Child Okeford Parish Council

Notes on the Open Meeting held at the Community Centre, Child Okeford on 10/07/06

1. An Open Meeting was held at the Community Centre, Child Okeford on Monday the 10th July 2006 at 7-30pm.
 
The following persons attended:

PC Graham Collins - Beat Officer with special responsibilities for C/Okeford
Alan Winter - Housing Officer, Signpost Housing Assoc. (SHA)
Melanie Osborne - ASB Reduction Officer, SHA
Kerry Pitt-Kerby - Chief Environmental Officer of NDDC
Frank Spencer - District Councillor
Sylvia Holdeman - Chairman of Child Okeford Parish Council
Angie Schwier - Child Okeford Parish Councillor
Wendy Addley - Child Okeford Parish Councillor
Jill Curtis - Child Okeford Parish Councillor
John Salwey - Child Okeford Parish Councillor
Jackie Yard - Child Okeford Parish Councillor
Some 40 - Parishioners
John Gill - Clerk of Child Okeford Parish Council

Sylvia Holdeman presided.

2. The chairman opened the proceedings by saying that the object of the meeting was to provide a local forum for meaningful discussions, aimed at resolving the anti-social problems being experienced in the Cooper Gardens/Gold Hill area of Child Okeford.  She explained that the Parish Council had no statutory powers to act in such circ umstances, but they would be prepared to assist in bringing about a solution to the problems.

3. Alan Winter said that he was aware that difficulties were being experienced and outlined the terms on which all HSA’s property is let, and the system by which remedial action can be pursued.  He stressed the need for all parties concerned to work together in close co-operation to collectively improve the overall situation.   Melanie Osborne continued by outlining the redress available to the HAS in respect to anti-social behaviour.

4. Kerry Pitt-Kerby reported that as far as he was aware there was no record of any such complaints having been received by the NDDC during the last few months.

5. PC Graham Collins said that he had requested that his fellow officers advise him of any reported incidents in the area.  Over the last 6 months he had only received notice of two incidents from Gold Hill residents, but a larger number from people living in Cooper Gardens.

6. The chairman then opened the meeting to the floor and a number of complaints were voiced relating to anti-social behaviour, litter, loud music, abuse, damage to property, etc.  

As the meeting progressed it became apparent that these complaints were either not getting through to the respective agencies or not being reported.

Unless such incidents are reported and the complainants are prepared to back up their allegations, the agencies are powerless to act.

7. The following defines the responsibilities of the three agencies concerned:

Signpost Housing Association

• Damage to HSA property
• Breach of tenancy agreement
• Graffiti on HSA property

North Dorset District Council

• Noise nuisance
• Litter in public areas

Police

• Anti-social behaviour
• Rowdy behaviour
• Damage to other people’s property

8. The following outlines the procedures to be adopted to register a complaint:

Signpost Housing Association

By telephone/letter to:
Alan Winter, Housing Officer, Signpost Housing Association, Signpost House, Sunrise Business Park, Higher Shaftesbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 8SA. 

Telephone: 01258 484766.

If appropriate he will issue a log sheet for your completion and acknowledge receipt of all written complaints.  If, however, an acknowledgement is not received within seven working days then contact him again.

North Dorset District Council

By telephone/letter to:
North Dorset District Council, Nordon, Salisbury Road, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7LL. 

Telephone: 01258 454111. 

Letters to be marked for the attention of Kerry Pitt-Kerby, Chief Environmental Officer.

If appropriate a log sheet will be issued for your completion and all written complaints will be acknowledged.  If, however, an acknowledgement is not received within seven working days then contact them again.

Dorset Police

In an emergency phone 01202 222222 or 01305 222222.

Less urgent complaints to:
PC Graham Collins, Blandford Police Station, Peel Close, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 7JU. 

Telephone: 01258 452101. 

If he is not on duty please leave a message for him or ask that he is informed.

All calls are automatically logged on the computer.

9. It is accepted that the items listed in item 7 are not exhaustive and that there will inevitably be some split responsibility between the agencies for some of complaints made.  In an attempt to alleviate such problems the three agencies agreed to meet regularly to review the situation, with Alan Winter of the SHA taking the lead/organising role. 

[Whereas no time frame was mentioned for such meetings, it is suggested that the first should be held at the end of August or earlier if the situation demands and thereafter on a bi-monthly basis].

10. It would be helpful if copies of correspondence can be sent to the Clerk of the Parish Council whose contact details are as follows:

Address: Bourneside, Clenston Road, Winterborne Stickland, Blandford Forum, Dorset, DT11 0NP. 
Telephone: 01258 881240.
Email address: majo@wintstickland.fsworld.co.uk 

The Clerk will monitor the situation and report all communications received to the Parish Council and liaise with the agencies concerned.

11. The Chairman declared the meeting closed at 9-05pm.