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Meetings
Winton Forum Meeting - Thursday 7th May at Winton
YMCA, Jameson Road
Anson Westbrook, the chair of Winton Forum, opened
the meeting. Welcomes extended to Dr. Brain Aston (university),
Nick Watson (BBC environmental Health), Jayne Robertson (BBC -
ASB team), Matthew King (BBC - Bournemouth Borough Council), Police
and Ward councillors Nigel Cowely and Paul Hughes.
Feedback from meeting held on the 30th April
between Forum, University, Council, Students Union and Police
Forum agreed to initiate meeting bringing together
the University, BBC, and the police to work together to look at
issues and bring forward actions.
Matt King mentioned since Nov 2008, meetings have
taken place to look at noise pollution, i.e. students coming back
from clubs, and noise in student properties. Actions have been
taken to reduce these complaints.
Students from the university have taken part in
positive projects, for example leaflets have been designed and
recently the University held an evening meeting looking at respecting
the neighbourhood, waste and recycling issues. Currently there
are 17000 plus Uni students in Bournemouth, the bad behaviour
is only from a minority of these, which then influence people's
perception of the students impact on the town often as a negative.
The University has made progress with positive actions, for example
the response system to complaints is working better, and Richard
Search from the university responds the next day. If it is really
bad Environmental health get involved.
The students union has been involved this year and
although officers change every year, they are keen to continue
the approach to tackling these issues and will keep this on the
agenda each year.
Nick Watson mentioned there have been 69 complaints
of noise since Sept 2008, most of them have been one off events.
Many are noise in the street, which environmental health cannot
do anything about. Of the 69 complaints, all of these have been
dealt with by one letter only and none have needed a second letter
or the monitoring of sound levels by equipment. Of the 68 complaints,
38 were received between Sept and Christmas, 25 from Jan to the
beginning of March and 5 post march.
Jayne Robinson from ASB fed back that their teams
input has been the design and distribution of a student pack,
which is delivered to every student and neighbouring residence
to a student property in Bournemouth. The ASB team can only get
involved when there is a pattern of behaviour, and not a one off
incident. No ASBO's have been issued to students.
Police have been involved by visiting residents
where reports of excessive noise have been phoned in. Police feel
that the number of noise complaints have dropped away, and on
visiting student's properties, the students are usually very apologetic
that they have been causing a disturbance
Residents felt there was an overall general reduction
in noise.
It was also mentioned that it is not always students causing ASB,
but sometimes the local residents of Winton.
Future actions to be taken:
- The student guide will be updated and refreshed
- The University are also looking at developing a student friendly
information pack
- The Forum and University are looking at developing an accreditation
scheme for letting agents and local landlords. Allot of students
coming to Bournemouth rush to get accommodation, and therefore
do not necessarily ensure it is up to standard. An accreditation
scheme would also help to ensure this was the case. Danny from
Tailor Made properties gave a very positive response to the
accreditation scheme
- The possibility of a late night shift by the university, where
staffing would come out to disputes immediately is underway.
Councillor David Smith is also helping to initiate this and
will be trialled this summer implemented in the autumn term
- first of its kind in the country. Nick will be working along
side the university to see this roll out.
- Heidi from the Arts institute, has been working with Environmental
Health, and is making it clear to students that if repeated
reports of sound disturbances occur, then there are grounds
for disciplinary action to be taken
- Action re: signs: Sean Burke from planning has taken action
on the signs promoting festivals and also the to-let and rent
boards in Winton and these will be coming down in the next week.
Other issues raised:
Fampoux Gardens - A meeting was recently
held Re: Fampoux gardens in the 5 ways pub, 29 residents attended.
The Winton Forum was proactive in getting Fampoux gardens removed
from the list that the council had for redevelopment of underused
green spaces in Bournemouth
Update of actions from Douglas Spencer:
- Meeting with Eddie Barker form Parks re; initial work to vegetation
- Grant forms received from Lucy Shattock, for different sources
of funding, i.e. Environmental grant
- Another meeting is planned to form a working party
- PCSO Garry will be looking into the possibility of a Neighbourhood
Watch meeting.
Section 30 currently in town centre - meaning
that there is a zero tolerance to ASB. This means that more homeless
people are moving into the areas of Boscombe, Charminster and
Winton. Ensure feedback to police if any issues raised or concerns
so police can deal with it appropriately and take action where
necessary
Winton Carnival - taking place the 27th June
- 12 noon to 9pm. Family fun day. Get in entry forms in ASAP for
stall's and parade.
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