Over 80 local residents attended the first Twerton PACT (Partnerships And Communities Together) meeting held at St. Michael's Junior School.

PACT meetings are about giving local residents access, influence, action and answers to problems and issues in the community. A panel of six representatives answered questions from residents on a range of topics. On the panel were:

• David Goucher (chair and acting headteacher of St. Michael's Junior School)
• Gerry Curran and Tim Ball (Twerton Councillors)
• Dan Foster and Andy Isles (Somer Housing)
• Brendan Keegan (Community Beat Officer)

The supervisor of all the police beat areas in Bath, Chris Clarke, two PCSOs (Community Safety Officers) and special constables were also in attendance.

After a welcome from David Goucher and a brief introduction to PACT by Chris Clarke, reidents were encouraged to raise issues that they would like to be discussed.

The Issues

1. Youth Provision (abusive and inappropriate behavour, crime, boredom, facilties)
2. Access to houses at the rear of buildings (alleyways, lanes and lack of gates)
3. Building security (locks on doors of flats such as Gower House)
4. Police response times
5. Arson attacks and burglary (high level of fear of crime - especially amongst the elderly)
6. Visibilty of beat officers and PCSOs.

General Discussion

There was some discussion about whether young people should be involved in the next PACT meeting or whether a separate youth PACT could be arranged in future months. The schools affirmed the necessity to instill right behaviour in young people from an early age. The issue of 'no ball games' was discussed but dismissed due to the lack of abilty to enforce. There was general agreement that many of the problems we are experiencing from young people are a result of poor parenting and home issues.

Other issues raised were the proposed new flats on the Blockbuster site, street lighting, the scope of police beat areas and the police presence in the community on Friday and Saturday nights.

The three main issues

The meeting had an intercession where people prioritised the issues. The residents then voted on the three most important issues that need to be addressed. These were:

1. Arson, Burglaries and Fear of Crime (70 votes)
2. Youth Provision (30 votes)
3. Building Security (21 votes)