To notify the Chairman if you have an interest in the following items.

No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th February 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 12^th February, 2007 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 Adrian Green was present at the meeting and gave details of crime figures for the area.

The reported crime figures for February, 2007 were as follows :-

It was noted that the detection rate for February was 21.5%.

With regard to road safety there had been two incidents culminating in minor injuries. 

Discussion was held in relation to the policy for dealing with illegal immigrants and it was queried what priority the force would give to detection of illegal immigrants. 

Reference was also made to the reduction in staff within the force and the impact.  It was explained that there would be no new recruits until the summer.  This could have an impact on PCSOs etc.

A representative of County Durham PCT will attend the meeting to give an update on local health matters.

Alan Inglis, County Durham Primary Care Trust, gave a presentation in relation to an update on the reconfigured PCT.

He explained that several directors had now been appointed with the post of Director of Nursing and Therapies still to be appointed.

Recruitment stage was now looking at Assistant Director levels of appointment and all posts were expected to be filled by the end of May.

The consultation period for the proposed structures ended on 22^nd March and once all comments had been considered the rest of the structures would be released and posts filled.

The structure would be based on a provider/commissioner split with the PCT commissioning appropriate services for the benefit of the communities of Durham and Darlington whilst Darlington would manage the provision of services.

The key message of the PCT vision were :-

§         The importance of communicating shared values

§         Being clear and accountable with regard to the uses of funding received

§         The need for strong partnerships to be established with the need to challenge partners to ensure best evidence-based healthcare for the population. 

With regard to performance, the PCT was not yet in a position to report performance on a County basis.  However, the financial recovery plans had been successful with budgets for 2006/07 expected to balance.

During discussion of the item, reference was made to the PCT’s intention in relation to the provision of minor operations etc., being carried out at surgeries.  It was explained that an estate review was being undertaken.  A review of Sedgefield Community Hospital was also being undertaken, looking at the extension to the working day etc., to provide such services as drop-in clinics, diagnostic facilities etc.

Information was requested on funding which had been agreed for such services in Spennymoor and progress on the feasibility study, which had begun before re-organisation of the PCT for the next meeting.

Arrangements have been made for an officer from the Council’s Environmental Services to give a presentation regarding the above.

It was explained that unfortunately no-one from the Council’s Environmental Services Section was available to give a presentation on smoke free legislation for this meeting, however, a copy of a fact sheet was circulated (for copy see file of Minutes) and if any members of the Forum had any queries they could contact Vicky Jackson-Hopps at the Borough Council.

Report of Building Control Manager.

Consideration was given to a report of the Building Control Manager (for copy see file of Minutes) relating to street naming and numbering in the above development.

After due consideration the Forum agreed the following :-

AGREED :            That the development be named “Bell Burn”.

The Chairman will take questions from the floor.

During discussion of this item reference was made to the cleanliness of the Town Centre and other areas of Spennymoor and concerns were expressed at the amount of dog fouling and litter which were prevalent.  It was suggested that Environmental Health department at Sedgefield Borough Council be requested to attend a future meeting of the Area Forum to discuss policy on dealing with cleansing, dog fouling etc., and in particular, enforcement.

Dates of future meetings will be agreed at the annual meeting of Council to be held on 18^th May 2007.

Next meeting was scheduled to be held on 18^th June, 2007.