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

10^th November 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10^th November 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 and initiatives in the area.

Inspector W. Bentham, Community Inspector for Spennymoor and Ferryhill and Sergeant W. Edwards were present at the meeting to give a report on crime statistics and initiatives in the area.

The Inspector introduced Sergeant Warren Edwards to the Forum.  Sergeant Edwards had taken over from Sergeant Mark Hall.  

The reported crime figures and road traffic accidents for the period Saturday 1^st November - Wednesday 31^st December 2008 were as follows:

It was reported that three people had been arrested for committing burglaries within the town and a number of drugs warrants had been issued which had resulted in the seizure of cannabis plants.

Members were given details of ‘Operation Christmas Pudding’ which had targeted shoplifting and the revitalisation of the Shopwatch Scheme.

Concern was expressed regarding the number of youths congregating in Cow Plantation Nature Reserve.  It was reported that the Police were aware of the problem and were currently in consultation with young people and youth workers.

The Police were asked to take action in respect of the large number of vehicles currently being parked on footpaths on Greenways Estate.

The Forum was informed that neighbourhood policing priorities would in future be discussed at the ‘Police And Communities Together’ meetings (PACT) rather than the Area Forums.  It was intended that meetings for the Spennymoor area would be held monthly in four localities.  The meetings would provide members of the public with the opportunity to express their concerns to the local Neighbourhood Police Team.  The meetings would be publicised with a press and poster campaign. 

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 Forum was reminded that since its last meeting in November Sedgefield Borough Council’s Cabinet had approved the application submitted by Spennymoor Town Council to carry out physical improvements to the play park, situated adjacent to Tudhoe Moor Estate.  The project aimed to replace the outdated equipment and included the inclusion of a non floodlit multi-use games area.  Work on the play area was scheduled to commence in the spring.

It was reported that although the application process for the Local Improvement Programme was now closed, work would continue on supporting groups who had received grants to assist with the implementation of projects.  Officers in the Regeneration Section would monitor the projects to ensure that the intended outcomes were met and would work with the sponsors of projects that had been unsuccessful to try and secure additional external grant funding.

AGREED :     That the information be received.

Concern was expressed regarding the amount of litter found on the steps and ramp outside the library.  It was requested that the area cleaned on a more regular basis.

Members questioned whether the plans to improve Spennymoor Town Centre were being progressed/implemented. 

AGREED:      That an officer from the Council’s Regeneration Section be invited to the next meeting of the Forum to give an update report.

Members questioned whether the development of the Arts Resource at Spennymoor Leisure Centre would still go ahead. 

It was reported that the County Council was currently reviewing all the capital projects that had been developed by the district councils within the County.