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 4^th November 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th November, 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes). 

Concern had been expressed at the previous meeting of the Forum regarding the progress with Chilton Health Centre.  It was reported that a meeting to discuss progress had been held in November.  Land for the facility had been purchased and a model of the surgery had been constructed.  The Health Centre would be a two storey building with a fitness room included and all delegates were happy with the progress being made.

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

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

The reported crime figures for November 2008 were as follows :-

Traffic related incidents throughout the whole of the area during the period :-

It was reported that crime was considerably lower at present than during the summer months.   A number of recent operations and pro active work by the Police had resulted in a number of target criminals being held in prison or moving out of the area.

With regard to anti-social behaviour, the current level of incidents within the Ferryhill area was slightly below average in comparison to previous years.  There had been an increase in Chilton, however, this had significantly reduced as a result of work carried out with the help of new PCSO, Sharon Bowman.  Another PCSO, Martin Dauber, had been recruited and would be working with Sharon in Chilton.  The Ferryhill area had a total of 8 anti-social behaviour orders currently in force.  The Police would continue to encourage courts to use the full powers available.

Although crime remained low, the fear of crime still remained high within the area and two initiatives had been planned to assist in this regard.  Victims of pedal cycle theft over the past 12 months were to be contacted to receive free padlocks, lights and marking equipment.  There was also scope to include any bicycle owners, not just the victims of crime.  Although the area did not have a problem with knife crime, the neighbourhood policing team were planning a knife amnesty for Ferryhill in January.

Members were informed that the only increase in crime over the past few months related to shoplifting.  Operation Christmas Pudding was being conducted jointly with Spennymoor Police to tackle the problem and a number of arrests had already been made.

It was reported that after a regrettable incident at a farm in Bishop Middleham, all the local farms had now been signed up to a Farmwatch scheme.  The scheme was currently being rolled out to include the rest of Sedgefield area.

With regard to the parking of work vans at Opal Avenue in Chilton, it was reported that PCSOs regularly patrolled the area and had moved vehicles on where possible.  PCSO Bowman had been tasked with contacting the manager of the industrial estate to seek permission for vans to be parked there overnight.

With regard to anti-social behaviour at West Chilton Terrace, Members were informed that since the last Forum meeting, patrols had been targeted and increased.  As a result there had been a significant decrease in reports of anti-social behaviour, and one particularly problematic occupant had moved away.

It was reported that with regard to off-road motorcycles in Ferryhill, reports had been received of scooters causing problems in the car park at the leisure centre.  Targetted patrols had been carried out using headcams to gather evidence and a number of youths had been banned from the car park unless using the facilities. 

A dedicated motorbike section officer had been appointed for the whole of the Sedgefield area and he had spent some time patrolling the area.  Problems were being reported in respect of the footpath running between Ferryhill and Spennymoor and work was ongoing between the Police and Durham County Council in relation to this footpath being blocked.

Site of Former Ashville, Beech Parade, West Cornforth - Walter Cook Properties

Report of the Building Control Manager

Consideration was given to a report of the Building Control Manager regarding a request received from Walter Cook Properties to officially name and number the above development.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Unfortunately there were no members from West Cornforth present at the meeting.  Therefore the members of the Forum decided that it would not be appropriate to make a recommendation.    

The Chairman will take questions from the floor

Future of Area 2 Forum

A query was raised regarding the number of Area 2 Forum meetings that remained in the run up to Local Government Re-organisation.  Members were informed that the February meeting of the Forum would be the last.

Tuesday 17^th February 2009 at 6.30 p.m. at West Cornforth Community Centre.

Tuesday 17^th February, 2009 at 6.30 p.m. at Dean Bank and Ferryhill Literary Institute.