The County Council is currently consulting internally with staff and unions on changes to the Neighbourhood Wardens, Education and Enforcement teams. They deal with a huge range of issues from going into schools to educate about crime and anti-social behaviour to dealing with littering, flytipping and dog fouling problems on our streets. At present the service is still not balanced across County Durham with some areas having more wardens than others and different staff having different hours.

To give an indication of just how much work they have to do, flytipping alone cost Durham County Council £1.28M to deal with over the last two years. The work of the neighbourhood wardens and education team in Framwellgate Moor has been a major part of the reduction in littering problems I have been working on in recent years, but it is an ongoing problem and along with the Police and police community support officers could not have been achieved without this part of the council. Officers recently spent a week in Fram School on education lessons, one of which I attended, and it was clear that it was invaluable and successful. We have also spent a lot of time at New College on recycling and education projects.

I am pushing to make sure that proper consultation with all partners takes place to ensure that if changes do take place, which is probable, that the best solution possible is put in place as there are clear concerns that the service could be reduced. Equally some changes could actually improve the service particularly in the evening in some areas where working with the police, wardens can help to tackle anti-social behaviour.

I have asked that Parish/Town councils and the Area Action Partnerships are consulted as soon as possible as they only meet once a month. I have also asked that County Councillors are updated and do not see the final proposals in a report to Cabinet when it is too late to make any changes.

Daft question some may say but after last years horrendous winter, we need to make sure that everyone knows how to get in touch with the Council if there are problems with gritting this year.

I have managed to get some extra grit bins in some areas this year and continue to push for more. If you find a grit bin empty or there are real problems in an area then you can contact the Council by email at hal@durham.gov.uk or 0191 370 6000.

Bear in mind that if the weather is really bad it could take time for a response. If you think that the service isn’t good enough call me or email me and let me know where the specific problem area is. The Council has over 2000 grit bins and it can take a bit of time to refill them in bad weather. Framwellgate Moor Parish Council  is also looking at how it can help this coming winter to keep pavements clear.

The Council is asking letting agents in Durham city to agree a voluntary code to cut the number of to let boards being placed around the City.

We discussed this recently on the Housing Panel of the Durham Area Action Partnership (see here for more info on AAPs).

I personally believe that the number of  To Let boards in the City really make the place look a mess. Some letting companies do a great job and don’t even put up boards. I don’t see why all can’t do the same and work with the Council, University and other organisations to keep our City tidy.

The County Council has failed to notify a telecoms company that their application for a mobile phone mast in the middle of Newton Hall had been turned down, meaning the company can go ahead with its plans.

The Labour – run County Council has made a right mess of this one. Once the applcation was turned down they had 56 days to notify the company but failed to do so. Dozens of residents and the local Lib Dem councillors objected to the plan and were successful but then the Council kicked everyone in the teeth by failing to deal with this properly.
Lib Dem County Councillors Mamie Simmons and Amanda Hopgood are meeting this week with the company to try and get a compromise on this issue and sort out the Councils failure. Good luck.

This years Senior Citizens Christmas concert at Framwellgate Moor Community Centre will be on Sunday 11th December.

Doors open 1pm, concert from 2pm to 4pm. Admission is FREE! Food and drinks also provided and if a friend or relative is coming along, let them know in advance as pace is limited.

There is some limited transport available. Call Will Greeves on 0191 386 2602 for information.

Alan Mayfield is providing the music and they also plan to have Carol Singing from a Childrens Choir .

The event is sponsored by Durham Dunelm Round Table.

The road from Pity Me to Hartside (Potterhouse Lane) currently has work being carried out patch poor areas of it.

I asked for one final time this week for the litter which has been building up which I reported several weeks ago to be cleared. It looks like some tidy up has started today.

The war memorial and the land around the War Memorial in Witton Gilbert looks set to be transferred to the Parish Council from the County Council so that the Parish can maintain and improve it for present and future generations. I have confirmed that I fully support this today.

I am pushing for the second home council tax discount of 10% to be scrapped, as i really do not think it is fair that someone who can afford two homes should get a discount. The money raised could go a long way towards other services this coming year and I hope the Council will take note of this after the Empty Homes Success last week. The government is currently consulting on this policy change so hopefully it can be brought in in time for the next financial year.

The council announced some offers for other leisure centres today. I raised concerns that this didn’t include Abbey and can confirm that new offers are to be announced shortly for December including:

Three months free when paying for a year extended throughout December.
And a newspaper offer of a £20 fitness voucher with the newspaper cutting – not sure when this will be in the press.

The new gym is now up and running and membership is on the rise, looks great too.

Had a few occasions in the last few weeks where I have had to speak to senior housing officers about council house repair problems or delays. If anyone is having similar problems please call me. Most issues have been dealt with successfully after some discussions but if you feel that something is not being done or is delayed please let me know.