Boscombe Area Forum, Monday 12 Nov 2007 7.30-9pm
Avon Room, St George’s Wellspring Centre, Havilland Road, Boscombe.
Jack Maquire, Jane Kelly, Cllr Chris Wakefield, Dawn Bevan, Andy Watkins
Committee: Kathie Pearce, Mike Bunney, Ben Prescott, Chris Green, Peter Castle, Gary Sherborne, Steven Humphrey. Cllr Lisa Northover. Council: Tejinder Birk, Amanda Catlin, Hannah Beech, Linda Maquire. 6 other members also signed in.
Repeat action – Chair (October) to write letter to Planning about the need for adequate recycling and bin stores for new applications
Repeat action – One of the Councillors (October) to find out why Dorset Reclaim was not given a license to recycle oil
Repeat action – Cllr Wakefield to ensure signs in Grosvener Gardens included “No sleeping or camping”
Late notice of the meeting was raised. The reasons for this were outlined by the chair Future meetings will be advised sooner
A permanent or rotating venue was discussed.
Vote was taken and passed 15:2: next three meetings to be on the 1st Monday of the month at St George's, assuming its available. Dec 3, Jan 7, Feb 4
Gary Sherborne proposed and Steven Humphrey seconded a proposal that members be named in the minutes. The proposal was passed without dissent.
The Forum noted that the deputations to BCCA cabinet meeting included music and performances. The Chair added that B B Council wanted to see a mixed-use development on the scheme (housing and community use) so forum members had the opportunity to lobby for the facilities they wanted to see
Action – Cllr Lisa Northover to find out the outcome of the consultation.
New litter/recycling bins in the Precinct noted.
Meeting discussed vehicle traffic going back through Boscombe Precinct.
Meeting resolved to have a February meeting just on the subject of Boscombe Precinct, to publicise it, and get the right officers along.
People can still suggest places for free fruit trees or offer their front gardens.
The Police were unable to attend for operational reasons.
Members discussed their priorities:
Police
Young people should be a priority; engage positively. Build relationship with young people.
Keep an eye on activity in Boscombe Chine Gardens (in particular alcohol consumption).
More visible at night.
Aggressive begging.
Beggars outside the late hours shops, pub on Christchurch Road either side of the precinct.
Advice for shoplifters etc. on release; what help they can get, options have they got to help them chose an alternative route.
Gary Sherborne made the observation that action should be targeted and proportionate to the damage substances do, thus to prioritise Class A drug, alcohol and tobacco abuse.
Local Authority
Upgrades to street lighting.
Policing under age alcohol and cigarettes (recently increased from 16 to 18)
It was noted that the above concerns remained largely the same as those first expressed at the Forum’s initial inception some years ago and whether this was a measure of a lack of success in tackling these issues
The Forum voted on a question posted by Cllr Northover: Does the forum feel that its helpful to put up signs around there area indicating that it is subject to a 'vice patrol'
17 say 'no', 1 abstention
The objective of this measure was not obvious to members present.
Action – Chair to feedback this discussion to the Safer neighbourhoods Team
Steve Humphrey and Gary Sherborne reported back.
Lots of different organisations talking about future of the area.
Talking about goals for 10 years plus so there's something to work back from.
Breakout meetings:
NEETs: young people not in education, training, apprenticeships, work. Why?
Homelessness
Bournemouth faces a significant challenge providing enough affordable housing.
Meeting was concerned that nothing would actually happen.
Publicising the forum
Key next steps: Open a bank account; produce and distribute posters, media coverage.
Next three meetings to be at the same venue to provide continuity.
Future Agenda Items
December - Draft climate change strategy
January - Open agenda to encourage issues from the floor
February – Boscombe Precinct – note the importance of this subject and the opportunity for the Forum to have a clear role in any future plans. This meeting must be widely publicised
Future speakers
Larry Austin – Street cleansing services
Debbie Clifton / a representative from the Bournemouth 2026 partnership
Date of next meeting – Monday December 3rd 7.30pm