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

Members had no interests to declare.

To confirm as a correct record the minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd October 2007

The Minutes of the meeting held on 2^nd October 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 S. Rogers was present at the meeting to give details of the crime figure for the area.

The figures for September and October 2007 were as follows:

It was reported that statistics obtained from the County Durham Fire and Rescue Brigade showed that for the period 16^th October to 7^th November 2007, there had been 21 bonfires in Sedgefield Division, compared to 32 in the previous year.

With regard to cars being parked on the concrete verge along Stephenson Way, Newton Aycliffe, it was reported that the Police would not issue parking tickets as they felt that the vehicles were not causing any obstruction to residents.

It was reported that the request made at the last meeting for more information to be provided on the number of incidents within the Town Centre and the Washington Crescent area, had been discussed with the Community Inspector and a decision was awaited on what information could be given out.      

Specific reference was made to the damage to a Town Centre bus shelter and phone boxes on bonfire night.  It was noted that the incident had been recorded by the CCTV cameras, however, the image was too small for the culprit to be recognised.

Members of the Forum expressed concern that the CCTV cameras surveying the Neville Parade area had been seen the previous day pointing towards the ground.  It was pointed out that when the cameras were looking downwards they were usually in need of repair.  The matter would be investigated.

Specific reference was made to the recent thefts of lead from the sports complex roof in Newton Aycliffe and Middridge Village Hall.  It was noted that the Police had seized some large amounts of lead at a number of scrapyards in Darlington and a number of people had been charged with handling offences.

Reference was also made to the wheelies bins stolen from Swan Walk and the fact that the Police did not respond until the following day.

A representative will be present at the meeting to give a progress update on Local Improvement Programme applications.

The Forum considered a progress report in respect of the Local Improvement Programme, which was circulated at the meeting (For copy see file of Minutes).

It was noted that the following applications had been approved:

Ø                 Great Aycliffe Way and Nature Reserve     £183,505

Ø                 Woodham Community Centre Improvement    £  25,200

Ø                 Middridge Village Hall :    £  76,485

            Total :            £285,190

It was noted that further discussions were taking place on the following applications before they underwent the decision-making process :

Ø                 Neville Parade Community Centre    £  43,603 (revised)

Ø                 Newton Aycliffe Sporting Club    £256,580

            Total :            £300,183

            Total Remaining if above approved:            £5,554,627         

It was noted that one new application had been received and was being appraised.  Expressions of interest had also been made on a range of ideas and work was taking place with the Groups involved.

Consideration was also given to a report regarding the refurbishment of Neville Parade Community Centre Refurbishment.  (For copy see file of Minutes)

It was reported that a survey of the roof had been carried out by Sedgefield Borough Council Property Services Section and a number of issues regarding the capacity of the building to take the weight of the new roof and the ability of the existing drain to take the increased rainwater run off had been discovered.  As a result, the total cost of the project had increased by  £8,840.

The Forum agreed to support the increased cost.

It was reported that County Durham PCT had indicated that it was unable to send a representative to every meeting of Area Forums, however, if there was a specific problem or issue, it would endeavour to arrange for an officer to attend.

Next meeting is scheduled to be held on 22^nd January 2008

Tuesday 22^nd January 2008 at 7.00 p.m.