Meetings

Summary of Winton Forum Public meeting held on 20th November 2007 at Winton Arts and Media College

The meeting was attended by around 50 people. Chair. Anson Westbrook introduced: University representatives Brian Astin and Charles Elder, Simon Adams from the Arts Institute, from Bournemouth Borough Council - Jayne Robinson (Antisocial Behaviour Officer), Joanna Keats (Housing), Peter Gallagher and Stuart Best, and Winton East Councillors: Sue Cowley, Nigel Cowley and Paul Hughes.

The meeting was arranged by Winton Forum in response to complaints from residents regarding antisocial behaviour in the local community. The Chair was keen to reassure that this was not a "Witch Hunt" but that there are problems that need to be addressed and that the majority of the antisocial behaviour appears to be from students as indicated on the Winton Forum website. It was also stated that the 'fabric of Winton is changing' with many families leaving Winton.

Brian Astin Dean of Student Experience and studentification gave a brief overview of the University. From 1992 there has been a raid expansion in numbers. This has now stopped, numbers have stabilised and demographics show that from 2010 numbers will start to drop. The present number of students is 16000 (1600 are distributed throughout the region).

The Government want 40% of the workforce to have a University degree.

The University currently runs the Unilet scheme but are keen to taking more control over private landlords in the future.

The University would like to have as many first years in purpose built accommodation as possible but obtaining sites and the permission is difficult. In purpose built accommodation it is easier to manage student's behaviour.

There are a number of projects and sites identified not only in Bournemouth but also Poole. Simon Adams from the Arts Institute stated they have 2,500 students. A new Halls of Residence has been built in Bournemouth housing 35 students. No future builds are planned in the foreseeable future. The Student Services Section looks at the housing in the area for the AI.

Councillor Stephen MacLoughlin was invited to speak. He reinforced the need to work as a Partnership in conjunction with the University and the Arts Institute, particularly regarding parking issues by looking at alternative modes of Transport, improving the traffic corridors and long term travel plans.

He acknowledged the need for dialogue between residents, the University and the Arts Institute. The Council have a Student Champion Winton East Councillor Paul Hughes who is looking to improve links between the University, Arts Institute and the residents.

PC Stuart Witt local Beat officer stated there has been a rise in antisocial behaviour reports, mainly consisting of noise from late night parties. PC Witt was asked what percentage of all antisocial behaviour is from students. These figures are unavailable.

A resident from Green road was concerned in the way students were being portrayed at the meeting. He has been a teacher for many years and was keen support the students living in the Community and the fact they bring vibrancy to the area.

Cllr Peter Charon portfolio holder for housing declared that he was a property developer and also in the past had himself been a student landlord with a number of properties let to students. Cllr Charon gave a brief overview of the problems in the past of housing students. Often there was inadequate property available and students ended up in bed and breakfast. This resulted in the Unilet scheme being set up by the University 5 years ago. Currently the students rent through either the Unilet scheme or from private landlords and pay on average £300 per month per person.

The floor was then opened for questions.

One resident felt that there have been changes in society over the last 20 years. Twenty years ago you were considered one of the 'elite' and went to university to get a good degree and worked hard. Now there is a strong alcohol culture.

One father of a student said that during induction week the freshers were taken in to the Town Centre to look at the drinking establishments. Anti social behaviour is considered to be 'High Spirits' rather than anti social behaviour.

Brian Astin stated that students are asked to sign up to rules and regulations. A very small number of students will have been removed from courses for poor behaviour.

Other antisocial behaviour instances were given by residents such as urinating up fences and garden walls, jousting with 'for sale' signs, knocking over garden walls, rudeness, noisy parties from surrounding properties, students trespassing in to another garden and then using the trampoline.

One man raised concerns over Waitrose car park as youths gather there. Also a number of garden walls have been knocked over in Cardigan road. PC Stuart Witt will increase patrols around this area. Concerns over the loss of family housing were raised.

Further support was voiced for students living in the area. A number of people enjoy their presence in the community as they bring youth and vitality to the area and also boost the local economy.

Councillor David Smith also a resident of Winton East gave examples of how he is constantly disturbed by shouting, talking and laughing when students are returning home. He felt that the University is not taking responsibility for their student's behaviour.
Cllr Smith would like to see the following;

1. For the University to know where their students are living both private rented accommodation and Unilet and ensure a good communication system is in place and that residents know what this is.
2. For the University to employ a warden particularly on a Friday and Saturday night and to take action if the student's do not behave.
3. Rubbish and litter if not being dealt with correctly by students to send someone round from University / AI to ask the students to get it cleaned up.
4. Look at the car parking issues.

A resident congratulated the Cleansing and Waste Department on the good job they always do when asked.

Matt from Lonsdale Rd was concerned that the Winter Gardens site which had plans for 200 student accommodations was now cancelled. He felt this was where students wanted to be in Town and that behaviour is more easily controlled in Purpose built accommodation.

Councillor MacLoughlin agreed with purpose built accommodation for students but that this particular site was not suitable for what was being proposed and was turned down on appropriate planning grounds such as height, scale, mass and viability of the site. It is unknown yet what will be on this site as this is still under review as part of the Town Centre Vision.

Brian Astin added that 2nd and 3rd year students do not want to live in Halls of Residence. Also that current student debts are approx £12000 by the time they leave and this looks to rise to £15 - £20,000 in the future.

Councillor Roger West would like to see a University Town. Students bring 'life to the Town Centre'. University Towns bring prestige to an area. He was concerned that environmental health officers are not available during nights and weekends when many of these difficulties arise.

Public relations also need to be improved to inform residents of what is happening within the University. Cllr West would like to see films that are made at the Arts and Media college available for viewing.

Keith from Moordown suffered with disturbance three times a week during term time until 3.30 am. He complained to the University but as the property was not a Unilet property, little was done. Keith found out that the landlord is one of the student's parents and contacted them.

The University has a Code of Conduct - one clause being 'there is a duty not to cause a nuisance' - but there is no Antisocial behaviour policy. Keith asked if there was a possibility of the Super wardens being involved in this. Cllr Dave Smith said there were concerns over lone working but working beyond 22.00 hrs may be considered.

The Chairman of Talbot Village Association has already been working with both the University and Arts Institute. He informed the audience that there is a lobby group 'University UK' The University has to accept responsibility for its students and adopt changes in the law. Talbot Village have already been given a point of contact for problems.

Steve from environmental Health was asked by the Chair if it was possible to introduce licensing of all HMO's in an area that has a problem identified such as antisocial behaviour.

This is possible - selective licensing for a selective area. Once identified the licensing scheme then goes up to Central Government for approval. There are resource and financial implications in introducing such a scheme. This may not eradicate the problem as you are then dealing with a landlord rather than an individual. Licensing would ensure safety of the building in terms of fire alarms etc.

Jayne Robertson commented that there is no legislation for dealing with absentee landlords.

Waste and Cleansing were asked to comment on fly tipping and rubbish. This is increasing throughout the Borough not only in Winton. Separate black bags will not be removed from premises as this is not current policy. Environmental compliance deal with this. For any street cleaning issues residents are asked to phone 451199.

Darren from Winton had the final word. Having experienced a number of disturbances over the recent months he has involved many people to try to sort the problem - Police who have been a great help and support, Richard Search accommodations officer at the University has been to visit problem properties, antisocial behaviour officer, environmental health, ward Councillors and the Chair of Winton Forum. Darren would like to see a less complicated approach to this with a centralised number. He is keen to be part of a resident's group to work on this.

The Chairman suggested that a group should be set up from residents, University and council representatives and that this group should report back to a further public meeting on Winton Forum in February.

Anson Westbrook thanked everyone for attending and closed the meeting at 9pm.