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 and J.G. Huntington indicated that they would be declaring a personal and prejudicial interest in Item No : 6 - Sedgefield Borough Local Improvement Programme - Application - Replacement Bowls and Tennis Pavilion Technical Study as they were Members of Shildon Town Council.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 15^th January 2008 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman subject to the Police representative in attendance at the meeting being changed to read, “Sergeant G. Milne”.

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

It was explained that the Police were not able to be represented at the meeting, however, they had provided details of the crime figures for January 2008 which were as follows:

Arrangements have been made for Tracy Olley, Domestic Violence Co-ordinator to give a presentation on the above.

Tracey Olly, Domestic Violence Co-ordinator, was present to give a presentation on the above. 

It was explained that the Government definition of domestic abuse was any incident of threatening behaviour, violence or abuse  (psychological physical, sexual, financial or emotional) between adults who have or have been in an intimate relationship or family members.  Regardless of gender or age. 

One in four women suffer from domestic abuse at one point in their life and on average two women a week die at the hands of their partner or ex- partner.  One in six men suffer from domestic abuse and in 90% of the domestic violence situations, children were in the same or adjacent rooms.  On average a woman is assaulted 35 times before she reported it to someone.  The police receive a call about a domestic violence incident approximately every 60 seconds.  The majority of the calls being made by children/neighbours. 

Domestic violence costs society £23 billion per year.  The figure included an estimated £3.1 billion at a cost to the state and £1.3 billion as a cost to employers. 

It was explained that No. 31 and SODA (Survivors of Domestic Abuse) was a Women’s Centre developed in the Borough to provide information and support for victims of domestic abuse.  The Centre offered a holistic approach to domestic abuse issues that including counselling, support groups, drug awareness and the Freedom Programme.  The Centre was based at Silverdale House, Newton Aycliffe. 

It was noted that most of the referrals came from the Police.  It was explained that the Freedom Programme was a free12 week rolling programme open to any woman who wished to learn more about the reality of domestic abuse.  The Programme also helped women to gain self esteem and the confidence to improve the quality of their lives.

Specific reference was made to the refuge facilities that were available in the area and to the specialist emotional support available for children who have witnessed domestic abuse.  It was noted that a childrens’ worker was employed to work very closely with primary schools.  Children were supported through play therapy and encouraged to express and explore their emotions to help understand their experiences more fully. 

It was noted that there were three transitional houses in Sedgefield Borough at Ferryhill, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor where people leaving a refuge could stay usually for 6 months until they obtained their own property or they found somewhere else to live/obtained a tenancy for another property.

Details were also given of the measures that had been taken to increase awareness of the service, which included:

Ø               Posters in various locations

Ø               Radio Interviews

Ø               Stickers

Ø               Bus campaigns

Ø               Adverts in Yellow Pages

Ø               Beer Mats

The Forum thanked Tracy for her very interesting presentation and it was requested that the Police when giving their report on crime figures should include details of the number of domestic incidents.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

NB : In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and Member’s Code of Conduct, Councillor V. Chapman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting.

         Councillors D.M. Hancock and J.G. Huntington also declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item, however, they remained in the meeting but took no part in the discussion and voting thereon.

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

M.  Waterson, Clerk to Shildon Town Council was in attendance to present the application.   It was explained that funding was being requested to carry out a technical study with a view to designing a new pavilion to replace the existing tennis/bowls pavilion in Hackworth Park.

It was proposed that the design of the new facility would include: baby changing facilities, toilet facilities, changing facilities for both bowlers and tennis players and a communal area.  It would occupy approximately the same footprint as the existing building.  The improvements in the facilities, linked to refurbishment of the tennis courts, would result in increased participation in tennis and possibly outdoor bowls.  The addition of a baby changing room/young persons facility would also result in extended visits to the adjacent play areas. 

The pavilion would be available to support all ages and it was intended that the communal area could be made available on demand as a meeting place for relevant sports clubs and community groups.  The total cost of the technical study was £17,250 and the amount of funding requested was £15,000 (87%).  Shildon Town Council would provide the remaining funding.

Members of the Forum expressed concern regarding the condition of the bowling green and agreed to support the project, subject to the study looking at ways of bringing the bowling green up to a higher standard.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

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

C. Jones, Seymour Trust/Fox and Hounds Community Inn, was in attendance to present the application.

It was explained that funding was being requested to carry out a technical study to investigate the options and costs associated with bringing back into use a series of unused buildings to the rear of the Fox and Hounds Community Inn, Shildon. 

The technical study would cover an extension and refurbishment of the buildings to provide a meeting room and ancillary rooms. 

The project aimed to attract 17 - 21 year olds to an exciting and meaningful programme of activities and would offer a thriving community facility.

The total project cost was £18,189 and the amount of funding requested was £15,000 (82%).  The applicant would meet the additional costs.

Members of the Forum expressed concern regarding the short term lease (10 years) for the building, pointing out that the brewery company was not obliged to renew it at the end of the lease period.  It was therefore agreed that officers carry out further investigations/appraisal of the application and report back to a future meeting of the Forum.

22^nd April 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Shildon Civic Hall

Tuesday 22^nd April 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Shildon Civic Hall.