20 MPH REVIEW – Framwellgate Moor Schools and New College Discriminated Against

Today, following about 20 hours of work investigating the councils new policy on 20mph limits around schools, I had to challenge the Labour-run Cabinet on the policy, in the interests not just of young people in the area I represent, but for all children across County Durham. Only 33 schools were to be included in the initial roll out of this policy.

I personally believe that wherever possible all appropriate residential areas should have 20mph limits, as should all schools in the County and will continue to push for this.

This is what I said in the meeting and below that, is my interpretation of what they plan to do about my concerns. I hope that at the end of this process Fram Primary Schools and the Comp, as well as New College will have 20mph limits around them.

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Chairman, I did not want to be here today in these circumstances. I wanted to come here and applaud you after six years of this new council for finally listening to our concerns and starting to implement 20mph limits.

Unfortunately I spent most of last night not sleeping over this report – because of the way in which the data has be used and interpreted, which are in my view fundamentally flawed.

Just think for a second if you know anyone whose children or grandchildren go to East Durham College, New College Durham, Bishop Auckland college or Derwentside College.

These colleges offer education to varying ages of 14-19. yet because of a statistical error in the way they are defined on our own Council computer systems they have not been included in the data. All other six form schools have been. At least one, New College would have met the criteria to be included in the 33 schools in this phase. (I showed them a map with the casualty data). Further errors mean that some schools have had their data incorrectly calculated because they are based at more than one site.

In addition every single accident outside any school in the County where it is the parent or grandparent who is injured was excluded when calculating the data. How can this be right.

And critically, it is not the location of the school entry and exit points on which the statistics have been calculated but where on our computer system a schools’ postcode comes up on the map.

In the case of Framwellgate School Durham the postcode point for the calculation is 250 metres from the nearest road. (Everyone had been given a map to show this). Had this been taken into account, this school would have been included as well, along possibly with the Primary School.

I understand the constraints you find yourselves in, but it is clearly unacceptable for at least three of the educational establishments in the area I represent to be discriminated against in this manner.

There are serious errors in this report. It took me a whole week to get the information I needed to analyse it. I have discussed it with three directors, made my concerns known to the portfolio holder and the deputy leader.

So one final time I plead with you to withdraw this report due to its serious flaws and after further work and review has been carried out, bring it back so that roll out of 20mph limits is done fairly.

I do not want accidents on my conscience and I am certain you do not want accidents on your conscience either.

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I believe that what followed was as a direct result of my having told directors and politicians of my concerns in the last few days.

The head of Scrutiny said that a working group would be set up to look at how the 20mph limits are implemented based around this report.

What I now need to see is the terms of reference and whether those schools which have been discriminated against will be included in the review and whether all the issues I have raised will be looked at in  a proper manner.

If it is shown that some schools have been omitted by error or should be included in the initial roll out for other reasons it is essential that the working group is able to get Cabinet to include them with the 33 already included.  Anything less than this cannot be fair.

Part success on 20 mph zones – but Labour proposals woefully inadequate

Next week Durham County Council’s cabinet will discuss introducing 20 mph zones outside 33 schools in the County. We have over 200 schools in County Durham, and what they are proposing is woefully inadequate.

We have been calling for 20mph zones on residential streets and outside schools for years, and I am quite frankly disgusted with Labour’s plans. They are implementing an apartheid system of safety for school children in County Durham.

Their proposals are going to take at least 3 years to implement because they are not putting in enough resource even for the 33 schools they propose. Indeed even if they amended their policy to do all schools, it would take 20 years to complete the job just for schools.

I find the whole approach distasteful. In the Durham City area, only one school out of dozens will see the 20mph introduced. This is simply unacceptable and as Lib Dem councillors we will be campaigning for equality for all children in County Durham.

One way or another we will get safer streets in our area.

 

 

Nearly 70 jobs at Council and Schools – If you can find the link

Every now and then I go and check out the jobs advertised at the Council, which also advertises school jobs in the County. Right now there appear to be 68 positions. Finding the link is not so easy so I have asked for us to promote it better on the website – in the meantime here is the link:

http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/4428/Current-job-vacancies-and-apprenticeships

The youth worker job dated 08/05/2014 is no longer available.

Update: The council has responded saying that on checking how people visit the site it doesn’t matter that its difficult to find the page as most people bookmark the page or find it in other ways. That’s me told then!

Free Parking after 3pm in Durham City in December

You can park for free after 3pm in Durham City in December on-street and in Durham Council car parks. This is to help promote businesses in the City centre – this comes after your Lib Dem councillors pushed in previous years for action to promote our city centre businesses.

This will include other council owned car parks in the county too.  And on Saturday 6th December (Small business day) parking will be free all day in Durham City. Last year we challenged the council to do more to promote Small Business Day. This year they have listened.

2500 Staff get Living Wage as Labour Council caves in to Lib Dem pressure

I am delighted to be able to confirm that 2500 staff in our schools and council offices will now get paid a minimum of £7.43 an hour. A LOCAL LIVING WAGE.

We have been challenging the Council on this for two years and in July I tried to force this through the Council but Labour refused. Now they have caved in and many staff who were earning the minimum wage will now be paid a local living wage – a fantastic success which we hope will open the floodgates to other employers in the county paying their staff more.

I am convinced that this will more than pay for itself in higher moral and productivity as well as better living standards.

Just goes to show that as councillors now and then we really do make a profound difference to our local residents. Here’s the Northern Echo report on this:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/11612563.Thousands_to_benefit_from_Durham_s__local_living_wage_/?ref=rss

Now we carry on the battle to make sure that this increases each year, and seek to challenge other employers to do the same.

Newton Hall Post Office Services Saved

Our press release:
Lib Dem councillors are celebrating with residents after post office services were saved. Councillors in Newton Hall near Durham City had campaigned to stop the loss of services for their branch. In addition capacity and access concerns have been partly addressed and will be monitored.
A move into a nearby McColl’s shop will still go ahead but with many improvements. Services which would have been lost will be retained including the ability to pay in cheques. Transcash as well as Royal Mail and Parcelforce International Services are also now protected. The original plans would have seen a cut to many parcel services.
Councillor Amanda Hopgood comments “We made sure that the difficult access to Durham City was pointed out, and this has been listened to.Residents will not have to go into the City for services. Furthermore, internal access at the new branch was a big concern. We must wait to see if concerns about this have been fully addressed in the months which follow the opening of the new branch.”
External access to the branch will be improved as a planning application has now been granted by the council for a disability ramp. This will be an improvement on the existing premises. Within McColl’s, further adjustments are to be made. Fixtures and fittings will be re-aligned and removed to make sure there is proper access. This will include improved access for wheelchairs and space for queuing.
Concerns about staffing numbers are also being addressed. Staffing is to be aligned to customer demand. However there will be continual monitoring of staffing numbers with a review in three months which will be analysed by the Citizen’s Advice who are the statutory consultees on the proposals.
Records of queuing times and numbers will also be carried out and analysed following the concerns raised.
Councillor Mark Wilkes who put up the online petition to challenge the cuts to services said of the proposals. “In an ideal world we would still have a Main’s branch. However what we are now being offered is far and away better than the original proposals. Protection of services. Improved access, improved capacity and a full review over three months. The Post Office has agreed to full monitoring. We will also be personally monitoring this. Any reduction in service quality will be robustly challenged in the local community.”
Councillors now hope that after the new facility has bedded in the improved offer will mean that local residents warm to the changes. Longer opening hours should cut the risk of queuing. Cllr Wilkes added “There will still be some residents who are concerned, and we would urge them to contact us at any point during this process.”
Councillor Mamie Simmons says “Following our two and a half hour meeting with senior Post Office management we were deeply concerned. What we have achieved by way of improvements is leaps and bounds ahead of what we could have ended up with. The disability access will be particularly well received and are happy the council has supported that application. Of course the first few months of the changes will be key. We will be in touch with the Post Office, Citizen’s Advice and McColl’s if there is any drop in service quality.”
He has also contacted the Citizen’s Advice and McColl’s to request updates going forward and to ask that existing staff are approached as a matter of urgency to see if they would like to work in the new branch.
The move is likely to take place in February 2015.
You can view the consultation result letter here: newton_hall_dh15lx_decision_letter

Link to story on Northern Echo website: http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/local/northdurham/durham/11584479.Post_Office_move_goes_ahead___with_concessions/

Your Lib Dem councillors are gearing up for winter – Are you and is your street?

Sacks of grit in our area

After the mild winter last year and the recent balmy weather, we could be forgiven for thinking that winter has left the North East for good – it’s wishful thinking.

With this in mind, last year we negotiated for one ton sacks of grit to be placed around our area on streets where the council refuses to put grit bins or we feel they are necessary. But key to our negotiation was that if they were not needed, then they could be used the following year instead – saving money.

So this year, if the weather does turn nasty, many areas of Newton Hall, Framwellgate Moor, Pity Me and Brasside which don’t have a grit bin close by, will get a sack of grit delivered for residents use – thanks to your Lib Dem councillors.

We already have a list of locations. Let us know if there is a particular street or area where you think this may be necessary and we will check to see if it is on our list and consider adding it.

Existing Grit Bins and new ones

The council has very strict criteria for grit bins and this hasn’t changed in the last few years. You can find your closest grit bin by clicking here: http://www.durham.gov.uk/saltbins You can also request a grit bin at this link. If you are refused and want to challenge the decision get in touch with us.

If the grit bin on your street is empty at the moment, you can let the council know  by clicking on report it at the top of the Council’s new website and they will add it to the filling cycle. www.durham.gov.uk

Council Gritting Routes

You can see the roads which the council grits on the interactive map on the Council website:

http://www.durham.gov.uk/winterroads

Blocked drains and gullies

The council now only checks road gullies one or twice a year. This causes problems in some areas. As your local Lib Dem councillors we frequently report gullies blocked with leaves which we check ourselves, or which residents report. This proactive approach has reduced localised flooding problems on many roads. Check the drains near your house and if they are blocked up use the Report it link at the top of the council website. If nothing happens after a few weeks, let us know and we will check and chase up the Council.

Residents gritting teams and help for the vulnerable

Have you thought about discussing spreading grit with your neighbours? Many streets around the area have a team of people who come out and spread grit on roads and pavements in bad weather – some organised, many just spontaneous. I helped on a couple of streets two years ago. Spare a thought for elderly neighbours who might not be able to get out in bad weather who might need a hand – to get out themselves or for a carer visiting.

If you don’t have a problem on your street have a think about a neighbouring street where they might need some help – both public and private sector workers need to get to work – lending a hand can help the whole community.

If the bad weather does come and all else fails get in touch with us and as in previous years we will see what we can do to help.

Weather warnings

The best place to find out about weather warnings is the Met Office website at www.metoffice.gov.uk

If the council issues localised warnings over the winter I try to add that information onto this blog.

Watersure and Water Meters – Help for vulnerable people & savings for everyone

Have a read of this blog entry if you want to save money on your water bills or know someone on a low income who could do with help. Water meters, and a scheme called Watersure can help different people, and there is a lot of advice out there for everyone on how to cut costs.

Watersure:

Have you heard of Watersure? Have a read below, and if you or someone you know may be eligible, contact Northumbrian Water for a form or download one at: https://www.nwl.co.uk/_assets/documents/Watersure_form_NW_2014_web.pdf

Water Meters:

If you are not currently on a water meter, you may save hundreds of pounds a year by having one fitted. Northumbrian Water can help you decide if you would save. Call them on 0345 733 5566 or try their online calculator: https://www.nwl.co.uk/your-home/your-account/usage-calculator.aspx

Already on a meter? There is plenty of advice here on how to cut your bills.

Are you with Durham City Homes?

If you are with Durham City Homes you can still transfer to a meter, but will need permission. I helped someone in a DCH property move to a water meter and they are now saving around £200 a year!!

Water Sure detail:

The WaterSure scheme is available for certain customers with a water meter. It allows them to have their bills capped. This is to make sure that these customers don’t cut back on how much water they use because they are worried about how they will pay their bill.

To qualify for help under the WaterSure scheme, you or someone living with you, needs be entitled to receive one of the following:

  • Universal Credit
  • housing benefit
  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
  • Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit (except families in receipt of the family element only)
  • Pension Credit
  • Income-related Employment and Support Allowance

In addition, you need to either:

  • be responsible for three or more children under the age of 19 and in full-time education living in the property, or
  • have (or someone living in the property must have) a medical condition which requires significant additional use of water. Examples of medical conditions include weeping skin diseases (such as psoriasis), Crohn’s disease or ulcerative colitis.

If you qualify for WaterSure, you will pay no more than the average household bill for your company, even if you use more than the average amount of water.

You will not qualify for WaterSure if you use a garden sprinkler system or have a swimming pool.

If you think you are eligible for WaterSure, use the link above to the form.