Tune In to Knaphill and Brookwood

We would like to thank residents for attending the Neighbourhood Improvement Workshop held at The Vyne, Knaphill on Wednesday 28 May 2008. We hope you will find this update informative.

So, down to business! The event itself was hailed a success as over 70 local residents attended and took the opportunity to meet various voluntary groups, including residents associations.

Also on hand to speak to residents and local people were representatives from Surrey Police, Woking Borough Council, Surrey County Council, Surrey Fire and Rescue and the Local Primary Care Trust - the main partners behind the Neighbourhood Management Group who planned the workshop.

When residents entered the hall, everyone was asked to write down the three main issues that they would like to discuss. These were then used to determine the main topics for the evening's workshops:

• How we engage with young people

• Improving the local environment

• Neighbourhood policing

Since the event

Surrey Police, Neighbourhood Officers (from Woking Borough Council), officers from Surrey County Council, local councillors and local residents groups have been investigating how community groups, relevant agencies and local residents can get involved in addressing these issues.

How we can engage with young people?

Residents were interested to learn what opportunities there are for young people.

A programme of summer activities, known as `Xtreme Fun', is available to all young people aged 13 to 19 years old. Activities include snowboarding, basketball, parkour and cheerleading. For more information, call 01483 743669 or visit www.woking.gov.uk. Coaching sessions for young people were available every Thursday evening (5pm to 6.30pm) during summer holidays at Vyne Fields Multi-Use Games Area, Redding Way. Each week a different sport was taught. Sports include tennis, cricket and athletics. For further information, please contact Woking Borough Council's Sports Development Officer, Jill Dixon, on 01483 743804 or email jill.dixon@woking.gov.uk

Concerns were raised over the football field at Strathcona Gardens being locked and not readily accessible. This is due to football league restrictions. However, if anyone would like to join Knaphill Football Club, please visit www.knaphillfootballclub.co.uk

It was noted Brookwood Country Park was rather unkempt, and a suggestion was made that a youth group could adopt one of the four ponds within the park to ensure it is well maintained. The feasibility of such a scheme is currently being investigated by the Council.

Hedges and grass cutting

Residents raised concerns about some roads being swept days before scheduled verge and grass cutting, which left grass and other green waste covering the footpath.

During the summer months, extra resources were required to maintain the grass at a reasonable level, which impacts on the usual cutting programme. Since this issue has been raised grass cutting and road sweeping have been synchronised to reduce inconvenience to residents.

Street litter

The Co-Op was highlighted as often having a full and overflowing bin, which is not emptied until the morning, resulting in rubbish being blown around the local area. Neighbourhood Officer, Kate Wilson, seeks greater cooperation with local businesses to ensure they consider the local environment and how it impacts on residents. The opportunity will also be used to promote Surrey Police's `Shopwatch' initiative.

Working with schools

Woking Borough Council's Neighbourhood Team and Surrey County Council will continue education programmes in local schools, teaching young people the impact of dropping litter on the environment and local wildlife.

Following a successful poster competition, organised by the Knaphill Residents Association, it is proposed to run a similar competition next year with prizes supplied by local businesses.

Other issues

Many issues raised on the night were not time or location specific, and often had not been reported to the Council. Residents are encouraged to contact Neighbourhood Officer, Kate Wilson, with details of issues, such as litter and dog mess, which concerns them.

Neighbourhood policing

Every defined neighbourhood within the Borough is covered by a Neighbourhood Policing Team. They are made up of a combination of dedicated beat officers (Neighbourhood Specialist Officers - NSOs) and Police Community Support Officers (PCSOs). These officers work alongside dedicated Woking Borough Council Neighbourhood Officers, whose job it is to help resolve community issues.

Each team works towards reducing crime levels in the area, alongside reducing the fear of crime in the neighbourhood. They achieve this by tackling the problems you identify, promoting community safety and assisting with environmental improvements. The Safer Neighbourhood Team for Knaphill and Brookwood are:

PC Tina Anscombe, email 2768@surrey.pnn.police.uk

PCSO Sarah Honeyball, email 12107@surrey.pnn.police.uk

You can speak to one of the team by phoning 0845 125 2222. The team hold regular panel meetings, where priorities for the policing team are set by the residents who attend. The team also hold regular police surgeries, which is your opportunity to speak to a member of the team on a one-on-one basis. To find out more about the dates of panel meetings and surgeries, please contact the Safer Neighbourhood Team, or visit www.surrey.police.uk

You may also notice leaflets circulating round the area, which ask you about your neighbourhood priorities and whether you feel confident in the policing of your area. You can pick up a leaflet from various shops throughout Knaphill and Brookwood, from one of the panel meetings, surgeries or from either Tina or Sarah. Please take a leaflet and fill one in. The more feedback we receive from the residents, the better service we can give.

Community volunteers

Woking Borough Council is looking for committed residents who are prepared to be contacted to help at any future community events, such as the community clean-up days.

If anyone would like to become a community volunteer, please contact Woking Borough Council's Neighbourhood Officer, Kate Wilson, on 01483 743465 or email kate.wilson@woking.gov.uk

Evaluation - what have we learnt from the event?

We can see that, overall, those who attended are proud to tell people where they live and feel they can turn to neighbours to ask for help. The majority feel that people in their neighbourhood care about their neighbours and just over half of those who completed the evaluation showed that they get involved in community activities and regularly give up time to volunteer in their neighbourhood.

The workshops

Over 75% of those who completed the evaluation said they found the workshops a worthwhile use of their time. Also, 79% stated that they now know where to find information about public services, and 70% said they are satisfied with the level of service they receive from local agencies.

Your feedback

Below are some comments that you fed back to us on the

evaluation forms.

"Very useful."

"Very well organised."

"Very worthwhile, thanks."

For further information please contact Kate Wilson, Neighbourhood Officer on 01483 743465 or email kate.wilson@woking.gov.uk