Members had no interests to declare. 

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th December 2004.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th December, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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.

It was reported that total crime had decreased by 9.1% compared with the previous year.  The following types of crime had all decreased:

The only crime to show an increase was criminal damage, which had increased by 10%.

It was pointed out that the overall detection rate for January 2005 was 28.9%.

With regard to criminal damage, it was noted that the Police, in conjunction with the Borough Council, were tightening up the protocols for dealing with signal crimes such as graffiti, litter and vandalism to ensure that they were dealt with within agreed timescales.

It was pointed out that the incidents of nuisance caused by youths was lower in Sedgefield Borough than anywhere else within the force, likewise public disorder was also lower than in other areas.

Specific reference was made to the Licensing Act 2003, which had come into force on 7^th February 2005. It was reported that the Police would require very stringent criteria to be met for them to support any applications for longer licensing hours for the sale of alcohol within Spennymoor.

Reference was also made to an initiative currently being developed with headteachers of local schools to identify pupils drinking alcohol under age within public houses.

Concern was expressed regarding the increase of anti-social behaviour problems on the York Hill area over recent weeks.  Inspector Winship reported that the Police were currently reviewing the situation.

The request was also made for the Police to more regularly patrol the Middlestone Moor area by car especially between the hours of 8.00 p.m. and

10.00 p.m.

The Forum’s attention was also drawn to the fact that the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership had recently appointed a new Co-ordinator - Helen Stewart, who was based at Chilton Depot.

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

Melanie Fordham, Sedgefield PCT, attended the meeting to give an update on local health matters and performance figures.

Specific reference was made to the report “Achieving Patient Access Targets and Baseline Performance Requirements” which had been considered at the Trust’s Board meeting on Thursday 10^th February 2005.

It was noted that the targets with regard to access to a GP within 2 working days and a Primary Health Care Professional within 1 day had continued to be met.

It was pointed out that no patient had waited more than 17 weeks for an outpatient appointment, however, one patient had waited more than 9 months to become an in-patient.

With regard to the North East Ambulance Service, the target of response to 75% of calls to life threatening emergencies within 8 minutes had not been achieved.  The actual performance was 64%.  It was reported that officers at the PCT were working closely with the Ambulance Service to try and improve performance.

With regard to the number of patients through A and E within 4 hours, it was noted that the target of 98% had not been met on a number of occasions, particularly in relation to the University Hospital of Durham.

Reference was also made to a patient survey, which was currently being undertaken whereby 800 patients were randomly selected to complete a questionnaire.  The results of the survey would be published prior to the announcement of the PCT’s star rating.

A request was made for information to be provided to a future meeting on the number of deaths that had occurred at Bishop Auckland Hospital due to MRSA.

Reference was also made to the Public Health Annual Report Workshop to be held the following night at the Memorial Room, Spennymoor Town Hall at

7.00 p.m.  It was explained that the event had been organised to assist the Director of Public Health to shape her annual report around the needs of particular localities.

Chief Inspector Hall will give a presentation on the above.

It was explained that Chief Inspector Hall had been invited to attend the meeting to give a presentation on the StreetSafe Initiative, which included the background to the initiative, its aims, themes, etc., and some of the successes which had been achieved so far.

Chief Inspector Hall explained that there had been a significant reduction in crime in the area over the past year.  Between 1993 and 2003 crime in County Durham and Darlington fell by around 25% in real terms.  In 2003/04 the area had one of the lowest rate of crimes per head of population in England and Wales. Durham Constabulary had one of the best detection rates and the highest number of police officers in the recent history of the Force.  However despite those facts, the results of the last British Crime Survey showed that residents of County Durham and Darlington had one of the highest levels of fear of anti-social behaviour and disorder in the country.  The StreetSafe Initiative aimed to tackle that conundrum.

It was explained that the aim of the initiative was to harness the energies of the communities, partners and the whole of Durham Constabulary to address crime, the fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and those quality of life issues that contributed to making people feel vulnerable.

The Forum was informed that the initiative aimed to increase re-assurance through visibility, accessibility and familiarity, creating an environment where the public felt safe.  The initiative recognised the significant contribution that prevention, investigation and detection of crime, coupled with successful apprehension and prosecution of offenders made towards public re-assurance.

It was also hoped that the initiative would aid in the gathering of community intelligence, the use of problem solving initiatives to tackle anti-social behaviour and signal crimes and enhance community engagement.

The initiative had a number of themes which were:

·        Police presence in the community

·        Environment and physical factors

·        Effective response

·        Communication and public engagement

It was pointed out that for the initiative to be successful there needed to be partnership working with other agencies such as local authorities and community groups.

A video was then shown detailing some of the areas where the initiative had been put in place.

With regard to the theme - Police Presence in the Community - specific reference was made to National Alcohol Campaigns that had recently been run in the area, the multi-agency visits to licensed premises, the appointment of an additional PCSO for Spennymoor who would be patrolling the streets by April as well as the recruitment drive to appoint more Special Constables.

The Forum was also given details of the protocols that had been drawn up for the removal of graffiti and untaxed vehicles.  Reference was also made to the Arson Reduction Strategy that had recently been launched.

In respect of the theme - Effective Response - the Forum was informed of the Test Purchasing Scheme and Drugs Intervention Programme that had been introduced.

Chief Inspector Hall requested that the StreetSafe Initiative be included on the agenda of future meetings of the Forum to ensure that Members were updated on progress.

It was explained that the ‘Police Report’ was a standard item on the agenda and an update on StreetSafe Initiative could be given under that item.

To consider the minutes of the Local Strategic Partnership Board meeting held 20^th October 2004.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the Local Strategic Partnership Board Meeting held on 20^th October 2004.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

A copy of the minutes of the meeting of Spennymoor Road Safety Local Working Party  held on 11^th November 2004 is attached for information.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting of the Spennymoor Road Safety Local Working Party held on 11^th November 2004.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that at the meeting of the Road Safety Working Party held on Thursday 13^th January 2005 it had been agreed that the Town and Borough Councils should be consulted regarding the possibility of incorporating the work of the Road Safety Working Party into Area 1 Forum.

The Chairman will take questions from the floor.

Middlestone Moor Play Facility

Mr. Stewart from Middlestone Moor Residents Association gave details of the proposed development by the Residents Association of a new play facility and the need to find sources of funding to cover the cost of construction/maintenance.

Mr. Stewart requested that the Town Council considered the possibility of making a contribution towards the scheme.

It was explained that the Town Council would only be able to consider the request if it was put in writing to the Clerk of the Town Council, who would arrange for the matter to be submitted to the appropriate Committee.

Monday 4^th April 2005 at 6.30 p.m. in Middlestone Moor Community Centre

Monday 4^th April, 2005 at 6.30 p.m. in Middlestone Moor Community Centre.