Newcomen Ward Community Forum, held their Annual General Meeting On Tuesday 11th March 2008, In the Newcomen Methodist Church Hall, Mersey Road.
The meeting was well attended by local residents and other members of the Local Community.

The AGM was officially opened by Mr. Mal Fitzgerald Chief Executive of Redcar Cleveland Voluntary Development Agency.

As is usual with the Newcomen Ward Forum AGM, A number of guest speakers had been invited to speak on a specific topic, this year’s topic was two fold, Community Safety and the Environment and our guest speakers were:

Mr. D. Pickard Temporary Deputy Chief Constable:- Cleveland Police
Mr G. Crooks, Station Manager:- Redcar Fire Station
Ms B. Watson & Ms A. Laverick:- Coast & Country Housing

Mr Dave Pickard (Temporary Deputy Chief Constable) commented on the support that Newcomen Ward Forum give the local Community Police team, via Forum meetings, the Newsletter and Website he also stressed that the Police can only do a good job with the support of the community and by them reporting the problem issues either direct or through forums and neighbourhood watch groups.

It was again stressed that anyone can report any information through Crime stoppers 0800 555111,

The Neighbourhood Police hold surgeries in the ward and the forum have placed a list of dates, place and times in the folder that was on your seat.

The main Policing Priorities within the Newcomen Area are: Graffiti, Off Road Motor cycles and under age drinking. The Local Community Police Officer has visited local off licences asking them not to serve alcohol to anyone under the age of 21 this has already been taken up in some areas already.

George Crooks Cleveland Fire Service (Redcar Station Manager)
Our Progress to Date:

• DEATHS & INJURIES
Accidental fire deaths in the home down by 100% and injuries by 23%
• PRIMARY FIRES
Accidental fire deaths in the home down by 100% and injuries by 23%
Accidental dwelling fires down by 46%
Total fires down by 22% and primary (premises) fires by 48%
Hoax calls down by 51%(90%since 2000/01)
Unwanted Automatic fire alarms in non-domestic premises down by 41% (44%from 2000/01)
• ARSON
Deliberate dwelling fires down by44%
Vehicle arson by 56% and
Anti-social behaviour fires by 10% in the last 3 years
• ROAD SAFETY
Road Safety Initiatives are contributing to a reduction of 30% in road traffic collisions deaths and injuries
• COMMUNITY SAFETY
Over 730 co-responder calls attended, 23,318 school children educated and 1182 individuals participating in our Youth Initiatives run since 2005.

Over the last year the Fire Service, Police, Councillors Community Wardens Housing Officers and residents have met up every six weeks and toured around the hot spots of the ward.
These are areas where litter/household items are being put out and are deemed to be unsafe and have a high fire risk. These area walkabouts also spot untaxed vehicles, and those that are a month overdue, can and may be removed.

COAST & COUNTRY HOUSING Barbara Watson
Housing in the Newcomen Ward

In terms of Coast & Country’s involvement in providing sustainable housing in the Newcomen Ward the Company is carrying out considerable works to the Closes over the next couple of years.

The Closes
In 2006 the Closes became a Neighbourhood Assessment Area and the Company carried out an estate wide consultation process with the residents and also commenced work with a number of partners to look at the issues on the estate.

The main issues on the estate were identified as being:-

• The poor design and layout of the estate with residents having no defensible space;
• A decrease in demand for the properties;
• Numerous public spaces, alley and garage sites contributing to instances of ASB;
• Vandalised play parks;
• Vandalism;
• Criminal damage;
• Off road motorbikes;
• Evidence of drug use;
• Arson;
• Litter / dumped rubbish;
The standard of gardens
Plans have been drawn up with our partners DKS architects and on the 6th September 2007 the Board of Coast & Country agreed to proceed with these plans.

TREASURERS REPORT Mrs Josephine Lyons
A balance sheet was issued in the folder provided on each seat showing a healthy balance.
Funding is received from the newsletter advertising and some companies generosity in donations

Chairs Report Ray Hall
Thanked Helping hands for you for providing the refreshments and also thanked the guest speakers for their reports and kind words of appreciation for the forums support.
The Chair made a point of thanking the Neighbourhood Officers Pc Alcock, and Pcso Kay Croft for all their hard work and support, before presenting Certificates of Appreciation to them.

The meeting ended at 8.15 pm.