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 14^th November 2006.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th November 2006 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

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

Acting Inspector S. Ball was present at the meeting to give statistics for the area.

The reported crime figures for November and December 2006 were as follows:-

It was pointed out that assistance had been provided by CID to deal with increased number of crimes in particular, burglary (other) and theft from vehicles.  This support, coupled with intelligence from the community, had led to a number of arrests being made and an improved detection rate.

It was reported that Shildon now had 4 PCSOs, resulting in more officers patrolling the streets.

Acting Inspector Ball expressed his disappointment regarding the poor attendance at the meeting. He explained that the Police were committed to attending Area Forum meetings to give details of crime and police operations in the local area and to respond to the concerns of local residents.

Residents expressed concern regarding the problem of motorists parking on pavements and grassed verges in the New Shildon.  It was reported that parking on footpaths was classed as ‘an illegal obstruction of the highway’ and the Police would take enforcement action, if necessary.

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

It was noted that there was no representative of the Trust present to give an update on local health matters/performance figures.

Members of the Forum expressed their disappointment that despite the representations made by local authorities, trade unions and the Bishop Auckland MP, County Durham and Darlington Acute Hospitals NHS Trust had decided in December to close Ward 3 at Bishop Auckland General Hospital.

The Chairman will take questions from the floor.

Members of the Forum queried whether any projects in Shildon had obtained LIP funding.

It was reported that Town Council had submitted applications for funding for CCTV cameras for Hackworth Park and  the redevelopment of Hackworth Park tennis courts.

The former had unfortunately not met the criteria for LIP funding. The latter, had been supported by the Forum at its November meeting and would be the subject of a report to Cabinet in February 2007.

Local residents expressed concern regarding a number of buildings in Shildon that were in a dilapidated condition.  The Chairman agreed to enquire whether the Council could take any action.

6^th March 2007 at Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre at 6.30 p.m.

Tuesday 6^th March 2007 at Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre at 6.30 p.m.