Meetings

Winton Forum Public Meeting (YMCA Main Hall)19th November 2008 7.15pm - 9.00pm

Notes of meeting.

Present: Anson Westbrook, Chair
Cllr. John Beesley, Deputy Leader of Bournemouth Borough Council
Cllr. David Smith, Cabinet member for Communities
Cllr. Nigel Cowley, Winton East
Cllr. Paul Hughes, Winton East
Cllr. Michael Griffiths, Student Champion
PC Stuart Witt, Winton Safer Neighbourhood Team
Steve Day, Senior Technical Officer, Environmental Health
Matthew King, Private Sector Housing Officer, Environmental Health
Adelaide Allen, Vice President Communications, Student Union, Bournemouth
University
Richard Search, Accommodation Manager, Bournemouth University
Alan Dove, Student Union Manager, Bournemouth University
Amanda Williams, Winton Carnival

Matthew King advised the meeting what action had been taken since the last meeting on 'studentification'. A Student Guide had been produced and had been sent to known neighbours of student accommodation together with a letter suggesting they may like to introduce themselves to build relations. Various Council Officers attended the Freshers Fayre to promote guide and expected behaviour. The Out of Hours telephone was staffed 24 hours Tel. 451145. Pauline Harmen, Arts Institute and Richard Search, Bournemouth University are working together with the council and looking to follow up complaints with students. Work is being undertaken to identify unlicensed Houses of Multiple Occupation (HMOs) starting with Osborne, Stanfield & Frederica Roads. Calls to the police are logged together with calls to the council.

Several residents raised issues and concerns regarding whether restrictions could be placed on number of cars from HMOs as planning permission had been refused on a conversion into two flats due to lack of adequate parking places but HMOs can have upto 7 cars. With regard to obstruction residents can email a photo to chair@wintonforum.co.uk who will report on their behalf. One lady advised of having to use the road with mobility scooter due to bins left on pavement.

One resident had recently rang the Out of Hours number and commented on 'fantastic job'. The officer and police attended at 4am and dealt with the issue.

Many residents had not received a copy of the Guide.

The Dorset Fire & Rescue contact had been omitted from the Guide.

Adelaide Allen advised the meeting that the Students Union were there to listen to residents concerns and take back to the student body to raise awareness and work to address the issues.

Richard Search advised that there was now a galvanised response to the issues and that there would be continued improvement over time. The issues are with a minority of their students and many are actively involved in the local area through volunteering, RAG week and the carnival. It is estimated that there are 5,500 students renting in the private sector of which, perhaps, 2 - 3,000 lived in Winton. There is no anticipated growth over the next few years.

The University has a Green Travel Plan, students are discouraged from bringing cars, the bus service is heavily subsidised and permits are only available for students living more than 7 miles away.

Residents comments included:
All students should attend seminar before taking up digs to include citizenship, etc and sign an agreement.
The Out of Hours number should be widely promoted.
Bournemouth University should have a 24 hour response.
Parents are the guarantors they should be brought in.
Landlords should take more responsibility.
The Universities should undertake a robust register (as promised last year).
Best practice should be taken from other University towns.
[Action: Anson to clarify / inform re landlords contribution through council tax, etc.]

PC Stuart Witt advised the meeting that if Response are unable to attend at night then Stuart will deal with the next day. He regularly visits students as a follow up. Offensive loud music i.e. swear words can be dealt with by the police. All anti social behaviour is dealt with including that of students. The mobile number for the Winton Safer Neighbourhood Team is 07917557133.

Cllr John Beesley acknowledged that this was a long standing problem but a lot of people in attendance were working together to address the issues. The Students Union had an important part to play. He felt that the key elements to moving forward were 1) Introduction/Induction for students 2) Register of students accommodation 3) Accountability of all partners / agencies and 4) That services within the Guide were available at night and at weekend. With an effective partnership results were achievable.

The council are encouraging developers to come forward to take up 'office use' land for student accommodation (Lansdowne area). The council has limited power to stop roads being taken over by student accommodation. The Bournemouth Local Plan may be able to address in the future.

Residents suggested that every landlord should pay full council tax and that students with poor asb records should have punitive measures within the university. The issue of the small bin being inadequate for 5 or 6 people in a house was also raised.
With regards to residential parking this is an extremely costly scheme to implement and police adequately and, therefore, little point if unworkable / unrealistic.

Estate agents boards are still an issue. With regard to the size of the board report it and enforcement can investigate.
Amanda advised that the SU only have 60 minutes to chat with students with regard to a wide range of issues.

Amanda Williams promoted this years Winton Carnival on 27th June 2009. She encouraged everyone to get involved: sponsors, volunteers and stall holders.