The latest meeting at St Sidwell’s School on 15 December attracted a good number of local residents, given the wet weather and the rival attraction of late night Christmas shopping.

PCSO Anthony Keller and Rory Cunningham, the University community liaison offer, reported on what had been done to tackle the three priority areas agreed by residents at the last meeting.

The first of these was household waste, particularly in the student populated parts of the ward. Ten university student wardens have been on walkabout, visiting student households to ensure that they had the correct waste bins and knew how the waste collection system works. These visits appear to have already had a beneficial effect.

Traffic management was the second issue, in particular the planned changes to traffic as a result of the London Inn Square (John Lewis) improvements. The meeting was updated on the latest position (see below). Some residents complained that they were not informed about the public consultation meeting in St James in October and it was suggested that they should raise this with Devon County Council, the highways authority.

The third priority area was late night student anti-social behaviour. Anthony Keller reported on the start of the autumn term and that police and university had made more house calls this year than last, possibly due to the milder weather leading to house parties spilling outside. Residents were reminded of the telephone number (01392 263999) for the University estate patrol, who are able to come off campus when situations needing attention arise.

Concern was raised about the vulnerability to burglars of student properties when the occupants go home for the Christmas break. The meeting was also informed about a recent spate of incidents, including muggings, in the Hoopern Valley area and residents were advised to be extra vigilant.

The three priorities agreed for the next three months are security (both household and personal) and, as before, household waste and anti-social behaviour.

The next meeting will be on Wednesday 14 March 2012.