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

No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th September 2008

The Minutes of the meeting held on 9^th September, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

Sergeant A. Sampson was present at the meeting to give a report on crime statistics, initiatives and road safety in the area.

The reported crime figures for September and October 2008 were as follows :-

Traffic related incidents throughout the whole of the area during the 2 month period :

It was reported that youth related anti-social behaviour in Ferryhill was down by 4% and crime related incidents down by 8.1%.  Total crime in the south of the County was down by 9.6%.  There had been a reduction in 11 of the 15 crime types measured.  Overall crime detection statistics for the south showed a 37.1% detection rate, the highest in the south since April and a full 10% higher than those being achieved in the north of the County.

Between September and October there had been an increase in crime in all areas except in West Cornforth/Bishop Middleham.  Total reported incidents had risen by 40.  Rowdy nuisance incidents continued to be the most regularly reported.  Dean Bank and Chilton had seen the largest rise in this type of incident and there had been a significant decrease in dwelling burglary incidents.

An update was given on the areas of concern highlighted at the previous meeting.  With regard to indecent behaviour in Bishop Middleham lay-by, the Forum was informed that there had been no further reports since July, however, patrols and monitoring was continuing.   The importance of continuing to report incidents was stressed.

With regard to the parking of work vans at Oval Avenue in Chilton, it was reported that vans were now parked on the road instead of the pavement, however cars and buses were now unable to pass.  The possibility of parking the vans on the neighbouring industrial estate was raised.  Sergeant Sampson agreed to discuss the issue with the companies on the industrial estate.

With regard to off-road motor cycles in Dean Bank, Members were informed that some arrests had been made for theft.  The importance of giving as much information on descriptions and registration numbers when reporting incidents to the Police was highlighted.

Sergeant Sampson queried whether, as a result of the expectation that parking of vans in Opal Avenue would be an ongoing issue, Members were happy to close the issue as a neighbourhood priority and put forward a new one.  Opal Avenue would still continue to be monitored.  As a result of there not being many Members present at the meeting, it was decided to defer this decision to the next meeting of the Forum.

To consider the attached report of the Assistant Chief Executive.

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Chief Executive (for copy see file of Minutes) updating Members on project activity as part of Sedgefield Borough Council’s Local Improvement Programme.

Members were informed that Cabinet had considered applications on 23^rd October, 2008.  The project criteria and prioritisation process for considering the projects was explained as there had been more applications than there was funding available.

The projects approved prior to 23^rd October were :

The projects approved by Cabinet on 23^rd October were :-

The Chilton Welfare Master Plan project (£169,471) was a reserve project which would be considered again should any problems, such as planning permission or match funding, develop with approved projects.  The Chilton Catholic Club application (£27,800) was rejected as it did not meet as many of the project criteria.  The LIP team would be happy to work with the Catholic Club to try and find funding for this project from other sources.

AGREED :     That the report be noted.

The Chairman will take questions from the floor

PCT/Chilton Health Centre

Concern was expressed that County Durham PCT (now NHS County Durham) was not represented at the meeting and  lack of progress being made on Chilton Health Centre.  Chilton residents felt very strongly about the issue and were unhappy with all the delays and broken promises. Councillor Crathorne agreed to persue the matter.

Tuesday 16^th December 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Chilton and Windlestone Community College.

Tuesday 16^th December, 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Chilton and Windlestone Community College.