MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING 2007
HELD ON THURSDAY 26th
APRIL
2007
PRESENT:
Bill
Bowden
Chairman
Howard Zahl Vice
Chairman
Harry Silbey
Treasurer
Doug
Edmondson Publicity Officer
Anita Rigler
Acting Secretary
About
100 Neighbourhood Watch members. Coordinators and Contacts
GUEST
SPEAKER Mr Christopher Chope MP
1.
WELCOME
The Chairman welcomed all
to the 18th AGM, and went on to introduce the
guest speaker Mr Christopher Chope who will speak later
2.
APOLOGIES
The Chairman
read out apologies from: - Jill Reed, Bob Howick, Alan
Freer, Jill freer, Bill Marlow, Lyndsey Dedden,
3.
APPROVAL OF THE MINUTES
Acceptance of
the minutes of the 2006 AGM was proposed by Howard Zahl,
seconded by Bill Turley and approved by the members present.
4.
MATTERS ARISING- none
5.
TREASURERS REPORT
Harry Sibley produced the
statement of accounts for the Financial Year.
They were
proposed by Howard Zahl, seconded by Bill Turley and
approved by the members present.
6.
APPOINTMENT OF AN ACCOUNTS EXAMINER FOR 2007/2008
There was a
nomination for Bill Turley who was examiner for 2006/2007.
There being no other nominations.
Bill Turley
was duly proposed by Harry Sibley, seconded by Howard Zahl
and approved by the Members present.
7.
ELECTION OF OFFICERS
The following
Officers were elected at a Committee meeting prior to the
AGM.
The
Chairman Mr Bill Bowden
Vice
Chairman Mr Howard Zahl
Hon.
Treasurer Mr Harry Sibley
Hon.
Secretary Mrs Jill Reed
Publicity
Officer Mr Doug Edmondson
All were
approved nem.com. By the Members present
8.
GUEST SPEAKER
–Mr Christopher Chope MP
Mr Chope
commented how impressed he was with the support for the
watch tonight; it was a great testament of what people feel
is important.
The NHW is as
strong here as anywhere in the country. As Verwood had
almost every area of the town covered by members you will be
very quick to pounce on crime. Mr Chope had received a
letter from the Chief Constable, Martin Baker, assuring Mr
Chope that there are no plans to close Verwood Police
station.
Mr Chope
outlined his concerns about the reclassification of cannabis
and the misuse by young people who do not appear to consider
the drug dangerous. 8 out of 10 school children do not
regard cannabis as harmful or illegal since the
classification was reduced. Mr Chope outlined plans for the
introduction of road side testing for drugs, the same as we
have for alcohol due to the increase in road traffic
accidents in which drug taking is playing a large part.
Mr Chope
outlined that there was a 25% rise in cannabis abuse and
this is leading to many people becoming unstable. Mr Chope
stated that about 60% of cannabis was grown in this country
now compared to 10% previously.
Mr Chope aims
is to provide a clear message to young people that cannabis
is not harmless and plans to propose a Bill soon but is
sceptical it would make any progress.
10.
CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
The Chairman
gave the floor to Margaret Zahl who thanked everyone who
sponsored her for the London Marathon. She had a very good
day and ran the Marathon in 5 hrs 25 mins 41 secs and beat
approx. 27000 other runners.
10.2
Jackie Hock, a founder member of the watch, will be
sadly missed. In honour of her contribution to the watch an
annual award in her name “The Jackie Hock Memorial Award”
will be presented at future AGM’s. It will be open to all
members for their work in the watch who have gone beyond the
call of duty. Nominations can be sent in during the year and
the Committee will select a winner who will be announced at
the AGM.
10.2
Youth problems in the town
Since last
November several initiatives have been started. The Locality
Youth Support Group meets monthly and is attended by the
Youth Service, The Police, Bob Bailey (the EDDC Antisocial
Behaviour Officer) and other individuals. The New Explorer
Scout group meets weekly. There will be a Talented Youth
Concert on 12th May at the Hub. The Chairman
assured the audience that a lot of people are working hard
to isolate the minority trouble makers in the town and to
help the majority of law abiding youths
10.3
Police Open Day
The
police open day is on 31st May at Verwood Police
Station. The Watch will be having a stall there.
10.4
Carnival
We will not
be having an entry in the Verwood Carnival procession due to
the cost of the Public Liability Insurance. However the
Watch will be represented at the Rustic Fayre with their
Plant Sale. Contact Anita Rigler with Donations.
10.5
Trading Standards – No Calling Zone
The Chase has
been nominated as the first No Calling Zone in Verwood,
mainly due to its locality. Signs will be posted at the
entrance to the estate and will not affect charity
organisations but is designed to stop rogue tradesmen,
tarmacers and others who prey on the elderly. Following
trials here and at other locations in Dorset, if successful;
further zones could be developed.
10.6
CCTV Camera
Our cameras
have been in use throughout the year and have helped to
combat crime in the area. Any watch member may use the
equipment if they have a problem.
10.5
Tradesman list
This list has
had a very good reception from the Watch and several members
have praised it. Names do change from time to time. New
tradesmen are added and in rare circumstances one or two may
be removed. We will ensure that you are kept up to date via
the newsletter. Service finder sheets and labels were
offered to members for sale at the reduced price of £1 each.
10.6
Co-ordinators & Contacts
We have been
very lucky this year to have been able to appoint a new
Treasurer Harry Sibley who has taken over from Alan Freer.
Alan was our Treasurer for a number of years and I would
like to thank him personally for keeping the books and his
wise and useful input into Committee meetings. We have
appointed four new Co-ordinators during the year. Ian
Forrest a former Chairman moved away last year and Vic
Stillwell now looks after areas 11 and 11a.
Graham Cook
has taken on areas 8 and 9 following the resignation of
Caroline Andrews.
Norman
Holden has taken over area 12, our largest area where Jill
Freer, (Alan Freer’s) wife, formerly put so much effort into
the area.
Andy Ketchley
has taken over Jackie Hock’s old area 5.
This leaves
us with just two areas now without a co-ordinator, area 2,
which includes The Chase, and area 6a. All co-ordinators
were thanked for their efforts and commitment. Contacts are
still needed.
10.7
Awards and thanks.
A certificate
was awarded to Mr George Wheeler who had been a contact for
17 years in the Watch.
Sgt Richard
Partridge and members of the Beat Team were thanked for
their attendance at our meetings and for provision of crime
figures and information relevant to the Watch.
Anita Rigler
for her input in the Ringmaster System
Alison at the
Police Station Front Desk for her help and advice...
Bill Turley
the editor of our excellent newsletter.
11.
Website
Bill Turley
made a request to the Audience for someone to volunteer as
Webmaster for the Verwood and Three Legged Cross web site.
12.
A.O.B.
a) One
member asked if a spell checker could be used on
Ringmaster. This will be available on the new system.
b) A
concern was expressed about users of the Memorial Hall
returning to their car at night after a meeting as one
person had their car wrapped in cling film.
c) A
request for CCTV cameras on the Heritage centre was made
d) Concern
was expressed about the mobile Kebab van which regularly
parked at the entrance to Potters Wheel car park. One member
complained about the rubbish being left behind at night on
Ferrett’s Green.
e)
A member asked what plans there were for spending the
£800 spare funds in the watch account
f) Chris
Chope presented Bill Bowden with a token of appreciation
from the co-ordinators for his efforts as Chairman.
g) Chris
Chope was thanked for attending.
Close of
meeting 20.30 hrs.
