Amesbury Town Centre Residents Association (ATCRA)

Meeting held in the Antrobus Arms Hotel on Thursday 22 June 2006 at 1930hrs.

 

Present: Members (names recorded in the attendance register held by the Secretary).

 

Apologies: 3 (names are held with the Secretary)

 

1 Opening Statement:

The chairman commenced the meeting by welcoming all those present and also two new attendees. The Journal’s recent headline (22nd June 2006 issue) “Amesbury is lawless town , says judge” reflects very positively why this Association was formed last year due to the incessant hooliganism and vandalism being conducted in Church Street and the immediate surrounding area.  Maybe with a headline such as this our Town Councillors and Wiltshire Constabulary will take a more focused view on creating a society bounded by “law and order”.

 

2 Minutes of the last meeting:

These were accepted as distributed.

 

3 Matters Arising:

There were several issues carried forward from the last minutes.

  • Delivery System.  This had not gone as originally expected due to a variety of reasons, which would be reviewed.  However on the positive side by having the Minutes published in the Stonehenge Trader it was felt that we reach a far wider audience and consequently potential new members.  Furthermore it provides an opportunity to promote the desire, enthusiasm and energy of residents to combat the rise in anti-social behaviour.  By publishing in this means it maybe that our elected representatives will not only take note but bring to the attention of a vast majority of local residents the shortfall in our community relationships, and the need to develop a robust front to increase overall awareness and crime prevention.
  • Town Council Meetings.  We sought a volunteer to attend all the Town Council public meetings; it is now very likely that we will have such representation as a volunteer was about to be approached.
  • Financial reimbursement   The treasurer offered to subsidise the Association as it was felt thet the annual subscription was excessive.  After discussing it was agreed that the subscription should remain extant.  The treasurer was thanked for the kind offer to subsidise the Association.
  • Stonehenge Trader.  Once our financial situation becomes healthier we may well advertise future meetings via this means.  In the meantime we would continue to use this means to promote our Association’s endeavours and thank the Stonehenge Trader for publishing the minutes.

 

4 Reports:

·         Town Council.  The minutes of the Town Council meeting also appear in the Stonehenge Trader; with our prospective Member attending we may receive greater feedback on future meetings. No Town Councillor attended due to a clash of meetings.

·         Wiltshire Constabulary.  No representation.

·         District Councillor.  Attending a Facility and transport Meeting elsewhere.

 

5 Formal Incident Reports:

There were no formal incident reports to be recorded.  However a rather alarming report of outright hooliganism and vandalism to vehicles and gardens was reported by a resident in Antrobus Road.  Groups of youths displaying overtly threatening behaviour and using distressing verbal abuse to residents raises alarm within the community.  One resident ‘arrested’ one of these youths who was taken into custody by the police.  However it was alleged that the police took no further action regarding the remainder of the group.  It was generally thought that roving, random police cars do not provide the level of preventative presence that the ‘Bobby on the beat’ would provide.

 

6 Financial Statement:

Subscriptions are being received and recorded by the Treasurer, who will provide a Financial Statement to those in attendance at future Meetings.   Action The Treasurer.

 

7 Any other business:

No items of relevance to this Association’s Meeting was brought forward for discussion.

 

 8 Date of next meeting.

The next meeting was scheduled to take place in the Antrobus Hotel on Thursday 7th September 2006 commencing at 1930 hours (7.30pm).  Action All

 

After note.  The Residents Association are very grateful to the Antrobus Hotel for facilitating these meetings.

 

Adam Woods  Chairman ATCRA.

 

Nigel de Foubert  Secretary ATCRA.