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

Councillor B. Stephens indicated that he would be declaring a prejudicial interest in Item 5b - Local Improvement Programme - Jubilee Fields Community Centre as he had been involved in drawing up the application.

Mrs. Betty Carr also indicated that she would be declaring a prejudicial interest in Item 5c - Local Improvement Programme - Vintage Vehicle Museum as she was a member of the Vintage Vehicles Shildon Trust.

Councillors D.M. Hancock and J.G. Huntington declared personal interests in Item 5 - Sedgefield Borough - Local Improvement Programme - as they were of Shildon Town Council.  They reported that they intended to remain in the meeting but not to speak on any Town Council project.

To confirm as a correct record the Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April 2008 at 6.30 p.m.

The Minutes of the meeting held on 22^nd April 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.

It was reported that Acting Sergeant S. Brown was unable to attend the meeting, however, he had provided details of the crime figures for April 2008 which were as follows:

Members noted that the Police were currently targeting motorcycles, youths causing annoyance in Hackworth Park and damage to the Railway Museum and had success with regard to all three.  Arrests had been made in relation to the damage caused to the Railway Museum, large amounts of alcohol had also been confiscated and several motorcycle riders had been caught and reported.

To consider the following reports of the Assistant Chief Executive in respect of:-

a)     Update on LIP Programme

b)     Jubilee Fields Community Centre

c)      Vintage Vehicle Museum

d)     Eldon Community Centre .

The Forum considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive, which gave an update on project activity in relation to Sedgefield Borough Council’s Local Improvement Programme (LIP).  (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was reported that Area 4 Forum had been allocated £456,000 of LIP capital resources between 2006 and 2009 and the following projects had been supported to date within the Area 4 locality:

It was pointed out that the Fox and Hounds Community Inn project had been rejected as it was not deemed appropriate to allocate LIP funding to the future development of a facility whose main use was as a public house.

With regard to the Shildon Scout Field Technical Study, it was noted that a land survey had been completed and a full application was now being worked up.

It was explained that the Pilgrim Club had been unable to identify suitable premises and therefore the application for funding for a technical study had been withdrawn. 

With regard to the Shildon Peoples Centre application, it was noted that Durham County Council had been approached regarding extending the lease on the premises. 

Members noted that the results of the Hackworth Park Pavilion Technical Study were expected shortly, which should result in a full project application being received from Shildon Town Council before 31^st July 2008, the closing date for new applications.

AGREED :        That the report be received and that further reports be submitted to the Area Forum as progress on particular projects is made.      

         NB :    In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Member’s Code of Conduct Councillor B. Stephens declared a personal and prejudicial interest in the above item and left the meeting for the duration of consideration of the item.  

Councillor V. Chapman in the chair.

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

E. Race was in attendance to present the application.

The project aimed to upgrade the Sports Hall and Lounge/Dining Rooms to enable the Centre to become a viable enterprise through better utilisation of the existing space within the centre.   The works would include the installation of a soundproof shutter within the dining area space, replacement of existing sports hall flooring with a multi-use flooring, installation of soundproof wall material and replacement of windows in the sports hall.

It was reported that £75,000 had been requested, which was 100% of the total cost, however, the Strategy and Regeneration division would work with the applicant to identify other possible funding streams for the project.

AGREED :           That the application be supported.

Councillor B. Stephens in the chair.

Mrs. B. Carr left the meeting for the duration of consideration of the above item.

The Forum considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Chris Jones, Vintage Vehicles Shildon Limited was in attendance to present the application.

It was explained that the project aimed to improve the access to and within the site and to enhance the visitor experience of the Museum, which was located on Dabbleduck Industrial Estate.  The proposed works included the provision of accessible entry to the exhibition area, refurbishment of existing toilet area by providing baby changing and disabled toilet facility, refurbishment of the resource room, provision of internal interpretation material and reception area, along with provision of kitchen and catering facility. 

The refurbishment of the museum would offer substantial visual and operational improvements to the former industrial unit, as well as increased volunteering and training opportunities for the local community, education value to local schools, heritage interest groups and regional special interest tourism.

The total project cost was £111,184 of which the applicant had applied for £67,125 (54% of the cost) the applicant would, however, be applying for funding from other sources such as Heritage Lottery Fund and the Northern Rock Foundation.

Concern was expressed that the building and the collection were privately owned and not in public ownership.  It was pointed out that the Chairperson and the landlord/owner had signed a permanence agreement, stating that a lease agreement for a period of at least 15 years for the building and the collection, would be executed before funding was granted.  It was also pointed out that the governance of the museum was with a charitable trust.

It was reported that if Cabinet was minded to approve the application, a condition could be included on the approval document that funding could not be spent until match funding was available from other sources.

AGREED :           That the application be supported.

The Forum considered a report of the Assistant Chief Executive regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

George Pennington, Eldon Community Partnership was in attendance to present the application.

It was reported that Eldon Community Association were seeking funding to provide a community centre for the residents of Eldon Village to meet and participate in social, education and healthy activities.  The building would be 25 feet x 40 feet and have an apex roof and car parking provision and be located on Borough Council owned land, which would be gifted to the community association.

The total project cost was £125,308, of which the applicant had applied for £115,308 (92% of the total cost).  The remaining cost would be met by the local brickworks who would donate all the bricks required and Neighbourhood Enhancement Programme monies would also be used as the match funding. 

It was noted that issues regarding the future financial sustainability of the centre would be considered during the full appraisal process. 

AGREED :           That the application for LIP funding be supported.

Tuesday 23^rd September 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Shildon Civic Hall

Tuesday 23^rd September 2008 at 6.30 p.m. at Shildon Civic Hall.