Agenda item

J Still presented the report confirming that there wasn’t much new added since the last update. She clarified figures and gave and update on verge hardening, she also gave an update on the additional safeguarding figures and where we sat in the County.

J Still was happy to take questions on the report.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe asked J Still if she was happy with how safeguarding works.

J Still confirmed that she is a lot happier than she was, it’s more structured. They meet quarterly, this way they get more information and work done, the process is a lot better and it’s now a quick turnaround.

Cllr Mahmood said that he has seen all crime has gone up, he asked if that was because we now report more.

J Still confirmed that we still sit in the middle regarding crime figures. Hemel Hempstead is safe and compared to 5 years ago crime figures are still down even though they have gone up in the last year.

Cllr Mahmood refereed to Love Your Neighbourhood, we didn’t have one in this quarter.

J Still said that was due to the Queen’s birthday taking priority. Next year’s event is planned for Warners end and Chaulden.

Cllr Mahmood asked how you decide which ward gets priority and how you decide.

N Harden stated that there is a project called Mosaic to find out what wards have the greatest need and what we need to focus on.

Cllr Mahmood referred to ‘Let’s Dance’ in the Old Town Hall, we need an article in the digest to promote it.

J Still confirmed how successful this project was and yes we do need to shout about it and it is due to go in the digest.

N Harden confirmed that ‘Let’s Dance’ is a get set go project and it’s the most successful expanding project we have had, however we still need a trainer to run the events and to put more on, this is something they are looking at due to the expanding project.

Cllr Mahmood refereed to verge hardening, it’s very costly in some areas, and asked if finance is considered.

J Still said that in some cases there is a need for verge hardening and they understand it’s costly in some areas.

Cllr Link referred to the report, if there isn’t a cost there for verge hardening is that because it hasn’t been priced up yet?

J Still said that in regards to Cramford Place she is not sure if it can take place as she believes there is a minimum requirement.

Cllr Mahmood asked if it was possible to get a Youth Connexions report.

Cllr Banks asked why Grovehill Youth Connexions meet on the field.

J Still confirm that is was because there was an issue with equipment being damaged so we stopped renting to them as they were paying very little rent as it was, this is not the first time they have been moved on due to this issue.

Cllr Mahmood added that this should be highlighted to County.

Cllr W Wyatt-Lowe added that there was a meeting this week that spoke about this. HCC have highlighted issues on this it would be useful if we could make them aware of what we know, could all information be sent to Richard Roberts please.

Cllr Harden said it would be useful if someone could attend an OSC meeting so we can have questions answered.

Cllr Mahmood confirmed that he will write his concerns to HCC.

Action:  J Still to email Members with details on verge hardening for Cramford place.

 J Still to note Youth Connexion concerns and Cllr Mahmood to write to County.

Outcome: Report was noted.