Agenda and minutes

Sutcliffe House Video Entry System (Agenda Item 4)

Ward Councillors attended the meeting and spoke in support of the petition.

Concerns, comments and suggestions raised by the lead petitioner included the following:-

o   Had spent many years trying to get improve security for Sutcliffe House for the residents.

o   Residents were currently unable to see who was seeking entry to the flats.

o   Access by non residents occurred at all hours of the day and night.

o   The existing entry phones can be switched off by residents but then  visitors were unable to gain entry.

o   Residents had on occasions been threatened by those trying to gain access to the flats.

o   Access was also gained by following residents and or their friends into the flats.

o   Realised that the video entry system would not solve the problem and tenants needed to help themselves by challenging those trying to gain access to the flats.

o   There was no Police resources to help with the situation residents find themselves in as Safer Neighbourhood Teams (SNT)no longer existed.

o   Dialling 999 would take Police away from Emergencies.

o   There had previously been people sleeping in the shed area.

o   Had been informed that there was currently a dog being kept in the shed area.

Ward Councillors in attendance spoke and raised the following points:-

o   Under the new Police model there was 1 Sargeant, 1 Police Community Support Officer covering the Ward.

o   The Police had acknowledged that the local Police number was not always answered since the SNT had been disbanded. 

o   Townfield was the worst Ward for Crime, which had not been taken into account when downgrading the Police patrols in the area.

o   The crime statistics for the Ward had started to improve when there was an SNT.

o   Resident’s safety was more important than the recent operation for car tax in the area.

o   All tower blocks were until recently patrolled on the same circuit, which no longer occurred.

The Cabinet Member for Finance, Property and Business Services, listened to the concerns of the petitioners and responded to the points raised.  The Cabinet Member agreed that a video entry system should be installed at Sutcliffe, and officers would now put the procedure for this to happen in place.  It was explained that once the entry system had been installed residents would need to challenge those wanting access to the flats.

Officers acknowledged that there had been changes to the local policing teams, with teams now covering several Wards. The perception of residents was that the Police had disappeared from local areas, but this was not the case.  In an emergency residents should still contact the emergency number and the Police would respond.

Officers also advised that there was a Special Police Team that had been set up, partially funded by the Council, it had been agreed that this team would patrol Sutcliffe House area on a frequent basis. 

The Ward Councillor asked officers to inform residents of the maintenance cost payable by them prior to the system being installed.

Resolved - That the Cabinet Member:

1.         Discussed the views and concerns of the petitioners and;

2.         Agreed the installation of a video door entry system at Sutcliffe House.