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

Members had no declarations of interest to declare.

To consider the minutes of the meeting held on 13^th September 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 13^th September 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

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

The Forum was informed that a Scrutiny Review Group had been established to examine the operation of Area Forums to determine their effectiveness to identify changes that could be made to strengthen community involvement.  A copy of the Review Group’s report had been included in the agenda.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

The Forum’s attention was drawn to the following recommendations of the Review Group :-

1.      Area Forums be renamed and relaunched  as Community Forums to reflect a greater emphasis on community involvement and the number replaced with the name that reflected the area.

2.      Agenda items be based on local issues identified through the development of Local Area Frameworks and Local Improvement Plan.

3.   Membership of Area Forums be formalised to be representative of the community groups to which it aimed to serve.

4.   Implement a public question time at the beginning of each Area Forum.  

A questionnaire seeking views on the above recommendations was circulated at the meeting for completion.

It was reported that the views expressed at the Area Forum meeting, a community consultation event on 22^nd September 2006 and the questionnaires, would be analysed by the Council’s Regeneration Section and reported to Cabinet for consideration.

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

Sergeant B. O’ Connor was present at the meeting to give details of crime statistics in the area.  It was reported that the crime statistics were as follows:-

It was reported that the total number of incidents had increased by approximately 100 compared to the same period in 2005.

Reference was made to anti-social behaviour in Trimdon Village.  It was explained that although there had been 33 reports of anti-social behaviour, 16 of these related to the play area at Skerne Avenue.

It was felt that limiting access to the play area especially during the hours of darkness would reduce anti-social behaviour.

With regard to anti-social behaviour in Fishburn it was explained that Neighbourhood Services had been requested to monitor the grassed area adjacent to the crossroads.

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

There was no representative from County Durham PCT present at the meeting.

To consider the attached reports outlining the proposed projects:-

Consideration was given to a report of Head of Strategy and Regeneration regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes). 

Members of the Forum were reminded that £532,000 had been allocated over three years for the Local Improvement Programme in Area 3 to tackle the issues as outlined in the Council’s Community Strategy.  The allocation for 2006/07 was £177,334.

The role of the Area Forum was to provide the view as to the priority of the project within the area.  The project would then be considered by the Council’s Management Team and Cabinet.

Ceddesfeld Hall Attics and Cellar Technical Study

Councillor Mrs. M. Robinson, Sedgefield Town Council, was in attendance to present this application.

The project involved commissioning a consultant to investigate the feasibility of attics and/or cellars back into use at Ceddesfeld Hall.

It was pointed out that the applicant was applying for 100% of the funding for this project.

Memorial Childrens Playing Field, Fishburn

J. Irvine, Fishburn Parish Council, was in attendance at the meeting to present the application.

The project involved providing play equipment and associated works for use by local children.  The intention was to design a scheme that met the needs of both toddler play and opportunities for older children.

The applicant had applied for £58,900 of Local Improvement Programme funding.  This was 39% of the total project cost. 

It was queried whether the park would be accessible to the public 24 hours a day as this could cause problems for local residents.

Reference was made to road safety. It was pointed out that efforts were being made to improve road safety in Fishburn.

Sedgefield Parish Hall Regeneration Programme

Mrs. L. Swinbank, Sedgefield Town Council was in attendance at the meeting to present the application.

It was explained that there were four elements to the project.  These included an acoustic survey of the building, a new stage facility including fixed lighting/sound equipment, refurbishment of the kitchen to provide additional facilities and a chair lift to the first floor.

It was explained that the applicant was applying for 100% of the funding for this phase of the project. 

AGREED:   That the projects be supported.