BROADSTONE NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH

The 13th Annual General Meeting was held on Thursday 9th May at St. Johns Church Hall. The Chairman, Denis Phillips opened the meeting by welcoming about 50 Contacts and Coordinators and the Speaker Inspector J. Hicks. He then asked the Vice Chairman, Mr David Williams, to Chair the meeting on the grounds of his own ill health. As some know he has been suffering with his heart and with breathing problems for some considerable time.

The names of those who had apologised in advance for their inability to attend the AGM were read out.

The Minutes of last year's AGM were signed as a true record after the recorded 1100% increase in crime had been corrected to show the more realistic figure of 11%!

In a brief discussion under matters arising, it was noted that Ringmaster was up and running with messages being put out by Marina Laws. Those present learned that the Watch had provided our Home Beat Officer (PC 1466 Nick Wyer) with a mobile telephone and answerphone.

The two main points of the Secretary's report referred to the difficulties encountered when a Contact needed to be replaced as there was a lack of volunteers to take over. The result had been a net loss of 7 groups, which still left Broadstone Neighbourhood Watch in a very strong position providing coverage for almost half the dwellings in the area. The second point reflected the changed way of reporting crime figures. The increase was probably not as alarming as the figures might show given that they now included multiple crimes individually, whereas in the past they would have been shown as a single offence.

The Chairman reported that it was the 20th Anniversary of Neighbourhood Watch and appealed for more volunteers to come forward in areas that were not already covered.

The Treasurer, Roger Jefferies, elected at last year's AGM, informed the meeting that he had found it necessary to restate the figures produced for the year ended 30th April 2001 because some figures had been wrongly allocated. He stressed that the overall position had not changed. For this year and in the future, accounts would be produced until the end of March (previously end of April) and would be independently examined.

Consideration was given to amendments to the Constitution. These had been circulated prior to the meeting. The various paragraphs were read out and explanations offered where required. A vote in favour taken on a show of hands proved unanimous.

The Officers and Committee Members for the year 2002/2003 were elected en bloc. After a lively discussion under the banner of Any Other Business, the Vice Chairman signalled a break for refreshments, which once again had been prepared by Mrs Phillips and helpers.
After the break we were treated to a most interesting talk by Inspector J.Hicks from Community Safety. He reassured all at the meeting that Broadstone was a low crime area. He made no attempt to gloss over the anti social behaviour of a minority who reduced the quality of life we could reasonably expect. He acknowledged that the fear of crime was very real. Everyone was urged to protect the elderly against despicable distraction crimes.

Inspector Hicks dealt frankly with wide ranging questions and was thanked at the conclusion of the meeting for his talk.

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