Tag: durham county council

Council Seeks Community Opinion Over Youth Services Review

By on 8th January 2016in Have Your Say

Councillors are to be asked to launch a consultation seeking parents’ and children’s views on the future of Durham County Council’s youth service…

 

Across the county, the council funds a range of activities, groups and youth centres – but where that support goes has been based on historic agreements, and not where it could have the most benefit.

Now, following a review of the service, proposals are being put forward that would see money and resources targeted towards helping more young people at risk of poor outcomes who need extra help.

Overall it is hoped they would lead to improved school attendance and grades, and fewer exclusions; fewer young people not in education, employment, or training (NEET); fewer referrals to children’s services; and fewer teenage pregnancies.

The council’s Cabinet will discuss the proposals when they meet next week, on Wednesday 13th January at 10am.

Carole Payne, Durham County Council’s head of children’s services, said: “Across County Durham there are nearly 18,000 children living in areas that are among the most deprived in the country.

“Yet currently, despite prioritising and protecting youth services for as long as possible, the service is in regular contact with only 7 per cent of all young people and 9 per cent of those in the most deprived areas.

“Other authorities in the North East have cut their budgets for youth services, in some cases by over 70 per cent, while Durham has reduced its funding by less than one fifth.

“However, with continued budget pressures we face some difficult decisions, and it is important that we ensure every penny we spend has the greatest benefit.

“With this in mind, a review of youth services has been carried out and a series of proposals have been drafted that would see a new approach introduced to identify and help the young people and families who would gain the most from our support.

“No decisions have yet been made. The results of the review will be presented to the council’s cabinet on January 13th and, subject to approval, the recommendations it contains would be put out for a full 12 week public consultation beginning in February.”

In County Durham there are 17,987 13 to 19-year-olds living in households in areas that are among the top 30 per cent most deprived in the country.

There are also 7,670 children from homes whose income is at least 60 per cent below the national average.

Only 9 per cent of young people from the least well off areas have regular contact with the council’s youth service.

It is believed that – despite the council having to find £1m of savings from its £8.67m One Point budget – the service can have a bigger impact by redistributing funding across the service’s 10 areas, and targeting services to young people who need them most.

The consultation is also looking at the funding given to more than 50 youth projects through the Youth Work Support Grant.

Currently groups receive grants ranging from £430 to £27,768, but again this is based on what each organisation historically received and not on where needs are greatest.

In 2015/16 the budget for the Youth Work Support Grant is £194,684, but after meeting savings targets that will be reduced to £138,000. It is proposed to reassess where grants are made, and to transfer control of this funding to the council’s Area Action Partnerships, which are better placed to identify local priorities.

As well as this, discussions are already underway over the possibility of transferring youth centres in Fishburn, Newton Aycliffe, Peterlee, Seaham, Spennymoor and Stanley to community ownership through the Durham ASK programme.

No decisions have yet been made, and subject to agreement, a public consultation on the plans would run from 1st February to 27th April 2016.

Following feedback from that consultation, final proposals could then be developed and presented to cabinet in autumn 2016.

Durham Council Offers Assistance As Flooding Continues

By on 6th January 2016in In & Around

Durham County Council is continuing to help communities across the county to tackle the impact of the continued rainfall…

 

Many areas are being affected by low-level localised flooding, and teams from Durham County Council have been out and about continuously dealing with various issues.

This includes responding to numerous reports of flooding on highways by clearing blocked gullies, pumping out water and providing sandbags where needed. There have been about 150 requests for sandbags countywide.

The council sent staff to Lanchester, which was one of the worst hit areas of the county.

The pre-planned emergency response saw council officers working with members of the Lanchester Flood Action Group to distribute sandbags and local farmers who pumped water from a beck from Front Street.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “Our staff continue to work hard to respond to some very challenging conditions throughout the county.

“I am aware that the previous work we had done with the community in Lanchester in preparation for flooding was put into practice well, enabling local people to respond effectively themselves.”

A Met Office amber warning of rain remains in force until midnight, so residents are advised to be prepared for further problems with surface water flooding on roads and railways, as well as possible flooding to homes and businesses.

For the latest information on road closures due to severe weather, click here, and for all the latest school closures, click here.

Major Durham City Roadworks Begin January 2016

By on 5th January 2016in In & Around

Major works, which will mean easier journeys for everyone on the main route through Durham City, will start at the end of January…

 

Following consultation in 2015, Durham County Council’s £2.5m SCOOT system will see traffic lights installed on the Gilesgate and Leazes Bowl roundabouts during 2016.

The installation of the traffic lights will also see improvements to pedestrian and cycle facilities on both roundabouts. Although measures will be taken to minimise the impact on traffic, motorists should be aware that some disruption is likely while the work is carried out.

Work is expected to start at Gilesgate roundabout on Sunday 24th January and last until May 2016. The work will be carried out in seven phases and has been planned to reduce disruption to a minimum. Unfortunately various phases will still require traffic restrictions and some overnight road closures.

Further details of the work on Gilesgate roundabout are available at www.durham.gov.uk/gilesgate, and information about the Leazes Bowl work will be publicised closer to the starting date. Motorists are advised to keep up to date on the current traffic measures by using the website, and via social media using the hashtag #Gilesgate.

Towards the end of the improvements to Gilesgate roundabout, there will be an overlap with work commencing on Leazes Bowl roundabout to minimise the duration of delays. The project is expected to be finished by autumn 2016.

Once installed, the new traffic lights will be coordinated with those already in place on the Milburngate roundabout to better manage the flow of vehicles through the city. This will mean much more predictable travel through Durham City at peak times, making journeys easier for motorists and helping bus operators to plan services. It will also enable the council to more effectively deal with the impacts of incidents and planned events on the road network. The council hopes to start using the SCOOT system in 2017.

Cllr Neil Foster, Cabinet member for economic regeneration, said: “Once installed, the SCOOT system should make journeys easier for everyone travelling to or via Durham City, improve the reliability of public transport services, and have a positive impact on air quality for local residents. Although we’re working hard to minimise the impact on motorists, we’d like to thank everyone for their patience for any disruption while this is carried out.”

County Durham Gets Fit For Free In 2016

By on 30th December 2015in Lifestyle

Friends could win the chance to improve their fitness for free as part of a three month effort urging more people to exercise this New Year…

 

Durham County Council is committed to improving the health of families, and is introducing new offers across its 10 managed leisure centres.

To celebrate, the authority is seeking one individual or two friends to take up the challenge and try out the centre of their choice for three months, with their progress tracked to inspire others to follow in their footsteps.

Further encouragement will come in the form of free exercise classes, open to all members of the public, from Monday 4th January to Friday 15th January.

The sessions – which will include new Body Combat classes – will give visitors a chance to try out new things, and learn techniques and routines.

Then, on the weekend of 16th and 17th January, all 10 centres will be hosting a free workout weekend, with open access to gyms, swimming pools and classes.

That will include Spennymoor Leisure Centre, which on 20th December will see its pool re-open following essential maintenance and improvements to its changing rooms.

If visitors choose to join as swimming or gym members during the free weekend, they will receive their first month’s membership for free.

To be in with a chance of getting fit with a friend for free, email your details to sportandleisure@durham.gov.uk by Friday 8 January 2016.

Full terms & conditions are available on the Durham County Council website at www.durham.gov.uk/leisurecentres.

Council Provides Essential Winter Weather Tips

By on 29th December 2015in In & Around

Following the continued wintry weather, people in County Durham are being urged to stay warm, well and safe…

 

Durham County Council is reminding everyone that online resources are available at www.durham.gov.uk/warmandwell to ensure that no one is left out in the cold this winter.

As well as advice on staying healthy and looking after elderly or vulnerable neighbours, there’s also information on coping with the snow and ice. This includes everything from finding out the location of your nearest salt bin, to tips for driving in wintry conditions.

There’s also guidance on how to make sure your home is warm and energy efficient, including information about the Government’s Warm Homes Discount Scheme, whereby energy companies must offer extra help to their most vulnerable customers, with a possible one-off rebate of £140 on energy bills to those who qualify.

Cllr Eddie Tomlinson, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for assets, strategic housing and rural issues said: “With the winter weather well and truly underway, we’d like to remind everyone that a range of advice and information is available on our website to keep people warm, well and safe.”

Disabilities Support Service Backs 20mph Speed Limit Campaign

By on 28th December 2015in Have Your Say

A group of people with disabilities, and the service which supports them, have backed the roll-out of 20mph speed limits throughout County Durham…

 

Durham County Council is introducing the lowered speed limits near 33 schools as part of its Slow to 20 for Safer Streets campaign.

The aim is to reduce road casualties and provide a safer environment for children who walk and cycle to school, also helping them to be more active.

The campaign has now received backing from Bishop Auckland-based Innovations, which supports people with challenging behaviours, provides specialist services for people with physical and sensory needs, and community support for people who are more independent.

The organisation works with the council’s road safety team to train its 124 drivers to drive more safely and efficiently through its Safe and Fuel Efficient Driver Training programme, thanks to funding from the Local Motion project.

Trisha Leonard, office manager, said: “Innovations is supporting the campaign because we believe it is important for all those who rely on our services and everyone else in the community to be able to get out and about safely.

“Our drivers cover thousands of miles each year, and we welcome any measures to improve safety on the roads for them and their passengers.”

Colin Heaviside, 64, from Shildon, who is partially sighted and has relied on the service for more than a decade, is also supporting the campaign.

He said: “I really enjoy coming to Innovations, and have made a lot of friends over the past 12 years.

“Being partially sighted, I rely on the staff at Innovations to help me stay independent – if I wasn’t able to get out, I would be stuck at home most days. That’s why it is great that the 20mph speed limits are being brought in, as they will help make it safer on the roads for all of us.”

The part-time 20mph speed limits are being set up at schools in the county where child accident rates have been identified as twice the national average.

So far they have been introduced outside St Cuthbert’s Primary School in Chester-le-Street and Etherley Lane Primary School in Bishop Auckland.

The campaign also involves providing road safety education to children, including road awareness and safe cycling programmes, offering healthy lifestyle initiatives to encourage walking and cycling, and providing speed awareness schemes.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhood services, said: “We are delighted that Innovations are backing our Slow to 20 for Safer Streets campaign – they provide vital services to those who need them the most, so it’s a real bonus to have their support.”

John Reed, the council’s head of technical services, added: “The support of local organisations like Innovations is key to encouraging the whole community to sign up to slower driving near schools and in the surrounding areas.

“We would urge any other businesses or organisations who would like to support the campaign to get in touch.”

For more information about the Slow to 20 for Safer Streets campaign, visit www.durham.gov.uk/slowto20.

Bishop Auckland Continues Local Improvements

By on 26th December 2015in In & Around

New signs have been installed to help the expected increase in visitors explore everything that Bishop Auckland has to offer…

 

With the ongoing improvements and additions to Auckland Castle, among many other exciting plans for the town, and the open-air, live action attraction Kynren due to open in 2016, Bishop Auckland is expecting large numbers of visitors from next year.

Funded and installed by Durham County Council, the signs will help people find their way around town, as well as pointing them in the direction of transport links and local attractions. The signs also include the estimated walking times to key locations to help people unfamiliar with Bishop Auckland.

The new network of signs includes five street maps, two notice boards – one advertising upcoming events, the other providing tourist information – and a finger post sign. These new contemporary signs have been designed to stand out from the other street furniture, and are consistently branded so people can spot them more easily than the ad hoc out of date signs they replaced.

Cllr Neil Foster, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for economic regeneration and culture, said: “The coming year promises a real step-change in the future of Bishop Auckland, and a massive boost for the town in both jobs and the local economy. By installing these new signs, we hope to help make sure that the local businesses and residents of Bishop Auckland are first in line to feel the benefit of the increased tourism we’re sure these changes will bring.”

The design of the signs was decided upon following input from the Auckland Castle Trust, Newgate Shopping Centre, Bishop Auckland Town Council, and local members.

County Durham Curbs Nuisance Problems Throughout November

By on 26th December 2015in In & Around

Dozens of nuisance problems which damage the environment and affect people’s lives were tackled in November…

 

Neighbourhood wardens from Durham County Council handed out 77 Fixed Penalty Notices throughout November for offences such as littering and untidy back yards.

The council’s neighbourhood protection teams work with police and other partners to improve the environment and promote safer communities.

Using powers under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014, they tackle nuisance issues that affect people’s quality of life, including persistently straying dogs or anti-social behaviour.

In November, 66 Fixed Penalty Notices were handed out for littering, one for dog fouling, nine for untidy yards and gardens, and one following a waste carrier stop and check operation.

A further 64 Community Protection Warnings were issued to properties with untidy gardens or yards.

Wardens removed 110 stray dogs, a total of 173 anti-social behaviour incidents were investigated, and the council’s Civic Pride team educated more than 500 children and young people about caring for the environment.

Meanwhile, as part of Operation Stop It, a multi-agency taskforce set up to tackle flytipping, six people were prosecuted for offences around illegally dumping waste.

More than 560 flytipping incidents were reported and investigated in November, and 12 CCTV cameras were deployed in areas know to attract flytips.

Seven stop and check operations were carried out – one failed to produce waste transfer notes and was issued with a notice, known as a producer, requiring them to provide the documents, one person was referred for prosecution, and two people were prosecuted.

Cllr Brian Stephens, Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and local partnerships, Durham County Council, said: “It has been another busy month for our neighbourhood protection teams who have been working hard to tackle those issues that cause a nuisance in people’s everyday lives.

“When enforcement action is needed, we will not hesitate to use the powers available to us, but our aim is always to educate people from an early age about the importance of looking after the environment.

“We live in a beautiful area, and we will continue to do our best to keep it that way.”

Find details about Household Waste Recycling Centres at www.durham.gov.uk/hwrc or call 03000 261 000.

Environmental crimes can be reported at www.durham.gov.uk or by calling 03000 261 000.

Businesses can find a licensed waste carrier at www.gov.uk/find-registered-waste-carrier or arrange a council trade waste collection at www.durham.gov.uk/commercialwaste or by calling 03000 262 660.

Unlicensed waste carriers and waste crime can be reported anonymously to Crimestoppers at www.crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling 0800 555 111.

Free dog microchipping is available for County Durham residents at Stray Aid in Coxhoe and by The Dogs Trust. Visit www.durham.gov.uk/microchipping for more information or call Stray Aid on 0300 999 4247.

Stanley Couple Celebrate Diamond Anniversary

By on 24th December 2015in Lifestyle

A couple who enjoyed their first date at a dance hall in Stanley 64 years ago have celebrated their diamond wedding anniversary…

 

Former Middlesbrough FC player Joe Birbeck, 83, and his wife Edna, 82, marked the occasion with a family get together – and a surprise visit from Cllr Jan Blakey, chairman of Durham County Council.

Cllr Blakey popped in to congratulate the couple on their 60 years of marriage and present them with a bouquet of flowers.

The couple, who went to the same school together in South Moor, got together at a local dance at Castles Dance Hall, in 1951.

Joe made his name as a professional footballer, playing for Middlesbrough during the 1950s alongside team mates including Bobby Robson and Brian Clough.

Edna, meanwhile, was well-known as a shop worker in Broughs – which became Liptons – in Stanley, and later as a cleaner at East Stanley Primary School.

The couple have two daughters, Sandra and Elizabeth, four grandchildren and twelve great grandchildren.

Cllr Blakey said: “I was delighted to meet Mr and Mrs Birbeck, and to pass on my warmest congratulations to them on their 60th wedding anniversary”.

Secret Santa Donates £10,000 To Durham Trinity School

By on 23rd December 2015in In & Around

Pupils at a Durham school have received an early Christmas surprise – thanks to a £10,000 gift from an anonymous donor…

 

During her year in office as Mayor of Durham City, Cllr Jan Blakey, who is also chairman of Durham County Council, has been raising money for Trinity School and Sports College, which is hoping to buy a new minibus.

And her Mayoral Appeal received an unexpected boost thanks to a mystery donor.

Cllr Jan Blakey made a recent visit to the school at Aykley Heads.

Cllr Blakey, said: “I was absolutely staggered when I received the donation of £10,000 to my fund for Trinity School.

“It was a truly incredible gesture, and the timing could not have been better. I knew that Trinity School were trying to raise enough funds to purchase a new minibus for their pupils.

“When I told the school of their windfall, everyone was absolutely delighted and they are now ready to press on with the purchase of the minibus, which will be ready next year and will be a wonderful boost for the pupils.”

Alison Jefferson, business manager at Trinity School has already written to the Lord’s Taverners to inform them of their fundraising exploits.

The organisation provides accessible transport for schools catering to young people with disabilities.

The iconic green minibuses enable schools to engage pupils in sporting and recreational activities, and help them develop life skills such as visiting shops and interacting with people in the local community. Most importantly, the minibuses provide transport to and from school.

Since 1976, the Lord’s Taverners have put almost 1,100 accessible minibuses on the road across the UK.

Alison said: “The gesture from Cllr Blakey came totally out of the blue – a complete surprise. We cannot thank her enough, and the person who made this wonderful donation. I can’t express how much this means.

“The Lord’s Taverners told us when we started fund raising last April that they would more than match the funding once we reached £17,000, which is what we have now achieved thanks to a lot of hard work and generous donations.

“I am waiting to hear back from them, as the mini-bus will be specially adapted to accommodate wheelchairs.

“I can’t imagine a better Christmas present.”

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