The West Hill Action Team (otherwise known as the WHAT) meets on the first Tuesday, every alternate month, ie January, March, May, July, September and November.

It is the Local Action Team for the area, one of many across the city, as part of a police initiative to enable people to respond to crime and anti-social behaviour as a community. Local PCSO Sian Davies, council Communities officer, Matt Easteal, and local councillor, Lizzie Deane, all come to the meetings to meet residents and hear their views on what they feel needs to be done to make West Hill a better place to live in.

Lizzie currently chairs the meetings, although this role is open to anyone who wishes to be elected, and members at recent meetings have discussed taking over the day-to-day running themselves.

We are fortunate that crime is relatively low in West Hill, which frees up the meetings to talk about other things as well. Recent guest speakers have included Bruce Smith from Living Streets, and Peter Crowhurst from the North Laine Community Association.

Nonetheless, people are still interested to learn more about Neighbourhood Watch, for example, and someone from the scheme will be invited to come and talk at a future meeting.

Everyone in the area is welcome to take part in the WHAT – just reading this article in The Whistler is an invitation in itself! The next meeting is at 7.30pm on Tuesday 6th March, at the West Hill Hall in Compton Avenue.

If you have any queries, or would like to know more, please ring Cllr Lizzie Deane on 01273 291138 – or just come along.