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 22^nd February 2005

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd February, 2005 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.

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

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

Specific reference was made to confidential reporting boxes which had been installed at key locations throughout the Borough.  It was pointed out that these were a good method of making contact with the Police and passing on information of a non-urgent nature.

With regard to anti-social behaviour, it was noted that the Beat Team along with the Anti-social Behaviour Co-ordinator at Sedgefield Borough Council had been circulating diary sheets to those people who were frequently affected by anti-social behaviour.  Completion of these sheets would assist the Police and Sedgefield Borough Council in tackling anti-social behaviour in partnership. 

Members were reminded that at the end of April, 2005 all Police Station telephone numbers would be discontinued. The new non-emergency contact telephone for the Police was 0845 60 60 365. 

Members were informed that as a result of a change in jobs, Inspector Winship would no longer be attending Area 2 Forum. Members of the Forum thanked Inspector Winship for his hard work and attendance at meetings of the Forum.

Update on local health matters

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

Detailed discussion took place in relation to the development of Chilton Health Centre under the LIFT Programme.

Members expressed concern that the land in Chilton had not yet been purchased. It was reported that as a result of budget restraints the land could not be purchased until the 2005/06 financial year. The process to purchase the land however could now begin. 

Members were reassured that the development of Chilton Health Centre remained a high priority and would be discussed at the first meeting of the LIFT Steering Group on 25^th April, 2005.

It was agreed that the project manager for LIFT be invited to attend a future meeting of Area 2 Forum to discuss the Chilton Health 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.

Members were updated on the financial position of the PCT.  It was reported that there had been a high amount of non-elective (unplanned) activities which had resulted in an overspend of £1.4m.  The PCT had a recovery plan in place to compromise this overspend. The development of Chilton Health Centre would not be affected.

Specific reference was made to the establishment of Integrated Teams for Vulnerable Adults Within the Borough. Members expressed concern that Sedgefield Borough was the only district to have chosen to establish integrated teams.  It was explained that the development of integrated services was a Government Directive and Sedgefield Borough was acting as a pilot area. An evaluation of the pilot scheme had indicated that the integrated teams had been successful.  It was agreed that a Community Team Manager be invited to attend a future meeting of Area 2 Forum to discuss the establishment of Integrated Teams.

A Justice of the Peace will be present at the meeting to discuss youth sentencing.

It was explained that Mr. C. E. Fell, J.P, Chairman of the South Durham Bench, had been invited to attend the meeting to discuss youth sentencing.

Members were informed that a new development in youth sentencing was the introduction of the Referral Order, which encouraged youths to improve behaviour.  The referral order provided support to parents and had a success rate of approximately 73%. It was explained that in some cases Referral Orders were not appropriate. Alternative punishments included fines, Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBO’s) and Rehabilitation Orders. In extreme circumstances Custodial sentences were the only option. 

Members expressed concern that in some cases offenders were not adequately punished.  It was reported that J.P’s did not give custodial sentences unless all other routes had been taken.  It was explained that Anti-Social Behaviour Orders had been very successful as, if terms were breached, the offender could be given a custodial sentence. 

Specific reference was made to the responsibility of parents.  Members were of the opinion that some nuisance crimes could be prevented if parents acted responsibly.  It was explained that parental orders could be distributed, which required parents to attending parenting classes.

Reference was also made to reparation orders. In cases where minor criminal damage had been caused, offenders were ordered to carry out a set amount of reparation hours.  

Arrangements have been made for Gillian Fortune, Chief Executive, CAVOS to attend the meeting to give details of the work of CAVOS and its strategic direction.

Gillian Fortune, Chief Executive, CAVOS, (Community and Voluntary Organisations Sedgefield) was present at the meeting to inform Members of the role of CAVOS within the community.

It was explained that CAVOS had been established in 2000 as a representative body for organised voluntary community groups.  It was pointed out that CAVOS was free to join and provided advice and support and would represent any voluntary community group.

Gillian Fortune explained that she had taken up post as Chief Executive in August and was responsible for a team including a Support Officer, Development Officer, Volunteer Bureau Co-ordinator and a Training Officer.

It was reported that she hoped to move CAVOS in a more strategic direction and was looking at ways of increasing its funding and staffing and improving its sustainability.  It was hoped that once an Organisational Health Check had been completed a training programme could be introduced to improve service provision.

It was explained that CAVOS provided support to new and existing groups such as information on funding and other areas that would be of interest to the groups.  It also supported partnership working which allowed groups to benefit from working together and to form new relationships.  They promoted and marketed volunteer working and the benefits of joining a community group.

Members were given details of the differences between CAVOS and the Community Empowerment Network.  It was explained that the Community Empowerment Network represented residents in the community on a more individual basis working with the Local Strategic Partnership whereas CAVOS represented organised voluntary community groups and not individual residents. 

It was noted that CAVOS was currently based on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate although it was looking to relocate into Spennymoor Learning Shop on Festival Walk.

Detailed discussion took place in relation to proposed improvements to Durham Road, Chilton. It was explained that although Chilton Partnership had contacted CAVOS for their support there had been a limited response.

Members were informed that before CAVOS could offer advise on funding bids, the partnership needed the correct mechanisms in place. It was felt that Chilton Partnership was not adequately prepared to apply for funding.      

To be confirmed at Annual Council

It was noted that the date of the next meeting of Area 2 Forum would be agreed by Sedgefield Borough Council at its Annual Meeting on 20^th May, 2005.