Highlights from Westbury Forum, 7 January 2020
1. Present and Apologies:
The Meeting was attended by approximately 28 residents, plus PCSOs Rob Cole, Kelly Foyle, and Cherie Broadfield, together with two of our local councillors – Geoff Gollop and Steve Smith, while Liz Radford sent her apologies that she would be unable to attend on this occasion. Below is a brief résumé of the main points raised during the Meeting, including relevant external links:
2. Police Update: Kelly and Rob are the area PCSOs, while Cherie is currently in training. Rob can be contacted by email at robert.cole@avonandsomerset.police.uk or by phone on 07889 656840
Rob went through the crime statistics for the last three months. Compared to the previous quarter, the number of incidents or Arson and Criminal Damage had dropped from 26 to 14, while Burglaries had risen from 26 to 38, Public Order offences had risen from 14 to 23, Vehicle offences from 19 to 39 and Violence Against the Person from 35 to 52. Rob explained that the majority of “Violence” offences were domestic incidents. A number of the thefts were from shop premises, some from garden sheds and other buildings, including two bicycles, and some involving the theft of lead from church or school roofs and one theft of scaffolding. Thefts from vehicles are classified as Vehicle Offences.
If you want to check whether a vehicle is taxed and has a valid MOT, you can type its registration details into the DVLA website: https://vehicleenquiry.service.gov.uk Insurance is a different issue, as the police would have to see the vehicle being driven and then check the driver’s insurance details.
As was discussed at the last Forum, there are an increasing number of attempts to defraud people either online or by telephone. If you would like a leaflet giving advice on how to avoid being taken in, please contact Rob by email or phone, using the details above. Rob is finding out whether an audio version of the leaflet is available; if not, we will try and produce a copy in this format. One type of scam which is becoming more frequent in the area is where someone telephones, pretending to be part of the fraud team of the local police or of your bank, and asks you to withdraw a sum from your account so that they can “monitor” the transaction. They then arrange to collect the money from you for “forensic checking”… If you get such a call, the advice is to hang up, wait five or ten minutes (to make sure the caller has disconnected) and then ring your bank using the number on your bank card, statement or other document. Rob is planning to have a talk locally on how to spot and avoid scams in the near future, and we will post details once they are finalised.
A number of people are going door to door, selling items as part of a notional “rehabilitation” scheme. While they may show you a document, this is not a vendors licence – which would have to be issued by the police and signed by the Chief Constable. While members of the public may buy items from these people, the quality is likely to be poor. Given the large number of calls the 101 number received the last time these people turned up, Rob now asks that we only ring if you are worried that the person may become aggressive, in which case you should dial 999.
The final issue was that of people leaving their engines running while stationary in and around Westbury. Traffic wardens monitor the situation and, if a car is stationary with the engine running for 20 minutes, they can issue a fixed penalty notice; however, it is not within the police remit. It is recognised that most of the cars only stay for a few minutes and are therefore would not be issued with a notice.
The issue of increased thefts from shops was raised and Rob was asked what actions were proposed to combat the problem. He commented that some of the shops have introduced security guards, but they have limited powers – interestingly, while a member of the public can make a “citizen’s arrest”, it appears that someone in a security uniform cannot. The police have given the shops advice, eg avoiding having small items near the door, but there is a limited amount that can be done. Items have also been taken, such a purses from trolleys.
A recent theft from the Village Hall garage involved the removal of security bolts, suggesting it was not a casual opportunist theft. Rob recommended looking at a website https://www.securedbydesign.com which gives advice on security devices such as cctv systems, alarms, etc.
One member of the forum shared an incident where she was asked for directions when getting into her car, put her handbag on the car seat while responding and subsequently found that her credit cards had been stolen.
3. Update from the Councillors
CIL/S106 Funding
Steve Smith gave a brief reminder of the role of CIL (community infrastructure levy) and S106 (Section 106) money – obtained from developments in each area. These two sources of funding, totalled £140,000 for the current year and a number of projects were proposed for each of the nine wards in our region. Out of this pot, Steve was able to announce that £40,000 has been allocated to provide a zebra crossing / central refuge on Canford Lane – an issue which has been raised by Graham Donald and may others for a number of years.
At the same meeting, Steve discovered that the A4018 proposals also include a lights-controlled crossing for Canford Lane near the Crematorium. Finally, Steve pointed out that, if a new planning application on Canford Lane were to be approved, one of the conditions would be that the developer paid for a zebra crossing / central refuge… It is therefore possible that we might end up with three crossings, and we definitely should get at least one!
Elsewhere in the ward, funding was allocated to a proposal to improve safety on two zebra crossings on Henleaze High Street through the provision of halo lights.
Local Trees
A small amount of CIL money has been allocated for planting trees in the area, although where this will happen is unknown at this point. Stephanie French gave some more details of S106 tree planting, which is paid from funds required to be paid by developers for replacement of trees which they plan to remove or have already removed. This year’s money should provide trees in Stoke Road and Stoke Lane and next financial year should provide for at least another two trees.
An issue was raised about a tree on Coombe Lane which, while healthy, was leaning over and causing difficulty for pedestrians, particularly those with limited vision. This issue had been reported to the Council, and Steve promised to follow it up with the relevant department. He has since been informed that the tree is now scheduled for removal and replacement.
Traffic Consultation
Nothing has been progressed as yet on proposals for Westbury, changes to the Hillsdon Road -Southdown Road “rat run” etc. When Steve asked the Council Officers concerned, it appears that they felt the issue was controversial and should be left until after the May elections! When informed that the idea of a meeting was not controversial, they then said they would look to arrange something “in the New Year”, so Councillors will keep pushing and we will let everyone know as soon as something is decided – hopefully before the elections take over everything.
Clean Air Consultation
Geoff Gollop summarised the effect of the proposals on those people with diesel-powered vehicles: banned from the central zone, and charged £9 per day for entering the outer zone; commercial vehicles will have to pay £100 per day. The First bus company has stated that all their vehicles will be compliant by the implementation date, but Councillors are concerned that other bus and coach companies – perhaps providing transport for school trips - may not be compliant and may face a £100 charge or a lengthy detour to avoid the Zone.
It appears that while models have been produced to estimate the environmental impact on areas within the Zone, no modelling has been done of the likely impact on outlying areas, nor of the environmental impact of the housing developments or construction of the Arena on North-West Bristol.
In response to a question from the floor, Geoff confirmed that zero-emission diesels will not be exempt from the ban/charges, while all petrol vehicles will be exempt. Also, when questions have been raised about people using their vehicles to take people to, say the BRI, possibly as an emergency admission, all council officers have said is “these will be considered”
Many businesses use small vans for collections and deliveries, involving travel into or through central Bristol. However, these will be subject to the ban from the Central Zone and charging for the Outer Zone.
Implementation of the scheme, including signage, number-plate recognition, computer systems, etc. will cost £140 million, most of which will be provided by central government. The Secretary of State has stated that the scheme should be approved by the Government by the end of March this year, and be implemented by the end of March next year. Whether anyone thinks this timescale is actually feasible remains to be seen…
Parking Situation in and around Parry’s Lane
Liz has been dealing with all the groups involved for five years, and is now finally able to report that the parking restriction scheme for Parry’s Lane cycle lane and Elmlea Avenue / Rylestone Grove is now with the Council’s legal team to process the Traffic Regulation Order, with hopeful implementation somewhere between April and June. She is asking for it to be implemented before the students return at the end of the Easter holiday, as this is when the worst of the parking issues occur.
4 Westbury Library Group
As mentioned at the last meeting, the Library Service has offered £1,000 to each Library area to enable the development of a “Friends” group and to support any initiatives they may undertake. To satisfy the Council requirements, the Library Group now has a committee, a written constitution and a bank account! Hopefully this will enable us to obtain funding to support activities such as the monthly (free) Coffee Morning (third Saturday of each month – come along for a hot or cold drink, a piece of cake and a chat – on January 18th and February 15th ).
Thanks to the sterling efforts of volunteers from the Group, supported and advised by members of SusWot, the Library Community Garden has now completed its first stage, with a patch of ground cleared of stones, rubble and tree roots and a crop of broad beans planted at the end of November. The mild winter so far has meant that the plants are already several inches tall! These should crop in May / June, enabling a second planting for the summer/autumn…
The Library Service has also offered £3,000 per library for any community organisations, voluntary groups or individuals, to implement a project which will improve how libraries and communities work together, the library buildings and/or how library services are run. Through WoTSoc, the Westbury on Trym Society, the Group put forward a bid to purchase a number of folding chairs, together with a secure outside storage unit, so that the library would have sufficient seating to accommodate community meetings such as this Forum. We should know the outcome by mid-February…
The budget proposals for the coming financial year have no reinstatement of the cuts to the Library Service which were proposed for last year and then reversed by the Mayor last June. As such, there are no major changes planned at this time – but we will keep checking, particularly after the Council / Mayoral elections!
The library has made changes to furniture and installed additional blinds to improve the environment, but concerns were raised about the non-operation of the fans, creating a very stuffy atmosphere at times during extended access, when the doors are closed.
5. Forum Website
Stephanie French was unable to attend the forum but sent details of various developments. S106 money should see some trees planted in Stoke Lane and Stoke Grove during the coming winter season. Over recent years we have noticed a trend for developers and householders to avoid tree planting in mitigation for tree loss by splitting planning applications to “hide” or “disguise” the association.
The new Forum website www.westburyforum.org is up and running, but still in its early stages of development. We also have a new email address westburyforum@gmail.com Malcolm reminded members that he would welcome suggested improvements and extensions, including details of organisations that could be added to the site, events that could be publicised, etc.
6. A O B
There was some discussion as to the role of the Mayor vis-à-vis the Council. Steve reminded everyone that there would be a Mayoral election in April of this year, and that there would be the opportunity for a referendum on whether to continue with the post of an elected Mayor in 2022. The decision to hold a referendum can be triggered by a council vote or by the collection of enough signatures – believed to be 10% of eligible voters. The referendum will purely be whether to have an elected Mayor, not on whether to restrict the Mayor’s powers.
Concern has been raised over ownership of a grassy footpath which runs behind the houses on Reedley Road towards the allotment, as the parking of a van there is causing damage to the surface. Steve offered to investigate, but both he and Geoff explained that it was quite possible that no records of ownership exist at the Land Registry. In that case, although “No Parking” signs could be erected, there would be no way of enforcing them.
The current situation at the Post Office was discussed, with the majority of the audience feeling that the staff are now more helpful and responsive. While there are often substantial queues, this can also be seen as a sign of how much the Post Office is used.
Someone commented on notices saying that the warning sirens for Avonmouth are tested at 3:00pm on Thursdays. The question was asked as to what these were warning about and what to do if they sound at other another time – the response was that they are used to warn of air pollution problems, that Westbury is probably outside the affected area, but that the advice would be to stay indoors and close all windows and doors.
Work is continuing on the redevelopment of the recycling centre at Avonmouth. The original notices stated that work would be completed by end of January but there have been no further announcements. Geoff confirmed that councillors had no more information than the general public at this stage.
Geoff has been chasing up the department responsible for clearing blocked drains and he asked that people notify him of any drains that are causing problems. Some people have had very prompt responses from using the “Fix My Street” application, but this can be a bit “hit or miss”. The suggestion is that the issue is initially raised via the website and then details are passed on to Geoff or Steve if there is no action taken to remedy the situation.
Alex Dunn of Sustainable Westbury (SusWoT) explained that the group organised a litter collection around the village which collected about 140 sacks of rubbish; they are considering a similar operation for this year, but Alex suggested that organising small groups which would each take responsibility for their own locality might be more effective. If you would be interested in joining such a scheme, you can contact Alex on suswot2050@gmail.com
Alan Aburrow referred to the ongoing, now finalised, parking review for the Westbury area. Having spoken to the relevant department, he has been assured that its implementation is imminent. Geoff referred to the Westbury Park parking review where implementation had apparently been delayed because of problems with the company that paints the lines on the road! – he has been assured that this has now been resolved and this review too would be implemented imminently…
Alan has produced a booklet on the history of Holmwood Estate, available from Westbury Inks or direct from Alan at alanaburrow99@gmail.com
7. Date of Next Meeting
This was confirmed as Tuesday April 7th, at Coombe Dingle Sports Complex, Coombe Lane, BS9 2BJ, commencing at 7.00pm.