I spent some time helping collect recycling earlier this week. A real insight in to just what an amazing job the team does. Once you’ve got your head around which button does what, the hard work starts.

The wheelie bins seemed relatively straighforward after a while but the glass was a nightmare to empty, bending down picking up the boxes really takes its toll. If I’d done a full day I’m pretty sure I wouldn’t have been moving the following morning!

Since the Covid pandemic started the volume of waste has increased dramatically across the County, which has put pressure on our refuse teams but has also significantly increased disposal costs.

A huge thank you to the teams out there on the ground and everyone supporting them.

We now have confirmation from the Director of Public Health for County Durham that there is a confirmed outbreak of Avian Flu at Brasside ponds in a number of wild birds.

Across the whole Country we are seeing increasing reports of dead birds from this disease.

As a result of the confirmed cases, our neighbourhood wardens have visited the area, offering advice and guidance to walkers. Posters have also been put on display around the pond.

We are encouraging members of the public not to feed the birds, or to go near dead or dying birds, to avoid interaction with the wildfowl and to wash their hands often, especially after contact with any animal.

Although members of the public may feel concerned, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed that the risk to public health is very low and that Avian Influenza is primarily a disease of birds.

We are working closely with UKHSA and the Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) to monitor the situation.

Further advice and information can also be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/avian-influenza-bird-flu#public

NEW* Thursday 23^rd December, Durham, County Hall, DH1 5UQ, 9.00am – 7.00pm

First & second doses & boosters (Pfizer)

Age 18+

Thursday 23^rd December, Durham, Arnison Large Vaccination Centre, DH1 5FA

8:15am – 7:35pm

First & second doses & boosters for eligible cohorts only

Limited walk-in slots available at intervals throughout the day. Please check notice at top of this page for further details.

Friday 24^th December, Durham, Arnison Large Vaccination Centre, DH1 5FA

8:15am – 1:30pm

First & second doses & boosters for eligible cohorts only

Limited walk-in slots available at intervals throughout the day. 

NEW* Monday 27^th December, Durham, County Hall, DH1 5UQ, 9.00am – 7.00pm

First & second doses & boosters (Pfizer)

Age 18+

Tuesday 28^th December, Durham, Arnison Large Vaccination Centre, DH1 5FA

8:15am – 7:35pm

First & second doses & boosters for eligible cohorts only

Limited walk-in slots available at intervals throughout the day. 

NEW* Tuesday 28^th December, Durham, County Hall, DH1 5UQ, 9.00am – 7.00pm

First & second doses & boosters (Pfizer)

Age 18+

Wednesday 29^th December, Durham, Arnison Large Vaccination Centre, DH1 5FA

8:15am – 7:35pm

First & second doses & boosters for eligible cohorts only

Limited walk-in slots available at intervals throughout the day. 

NEW* Wednesday 29^th December, Durham, County Hall, DH1 5UQ, 9.00am – 7.00pm

First & second doses & boosters (Pfizer)

Age 18+

Thursday 30^th December, Durham, Arnison Large Vaccination Centre, DH1 5FA

8:15am – 7:35pm

First & second doses & boosters for eligible cohorts only

Limited walk-in slots available at intervals throughout the day. 

NEW* Thursday 30^th December, Durham, County Hall, DH1 5UQ, 9.00am – 7.00pm

First & second doses & boosters (Pfizer)

Age 18+

Sunday 02^nd January, Durham, Arnison Large Vaccination Centre, DH1 5FA

8:15am – 7:35pm

First & second doses & boosters for eligible cohorts only

Limited walk-in slots available at intervals throughout the day. 

Walk-in Covid jabs available for: • 1^st & 2^nd doses • Age 16 & over• 18+ Must be a minimum of 8 weeks between 1^st & 2^nd doses• 16-17 Must be a minimum of 12 weeks between 1^st & 2^nd doses

Covid boosters available for:• Age 18 & over• Frontline health & social care workers• Age 16+in at-risk group for COVID• Must be a minimum of 3 months (91 days) since second dose  

*More clinics will be added as the vaccination programme continues

just had my booster vaccine @ The Arnison Centre Boldon House. Tip: Left hand queue today is for those with an appointment – Right hand queue for walk-in. My appointment was for 3.30 and I was jabbed by 4pm so despite the queues the NHS staff and volunteers are getting people through really quickly and are doing a great job.

You can book an appointment online at

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/

All the advice is that the booster makes a massive difference to your immunity. Just as important though, the more of us get the booster the less pressure we put on our hospitals.

So many people are waiting for other surgeries like hip replacements and cancer treatment and the more Covid patients end up in hospital the longer it will take to treat people.

Let’s make Durham the most boosted place in the Country to help our NHS, protect ourselves and get rid of Covid.

Our Council teams have worked throughout the night alongside the emergency services to address serious damage from Storm Arwen. Please take care when out and about today as we have had to tend to dozens of fallen trees and there will still be some roads impassible whilst work is ongoing.

Some council and private properties have been damaged by the storm. Check your own property for signs of any damage and be careful.

The Council has an emergency number 03000 262195 if you find fallen trees or spot something else which is unsafe or you can email help@durham.gov.uk – you will get an automated response so if it is an emergency issue copy one of us in.

A huge thank you to everyone who attended Remembrance Day in Framwellgate Moor on Sunday. It certainly looked like more people than ever came along, including the impeccably dressed Scouts.

The newly improved memorial also made a big difference. Thank you to the County Council for arranging a short notice road closure and to Parish Councillor David Wheeler for as always leading the British Legion preparations, our Parish Chair Karon Willis and Rev Caroline Dick.

It was a great honour with the other wreath bearers to recognise and remember those who lost their lives so we can live in peace.

Thank you to Gary Tidbury for providing some of the photos from Sunday.

After a decade of the previous Labour administration failing to take action to make the bus gate in Framwellgate Moor safe from drivers flying through it, we’ve fixed the issue. We’ve passed the order and a new camera is being installed.

For many years residents have complained of cars shooting through the bus gate nearly knocking people over. I’m happy to say this site is now that little bit safer.

When I was in Durham City a few months ago discussing the weirs, which are hopefully being cleared soon, I mentioned the railings from the Radisson Hotel along and under the bridge looked dreadful. Turns out they hadn’t been painted by the previous administration in over 10 years!

Great news though, as today we started the job with the help of volunteers including the manager of the Radisson and his staff, Balfour Beatty employees, our clean and green team as well as my colleague from Neville’s Cross, City of Durham Parish Councillor and County Councillor Liz Brown.

It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience and the railings we’ve done so far already look much better!

The ducks and geese seemed to enjoy the company as did a lone kingfisher and a few jumping salmon.

Just noticed a planning application for new signage at the Arnison Centre. On investigating the plans i spotted it says Poundland on the signage plan. Good to see an empty unit getting filled.

The full programme was announced earlier this month and features 37 installations by international and local artists. There will also be six installations outside of Durham City for the first time including at Finchale Abbey. A bus will take people form New College to Finchale Abbey. To find out more and to book free tickets, visit www.lumiere-festival.com/.