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

Councillor V. Crosby declared a personal interest in Item 6 relating to CAVOS - Member of the Board.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 25^th January 2005

The Minutes of the meeting held on 25^th January, 2005 were confirmed as a correct record and signed by the Chairman.

A representative from the Police Force will be present at the meeting to give an update in relation to crime figures etc.

Acting Inspector Steve Ball was present at the meeting to give details of the crime statistics for the Newton Aycliffe area.

The crime statistics were as follows :-

Reference was made to incidents of anti social behaviour which had occurred in the Silverdale Place area during the previous weekend.  Discussion was held regarding how such problems in the area could be eliminated.  It was recognised that people in the area felt intimidated by these incidents and were recluctant to inform the police. The Forum was reminded that people who phone the Police to report incidents could remain anonymous  Resources were being put into trying to address the situation.   

Members of the Forum made reference to the fact that such problems seemed to move from place to place and reference was also made to an incident of anti-social behaviour which had occurred in the Byerley Park vicinity.

A representative from the Primary Care Trust will be present at the meeting to report on progress

Members of the Forum were reminded that at the last meeting concerns had been expressed regarding the new role of pharmacists.  Concerns had related mainly to confidentiality and information on the patients medical history.  In relation to confidentiality,

Mr. Porter explained that pharmacists were covered by the Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain and that pharmacies usually provided a private area where confidential discussions could be held.  In relation to information on the patients medical history, pharmacists were only able to prescribe for a small number of minor ailments.  It was noted however that pharmacists would eventually have an electronic record of patients.

A copy of publication, “Your Health Matters” was circulated promoting healthcare together with a brochure “Better Times Ahead” which had been produced by service users and doctors and had been distributed to doctor’s surgeries etc.

It was noted that the Primary Care Trust was at the current time in the process of negotiating Local Service Plans which set out spending plans for the next three years and identified how targets would be achieved.

Members of the Forum were informed of a listening event which was to be held that Friday at Sedgefield Community College and also roadshows which were to be held, the first of which was to be held at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre that Thursday from 10.00 a.m. to 1.00 p.m. when health checks and advice on healthy eating, etc., would be given.  Other road shows would be held later at Mainsforth Community Centre and Trimdon.

Discussion was held regarding the audiology service and in particular the supply of digital hearing aids.  Concern was expressed at the waiting times for receiving digital hearing aids.  The problem existed that having been examined and assessed there was a lengthy waiting time .  Those patients being seen in March, 2005 were those listed in July, 2004.  The reason for this was insufficient qualified staff and also a greater demand for digital hearing aids.  There had been twice as many referrals as the number of people they could see.  The concerns would be conveyed to Bishop Hospital.

A query was raised in relation to the out-of-hours dental service.  It was explained that there was an out-of-hours dental service the number for which could be obtained through contacting the out-of-hours doctors service.

Arrangements have been made for Gillian Fortune Chief Executive of CAVOS to attend the meeting to give details of the work of CAVOS and its strategic direction.

G. Fortune, Chief Officer CAVOS, was present at the meeting to inform members at the meeting of the role of CAVOS in the community.

It was explained that CAVOS had been established in 2000 as a representative body for community groups

It was pointed out that CAVOS was free to join and would represent any organised voluntary community group.

Gillian Fortune explained that she had taken up post as Chief Officer in August and was responsible for a team including Support Officer, Development Officer, Volunteer Bureau Coordinator and Training Officer.  She reported that she hoped to move CAVOS in a more strategic direction and was looking at ways of increasing funding and staffing and improving sustainability.  It was also hoped that once an organisation health check had been completed a training programme could be introduced to improve service provision.

It was explained that CAVOS provided support to new and existing groups such as information on funding and other areas that would be of interest to groups. It also supported partnership working which allowed groups to benefit from working together and to form new relationships.  It also promoted and marketed volunteer working and the benefits of joining a community group.

Members of the Forum were given details of the difference between CAVOS and the Community Empowerment Network.  It was explained that CEN represented residents in the community on a more individual basis working with the Local Strategic Partnership whereas CAVOS represented voluntary organisations not individual residents. 

Details were given on a CAVOS community event which was to be held at Greenfield School,and Community Arts College. Newton Aycliffe on Wednesday 30^th March, 2005 between the times of 10.30 a.m. and 3.30 p.m.  The event included a number of activities and provide information on what help and support would be available to new and existing community groups.

It was agreed that Gillian Fortune should continue to update the Forum on  the progress of CAVOS and suggested that she be informed of  any topics members wished to discuss at future meetings for inclusion on the agenda.

Members pointed out that CAVOS was an ideal mechanism providing new and existing groups with relevant information.  It was pointed out, however, that they would need to increase their marketing promoting and advertising methods

The results of the Crime and Disorder Audit held at the Area Forum on 30^th November 2005 are attached for information.

Consideration was given to the results of the Crime and Disorder Audit held at the Forum on 30^th November, 2004 (for copy see file of Minutes) which were submitted for information.    

Report of Director of Neighbourhood Services

Consideration was given to a report of the Director of Neighbourhood Services (for copy see file of Minutes) in respect of the naming of a development at Site J, Cobblers Hall, Newton Aycliffe.

AGREED:      That the three streets be named after local recipients of the Victoria Cross, namely, Annand, Wakenshawe and Bradford and that in line with the Town Council’s request names associated with military connections with the Parish in relation to development in Newton Aycliffe be explored.