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

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2005.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 20^th September 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

A representative from the Neighbourhood Services Department will attend the meeting to give a presentation on the above.

C. Walton, Head of Planning Services, was present at the meeting to give a presentation on the draft Residential Extensions Supplementary Planning document. Copies of the document were distributed at the Forum.

It was explained that Sedgefield Borough Council had experienced a significant increase in residential extension applications over the past few years and there was clear evidence that the Councils existing Supplementary Planning Guidance, Note 4, adopted in 2000, had become out-of-date and required review. A decision was therefore taken in September 2003 to review the existing householder Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG) and develop a revised Supplementary Planning Document.

Final year students from the University of Newcastle, School of Town Planning had been commissioned to review the existing SPG and identify national best practice. Council officers had subsequently refined the work to suit local circumstances.

A draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) was produced and presented to the Borough Council’s Cabinet, in September 2005, where it was approved for public consultation. The consultation period had now ended and it was anticipated that the Supplementary Planning Document would be adopted by the Council in April 2006.

Members of the Forum were informed that the draft Supplementary Guidance Document was more comprehensive than the existing SPG and provided detailed advice and guidance on the following: -

• General Design Principles
• Porches
• Forward Extensions
• Side Extensions
• Rear Extensions
• Rural Extensions
• Conservatories
• Dormer Windows and Roof Extensions
• Garages and Outbuildings
• Walls and Fences
• Other material considerations

It was pointed out that copies of the SPD were available at the Council Offices and in addition a full copy of the SPD would be available on the Council’s website. This would enable members of the public to download those parts of the SPD that they were particularly interested in.

Questions were raised as to the level of enforcement that was available in detecting properties where planning permission had not been sought. It was explained that the number of properties that had not sought planning permission was low.

It was also pointed out that the Council employed a full time enforcement officer to target such issues, however, information from the public was welcomed in identifying properties/extensions that they suspected had not got planning permission. 

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

Inspector Ball was present at the meeting to give details of crime statistics for the area.

It was reported that the crime statistics for the month of October were as outlined below:

Inspector Ball made reference to Minute No: AF(4)11/05 Police Report which detailed the suggested implementation of the initiative AXENIC. He reported that relevant officers had given consideration to the suggestion and that the Forum would continue to be updated as to its progress.

In an attempt to combat anti-social behaviour, the CCTV van together with Beat Officers and Officers who were part of the Dog Section, had been patrolling areas where problems had been persistent. It was believed the presence of the increased number of officers had had an impact on the areas and an improvement had been seen.

Joint initiatives between the police and the Tenancy Enforcement Team at Sedgefield Borough Council would also continue in targeting problem tenants.

Detailed consideration was given to targeting anti-social behaviour, including what methods could be implemented to identify what youngsters want.

C. Wood, from the Shildon Centre, informed Members of the Forum that the Centre had produced a report. The report was currently out for consultation, aimed at giving youngsters in the area an opportunity to air their views. The main recommendation of the report was to invite youth workers from the area to form a network and develop youth forums to enable youngsters to express their views and subsequently implement schemes that they had chosen.

It was reported that the document had been distributed to as many youngsters as possible to ensure that a wide response was obtained.

Copies of the report could be obtained by contacting the Centre.

Members of the Forum expressed their support of the document and requested that updates continue to be brought.

Concerns were raised by the Forum regarding the problem of under-age drinking, specifically the problem of parents buying the alcohol. Inspector Ball reported that a Licensing Enforcement Officer had taken up post and was keen to confront and rectify problems.

Finally, concerns were again raised regarding contacting the Communications Centre. Members of the Forum reported that the majority of calls were answered by a recorded message. Inspector Ball explained that the system was under review and the police were aware of the problems. Members of the Forum were however asked to continue to report any incidents and use the system. It was also pointed out that incidents could be reported by e-mail and directly to officers.

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

K. Vasey was present at the meeting to update members of Forum on the agreed investments for 2005/06, which would be used to ensure NHS targets were met.

Members of the Forum were informed that additional resources would be put into the following: -

Ø               Out-of-hours service

Ø               A new framework for GP contracts

Ø               Mental health

Ø               Continuing health care

Ø               Integrated teams

Ø               Cancer services

Ø               Coronary heart disease

Reference was also made to improving access for patients requiring hospital care and access to GPs and nurses within local practices.

Detailed consideration was given to the staffing levels of the emergency care service at Bishop Auckland Hospital, specifically during an evening and whether nurses were on duty. It was explained that there were a number of nurses on duty every evening to support the work of the duty doctors.

It was also pointed out that unhealthy eating was now costing the NHS more than the problem of smoking. C. Vasey explained that the NHS had a number of initiatives that promoted healthy eating and smoking cessation. It was pointed out, however, that it was the responsibility of more than one organisation. Other factors that have an effect on healthy eating, such as finance, time management and education were also discussed.

The Chairman will take questions from the floor.

Regeneration In Shildon

The Chairman of the Forum gave details of a letter that he, together with a number of senior officers from Sedgefield Borough Council had received after the last community walkabout.

It was explained that during the walkabout a number of areas had been identified as requiring urgent improvements, therefore Shildon Community Safety Group sent a letter to advise Officers at Sedgefield Borough Council of the main issues.

The Chairman reported that he had been in discussion with a number of Officers at the Borough Council and an update would be brought to a future meeting.

17^th January 2006 at 6.30 p.m. in the Hackworth Suite, Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre.

17^th January, 2006 at 6.30 p.m. in the Hackworth Suite Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre.