Grantham & District Association AGM Minutes May 11th 2015

Grantham and District NHW Association 

AGM Minutes of Meeting 

Monday 11 May 2015 

7.00 pm 

Present:  Helen Bill (Chair), Ruth Freeman (Secretary), Sandra Watson (Treasurer) + 15 others  

Welcome: 

Chair, Helen Bill welcomed and thanked everyone for attending, particularly Guest Speaker PCSO Stuart Bowden. 

Apologies: 

Cllr Bob Adams, Cllr Ray Wootten, Cllr George Chivers, Moyra Hipwell, Richard Cross, Mike Hine, Carole Burton, Mary Tivey. At this point Helen informed everyone of the sad news that Alan Tivey had recently passed away. Alan was a staunch supporter of NHW and did much for his community in Long Bennington 

Minutes of last AGM 

Chair advised that the Minutes had been sent out via email but copies were available for anyone to look at. 

Minutes were approved. 

Chair’s Report 

Helen advised that she continues to be the point of contact for the District and NHW  

Co-ordinators and members can contact her direct if they need any help, advice or support. 

Chair confirmed that she attended 2 County NHW meetings each year one of which is open to all Co-ordinators with invitations going out through Lincs Alert. 

At the last meeting there was a very interesting talk about Operation Repeat (Reinforcing Elderly Persons Education at All Times) eg doorstep crime, rogue traders, distraction burglary, scams. Caroline Broughton, HQ has asked that NHW Co-ordinators become community champions and consider a voluntary role as a REVIVE volunteer. A role profile form is available for those who are interested. 

Junior Eyes – this project is proceeding very well and has been a great success.  In September 2014 the PCC and County NHW funded the first 5000 booklets. Following the launch Mark Housely agreed to fund a further 15,000 booklets.  So far Junior Eyes has worked with primary schools in Grantham, Stamford and Spalding NPAs covering 94% of schools in these areas. 

Junior Eyes has been invited to join with the Police and Neighbourhood Watch on their stand at Lincolnshire Show in June. 

Chair confirmed that she would be receiving a further £1,000 funding to continue with the work. 

Finally the Chair thanked the committee for their work. 

 Treasurer’s Report 

Accounts were presented to the meeting.  The accounts have been listed as NHW and Junior Eyes from which it can be seen that there is a balance on the accounts of £1,513.66 

Accounts were approved and signed by Sandra 

Election of Officers 

Chair               Helen Bill 

Secretary        Ruth Freeman 

Treasurer         Sandra Watson 

Proposed : Tina Nolan, Seconded : Mike Cowan 

Guest Speaker – PCSO Stuart Bowden 

Stuart Bowden introduced himself, he is the PCSO for Grantham South covering an area of some 200 miles.  He advised that times have changed whereas in years gone by if he went to a village he would meet people walking, chatting; outside life had become more insular and people stayed in their homes.  It is therefore very important that the NHW keep in contact with him as they will be the people who see suspicious vehicles, people, etc in their villages. 

Stuart’s plea was ‘if you don’t tell me, I promise I will do nothing about it, if you do tell me I will try and do something’. 

Stuart is reliant on the local communities observing and telling what is happening in their areas.  He asked that NHW advertise the 101 number. 

The main message of the talk was that people should contact Stuart, no matter how small the problems, and he will try and assist.  Please ring the 101 number as all of the messages for his area are looked at by him when at work. 

AOB 

1. The Chair was asked for the contact details of the people who talk to residents about marking their property. 

2. Helping Hands – known as Rally Round, an initiative that was presented at the Spring meeting 2014. How is this progressing? The Chair said she would check and forward on the information 

3. Welcome Packs – these are no longer available however if Co-ordinators contact the Chair she will put some small packs together. 

Meeting closed at 8.25 pm