To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th April 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th April, 2005 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 Green was present at the meeting to give details of crime figures  for the area.

The crime statistics were as follows:

It was pointed out that there had been a 33% decrease in the number of criminal damage incidents for the month of April 2005 compared with the same period in 2004 and the number of public offences, including youths causing annoyance was 10% down on the same period in 2004.   The total number of incidents to date Borough-wide had, however, increased by 8.7% when compared with the same period for the previous year.

It was pointed out that the elderly residents in St. Paul’s Gardens, Spennymoor were very concerned regarding the standard of policing in view of the slow response to incidents of anti-social behaviour in that vicinity.          It was noted that the residents had expressed their concerns in writing to the previous Community Inspector and the Chief Superintendent.  

It was explained that the Police Force was moving to a new shift pattern towards the end of the year to support the Streetsafe Initiative, which should lead to a quicker response to incidents.  It was also pointed out the police would continue to work closely with the Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens and the PCSOs.

Concern was also expressed regarding the number of youths congregating behind St. Pauls Church Hall, Spennymoor to drink alcohol.

Reference was also being made to the problem of alcohol being sold to under 18s and to people purchasing alcohol for consumption by people under 18.   

It was reported that the consumption of alcohol in a public place was not an offence.  The Police could only take action when the consumption of alcohol led to behaviour in a disorderly manner. It was, however, pointed out that the police would always remove any alcohol from any person under the age of 18 found drinking in a public place.

The pupils representing of Tudhoe Grange School Council expressed their concern regarding the extent of the problem and requested that stringent measures be taken by the Police.

It was also reported that the PCT was very concerned regarding the extent of the problem and currently provided a support programme to advise people of the damaging effects alcohol had on their health.

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

Mrs. G. Willis and Mrs. M. Fordham, Sedgefield PCT, attended the meeting to give an update on local health matters and performance figures.

Members were informed of the PCT’s financial position at the end of the 2004/05 financial year. It was noted that there had been a high number of non-elected (unplanned) activities which had resulted in an overspend.  Consequently the PCT needed to make savings in the region of £2m in the 2005/06 financial year.  

The Forum’s attention was drawn to the fact that the Local Delivery Plan was to be agreed at the next meeting of the PCT’s Board.

Specific reference was made to the investment the PCT had made in dentistry within Sedgefield Borough.  It was reported that 64% of dentists had signed up to provide personal dentist services under the NHS.  Open access sessions were now available at dental practices.  It was also noted that 329 sessions were to be provided for those not registered with a dentist.  354 extra sessions had been introduced for registered people, 138 extra sessions for oral health and 230 additional orthodontic sessions.

Specific reference was also made to the Board’s decision for fluoridated milk to be supplied to schoolchildren to improve their oral health.

With regard to the LIFT Programme, it was noted that the PCT Board had given approval for consultants to be appointed to undertake feasibility studies in respect of the three proposed LIFT schemes at Spennymoor, Chilton and Trimdon.    

Specific reference was made to the report, “Achieving Patient Access Targets” and baseline performance requirements which had been considered byte h Trust Board at its meeting on 12^th May, 20095.

It was pointed out that the target with regard ton Access to a GP within 2 Working Days and a Healthcare Professional within one day had continued to be met.

With regard to the number of patients through A & E Departments within four hours - it was noted that the target of 98% had, in the month of April, been exceeded which was very pleasing.

It was noted that the North East Ambulance Service was still struggling to try and achieve the target of responding to 75% of all life threatening calls within 8 minutes.  It was, however, pointed out that the performance information contained in the report related to the County as a whole and not specifically for Sedgefield Borough.  Officers of the PCT% were continuing to meet with representatives of the Ambulance Service on a regular basis to try and improve performance.

The Forum’s attention was drawn to the fact that the Healthcare Commission was again reviewing the PCT’s yearly star rating.  Sedgefield PCT would be submitting details of its performance and other information such as mortality rates in the Borough, staff views, details of the prescribing rates for antibiotics, etc.  to the Healthcare Commission for them to assess and award the relevant star rating.  It was hoped that the current star rating would be kept.

To consider the attached letter and appoint a representative to the LSP Partnership Board and an  ‘Alternate’.

Consideration was given to a letter regarding nominations to the LSP Partnership Board.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was agreed that Councillor A. Smith be appointed as the representative for Area 1 Forum on the LSP Board and Councillor Mr. A. M Armstrong as the “alternate” for a period of three years.

Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th May 2005.

Consideration was given to the Minutes of the meeting of Spennymoor Road Safety Local Working Party held on 12^th May 2005.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that lorries over the weight limit were still travelling through Kirk Merrington.

It was pointed out that the Police could only take enforcement action if they were informed of the registration number of the vehicle and the name of the company that owned it.

Spennymoor Town Centre Improvement Scheme

The Forum was informed of the difficulties experienced by a blind person in crossing High Street and Carr Lane, near the roundabout.  Specific reference was made to the absence of tactile paving at the crossing points.

It was pointed out that disabled members of the Access and Signage Group of Spennymoor Town Centre Forum had visited various areas of the town centre on two occasions to identify any problems. It was pointed out that the absence of tactile paving had been highlighted and brought to the attention of Durham County Council as Highway Authority.

The Forum agreed that a letter should be sent to Durham County Council’s Engineers Department to ascertain when the paving works were to be carried out and what measures could be put in place to make it easier to cross the road on Carr Lane, in the vicinity of the roundabout.

Monday 5^th September 2005 at 6.30 p.m. at Tudhoe Community Centre

Monday 6^th September, 2005 at 6.30 p.m. at Tudhoe Community Centre.