Gary's views

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

POLICE IN SCHOOLS II

In August of this year I wrote an article criticising the idea of police officers being placed in Plymstock’s two secondary schools. I have now had the chance to visit one of the schemes and seen for myself what is intended. And I have something to say: I was wrong.

I completely misunderstood the true purpose of these proposals and it was a timely reminder to me to check facts before shouting off. Sorry everyone! The plan is not to help keep discipline in those two fine schools, but rather to help tackle some of the issues that challenge the coming generation and our society generally: issues of respect, citizenship, anti-social behaviour, truancy and responsibility. The two community constables who have been selected to work within the schools are experienced officers who both have real presence. They are there to build relationships of respect with the pupils, act as role models, engage them about the consequences of irresponsible behaviour outside the school gates and much more.

As we all know, most of the ASB in Plympton is youth related. We have waded knee deep in government initiatives to bear down on this in the last few years but it keeps getting worse. A new approach is needed. The Plymstock police initiative is an attempt to model a new way forward.

It is early days, but already there have been benefits. The pupils told me that they are more likely to respect constables with whom they have forged a relationship – they are less likely to want to let that person down by their behaviour. I was impressed with that. For that inevitable minority of hardcore troublemakers (as in any generation), this scheme gives our law enforcers the inside track. Knowledge is power.

There is a softer side to this too. Some girl pupils confided that they had been able to share some worrying concerns about their own neighbourhood with the man in blue, and that he sorted it out.

We have a growing problem with anti-social behaviour in modern society, caused by all kinds of things: the collapse of family structures of support and discipline in many cases and the rapid advance of an “anything goes” culture. The next generation faces levels of complexity and challenges that we have never seen before.
This innovative scheme in Plymstock is well worth a punt. I wish it every success in making our communities stronger safer places.

posted by Nigel on Monday, November 28, 2005

Gary's weekly views

Each week an article by Gary has appeared in the Plympton Plymstock and Ivybridge News in South West Devon. The articles are published here

SHERFORD SOON

On 18th November at Plymstock school I am co-hosting a public meeting to discuss the proposed development at Sherford. Why? Because this major development of 4,000 new homes, in the very heart of our community, looks increasingly likely to happen and will affect all of us.

Some history. None of us wanted a new town on the edge of Plymouth, but the government insisted. Many of us tried to oppose, but that battle is lost. South Hams District Council has no choice but to provide for it in its Local Development Framework. There will be a further consultation period next spring followed by a public enquiry. These will be the final opportunities to affect the outcome. Almost certainly, construction will start in 2007 and take shape over the next 10 years.

Given that we can’t stop it, I came together with many community groups to engage with the potential developers to try and make sure that the negative impact on existing communities is as minimal as possible. For the past twelve months many meetings have taken place. To be fair to Red Tree, the town builders who spearhead this project, they have been listening and there have been several changes as a result. That process continues.
Severe challenges remain, notably transport issues. How will we all get over Laira Bridge in the mornings? How will we stop Plympton St Maurice becoming a rat run? How will Deep Lane junction run smoothly with all this added pressure? We still wait for the answer to these problems and many others, to be unveiled by the relevant councils.

The scheme will have some positives. It will give a clear eastern edge to Plymouth – thus far and no further. The plans allow for a green buffer between Elburton and the new town. It will be designed to a high standard and contain much needed sports and leisure facilities.

Most important of all, the new settlement will help meet the desperate need for affordable housing to buy for local young people who currently cannot afford the massive house prices in our area. It is where many of our children will be able to afford to live.

The purpose of the day of exhibition and meeting is to inform us of the current state of play and give everyone a chance to have a say. Posters giving more details should be out there by now. This will affect all of us. Please come.

posted by Nigel on Tuesday, November 22, 2005