To notify the Chairman of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest.

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd November 2004

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2nd November, 2004 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

A report will be given by Ferryhill Police

Inspector S. Winship was present at the meeting to give details of the crime figures and local initiatives for the Chilton, Ferryhill, West Cornforth and Bishop Middleham areas.

It was reported that the crime statistics were as follows :-

The Forum was given details of a number of operations, which were ongoing throughout the area.

It was reported that two Anti-Social Behaviour Orders had been obtained in relation to two members of the same family who had been causing problems in the West Cornforth area.  One Acceptable Behaviour Contract had been drawn up and signed by a young person causing problems in the Dean Bank area of Ferryhill and one individual was being closely monitored in the Chilton area with a view to criminal charges being brought and a possible Anti-Social Behaviour Order.

Specific reference was made to multi-agency working. Four confidential reporting boxes had been installed at locations in West Cornforth and beat surgeries had restarted in the village Primary School.  A Text-a-Cop scheme had also been launched in the West Cornforth area.

The Forums attention was brought to a firearms incident in the Chilton area just after Christmas. It was explained that five persons were arrested and were on police bail pending further enquiries. The initial incident was brought to a safe conclusion.

With regard to drug misuse it was reported that a number of warrants had been executed throughout the area and a large quantity of drugs had been recovered, a substantial seizure being in Chilton.

Discussion took place in relation to the Street Safe Initiative, which was launched in May 2004.  Inspector Winship explained that County Durham had a low level of crime, however, despite this, Sedgefield Borough had one of the highest levels of Fear of Crime in the country.  The aim of the Initiative therefore was to work with the community to address the issues of crime, fear of crime, anti-social behaviour and quality of life.  The Initiative had four themes, which were:

·              Police presence in the community

·              Environment and physical factors

·              Effective response

·              Community and public engagement

Concern was expressed in relation to the perceived level of Anti Social behaviour and criminal damage in the western area of Chilton. It was explained that the possible cause of this was the high level of absentee social landlords in that area and the difficulty in managing tenancies.

Concern was also expressed in relation to punishments given for crimes relating to Anti Social Behaviour. It was explained that although the Courts were moving away from custodial sentences they were becoming more accountable to local communities.

Update on local health matters

Doctor A. Learmouth and Mrs. S. Slaughter were present at the meeting to provide an update on local health matters.

Specific reference was made to the report, “Achieving Patient Access Targets and Baseline Performance Requirements” which had been circulated at the meeting.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that the targets with regard to Access to a GP within Two Working Days and a Primary Health Care Professional Within One Day had continued to be met. It was also noted that no-one had waited more than 17 weeks for an outpatient appointment or 9 months for an inpatient appointment.

Reference was also to an assessment of Mental Health Services that had been undertaken by the Strategic Health Authority.  It was noted that 40 out of the 43 required standards had been met.

The Forums attention was drawn to the fact that the performance of some hospitals outside of the Borough could have an effect of the PCT as a whole and result in the current star rating remaining the same or falling.

With regards to the Urgent Care Centre at Bishop Auckland Hospital, it was reported that arrangements had been made to employ three emergency care practitioners to enhance the service offered. The PCT had taken full responsibility for out of hours services on 1^st December 2004.

Reference was made to the development of Chilton Health Centre under the LIFT programme.  It was explained that the LIFT Company became a legal entity last year. Although the project had started, the land in Chilton had not yet been purchased. The Chilton Health Centre did remain a high priority and it was emphasised that it was the Trust’s intention to make more services available from the Centre.

Reference was also made to the problems that Chilton residents encountered in trying to see a GP at their local surgery.  It was pointed out that to see a doctor urgently patients often had to travel to the Ferryhill surgery which was more costly and inconvenient especially for those relying on public transport.

The Forum was informed of a Workshop, which would be held in February 2005 regarding the Health and Well-being of People in Sedgefield Borough.

Chief Inspector Hall will give a presentation on the above.

Apologies were received from Chief Inspector Hall from Durham Constabulary.

To nominate a representative to the above group

It was agreed that Mrs. M. Taylor (Chairman of Chilton West Residents Association) and Mrs. C. Hale (Chairman of the Chilton Partnership) be appointed as the representatives for Area 2 Forum on the Neighbourhood Warden Steering Group.

The minutes of the meeting held on 20^th October 2004 are attached for information

The Minutes of the Board Meeting of Sedgefield Borough Local Strategic Partnership held on the 20^th October, 2004 were considered and noted.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Tuesday 22^nd February 2005 at West Cornforth Community Centre

Tuesday 22^nd February, 2005 at West Cornforth Community Centre.