Newcomen Ward Community Forum, held their Annual General Meeting On Tuesday 13th March 2007. In the Newcomen Methodist Church Hall, Mersey Road.
The meeting was well attended by local residents and other members of the Local Community.

The AGM was officially opened by The Worshipful the Mayor of Redcar & Cleveland Councillor Mary Ovens. The Mayor’s opening remarks acknowledged the good work, the forum had carried out over the past year, and she also spoke briefly of the Aspire Project which she attended in August, and praised all those involved for making the area around Norfolk Close more environmentally friendly. (See Aspire Web Page)

As is usual with the Newcomen Ward Forum AGM, A number of guest speakers had been invited to speak on a specific topic, this year’s topic was two fold, Community Safety and the Environment and our guest speakers were:

Mr R Hogg, Deputy Chief Constable:- Cleveland Police

Mr G. Crooks, Station Manager:- Redcar Fire Station

Ms B. Watson & Ms A. Laverick:- Coast & Country Housing

Deputy Chief Constable Hogg, in his opening remarks praised the good working relationship that the forum has with the local Police Officers lead by Inspector Dave Mead. He also informed the meeting of a number of important changes that had taken place with regard to policing in the Redcar Area which will continue to show an increase in the number of visible Police Officers and Community Safety Officers in the area.
A number of residents raised issues regarding Anti Social Behaviour, Crime and the reporting of Crime, which Mr Hogg took on board and answered, he also referred some residents directly to our Local Community Policing Team. The DCC also stressed the importance of reporting all incidents, as this was the only way crime and anti-social behaviour could be reduced, he reiterated that resident’s anonymity would if requested be maintained, and also reminded the meeting, that all information would remain confidential.

Mr George Crook, Station Manager at Redcar Fire Station Spoke on the dangers of fires in wheelie bins, the majority of wheelie bin fires are started in bins which have been put out to early for collection, which he informed the meeting creates the fuel for anyone to ignite.
Other items that have been set alight have included fly tipped three piece suits, old furniture and an assortment of other general rubbish that has been dumped in open areas.

Mr Crooks informed the meeting that, in his work over the years in the fire service and more recently a lot of deliberate fires (Arson Attacks) are carried out because of boredom or just to see the fire tender turn up to put these fires out.

He also informed the meeting, that the Fire Service would like to get the land at the rear of Redcar Fire Station, set up as a local Community Facility for organised activities and get all the services Police, Fire, Wardens, etc, to help run some sporting activities for young people, this he stated was a long term plan, and that he was looking into partnerships with other agencies with regard to financing and carrying the project forward. Mr Crook closed by thanking the forum for all the support they had received over the years.

Barbara Watson and Andrea Laverick from Coast & Country Housing gave a photographic display on the Aspire Project, in which Coast and Country housing were a major partner Barbara also outlined the future for the old Lakes Estate.

It was also mentioned that a number of tenants had organised a residents group in the Closes estate, and that this in no way reflected on the work and involvement of the forum.

In conclusion, the chair thanked Helping Hand’s for catering the meeting, thanked the Mayor and Guest Speakers, and declared the meeting closed at 7.45pm