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 8^th March 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 8^th March, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Further to a request from the Forum at its meeting on 8^th March, 2005, (Minute No: AF(4)34/04 refers), Carol Bean, Access Facilitator for Sedgefield Primary Care Trust was present at the meeting to discuss GP access and inform Members of the appointments procedure.

C. Bean explained that the NHS planned targets had been set by the Government. The target for GP access had been set at 48 hours and was to be met by December 2004. She informed the Forum that evidence had shown that this target had been met within that time, however Members of the Forum reassured her that this was not the case and that there were still problems in accessing GP’s. It was pointed out that the above target also included access to a Primary Care Professional, not just GP’s and did not include access to a GP of choice.

Members of the Forum were also informed of the procedure for pre-bookable appointments. It was explained that an appointment should be able to be made within at least a week of when that appointment would be needed. It was pointed out that that again was not the case. Members of the Forum explained that it was often the case that they could only be made on the same day, as the appointment was needed or the previous day. C. Bean reassured Members of the Forum that appointments should be able to be made whenever the patient required them and assured them that every effort would be made to rectify the problems.

It was explained that contact would be made with the surrounding surgeries to identify problems. It was pointed out that any information that was requested would need to be provided and that response from the surgeries was mandatory. It was hoped that there would be more information by the next Area Forum, however if problems continued then she requested that contact be made with herself at the PCT in order for her to monitor the surgeries.  

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

Sergeant E. Turner was present at the meeting to give details of crime statistics for the area.

It was reported that the crime statistics were as outlined below: -

Year on Year March 2004 - March 2005

Sgnt Turner introduced Kate Johnson, the new PCSO to the Forum. Members of the Forum were informed that she would be deployed to the Byerley Ward and when necessary would move to other areas of Shildon. She had been employed on a full time basis and would be seen working on the beat, not in a vehicle. Members were reassured that she was the link between the Police and the community to monitor all levels of anti social behaviour and target problem areas. 

Members raised concern that the problems on Jubilee Estate were still continuing and in particular the area around the Jubilee pub. Members were re-assured that officers were aware of the problems in that specific area and that concerns would be taken back. It was pointed out that although resources were limited every effort was being made to combat the problems.

Specific reference was also made to the damaged fence surrounding the Jubilee car park. Members raised concerns that the damage had been reported in January and it had still not been fixed. It was pointed out the damage was getting progressively worse, was an eyesore and would end up costing even more money if it was not repaired in the near future. It was explained that there was a problem in identifying who was responsible for the fence, however, the Chair explained that the matter would be investigated. 

Arrangements have been made for Julia Pope, Programme Manager to attend the meeting to update Members of its role within the community and of any new and existing initiatives.

Julia Pope, Programme Manger Sure Start Shildon and Newton Aycliffe West, attended the Forum to hold a presentation to update Members of its role within the community and inform them of new and existing initiatives.

Copies of the presentation were distributed to Members.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members of the Forum were informed of the aims, objectives and key principles of Sure Start set by the Government, together with the responsibilities of Sure Start at a local level, by Durham County Council and Sedgefield Children and Young People’s Partnership, a policy group of the Local Strategic Partnership.

J. Pope then carried on with the presentation to discuss progress of the programme locally. Details were given of its priorities, together with how the community, health and childcare was being engaged and developed with the use of the programme.

Members were also informed of the plans for the development of the new family centres at the sites of Stephenson Way, West Ward and Timothy Hackworth School, Shildon.

Detailed consideration was given to the level of demand the childcare service was expected to receive and what would be the result if there was limited demand. It was explained that evidence had suggested that there was a certain level of demand, however that could obviously not be confirmed until the centres were developed. It was also pointed out that it was a Government requirement to introduce a childcare service within the centres. If the childcare service was not successful then it would be up to the leading authority of Durham County Council to decide what would happen to the facility.

Erection of 90 dwellings at land off Redworth Road, Shildon - Broseley Homes.

Report of the Building Control Manager.

Land off Redworth Road, Shildon

Consideration was given to a report of the Building Control Manager regarding a request received from Broseley Homes to officially name and number the above development comprising of 90 dwellings.  (For copy see of Minutes).   

Members of the Forum proposed the names of Primrose, Bluebell, Foxglove and Celandine.

The Chairman will take questions from the floor.

Street Wardens

With regard to concerns raised at the previous meeting (Minute AF.436/04 refers) regarding the transfer of the Neighbourhood Wardens from Shildon to Newton Aycliffe, Members were re-assured that the Wardens were back and would continue to be based in the Shildon area.

Littering

Detailed consideration was given to Sedgefield Borough Council’s Special Collections, specifically what items could be taken free of charge and what would be taken at the residents expense.

To be agreed at the Annual General Meeting on 20^th May 2005.

It was noted that the date of the next meeting of the Area 4 Forum would be agreed by Sedgefield Borough Council at its Annual Meeting on 20^th May, 2005.