Name of group Date and start time Location of meeting In Attendance

Nechells Neighbourhood Tasking Group 20 November 2012 at 1400 hours Highgate Fire Station, Moseley Road West Midlands Police Sgt Dave Bates in the Chair (DB) Inspector Paul Dutton (PD) West Midlands Fire Service Mark Clifton (MCl) Mark Crooke (MC) Friends of Sara Park John Street (JS) Free@Last Eddie Howard (EH) Highgate HLB Ayesha Choudhury (AC) Regents Park School Birmingham City Council Kay Thomas (KT) Gary Bullock (GB) Kalsoom Zubedah-Khan (KZ) Gary James (GJ) Alex Warsama (AW)

Apologies Agenda Item 1.

Val Woodward, Pamela Pinski, Margaret Morcom, Noran Flynn, Pat Whyte Action WELCOME & INTRODUCTIONS Introductions were made and the Chair welcomed all to the meeting.

2.

NOTES OF LAST MEETING MC referred to the last meeting at which he said that PD had stated that funding was available and had undertaken to finds ways of accessing resources for the Group. The notes of the previous meeting were agreed. Any issues arising from the notes would be picked up during the meeting.

3.

PARTNER UPDATES/ PERFORMANCE PD provided the following crime figures as requested from the last meeting; Ladywood East which included both Aston and Nechells Wards Total crime -20.9% 1152 fewer victims Robbery -31.2% 110 fewer victims Vehicle Crime -23.3% 234 fewer victims Burglary Dwelling -7% 16 fewer victims In response to concerns raised by MC PD said that the change to the police structure had created a period of settling in and performance had not been 100% but extra patrols had been put in place and arrests now made as a result in connection to a spike in burglaries in the Digbeth area.

Drug Offences The Chair said that possession offences usually came to light as a result of a stop and search or an arrest. The following figures were reported since the last meeting; Small Heath 3 offences of possession of cannabis Digbeth 10 cannabis offences & 3 class A drug offences Nechells 7 cannabis offences ___________________________________________________________ 4. NECHELLS a) Action Updates Boy Racers PD advised that that the road safety team, police and fire service had worked together on short and long term solutions and had agreed a 10 week pilot to restrict lanes on a Sunday night on the Parkway. This had been tried for the last two weeks and there had been no street racing as a result. A long term plan was currently under consideration. There had been publicity on local radio and television and information had been put on social media sites. There had been 200 court appearances so far with a further 200 to be processed. MC welcomed the action taken but commented on the cost. He added that Councillor Ali had been very concerned that the street racing could be displaced to the Boulton Road/ Small Heath Highway area and queried whether there were any plans in place to prevent the racers moving to an alternative area. PD confirmed that there were trigger plans in place for other areas across the West Midlands and that a long term solution was needed. The Chair said that the Small Heath Highway had speed cameras and there had been no complaints in relation to Boulton Road. MC suggested that Councillor Ali be contacted and was advised that the matter was on the agenda for the next Ward Committee meeting. Suspect Vehicle No further issues remove from the actions Crime Safety NF had advised that the all out day had been very successful and thanked the police for their contribution. The Fire Service had been unable to attend MCl to liaise with NF Smoke Alarms information provided remove from actions Church Lane Street Drinkers The Chair said that a number of street drinkers had been identified and warning letters issued. The shop had also been issued with a warning regarding sales. There had been no further issues. Remove from actions Nechells Parkway, children throwing stones at vehicles The Chair advised that individuals had been identified and joint warning letters issued. An anti social behaviour contract had been issued as the first step and no further problems had been reported.

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MC queried why more severe punishments were not issued as their actions could have caused injury or death. The Chair said that it was dependant on age, seriousness of the incident, previous criminal record and every attempt was made to try not to criminalise young people but to divert them away from further trouble. The punishment was proportionate to the crime. JS expressed his disappointment that he had not been contacted regarding diversionary activities, especially as letters had been issued and said that he could have assisted the police. The Chair said that he would speak to Sgt Khan to link with JS. KZ said that the youth worker for the Nechells area would attend future meetings. As background it was advised that the Youth Service budget had been cut over the past three years and had been remodelled to a hub and spoke model, with provision from the Lighthouse and Nechells and Aston detached. There was youth provision on Wednesday and Friday evenings from 6-9pm at Nechells, on Monday & Thursday evenings from Aston and from Monday to Friday at the Lighthouse. It was acknowledged that it was not an ideal service. Further detail could be provided at the next meeting regarding the numbers of young people attending etc. EH referred to the closure of St Martins Youth Club and that there would be no provision in Highgate. KZK said that Stanhope Hall was open two evenings a week. The Senior Youth Worker in Highgate was looking at raising income to support St Martins. EH advised that the building used by St Martins was owned by the Church and suggested that the management team be consulted regarding assistance to keep the Centre open. KZK undertook to take the details at the conclusion of the meeting and make arrangements for contact with the church. MC referred to the difficulties that groups had in hiring Council owned buildings and suggested that consideration be given to assisting, therefore generating income and providing community activities. The Chair said that departments would be looking at generating income and requested that a presentation be made to the next meeting by the Youth Service to show where facilities were and where the young people were located. JS referred to the statistics that demonstrated the link between a rise in youth crime associated to a reduction in service provision and said that those figures in relation to Nechells might assist with a request for additional services. The Chair undertook to provide that information to the next meeting. b) New Issues Robberies Heartlands School The Chair said that NF had advised that 2 pupils from Heartlands Academy had been mugged and their phones stolen. PD said it had been a one off incident and AK had met with the Head Teacher. AK to provide an update. 5. SMALL HEATH a) Action Updates

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Environmental Issues GJ said that arrangements had been made for another bag search of rubbish dumped on the Coventry Road and that information would be obtained from Fleet and Waste Management so that action could be taken. With regard to rubbish dumping around Regent Park School and Sara Park this was being monitored. MC said that the rubbish being dumped on the Coventry Road was from businesses. He felt that there was a communications issue between departments as sites were being missed, black bags left and there were numerous hot spot dumping grounds. Services were not being organised properly and the area was suffering. GJ said that he shared some of the concerns expressed as the EHOs needed information regarding when black bags were put out, collections etc. He said that any specific concerns could be emailed to him or RD. Parking Issues/ Al- Hijrah The Chair advised that teachers from the school were patrolling outside and the police were also attending morning and afternoon to undertake enforcement. It was noted however that the number of children attending the school, the lack of parking and the numbers of residential properties around the school made the situation difficult. The school in conjunction with the police would continue to emphasise to parents the dangers of parking on zig zag markings, the pavements etc. AC said that parking tickets had been issued to motorists around Regent Park School and that this eased the situation for a few days but then the problem re-occurred. She added that they were patrolling outside the school and trying to get the message across to parents. MC said that the schools and police had done everything possible and that a long lasting, effective solution was required before a fatality occurred. He queried whether there were any resources available from the police to pay for a permanent patrol. PD said that he had a finite amount of resources and therefore parking would have to be self policing through the schools and parents. The majority of schools had a similar problem and therefore parents had to be educated to park responsibly. It was agreed that the issue be removed from the actions but that the situation continue to be monitored. Pritchett Tower The Chair reported ongoing issues. The police had been patrolling the block but the youths causing asb issues had not yet been identified. There were still issues with the camera and AM would be updating MC next week. The matter continued to be pursued. MC said that there had been a residents meeting and incidents had been reported but were being missed as the camera was not operational. AM had been updating on the situation but the matter was taking too long to resolve. The camera had not been working

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for 10 months and would have assisted residents, housing and the police with the anti social behaviour that had been occurring in the block. MC said he would be taking up the issue with the Service Integration Head. The Chair said he had done everything possible and shared residents frustration. MC reported that asb/ vandalism was still occurring and those tenants that had been evicted had returned to the block, residing with other tenants. An urgent resolution was required. AW explained that he was the new Local Housing Manager for Nechells and as a result of the restructuring of the department he was now responsible for all housing management issues, including anti social behaviour and undertook to attend future meetings. With regard to Pritchett Tower he acknowledged that there had been serious problems but positive action had been taken through legal proceedings over the past three months. Evidence was however required to pursue matters through court and therefore residents needed to provide information. AW said that a great deal of time and effort had been invested in Pritchett Tower with the police and he offered an assurance that action was being taken. b) New Issues Group of Youths, Bordesley Green Criminal Damage The Chair said that a group of youths had been reported committing criminal damage throwing bricks at buses, the sorting office, premise windows and slashing car tyres. He would be meeting with the Bordesley Green team and undertaking operations with Safer Travel to identify the culprits. DB to update at the next meeting. Sandfields Avenue Garage Site The Chair said that police had patrolled the area and had done a letter drop to properties in the vicinity but nothing had so far been found with respect to the complaints of drug dealing. The neighbourhood team would speak to local residents. Boulton Road Shop No further complaints had been received. A police surgery would be held at the Banqueting Suite when further enquiries could be made. Mosque Festival Day DB reported that the event had been cancelled and an alternative venue used. Talfourd Street, Cosmos Club The Chair said that drugs had been recovered during operations and since then the Club had very few customers. EHO had visited re the kitchens, which were not yet open and requirements to open as a shesha lounge. There was a residents meeting in the week so a further update would be provided at the next meeting.

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6. a)

DIGBETH/ HIGHGATE Action Updates Horton Square The Chair said there had been no more complaints but further information was awaited from the school to see if any additional problems had been identified. EH said that the school children had been creating the initial problems but these had now subsided. The main issue was the betting shop and associated drug activity. Cars also parked indiscriminately causing difficulties and drug dealing also occurred from parked vehicles. Shops were also selling alcohol without proof of age. The Chair said that work had been undertaken in relation to the betting shop but that might need refreshing. AW said that the asb team had also been involved. The Chair undertook to arrange for the neighbourhood team to patrol the Square, especially with a view to the drugs issues. GB said that there had been an issue with the parking enforcement officers being assaulted in Horton Square but enforcement action had been and would continue to be taken. A joint operation between police, environmental health & parking enforcement was suggested. Bradford Street, Speeding no further complaints received. Remove from actions. Shawbury Grove The Chair said that an operation had taken place in that area in connection with gangs and asb. Arrests had been made and a 10 month sentence given. Work was continuing through the gangs team and BSP with a view to civil injunctions etc. DB to update at the next meeting.

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b) New Issues Hanwood House, Hostel EH said that residents had complained about the behaviour of residents of the hostel who congregated in Horton Square, drinking and causing asb. There was concern regarding the management of the hostel. DB undertook to request the neighbourhood team to speak to the hostel manager and to examine the crime logs to see if there was a link to the hostel. Update to next meeting. Mugging Gooch Street EH asked if there was an update regarding the pensioner who had been mugged. The Chair said that patrols had increased and it was a priority for the area. He undertook to get an update for the next meeting. 7. COMMUNITY PRIORITES The following priorities were agreed; Boy Racers (Nechells) Bordesley Green Gang ( Small Heath) Betting Shop, Horton Square, drug activity (Highgate)

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8.

OTHER URGENT BUSINESS a) Green Lane Road Works MC said there had been no consultation with residents regarding works in Green Lane and Arthur Street and lighting had been off for 4 hours. The Chair suggested that this was a matter to be raised at the Ward Committee. b) Tasking Group Public Meeting reminder that this was being held on 5 December at Safeside, Vauxhall Road. MC said that funding was required for this event to provide refreshments etc or activity to encourage people to attend and that it was unacceptable that it was expected for the meeting to be arranged without proper resources. The Chair said that tea/coffee would be provided but wider funding was simply unavailable. An application would be made to Community First for the next public meeting. He added that leaflet drops were being made and would be more widely distributed than previously. PD said that it was an important meeting for residents of Nechells so they should be encouraged to attend.

9.

Date of Next Meeting It was agreed to hold the next meeting on 15 January 2013 at 2pm. Venue to be confirmed.

Meeting ended 3.45pm