Minutes 6th November 2001

Minutes of Meeting on 6 November 2001:
CRYSTAL PALACE & NORWOOD CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
HELD AT THE PHOENIX COMMUNITY CENTRE

1. PRESENT
Chairman - Doug Barnes - Tamnag Thai
Secretary - Lucy Smith - Orthoclase
Membership Secretary & Webmaster - James Slattery-Kavanagh - Quotes
Press Officer - Caroline Streek - Streek's Publicity And Communication
Ian Milne - Base Property Locators
Kevin Carleton-Reeves - Transport Consultant
Natasha Wood - Base Property Locators
PC Kevin Holland - Metropolitan Police
Roger Sorell - Guest

2. APOLOGIES
Honorary Secretary - Alan Thompson - ST&T Publishing Ltd
Honorary Treasurer - Peter Runacres - Thornton Springer
David Kerr - Crystal Palace Town Centre Manager

3. MINUTES OF LAST MEETING
The minutes of the last meeting were approved. Copies can be found on the web site. DB gave JSK full credit for the efficiency of the web site.

4. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT
CCTV
Only two people turned up to view the CCTV control room. PC Kevin Holland the new beat officer confirmed they were all switched on.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
Croydon's Christmas lights are up, Lambeth's aren't. The lights will be turned on some time after Remembrance Sunday, DB is not going to organise the lights but it will be early December. Hanging baskets are a permanent interest in the area
EAST LONDON EXTENSION
2006 - definitely confirmed. Northern section has been officially approved.
TRAMLINK
Chairman will talk to us in the New Year. Will go on existing rail links to the station and then a travellator. Crystal Palace Park will have to be used rather than coming up Anerley hill. Part of the park is one of the options.

5. BASE PROPERTY LOCATORS
Natasha and Ian introduced themselves to the group. Their interests lie in residential, commercial and executive home search. They have introduced a text message service to let people know when properties are available. Also, give advice on home styling and can find venues for businesses.

6. PC KEVIN HOLLAND - New Beat Officer
Kevin gave a brief account of his career to date including the fact that he had helped to reduce crime by 78% on Europe's most densely populated housing estate. He will be based at Gipsy Hill Police Station. KH thanked everyone for the bike which we funded. He was runner up in the Community Police Officer of the year awards. He stated the problems with crime in Crystal Palace were insignificant compared to many areas.
KH gave out his details:
kpw.holland@met.police.uk
Office - 020 8649 1103
Mobile - 07909 535 827

7. CRIME
DB said new street furniture will come and when the area is upgraded crime will decrease. KH agreed that crime is lower where it looks like people take pride in their neighbourhood. JSK was concerned about fly tipping and graffiti and the increase in vagrants. He was approached by beggars and went to a telephone box to call the police, meanwhile a motorcycle pulled a wheelie in the street. He also was concerned about the number of drivers parked on zebra crossings. KH assured him that the permanent police presence will change these things. Most of the crime in the area was kids on kids (mainly stealing mobile phones).

8. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
Gipsy Hill Police station is open 8 hours a day.
Palacewatch is active. People can send one message to an email address. This acts as a communication device only open to local businesses. DB said it was an extension of how Ringmaster should work but never has. KH said he would use Palacewatch and Ringmaster. He is looking forward to the radio system which he said was a major benefit alongside CCTV.
Christmas Buffet is to be held at The Phoenix Centre.

9. FUTURE MEETINGS
January, 2002 TBC

Minutes taken by Lucy Smith

Signed .................... Date ....................
Doug Barnes (Chairman)