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

Councillors Mrs. B. Graham and J. M. Khan indicated that they would be declaring a prejudicial interest in Item No : 5 - Local Improvement Programme - Application St. Paul’s Parish Church - Technical Study - as they were Members of Sedgefield Borough Council Cabinet.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd September 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd September, 2007 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, initiatives and road safety in the area.

Sergeant M. Hall was present at the meeting and gave details of the crime figures for the area.

The reported crime figures for August and September 2007 were as follows:

With regard to violent crime, it was noted that 24 of the reported number of incidents in August had been detected and 20 in September.

With regard to road traffic accidents the figures were as follows:

Concern was expressed regarding the number of youths drinking alcohol in public places.  Specific reference was made to the number of empty alcohol containers found beside the two seats in ‘Valley’ area of Spennymoor, particularly on Friday, Saturday and Sunday mornings.  It was reported that the Police were aware of the hotspots within the town and patrolled them as regularly as possible.  They also patrolled off-licences on Fridays and Saturday nights between the hours of 4.00 p.m. and 7.00p.m.  It was, however, pointed out that much of the alcohol consumed by juveniles had been purchased by parents.

A request was made for consideration be given to the introduction of a Designated Public Places Order to give the police greater powers to deal with the disturbance and anti-social behaviour linked to the consumption of alcohol. Sergeant Hall agreed to inform his Inspector of the request.

Concern was expressed regarding criminal damage and anti-social behaviour around Tudhoe Community Centre and in Kirk Merrington.  It was requested that residents should notify the Police of any problems as all incidents were logged and as a result hotspots were regularly patrolled.

The question was raised on whether it would be more beneficial for Police Officers and Community Support Officers to undertake patrols singularly rather than in pairs during daylight hours.  Sergeant Hall agreed to raise the matter with his Inspector.

Local residents also expressed concern regarding the number of vehicles parked on footpaths.  It was reported that all complaints were investigated, however, given the limited Police resources this offence was not classed as a ‘priority’.

With regard to road safety, reference was made to the erection of a new Community Fire Station on Yorkhill Road and the potential increase in traffic using Yorkhill Road as a result of the development.  Concern was also expressed regarding the narrow width of Yorkhill Road and the need for improvements at the junction of Yorkhill Road and the A167 at the Coach and Horses Public House.  Councillor E. Foster agreed to raise the concerns with the County Engineer.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

      NB:     In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members’ Code of Conduct Councillors

                  Mrs. B. Graham and J.M. Khan declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting for the duration of discussion on the item.

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the above. (For copy see file of Minutes)

The Reverend Linda Gough, St. Paul’s Church, Spennymoor, was in attendance to present the application. 

The Church was requesting funding to undertake a technical study to look at the options available to refurbish and extend the dilapidated Church Hall, located behind the Church.  The project would examine the technical requirements of either a structural renovation and development of the existing premises or newbuild premises, with the aim of providing facilities for increased general use by community groups such as a coffee shop, meeting rooms and stage, as well as a base for three to five small social enterprise businesses.  An initial community consultation process had demonstrated a clear need for the proposed facilities and enthusiastic support from all sections of the community.  A more comprehensive household consultation and a series of public meetings would take place to ensure that all residents in the area could comment on the concept and give input into the project.  Discussions would also take place with the Police, Spennymoor Comprehensive and potential users of the Hall. 

The amount of funding requested for the study was £6,848 - 100% funding.  Once a preferred option had been decided upon, the Church would look to secure match-funding.

The Forum agreed to support the project.

The Chairman will take questions from the floor.

Area Action Plan for Spennymoor Town Centre

Reference was made to a recent newspaper article regarding the above. 

It was reported that the Council’s Cabinet at its meeting on 27^th September 2007 had approved the commissioning of suitable experienced consultants to produce an Area Action Plan for Spennymoor Town Centre.  The purpose of the Plan was to provide a comprehensive regeneration framework that challenged the existing use, targeted change and inspired action to guide future investment in activity in Spennymoor Town Centre.

Local Development Framework

With regard to the large number of homes to be built in Spennymoor in the future, it was queried what consideration had been given to the infrastructure requirements such as schools, shops, roads. etc. 

It was reported that documents regarding the Local Development Framework for Spennymoor were available for viewing on the Council’s website and any queries should be directed to Chris Myers in Planning Services Section.

Monday 10^th December 2007 at 6.30 p.m. at Borough Council Offices, Spennymoor

Monday 10^th December 2007 at 6.30 p.m. at the Borough Council Offices, Spennymoor.