Tune In to Old Woking, Kingfield and Westfield

Old Woking, Kingfield and Westfield

In 2008 a Neighbourhood Improvement Workshop was held at Moorcroft, Westfield, over 50 residents attended and took the opportunity to meet various voluntary groups, including residents' associations.

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.

The three main topics for the evening's workshops chosen by residents were-

• Parking and speeding issues.

• Engaging with young people.

• Reducing crime.

Since the event

Surrey Police, Neighbourhood Officers (from Woking Borough Council), officers from Surrey County Council, local councillors and local residents groups have been working together to address these issues and other issues causing concern within the community. This work is ongoing.

Parking and speeding issues

Residents raised a number of issues around parking in the area and these views have been forwarded to Surrey County Council and Parking Services at Woking Borough Council. Woking Borough Council parking attendants have also prioritised the area for enforcement of yellow lines to tackle local parking hotspots.

Speeding vehicles were highlighted as a problem by residents, who requested traffic calming measures to be introduced. These views have been forwarded to Surrey County Council.

Residents also raised concerns about vegetation on highway land, footpaths and pavements. Serco, the Council's environmental maintainance partners, have a programme to deal with these issues and clear litter in the area. Surrey County Council are also advised should private vegetation be obstructing highway land and are able to liase with private landowners to resolve any issues.

Engaging with young people.

Parents felt there was a lack of awareness of what activities the Council and other agencies provide for young people. The Council currently produce leaflets and posters advertising forthcoming events and activities in schools and youth clubs, along with dedicated web pages at www.woking.gov.uk . The Council also support Woking Youth Council, which is open to anyone who lives in the Borough and is aged between 13 and 18 years old. For more information, please visit www.wokingyouthcouncil.co.uk

Reducing crime

Antisocial behaviour was highlighted as an issue, through joint working all agencies involved are looking at ways of combating antisocial behaviour in the area.

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.

You can report non urgent incidents or speak to one of the team by phoning 101.

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

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 a community clean-up days.

Useful information

• Flooding, an information pack has previously been distributed to all properties that are affected by flooding. For further information, please contact Woking Borough Council Customer Services on 01483 755855.
• Unwins site, closure of the footpath or diversions, all concerns should be directed to Surrey County Council on 08456 009 009.

For further information, please contact Woking Borough Council's Neighbourhood Officer, Yvette Lanham, on 01483 743475 or email yvette.lanham@woking.gov.uk