MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRIVATE MEETING OF NEWTOWNABBEY

							   MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PRIVATE MEETING OF
NEWTOWNABBEY DISTRICT POLICING PARTNERSHIP HELD IN MOSSLEY
             MILL ON 12 AUGUST 2003 AT 5:30 PM

In the Chair          Councillor Nigel Hamilton

Members Present       Councillor Jim Bingham, Mrs Carolyn Arnold, Mr John Blair,
                      Alderman Janet Crilly, Alderman Paul Girvan, (Mayor), Mr
                      Gerry Mullan, Mr Michael McBrien, Mrs Carol O’Malley,
                      Councillor Tommy McTeague, Councillor Arthur Templeton,
                      Councillor Dineen Walker, Mrs Anita Watson, and Mrs Kathy
                      Wolff

Apologies             Councillor John Mann Councillor Vi Scott Mrs Connie Thompson
                      Councillor Billy Webb and Mrs Patricia Webb,

Officers Present      DPP Manager – Mr Campbell Dixon
                      Administrative Officer - Mrs Gladys Matthews



1. MINUTES OF THE PRIVATE MEETING OF THE DPP
Proposed by Councillor Bingham
Seconded by Alderman Girvan and agreed

that the minutes of the proceedings of the private meeting of the
Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership held on 9 July 2003 be
approved and adopted

2. MINUTES OF THE PUBLIC MEETING OF THE DPP
Proposed by Councillor Bingham
Seconded by Alderman Crilly and agreed

that the minutes of the proceedings of the public meeting of the
Newtownabbey District Policing Partnership held on 9 July 2003 be
approved and adopted

3. MATTERS ARISING
Flying of Flags
Mr McBrien referred to and welcomed the discussion which had taken place at the
public meeting however he expressed some concern with regard to the ‘flying of
flags’ issue and the need for legislation to enable the PSNI to remove the flags.

Following a discussion about the matter it was agreed that while some form of
control and time constraints were necessary it was felt that no proposal be made at
this time in relation to a request for legislation.
(Cllr Templeton left the meeting at 6:30pm)
4. LETTER FROM CHAIRMAN OF THE N.I. POLICING BOARD
Copies of correspondence from Mr D Rea, Chairman of the NI Policing Board, with
regard to the present threat to Independent Members of the Partnership, had been
circulated.
The Independent Members expressed concern about the advice received to date and
requested that more detailed risk assessments be carried out as a matter of urgency.
The DPP Manager explained that in these circumstances the matter is initially
referred to the NI Office from where it is forwarded to the PSNI Security Branch, this
section of the PSNI then conduct a more detailed review and risk assessment of each
individual.

The DPP Manager provided the Independent Members with copies of a letter to for
their signature which would be forwarded to the NI Office requesting an urgent
review of the situation.

4. District Commander’s Policing Plan 2003/04
Copies of the District Commander’s Policing Plan 2003/04 had been previously
circulated, the DPP Manager agreed to consider the document in detail, identify
specific areas of concern and report these to a special meeting of the Partnership for
its consideration.

5. Funding Of Local Community Policing Fora/Groups
The DPP Manager provided a brief overview of the Funding issue following which it
was agreed that a Sub Committee be formed to discuss the matter and submit
guidelines to the next meeting of the Partnership for ratification. It was confirmed
that all grant applications would be brought to the Partnership for approval following
agreement of the proposed guidelines.

Membership of the Sub Committee was agreed as follows:
Councillor J Bingham, Mr M McBrien, Councillor T McTeague and Mrs Kathy
Wolff

6. Annual Grant Claim and Financial Guidelines – DPP 2003/04
Copies of the Annual Grant Claim and Financial Guidelines had been circulated, the
DPP Manager clarified a number of matters in response to members following which
it was
Proposed by Alderman Girvan
Seconded by Councillor Bingham and agreed
that the Annual Grant Claim and Guidelines 2003/04 be accepted
(The Mayor left the meeting at 7:40PM to attend a Civic function)

7. Independent Custody Visiting Report 2002/2003
Copies of the Independent Custody Visiting Report 2002/03 had been circulated.
Noted

8. Visit to Newtownabbey DCU
The DPP Manager confirmed the date and time of the visit to Newtownabbey DCU as
29 September 2003 at 10am and members were asked to advise him of their
availability and also any issues which they may wish to raise with the District
Commander.
9. Training Sessions
The DPP Manager confirmed that the training sessions being arranged by the
Policing Board on 1 October 2003 at the Hilton Hotel Templepatrick with regard to
the roles and responsibilities of the Partnerships were open to all members.


The following members confirmed their attendance at the training:

Mrs Carolyn Arnold, Mr John Blair, Alderman Janet Crilly, Councillor Nigel
Hamilton Mr Gerry Mullan, Mr Michael McBrien, Mrs Carol O’Malley,
Councillor Tommy McTeague, Mrs Anita Watson, and Mrs Kathy Wolff

10. Omnibus Survey
Copies of the Omnibus Survey had been circulated and the report was noted.

11. Appointment of Independent Members
Copies of the report from the Impartial Assessors to the Policing Board on the
appointment of the Independent Members had been circulated.
Noted

12. Congratulations to the PSNI
Members agreed that a letter of congratulations for the manner in which the 12 July
2003 celebrations in Glengormley were policed be forwarded to the local District
Commander.

13. Location of next Public Meeting
The DPP Manager confirmed that the next Public Meeting would be held on 24
September 2003 and that the Glenavna Hotel and Whiteabbey Hospital would be
considered as a suitable location.

Members were reminded that the date of the next Private meeting had been agreed
as 9 September 2003 at 5:30pm

The meeting ended at 8 PM