PARWICH.ORG

Parwich Village Hall, on Monday 17th November 2008.

Item 1. Welcome
PC COOPER welcomed all to the meeting. He explained the purpose of these meetings – to get local residents and their representatives together to discuss concerns, and then by working together with other agencies to deal with any issues. He explained how the meetings should oversee issues raised through Priority Profiles.

Item 2. Apologies
Apologies, as listed below, had been made prior to the meeting.

Item 3. Minutes of Previous meeting
Minutes of Previous meeting had been distributed by letter / email to those who attended. Those present at previous meeting invited to confirm the minutes were correct, and corrections were invited. No corrections, confirmed as in order.

Item 4. Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT) – Background and Roles
To assist those who hadn’t be able to attend the first meeting, Sgt EDWARDS explained briefly about SNT, their purpose and aims. He gave examples of how Anti Social Behaviour in Ashbourne had been, and was being dealt with by Priority Profiles / Operations. He explained how other agencies, Emergency Services, Councils, Voluntary groups can work together. Statistics were given that show there is a very low level of Anti Social Behaviour across the Tissington SNT area. This is also reflected in Crime statistics.

Sgt EDWARDS explained that we still appreciated there would still be concerns from people, and that these meetings gave people a further opportunity to raise issues.

Item 5. Priority Profiles
PC COOPER & Sgt EDWARDS explained about Priority Profiles. How a longer term problem may be identified, that agencies, communities would work together to deal with it, and a Priority Profile would run, overseen by the SNT Community meetings. At the moment Tissington SNT has one Priority Profile. This was created following the concerns raised at the last Community Forum. This relates to Road Safety issues, which include speeding, manner of driving by Goods Vehicles and motor cycles along the A515, and maintenance of grass verges / overhanging trees that interfere with road safety.

PC COOPER explained how the concerns had been raised with the Roads Policing Units, who would pay attention. During the Summer months we have Operation FOCUS, which has been running for some years, and will no doubt return next year. Whilst targeting Motor Cycles by Patrols, Speed Detections devices, they will deal with all motorists speeding or driving badly. A few examples of vehicles stopped were given. Other possible ideas had been suggested to the Derby & Derbys Road Safety Partnership, such as having large temp yellow signs, as those targeting motor cycles, but aimed at all drivers to cover ‘keep your distance’, speed, mobile phones. Chevrons on the road surface, at a couple of long straight sections, as seen on some motorways, was an idea to encourage drivers to keep their distance. Also Road Safety messages, attached to Radio traffic bulletins, had been considered. We were struggling to find funding, but these ideas were all ongoing.
PC COOPER mentioned that this did link in to Operation Travolta, Ashbournes SNT priority profile covering nuisance young drivers in Ashbourne. The fatal collision that occurred a few weeks previous was referred to, and that a number of actions were taking place to try and impact on the young drivers. Unmarked Police cars were to pay attention to Ashbourne occasionally, CREST (Road safety partnership) were looking at doing some education work targeting the young drivers. It was explained that other agencies such as the Fire and the Ambulance Services often take the lead on these, as they are considered to help people, were as the Police are generally viewed as just enforcement. The Police would be heavily involved and were also very pleased that relatives of one the lads involved had shown a keenness to be involved, offering facilities, and a variety of help.

In relation to the verges the issues raised had been passed to DCC. They had replied explaining that grass cutting is carried out by Derbys Dales District Council, and the verges were cut annually as per a schedule. Trees and Bushes were overhanging the verge, but not the highway and so no work was proposed, other than to monitor. They stated they had sent a letter to the landowner for the wooded area by Tissington Gates asking the trees be cut back. In relation to Spend Lane, they had written to landowners, and I had seen that this had clearly been done and was better. I had also spoken earlier with John BAILEY, who had been extremely concerned about this location, and he confirmed it was better, he felt 70% of the problem had been dealt with. DCC had been requested to replace 2 badly faded warning triangles on the road, traveling from Thorpe towards Sandybrook. To date this was not yet done. Concerning the Kniveton road, DCC were told of the concerns about the grass verges. PC COOPER did note though that verges were cut within a couple of days of the last meeting, which may well have been planned cutting.

Item 6. Simon TRANTER / Comments from the floor
In relation to verges and overhanging trees, Mr Chris DUFFELL said that the road from Alsop had not been done at all. John BRADBURY stated that the Council had kept changing their schedules, it had been Annual, then twice a year, then back to being Annual, which wasn’t enough. Jane HARRIS also spoke of the Alsop to Parwich road being badly restricted and not being cut. Simon TRANTER stated that they do come out cutting, on an Annual basis. He said some bits may be missed by accident, but reassured all that if they reported concerns over long grass, overhanging trees, they would look at it, and if need be deal with it. He explained that if a tree was on the verge it was DCC responsibility, but if in a field and then overhanging the verge and road, it was the landowners responsibility to deal with it.

Mr Chris DUFFELL stated that Alsop Parish Council had written to DCC about these sorts of issues, and found they didn’t get responses, not even acknowledgements. Other Parish Councillors, from different Parishes, said likewise, and stated they were writing to the Area office. Simon TRANTER stated that for these sort of issues, ongoing maintenance problems, they should write to – Dick HARDY, at Derbyshire County Council HQs.

Concerning land owners responsibilities Chris CARR commented that it wasn’t feasible for them to do this sort of work along the A515, it wasn’t safe, and surely it should be the County Council to do it. Simon TRANTER reinforced that it was the landowners responsibility, and that the landowner should fund whatever is needed to do it safely, ie traffic lights if required. If it was a serious issue DCC could do the required work and then bill the landowner.

Mr Chris DUFFELL expressed concern over the approach to ‘S’ bends, approaching from Alsop Moor, just prior to the Alsop en le Dale turn. He stated that Large Goods Vehicles struggle to pass each other, and so the wall on the left (travelling towards Ashbourne), was slowly being pushed away from the road. The road he described as being higher than the field, and so he envisaged that the wall, then road, and a LGV vehicle will one day tip into the field.

Dennis STONE spoke of the footpaths alongside the A515 through Fenny Bentley, stating their width was reduced by rubbish, and the verge spreading. The Parish Council had previously written to Brian LUCAS, but it had not been dealt with. Simon TRANTER stated they need to contact Dick HARDY, DCC Maintenance, as mentioned earlier. (UPDATE, 19.11.08 – PC COOPER has spoken to Dick HARDY re above, making him aware. As there is a footpath only on one side, and it is alongside the A515, he is to give it greater priority, and get someone to take a look)

Rev HARRISON spoke of the fatal collision mentioned earlier, the impact on people, and that people were worried about their children. He felt the CREST / Fire Service idea was good. He said that Police were surely enforcement, and did these young drivers consider the Police a soft touch. Sgt EDWARDS and PC COOPER explained that young drivers had been stopped, tickets had been issued for driving offences, cars had been seized under Section 59. They also explained that many had been spoken to, being given words of advice, often because there may not be quite enough evidence to prove an offence. They explained that under Section 59, for certain incidents, a driver can be given a warning, and if given a second one in 12 months, the car can be seized. The driver has to pay a Recovery fee to get his car back. The young drivers have sometimes offered to pay the fee before the car has been recovered, their parents have sometimes paid the fee, they nearly always pay and collect their car the following day. Some parents have complained that the Police are harassing their children and stopping them without reason, even though we have plenty of reason. People assume they may have no Insurance and the cars are in poor condition. They are often insured on their parents insurance, and the cars well maintained. They often view getting a ticket, or their car being seized as an ‘occupational hazard’ of driving round. Parents responsibilities were discussed. Ray FRAMPTON said that Education can come from elsewhere rather than the Police. Sgt EDWARDS explained that SNT involved Engagement, Education, Encouragement, Enforcement, hence our involvement with CREST, and their attendence for a future weekend in Ashbourne to target the young drivers. Robin HILL (Ambulance) stated he had been involved in two similar events at Chesterfield, one being quite graphic using people madeup with make up to appear injured, in seriously damaged cars. Feed back from young people had been positive; with a couple saying it had certainly changed their views. PC COOPER explained that we would try any method if we felt it may influence some of the young drivers. If it influences just one or two, it is a success.
Simon TRANTER asked us not to forget the ‘born again bikers’, which has been a problem.

Issues were mentioned around the schools at Fenny Bentley and Kniveton, and the reason for cones being there explained. They were there to encourage safer and more considerate safer parking and driving by parents. They are not there long term and will be removed at some stage.

Mrs Chris DUFFELL asked if anything could be done about slow moving vehicles along the A515. Could lay bys such as Alsop Moor, top of Fenny Bentley Hill, be adapted to allow them to pull in so traffic can pass? Dennis STONE appreciated the problems, driving such a machine, and said it wasn’t always easy as some lay by had been filled in. Simon TRANTER explained that they had a limited budget, and had to prioritise especially in relation to road safety schemes. PC COOPER stated that if it was an issue if a regd number was noted and passed to Police the least we can do is give the vehicle owner/driver a word of advice.

Mr Chris DUFFELL stated that the change in the white line systems had reduced the number of overtaking opportunities along the A515. John BRADBURY said the Kniveton road was similar, and you couldn’t get past a car travelling at 35mph. Simon TRANTER explained that the Double White Line systems were very old and had been revamped taking into account average speeds, and the capabilities of modern vehicles. George MAXWELL spoke of Tissington Parish Council writing to DCC requesting Double Solid White lines through the Tissington Gates junction, and that they won’t do it. Simon TRANTER explained there were criteria for these systems. Mr Chris DUFFELL said that discretion could still be used though by DCC. PC COOPER commented that he had spoken with Adele BONSHOR who had contacted Simon TRANTERs office, to voice her concerns after being overtaken here when waiting to turn right. Whilst not agreeing with the outcome, she did appreciate how she was dealt with and the time they gave her. PC COOPER suggested that the main problem seems to be with Buxton bound traffic trying and completing overtakes of vehicles going to turn right. PC COOPER suggested he would liase further with Simon TRANTER to discuss the junction in more detail, possibly with Sir Richard FITZHERBERT. Owen BRADBURY suggested a Speed Camera for the location. Simon TRANTER explained that people slow down and then speed up, and the best systems are the Average speed monitoring systems, which are costly. William BUNTING suggested a dummy box but Simon TRANTER explained that people soon cotton on to where they are.

Comments on any other issues were invited. Ray FRAMPTON commented that in the South East they were suffering with alot of thefts of farming equipment. He suggested that farmers need to be aware and be more security conscious in our area. Sgt EDWARDS explained that our Crime Reduction Officer was sending out messages re security through the NFU. Mr Chris DUFFELL spoke of The Equipment Register (TER), which is a good idea. People can register their trailers, equipment on the register which is accessed by Police to check trailer and plant details. Details to be circulated in a future Newsletter for peoples information. (UPDATE, 20.11.08 – TER newsletter received by PC COOPER from Chris DUFFELL. Details of the scheme to feature in next Newsletter.)

Jane HARRIS asked about the Woodeaves road, and the temporary traffic lights. She commented on the poor state and that the lights had been there for over a year with nothing being done. Simon TRANTER explained that DCC had £300,000 to sort out a retaining wall, with an extensive crash barrier. They are waiting for the results of a Geo survey to assess the ground before doing any work. The work should start before March 2009, as it is funded from this years budget.

Chris CARR pointed out that Sixth Formers now had no bus to get to school on, as the Service bus had been taken away. They can’t get bus passes to use the School Bus, which is fully subscribed anyway. PC COOPER was aware there had been an issue of overcrowding on the school bus and had spoken to DCC and Glovers. They stated they had turned what had been a Service bus into a Contract bus as it was full with Children with Bus Passes. They had done this because there was an alternative Service Bus (Bowers), which could accommodate the others. Chris CARR said that had now been removed. PC COOPER to make enqs with Bill LEAR, DCC. (UPDATE, 19.11.08 – PC COOPER spoke to Bill LEAR. The Service bus does a number of villages, comes down the A515, stopping at Tissington Gates, at 0814 hrs. It is on a tight schedule, and does not have time to go down Rakes Lane into the village. They do try to cover villages as best they can, but can’t quite get to the centre of them all.)

Item 7. Future Meetings
PC COOPER explained that meetings were required every 3 months. He felt it best to move around the area, using different village halls each time. It is also planned to have all SNT Community Forums, for the Ashbourne Sections during the same month if possible. We are aiming for the next meeting to be held on 12th March 2009 at Kniveton Village Hall, providing the Hall is available. The date will be confirmed and publicised nearer the time.

Prior to that we will try to hold a Crime Prevention Event, in a different village.

Sgt Edwards explained the KIN system & invited anyone at the meeting to complete a green KIN application form if they were not already in the scheme.

PC COOPER pointed out the request for feedback on the end of the Agendas. He asked for people to be honest, and put down any comments be them good or bad. The comments can be anonymous.

Meeting closed at 9.10pm.

Persons Present (20) ; PC Ian COOPER (Tissington SNT), Sgt Steve EDWARDS (Ashbourne SNT Supervision), Simon TRANTER (DCC Traffic & Safety Manager), Robin HILL (East Mids Ambulance Service Area Manger), Rev Christopher HARRISON, George MAXWELL (Tissington Parish Co), Chris CARR (Tissington Parish Co / Peak Park), Dennis STONE (Fenny Bentley Parish Co), Eileen & Peter WOODROFFE (Fenny Bentley), John BRADBURY MBE (Kniveton Parish Council), Ray FRAMPTON (Kniveton), Karen WIGLEY (Parwich Parish Co), Jane HARRIS (Parwich Parish Co), Owen BRADBURY (Parwich Parish Co), Andrew ROBINSON, Barbara WAGER (Thorpe), Mr & Mrs Chris DUFFELL (Alsop and Eaton Parish Co), William BUNTING (Alsop en le Dale),

Apologies (21) ; Karen COOPER (Derbys Dales District Council Anti Social Behaviour Officer), Katy WAYNE (Parwich), Caroline RODGERS (Parwich Primary School), John & Helena NAYLOR (Tissington), Adele & Darren BONSHOR (Tissington), Kim GREEN (Thorpe), John BAILEY (Thorpe), John DAWSON (Fenny Bentley), Richard RAPER (Mappleton Parish Council), Joan & Geoff DUCKMANTON (Mappleton Parish Co), Eileen GLANVILLE (Mappleton/Thorpe Parish Co Clerk), Nigel HARDING-NEWMAN (Kniveton), Richard MARTIN (Kniveton), Margaret CLARK (Kniveton), Jennie CRELLIN (Kniveton), Steve FARREN (Alsop en le Dale), Calvin BOAM (Field & Stream of Ashbourne), Linda ROSE (Ashbourne Churches Youth Worker).
One feedback sheet received.

Ian COOPER PC 1525