Looks like DCC is failing again. Noone can get through to the Housing Benefit department, just a message saying they are really busy.
No problem getting through to other councils, so clearly Labour run DCC is failing to do its job properly. This must be down to the Labour-run Council Cabinet as this has been an ongoing problem for months and seems to be getting worse rather than better – when other councils are managing fine.
Sort it out before someone loses their home.
I have been asking for repairs at Durham Moor for some time, and can confirm that Durham Moor Roundabout is to see various patching work and additional patching on Dryburn Road which is in a bad state due to subsidence in the road surface. Let me know if there are any other areas requiring work.
For anyone wondering how long it is going to take to finish in Pity Me, all is still going to plan, though I had to raise issues about cars being blocked in yesterday.
Once all the work has been done, the final top layer of surface will be added. Should see work completed in the next 6 weeks, but if anyone has any concerns please let me know.
There will be a Jubilee celebration in Witton Gilbert on Saturday 26th May from 2pm to 6pm. I have contributed from local member funds towards the cost of running the event, along with my fellow county councillor.
Details below, look forward to seeing you there.
The Queen’s Jubilee Gala
To be held at
Witton Gilbert Community Centre (Cooper Hall)
Saturday 26th May 2012 2pm – 6pm
The committee of Witton Gilbert Community centre would like to invite you to their Queens Jubilee Gala, to be held at the village Hall.
Admission By Ticket only
(subsidised courtesey of funding received for this special event)
Children £2, Adults £3, Family Pass £8 Over 60’s FREE*
Includes buffet, tea, coffee and juice, BYOB if required.
Entertainment that will be laid on will include Dancing Display, Craft Stalls, A donated goods sale in aid of St Cuthberts Hospice, Witton Gilbert WI Display and home made cake sale, Handmade Jewllery, Bags, Wood Turning, Wooden Plaques, Sale of Craft supplies, Cards, Knitting etc. Face Painting, Hook a Duck, Bouncy Castle, Supervised Todlers Play Area, Games with lots of Prizes, Football Tournament, Fancy Dress and childrens craft area.
All children will be presented with a comemorative medal,
please try and wear red, white and blue colours.
Prize for Best Dressed.
*Over 60’s from the Village of Witton Gilbert Only. Please See over.
Over 60’s Ticket Application
Application must be received by May 20th. Forms can be returned to Witton Gilbert Post office, A box in the foyer at Cooper Hall or to any committee member.
Call Arnie Simpson on 0191371 2161 for a form for over 60’s.
Don’t forget to go along to Framwellgate School for the Carnival on Sunday.
The parade will leave Sainsbury’s, at the Arnison Centre, in Pity Me, Durham, between 10.45am to 11.30am.
Those leading the parade are expected to reach Framwellgate School at around 11.40am.
There will be events at the school from noon to 4pm, including a mega slide, bungee run, ball pool, target football and a clown.
The carnival will raise money for the Rainbow Trust children’s charity and Help for Heroes, the armed force’s charity.
Last year, the event raised £6,000, which was split between Help for Heroes and the Durham City and Framwellgate Moor branch of the Royal British Legion.
Entry to Sunday’s event is free.
All four of your local county councillors (Rev and I in Fram, Amanda and Mamie in Newton Hall) have contributed funds from the local budget to help with the running costs.
Over 1000 people have now signed the petition we started to stop Labour slashing the opening hours at Newton Hall Library. Over 100,000 books were taken out last year. We must protect this service. Please sign the petition at www.durham.gov.uk/petitions
Labour wants to cut the opening hours to just 20 a week. They refused to cut the cost of councillors, directors or publicity rags to protect this and other services.
Over 300 of you responded to our survey on the County Plan. The link below details all the responses (minus a couple which were, shall we say unprintable).
I will leave some copies at Newton Hall library this week if anyone wants to read a paper copy.
I have asked today for councillors to get a report back on the new Council Gas Contracts which affect 760 buildings across the county. Changes to the contract mean that there are many community centres which could be facing a swinging increase in standing charges compared to if they went elsewhere for the supply.
For one centre I have already been able to find a deal over £1000 cheaper. It seems the contract the council has arranged may not be suitable for smaller properties but I am waiting for responses from officers. Once think is sure, with so many costs for community centres going up, this kind difference between what the council is getting charged and what I can find elsewhere is massive and if all councils and public sector organisations are on the same contracts across the North East – well could this be the next big Utility rip off?
After my numerous requests, the Council has today cleared out the channels along Fram Front St between the parking bays and on the pavement.
Hopefuly they have fixed the blocked one outside the Cash Machine on the pavement. They really need to do this more often to avoid it getting so bad and need to clear the cig butts and other rubbish which builds up in the parking bays regularly, not only when I ask them to. Hopefully no wet feet for residents now.
The Council missed many garden waste collections in Framwellgate Moor on Friday. I haven’t been able to get to the bottom of why, although it may be that as the first collection and being much later starting this year, that the wagons got full more quickly.
Anyway I have been promised that those areas missed will be dealt with today. If anyone still hasn’t had their collection from last week by the end of today please let me know.