TODAY NOT THE LAST DAY OF THE CONSULTATION

Apparently, the deadline of Monday 2nd February was just a suggested date for comments and opinions to be in by, but you can still send your comments in to:

Area 4 Neighbourhood Management Team
The Mary Potter Centre
Gregory Boulevard
Hyson Green
Nottingham
NG7 5HY

Phone: 0115 8838469
Fax: 0115 8838471

Email:  myvoice.abrp@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

PROPOSED LOCATIONS OF MASTS

We now know that the proposed locations of all the camera masts (six in total, not seven as we were originally told) are:

* Leslie Rd/Berridge Rd
* Wiverton Rd/Foxhall Rd
* Gladstone St/Foxhall Rd
* Burford Rd/Berridge Rd
* Laurie Ave/Stanley Rd
* Silverdale Rd (New Basford)

We've created this Google map which shows where they are:  http://tinyurl.com/forestfieldscctv

It also seems the number of cameras is undecided - the original letters said three, but now it seems there may only be two, which will be moved around between these masts.

WHAT'S THE RUSH?

We understand that the reason this scheme appears to be being "hurried" is because there is a budget deadline of March 31st. Apparently, the money had been allocated by the Area 4 Neighbourhood Management Team some time ago, but must now be spent by the end of the current financial year.

Therefore, if we can extend the consultation period beyond this date (which would seem reasonable - a two month consultation period is hardly very long) then it is likely that they will have to re-apply with their funding bid, which will give more time for people to put their views across.

PUBLIC MEETING(S)

We are still going to attend the meeting on Thursday 5th February (6.30-8pm at Forest Fields Community Centre, on Sturton Street) and voice our concerns, and it would be great if as many people came as possible to make sure CCTV stays on the agenda.

The organisers of the meeting would like it to be about 'issues of priority to the neighbourhood', and they don't want CCTV to become the only topic of discussion. The decision of whether to go ahead with the CCTV proposal ultimately comes down to local councillors and apparently none of them can attend Thursday's meeting anyway!

Therefore, the Area 4 Neighbourhood Management Team will possibly be organising a seperate meeting - and we intend to make sure that they do! Details will be posted as soon as we know them.

SO WHO WANTS THE CAMERAS?

Apparently the idea for the cameras came from residents in the first place. According to this article from today's Evening Post, residents around Beech Avenue and East Grove are keen to have a camera which covers shops, Londis, the Elm Tree pub and the three cash points there. See:  http://tinyurl.com/atvcqo

We wonder if they have considered that better street lighting is more effective, simpler and less intrusive when it comes to improving safety on the street? Improved street lighting is up to seven times more effective, according to Home Office research from 2002.

We've also been told (by a friend) that house burglaries in Forest Fields have shot up massively in the last 6 months, though currently we don't have any more information on this.

We are unsure what the Area 4 Neighbourhood Management Team have used as the basis of their proposals, but it seems likely that these factors have influenced their decisions.

WHAT NEXT

* Please come to the public meeting this Thursday!
* Keep writing to, calling and emailing Area 4 Neighbourhood Management Team - it's not too late!
* Keep talking to your neighbours and spread the word.

Also see previous Indymedia posting at:

 http://www.indymedia.org.uk/en/regions/nottinghamshire/2009/01/420322.html