To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 24^th February 2004

The Minutes of the meeting held on 24^th February 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman

A report will be given by Ferryhill Police

Sergeant K. Vincent and Inspector S. Winship were present at the meeting to give details of crime figures for the Chilton, Ferryhill, West Cornforth and Bishop Middleham areas.

Sergeant Vincent informed the Committee that new national figures showed that County Durham was one of the safest places to live and work in the country with one of the lowest levels of violent crime in the country and house burglary was at an all time low.

Members noted that crime statistics were as follows: -

Details of recent operations were provided. 

Reference was made to a Youths Citizens Award Programme, which had been organised by Ferryhill Community Beat Team and the Community Relations Department from Spennymoor Police Office. The programme involved young persons from Ferryhill Youth Football Team and was run over a full day in the Easter holidays. The young persons received educational advice and took part in workshops covering topics such as anti-social behaviour, substance misuse, racial equality and crime prevention.  This programme had been well received and was an area, which Durham Constabulary hoped to develop further.

Members expressed concern in relation to motorcycles and quad bikes being driven ‘off road’ on places such as school fields etc.  It was explained that Durham Constabulary Motorcycle Section was operating in the area to address the issues of off-road motorcycling and the increased reports of quad bikes being used.

The Police explained that good intelligence was required to curb the problem and requested that members of the public report incidents to ensure that resources were allocated to problem areas.

Reference was made to the difficulties encountered by the public when trying to contact their local police station. It was explained that all calls went through a central contact centre and therefore the operator required as much information as possible to provide an efficient service.

Update on local health matters

Dr. A. Learmonth was present at the meeting to provide an update on local health matters.

Copies of the latest newsletter, “Your Health Matters” issued by Sedgefield Primary Care Trust were circulated at the meeting for the Forums information.

The forum was informed that performance had improved in relation to ambulances responding to calls within 8 minutes. It was noted that 75% of calls were responded to within the specified time. The amount of transfers from hospitals with support at home was still not meeting targets. 

Discussion took place in relation to GP recruitment in the Ferryhill area.  It was explained that Ferryhill had a very good GP/patient ratio and therefore no extra GPs were to be recruited.  It was explained that the implementation of salary GP’s would help reduce the problem of GP sickness and study leave.

In relation to the implementation of the GP contract, which would give GP’s the option to opt out of providing out of hour services, it was noted that a steering group had been established and was in the process of producing a question and answer fact sheet.

Members of the Forum were invited to attend a Special Board Meeting, which was to be held at Ferryhill Town Hall on Thursday 22^nd April 2004. It was noted that the PCT needed to communicate with local communities and receive feedback.

Arrangements have been made for an officer from the Council’s Street Cleansing Department to attend the meeting to give a presentation on the above

J. Bennett, Street Scene Controller and G. Watson, Street Scene

Co-ordinator were present at the meeting to give a presentation regarding the above.

It was explained that under the Environmental Protection Act, the Borough Council had a duty to keep relevant land free of litter.  It was noted that the code of Practice set out priorities and land categories.

It was noted that although the Code of Practice set out eleven land categories, only three applied to Sedgefield Borough Council. These were town centres, which were cleansed on a daily basis, back-to-back houses, which were cleansed twice weekly and the remainder of Borough land, which was cleansed once per week.

The Council also operated a call out service to assist with road accidents etc.

The Forum was informed that the street cleansing service included litter picking, fly tipping, weed control, dog fouling and the collection of sharps.

It was pointed out that the Council had only one Environmental Enforcement Officer to cover the whole of the Borough. It was noted that Community Force Officers were to be given certain powers in relation to litter and dog fouling and a report was to be submitted to management team proposing that the Council employ extra Enforcement Officers.

Members queried what action the Council could take to reduce the amount of litter surrounding fast food outlets. It was explained that the Council could place a litterbin enforcement notice on the outlet; however, the Council may not have the resources to carry out the necessary enforcement action. 

Report of Chief Executive Officer

Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive Officer regarding the appointment of a representative for Area 2 Forum to the Local Strategic Partnership Board for the Borough.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was explained that Councillor J.M. Chaplin was not standing for

re-election and was thanked for his hard work.

Agreed that Councillor A. Hodgson be appointed as the Area 2 representative on the LSP Board.

To be confirmed at Annual Council

To be confirmed at Annual Council