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 21^st February 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 21^st February, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

Consideration was given to a report detailing an application submitted to and appraised by the Strategy and Regeneration Section for funding from the Local Improvement Programme.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members of the Forum were reminded that the Local Area Improvement Programme funding was allocated for the purpose of regeneration of the community and each Area Forum had been allocated a sum, with Area 2 being allocated £836,000.

The funding was to be used for capital works such as bringing buildings back into use, etc.

It was noted that applications would be submitted to the Forum as they were received and Sedgefield Borough Cabinet would have final approval.

The projects needed to be owned by members of the community and it was important that they were sustainable.  A team had been created in the Strategy and Regeneration Section to support applicants.

The current application was from Cornforth Partnership and related to the renovation of an abandoned shop in the High Street, West Cornforth.  The purpose was to create a multi-purpose drop-in facility to meet local needs.

It was explained that lottery funding had been secured for revenue costs for the next three years.  Some capital funding had also been secured.

In relation to sustainability, it was explained that The Cornforth Partnership had a good track record for attracting funds and would be working on that for the life of the project.

It was considered that the project met the criteria and the aims of the Community Strategy and should be supported.

AGREED:   That Cabinet be recommended to support the project.

A representative of Ferryhill Police will attend the meeting to give a report of crime statistics and initiatives in the area.

Acting Inspector Rogers and Acting Sergeant Howard were present at the meeting to give details of crime figures and local initiatives for the area.

It was reported that the crime figures for the area were as follows: -

Members were also informed of the crime figures for 2005/6 for the Ferryhill area compared with the south of the region: -

Members of the Forum were informed of a number of initiatives which were ongoing in relation to tackling anti-social behaviour, burglaries etc.  Reference was also made to Operation Hawkeye dealing with vehicle security.

It was also explained that the Pub Watch Scheme and the Allotment Watch Scheme were continuing to be successful.

It was also reported that a further four ASBOs had been issued three of which related to juveniles in the Ferryhill area.

A query was raised regarding progress on the situation at West Cornforth and the use of a right of way at Linden Road, Salisbury Crescent and The Oval.  It was explained that the situation was being dealt with by Durham County Council and works were ongoing in relation to closure of one of the “cuts”.

A query was also raised regarding progress on Church Lane car park and works to be undertaken to combat anti-social behaviour.  It was explained that full costings of a scheme were awaited.

A representative of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust will attend the meeting to give an update on local health matters and performance figures.

A. Learmonth from the Primary Care Trust and S. Slaughter were present at the meeting to update Members on local health matters.

It was reported that in relation to ambulance response times additional ambulance cover had been provided which should be of a direct benefit.

Discussion was held regarding the problems of access to GPs at Chilton Branch Surgery.

It was explained that in relation to the closure of the Surgery on a Wednesday this was four times per year and not every month.

It was also explained that receptionists at the practice were prioritising residents of Chilton without transport as first call.

The Forum was also informed that a Health Care Assistant had been appointed and also a Specialist Nurse.

The main concern of the residents was that the Surgery was not open on a Tuesday or Thursday evening and that this was causing difficulty for employed people.  Residents also considered that there should be an additional Doctor at the Surgery.

It was explained that the level of service available related to the ratio of the population and that bearing in mind that the population of Chilton was 4,000 two Doctors was considered a suitable level.

In relation to facilities at the Surgery it was pointed out that specialist services were available in Chilton in relation to coronary heart disease, smoking cessation and diabetes.

It was suggested that the next meeting of the Forum should again be held in Chilton with a representative from the Chilton practice being invited to attend.

Concerns were also expressed regarding the delay in the development of a Health Centre in Chilton.  Dr. Learmonth explained that an option appraisal was underway and that the aim was to push ahead to be considered for the next financial year.

It was explained that the delay had occurred because the scheme had to be considered along with schemes from other PCTs’ and as a relatively small PCT there had been difficulty in getting the project on the agenda.  The scheme was, however, the No. 1 priority of Sedgefield Primary Care Trust.

Concerns were raised regarding the ability of the PCT to deliver the project and it was considered that Cabinet’s attention should be drawn to those concerns.

Dr. Learmonth referred to the Local Delivery Plan and explained that it had been difficult to prepare as it started with a projected deficit of £3.8m.

In respect of the reconfiguration of the PCTs it was explained that a decision from the Department of Health was anticipated in mid-May.  Timescales had been elongated and practical changes would take place around October time.

It was also reported that the Health Care Commission had visited in relation to two standards one of which was Child Protection and CIB checks.  A query was raised regarding the reduction of staff in Acute Hospitals.  It was explained that this would be done in a way, which would not reduce service.  It was anticipated that there would be more care in the community and intervention and management of long-term illnesses.  It would be a question of where resources were allocated.

Referring to the Health Centre at Chilton it was: -

AGREED:      That the Forum’s concerns be forwarded to Cabinet.

To be agreed at Annual Council.

The date of the next meeting would be agreed at the Annual Meeting of Council on 19^th May.