30/07/2024
Here are the DRAFT minutes of the last PACT meeting on Thursday 27th July.
Most of the full names have been removed as the participants have not given their permission for them to be published, however the police officers and Speed Watch co-ordinators have been referred to by name, as they wish to attract new volunteers.
YATTON PACT
Minutes of Meeting & AGM held 27.7.24
D F, acting as Chair welcomed everyone and asked for introductions.
POLICE REPORT:
(Please send a message if you would like a full copy of the minutes which includes the police figures for the last couple of months).
There have been thefts of anything metal left in gardens.
An intrusion into a house at 7.30pm on 5th July was worrying but the perpetrator ran off once he realized there was someone at home. This sort of thing is rare.
PC Rochford warned all residents to make sure that windows and doors are shut and locked if you are out of the house. Also do not leave ladders lying around that can be used for access.
Many people have reported very noisy motorcycles up and down the Strawberry Line path and in the adjacent fields. The local police are continuing patrols but these are necessarily reduced as they are seconded to help teams in the coastal towns.
AW recounted how he had telephoned 101 about this issue and, eventually 999. There was a response but once the police left, they started up again. This is a serious matter as it disturbs residents, especially young children, trying to get to sleep. He asked if they could be issued with ASBOs but for that they must be caught in the act. The Police are not permitted to chase them. AW said they had also been seen using the ginnel from Derham Park to Elborough Avenue. He thinks there are videos so was asked to forward them to the Police. JR begged people to report these incidents even if there is no-one to respond at the time as the number of complaints shows the history and seriousness and evidence of this anti-social behaviour.
SR asked if the bikes could be removed as it was thought they are garaged at The Batch.
JR asked at what time they were seen in that area. AW said between 5.00-6.00pm and then up to 10.00pm and in the last few days up to 11.30pm.
JR and the Beat Officer for Clevedon help each other with shared manpower.
AW also wished to speak about the problematic parking on the corner of The Ridge with Mendip Road. There is usually one van parked but on 27th there were three.
Several people said they had had issues with turning out at that junction as there is no visibility at all.
Secondly, he mentioned the parking at school times along Stowey Road. Parents are not supposed to drive there and certainly not park on pavements.
POLICE PRIORITY FOR AUGUST/SEPTEMBER:
Nuisance motor bikes and parking on pavements.
MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING 16.5.24
They had been circulated earlier and after approval, were signed by the acting Chair for the session, DF.
MATTERS ARISING:
DF asked for a progress report on the club/group event to be held 28th September. This will be at Yatton Methodist Church Hall, 10-12 on Saturday 28th September.
(See Treasurer’s Report below).
Many commercial organisations have asked for places but these have been refused.
Most local groups have not replied yet so JH will circulate the invite again. There was a discussion of which clubs and groups could be approached.
She mentioned buying more safety gear to be given out to children such as bike light kits and reflective pendants. MM queried this as she already has 75 reflective jackets thanks to V S. The Royal British Legion had poppies with lights. SR will try to source some.
She will do a risk assessment before the event.
JH has had no time so far to set up a PACT page.
WG asked if the event would serve refreshments and offered to help in the kitchen.
DF asked if last year’s event was paid for. JH has never received an invoice from Chestnut Park and the Academy Trust in charge has now changed.
The Yatton Library Customer Services Supervisor, JG, sent her apologies for 28th September but offered help so JH will ask them to print posters.
TREASURER’S REPORT:
See Page 3 (as this was a picture added into the minutes this has not been copied, but basically Yatton PACT has £351 in the bank and just received a grant of £498 from Yatton Parish Council for the 'Meet the Clubs' event in September.)
ELECTION OF OFFICERS:
Both MM and JH had offered to stand again.
MM said she had had no other nominations.
DF agreed that we should continue with an Acting Chair as no-one was had come forward.
MM was proposed by TS and seconded by SR.
JH was proposed by AW and seconded by WG.
Both were elected unanimously.
NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH:
DF said he had just been sent a list of 20 NW organisers. He thought 24 had been mentioned before so the list below is by no means exhaustive.
Wheatear Road (2)
Claverham Road
Woodview Drive (Cleeve)
The Lyes (Congresbury)
Wemberham Crescent
Strawberry Drive
Beech Road
Kingston Bridge
Mendip Road (2)
Squirrel Close
Stowey Road
Gregory Mead
Blackcap Avenue
Whitehouse Road (Claverham)
Brunel Way
Mendip Close
Fieldfare Gardens
Chescombe Road
If you would like to contact your local organizer or set up a group, please contact the coordinator, David Ford: [email protected]
There is a new regional coordinator, Kim Brooker.
(See pages 6 onwards for the June & July Newsletters).
SPEEDWATCH REPORT:
Thanks to Mavis our small team are continuing to carry out sessions once a week and sometimes twice in one day.
Traffic numbers are gradually creeping up and taking 23 sessions in the High Street alone, we have recorded over 1000 vehicles in the hour on 4 occasions and over 900 on 7 occasions. Inevitably if numbers are high, thus slowing down movement, we have to accept there will be irritable drivers who try to take advantage of any lull to increase speed.
Mavis recently attended a regional meeting with the new SW and NW Coordinator to discuss the amount of abuse levelled at teams. We take the occasional one without offence because they are far outweighed by signs of approval. However, some groups have given up because of it and we are now asked to note the number of abuses directed at us. Normally there is no more than 2 or 3 and some drivers love to rev their engines as they pass.
Our police support has now, unfortunately, been withdrawn. Chris Gowler would attend once a month and was a valuable asset. He has retired and will not be replaced. PCSO’s no longer have the time to help so we question why we bother.
For the last 13 months we have been trying to get electronic slow-down signs installed to operate in 4 areas of Yatton. Especially Claverham Road. These could easily have the same effect as our doing SpeedWatch. Our site at North End by the brick house is currently at 40mph but drivers seldom go above 35mph whilst we are there. Frost hill has the flashing 30 mph sign and records the number of vehicles travelling at over 30mph.
We have not had that information for a long time.
JE said that he can let Jean have this information.
When removing our jackets but continuing to record an interest (unofficially) invariably the speed increases which suggests we do serve a purpose, at least for one hour. Using a discreet speed monitor while walking through Yatton is is quite revealing how many vehicles are travelling above the limit, some dangerously so. Bearing in mind we can only report at 36 and 47 mph, we still note drivers above 30 or 40 mph. The Rugby Club and Frost Hill are the worst with up to 35 and 45 drivers over the limit in the hour. Pedestrians comment they feel uncomfortable walking through Yatton with the lack of space between them and vehicles. The proposed 20 mph will certainly help.
This is due to be implemented very soon after some 10 years of discussion and work by the PC on neighbourhood and traffic calming plans. JS
CAR SCHEME UPDATE:
Organised by Caroline and Peter Sheard. PS reported that they have enough drivers for the moment which is encouraging.
PS, with responsibility for the Bereavement Group, added they meet 3rd Monday monthly between 2pm and 4 pm. Venue: Congars Cafe, Broad Street, Congresbury
PLANNING APPLICATIONS & PERMISSIONS
Vince Stowell, CEO of Stowell’s Concrete Co.’s application for signage is progressing slowly. The Appeal hearing for the Persimmon Development behind Shiner’s Elms is to be heard from 24th September 2024.
NEW COMMUNITY OFFICER:
Ellie Lloyd introduced herself. She replaces Chris Olive.
She is currently responsible/available to attend all manner of incidents such as domestic disruptions or anti-social behaviour throughout North Somerset except Weston-super-Mare. Eventually, there will be a second officer who will take over the northern half of the region leaving her with most of the villages.
AOB:
SR said he has seen Horses being ridden up Cadbury Hill towards the seats at the top.
As this is the only area where dogs can be let loose, this is very dangerous and will also damage the ground in bad weather. There is a bridleway for horse riders to use. There is a notice to say ‘No Horses’ at the bottom of the hill.
DATE OF NEXT MEETING:
Wednesday 28th September at 7.30pm at Horsecastle Chapel, Horsecastle farm Road, Yatton BS49 4QQ.
The meeting closed at 21.00
