To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 6^th September, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

A representative of Spennymoor Police will attend the meeting to give a report on crime statistics and initiatives in the area.

Inspector S. Winship was present at the meeting to give details of crime figures for the area.

Specific reference was made to the problems caused by the misuse of fireworks and the effect this had on anti-social behaviour.  It was explained that the police had an action plan in place and had worked alongside retail outlets to minimise potential problems. 

Inspector Winship informed Members that good intelligence was required to reduce the problems associated with fireworks and encouraged the public to report incidents. 

Members of the Forum were given details of The Licensing Act 2003.  It was reported that the Licensing Act 2003 would transfer the entire role of the administration of Licensing from the Licensing Justices Magistrates Courts to Local Authorities.  The Council would therefore become the Licensing Authority in Sedgefield Borough. 

Members of the Forum were made aware that Beat Surgeries would be held in Asda and Co-op Supermarkets throughout November, 2004.  The surgeries would be advertised when final dates were announced.   

Representatives of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust will attend the meeting to give an update on local health matters and performance figures.

Gloria Willis, Melanie Fordham and Bob Parker attended the meeting to give an update local health matters and performance figures.

Reference was made to the PCT Third Listening Event which was held on 18^th October, 2004 in Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre from 10.00 a.m. to 3.00 p.m.  It was explained that this event had been a success with a number of people attending.

With regard to the report, “Achieving Patient Access Targets and Baseline Performance Requirements” it was noted that targets in respect of Access to a GP within 2 working days and a Primary Care Professional within 1 working day had continued to be met.  It was explained that under the Access Initiative Scheme, Sedgefield PCT had been awarded £77,600 for the progress made towards improving access across all primary, acute and mental health services.  This money had been spent on improving IT services.

With regard to practical development within the PCT, it was reported that five GP’s had been appointed and posts for two part time equivalents had been advertised.

Detailed discussion took place in relation to the development of Spennymoor Health Centre under the LIFT Programme. 

It was explained that the PCT had partnered with an organisation called Bradford Northern to complete the project.

It was reported that the development of the Health Centre was a highly ambitious and complex scheme and was therefore running approximately ten months behind schedule. Spennymoor Health Centre did however, remain a high priority.

Members were informed that the PCT were carrying out feasibility studies on all development sites. It was anticipated that these results would set the schemes for the next few years.

It was pointed out that public, formal and statutory consultation would be carried out when the feasibility studies were complete.      

An interactive presentation by A. Blakemore and Sgt S. Steen.

Miss C. Hardy, Community Safety Partnership analyst and Sergeant S. Steen attended the meeting to give an interactive presentation in relation to the above.

Members were informed that the Crime and Disorder Audit took place every three years.  The last Audit took place in 2001 and the Sedgefield Community Safety Strategy 2002 - 05 was developed from the findings.

The Sedgefield Community Safety Partnership had undertaken a review of Crime and Disorder between April 2001 and March 2004.  Reference was made to the following: -

Findings

Between 1^st April 2001 and 31^st March 2004 crime in Sedgefield Borough went up by 10%.  This was mainly as a result of changes in the National Crime Recording Standards.

The findings indicated that the majority of crime in Sedgefield was Criminal Damage and Violence against a Person.

Criminal Damage

Criminal Damage had gone up in Sedgefield between 2001 and 2004 by 19%.

Sedgefield had a higher rate of Criminal Damage per 1,000 population than the rest of County Durham and across England and Wales.

Criminal Damage made up the largest proportion of all crime in Sedgefield.

Theft

Shoplifting in Sedgefield had reduced by 42% since 2001-02. Other theft crimes, such as theft of pedal cycles or cash had increased by 10%.

Violent Crime

In Sedgefield, Violence against a person had risen by 38% since 2001.

This was mainly as a result of the introduction of the National Crime Recording Standards, which had led to a 47% rise in violence against a person across England and Wales.

Vehicle Related Crime

Members noted that theft from motor vehicles had decreased by 1% since 2001 and theft of motor vehicles had decreased by 9%.

It was pointed out that out of 15 Community Safety Partnerships, Sedgefield had the 4^th lowest rate of vehicle related crime.

Burglary

Dwelling burglary had reduced by 15% in Sedgefield from 2001 and non-dwelling burglary had reduced by 30%.

Sedgefield had the 4^th lowest rate of burglaries when compared to other Community Safety Partnerships.

Anti-Social Behaviour

Members noted that incidents of anti-social behaviour had decreased by 6% since 2001.

Youths Causing Annoyance was the single largest category that made up anti-social behaviour in Sedgefield with 3,310 incidents being recorded by the Police in 2003/04.

It was emphasised that Anti-Social Behaviour was high on the Government’s agenda.

Misuse of Drugs and Alcohol

Drugs and alcohol related crime in Sedgefield was low.  The majority of crime and anti-social behaviour, however, was linked to drugs and alcohol misuse.  

The Government had published a national alcohol strategy to address the impact of alcohol on our communities and Community Safety Partnerships had been asked to consider including the misuse of alcohol within their 2005/08 strategies.

After the presentation, Members of the Forum were asked nine questions which they answered through an Audience Response System.

It was explained that the nine questions would be asked at all five Area Forums throughout Sedgefield Borough and the findings would form part of the strategy for 2005/08.

Arrangements have been made for Michael Robinson from the Youth Engagement Service to give a presentation regarding restorative justice and the reparation work that young people are involved in.

Apologies were received from Michael Robinson from the Youth Engagement Service.

To nominate a representative to the above Group.

It was agreed that Councillor J. Khan be appointed as representative for the above Group.

Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st July 2004.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting of the Local Strategic Partnership held on 21^st July, 2004 (for copy see file of Minutes)

A copy of the minutes of the meeting of Spennymoor Road Safety Local Working Party held on 8^th July 2004 is attached for information.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the Spennymoor Road Safety Local Working Party held on 8^th July, 2004.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Monday 13^th December 2004 at 6.30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Sedgefield Borough Council Offices, Spennymoor

Monday 13^th December, 2004 at 6.30 p.m. in the Council Chamber, Sedgefield Borough Council Offices, Spennymoor.