To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th December 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th December 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

N. Porter and Mrs. G. Wills attended the meeting to give an update on local health matters.  

Consideration was given to copies of the Performance Management Reports that had been submitted to the Board meetings on 25^th January and 9^th February 2006.  (For copies see file of Minutes).

The Forum’s attention was drawn to the performance data in respect of

inpatient waiting list activity.  It was noted that in December 2005 no-one had waited over six months. 

It was reported that the North East Ambulance Service was still struggling to achieve the target of responding to 75% of all life threatening emergencies within eight minutes, however, the percentage of Category B calls responded to within 19 minutes, was above target for most months.

Specific reference was made to the White Paper, “Our Health, Our Care, Our Say: A New Direction in Community Services” which aimed to improve access to GPs with a better choice of practices and extended opening hours, provide more support for people with long term conditions and create a new generation of community hospitals and health centres.   

Measures outlined in the White Paper included:

Ø             Local councils and NHS working together to provide joined-up care plans.

Ø             Introducing new community hospitals that would provide diagnostics, minor surgery, out-patient facilities and access to social services.

Ø             Piloting new NHS life checks to assess lifestyle risks and provide referrals to specialists, if needed.

Ø             Guaranteeing patient registration onto a GP practice lists in their locality.

Ø             Incentives to GP practices who offer opening times that respond to patient needs.

With regard to the future PCT configuration in County Durham, Mrs. G. Willis thanked all those people who had attended the recent consultation event at Spennymoor Town Hall and had spoken in support of Sedgefield PCT.  The comments would hopefully be taken on board by the Strategic Health Authority.  It was noted that the closing date for consultations was

22^nd March 2006.

It was queried whether Sedgefield locality would receive its fair share of funding if a single county-wide PCT was established.  It was reported that Sedgefield PCT had been notified of its funding for the next 2 years, after that period it would be up to the new organisation to decide.

It was reported that Sedgefield PCT had recently achieved the Practice Plus Award, which was a very good accolade for its staff.

Reference was also made to the investment the PCT had made in dentistry within Sedgefield Borough.  It was noted that 62% of the dentists had signed up to provide personal dental services under the NHS.

With regard to the request made at the last meeting of the Forum for details on the work of the Drugs Action Team within the Borough, it was noted that arrangements would be made for a representative of Orbit to attend the next meeting of the Forum.

Specific reference was made to the recent press coverage regarding the refusal of some NHS Trusts to fund the prescribing of herception for the treatment of the early stages of breast cancer.  It was reported that the NHS received advice on the cost effectiveness of drug treatments from the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).  Where drugs had not gone through the process, local PCTs were guided by the experts in the cancer network that covered the area.

Concern was expressed regarding the recent reported cases of ‘bird flu’ and its potential to ignite a flu pandemic.   It was noted that the PCT had plans in place for delivering mass vaccination and anti-viral drugs in the event of a pandemic. 

It was explained that flu vaccines had to be made especially for the particular virus that was causing an epidemic or pandemic and work was progressing in producing a vaccine for ‘bird flu’.

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

Inspector A. Green was present at the meeting to give details of crime figures for the area.

The reported crime figures for December 2005 and January 2006 were as follows:

With regard to dwellinghouse burglaries, the Forum was advised to keep back doors locked and not to leave any keys near the front door as implements were being pushed through letterboxes to retrieve keys.

In relation to vehicle crime, Members of the Forum were instructed not to leave mobile phones and satellite navigation systems where they could be seen in unattended vehicles.

It was reported that anti-social behaviour incidents were down by 6.7% in Sedgefield Borough and criminal damage was down by 3.4%.

Members of the Forum expressed concern regarding the difficulties they had encountered in contacting the Police They were advised that if an urgent response was required, they should always dial 999.  

It was pointed out that on 14^th December 2006 a new Command and Control System had gone live, which should result in a quicker response.  It was also reported that from 3^rd March 2006 arrangements had been made for the Rapid Response Team of the Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens to respond to some calls.

The Forum requested that a presentation be given to a future meeting of the Forum on the role of Neighbourhood Wardens.

Specific reference was made to Anti-Social Behaviour Orders and the 12 year old boy whose photograph had recently been publicised.  It was noted that officers from relevant agencies/organisations met to discuss the proportion of publicity that should be applied to each case.

In relation to the problem of gangs of youths roaming the streets and intimidating people, the Forum was assured that Police Officers would patrol the streets.  It was, however, pointed out that more facilities needed to be provided for young people in Spennymoor and a meeting of interested parties had recently taken place to discuss the matter.  Members of the Forum were urged to have an input in the preparation of the Parish Plan.

With regard to road traffic accidents, it was noted that the figures were as follows:

Concern was expressed regarding the difficulties encountered by motorists exiting Clarence Street onto Clyde/Whitworth Terrace and it was requested that consideration be given to the implementation of any measures that would improve safety at that junction.

Specific reference was made to the problem of vehicles being parked on double yellow lines.  It was noted that there were no traffic wardens employed in Spennymoor.  The Police Community Support officers were able to issue parking tickets, however, at present they were mainly deployed on patrols in Middlestone Moor to deal with anti-social behaviour problems.

Representatives of Durham County Council will respond to the concerns raised at the last meeting of the Forum.

The Forum was given the results of traffic surveys that had been undertaken by Durham County Council before and after the chicanes had been installed. 

The total daily average traffic flow for the seven day period 13^th - 20^th December 2002 was 4,707 vehicles.  The total daily average traffic flow within the Forces Prosecution criteria was 829 vehicles - 17.61%. 

The total daily average traffic flow for the seven day period 7^th - 14^th April 2005 was 4,774 vehicles and the total daily average traffic flow within the Forces Prosecution criteria was 164 - 3.43%.

It was pointed out that the surveys showed that there had been a significant reduction in the speed of traffic along Carr Lane since the chicanes had been installed.  The volume of traffic actually complying with the posted speed limit of 30 m.p.h. before the chicanes were installed was 51.41% and after installation was 78.17%.  The scheme had therefore been successful in bringing about a significant reduction in the volume of traffic speeding.

Councillor E. Foster, Durham County Council K. Jameson and L. Mowbray - Durham County Council Highways Department were present to respond to the concerns raised at the December meeting regarding the chicanes. 

Councillor Foster gave details of the petitions that had been received for the introduction of traffic calming measures on Carr Lane and how the residents had been consulted on the various options available.

In relation to the design and positioning of the chicanes, it was explained that the chicanes were a standard design and none of the bus companies had any problems with the chicanes. 

With regard to the three accidents that had taken place, it was noted that one was as a result of the driver’s vision being adversely affected by the sun; one was due to the driver not properly clearing his windscreen of ice/frost and the third one took place at midnight and the driver left the scene.

It was reported that engineers from the Highways Department had inspected the chicanes and had agreed to replace the chevrons (barriers) of the chicane located furthest away from the roundabout on High Street and the middle chicane.  Work on the former had been completed, however, the middle chicane was currently removed to allow public utility works to take place. 

It was also pointed out that the positioning of the three chicanes would be reviewed once the two roundabouts had been constructed to serve the new residential development on land at Whitworth Park, Spennymoor.

Report of Building Control Manager.

  Consideration was given to a report regarding a request received from Barrett Homes to name and number the above development, comprising of 67 dwellings.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The Forum agreed to support the name, “Beckwith” for the development.

Report of Building Control Manager.

Consideration was given to a report regarding a request received from Yuill Homes to name and number the above development, comprising of 233 dwellings. (For copy see file of Minutes).

The Forum agreed to support the following names:

Alnwick, Beningborough, Burton Constable, Castle Howard, Harewood, Newby, Sledmore, Wallington and Studley.

Monday 3^rd April 2006 at 6.30 p.m. at Tudhoe Community Centre

Monday, 3^rd April 2006 at 6.30 p.m. in Tudhoe Community Centre.