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

Councillors V. Chapman, D.M. Hancock, G.M.R. Howe, J.G. Huntington and Mrs. I. Jackson indicated that they would be declaring a personal and prejudicial interest in Item No : 6 - Sedgefield Borough Local Improvement Programme - Application - Stage, Sound and Lighting System, Shildon Civic Hall - as they were Members of Shildon Town Council.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th September 2007.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th September 2007 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.

Sergeant G. Milne and PC B. Booth were present at the meeting to give details of crime statistics for the area.

The reported crime figures for September and October 2007 were as follows:-

Members of the Forum were requested to be more security conscious especially during the hours of darkness.  It was reported that a leaflet had been circulated around the area on security measures.

Arrangements have been made for Carol Bean, County Durham PCT to attend the meeting to address concerns regarding access to GP appointments in Shildon in relation to telephone charges and access.

Carol Bean, County Durham PCT, Glen Carroll and Kay McEntee, Intrahealth were present at the meeting to address concerns regarding the telephone systems used by many GP practices, including the Hallgarth Surgery, Shildon.

The representatives of Intrahealth, who operated the Hallgarth Surgery, reported the decision to install the telephone system operated by Network Europe Group (NEG) had been in direct response to feedback from patients.  The system provided callers with a menu of choices and placed them in a queue.  Previously, the majority of people who had called the surgery had heard an engaged tone or the telephone had not been answered.  The system was designed to ensure that 96% of callers get through to the surgery.  Calls to the NEG system were charged at 4.2p per minute from a landline - 12.6p for a 3 minute average telephone call.   A BT Option 1 telephone call to another local number would cost 4.26p per minute, plus 3p connection charge.  A 3 minute call would therefore cost 15.78p.   Calls from a mobile phone would cost more, depending on the package/provider.

Members of the Forum expressed concern regarding the length of time they could wait in the queue, which resulted in long costly telephone calls.  They referred to a recent newspaper article where a caller had been charged for calls to the surgery, even though the line had been constantly engaged.  They were also of the view that the 0844 telephone number was very difficult to remember and requested a shorter local telephone number, commencing with 77.

The representatives from Intrahealth explained that the system was supposed to eliminate the engaged tone.  NEG had been made aware of the technical fault and would arrange refunds.  

With to the actual telephone number, it was explained that when it had been introduced, fridge magnets printed with the new number and had been made available to patients at the surgery.

Mrs. B. Carr reported that she had raised the problem of the telephone system with Dr. Hilton-Dixon, County Durham PCT, who had agreed to look into the matter.

The representatives of Intrahealth also agreed to take on board the Forum’s comments/concerns.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

NB :          In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Member’s Code of Conduct, Councillors

                  V. Chapman, D.M. Hancock, G.M.R. Howe, J.G. Huntington and Mrs. I. Jackson declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting for the duration of discussion and voting thereon.

Consideration was given to a report of the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

M. Waterson, Clerk, Shildon Town Council was in attendance to present the application. 

The project involved the provision of up to date sound and lighting to Shildon Civic Hall, which would increase the usage of the building and safeguard users.  The existing sound and lighting systems were obsolete and a barrier to the usage of the building for many users.  Updated equipment would attract further events and ensure that the existing users do not have to seek alternative venues. 

It was noted that the Town Council would be looking at a feasibility study for the whole of the building, however, the lighting and sound systems had been brought forward to address an urgent need, whilst the larger renovation project was being developed. 

The total project cost was £10,591 and the amount of funding requested was £7,060 (66%).  The remaining funding would be sought from the Arts Council, however, Shildon Town Council would contribute, if the funding application was unsuccessful.  Future revenue costs would be absorbed into the Town Council Precept.

The Forum agreed to support the project.

Tuesday 15^th January 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Shildon Sunnydale Leisure Centre

Tuesday 15^th January 2008 at 6.30 p.m.

Members of the Forum requested that future meetings be held at Shildon Civic Hall owing to parking difficulties at the Leisure Centre.