Jubilee, Lower Edmonton and Ponders End Area Forum - 6.1.2011

MINUTES OF THE MEETING OF THE
Jubilee, Lower Edmonton and Ponders End Area Forum
HELD ON Thursday, 6 January 2011
COUNCILLORS
PRESENT / Rohini Simbodyal (Chairman), Christopher Deacon (Vice Chairman), Ahmet Oykener, Ingrid Cranfield, Ahmet Hasan, Geoffrey Robinson, Chaudhury Anwar MBE and Doug Taylor
ABSENT / Ayfer Orhan
OFFICERS: / Gary Barnes (Assistant Director – Highways & Transportation), Rod Bennett (Community Safety Information Manager), Karen Gingell (Environmental Crime Officer), James Rolfe (Director of Finance and Corporate Resources),
Sandra Bertschin (Democratic Services Team)
Also Attending / Andy Love MP, Councillors Cazimoglu & Headley,
Inspector Paul Anjos (Metropolitan Police) and approximately 30 residents

<AI1>

Welcome and apologies for absence

The Chairman welcomed all present to the meeting.

Apologies for absence were received from Councillor Orhan.

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<AI2>

Declaration of interests

There were no declarations of interest in respect of items on the agenda.

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<AI3>

Minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2010

AGREED that the minutes of the meeting held on 14 September 2010 be confirmed as a correct record.

Matters Arising

A resident referred to door security at College Court, Ponders End, raised at the last meeting (Min No 7.2.c). She reported that non-residents, such as homeless people and drug users, continued to gain access to the block because of poor door security locks. Councillor Oykener undertook to raise this issue with Enfield Homes.

Action: Councillor Oykener

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<AI4>

Update from the Police

Inspector Paul Anjos gave an update on local policing issues.

Ponders End ward

The priority areas were:

  1. Anti Social Behaviour – South Street

·  The recent cold weather had resulted in a decrease in problems.

·  Trees had been cut back affording more effective CCTV coverage of the shopping area.

·  Suspects had been arrested during a burglary at Greggs the Bakers.

  1. Anti Social Behaviour – Swan House

·  An Environmental Visual Audit had been undertaken and deficiencies regarding lighting and access had been highlighted for action.

·  Regular patrols in the area had resulted in several arrests.

·  Since becoming a ward priority the incidences of ASB had decreased with Swan House no longer appearing in the top 10 ASB hotspots.

  1. Motor Vehicle Crime prevention – Keats Close/Tennyson Close/Scotland Green Road

·  Vehicles parked in the specified areas had been leafleted with crime prevention advice on two occasions.

·  A Motor Vehicle squad had been implemented with excellent results of several arrests for theft of/from motor vehicles.

·  Patrols continued in the affected area and a noticeable reduction in incidents had taken place.

  1. Burglary prevention – Norfolk Road/Suffolk Road/Oxford Road

·  Leaflets offering crime prevention advice and free home security surveys had been delivered to all households in these roads.

·  Night duty patrols had resulted in a reduction in offences.

  1. Other news

·  A brothel in Keats Close had been shut.

·  Work was underway to close another reported brothel in the ward.

Jubilee ward

The priority areas were:

  1. Serious youth violence and Anti Social Behaviour – Sandhurst Road and Charlton Road

·  Numerous visits had been made to 2 addresses which had been identified as magnets for anti social behaviour.

·  Notices of intended eviction had been served on the occupants.

·  At 1 of the addresses the occupant had agreed to participate in an ABC contract.

·  A dispersal zone was in place until 18 January which had resulted in a significant decrease in anti social behaviour.

·  A temporary CCTV camera had been installed where the majority of the anti social behaviour had taken place.

·  Pro-active policing in relation to the 2 subjects identified as conduits for anti social behaviour, resulted in 1 being sent to prison and the second being placed on stringent bail conditions, where he is not allowed out without an appropriate person.

  1. Burglaries – Hertford Road and surrounding streets

·  Increased patrols around burglary hotspots.

·  Leaflet drop within the area to raise local awareness.

·  Every burglary victim offered a crime prevention and reassurance visit.

  1. Motor Vehicle Crime – Hertford Road and adjoining roads

·  Increased night patrols around areas where motor vehicle crime was taking place.

·  In streets where a motor crime has taken place a leaflet drop had been undertaken to raise local resident awareness.

  1. Other news

·  In November 2010 a drugs warrant had been executed at an address in Chaffinch Close, N9. Drugs had been seized and an arrest made.

·  In December 2010 a cannabis factory had been closed down in Doncaster Road.

·  As a result of ongoing investigations centred around Pickets Lock Leisure Centre a prolific subject involved in car crime had been sent to prison and since then there had been no further reported car crime within this locality.

Lower Edmonton ward

The priority areas were:

  1. Anti Social Behaviour – Eldon Road

·  Patrols for a minimum of 20 hours per week and the use of a mobile CCTV van to monitor gang tensions.

·  Dispersal zone until 15 April 2011 around Eldon Road Junior School and the Eldon Road Unit had resulted in no anti social behaviour calls to the Eldon Road Unit and no gang crime reported to date.

  1. Anti Social Behaviour – IQ Café, Bounces Road

·  Patrols for a minimum of 20 hours per week.

·  Regular meetings held with local businesses and a satisfaction survey would be carried out after 6 months.

·  Advice given to the Café owners on fire safety.

·  Posters, in various languages, informing youths to leave the area had been displayed.

·  Further joint action with the Council to be taken to combat littering.

  1. Youth Panel

·  Youth Panel at Eldon Road Junior School to be set up by 1 April 2011.

·  The panel will set 1 priority and Youth CAPE minutes will be fed into the main CAPE meeting every term.

·  The first CAPE meeting had been arranged for 11 January 2011.

  1. Other news

·  Speed check operation in Nightingale Road undertaken. Speeding drivers were given advice regarding road safety.

Motor Vehicle Initiative

·  An initiative to prevent theft of number plates was ongoing.

·  Forecourt Watch set up to combat the rise in theft of petrol.

·  Presentations to all primary schools on crime prevention advice and leaving property in vehicles.

·  A dedicated Motor Vehicle Squad had been set up targeting motor vehicle related crime.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

  1. In response to a resident’s question regarding littering it was advised that an initiative was soon to be launched.
  1. A resident commented that vehicles without valid road tax were also likely not to be covered by insurance and asked about the strategy to tackle this problem.

It was advised that police operations focused on crimes not traffic issues. However such traffic offences were dealt with as they arose.

  1. A resident reported anti social behaviour problems with groups of ethnic 14/15 year olds and requested increased police patrols.

Inspector Anjos undertook to speak to the resident outside of the meeting.

  1. A resident asked about the impact on local policing of government funding cuts.

It was advised that currently there were no plans to reduce the number of police officers. Hendon Police Training School had recently reopened for new police officers.

  1. The Chairman requested that Safer Neighbourhood Team representatives attend youth area forums and panels to provide policing updates.

It was advised that Inspector Mick Lees and Neil Standring were involved in youth fora.

The Chairman thanked Inspector Anjos for his update.

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<AI5>

Safer & Stronger Communities Board

RECEIVED an update from Rod Bennett, Community Safety Information Manager, on the work of the Safer & Stronger Communities Board and the proposed Community Safety Priorities for 2011/12

NOTED

  1. The Safer & Stronger Communities Board was:

·  a statutory body responsible for tackling crime and anti social behaviour in the borough;

·  its membership was drawn from 6 responsible authorities;

·  multi-agency joint tasking meetings were held regularly;

·  a monthly newsletter was produced;

·  Enfield’s Safer & Stronger Communities Board was nationally recognised for its good practice;

·  the Board had funded many successful schemes and initiatives to reduce crime and anti social behaviour within the borough.

  1. The 2011/12 suggested priorities were:

·  Young people as victims and offenders;

·  Domestic violence and sexual offences;

·  Public spaces;

·  Community Engagement;

·  Anti Social Behaviour;

-  Substance misuse and sex work

-  Integrated offender management

-  Street scene

  1. Comments and suggestions were invited on the proposed 2011/12 priorities. Residents agreed with the suggested priorities and no further comments or suggestions were received.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

  1. A resident remarked that it appeared that CCTV cameras were not continually monitored as police officers did not arrive at incidents which were covered by CCTV cameras.

It was advised that Enfield’s CCTV centre was manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. A police officer was also based in the monitoring centre and the centre had access to Police radio and could direct CCTV cameras to incidents as a result of police activity.

  1. A resident commented on the fear of crime from gangs of youths in the Edmonton area at night time and suggested that dispersal areas be implemented.

It was acknowledged that there had been a spate of murders in 2008 but there had been much work done in this area since then, including the use of dispersal orders and these efforts had helped improve the situation, although there was still more to be done.

  1. A resident requested more CCTV in Ponders End.

It was advised that the Council had no plans currently to increase CCTV on the public highway. Additional CCTV would require additional funding which was not currently available. Enfield Homes and registered social landlords were responsible for CCTV on housing estates and should be approached in these situations.

  1. A resident suggested that further consideration be given to initiatives bringing together victims and offenders, especially elderly victims and young offenders.

It was advised that there were a number of restorative justice schemes in place and that the Youth Engagement Panel was another means of engaging with young people.

  1. A resident suggested that the police force utilise social networking sites, such as Facebook, to gather criminal intelligence.

This suggestion was noted.

  1. A resident remarked that higher resolution CCTV cameras were needed in the Fore Street area and sought guidance on resident operation of their own CCTV systems.

It was advised that Council owned CCTV cameras in the borough were of evidential quality. Residents wishing to operate their own CCTV systems were reminded that they would be subject to legislation, such as the Data Protection Act and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

The Chairman thanked Rod Bennett for his update.

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<AI6>

London Borough of Enfield 2011/2012 Spending Review

RECEIVED a presentation from James Rolfe, Director of Finance & Corporate Resources, on the 2011/12 Budget and Medium Term Financial Plan, including the following issues:

  1. Copies of the budget consultation document were available at the meeting and were also available from libraries and on the Council website.
  2. A number of growth proposals had been agreed including key items from Labour’s manifesto: a Residents’ Priority Fund (average of £100K per year, per ward, weighted on relevant need across the borough, from 1 April 2011 for 3 years); No increase in the Council Tax in the next financial year; Free school meals pilot for 2 years to improve children’s nutrition and healthy living; £100 Council Tax rebate to low income pensioner households; Affordable leisure facilities initiatives across the borough; a Hardship Business Rate Relief pilot; Reinstatement of the school uniform grant for low income families; and additional funding for youth workers in shopping areas and the community to reduce the risk of youth crime and anti social behaviour.
  3. £1.9m funding for the voluntary sector over the next three years, funded from reserves, and fire sprinklers in houses of multiple occupation.
  4. The Council faced a number of extra pressures on its budget, including a reduction in Government support by 27% over the next four years. Overall the financial settlement for Enfield had reduced by £12m (8%) for next year.
  5. There were also a number of other grants (specifically children’s services) which the Government had still not confirmed that they would continue to fund.
  6. From year 3 the Council would assume responsibility for Council Tax Benefit, with only 90% central funding anticipated. This would bring additional pressure of up to £3.5m per year.
  7. A 1% increase in the cost of borrowing added around £1m per year to revenue pressures.
  8. Cuts for local government had been front loaded to year 1.
  9. Expected financial pressure in 2011/12 was approximately £30m comprising a reduction in external funding of £12m; inflation of £5.1m; Adult Social Care costs of £4.9m; Treasury & Cashflow of £1.8m; growth items of £1.6m; Waste disposal costs of £1.5m; Regeneration costs of £1.1m; Concessionary Fares of £0.9m and miscellaneous costs of £0.7m.
  10. Over 4 years there was an anticipated £71m funding gap.
  11. Efficiency savings of £10m had already been agreed but for the next financial year there was still £19.4m savings to be found. Other savings measures were set out in the budget consultation paper to consult with the public and all key stakeholders.
  12. Feedback on budget proposals had already been received from over 4,500 respondents, including the Enfield Town Show and online. Indications so far were that schools improvement and pupil support, waste collection & recycling, and adult social services were the top priorities.
  13. Reserves were earmarked for specific projects and £10m was kept in general fund balances for emergencies.
  14. Residents were invited to make suggestions as to priorities, generation of income and savings.

This was followed by a question and answer session.

  1. A resident made the following suggestions:

·  Revenue generation for the Council from Enfield Homes and North London Waste