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 consider the minutes of the meeting held on 17^th September 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 17^th September, 2008 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, initiatives and neighbourhood priorities.

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 during the period 18^th September, 2008 to 12^th November, 2008 were as follows :-

Members were informed that of the four burglaries in Sedgefield, three involved car keys being stolen from premises and cars stolen.  One arrest had been made in Cleveland in relation to one of the stolen vehicles.  Arrests had also been made for vehicle crime which had been increasing recently.  An arrest had been made in Sedgefield in relation to commercial burglaries at Newton Aycliffe and one person had been arrested for possession of a Class A drug.  With regard to St. Edmunds churchyard, which was a neighbourhood priority, it was reported that continued patrols by the Police had reduced the number of incidents reported.  A CCTV camera operated by the Borough Council was situated nearby, however, its coverage was limited by a tree.  The possibility of cutting back the tree was being investigated.

With regard to parking of cars on double yellow lines outside of Sedgefield racecourse, it was reported that the area had been targeted on Sundays and Thursdays when car boot sales were held.  100 parking tickets had been issued to offenders,  Complaints had been received from drivers stating that the lines were not properly visible.  Due to this technicality he Police had been told to no longer issue tickets.  Durham County Council had been asked to address the issue and repaint the lines.  It was reported that Police patrols would still occur and tickets would be issued for any obstruction to the movement of traffic.

With regard to crime in Fishburn, there had been an increase in reports of anti-social behaviour.  It was thought that this was as a result of police action dispersing offenders from Sedgefield.  Complaints had been received regarding young drivers causing a nuisance in the area of the Co-op.  Six warning notices had been handed out and as a result there had been less complaints.  Two people had been arrested and a large quality of cash and drugs had been seized when a warrant was executed at an address in the area.

It was reported that there had been 13 reports of anti-social behaviour in Trimdon Village.  This number had generally decreased, however, there were still concerns in the Church Road area.   Issues surrounding the new CCTV camera in the area were discussed.  Members were informed that fixed penalty tickets and warning notices had been issued for vehicles illegally parking outside the Co-op.

With regard to the Trimdon Grange/Colliery area, the main issue of concern was the Community Centre.  As a result of the large number of incidents of damage to windows and graffiti, the Centre had been forced to close.  Concern was expressed over the risk of fire at the empty building and the possibility of demolition was discussed.

Members were informed that as a result of a new Government direction, the Police were required to discuss priority areas with residents and utilise more inventive ways of consulting with the public.  It was hoped that this could be incorporated into meetings of existing residents forums.  The possibility of establishing a specialist, dedicated meeting for policing issues was also raised.

An update was given on Operation Darc, which was a crime reduction initiative to address dwelling burglary and community re-assurance during the dark nights.

Report of 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.

The report outlined the prioritisation process and project criteria against which applications were considered, as a result of the limited funding available.

The projects approved prior to October, 2008 were :-

The projects approved by Cabinet on 23^rd October, 2008 were :-

The Trimdon Community Centre (£90,000) and Sedgefield Squash Club (£33,000) applications were identified as reserve projects.  These would be re-considered should any problems with planning applications or match funding develop with the approved projects.

The Fishburn Recreation Ground application was identified as a non priority project and rejected.

AGREED :     That the report be noted.

Wednesday, 7^th January 2009 at Trimdon Colliery Community College.

Wednesday 7^th January, 2009 at Trimdon Colliery Workingmens Club.