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

There were no declarations of interest received.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th January 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 18^th January, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

PC A. Lawton was present at the meeting to give details of crime statistics for the area, for the month of February, 2005.

Members of the Forum were informed that there had been a number of problems at Jubilee Estate and Coronation Avenue, however, a number of calls and support had been received from the public, which had helped resolve the matter. Consideration was given to those responsible for the causing the disruptions and the problems in identifying them.  

Questions were also raised regarding the Police Force experiencing financial difficulties and expressed concern that safety on the street would suffer.  Members of the Forum were informed that there had been a shortfall in finance available to Durham Constabulary, however, the force was currently in the process of restructuring, with a number of departments either being disbanded or extended to enable officers to work within the local communities and back on the streets. Members of the Forum were reassured that safety on the street would not be compromised, especially with the introduction of Street Safe.

Arrangements have been made for Gillian Fortune, Chief Executive, CAVOS, to attend the meeting to give details of the work of CAVOS and its strategic direction.

G. Fortune, Chief Officer, CAVOS (Community and Voluntary Organisations Sedgefield) was present at the meeting to inform Members of the role of CAVOS within the community. 

It was explained that CAVOS had been set up in 2000, as a representative body for organised voluntary community groups. It was pointed out that there was a CAVOS based in the majority of districts, was free to join and would represent any organised voluntary community group.  

G. Fortune explained that she had taken up the post of Chief Officer in August and was responsible for a team including a Support Officer, Development Officer, Volunteer Bureau Coordinator and a Training Officer. It was pointed out that it was hoped to move CAVOS in a more strategic direction, with the development of Investors in People, a Business Plan, ways of increasing funding and staff and improving sustainability. It was also hoped that once an organisation health check had been completed a training programme could be introduced, as well as the service provision being improved ensuring that signposting was carried out at its most effective.

It was explained that CAVOS provided support to new and existing groups, information on funding and other areas that would be of interest to groups, partnership working, which would allow groups to benefit from working together and form new relationships. It would also promote and market volunteer working and the benefits of joining a community group. 

Members of the Forum were informed of the differences between CAVOS and CEN (Community Empowerment Network). It was explained that CEN represented residents in the community on a more individual basis, working with the Local Strategic Partnership (LSP), whereas CAVOS represented organised voluntary community groups not individual residents. 

Details were given on a CAVOS community event, which was to be held at Greenfield School Community Arts College, Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday 30^th March, 2005 between the times of 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.  The event would include a number of activities and provide information on what help and support would be available to new and existing community groups. 

It was agreed that G. Fortune should continue to update the Forum on the progression of CAVOS and suggested that she be informed of any topics Members wished to discuss at future meetings to place them on agendas.

Members pointed out that CAVOS was the ideal mechanism for providing new and existing groups with the relevant information. It was pointed out however that they would need to increase their marketing, promoting and advertising methods, as not everyone knew they existed. It was hoped that the above event would be a step in the right direction.

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

C. Vasey and A. Armstrong were present at the meeting to update the Forum on local health issues. The PCT’s newspaper, ‘Your Health Matters’, was distributed to members of the Forum.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was noted that the Department of Health had announced the allocations of funding to all PCT’s for 2006/2007 and 2007/2008. Members of the Forum were informed that confirmation had been received that Sedgefield Primary Care Trust would receive an additional £23million in order to improve local health services. It was explained that the Local Delivery Plan was currently being compiled, which would detail where the funding would be allocated.

With regard to performance, it was explained that Sedgefield Primary Care Trust was continually striving to improve its services. Targets were being met in relation to GP access and an increase had been identified in the provision of flu vaccinations. Sedgefield Primary Care Trust could also boast some of the highest MMR immunisation rates in the country. It was explained that concern had been expressed regarding breaches for waiting times within the Accident and Emergency Department, particularly at Durham and Darlington Acute Hospital Trusts, however, they were improving and working to meet the set target. 

Specific reference was made to the appointment of four Community Partnership Managers to lead the integrated teams at Shildon, Newton Aycliffe, Ferryhill and Spennymoor.

It was also pointed out that the final agreement had been reached to commence building the new health care centre at Newton Aycliffe. Members of the Forum questioned whether there was any progress on the new health centre at Shildon.  It was explained that there was no information at the present time, however, more information would be brought to a future meeting.

Detailed discussion was held regarding the access to GPs, it was explained that problems were still being experienced in making appointments. It was agreed that an appropriate officer would present more information at the next meeting from the Primary Care Trust.

Consideration was also given to the amount of transfers taking place from Bishop Auckland Hospital and the statistics detailing comparisons that the North East had some of the worst health records in the country and was above the national the average. Comments were made regarding the need to educate children and adults in choosing healthier lifestyles and also the need to improve school meals. It was explained that the additional funding would be invested in improving health services and support the initiatives that were currently ongoing, such as smoking cessation.

The results of the Crime and Disorder Audit, held at the Area 4 Forum on 16^th November 2004 were noted. 

Neighbourhood Warden Steering Group

It was announced that J. Smith had resigned from the above Group.  He was thanked for his work and it was agreed his replacement would be sought at the next meeting.

Concerns were raised at the lack of Neighbourhood Wardens based at Shildon and the fact that they had been moved to Newton Aycliffe. It was explained that concerns had been raised at a previous meeting at Shildon Town Council, were it had been agreed a letter would be sent to the Chief Constable raising the concerns.

Littering

Detailed consideration was given to concerns regarding litter being abandoned in back streets and the problem in contacting the Borough Council to take action.  It was pointed out that the topic was on the agenda for the next Overview and Scrutiny Committee 3 on Tuesday 15^th March. Members of the Forum would receive further information at a future meeting.

Scheduled to be held on 3^rd May 2005 at 6.30p.m. at Hackworth Suite, Shildon Sunnydale, Leisure Centre.

3^rd May, 2005 at 6.00 p.m. at Hackworth Suite, Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre.