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

It was noted that Councillors A. Hodgson and R. A. Patchett would each be declaring a prejudicial interest in respect of Item No. 5 - Review of Area Forums as they were Members of Cabinet.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th September 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 5^th September, 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  

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

Sergeant I. Rogers attended the meeting to give details of the crime figures and local initiatives for the area.

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

Sergeant Rodgers updated Members of the Forum of the progress of Operation Acres Green, which concentrated on the Dean Bank area.

An update was also provided on staffing levels for the area. It was pointed out that two PCSO’s would be based in West Cornforth and one in the Broom Ward. A further two officers were currently going through the required training, which was anticipated to be completed by the end of the year, resulting in 5 officers within Area 2.

Discussion was held regarding finances and staffing of the force as a whole and the debt that had occurred. It was explained that three hundred staff would be lost as a result of the financial difficulties.

Consideration was also held regarding Police attendance at public meetings. It was explained that the Police had made a commitment to only attend the Area Forums. Concern was therefore expressed as to the number of opportunities the public had to express their views. Sergeant Rodgers explained that the Police felt the Area Forums were the most effective way of receiving public views.

Questions were raised regarding responsibilities of the Police with regard to fly tipping. It was questioned whether the Police were able to stop vehicles carrying waste to check whether they carried the correct licence for disposal of the waste. Sergeant Rogers pointed out that fly tipping was a responsibility of the Council and not the Police. It was also questioned that now the Police were looking to target crime rather than anti-social behaviour would the local authority have to introduce By Laws and take responsibility for targeting such problems. It was explained that the Government was pushing for a crackdown on crime, however the Forum was reassured that PCSO’s would still patrol the streets targeting problem areas. It was also pointed out that the Government had recently released a White Paper regarding responsibilities of local authorities this week.

Finally, questions were raised regarding the closure of Newton Aycliffe Police Station on weekends. Sergeant Rodgers explained that he was not aware of a closure, as the station was still designated and open 24 hours to allow offenders to be taken there.

To seek views regarding the proposals set out in the attached report.

NB :          In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members Code of Conduct, Councillors A. Hodgson and R. A. Patchett declared a prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting for the duration of discussion.

G. Wood, Regeneration Manager, attended the Forum to consult and seek views from those in attendance regarding the proposals set out in the attached report to review the workings of the Area Forum.  (For copy see file of Minutes).  A questionnaire was also distributed.

Members of the Forum were informed that a Review Group had been set up to examine the operation and effectiveness of the Area Forums with a view to making changes to strengthen community involvement. The information provided throughout the review had been obtained from the Council’s Regeneration Section with input from Council partners and tenants groups to ensure consultation was as wide as possible.

The Forum’s attention was then drawn to the recommendations within the report and the questionnaire, which was requested to be completed.

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

A. Learmonth was present at the meeting to update Members on local health matters.

A. Learmonth pointed out that this would be the last Forum she would attend as a result of the restructure of the Primary Care Trusts. Under the new County Durham Primary Care Trust she explained that it was unlikely that Area Forums would be attended by a field of Directors, instead it was suggested that invitations be extended to managers of the integrated teams.

With regard to the new health centre at Chilton it was suggested that contact be made directly with the lift company as Bob Parker had left the organisation.

Copies of the performance management report were also distributed where it was explained it was the most successful report to date.

Questions were raised regarding consultant appointments. Members of the Forum pointed that appointments were getting put back and questioned the reasoning. A. Learmonth suggested that contact with the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) to highlight concerns.

Discussion was also held regarding the Neurology Section and its move from Bishop Auckland Hospital to Sunderland General Hospital.

9^th January 2007 at Dean Bank and Ferryhill Literary Institute at 6.30 p.m.

9^th January, 2007 at Dean Bank and Ferryhill Literary Institute at 6.30 p.m.