Minutes:
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 2 minutes and 10 seconds
At 7.35pm Councillor Terry Tyler entered the meeting.
Sergeant Guy Westwood delivered a presentation on behalf of Hertfordshire Constabulary.
The following points were highlighted:
· Various changes had been made to the Team;
· A new computer system ‘Athena’ had been installed which allowed communication with 11 other forces however there were teething problems;
· It was not possible to compare Crime figures and the accuracy of the figures was unknown due to the changes to the recording system;
· The classification of burglaries had changed being split into dwellings and non-dwellings and this had made it difficult to compare with last year’s figures;
· Online crime recording meant there were more ways to report crime;
· Overlap of figures across the area affected the outcomes;
· Crime figures had increased by 12% overall across the county - there had been double recording on some of the crimes so the accuracy was unknown;
· Outcome rate increased over the year as the burglars were apprehended;
· There had been a reduction in business burglaries;
· The constabulary was trying to educate the public to secure their vehicles as car crime had increased;
· An increase in domestic abuse numbers was seen as positive as it meant that more cases were being reported;
· Not all cases of domestic abuse were progressed - work was needed to bring perpetrators to justice;
· There had been 3 robberies in Hitchin compared to 53 in North Hertfordshire this year however this might be due to knife crime which was uncategorised at present;
· Assault, both verbal and physical had increased;
· There had been a reduction in criminal damage – a lot of work had been done however there was more to do;
· Antisocial behaviour had decreased taking into consideration that more incidents were being reported;
· Presentations were being made to local schools regarding knife crime;
· Rural priorities were environmental, vehicle damage, domestic burglaries and anti-social use of vehicles however if there were other areas of concern that could be discussed with the public and Councillors in future;
In response to the presentation, questions were received from the following Councillors:
· Councillor Frost
· Councillor Tyler
· Councillor Strong
The following concerns were raised:
· Residents and Councillors had reported ongoing drug related crime in Offley and Lilley. There were some school-aged children and older children who had drugs on their possession and were not discreet about the fact.
· Younger children needed to be educated regarding knife crime.
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 30 minutes and 22 seconds
Vicky Wyer of Churchgate Resurgance PB Group thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation, the main points of which were detailed below:
· New experienced-based economy was required and one that would give a reason for people to visit the town;
· NHDC held the freehold to Churchgate development area and was in a key position to be able to realise its potential;
· A considerable amount of time and money had already been spent and more was needed to conclude the matter;
· Surveys revealed overwhelmingly positive results concerning the need for revitalising the area and its potential;
· A mixed-use development with flexible sized retail on the ground floor would give adaptability to future trends;
· Rented residential accommodation on the upper floors would help to spread the risk and address local housing needs which included social housing and low income rental;
· Community hub focussed on the arts and wellness could provide an alternative site to St Albans and Welwyn;
· Improvement to riverside terraces and creation of riverside walks would make the area more attractive to tourists;
· Increased parking would generate more revenue;
· Introduction of new bus hub and/or park and ride scheme;
· A rejuvenated market with an independently operated street food hall could be transformative;
· Low rents, short leases and attractive appearance were key to success;
· North Herts towns should be well differentiated but any change had to play to their strengths;
Chairman thanked Mrs Wyer for her presentation.
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 39 minutes and 38 seconds
No representative from Home-Start Hertfordshire was present.
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 39 minutes and 57 seconds
Mr Edison Jefferies, Secretary of Breachwood Green Cricket Club thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant application:
· Storage containers were sat on railway sleepers which had rotted. The containers were sinking into the ground and access to them was difficult;
· A concrete base was needed so they could be returned to their original position;
· Trying to future-proof the Social Club for future generations by having licenced facilities for those who used the club;
· Annual events were held to attract new members;
The Chairman thanked Mr Jeffries for his presentation.
Councillor Frost made a statement in support of the application.
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 43 minutes and 15 seconds
No representative from Breachwood Green Village Hall was present.
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 43 minutes and 30 seconds
Mr Chris White of FC Comets thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant application:
· Run solely by volunteers;
· The club sought funds to purchase two new sets of metal goals;
· Funds had been raised for paying for weekly operational costs of the teams, such as kits and training and playing equipment;
· The cost of substantial one-off equipment such as goals was very difficult.
· The cost of normal season running costs was raised through subscriptions, sponsorship and fundraising events such as Christmas team photos and football prediction competitions.
· The goals would be benefit a new in-take of around 30 children every year for the next 10 years.
In response questions were received from the following Councillors:
· Councillor Bishop
· Councillor Moody
· Councillor Deakin-Davies
The Chairman thanked Mr White for his presentation.
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 50 minutes and 37 seconds
Mr John Rowlands, Treasurer and Trustee of Kimpton Folk Festival thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant application:
· Promoted folk and music events throughout the year;
· To make folk music more inclusive to isolated and disadvantaged members of the public including tea and cake music concerts for the elderly, running music/singing and movement workshops at special needs schools;
· Funds required to help run the events on the afternoon of the folk festival including insurance, portaloos, bins, stage, signage, car park and sound engineers;
· Various workshops, stage performances and activities for adults and children;
· Events on the green and evening entertainment were self-funding;
· Fundraising events were held throughout the year;
· Promoted by social media, leaflets and posters.
In response questions were received from the following Councillors:
· Councillor Strong
· Councillor Bishop
· Councillor Frost
· Councillor Deakin-Davies
· Councillor Henry
The Chairman thanked Mr Rowlands for his presentation.
Audio Recording – Start time of Item – 1 hour and 1 minute
Julia Target and Renata Crowe of Knebworth Town Twinning thanked the Chairman for the opportunity to address the Committee and gave a verbal presentation regarding the grant application:
· The KTA was hosting a 4-day cultural exchange in April 2019, with 37 visitors from Chatelaillon-Plage;
· The application was for funding to cover transport costs in the form of coaches/ minibuses to travel to heritage sites in the local area;
· It developed personal, cultural and sporting relationships;
· The Knebworth Town Twining arranged social and fundraising events amongst members and the local community to support cultural exchanges;
· French lessons were supported in the local village schools and a prize was awarded to the best student in each school;
In response a question was received from the following Councillor:
· Councillor Strong
The Chairman thanked Julia Target and Renata Crowe for their presentation.