'Tune In' to Maybury

What is "Tune In"?

"Tune In" is the name for a series of community based workshops across the Borough, aimed at providing residents with the opportunity to:

• discuss issues in their local area

• meet representatives from a range of public sector and voluntary bodies who work in the area

• consider how collectively they can address issue that are raised

• consider how they can become more involved in the day to day life of their neighbourhood.

Overview

This 'Tune In' event took place at the Maybury Centre on Tuesday 4 September 2007. Representatives from local statutory and voluntary organisations were joined by 70 residents from Maybury in workshops  run throughout the evening by independent facilitators, the topics of which were determined by the residents. As each resident arrived at the event they completed a registration form which asked them to list their top three key issues of improvement for their neighbourhood. Discussion around these topics was held for about an hour and a half during which time residents took a positive lead in putting forward ideas for solutions and suggesting how they, community groups and the relevant agencies may be able to help the community in solving these issues.

Workshop topics:

• Drug abuse

• Transport

• Improving the environment

At the end of the workshops, participants were asked to give feedback on how successful the event had been.

Police, Neighbourhood Officers (from Woking Borough Council) and officers from Surrey County Council were tasked to look at all the individual issues raised and project managers have also been identified to look at the outcomes from the workshops and how community groups, relevant agencies and the neighbourhoods residents can get involved in addressing these issues.

Surrey Police neighbourhood team already holds the issue of drugs as a priority issue and have been working hard to tackle this for the past year. Their work on this issue will continue and we will keep you updated with any positive actions that the Police and partner agencies resolve around Drug abuse.

To disrupt the drugs supply and use in the Maybury West area still remains a daily focus and Surrey Police are continually using all intervention methods available in order to disrupt and detect the supply and use of controlled drugs within the area. There has been some more success recently with a few drug related arrests which are currently being investigated. Furthermore the Drugs team executed a warrant at an address in the Maybury West area which has helped disrupt the supply network in the area.

How can you get involved ?

If you know anyone who is involved, please contact us in confidence. Call Neighbourhood Specialist Officer, PC Scott Kemp: 07967 988311. Email: Kemp2120@surrey.pnn.police.uk or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

Woking Borough Councils Neighbourhood Officer, Andy Calfe, is working towards resolving various environmental issues such as:

• Litter on roads, alleyways and pavements, specifically in Walton Road and Maybury Road. - Changes have been made to the street cleaning programmes which include the above roads now getting a weekly clean as well as a litter picked once a week. Other roads which are currently on an eight or twelve weekly cycle will be monitored to see if any changes are needed.

• Streetlights which were not working or permanently on have been reported to Surrey County Council.

• Fly-tipping - the neighbourhood team always urge all residents to be vigilant and report any activity.

• Walton Court will be the focus of an community clean-up in the Spring next year and all residents are encouraged to get involved.

Other issues that have been captured as part of the recent Community Action Plan are also being worked on, such as parking problems on the Maybury Estate. The Action Plan is currently being put together and will be fed back to all residents in due course.

Surrey County Council has also been addressing many different transportation related issues, such as:

• Traffic calming measures on boundary road has just been completed in response to a petition raised through the SCC Local Committee (Woking).

• White Rose Lane/Heathside Junction
  Improvements to the crossing at this junction were presented to local committee on 31 October 2007.

• Residents suggested a solution of a campaign for a footpath along Old Woking Rd and White Rose Lane
  Residents may wish to present a petition to the local committee.

• Improving Bus services
  An update on the bus service and public transport initiatives in the Woking area was presented to Local Committee on 31st October. This can be found at the address below:

• General Speeding (20 mph zones)
  SCC Officers have been asked to prepare a report on criteria for 20 mph zones for consideration by members of the Local Committee.
  We encourage all residents to take part in Local Committee meetings either by presenting a petition or by coming along to raise any questions.

Evaluation - what have we learnt from the event?

The event and your neighbourhood

We can see that, overall, those who attended believe that people in their neighbourhood care about their neighbours and get involved in community activities. The majority of people were proud to tell people where they live and feel they can turn to their neighbours for help. A high number of residents who attended also stated that they take part in group activities and regularly volunteer in their neighbourhood.

The workshops

Over 84% of those who attended the workshops run at the event found the workshop a worthwhile use of their time. Also over 75% stated that they now know where to find out information about public services. Over half of those who attended the event said they now know the names of their local neighbourhood team and 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.

"This is a great initiative. I look forward to actions and follow up events to measure success."

"It?s essential that an initiative is made to generate a sense of pride amongst all members and age groups in the local community."

"Thank you, it was informative."

For further information please contact Andy Calfe on 01483 743451 or email andy.calfe@woking.gov.uk