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 7^th April 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 7^th April, 2008 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, road safety and initiatives in the area.

Inspector W. Bentham, Community Inspector for Spennymoor and Ferryhill, was present at the meeting to give a presentation on Spennymoor Strategic Briefing.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Inspector Bentham gave a brief introduction to his team of officers and PCSOs for Spennymoor and Ferryhill.  It was noted that the Neighbourhood Policing Unit work alongside services such as the Fire and Rescue Brigade, Probation Service, Crime Reduction Partnership and the Council’s Community Safety and Housing Services.

The presentation made specific reference to total recorded crime figures for 2007/08.  It was explained that crime had reduced by 20.9% since April 2007.  This reduction positioned the area first in County Durham.  Annual crime levels had significantly decreased and annual detection rates had increased by over 4%.

The South Area priorities for 2007/08 were as follows :-

·                      Vehicle crime

·                      Violent against the person

·                      Domestic abuse

·                      Rowdy nuisance behaviour

·                      Burglary dwelling and other

It was explained that Domestic Abuse was the only priority that had increased over the past year.  The 2008/09 South Area priorities were as follows :-

·             Assaults and domestic abuse

·             Class A drugs

·             Rowdy and nuisance behaviour

·             Prolific and priority offenders

·             Burglary dwelling

It was reported that tasks for achievement were as follows :-

·             Response to Domestic Violence

·             Hate Crime perception

·             Allotment crime

·             Your priorities

·             Neighbourhood forums

The reported crime figures for April and May 2008 were as follows :-

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

At the last meeting of the Forum it was reported that the actions taken in respect of the Neighbourhood priorities for Area 1 had proven to be successful.  However, Members agreed to continue with the three priority areas until the next meeting of the Forum.  Those areas being Central Drive, Middlestone Moor, Drake Street and Mount Pleasant Court.

It was noted that since the last meeting only three incidents had been reported in Central Drive, Middlestone Moor.  Two of the incidents involved females in April 2008 and the other incident involved off-road motor cycles.

Only one incident had been reported at Mount Pleasant Court in May, 2008 involving youths drinking.

Reports in Drake Street had decreased significantly at the last meeting, however, four further incidents had been reported within the past few months.  It was noted that one individual had taken a drug overdose.  It was suggested that the area be reviewed at the next meeting.

The Forum were asked to set two Neighbourhood Priorities to replace Central Drive, Middlestone Moor and Mount Pleasant Court.  Inspector Bentham put forward three suggestions of areas to be targeted:-

·              Ash Grove - drug users

·              Off-road motorcycles

·              Ullswater Close - Neighbour disputes

Members reported that Tweed Road was also an area of concern with increased anti-social behaviour problems.  Concerns were raised regarding drinking and drug taking.

Specific reference was made to the increased number of problems in Kirk Merrington.  In particular concerns were expressed regarding speeding in the village, also drinking and drug taking in the area of Blue House Estate.

Consideration was given to all the suggested areas.  Members of the Forum agreed the following as Neighbourhood Priorities for Area 1 :-

1.      Drake Street

2.      Kirk Merrington

3.      Tweed Road

It was noted that actions taken in respect of the priority areas would be reported at the next meeting of the Forum in September, 2008.

AGREED :         1.         That the information be noted.

                  2.         That the neighbourhood policing priorities for Area 1          Forum be as follows :-         

                           1.   Drake Street

                           2.   Kirk Merrington

                           3.    Tweed Road

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

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

The Reverend Lynda Gough, St. Pauls Parish Church, Spennymoor was in attendance to present the application.

The Church was requesting funding to undertake a major structural renovation and development of the existing Parish Hall.  The Hall would incorporate a facility for increased general use by community groups, and provision for “healthy lifestyles” opportunities and a base for 3 - 5 Social Enterprise Small Businesses.  An initial household consultation had been undertaken, which showed positive responses and support of the project.

The total cost of the project for Phase 1 and 2 was £1,154,409.  The total estimated cost for Phase 1 was £455,300.  The amount of funding requested for Phase 1 of the project was £200,000, 44% of the Phase 1 project cost.

AGREED :      That the project be supported.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

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

Phil Gibson, New Life Christian Centre, Spennymoor, was in attendance to present the application.

The Centre was requesting funding to develop the underused basement area for use in connection with youth development and to develop unused rooms for community and educational use.  An initial consultation with centre users had shown an interest to undertake adult education courses.

The amount of funding requested for the project was £151,400, 100% of the total project cost.

Members were informed that the centre currently had no available funds to contribute to the project.  However, attempts would continue to source match funding.  The Centre would be responsible for revenue costs of the project.

AGREED :   That the project be supported.

Monday 1^st September 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Village Hall, Byers Green.

Monday 1^st September, 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Village Hall, Byers Green.