No declarations of interest were received.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 14^th March 2006

The Minutes of the meeting held on 14^th March, 2006 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 and Acting Sergeant Simon Rogers were present at the meeting to give details of the crime statistics for the area as set out below: -

With regard to concerns about the communications system, specifically emergency 999 calls going to an answer phone, raised at the meeting held on 14^th March 2006 Acting Sergeant Rogers informed the Forum that 999 calls would be answered directly by an operator, who after taking details would pass them on to the relevant area. If it was felt that the call was not such a priority and was passed to an officer only then could an answer phone possibly pick it up.

Concern was raised regarding the lack of a Beat Officer in the Neville and Simpasture Ward and the increase of criminal damage and anti-social behaviour.  It was questioned whether the previous officer would be replaced.

Acting Inspector S. Ball informed the Forum that there was no funding available to replace the officer. Instead areas would be monitored and officers despatch to areas seen as priority. Members were urged to inform local residents that incidents needed to be reported.  He re-iterated that if reports weren’t received then areas could not be targeted as in need of Police attention.

It was, however, pointed out that briefing meetings between the Police and Sedgefield Borough Council’s Neighbourhood Wardens would be taking place regularly to identify problem areas and to ensure problems were dealt with efficiently by both services.

The Leader of the Council also informed Members that he would be meeting with A. Blakemore regarding despatching Neighbourhood Wardens to problem areas.

Discussion was held regarding criminal damage to garage doors around Newton Aycliffe and also to youths congregating at the playing field in Aycliffe Village camping overnight and consuming alcohol, causing a nuisance.

Again Members were urged to ensure incidents were reported, however, Acting Inspector Ball agreed to monitor both issues.

Clarification was finally sought regarding parking issues specifically those advertised for sale on grass verges and those parked on pavements causing obstruction.

Acting Inspector Ball informed Members that he would make officers aware of the advertised vehicles and target the owners.  With regard to car parking on the pavement it was explained that if an obstruction was occurring then a Fixed Penalty Notice would be issued, however, if not then there would be little action that could be taken by the Police.

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

N. Porter and D. Rutherford attended the meeting to give an update on local health matters. 

The Forum was informed that the final decision on how the PCT would be re-organised would be made by the week beginning 15^th May 2006.  The chosen option would be formally developed by October 2006 and would shadow the current configuration until that time.

It was also reported that contracts for the new health centre were anticipated to be exchanged by the end of May.  The current premises would be vacated by mid-August 2006 and the service would be provided in rented accommodation until the new health centre was completed which was anticipated to be by December 2007.

After concerns continued to be raised regarding GP access the Forum was re-assured that the Government was taking steps to monitor the problem more closely including issuing surveys to patients regularly.  It was pointed out that the surgery at Bewick Crescent had already carried out a survey.  It was also reported that the Patient and Public Involvement Forum carried out surveys on a regular basis. 

Finally disappointment was expressed at the quick closure of Dryburn House.  It was explained that once the Notice had been received there was only five weeks to move all patients and staff out of the premises.

Local Improvement Programme

Members were informed that four bids had been submitted and were being considered by Sedgefield Borough Council.