Agenda and draft minutes

Present: Cllr Ian Rathbone, Cllr Margaret Gordon, Cllr Deniz Oguzkanli, Peter Snow (Community Safety Officer), Nadine Tapping

Minutes Item National Grid

National Grid provided an update on the schedule of works. This is due to be completed in summer 2015.

National Grid say they are waiting for Hackney Council to get back with costs for removing the lay-by and railings.

Question asked to NG: Will there be a need to provide parking replacement in the future due to the works? Answer: Post 2022 North London Reinforcement Project will begin and liaison would happen when those plans are firmed up.

NG to look into screening of the power station and feedback. Though NG are limited as to what they are able to do for health and safety and operational reasons.

NG To come back on when they will hand over the land by the orchard that has been used for the road to Millfields Road. Only small vehicles will occasionally use the road between Hillstowe St and the power station once the head house has been finished later in 2015.

£37,000 a year is paid from NG to London Borough of Hackney Parks and Green Spaces department which is for Millfields Park use only.

A joint ward forum meeting with Hackney Downs Ward Forum is to take place on March 12 at BSIX College (tbc) at 7pm which will address some of the issues, including licensing, and anti-social behaviour. A noticve will go out in Hackney Today and the Council’s website

Next Ward Forum meeting – March 12 at venue tbc

Minutes Item: Issues with noise coming from the Round Chapel at 8am in the morning; local residents are very upset with the increasing levels of noise. Peter Snow Community Safety Enforcement Officer and Cllr Ian Rathbone will follow up with the new Director of the church.

Motor crime, burglary and drugs and Anti-social behaviour are high on the agenda.

Patrols will continue to take place in car and on foot with PCO’s on the street providing residents with crime prevention advice. Sgt Khan said five warrants have been served across the ward. There have been no residential burglaries since Christmas.

Lower Clapton Road has experienced increased levels of car theft and residents are reminded not to leave anything on display in vehicles.

There could be a potential bid to get the cameras back on local roads. Peter Snow reported that there is one ‘mobile’ CCTV camera for approximately 250 sites. The bids are based on crime statistics and therefore areas where there are more shops and more highly populated are likely to need the camera.

Residents are reminded that it is important to report crime to ensure there is enough resource in those areas and particularly when bidding for CCTV.

There are policies opposed to the use of ‘dummy’ cameras. Peter Snow explained the dangers of the public expecting them to record incidents.

Sgt Khan talked about setting up a Neighbourhood Watch where people will do more to look after their street.

Shomrim members are a great support to communities around the area and one representative was present at the meeting.

Sgt Khan will provide a direct number to individuals for contacting local police – this would be provided to the Neighbourhood Watch.. 

There is also a Clevelys Road residents association that could act as the Neighbourhood Watch for Gunton, Clevelys, and Casimir roads. Cllr Rathbone would ask them.

Following a discussion, Cllr Rathbone would also contact The Clapton Pond Neighbourhood Action Group.(CPNAG) with a view to them taking over the NW function and maybe Vicky Love look after it and join the CPNAG Committee.

Peter Snow raise the text base alerts direct to residents phones alerting them of any particular incidents are warnings.

The Police have found social media, in particular Twitter very useful in disseminating information. Twitter address for the police is @mpshackney and @mpsLeaBridgeSGT. Cllr Rathbone said there are various Facebook pages and twitter in the local area which can be used. Sgt Khan said he is concerned that communication between police and residents should improve. PC Atkinson said Twitter will play an increasingly important role.

Residents are reminded to call 101 for non emergency, or 999 and calls will get passed on to the neighbourhood police.

Tram Depot

Nothing to happen for the next one or two years and the design will be resubmitted to the planning committee. The space is being let out shortterm let-out for a year to 18 months.

Fake £20 notes are in circulation in Chatsworth Road area. Sgt Khan will check this out.

A resident reported anti-social behaviour including drinking and loud music from a PA System in and around Glenarm Road.

June – details later