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

Councillor V. Chapman indicated that he would be declaring a personal and prejudicial interest in Item No : 5 - Shildon Local Improvement Programme Application - Shildon Peoples Centre as he was a Member of Durham County Council.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 4th March 2008.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 4^th March 2008 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.

Details of the crime figures for February and March 2008 were given:-

AGREED:                  That the information be received.

Report of Assistant Chief Executive.

NB :    In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members Code of Conduct,

Councillor V. Chapman declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting.

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

C. Devenport was in attendance to present the application.  He explained that the Centre provided services for the young, for older people and for people with special needs.  It was essential to refurbish the Centre to offer a more flexible service to meet the needs of local people and encourage new users to the Centre to access the broader facilities. 

The project aimed to reduce social isolation, increase social inclusion and community engagement through increased participation.  It was reported that funding amounting to £102,803 had been requested to meet the cost of installing an internal lift to enable easier access to the first floor, the erection of a 7m x 7m conservatory, kitchen refit, flooring/carpets, double glazing, new boiler and furniture for the cells and café.  The refurbishment work would enable the Centre to provide healthy eating courses, education courses, first aid courses, youth activity, yoga, key fit, mother and toddler, weight watchers, over 60’s tea club and cookery courses.  It was noted that 12,536 people had visited the Centre during its first none months.

Members expressed concern regarding the length of the lease (5 years for the building) in view of the amount of funding requested.  It was suggested that Durham County Council should be approached for a longer (20 year) lease.  It was pointed out that the building could, in future, be gifted to the community organisation.

AGREED :         That the application be supported subject to the length of the lease being further investigated during the appraisal process.

To be agreed at annual meeting of Council.

To be agreed at the Council’s Annual Meeting.