Notes
Meeting Title: / Bude Community Network PanelDate: / Monday 14 July 2014
Time: / 7.00pm
Location: / Room 4, Parkhouse Centre, Bude
Attendees / Title/Representing
Councillor Nicky Chopak / Cornwall Councillor – Poundstock
Councillor Nigel Pearce / Cornwall Councillor - Bude
Councillor Nick Crossley / Kilkhampton Parish Council
Councillor Lea Deely / Bude-Stratton Town Council
Councillor Mike Sutton / Whitstone Parish Council
Councillor John Colwill / Morwenstow Parish Council
Councillor Ray Hockin / Marhamchurch Parish Council
Lucille Opie / Bude Partnership
Chris Jewell / Resident
Sgt Jez Theobald / Devon & Cornwall Police
Matt Whittaker / Addaction
L Upton / Addaction
Nick Truscott / Cornwall Council – Team Leader (Planning & Contract Management)
Chris Sims / Cornwall Council – Community Network Manager
Gemma Hankins / Cornwall Council – Community Regeneration Officer
Rosemary Stone / Cornwall Council – Community NW Support Officer
Apologies / Absentees
Councillor David Parsons / Cornwall Councillor - Bude
Councillor Paula Dolphin / Cornwall Councillor – Grenville & Stratton
Councillor Jeremy Ward / Week St Mary Parish Council
Jacobstow Parish Council
Launcells Parish Council
North Tamerton Parish Council
St Gennys Parish Council
Action
1. / Introductions and Apologies
Councillor Chopak (NC) welcomed everyone to the meeting, and invited introductions.
2. / Substance Misuse
NC introduced Jez Theobald (JT) and invited him to provide an update on substance misuse in the Bude area from the Police perspective.
In general the area has little recorded drug-related crime. In the 12 months to 30 June 2014, 24 peoplewere found in possession of drugs and there were 4 offences of trafficking. This compares to 36 and 8 respectively in the year up to 30 June 2013 which indicates a downward trend.
Police powers are contained in the Misuse of Drugs Act, and drugs are categorised as A, B or C. In Bude there has been evidence of herbal cannabis, and recreational use of cocaine, however there is more concern over abuse of alcohol and prescription drugs, which provide the greatest risk of harm.
There is a rising scale of punishment including on-street warnings, penalty notices, arrest, caution and court hearing. Successful outcomes depend on good evidence to the Police from the community. Priorities for the Police in minimising substance misuse are ensuring visible resources on the street, and managing effects such as anti-social behaviour, criminal damage and domestic violence.
Questions / Comments / Answers
What are the penalties for use of cocaine?
Answer – First offences could generate a caution, subsequent offences are likely to result in a court appearance.
How much cannabis cultivation/production is there in the UK and the Bude area?
Answer –Production and supply constitute trafficking offences. In Bude three areas of cultivation have been shut down, two of which were small-scale for personal use.
Is there an increase in instances of drug offences in summer months?
Answer – No, although availability is possible in most Cornish towns.
Is repeat offending an issue?
Answer – Habitual usage is inevitable, and the same names do crop up in records of offences.
Is Bude typical compared to, for instance, Newquay?
Answer – There are fewer problems over the summer months than in Newquay, as Bude is family-oriented, while Newquay has an influx of young people.
Is there an issue with under-age use of alcohol in the area?
Answer – The Police are working with supermarkets and other suppliers on raising awareness and minimising the issue. Most retailers have strict sale procedures making it more difficult for 15/16 year olds to purchase alcohol, although older friends or family members may provide it. The issue is less problematic than 5 years ago.
Are there figures available on the availability of legal-highs?
Answer–The Police are aware of a shop in Bideford, but are not aware of anything in Bude.
Councillor Nick Crossley referred to a letter he had provided to Chris Sims outlining his personal views on the topic. He asked if figures were available for heroin use in Newquay, and also questioned the use of methradone (rather than methadone).
Answer – JT indicated he did not have figures for Newquay with him, although they do exist.
NC thanked JT and invited Matt Whittaker (MW) to outline issues identified by Addaction.
MW indicated Addaction is the only young persons’ service in Cornwall and supports 11-18 year olds through referrals from GPs, social workers, family members and individuals themselves. The service trains professionals to identify drug use through a screening tool, and representatives meet young people where they are, e.g. Bude School.
There are 4 tiers of support offered.
- Information, guidance and education
- Intervention where there is identified use/dependency of a person close to the individual
- Planned intervention for care, development of support strategies in order to reduce risks to the individual and the wider community
- Specific intervention, e.g. detox, rehab, alternative medication.
Year / Numbers / Tiers / Ages
2012/13 / 10 young people-
4 male/6 female / 9 – tier 3
1 – tier 2 / 4 - 15 yrs
2- 16 yrs
4 – 17 yrs
2013/14 / 6 young people –
5 male/1 female / 4 – tier 2
2 – tier 3 / 2 – 16 yrs
2 – 17 yrs
2 - 18 yrs
2014 to date / 2 young people –
1 male/1 female / 2 - tier 3 / 1 – 15 yrs
1 – 17 yrs
Questions / Comments / Answers
Does Addaction work with schools?
Answer – Direct intervention is not offered, however schools provide advice through the curriculum and take the opportunity to address the risk of exclusion.
Where does funding come from?
Answer – From a number of streams including the Youth Justice Board, NHS and Cornwall Council.
Have instances of psychosis increased amongst 20 year-olds?
Answer – There has been some experience of this. Drug usage can bring on episodes and result in more enduring conditions such as schizophrenia.
If young people are experimenting what are the signs?
Answer – These vary with individuals but commonly include missing money, change of behaviour, mood swings, out of character activities.
To avoid experimentation it is best to keep young people engaged in positive activities.
It is understood a search of Bude School had resulted in 200 items and confiscated.
Answer – The Police are not aware of drugs being found belonging to pupils. A close relationship has been built with the school to educate as well as to facilitate searches.
Does Addaction promote its services in schools?
Answer – Yes, young people have designed posters. These can be provided to CS for wider distribution as required.
Action – send posters to CS electronically
It was noted there are no treatment beds for under-18s in Cornwall. This can provide difficulties in keeping those undergoing treatment close to their families. It is the case that older people are just as guilty of offences as the young.
NC thanked MW for his informative presentation and suggested he keep the Community Network informed of issues and problem areas (through CS). / MW
3. / Local Bus Services
NC welcomed Nick Truscott (NT) to the meeting and invited him to brief the Panel on the latest tender process. The presentation is attached with the Notes.
The X9 service linking Exeter and Bude is the source of concern as rail tickets are bought to Bude and the rail substitute bus often does not connect with train timesUnfortunately rail companies have no obligation to bus passengers and there is no guarantee of connection when booking. NT mentioned the Great Western franchise is up for renegotiation.
In addition the Sunday service is being stopped as it is not considered viable. Cornwall Council is continuing to negotiate with Stagecoach but currently the price is unaffordable.
Action - NT will feedback the outcome of negotiations
It was suggested a letter be sent to Dan Rogerson MP from the Community Network to raise concerns over the present level of public transport service in the Bude area and to stress the opposition to cessation of any services and particularly the X9.
Action – draft letter to Dan Rogerson MP
NT indicated the Town and Kilkhampton services on Saturday afternoonsare being examined as a possible solution to fund a Sunday service. It had been established that later (6pm) service on Saturday attracts few customers. It has been proposed that the Saturday afternoon service is reducedto fund a Sunday service. This solution is under consideration.
Concessions
It is difficult to set a budget for this. Operators are not allowed to profit from the concession scheme, and the estimated % paid to operators in Cornwall is 50%. Approximately 10% of concessions are for tourists, as most travel to the area by car. Contributions from passengers are not permitted under legislation.
School Buses
There are two types of school bus contracts – closed contracts (where only scholars are conveyed) and integrated which operate as part of the local bus service. Spare capacity can be taken by adults on the integrated services for secondary schools. There is a policy against use of primary school services by adults. It was felt some children may be at risk walking along country lanes, and a threat to the viability of rural schools.
Tendering 2014
Under legislation EU regulations allow little or no flexibility in the process. The minimum level of service specified was one bus a day for towns and villages with populations over 500. Integrated services are preferred and will be adopted where possible.
There was a 6-week period of working through the tenders and scenarios. Three options were considered and costed. Option B was preferred – although over-budget negotiation is under way. A change in service requires a 56-day notice – some notices from operators were not known at the time of tender /evaluation /contract letting.
If there are persistent problems they should be reported to the Passenger Transport Unit.
User Groups
These are advocated and encouraged. Community schemes can include taxi buses, car sharing, and can complement core bus services feeding into primary transport hubs.
There may be capital money available to buy a community bus, but not for revenue running costs. The Community Transport Toolkit will be available to help. Schemes do require a high level of commitment from volunteers.
Action – CS to send out Community Transport guidance when it is finalised.
Technology
Ticket machines and smart cards help to provide evidence of user demand and helps forward planning.
NC thanked NT for his presentation and helpful comments. / NT
Lucille Opie/CS
CS
4. / Equality and Diversity (standing item)
CS mentioned the paper on Equality and Diversity commissioned by Cornwall Council which had been circulated to T&PCs. At the time it was agreed this would be a standing item on Panel meeting Agendas.
The validity of the item had been questioned, but CS proposed the item remain as this links to the requirement to draft an engagement plan for the Community Network which will deal with a range of issues such as accessibility, language, ethnicity, social media, etc. This presents an opportunity to look at engagement with the whole community, and discuss evidence of how successful this is.
5. / Notes from the last Panel Meeting – 14 April 2014
And Matters Arising
Page(s) 4/5 – Mobile Libraries
Three possible options are still under consideration, and a firm decision is awaited.
Page 6 – Stratton Road Roundabout
It is hoped the situation may be resolved by September. The original design was not accepted by Cornwall Council and the developer may be obliged to install a bigger roundabout.
6. / Public Questions
6.1 Bude Neighbourhood Development Plan
There was concern that information to support plan development has been difficult to acquire, e.g. historic lease agreements, conservation area boundaries. The process is more time-consuming than originally envisaged and is proving frustrating which may deter some groups from completing a NDP. Particular issues surround information on conservation areas. More help and guidance from CC would be welcomed.
It was reiterated that the role of CC is to check for general conformity with legislation and policies, and a core offer is in place to support groups.
Action – Bude NDP Steering Group to let GH know what it required / Bude NDP Group/GH
7. / Correspondence
None.
8. / Any Other Matters from the Chair
8.1 Community Network Panel Review and Actions
CS presented the outcome of the latest Review and a number of recommendations that have been agreed by the Devolution and Localism PAC.
These include:
- all CNs to be called Community Network Panels
- arrangements for chairing
- arrangements for voting
- more engagement and attendance by the public
- protocol for presenting and escalating issues with services
It was suggested meetings be advertised through Radio Cornwall, and in the Bude & Stratton Post, the Western Morning News and through parish magazines.
Actions –
Presentation to be circulated with the Notes
Suggestions on media engagement be sent to CC Comms Team
8.2 Rail Link to Okehampton – North Dartmoor Route
CS mentioned a letter received from Michael Ireland of the University of Plymouth on rail links around North Dartmoor, and will check to see if this can be circulated to T&PCs.
Action – check with Michael Ireland on circulation / RS
CS
CS
9. / Next Panel Meeting
Date - Monday 13 October 2014
Time - 7.00pm
Venue - Falcon Hotel, Bude
Theme - AGM / Community Network Priorities / Budget Consultation
Round Up and Close
Councillor Chopak thanked everyone for their attendance and participation, and closed the meeting.
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