Attendees:

Guest from Orihuela Costa Mr Bill Singleton.

Mrs Doreen Walker (standing in for Jenny Honer)

Apologies from:

Secretary. Mrs Kath Allen, Street Co-Ordinator Mrs Jenny Honer.

The meeting was called to discuss the set-up of Neighbourhood Watch within Dream Hills.

Bill Singleton gave an overview of the operation of the Home-Watch system used at Cabo Roig. Examples of report sheets, leaflets and documentation used was shown and their use described.

The 'Advice for your security' leaflet, which contains general advice and police information, is available from the town hall and a supply will be collected for distribution.

A small supply of Neighbourhood Watch adhesive labels was provided by Bill to fix onto lamp-posts, walls etc to inform outsiders that we have a system in operation. The cost of printing these was shared with a friendly sponsor.

Initially funding should be provided by home owners. Although no estimated annual costs were available for a similar urbanization it was agreed that 10 Euros should be sufficient when collected from each home to cover fax machines, fax / phone calls, printing costs etc. This may be subject to review over the next 12 months. A bank account will be opened to retain these funds.

A longer term solution to funding may be the inclusion of Neighbourhood Watch costs in our Community Charge. This method is currently in operation at Cabo Roig.

Bill confirmed that the elected committee as shown above was sufficient but with the inclusion of a Main Co-Ordinator. This person is needed to carry out a review of Information Reports from all areas of the Urbanization and identify any trends, patterns or repetitions. An Incident Log should also be completed to record all events. Denise agreed to take on this task of Main Co-Ordinator.

The extension of our Phase I Neighbourhood Watch to include all of Dream Hills was discussed. With increasing numbers of people now moving in, and at their most vulnerable it was agreed that as soon as our system is fully implemented the committee should approach new residents to join our scheme. They would be responsible for electing their own co-ordinators.

Examples from the Cabo Roig Incident Log were read out by Bill to provide a cross-section of the varied types of observations that have been made. His time and efforts to help us on our way were greatly appreciated by all.