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 submit.

To consider the Minutes of the meeting held on 10^th January 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 10^th January 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the following amendments: -

§           Minute No: AF(3)23/06 be amended to :

‘Reference was made to anti-social behaviour especially In Trimdon Village, Trimdon Colliery and Sedgefield’ and

‘Members of the Forum supported the Chief Officer in his quest for additional funding for the Police.’

§           The inclusion of an additional Minute stating that a member of the public raised a question regarding the proposed wind turbine at Sedgefield.  However, as Members of Sedgefield Borough Council would be required to consider the application at Development Control Committee they were unable to express a view at this stage.

(For copy see file of Minutes).

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 crime statistics were as follows :-

Reference was made to anti-social behaviour especially in Trimdon Village, Trimdon Colliery and Sedgefield.

It was noted that a joint initiative involving officers and wardens from the Peterlee police area was ongoing to deal with the problems of anti-social behaviour at Harpers Corner, Trimdon Colliery.

With regard to anti-social behaviour in Trimdon Village, it was pointed out that a number of incidents related to the play area at Skerne Avenue.

It was explained that the Police were in search of funding for the construction of fencing around the play area.  It was felt that the closure of the play area during the hours of darkness would reduce the impact of the play area on local residents.

The Forum was informed that a dedicated Police Community Support Officer (PCSO) had now been appointed for the area.

Mrs. A. Workman was present at the meeting to give an update on local health matters.

She explained that she was Manager of the integrated team based at Tremeduna Grange, Trimdon Village.

The Tremeduna Grange team was the first integrated team of district nurses, social workers and housing support staff to be established in both the Borough and the County.

The Forum was informed that Tremeduna Grange integrated team had been identified as a best practice model in a recent Government White Paper.  It had also been announced that the team would be referred to in a Government White Paper scheduled to be issued in May 2007.

Reference was made to the opening hours of the Area 3 Housing Office.  It was suggested that the opening hours be published in Inform and advertised in the Housing Office.

Reference was also made to dentistry in Sedgefield. Concern was expressed that some dental practices did not have access for disabled persons. It was pointed out that although Mr. Edmunds’ dental practice did not have disabled access home visits were available.

It was noted that County Durham Primary Care Trust had funding up to a maximum of £100,000 for a capital grant to aid the development of a replacement NHS dental practice in Sedgefield.

The Head of Neighbourhood Services will be present at the meeting.

D. Scarr, Head of Neighbourhood Services, was present at the meeting to explain what the Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership was doing within the context of its overall alcohol harm reduction strategy.

It was explained that ‘Our Healthier Nation Green Paper’ in the 1990s stated that nationally and locally an effective strategy to tackle alcohol misuse by 2000 would be developed. The NHS plan stated that by 2004 a strategy to address alcohol misuse, which caused up to 30,000 deaths each year would be implemented.

The north east had the highest rate of alcohol consumption in the country. It was pointed out that in 2002, 24% of children between 11 and 15 claimed to drink regularly. 

It was pointed out that the need for a strategic approach had been well established over many years.  The delay in producing a joint approach reflected a social ambiguity around alcohol and the complexity in dealing with direct and indirect consequences i.e. costs to the NHS and crime related costs etc.

With regard to young people, alcohol and anti-social behaviour, it was recognised that young people gathered outdoors in both large and small groups to drink alcohol.  The peak activities for such activity were between 4.00 p.m. to 10.00 p.m. in particularly on a Friday, Saturday and Sunday.  This activity caused intimidation to others, low level environmental damage, anti-social behaviour and was detrimental to their own health.

The Youth Engagement Service reported alcohol as a major issue with its clients.  Alcohol was a drug in terms of effects and addiction and contributed to family breakdown.  Alcohol consumption in young people had an effect on their education resulting in exclusion from school and missing school because of hangovers.

The Forum was informed that Sedgefield Local Strategic Partnership (LSP) had called for an Alcohol Harm Reduction Action Plan for 2007/08.  The Lead Agency for bringing this together was the PCT and would be delivered through the Sedgefield Crime and Reduction Partnership.

It was noted that the action plan was in its final stages of development.

The approaches identified in the action plan were as follows:-

§         Prevention

§         Enforcement

§         Public Confidence

§         Surveillance, and

§         Co-ordination

Although the Forum welcomed the Alcohol Harm Reduction Action Plan it was felt that immediate action was required to reduce the problem.

It was noted that the CDRP had limited resources.  Decisions regarding the deployment of resources were based on good quality intelligence.  Members of the public were therefore encouraged to report incidents to the Police.

It was pointed out that although there was a fear of crime in Sedgefield, the level of crime was low. Resources were therefore often deployed elsewhere in the Borough.

It was explained that there had been a number of initiatives in Sedgefield to reduce anti-social behaviour and under-age drinking. These initiatives had however only provided short term fixes.

Reference was made to persons under the age of 18 purchasing alcohol. It was pointed out that the problem was adults purchasing alcohol for consumption by people under the age of 18.

It was pointed out that if a youth was found to be under the influence of alcohol they would be taken home by the Police. All incidents were recorded on the Council’s Customer Relations Management System.

Reference was made to the disciplinary and intervention procedure. It was explained that this procedure involved the issue of warning letters, joint home visits, anti social behaviour contracts and anti social behaviour orders.

Concern was expressed that Sedgefield Borough Council’s Licensing Section no longer consulted with Town and Parish Councils on licensing applications in their area.  It was noted that residents associations in Sedgefield would make a formal request that consultation takes place appropriate Town and Parish Council’s.

It was suggested that a representative from the Licensing Section be invited to attend the next meeting of the Forum to discuss how the Council prevented under age drinking in public houses.

The Forum queried how the Crime and Reduction Partnership intended to reduce the fear of crime.  It was explained that this was an education process for which funds were available.

Wednesday 11^th April 2007 at the Fletcher Room, Parish Hall, Sedgefield.

Wednesday 11^th April 2007 in the Fletcher Room, Parish Hall, Sedgefield.