OLD COLWYN EAST RESIDENTS ASSOCIATION
The Association Annual Report 2003~2004
Annual Report of the Committee
Inaugural Meeting June 2003
Councillor Brian Cossey started us off financially with a donation of £100
Pc Clive Davies spoke to us and said that as Old Colwyn has been relatively crime free for years compared with other areas, there was possibly a perception, at that time that the crime and disorder situation was bad, whereas it was in police terms relatively quiet. (This is a theme which has been reiterated several times in twelve months. Everything is relative and our perception has consistently been that it is anything but quiet at certain times).
The drug needle exchange at Rowlands Chemist was brought to our attention. As a result of a letter from our association, it was withdrawn within a month. Drug users had indicated to police, that the exchange was the reason for moving here to Old Colwyn. We have been criticised since on public health grounds. I have been told that we should integrate drug addicts into the community. I believe that other people should look to themselves for blame.
July 2003
A Talk on Local Policing Matters by Inspector Ken Jones , Colwyn Bay.
We were informed that two aggressive beggars had been made subject of ASBOs.
Traffic calming in Wynnstay Road was required . The Council was approached and was very helpful. It has since marked the road with two ARAF / SLOW signs in each direction to raise awareness.
Members were concerned about drug issues on the streets . They were encouraged to report matters to the police. The police say they are building a big picture and car numbers, names, times, addresses are all valuable. This has been a constant theme throughout the 12 months and drug problems still continue to be a source of nuisance.
Public rubbish bins were not being emptied regularly Wynne Ave - this issue was cured up after a month.
A resident had been concerned about recurring graffiti on Beach Road and the cycle track. It was reported that enquiries had been made with the Council to get the graffiti removed. This was cleaned just before Christmas, ruined again by graffiti and had to be re-done. It was later finished by March.
A resident was concerned about dangerous fencing in Cliff Road. This was ordered by the Council and replaced by September.
A meeting was held with the Manager of Kwiksave regarding shoplifting of drink from Kwiksave and anti social behaviour by groups of people at times outside. It was a productive meeting which raised several helpful issues.
Councillor Cossey and Councillor Cowans had taken the issue of a restriction on alcohol consumption in Cefn Road (a cause of disorder) to the Legal Department at the Council. This started a debate with Philip Rafferty (Licensing Officer) on the matter of designation which is coming to fruition soon. Our thoughts on areas to be designated will be considered by the police and council, when they make their decisions.
The issue of a radio scheme to help the CCTV coverage started being considered by the committee, fully supported by the Council. This has been actively pursued by the Committee under the guidance of Mark Chatham, radio tests have been conducted and much support received from businesses. Councillor David Cowans has given funding for the scheme. We are making progress now. We work in conjunction with the CCTV manager Glyn Rowlands.
It was proposed that the association write a letter to the Chief Constable to protest about the apparent shortcomings with local policing apparently caused by his policies. This letter was sent and after five weeks, the Chief Constable sent a letter which did not answer our questions and dodged issues.
August 2003
Arriva were using Wynn Avenue instead of Cefn Road –it was a legal use due to parking problems, the issue was expected to be finalised in September with the new layout of Cefn Road. This subject is very nearly finalised now, waiting only for the bus stop to be painted.
The Regular Use of Wynn Gardens as a toilet area for dogs was a problem. A council warden following contact from us, had kept observations and overt patrols. These will continue. A letter was sent to council asking for dog bins for the park, this was approved and provided.
A talk was given on the cabinet system of local government by Councillor Brian Cossey.
September 2003
Chief Superintendent Julian Sandham was the speaker with Inspector Ken Jones,
The secretary read a letter sent to the CCTV Manager and the reply . He had attended the CCTV control as invited and was impressed by the professionalism shown there. A log is kept of all incidents witnessed by the team and that will be made available for the community beat manager to read, together with the CCTV compilation tape.
October 2003
Reports were heard of a large amount of renovation work being carried out by the Probation Services at the Church House, Cliff Road. This followed on from a previous scheme to import young offenders for training, that was fought off by local councillors.
A letter was written to the Probation services and as a result, after meeting them at the November meeting, we had the effect of halting their apparent intent with Shore FM to bring young offenders into the village on a regular basis for training.
Mr Chris Drew, an Independent member of the Police Authority addressed the meeting.
November 2003
The meeting was informed of a £200 grant to our funds from the North Wales Housing Association.
December 2003
It was decided that the secretary write to the Council about the general issues outlined by a member who felt that the general appearance of Old Colwyn left a lot to be desired. A litter bin in Wynn Avenue was broken. Another resident spoke of the zig zag path from Cliff Gardens down to Wynnstay Road which was grooved by erosion.
This was replied to positively by the council and the issues are completed or actively being pursued.
January 2004
Councillor Cowans donated £200 to the Association
Antisocial behaviour by groups of persons in the village was a problem. There was a significant level of disruption in the village from large groups of young people gathering together and moving around the village in large groups which are intimidating to residents. Their actions included graffiti and damage, including jumping into hedges to break them.
Presentation by Mr Phil Rafferty, Chief Licensing Officer, Conwy County
Council.
February 2004
Antisocial behaviour and drinking in public, by large groups of young persons in the village continued as a problem. They apparently obtain large amounts of drink via others and by shoplifting evidenced by the numbers and types of bottles recovered after their binge sessions. Members were asked to continue to ring the police when they see unacceptable behaviour.
The Police “Ring Around” scheme forms had been distributed but there had been a low take-up and a low amount of calls, one per month on average. There have been a number of significant incidents recently which should have been circulated but were not. Paint stripper poured on cars in Berthes Road last week being one. We have been told of a reorganisation in the scheme but there has been no apparent change. When we are encouraged to take part in something, it raises expectations.
The level of drug related crime continued to be a problem. Despite a lot of information being passed to the police about drug related issues in Old Colwyn, it continued unabated. The Chair commented that there had been a lot of debate in the media related to Mr Brunstrom’s views on the legalisation of drugs to make them available to buy over the counter. The committee took the view that it should enter the debate and wrote a letter to the media. This was printed in the Daily Post.
March 2004
Talk by Laura Garnett of the MASE project
Councillor Bob Squire arranged a meeting on our behalf with Gareth Thomas MP. A file was handed to Mr Gareth Thomas, MP by the Committee criticising some of the decisions of the Chief Constable which bring his credibility into question. Cllr Squire has been helpful in liaison with the MP and is thanked. Gareth Thomas sent it to the Police authority initially. After over a month had elapsed, we received a very poor written answer from the Police Authority. The MP has written to the Authority about their poor reply and our report has now been sent to the Home Office.
Parking was problem on the corner of Station Road and Cefn Road often completely excluding a view down Station Road from Cefn Road. This is a very dangerous issue. There is a single yellow line there, apparently is not enforced. Constables are now aware and will deal with incidents on merit.
April 2004
The Community Beat Manager , Constable Vicky Roscoe made her quarterly attendance at our meeting.
May 2004
A wooden shed at the side of the Old Church House in Cliff Road had been set on fire this was and remains a worrying development, all residents were warned to be aware that if they see young people in areas where there is a particular fire hazard, to bear this spate in mind. Constable Chris Williams recently confirmed that he has dealt effectively with some young offenders for the grass fires near Colwyn Bay Hotel. This is welcome news.
Barbara Cowling gave a talk on her work. Barbara is a Dog Warden with Conwy CBC
June 2004
North Wales Housing Association has donated another £200 to our Association.
The members have also been generous in making contributions each month for which they are thanked. We have now been told that we will have to pay Public Indemnity Insurance for our meetings. This will increase our costs considerably.
Recent Meeting
The secretary had a meeting last week with Inspector Jones and Constable Chris Williams when it was outlined that the police intend to organise a football competition to help to give youngsters something to focus on. There are other activities which are planned.
This is in addition to the MASE project which is also planned for Old Colwyn, which we have supported.
Constable Williams is now looking for a venue without hire costs, for a martial arts club and also for any of our members who have, or know of people who have skills who can help to manage or impart skills or interests to young people.
We support the aforementioned activities . It has long been said by young people that there is nothing for them to do. This will be their chance. Will it make a difference? That remains to be seen. The intention is there.
Other policing issues were discussed and minuted for another of our meetings.
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This is a report which outlines a lot of the major issues that the committee has dealt with during the first year.
We have also made representations to landlords regarding certain antisocial elements that have caused problems for residents. This has recently had a good effect. It is often the case that where the police cannot give information to landlords, for instance, because of data protection, our committee can give direct evidence to both the landlord and the police which can be beneficial to the community. It is called teamwork and partnership, we have a part to play and we are doing our best to play it.
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David Curtis
Secretary
