RA Sept-26: Residents Association Meeting

Tithebarn Residents’ Association / Neighbourhood Watch meeting with local police

Purpose of the Meeting

Representatives from the Tithebarn Residents’ Association (TRA), Tithebarn Neighbourhood Watch, and Devon & Cornwall Police met to discuss community safety issues, local concerns and how residents can work effectively with the police and other agencies.

Attendees were introduced, and discussions focused on improving communication, reporting incidents and building intelligence to help tackle anti-social behaviour (ASB) and crime in the area.

Key Message: Continue Reporting Incidents

The strongest message from the police was the importance of reporting incidents.

Police activity is heavily intelligence-led and relies on data from residents. Reports, photographs, video footage, witness accounts, vehicle registrations and notes of suspicious activity all help build a picture of local issues and identify patterns of behaviour.

While residents may not always see immediate outcomes or be informed of ongoing investigations, police officers emphasised that reports often contribute to work taking place behind the scenes. Recent activity in the Stone Barton Road area was cited as an example where intelligence gathering has helped address local concerns.

How to Report

• 999: Crimes in progress or emergencies.
• 101: Non-emergency incidents.
• Email local officers/PCSOs: For information sharing, concerns, photographs, and intelligence.
• Crimestoppers: Anonymous reporting where residents do not wish to provide their details.

Police stressed that even seemingly minor information can be valuable. Small pieces of information often combine to create a larger intelligence picture that can support enforcement action.

Local Policing Resources

The police representative explained that they cover a large geographical area of approximately 150 square miles, including Cranbrook and surrounding communities.

They outlined their role in supporting local communities, undertaking patrols, reviewing overnight incidents and responding to emerging issues.

Residents raised concerns about the limited visible police presence in Tithebarn. Officers acknowledged that resources are stretched and that PCSOs are often required to backfill other operational areas, due to 2 vacancies currently being unfilled. However, they confirmed that they will continue to patrol Tithebarn whenever capacity allows.

Anti-Social Behaviour and Youth Issues

Several concerns were raised regarding groups of young people engaging in anti-social behaviour, including:

• Use of illegal electric bikes.
• Congregating on the MUGA and surrounding areas.
• Fighting and disorderly behaviour.
• Property damage.

Police reiterated that incidents should be reported as they occur wherever possible. Real-time reporting gives officers the best opportunity to attend and take action.

The PCSO explained that reporting helps create a local “heat map” of incidents, allowing resources to be directed to problem areas and helping to justify future enforcement activity.

Officers noted that anti-social behaviour issues previously reported around Stone Barton Road have reduced following recent interventions.

CCTV and Doorbell Camera Footage

Residents were encouraged to continue sharing footage from doorbell cameras and other CCTV systems.

Police advised that:

• Incidents should always be reported first.
• Officers will then request footage where relevant, through a personal link sent to a mobile device.
• If multiple people have evidence of the same offense/crime, each person should report individually and will receive a personal link.
• Footage remains useful even when faces are covered, as clothing, tattoos, behaviour, and other identifying features can help build intelligence.

Residents were reminded that any upload links provided by the police for evidence submission are unique to individual cases and should not be shared with others.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Police confirmed that residents should report any information they believe may be relevant, including:

• Suspicious behaviour.
• Repeated suspicious visits to a specific location.
• Vehicle registrations.
• Patterns of movement.
• Potential drug-related activity.
• Attempts to enter vehicles or properties.

Even where individual incidents appear insignificant, they may contribute to a broader understanding of criminal activity.

For vehicle crime, attempted door-handle checking or individuals trying to gain entry to homes, residents should call 999 if the incident is happening at that moment. Incidents should also be reported afterwards through the appropriate non-emergency channels.

Parking Issues

Residents were advised that:

• Parking concerns can be reported by email, supported by photographs where possible.
• Dangerous parking or situations where access to a property is blocked should be reported via 101.

Police noted that enforcement options are likely to improve once roads within Tithebarn are formally adopted.

Environmental Issues

Several concerns were identified that fall primarily under the responsibility of Environmental Health rather than the police, including:

• Noise issues, including traffic noise from the M5 and A30.
• Animal-related complaints.
• Fly-tipping and rubbish accumulation.

Residents were advised to report these matters to Environmental Health in the first instance. Where appropriate, information may subsequently be shared with the police.

It was noted that Tithebarn has now been included in Environmental Health’s regular monthly updates, which was welcomed by attendees.

Community Environment

Discussion also took place regarding public benches that had previously been (re)moved. It was understood that replacement benches were intended to be installed around the Sloe Gardens area. Paula (local Parish and District Councillor) agreed to investigate the current position and provide an update.

Closing Remarks

Police acknowledged that some level of anti-social behaviour is likely to occur in a growing community the size of Tithebarn. However, they emphasised that residents play a critical role in helping police identify issues and target resources effectively.

The key message from the meeting was clear:

Keep reporting incidents, share information and continue working together as a community. Every report helps build the intelligence needed to tackle local problems and improve safety across Tithebarn.

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Residents Association Minutes:

Present: Craig Halsey; Nancy Halsey; Paula Fernley; Korneel Verhaeghe; Cici Zeng; Nigel Cheffers-Heard; Davina Kerkhofs; John Rowe

Apologies: Debra Perry; Marc Coton;

 

Report from the Secretary:

• TRA now has 113 members.  We have 476 followers on Facebook and had 43K views (times content was displayed) since last meeting, with the peak being 1st August with 6K, followed by 4K on 3rd August when the photos went online.
• ACTION: Craig connect with Marc regarding data storage and access to remove single point of failure for RA information.

Finances update (Cici)

Summer Event

For the summer event held on 1 August 2026, the Residents’ Association received a £200 voucher from Live West. Approximately £176 was spent on water and fruit, which were distributed to residents during the event. The remainder will be spent on the Christmas event due to be held on 19^th of December 2026.
A budget of £200 was set aside for vouchers for residents who sign up to the social housing residents’ association on the Summer Fun Day, and £155 has been redeemed.

Current Balance and Ongoing Costs

The Association’s current bank balance is £342.96. This balance includes funds remaining from earlier applications relating to Christmas events and set-up funding received from the council and Teign Housing. The Lloyds account currently incurs a monthly charge of £4.25, equivalent to £51.00 a year. In addition, the Association must pay approximately £130 each year for insurance. Together, these recurring costs amount to about £181.00 per year.

Banking Proposal

• To reduce costs, it is proposed that the Association move to a fee-free community bank account, with Virgin as the preferred option subject to confirmation of its current terms and eligibility requirements. The committee voted all in favour to proceed with the change as soon as possible.
• The new account should include additional authorised committee members so that more than two people can initiate and approve payments and access account information. Appropriate dual-authorisation controls should be maintained. The Association does not propose applying for a debit or credit card, to reduce the risk of misuse.
• Cici has access to bank with Fran, but as part of moving bank, can we add 2 additional signatories to help authorising transactions. Korneel agreed. Marc suggested as fourth.
• ACTION: Cici to organise change from Lloyds to Virgin bank.

Christmas Event Plan

• The Association intends to collaborate with the Science Park’s Christmas event and provide residents with vouchers that can be redeemed for food from participating stalls at the Christmas market and small presents for the children from the neighbourhood to take part in the Christmas Avent Window Display. We also might organise a fund raising such as selling raffle tickets.
• ACTION: Cici to apply for further funding to support a Christmas event

Christmas plan

• The Science Park (new CEO + other new staff (Annabel)) wants to make their Christmas event more community focused (19^th December). Would RA would like to join Science Park in supporting this? Vote: YES
• Some suggestions were made for food stores, Santa grotto etc a lot of ideas. Anyone who has (ideally local) contacts to hold stores or vendors for Christmas goods or bakes, let Paula know.
• TRA to have a stall, but need to figure out  activities (e.g. raffle, posters leaflets,…)
  ACTION: Paula to take this back to the events committee to decide and will message main chat in WhatsApp.
• Windows display around Tithebarn to run again.
  ACTION: Cici to ask events committee for support in organising.
• If we want application for additional funds then we need to do that ASAP. £500 for local events (you can only do it twice for the same activity).
  ACTION: CiCi will fill out application with list of expenditure.

 

Tithebarn Funday

• Approx 400 people showed up throughout the day and the day was a great success. A meeting has been set up with Broadclyst Parish Council to review and discuss steps for future Fun days. We will need to identify a lead for 2027, as this year’s lead is likely to be unavailable next Summer. We will need to appoint someone in the January AGM meeting.
• Money was allocated to the Tithebarn funday by the council, but we are unclear how much of that budget was spent and whether remaining funds will be taken back by the council or can be used for other Tithebarn-based events.

Local Parish/District council update

From Paula:

• Elections:
  • Local government re-organisation has been paused.
  • Normal elections for district councils with East Devon and Parish council in May 2027.
• School:  It is still planned, Devon is still progressing and starting out planning. Target is 2028 but could still slip.
• Sport Pavilion:  Planning still has not been put through for sport pavilion due to problems with sharing drainage with school site. BPC has withdrawn its objection to the application and will proceed.
• Allotments:  Allotment site walks happened between council and developers over summer holidays but things are still slowly progressing.
• Care home:  No news.
• Management company:  No updates. A local management company put forward by Paula was rejected, but no news about which company has been selected instead.
• Sports pitches:  Opening still needs to be confirmed but original date was winter 2026.
• Tithebarn road sign:  Need to get permission from the Science Park to put sign up for both ends of the road. Henry Gent is progressing this.
  Pedestrian/cycle connection from the motorway bridge to Westclyst commons: money has been allocated. Devon County Council to vote in November.

 

Elections 2027

• We would like to be better represented for our area and would like more candidates to step forward.
• We would like to reach out to Westclyst to connect to have a meeting to discuss having a resident association for themselves.
• Vote: all in favour to reach out to Westclyst.
  ACTION: Marc, Paula & Korneel to take forward.
• Paula suggested we could use the January repair café (every 4^th Saturday of the month and every other month) to meet with Westclyst residents.

 

CIL list to ask parish council (community infrastructure levy)

The Parish council have £104,000 of money to allocate before end of the financial year.  Suggestion to make our desires known where we would like to see improvements. Anyone with ideas please make them known to Korneel.

• Paula suggested sport pavilions improvements or supplies for it. E.g. laying cables for flood lights or equipment like lawn mower.
• Defibrillator is possibility for our area but need a suitable location and have supply of electricity.
• Community project (lighting, cameras, tidy up etc…) on Langaton lane.
• Transport connection between Tithebarn and Westclyst/Broadclyst, to allow Tithebarn residents equal access to activities across the Parish.

Cici asked about condition of play parks, but because the area has not been adopted yet, it is the responsibility of the developers.

ACTION: Korneel to write an official letter from TRA to ask parish council for above.

Other activities:

• A local resident has offered to look into bringing FreeMovement to Tithebarn.
  ACTION: Korneel to follow up.
• Plot of land next to the Scout’s Hut for a community garden: The land is held by an inactive charity. At the moment its being investigated by Korneel. Marc would love to create a community garden.

• Pinhope Church coffee van: Every Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30am in Sloe Gardens. Free coffee (with option for donations).

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Agenda

7:00pm – 8:00pm: meeting with PCSO Chloe Browning
8:00pm – 9:00pm: TRA meeting

Agenda:

1. ⁠Reporting (members / site visits) (Marc)
2. Finances update (Cici)
3. ⁠Broadclyst Parish and East Devon Council update (Paula)
4. ⁠Fun Day (Wrap Up 2026 – Looking ahead 2027)
5. ⁠Christmas planning
6. ⁠Elections 2027
   • Tithebarn candidates
   • Westclyst connection
7. ⁠Council CIL money suggestions
   • Langaton Lane: improve safety, lighting, cameras, speed bumps, puddles
   • Minibus service
8. Other activities
   • Freemovement
   • Community Garden (Langaton Lane?)
   • Food vans?

Please submit any ideas/suggestions for the Council CIL money allocation in advance where possible.
Please submit any ideas/suggestions for activities you would like to run in advance where possible.

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Report from the Secretary:
TRA now has 113 members. We have 476 followers on Facebook, and had 43K views (times content was displayed) since last meeting, with the peak being 1st August with 6K, followed by 4K on 3rd August when the photos went online.
Community Transport – Question:
The people of Tithebarn are still not able to access community regular activities such as fitness, parent and baby, youth movements, social spaces, organised sporting activities, nor gardening clubs. This is having a demonstrable impact on community belonging and a rise in anti-social behaviour.
We don’t need yet another survey to kick this can down the road again. We need a solution now. When will the Parish Council begin to provide regular transport between Tithebarn and Broadclyst village so that this inequity in provision can be addressed?
Clerk Response:
To the best of my knowledge, the parish council has not considered the provision of any such community transport, so I cannot give you a date of its commencement. The parish council is happy to support the Tithebarn community to set up its own community activities such as those mentioned and the community grants fund can give start-up grants to cover initial costs.

Survey Results – Question:
Please provide the survey results of the consultation lead by Jake several years ago, and provide an update on the actions since taken to implement the outcomes.
Clerk Response:
It will be answered in due course, likely at the October meeting.

Correspondence and Fun Day Debrief -Question:
The correspondence in August 2026 doesn’t list the thank you that Korneel sent into the office. Did you receive that? If so, should it have been listed there?
Clerk Response:
Tinashe Verhaeghe’s email on behalf of the Tithebarn Residents Association arrived on the 5th August, which was the beginning of a period of staff sickness and annual leave. This resulted in a higher-than-usual workload for me, after which I was myself on annual leave. As well as being profuse in his thanks, she asked for a debrief meeting in September. In all honesty, I read the email and intended to speak to Henry about a suitable time, but I have not yet had the chance to catch up with him. That is my fault, and I will of course apologise to Tina and liaise with Henry regarding a suitable date and time.