E Primary School. A recent community meeting arranged by the group and chaired by its organiser, David Pawsey, was attended by WSCC's Richard Speller. The group is committed to a programme of road safety action/awareness, especially in the safeguarding of children. Incidents of dangerous driving are reported to Sussex Police's Operation Crackdown; and communicated/publicised on-line via facebook.Tim Wainwright advised that he was in contact with David Pawsey and a consultation meeting involving Police Sgt Graeme Prentice was planned. He did note that dangerous-driving prevention was essentially a matter for the Road Policing Unit. The RPU was in future planning to have enforcement patrols out on village roads on a regular (at least monthly) basis.

  There had been worries that the Action Group might adopt 'vigilante' tactics and this would be regretted. Helpful liaison should minimise that risk. In general, Panel members welcomed the fact that younger residents were now confronting road safety dangers. Tim proposed that David Pawsey be asked to join the Panel.

   

  In the overall context of road safety/dangerous driving, the initiative by Lindfield Preservation Society for HGV restrictions across a wide area including Copthorne, Crawley and Turners Hill, was discussed. The Lindfield team is in the process of contacting Parish Councils and community groups to gather support before launching its campaign to curb HGV travel on "inappropriate routes." Turners Hill PC has already been contacted, but no dialogue had so far taken place with Worth PC. Chris Phillips asked for the Lindfield Preservation Society contact to be forwarded to him.

  In discussion, Peter Chatfield related the story of how Copthorne successfully obtained a TRO for HGV restriction on Shipley Bridge Lane after two years of work; and then tried to get the same on Brookhill Road. This was approved, but then rescinded after a month (before implementation) because WSCC brought out a new document entitled 'Living with Lorries.' Peter also requested the Lindfield contact.

  The change of speed monitoring equipment issued to Community Speed Watch (CSW) teams in the area was raised. Essentially, the Police required the teams' shared laser device (Unipar SL700) to be handed in to enable enhanced enforcement activity by the RPU. It would be replaced by a radar-based machine, acceptable for CSW use by community volunteers but not, like the SL700, approved for Police enforcement activity. The respective devices were due to be exchanged at the meeting.

  Rodger Filson stated that Crawley Down CSW was disappointed at having to give up the laser equipment it had used since 2007 for an inferior device. He and his team felt they were not receiving the support they deserved after years of good service.

  Peter Chatfield, on behalf of Copthorne CSW, said the annoying thing was that volunteers all liked the SL700 laser machine and plans had been agreed to fund and acquire one for local CSW use. This was, however, vetoed by the Neighbourhood Policing Team which insisted that CSW should have only the radar devices.

   

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

   

  The earlier report from Lee Aggett was referred to, with requests reiterated for a similar obstruction awareness drive in Copthorne.

  Chris Phillips reported that work had now started on the new car park in Crawley Down village centre. It was expected to be open in mid-July with space for 17-18 vehicles. (Featuring a re-claimed and renovated war memorial stone, it was expected to be named 'The Memorial Car Park.') Rodger Filson strongly recommended that, in conjunction with new car park work, double yellow lines in the village centre should be re-painted. Eddie Lord noted the move by a number of MPs to have pavement parking stopped as a national priority. Peter Chatfield advised that a number of recent obstructive parking incidents in Copthorne had been dealt with effectively after reports to Operation Crackdown.

  Chris told the Panel that Worth PC was still hoping to get its own, dedicated Enforcement Officer (Parking Warden). Discussions were taking place with Mid Sussex District Council and Worth PC was hoping to be able to cover the cost in its 2016/17 budget.

   

• Local Policing Model
  Following Tim Wainwright's previous presentation on the new Local Policing Model, it was confirmed that information had been circulated within communities. In particular, a special article in Tim's name was published in the June Turners Hill Parish News. Tim mentioned that he had since been consulted on the Local Policing Model and its implications by a number of residents, especially during duties at the recent South of England Show.

   

  Any Other Business

   

• Neighbourhood Watch Material

  Eddie Lord brought in a supply of new NHW handbooks, plus NHW resident invitations, for use by Panel members.

   

• SCAM Campaign

  Geoff Gant asked if Panel members were aware of a new NHW anti-scam campaign. It appeared that e-mail information had not been fully communicated. Geoff subsequently supplied the following on-line link which should have been circulated to all NHW co-ordinators:

  http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/news/article-3136695/Neighbourhood-Watch-launches-scheme-warn-dangers-phone-scams-crooks-snatch-23m-year.html

   

  NEXT MEETING

   

  Date: Wednesday, September 23.

  Time: 19.30

  Venue: Worth Parish Council Chamber, Parish Hub, Borer's Arms Road,

  Copthorne.