Just got our council tax bill like everyone else today. Good to see that for the third year running the grant from government to keep the council’s part of the council tax. So with the Lib Dems in government three years of County Council council tax freeze! After a doubling under Labour that’s not bad.

Plus parish council rates in the Fram Division either frozen or down, thanks to Lib Dem involvement working with other groups across the area.

Plus an 11% cut in the cost of the Mayor of Durham thanks to Lib Dem work.

and a freeze for the police precept too. So only the fire brigade have increased the rate.

Just three weeks back, Lib Dems at Durham Council along with opposition councillors from three other groups supported Lib Dem proposals to cut the cost of directors which would have seen a reduction in their numbers. Durham had 7 other councils have 3.

Labour refused to support these proposals, yet today they caved in and removed one of the director posts, saving over £175,000 a year – it’s a start but why can’t they work with all members of the opposition instead of refusing to listen until after the event. Still – a success for anyone anti-Labour and anti-waste.

I don’t expect Labour to use the money saved from this to protect library opening hours as we wanted – given that at the scrutiny meeting this week on libraries the chairman said we were not discussing the budget – so much for the consultation – but keep up the pressure and sign the petition on NewtonHall library at http://www.durham.gov.uk/petitions and your Lib dem councillors will try and push for another Labour u-turn.

Neither do I expect Labour to protect other frontline services.  It has come to light though that since I kicked up an almighty fuss about slashing pest control officer numbers from 17 to 6 (Yes 6 to cover thousands of square miles of our County), Labour have back tracked and numbers will be 50% higher. Still a huge drop from 17 to 9, but with better working practices not as bad as the hopelessly impossible 6 they originally planned – and three jobs saved! Another Lib Dem success!

What this says is that whereas Labour refuse to listen to councillors in meetings, including their own backbenchers, if residents and councillors kick up a huge fuss over unnecessary cutbacks in the press, it can make a difference.

So if Labour is cutting something you don’t agree with tell the world and let your local councillors know, if it is right to fight a particular Labour council decision, you will get local councillor support.

Just don’t ask me to support keeping officers earning upto £200,000 a year each plus pension!

Had to call out officers today to look at the continuing problems with littering and flytipping and general mess at the rear of some of the shops on the Front Street.

Environmental officers came out very quickly and are demanding action of landowners particularly at the rear of South Terrace and Tindle Avenue.

If there are any other areas with a build up of litter/flytipping etc please get in touch.

Press release below from the county council relating to a climate change market. This strikes me as an excellent idea and I would urge any residents who can get down for this on Saturday to do so.  I have asked the Council if they would consider having someone on hand to give specific details of ways to save money on energy bills at the same event and on the new recycling regime.

County Durham residents are being invited to attend a street market with a difference, as part of a national campaign to raise awareness on the issue of climate change.

As part of Durham County Council’s continuing efforts to reduce carbon emissions in the county and to mark national ‘Climate Week’, the public will be offered free advice on how they can make micro renewable technologies work for them. The event will be held in Durham Market Place on Saturday March 17, between 9.30am and 4.00pm. Continue reading →

If anyone has any info on the damaged bus shelter in Pity Me opposite Oxley Terrace, please inform the police asap. I have reported it for action to remove the damaged plastic as a matter of urgency.

Over the last few years I have been working to get improvements to Pity Me Front St. As I am sure many residents will be aware the road surface, footpaths, kerbs and parking areas are in a poor condition and in need of work.

I can now confirm that working with officers in highways and regeneration departments at Durham County Council I have been successful in bringing together a substantial amount of funding to carry out significant improvements. This funding includes money from the neighbourhood budget I am allocated as a councillor.

It is proposed to carry out the following works in the coming months, some of which is being done separately to the main scheme.

1. Patching work is about to be carried out on the carriageway to improve the surface and reduce the vibrations caused by traffic, which many residents have complained about. This is due to start in the next week or so and the areas being repaired can be seen by the white markings on the road.

In addition a large stretch of the road will be completely recoated to further improve the condition. The extent of this area is also marked with white paint at either end. This work is likely to be carried out in June or July.

2. The main part of the proposed scheme however is to rebuild all the parking bays and footpaths from the entrance to The Avenue, down Front Street for over 300 yards as far as the entrance with Acorn Croft. To make sure that a proper long lasting job is done, this will require digging out and resurfacing the parking area and replacing all the old kerbstones and where necessary the drainage system. Continue reading →

Sent to councillors today – also been in the newspapers.

Council acts on Ombudsman’s recommendations

Durham County Council is acting swiftly in response to the findings of a report by the Local Government Ombudsman (LGO). The report arose as a result an initial planning decision and complaints to environmental health officers at the former Teesdale District Council. It also relates to the subsequent handling of the case following the establishment of the unitary Durham County Council in April 2009. (See notes to editors) Continue reading →

At yesterdays Cabinet I raised serious concerns about the spending on bus services in County Durham. I think the Echo article is worth a read:

http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/council/durhamcountycouncil/9575906.Durham_council_under_fire_over_bus_contracts/

Labour is stopping its elected members including its own councillors from scrutinising important issues. Further proof of how undemocratic DCC is.