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 11^th April 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 11^th April 2007 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.  (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 the number of thefts at Sedgefield.  It was explained that this included theft of mobile phones, scrap material and garden furniture.  As a number of the thefts were avoidable crimes an article would be published in the Sedgefield News.

With regard to rowdy nuisance calls it was pointed out that a number of calls related to the play area at the Winterton Park development, Sedgefield. It was noted that a public meeting regarding the play area had been held where public opinion was divided.

In response to a question raised regarding the removal of syringes discarded in the environment, it was explained that this was the responsibility of the Council’s Environmental Health Section.  The removal of needles and syringes, etc., should, however, be reported to the Police for intelligence purposes.

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

Specific reference will also be made to the proposed revision to surgery hours at Trimdon Village.

Mrs. T. Huddart, Mrs. J. Lambie and C. Ward (County Durham PCT) together with Dr. P. Jones, Dr. D. Robinson and C. Miller (Sedgefield and trimdon Practice) were present at the meeting to provide an update on local health matters and discuss the proposal to revise surgery hours at the Trimdon Village practice.

The Forum was informed that new staffing structures at the PCT were being arranged with officers currently being recruited. 

It was explained that the PCT aimed to engage local people in order to improve health and wellbeing.

Reference was made to dentistry in Sedgefield.  It was explained that following a tendering exercise the Burgess Hyder Group had been awarded the NHS dental contract for Sedgefield.  The PCT was currently looking for a suitable property for a replacement NHS dental practice in Sedgefield.

Detailed discussion took place in relation to the proposal to revise surgery hours at Trimdon Village.  The proposal was to reduce the operational hours from the current eight sessions offered per week to five sessions per week.  These sessions would be offered every morning Monday to Friday.

It was reported that the existing practice premises in Trimdon Village was inadequate and the revision to surgery hours would allow greater use of the more appropriate premises at Trimdon Colliery.

It was noted that it was not possible to conduct a number of clinics at the Trimdon Village surgery.  There were also health and safety issues associated with the practice.  Doctors worked alone and on occasions there was only one member of the administrative staff in the building.

Members of the Forum were of the opinion that consultation on the proposals should commence as soon as possible.  It was explained that consultation was ongoing. An article would be published in the Trimdon Messenger and a letter distributed to all Trimdon Village patients.  It was agreed that the letter be proof read by an independent person prior to its distribution to ensure it was a readable document.

It was explained that the consultation period would take approximately three months. This could however be extended to take into account the August recess period.

Members expressed concern that historically some residents of Trimdon Village had chosen to visit the Doctors surgery at Fishburn.  These residents had then been informed that they could not attend the Trimdon Village Surgery.  It was explained that as a result of the National Doctor/Patient ratio it was not possible to increase the number of patients at the Trimdon Village Surgery.

Members questioned whether the PCT planned to develop a Health Centre in Trimdon Village under the LIFT Programme.  In response it was explained that although an application to renew the clinic at Peel Avenue, Trimdon Grange had been received, no funding had been secured.

Concern was expressed that the Health Centre at Trimdon Grange had been closed for a number of years and despite containing asbestos no maintenance work had been carried out. This issue would be raised at the PCT.

To consider the attached report outlining the proposed project for:-

• Fishburn Recreation Ground Development Technical Study

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

Members of the Forum were reminded that Area 3 Forum had been allocated £532,000 of LIP capital resources between 2006 and 2009 to tackle the issues as outlined in the Council’s Community Strategy.  The allocation for 2007/08 was £177,333.

The role of the Area Forum was to provide a view of the project within the area.  The project would then be considered by the Council’s Management Team and Cabinet.  The latter would decide whether or not to allocate funding to the project.

J. Irvine, Fishburn Parish Clerk and K. Makwela-Wali, Seymour Harris Active, were present at the meeting to present the application. 

It was explained that the overall project would see the implementation of a series of improvements for enhanced sporting opportunities within the recreational ground vicinity at Fishburn.

The Forum noted that £9,600 of LIP funding had been requested to carry out a technical study.  The aim at this stage of the project was to fully investigate the options for the construction of a clubhouse and increasing the number of playing pitches at the recreation ground. The technical study would also establish an accurate project cost as well as looking at the site constraints and planning issues associated with the site.

Following detailed discussion the Forum agreed to support the application.

Wednesday 19^th September 2007 at 7.00 p.m at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre.

Wednesday 19^th September 2007 at 7.00 p.m. at Fishburn Youth and Community Centre.