AGM AT THE CORN EXCHANGE, DEVIZES FRIDAY 31ST MARCH 2006 7.00 PM TO 9.00 PM

The meeting was opened at 7.00pm by Digby Barker, Interim Chair of the W&S NHW Association.
He welcomed everyone to the Association’s inaugural AGM. He introduced his fellow members of the interim Committee, explaining that the word ‘interim’ was to remind everyone that they were not an elected Committee: they were simply volunteers who, through various routes, had found themselves in a position to help with the development of the Association.
He explained that fewer people were present than expected: some 130 had said they would be there out of the 800- plus association members invited. In line with the interim Constitution adopted by the Committee, invitations had been sent to Area Coordinators registered with the association and registered Scheme Coordinators where there was no registered Area Coordinator.

The Chairman gave a comprehensive review of the background to the Association and events / issues leading up to the AGM. This included the groundwork done by the Development Group prior to its transformation into the Association in July 2005 with a Constitution based on a National Neighbourhood Watch Association model. He outlined the objectives for 2006 that the Executive Committee were working towards. These are:

Although Communication was paramount, availability of funding had been a major constraint until Soft Options and ADT came forward as sponsors for which support the Association is most grateful. The main source of contact details on Association members is the Wiltshire Police NHW Database (known as ‘CMS’) where some 30% are on e-mail but some 40% of its contents required updating as information was more than 2 years old. This is a major task for the Association working in conjunction with the Police.

Inspector Nick Bancroft, HQ Community Safety Inspector, provided a comprehensive account how the Police dealt with the valuable links to the Association, including the real benefits to a safer society for the area’s residents. Communication was the most important and demanding issue with some 4500 schemes to liaise with across the County. A previous Voice messaging system had proved unpopular and not easily managed. There were a number of complicated issues to deal with and it was decided as not being practicable and had therefore been stopped.

NPTs were to be discussed by Insp. Lange; the structure of the NHWA was vital to effective linkage with the Force; and VCR was currently ‘on hold’ as the cost (some £30,000) could not be justified while impending mergers of Police Forces could result in such expenditure being unnecessary. However with a combination of these factors he was confident that significant improvements would be possible.

Inspector C. Lange NPT Project Co-ordinator, gave an illustrated outline of the current situation and future plans for Neighbourhood Policing Teams (NPTs) in Wiltshire and how they are expected to be rolled out over the next few years. He stressed that:

These had been chosen carefully to demonstrate where the weaknesses are. He concluded by stressing that people must feel they have a part to play in the process, so that the right joint action is undertaken to achieve further crime (and fear of crime) reduction.

David Grimsdale spoke in detail about the Sub-Group’s work. The main message was that while there has been much progress in working with the Police force across Wiltshire many more NHWA volunteers are wanted. He reiterated a number of points made earlier in the meeting by previous speakers, demonstrating the good co- operation between NHWA and the Police.
There was a text messaging pilot scheme being set up in the Marlborough area. The Association’s web pages (hosted by the Police NHW website) were a priority for development. [i](Note: This site now covers the majority of Association activity)
More newsletters to disseminate information were planned now that funding was available. Discussions were underway with Section Inspectors to improve communications. NHW Volunteers were needed in Police Stations in order to help maintain NHW records and to relay information thus freeing-up Police resources for the work that only they can undertake.
Reference was made to the difficulties the National NHWA was experiencing with its future yet to be resolved, however the Public Liability insurance was still applicable as this came from the Home office to the County Association (but individuals must be active NHWA members to benefit): discounts in House Insurance premiums was also a potential benefit for Association members.

6. Treasurer’s Report 2005/2007 and Presentation of Accounts 2005/2007

He concluded by suggesting that the potential for future sponsorship could include a range of businesses with direct and indirect connections to the consequences and prevention of crime e.g.

• Solicitors
• Estate agents
• Double glazing firms
• Insurance brokers and companies

A vote of thanks was given to the Treasurer for his work.

7. Election of Executive Officers and announcement of Committee Members
The following Association Officers had been proposed on the form included in the AGM calling notice:

Chair Digby Barker	Proposed D. Grimsdale	2nd B. Jenkins
V/Chair Davis Grimsdale	Proposed D. Barker	2nd D. Simmonds
Treasurer David Colledge	Proposed D. Barker	2nd D. Simmonds
Secretary Peter Richardson	Proposed C. Humphries	2nd G. Hillier

That these should be elected ‘en-block’ was proposed at the meeting by Gorden Swanson and seconded by Robin Steel. This was carried unanimously.

Volunteer Executive Committee members as put to the meeting on the order paper sent out were:

• David Simmonds: District Co- ordinator, Salisbury City - Salisbury Section.
• Pete Owen: Section Co-ordinator, West Wilts - Trowbridge Section
• Sally Woolacott: Scheme Co- ordinator, North Wilts - Chippenham Area
• Barry Jenkins: District Co- ordinator, Swindon
• Rodney Hulverson: Section Co- ordinator, Tidworth Community Area

All the above were accepted en-block with none voting against and no abstentions.
The Chairman noted that other volunteers could be co-opted as necessary and that anyone interested should get in touch. He also pointed out that there were several representatives from Wiltshire Constabulary who were Ex-officio Association Executive Committee members and others who attended meetings as required.

Auditor: Robin Steel offered his services and was proposed by Ann Coles and seconded by Kate Goodenough. This was carried unanimously.

8. “Post-it Note” opportunity.
Everyone was given the opportunity to contribute to ask questions of the Association including, during the break in proceedings, by way of Topic sheets for ‘post-it’ note queries.
The answers would be posted on the Association website: a copy of this material is reproduced at Annex B (not on this site)to these minutes.

9. Closing remarks
A vote of thanks for the organisers of the AGM was proposed by Gorden Swanson which met with the unanimous approval of the meeting. The Chair thanked everyone for attending and on behalf of the Association thanked the Police and the Sponsors for their considerable support.
The meeting closed at 8.59pm.

Graphic version of this page