Illingworth & Mixenden Ward Forum Meeting Note

Illingworth & Mixenden Ward Forum For more information, go to www.halifaxnorthandeast.com; email [email protected]; or ring 01422 255402 Date:

Tuesday 10 June 2014

Venue:

Holy Nativity Church, Mixenden

Meeting Note Present: Councillor Daniel Sutherland (Chair); Councillor Barry Collins; Councillor Lisa Lambert; Mark Brazil (Calderdale Council), Sgt. Phil Haigh, PC Dave Illingworth (West Yorkshire Police), Oliver Crosland (West Yorkshire Fire Service); Nicola Sloane, Debs Sunderland (Pennine Housing) Vicky McGhee, Heather Stout (Ovenden and Mixenden Initiative). 31 Residents Apologies: Liz Childs (Mixenden Parents Resource Centre) 1. Welcome and introductions 1.1.

Councillor Sutherland opened the meeting by introducing himself and Councillors Collins and Lambert. Councillor Sutherland went on to say he has been re-elected in the recent council elections. He said it was good to see so many people, including new faces. He also introduced Vicky McGhee, who has taken over from Liz Broadley as Neighbourhood Manager.

1.2.

Updates from the last meeting - none

2. Local updates and forthcoming events 2.1.

North Halifax Neighbourhood Awards – Feedback was given about the recent neighbourhood Awards night at Trinity Academy in May. There were seven winners from the Illingworth and Mixenden area. More details on all the winners can be found by visiting www.halifaxnorthandeast.com

2.2.

MixMatch School Challenge – Friday 11 July at Mixenden Activity Centre – Lots of services have been involved in planning and delivering the event, which will be a challenge between pupils from Park Lane Learning Trust and Trinity Academy. Each school will put in 4 teams of 8 pupils, totalling 64 pupils in all. The pupils are a mix of youths referred by Public Service Providers and by their schools. Some of the youths have, in the past, been involved in some anti social behaviour in the local area and they are being chosen by West Yorkshire Police, West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service and the Council’s Youth Service. Other participants will have been chosen by their schools because of their good behaviour and positive attitudes. The purpose of the day is to have the youths working together with services such as the police and fire service to help break down barriers. The police and fire fighters will mentor each of the teams. 1 | Page

Services involved include: West Yorkshire Fire Service, Pennine Housing, West Yorkshire Police, Trinity Academy Halifax, Park Lane Trust, Youth Offending Team, Mixenden Activity Centre, Youth Service, Community Wardens and Ovenden & Mixenden Initiative.

3. Your issues – open forum 3.1.

Nuisance motorbikes and quad bikes - Residents say they have reported the issues to the council and the police to no avail. Sgt. Haigh replied that Mixenden Ward Officer, PC Ian Harris, is working on an initiative as we speak to tackle these issues, and will be working with other officers in the area. Sgt. Haigh stressed that residents need to be willing to give statements to the police. They cannot act on named individuals without a statement. In answer to resident’s questions about Section 59 Warnings, Sgt. Haigh explained that if the owner of the seized vehicle pays to get it back, it won’t be crushed, as the police have no power to do this. He confirmed that it is force policy not to chase a motorcycle or a car if officers are in the police van. Sgt. Haigh emphasised that it is important that residents continue to report crime to the police. Good, clear photographs and CCTV are invaluable in helping the police identify criminals. When asked, he explained that calls to the police are prioritised and the most urgent calls will be attended to first. Residents were advised to call 999 for all emergencies or if they feel threatened, or that they themselves or others are in danger. Non-urgent police calls should be made on 101. Residents can also call Crime stoppers on 0800 555 111 and report crimes anonymously.

3.2.

Antisocial Behaviour at Stanningley and Mixenden Library - Residents wanted to discuss the ongoing problems with youth anti social behaviour on the Stanningley estate and around Mixenden library. It was reported to the meeting that residents are beginning to move out of the area because of the ongoing issues. The library appears to be coming under regular attacks and a new fence installed to deter antisocial behaviour was almost dismantled within hours of being erected.

3.3.

Barry Collins gave an update to the meeting on the progress of the Mixenden Hub. He said the council should be ashamed that nothing has been done on this project so far and he apologised to residents. He has tried to broker an agreement between the council and NHS England, and this is preventing the business plan which will allow the project to move forward. Councillor Collins stressed that the Council is committed to the Mixenden Hub and the money is still there for this project. The council is looking to do compulsory purchases of the buildings, which will eventually be flattened. Resolving the ownership of various pieces of land within the proposed site has taken some time, for example one owner having probate is currently living in Australia. The owner of the Jumples site continually refuses to pay the council for the ongoing clean ups they are doing to his land.

3.4.

Cllr Collins said that he recently attended a meeting of Mixenden Stakeholders, including many public services and local community representative, and 2 | Page

emphasised all the joint working that is going on in the area to tackle the issues of youth anti social behaviour. He said that the issues are not down to one individual but a number of young people are responsible, and stressed again the importance of reporting issues to the Police. 3.5.

Vicky McGhee outlined some of the interventions currently ongoing to tackle youth nuisance in Mixenden including the MixMatch Challenge (at 2.2) and plans to provide diversionary ‘playing out’ sessions focusing on the library, throughout the summer holidays.

3.6.

Vicky also informed the meeting about a new local football team, ‘Ovenden Phoenix’, made up of around 30 young people, aged 16-25 from the Mixenden, Ovenden and Illingworth areas. The group are looking to create a registered open age football team and are currently being supported by Ovenden and Mixenden Initiative, West Yorkshire Fire Service and Ovenden West Riding FC. Some of those involved are known to services or have been known in the past. The project is borne from the aspirations and ambitions of the young people themselves. It is their idea; their commitment to make changes through doing something positive; their effort to get things started, and, to get organised to begin to realise their ambitions. The football players will be fundraising at the following community events and would like people to come along and support them: 

Illingworth Fire Station Open Day – 28 June, 11am- 4pm



Ash Green Summer Fair - 28 June, 11am – 1pm



Car Wash at Illingworth Fire Station – 26 Jul, 10 – 4.30pm

3.7.

Adventure Play Centre and the Bowling Pavilion at Woodbook - The Council propose to sell the former Play centre at Slippy but not the land around the centre, and to demolish the bowling pavilion behind Woodbrook. However there are no plans to sell any part of the site or land around it. Action: Cllr Sutherland said he would try to find out when demolition is scheduled for.

3.8.

Residents suggested that the school or the Youth Offending Team could make use of the land. Cllr Collins in response said that the council would definitely hand the land over for community use.

3.9.

Residents reported that the gates to the bowling green are sometimes left open – Action: Mark Brazil will arrange new locks.

3.10.

A resident reported that people are sleeping in the empty building and setting fires. Sgt. Haigh asked for details at the end of the meeting.

3.11.

Recent incidents at Dodgeholme - Residents asked for feedback on recent incidents on the Dodge Holme estate. Sgt. Haigh asked residents to speak to him after the meeting.

3.12.

Hebble Brook Park - Residents reported that the park has not had the grass cut this year. Action: Mark Brazil will look into this and arrange for it to be cut.

3.13.

Car Parking on Hollins Lane - Residents reported this is now a major issue. Buses cannot get through the gap left by cars and many pedestrians have to walk in the 3 | Page

road. In addition, yellow lines have appeared in the road. Who has put these on? Cllr Sutherland will look into this. Sgt. Haigh also commented that if an offence were being committed, the police would deal with it. Action: PC Harris to investigate and put notices on windscreens. 3.14.

Clough Lane – A resident reported that the wall opposite the fish shop on Clough Lane has fallen down and bricks are on the pavement. Action: Debs Sunderland will look into ownership.

3.15.

Speeding on Mixenden Road - A resident asked for the speed results for Mixenden Road. Action: Cllr Daniel Sutherland to get SID results for the next meeting.

3.16.

Rubbish on Mixenden Road – residents reported that a lot of rubbish is left on the road after the bin men have been and not all properties are having their rubbish collected. Councillors confirmed that temporary teams have been on for the past 2 weeks but normal service should soon be resumed. Residents also requested a bin on the bus stop on Mixenden Road. Action: Mark Brazil to look into this

4. Council and local service updates 4.1.

£5k Ward Forum Budget Allocation – At full budget Council in February the Council decided to allocate each ward forum a £5k budget, and each ward is being asked how the money should be spent in the area. The Council’s consultation lists 3 options for consideration, and these were discussed in the meeting as a group then people took a break to fill in their consultation forms. The Neighbourhood Team has aimed to get 50 surveys from Illingworth and Mixenden, and the comments from the ward forum meeting will be fed back to the Council with the other responses received.

4.2.

Calderdale Citizens Awards – Open to nominees from all wards in Calderdale. It was suggested and agreed that the winners from Illingworth and Mixenden, from the North Halifax Neighbourhood Awards should be considered as nominees. Councillors and Neighbourhood Teams will agree the overall nominee to put forward for the Illingworth and Mixenden ward. Nominate online by 30 June at www.surveymonkey.com/s/citizenaward2014

4.3.

Mixenden Neighbourhood Walkabout – 36 residents were spoken to in a door knocking exercise in Lower Mixenden in May. 100% of residents said they liked living in Mixenden. One of the biggest complaints was around dog fouling, although it was worth noting that many people said that dog fouling issues had improved. Vicky McGhee said this is probably due in some part to the hard work of the Community Wardens who can, and do issue Fixed Penalty Notices to dog owners who do not clean up after their dogs. Action: Vicky McGhee to bring information on Wardens patrols to the next meeting.

4.4.

Fires in Mixenden and Illingworth – White Watch Commander Oli Crosland explained that activity levels on primary fires were low in Mixenden and

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Illingworth. Fires in Mixenden have reduced but the same cannot be said for Abbey Park. Oli Crosland agreed the fires are probably low in Mixenden due to the recent clean ups. He reported that fire fighters have suffered verbal and physical abuse, this has fallen in Mixenden but is still a problem in Illingworth. Residents reported smoke behind the shops on Stanningley Road. Oli Crosland said no issues have been reported to the Fire Service. Oli Crosland also stated his view that partners agencies are involved in lots of positive work in the Mixenden area to try to engage with troublesome youths. 4.5.

Mixenden Fencing Programme – The Pennine Housing fencing programme in upper Mixenden has gone well. So far, 15 local youths have been involved in working on the programme. Residents agreed that the new fencing and rendering has vastly improved the look of the houses. Unfortunately some of the new fencing was stolen but this was retrieved by the police.

4.6.

Debs Sunderland admitted that fencing is a problem in Mixenden. She said that Pennine Housing just do not have the money to replace the amount of fencing that is being stolen or damaged. As they must prioritise replacements, some tenants are waiting some time for new fencing.

5. Police updates and the future of PACT Meetings 5.1.

PC Dave Illingworth introduced himself and explained he is the Ward Officer for the Illingworth area. PC Ian Harris, the dedicated Ward Officer for Mixenden, who cannot be here tonight, has given him an update for Mixenden residents at the meeting. PC Illingworth admitted than PC Harris has a tough job on his hands but he and PC Gary Watson will both be supporting him in this task. PC Illingworth stated that overall crime in Mixenden was down and gave out some crime figures for the Illingworth and Mixenden areas.

5.2.

The main reports of Anti Social Behaviour (ASB) are coming as follows:  Mixenden Library – currently subject to a problem solving approach.  Nuisance quads and bikes around Hunter Hill and Hambleton Estate – as of this weekend, three local males identified and issued with Sec 59 warnings. Police know that Quads/bikes must be being kept somewhere and any information regarding this would be appreciated.  Youth nuisance and ASB around Stanningley Road – multi agency approach has identified a core of 5 nominals and a further 8 who are on the fringes. Will be tackled using multi agency approach between WYP and Calderdale ASB team. PC Harris will be conducting a letter drop this weekend asking people to come forward as without evidence it is difficult to take action.

5.3.

Debs Sunderland admitted that fencing is a problem in Mixenden. She said that Pennine Housing just do not have the money to replace the amount of fencing that is being stolen or damaged. As they must prioritise replacements, some tenants are waiting some time for new fencing.

5.4.

Good news - Following community intelligence received re recent burglaries, 4 suspects identified – 3 arrested and on bail, one still outstanding. 5 | Page

5.5.

West Yorkshire Police and Calderdale Youth Offending Team have visited Ash Green Primary and delivered a session on Crime and ASB to raise awareness of the consequences of becoming involved.

5.6.

ASB priorities are Abbey Park fires, nuisance youths on West Bylands, speeding on Illingworth Rd & Riley Lane, and Theft from Motor Vehicle at Ogden Water reserve.

5.7.

Future of PACT meetings – Neighbourhood police officers are currently reviewing how they deliver PACT meetings in each ward and a discussion was held about the future of the meetings in Mixenden.

5.8.

A spokesperson for the Mixenden Tenants and Residents Group requested that PC Harris attend their future meetings with police updates instead of having a PACT meeting. Sgt Haigh advised the Tenants and Residents Group to plan dates for future meetings with PC Harris. He also said that if PC Harris were not available another officer would be able attend with updates. Action: Heather Stout to ask PC Harris to pass his shift patterns onto the Mixenden Tenants and Residents Group. The date of the next Mixenden Tenants and Residents Group meeting is on Tuesday 15 July at 6pm at Holy Nativity Church.

5.9.

In Illingworth it has already been agreed by Police and residents, to tag a police update onto the 6 weekly Neighbourhood Watch meeting in the area.

5.10.

Sgt. Haigh went on to outline the new police-operating model to residents. He said that all Police officers are now part of one Neighbourhood Policing Team, where previously there has been separate neighbourhood and response teams. There is now one dedicated Police Officer and a number of Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs) for each ward. These officers will concentrate on ward issues.

5.11.

Residents asked about the Contact Point which had previously been held at Mixenden Parents Resource Centre. Heather Stout said that PCSO Darren Talbot is starting a Contact Point from Mixenden Library which will be 10am – 12 noon on the following Thursdays: 12 June, 3 July and 14 August.

5.12.

Residents asked about the CCTV at the flats in Mixenden. Debs Sunderland said that as far as she is aware it does but she will check they are not faulty. Cameras from the flats do film the Dodge Holme Estate but cannot zoom in on incidents. Action: Debs Sunderland will check the cameras are working, and whether they could be lowered. Residents said that more cameras were needed in Middle Mixenden. Debs Sunderland said for that to happen Pennine would have to charge residents, and not everyone will want to pay. She added that Pennine Housing make decisions on where to place CCTV cameras based on the number of reports and complaints received. Action: Councillor Daniel Sutherland will discuss with Pennine if there is a better way of dealing with cameras.

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5.13.

Sgt. Haigh confirmed that the police find CCTV evidence very useful. He confirmed there is no legal requirement for residents to put signs up warning that they have CCTV. However, residents can put signs up saying they have cameras even if they don’t, or even install dummy cameras, as both can deter criminals.

6. Anything else 6.1.

Councillor Collins informed the meeting about the proposed changes to the bus timetables. Low usage on buses means services can be removed. It is important to let Metro know your views. More information here: http://www.wymetro.com/consultation/busreview/calderdale/

6.2.

The North Halifax Partnership has won the contract to run the Sure Start Children’s Centres in North and East Halifax and Lower Valley. Cllr Collins said this is good news because the North Halifax Partnership is represented by a number of community members, and the chair of the partnership is a local resident.

6.3.

Take up of 2 year old funding - Take up on this is very low. Vicky McGhee asked people to encourage family and friends who might be eligible, to take up the free childcare for 2 year olds. For more information please contact local Sure Start Children’s Centres, or go to http://halifaxnorthandeast.com/2014/06/13/free-childcare-for-2-year-oldsdont-miss-out-on-your-childs-free-place/

6.4.

A resident asked how many people in Calderdale were entitled to the Bedroom Tax rebate. Action: Cllr Sutherland to find out for the next meeting

7. Dates of next meetings  Ward Forum - Wednesday 10 September, 6.30pm for 7pm at Illingworth Fire Station community Room  Ward Forum – Tuesday 2 December, 6.30pm for 7pm start at Holy Nativity Church, Mixenden  Illingworth Neighbourhood Watch meeting – Thursday 19 June, 6pm for 6.30pm start at Illingworth Fire Station Community Room  Mixenden Tenants and Residents meeting – 6pm on Tuesday 15 July at Holy Nativity Church

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Actions for next meeting

Responsible

3.7

Cllr Sutherland

3.9 3.12 3.13 3.14 3.15 3.16 4.3 5.8 5.12

6.4

Find out when demolition of Bowling Pavilion at Woodbook is scheduled for Arrange for new locks for the gates at the bowling green Arrange for grass to be cut at Hebble Brook Park Leafleting of vehicles causing an obstruction on Hollins Lane. look into ownership of damaged wall on Clough Lane Find out latest SID results for Mixenden Road for next meeting Look into possibility of new bin at the bus stop on Mixenden Rd. Bring information on Community Wardens dog fouling patrols to next meeting PC Harris to pass his shift patterns onto the Mixenden Tenants and Residents Group. Check CCTV cameras at Mixenden flats are working, and whether they could be lowered. Discuss with Pennine if there is a better way of dealing with cameras. Find out how many people in Calderdale were entitled to the Bedroom Tax rebate.

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