Below is update from Council at 6pm. So far no problems in Witton Gilbert. Works in Brasside seem to be stopping further problems, but rain predicted all evening, call 01913706000 during normal office hours if you have problems with highways related issues. Outside of this and ONLY in an emergency call 0845 850 5010.

Council update:

Forecast
Heavy rain at times this afternoon, perhaps falling as sleet at first across the highest ground in the west. Further heavy rain this evening and overnight – a risk of local flooding. The rain should start to ease later in the night, with just some light rain and drizzle remaining tomorrow morning.

Customer Services Update
Customer Services have arranged to have staff relocated to the Chilton Call Centre to take calls this evening until 10pm.

Highways Update
The emergency Highways Inspectors have been receiving calls from 8am and throughout the day. Highway Services staff are dealing with (more…)

More than £19.24m in extra funding next year for County Durham schools thanks to the Lib Dem pupil premium . This money is helping to turn around areas with higher levels of deprivation, boosting school results and making sure that every child has the best chance to succeed.

Please find a link to  survey below:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/durhampcc2012

This is a survey from the new PCC to find out what Durham and Darlington residents priorities are at the moment for the police. They also want to know if residents would be happy with a 1,2 or 3% increase in the Council Tax (Police element).

Message from Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg sent to me today:

Do you want the Home Secretary to be able to order the storage of vast quantities of data about who you email and call, your physical location, your web browsing and Facebook sessions? No, neither do I. Untargeted, blanket powers like these are an invitation for future governments to invade your privacy. (more…)

We received a huge response to our petition against the building of thousands of homes on Durham’s greenbelt. Big thanks must go to residents who helped with this. 1671 local residents have signed it.

The council must listen to people’s views and recognise that their plans to build on 370 acres of open countryside are crazy. Large parts of the land they want to build on around the outskirts of Newton Hall, Brasside, Framwellgate Moor and Pity Me was under water over the summer and autumn. This land acts not just as a barrier to stop over development of Durham City, it also acts as a sponge to soak up heavy rainfall. The more countryside we build on the more risks of flooding both in the areas where the new housing is, and farther afield. Furthermore much of this land is productive farmland, has recreational and aesthetic value and is of value to wildlife. (more…)

PRESS RELEASE:

Durham County Councillor Mark Wilkes has secured commitment from the Council that they will address the major flooding which occurred in Witton Gilbert during the summer.

The council is applying to the Environment Agency for funding for major works which could cost upto £500,000. The Lib Dem councillor commented “The flooding in Witton Gilbert has been some of the worst seen anywhere in the County, which is why along with places such as Lanchester and Chester-le-Street, the Council has agreed to my requests that this be one of their highest priorities.”

Work in the village to improve culverts, drains and ditches is to start in the coming weeks including near the White Tun public house which was devastated by the flooding in the summer. (more…)

Received this today:

Sent on behalf of Ron Hogg, Police and Crime Commissioner: –

Dear All

As your newly elected Police and Crime Commissioner, I am hosting my first public consultation day on Thursday the 13^th of December 2012, and you are invited to attend.

There will be two sessions, the morning session which take place at 9am at the Dolphin Centre, Darlington and an afternoon session which will take place at 1.45pm at Durham Town Hall.  During the sessions I will talk about my vision and personal priority outcomes and I will be consulting on the Police and Crime Plan and the police precept.  A draft programme for each session is attached.

The sessions are free to attend and places will be allocated on a first come, first served basis. If you would like to attend one of the sessions, please register by 6^thDecember 2012 by contacting the Office of the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner either by telephone on 0191 383 5511, by email at: enquiries@durham-pcc.gov.uk or you can contact us at Office of the Durham Police and Crime Commissioner, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL.

I would be grateful if you would pass this invite on to colleagues and throughout your thematic partnerships.

Yours sincerely

Ron Hogg

Below is the latest update form the Council on flooding. Continue to take care. Any problems get in touch.

As expected, the wet weather continued overnight and conditions in many parts of the county have deteriorated.  However the weather warning has now been lifted and we are expecting the weather to improve during the day.  That said there is still a significant amount of water about and flood warnings are still in force across the region.

As at 9am this morning, the following roads were affected: (more…)