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

The following Councillors stated that they would be declaring an interest in Item 7 - Local Improvement Programme application :-

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd January 2007

The Minutes of the meeting held on 23^rd January, 2007 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.

Sergeant Simon Rogers was present at the meeting to give details of crime figures for the area.

The figures for January and February, 2007 were as follows :-

The Forum was also given details of traffic accident statistics.  It was explained that the target set to be reached by 2010 was :-

A reduction in serious injuries  by  40%

A reduction in child casualties                        by                        50%

A reduction in adult casualties                        by                        10%

It was reported that last year the number of those with slight injuries was 264 and fatal child casualties remained constant at 5.

During discussion of this item reference was made to the need to provide some kind of facility for young people in the Williamfield area of Newton Aycliffe - a meeting place for young people to socialise.  Young residents from the area were invited to write to Councillor Mrs. Barbara Graham, the Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture, putting forward suggestions for the type of facility needed.

A presentation is to be given regarding the Sedgefield NECA (North East Council on Addictions) High Street Project.

Barbara Turnbull attended the meeting to give a presentation regarding Sedgefield NECA. 

It was explained that NECA was the largest regional charity working in the area of substance use/misuse.  Its remit included all forms of substance dependency including illicit drugs, alcohol, prescription drugs, over the counter preparations, nicotine and solvents, gases and gambling.  Its counsellors worked as part of a multi-disciplinary team with other agencies such as DISC, the Probation Service, Health and Social Care, General Practitioners, prisons, independent service providers, schools, colleges and voluntary organisations.

The services provided by NECA included complementary therapies such as acupuncture, aromatherapy and reflexology which were proving to be effective in announcing treatment programme for drug users and supported housing to clients experiencing misuse problems.

It was noted that the biggest addiction problem related to alcohol. 

Free confidential one-to-one appointments with professional qualified counsellors and referral to other agencies were offered if required.

Members noted that the NECA was based in the Market Place at Bishop Auckland but had outreach facilities at areas of the Borough.

A representative from the PCT will be present at the meeting to give an update on progress.

Paul Irving, Interim Associate Director, attended the meeting to update Members of the Forum in relation to progress.

Mr. Irving explained that the Primary Care Trust was still in the process of establishing staffing structures.  Jasmine Choudhry had been appointed as Chief Executive to the Primary Care Trust, Tricia Cresswell, Director of Public Health, Pat Taylor, Director of Finance, Pat King, Director of Business Development, Cameron Wood - Director of Business Management.  The Director of Nursing was still to be appointed.  Assistant Directors posts had been advertised and it was anticipated would be in place by the end of Marcy.  The rest of the structure would be in place following staff consultation.

A development programme had been prepared for the next five years and would be done on a rolling annual basis.  The Plan for 2007/08 was almost complete and would be submitted to the Board in March, 2007.

In respect of financial issues, it was explained that the Recovery Team had been disbanded and the PCT was anticipating a good performance financially with targets being met by and large.  It was noted that the one hot spot was in terms of ambulance response times which needed to be addressed.

Reference was made to Newton Aycliffe Health Centre and progress in relation to the development of the town centre.  It was explained that negotiations were still being held with the developer and County Council and Borough Council to achieve progress on the development.  A visit to the site had been held with all parties being present.  An option appraisal was to be undertaken and the provision of health facilities.  the development of a new health centre still, however, remained the main option.  Whatever the outcome of negotiations, services would still be provided in the locality in suitable premises.

To consider the attached report on proposals from:-

Newton Aycliffe MIND

NB :          In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and Member’s Code of Conduct, Councillors M. Iveson, R.S. Fleming, and Mrs. A.M. Fleming together with Councillor A. Tomlin (Great Aycliffe Town Council Member) declared an interest in this item and left the meeting for the duration of the discussion.

Councillor Mrs. J. Gray in the Chair.

Newton Aycliffe MIND

Consideration was given to a report of the Head of Strategy and Regeneration regarding the above.  (For copy see file of Minutes).

Members of the Forum were reminded that Area 5 Forum had been allocated £1,145,000 of LIP resources due in 2006 and 2009 to tackle the issues outlined in the Council’s Community Strategy.  The allocation for 2006/07 was £380,000.

The role of the Area Forum was provide a view of the projects in the area.  The project would then be considered by the Council’s Management Team and Cabinet.  The latter would decide whether or not to allocate funding to the project.

Members noted that the Great Aycliffe Way application had been approved by Cabinet and that the applications from Middridge and Woodham Community Associations would be considered by Cabinet on 29^th March, 2007.

Muriel Gordon from MIND was in attendance to present the applications.

The project involved an application for funding towards a technical study to provide MIND with detailed specification and plans, costing of proposals, etc., prior to planning consent.

The amount requested from the Local Improvement Programme was £9,750.

It was noted that following the technical study, a further report would be brought to the Area Forum to enable consideration of the overall cost implications of the final project.

AGREED :   That the Forum support the project.

Next meeting is scheduled to be held on 24^th April 2007

Next meeting to be held on 24^th April, 2007.