News

HAWKINGE COMMUNITY SAFETY FORUM (HCSF)</FONT SIZE>

Minutes of Meeting 3pm 13th January  2004 at Hawkinge Community Centre

1. Introductions.  Present:Chris Ashman (Chairman), Ian Norman (Hawkinge Community Warden), Jean McGill (Vice Chair), Sally Coleman (Parish & NHW Liaison Officer), Brian Marshall, Deirdre Lawton,  Deirdre Ferguson & Jan Doyle (The Hawkinge Partnership) Cllr. Ian Smith, Cllr. David Callahan, Don Veale.

2. Apologies: Terry Scott (Hawkinge Gazette), Perry Hayward, PC Trevor Moody, Jackie & Martin Ide (Hawkinge Community Newsletter).

3. Minutes of last meeting.  Signed by Chairman

4. GuestsHCSF welcomed Hawkinge Partnership Manager Deirdre Ferguson who introduced the work of the Partnership Theme Leaflets “Crime & Community Safetyâ€? to all.  Discussion took place reference theâ€? pros and consâ€? of HCSF becoming a direct Sub-Group of the Hawkinge Partnership. The vote of the Forum present was “forâ€?.An event for villagers and groups interested in forming sub-groups will be held at the Village Hall from 2.30 to 8pm o­n 27th January 2005. Further information 01303 852321.

5. Open Forum - Matters Arising.  Brian thought there should be more public awareness of Confidence Tricks and Scams by phone, email, letter and personal callers. Discussion about nuisance phone calls was also brought up. Sally Coleman said she would supply a document discussing the subject and that there were various preference services available to prevent the mass of cold calls, junk mail and pamphlet drops.

6. Partnership Event - HCSF will join Neighbourhood Watch and Ian Norman (Hawkinge Community Warden) o­n a stand to present and inform visitors of safety facilities/services availability and plans for the future enhancement for the village. Hawkinge Delivery Plan will be o­n Display See also Item 4.

7. Safety in the Local Lanes Don Veale told us of his concerns about traffic and the reality of living at a local accident black spot. The dangers to horse riders in the lanes around the village, particularly Gibraltar Lane, Elvington Lane, Colegate Lane and Arpinge. Signs needed. KCC Rights of Way Hazards Chairman to write to Highways Authority and invite representative to next forum.

8. LettersNone received – noted as in our previous letter to authorities that Tesco are still causing obstruction problems o­n A260 at peak usage times.

9. Reports from Neighbourhood WatchSally Coleman having been consulted throughout the forum had nothing else to add. The NHW Executive for Hawkinge is Peter Brun. Misspelled in previous minutes

10. Reports from CouncillorsConsents have been given for various projects including a pub o­n the employment land opposite school, Go ahead for completing the link road and next phase of housing. The Forum have safety concerns about the controls in place for the existing roads/conditions for signage and wish to participate and be consulted at the safety audit stage of the planning of new distribution roads. It appears that safety control will initially be with the developer until acceptable by the authorities as to be fit to be adopted. Chairman to write to Jeff Stack SDC. New EU recycling rules to be adopted – discussion at future forum when safety impact understood. Hawkinge now in a situation of Doctor and Dentist shortage with no funds for or support for a Health Centre. Village car park now under control of Hawkinge Parish Council who’s chairman welcomes villagers proposals for future use and paving ideas for the benefit of the village. The untidy and dangerous cement blocks at the back of the Car Park are the responsibility of the Community Centre/ Village Hall committee (those walking or parking beware) Crosskeys coaches are unable to change their pattern of student pick-up and drop suggested by the Forum due to restrictions route and timetable o­n bussing routes.  o­ngoing consultation about speed restriction changes o­n A260 which is unlikely to be de-trunked to relieve village traffic as the proposed by-pass will be unsuitable as planned. Trucks are still directed from the A2 direction via Hawkinge to the Channel Tunnel.  From April 2005 SDC will no longer be responsible for Highways as KCC take the service back into house including staff and contractors. “To take advantage of closer links with Parish and Town Councilsâ€?

11. Report from Community WardenIan gave a full breakdown of crime figures. 2003/2004 Mostly showing deceases in figures but notably Burglary, Shoplifting, Pedal cycle Theft and Violence Against the Person o­n the increase. The Forum were particularly unhappy with the last result as it did not separate figures for Violence Outside the Home & Domestic Violence which we believe to be the majority of the number. Anti Social Behaviour not mentioned. Criminal Damage has decreased but the Hawkinge Partnership papers indicate that Criminal Damage, Anti Social Behaviour and Domestic Violence increased during 2003/2004. Ian was asked for more details at the next meeting. Nuisance caused by youths playing football in inappropriate places is under observation.

12. Any other business. Chris will give Deirdre Ferguson the names of Forum members supporting their stand at the Taking Part – Making Changes event o­n 27th January at the Village Hall.

13. Next Meeting.Thursday 10th March 2005 Churchill School staff room  7pm to 9pm

All villagers and organisations are invited to bring their safety concerns to the forum.