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Welcome to this month’s magazine for Darlington Borough Hello and welcome to the December edition of Darlington Together As you will probably be aware, the main topic of discussion across the Town Hall this month is the budget and the budget proposals. The papers went live in November, with a special Cabinet meeting to discuss the proposals, and a consultation to discuss what we do next – a consultation that is still ongoing.
requests asking why we did it but I think we made the right choice. These loans exploit the most vulnerable in society.
On a lighter note, the festive season is now in full swing in Darlington, with the Christmas lights having been switched on, the pantomime due to start, and the wide December range of independent shops in the town centre all ready for business. I’d like to take the opportunity to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2014. There have During our Money Talks events in the summer, you been a lot of hard decisions to make this year, and I said that a town without leisure, arts and support for can’t sugar-coat the fact that next year will not be children would result in Darlington no longer being any easier, but Darlington is a great place, full of fit for purpose. We agree wholeheartedly. However, wonderful, resolute people in order to keep these non-essential services, in a and I know that we can time when we are getting significantly less money all work together to from Central Government, we need you, the people make the best of of Darlington, to help us. Tough times are ahead, and things. we need every resident and business owner to help support the cause. Please go to pages 27-29 to find Cllr Bill Dixon MBE out more. There is also information on the website: (@BillDixonDton) www.darlington.gov.uk/budget Leader of the Council Speaking of finances, a short while ago, Darlington Borough Council took the decision to block access to payday lender websites from council computers, including those in public spaces such as our libraries. A bold step for us to take, but I believe it was the right one. We have received Freedom of Information
MP’s surgeries Jenny Chapman: MP for Darlington. Walk-in surgery will be held Friday 6 December from 9:30 - 10:30am at the Constituency Office, 40a Coniscliffe Road, Darlington, DL3 7RG. E-mail: jenny.chapman.mp@parliament.uk Call: 01325 382345
Phil Wilson: MP for Sedgefield. The office is open between Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 5pm. Appointments can be arranged by calling 01325 321603 or e-mail phil.wilson.mp@parliament.uk
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NEWS IN BRIEF Police and Communities Together (PACT): PACT meetings are meetings where you can tell the Police what their priorities should be. If you can’t attend a meeting, you can still get involved by contacting your local policing team. To find out more, call 101 or visit the Durham Constabulary website: www.durham.police.uk. We also promote the meetings on www.darlington.gov.uk/events Winter gritting: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Google+ to find out when the roads are being gritted this winter— www.darlington.gov.uk/wintergritting
Get ready for Dry January! Alcohol Concern is throwing out a challenge for people to be alcoholfree for the whole of January. In the run-up to the campaign, we're opening up a challenge of our own why not try something different and have a nightout or night-in without alcohol, and tell us about it? Tell us what you did, where you found the best (or cheapest!) non-alcoholic drinks or give us the recipes for your favourite alcohol-free cocktail! We'll share the best stories on social media. Email communications@darlington.gov.uk with how you get on!
Civic Theatre bid: The Civic Theatre has put in a multi-million pound Lottery Fund bid for a host of improvements to the building to enhance everyone's visit to the theatre. The plans will include better accessibility for customers and more comfortable seats with improved sight lines.Visiting companies will also see the difference, with refurbished dressing rooms and backstage showers. The bid is part of an ambitious scheme developed with leading theatre restoration consultant David Wilmore.
CONTACT US STREET SCENE www.darlington.gov.uk/streetscene Tel (01325) 388777 COUNCIL TAX www.darlington.gov.uk/counciltax Tel (01325) 388373
www.darlington.gov.uk 01325 380651 enquiries@darlington.gov.uk The Customer Services Centre at the Town Hall is closed for renovation. Find out more on page 19.
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HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT www.darlington.gov.uk/benefits Tel (01325) 388514 HOUSING AND REPAIRS www.darlington.gov.uk/housing Tel (01325) 388542 HIGHWAYS,TRANSPORT, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH www.darlington.gov.uk Tel (01325) 388799
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Be happy and healthy this Christmas We all need to take responsibility for our health and well being. Help yourself feel good. Make time for you this Christmas. Join in an activity, club or local group or volunteer to help others. Try new things and develop existing interests. Take a walk, jog or cycle around the park... go for a swim, join the gym, your local running, book, or knitting group; visit the library, cinema, theatre or enrol on a course. Focus on new positives - they will take your mind off your problems and introduce you to new like-minded people. For ideas see our clubs and societies information on pages 36 & 37 and our What's On guide on pages 38 & 39. As well as being a time for celebrations, Christmas can be a lonely and difficult time for some people. Managing low mood and depression at Christmas If you are struggling with low mood or are feeling depressed, tell someone, ask them for help, listen to advice, visit your GP. Know who to call in a crisis and keep the number with you. For more information and advice visit www.darlington.gov.uk/depression
Getting out and about If you or someone you know has difficulty getting out and about why not hire a manual or electric wheelchair from Shopmobility who are located next to the Dolphin Centre, in the market square. For more information or to book call 01325 489999 or e-mail: shopmobility@darlingtondisability.org
Don’t let drink spoil your Christmas and New Year Alcohol flows more freely during the festive season. Unfortunately, as a result, reports in domestic abuse, violence, road traffic accidents and A & E admissions increase.You don’t have to stop drinking altogether, just adopt a common sense attitude. Sip slowly, enjoy the taste, have a soft drink or water in between alcoholic drinks, or a single instead of a double. For more information about how to help cut down on your alcohol intake visit the government’s Change for Life pages http://www.nhs.uk/change4life/pages/ alcohol-drink-swaps.aspx If you are concerned that you, or a friend or family member, may have a problem with alcohol or drugs, there is support available. Local recovery treatment services provide confidential help, advice, treatment and support for those with substance issues and their families and carers.Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/alcohol
DOMESTIC ABUSE If you are feeling; controlled, manipulated or treated like an object and as a result, have low self esteem and self confidence due to the behaviour of someone you
live with, help and support is available. Visit the domestic abuse service directory for details of where to get help. www.darlington.gov.uk/domesticabuse
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High Street looking bright! Local retailers in Darlington are taking advantage of a scheme to help them thrive in tough times. Since the High Street Innovation Fund launched earlier this year, 26 local businesses have come forward to claim their share of £100,000 of funding to help them occupy empty properties. The money has also funded vacant shop front improvements, making the town a more attractive place to be.
Brilliant Bondgate! A particular area that stands out is the part of Bondgate between the St. Augustine’s Way roundabout and the Woodland Road traffic lights. Nine new businesses have opened or are due to open, in an area that has suffered from low footfall and empty properties. These new businesses include a general store, children’s clothing shop, nailbar, carpet showroom and homewares shop.
Nails nailbar
What is the High Street Innovation Fund? It is part of a Government package to help revive our high streets. 100 local authorities across the country each received £100,000 Darlington being one of them.
Emelia’s Clothing
Find out more about the support available to entrepreneurs in Darlington by visiting www.darlington.gov.uk/business or by scanning the QR code
Celebrating small businesses on Saturday 7 December Distinct Darlington – formed to encourage and promote trade in the town centre – is calling on residents and visitors to show their support for independent retailers in a day-long promotion taking place on Saturday 7 December. Small Business Saturday is a Government initiative which aims to increase footfall and raise awareness of a whole range of small businesses from retailers to not-for- profit charities and organisations. In Darlington, visitors to the town will be able to take a spin on the newly opened ice rink, browse the stalls in the Christingle Market and park for free after three.* “Darlington has a wealth of small, independentlyowned businesses and we hope that Small Business Saturday will shine a spotlight on them,” said Alex
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Hirst, manager at Distinct Darlington. *The “free after 3” parking scheme will run from Monday to Saturday from the first week in December right up until Christmas Eve and will operate in all council car parks including pay and display on-street parking. The Cornmill Centre will also offer free parking after 3pm Monday to Saturday (with free parking as normal on a Sunday) throughout the whole of December. For further information visit: www.distinctdarlington.co.uk
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Park for FREE after 3
In the October edition of Darlington Together we told you about car park closures in the Town Centre. Now we’d like to tell you how we’re getting on, and that Darlington is ready and open for business in the run-up to Christmas. We recently carried out work in our Archer Street, Kendrew Street and Commercial Street car parks in order to improve the surface and repaint white lines. The car park at the rear of the Town Hall closed in September so that we could start work on the relocation of the Department for Education offices. This resulted in the loss of 162 spaces, but the former bus depot site is open as normal, as well as the car park in Beaumont Street. We are ensuring that the town centre is as clearly signposted as possible so you will know where the best places to park are. You can find out more about parking in Darlington town centre by visiting www.darlington.gov.uk/parking.
Parking is “free after 3” this Christmas! Did you know that you can park for free after 3pm from Saturday December 7 up to Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24 December)? This is great news for shoppers who can come to the town centre in the afternoon and enjoy some festive retail therapy! Shoppers can park in the off-street council car parks and on-street pay and display parking bays. Private car park operators are also running Christmas promotions, check these out on the Distinct Darlington website: www.distinctdarlington.co.uk.
Don’t forget that there’s lots going on in Darlington Town Centre this Christmas. Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/christmas or scan the QR code to find out more
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Get thrifty Christmas can be a great time of year, with lots of parties to go to and presents to buy for families and friends, but it can be hard to watch the budget. We hope these money-saving tips will help give your wallet and purse a festive treat, and help you through the New Year! We’ll be publishing more tips in 2014 to help you keep your finances healthy and cut down on your bills.
Be a bright spark and save on your energy! Age UK Darlington’s HE-AT project provides free information and advice for saving money on energy and on keeping warm, whatever your age. For more information call 01325 357345 or visit www.ageuk.org.uk/darlington/information--advice/heat/ Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau runs free Energy Best Deal sessions. Call 01325 256999 or visit www.darlingtoncab.co.uk Buy LED Christmas lights and switch off all lights when leaving the room. Don’t forget outside lights too! For more energy saving tips visit www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Take-action/Energysaving-top-tips Beat the energy price rises and take part in Darlington’s Big Community Switch! With recently announced rises in energy prices and colder winter weather, December is a good time to tackle your energy bills. Darlington Borough Council is offering people another opportunity to take part in the Big Community Switch, a collective energy switching scheme powered by iChoosr.
• Register for free with no obligation to switch • You can register if you rent or have a prepayment meter • An auction is organised and the energy supplier who offers the best tariff will offer you a new contract • We’ll tell you how much you could save and you decide whether to switch • Businesses and Voluntary & Community Organisations can join for free too.
REGISTER FOR FREE from 10 December until midnight 17 February. To register visit www.darlington.gov.uk/bigcommunityswitch For personal one to one support to register, call Phill at Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau on 01325 256999 (ext. 122).
2222222222 You will need a copy of a recent bill in your or your partner’s name (or your organisation’s name) to register.
Did you know?
Collective energy switching schemes have helped over 21,000 households across the country save an average of £131? Source: DECC, 2013
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j this Christmas!
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Get on the top of Santa’s nice list with cheaper cards and pressies! Watch out for offers such as 3 for 2 or 25% off Make your own cards, gifts and decorations. Many magazines and websites give instructions. Social media websites such as Pinterest are great for getting lots of ideas!
Don’t be a turkey! Use up leftover turkey by making curry and boiling the carcass to make soup. Cook the meat to 75ºC and refrigerate leftovers below 10ºC to keep it safe. For more ideas for leftovers and food safety tips visit: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and www.food.gov.uk
Be a Christmas cracker and avoid debt!
Share your thrifty tips! Thanks to the people who visited the Festival of Thrift in September for sharing their tips with us for this article.
Do you have any thrifty tips to share? Call Elizabeth Goodchild on 01325 388920 or email elizabeth.goodchild@darlington.gov.uk
Set a realistic budget for Christmas spending and stick to it. If you are going to find Christmas difficult to afford or are in debt, Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau (01325 256999) and Darlington Credit Union (01325 520005) can provide advice and a free financial review.Visit: www.darlingtoncab.co.uk or www.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk Don’t forget you still have to pay everyday bills and put these first! Avoid easy to access short term loans.They usually have very high interest rates which can make things worse. Speak to Darlington Credit Union. Call 01325 520005 or visit www.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk
2222222222 Did you know?
Did you know?
The North East are the nation’s biggest spenders at Christmas, spending 20% more than people in London? Source: The Co-operative Bank
One-third of people rely on credit cards to pay for Christmas?
Source: The Co-operative Bank
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The Customer Services Centre has closed for improvements The existing Customer Service Centre has now closed - please call or email us instead. We hope to open the new Centre in the first week of February 2014. Last month, we let you know that work was needed to modernise our Customer Service Centre at the Town Hall.The new centre will deal with more services in one place, which will be more convenient for you and will cut costs. There will be more staff available, better waiting areas and a receptionist to welcome and help you.
How will this affect me? The closure only affects people visiting the Town Hall. During this time, please contact us by email, telephone or using the website (www.darlington.gov.uk). If we need to see you, we will organise an appointment for you at the Town Hall reception. Please contact us by email, telephone or using the website before coming down to the Town Hall. We would like to offer the following advice for each service. Council Tax, Street Scene and Planning - Please contact us by email or telephone. Benefits - Please contact us by email, telephone or
How to contact us:
post. If we write to you asking for information, please follow the instructions in the letter. Social Fund - Crisis Support applications can only be made by telephone (01325 388514). Community Care applications can only be submitted through the website (www.darlington.gov.uk/socialfund). We will make an appointment to see you if required. Housing - Please contact us by email or telephone. We will offer the usual service if you are homeless, collecting decorating vouchers, ending a tenancy, or have a pre-arranged appointment with us. Blue Badges - Please contact us by email or telephone. We will make an appointment for you to visit once we've determined you are eligible. Bus Passes - Please contact us by email or telephone. We will make an appointment for you to visit if we need to take your picture. Parking - We will provide a full service as normal. Forms may be given out to return rather than complete at the Town Hall. Children's Financial Payments - We will provide a full service as normal. Housing Bond Scheme - No service. Please contact us by email or telephone to find out about alternative arrangements.
Visit www.darlington.gov.uk Email customerservices@darlington.gov.uk
STREET SCENE Tel (01325) 388777 • COUNCIL TAX Tel (01325) 388373 HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT Tel (01325) 388514 HOUSING AND REPAIRS Tel (01325) 388542 • BLUE BADGES Tel (01325) 346200 (OPTION 3) HIGHWAYS,TRANSPORT, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Tel (01325) 388799
Telephone:
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FREE Childcare for two year olds Two year olds can enjoy up to 15 hours a week of free early education and childcare over at least 38 weeks of the year. Children are eligible if: They are being ‘looked after’ by the Council Or if you receive the following benefits: • Universal Credit (to be phased in from October 2013) • Income Support • Income based Jobseekers Allowance • Income related Employment and Support Allowance • Support under part VI of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 • The guarantee element of State Pension Credit • Child Tax Credit (provided you are not entitled to Working Tax Credit and have an annual income that does not exceed £16,190. Please note:
?
I’m not eligible for free childcare, can I still get help? The cost of childcare can seem daunting,
Only approved childcare providers (including some childminders) can provide free childcare places - ask for a list of providers by contacting Darlington People and Families information support (details below).
but there’s still help available: If you are working, you may be able to claim tax credits for your childcare costs. Call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0345 300 3900 Lone parents looking for jobs or training may be able to get help for childcare costs through Job Centre Plus - 0845 606 0234 Some families will be eligible for free childcare whilst training If you are paying for childcare the free entitlement will be deducted from your costs.
Your child must attend the childcare provider by a particular date in order to get a free place for that term - People and Families information support can advise you when that date is.
If you think you are eligible, apply for your free place by calling Darlington People and Families information support on 0800 9172121 or emailing pfis@darlington.gov.uk. We can run an eligibility check over the phone if you have your National Insurance number to hand. You can also find more information online: www.darlington.gov.uk/freeearlyeducation
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We’re applying for funding to keep the A67 open We have applied for £2.4 million of central government funding to provide a permanent fix to the Carlbury landslip (A67, High Coniscliffe/Piercebridge Road), which occurred earlier this year.
What is the Carlbury landslip? In February this year, a landslip was identified next to the A67- the embankment had dropped over 500mm and had started to affect the road. The landslip resulted in the road being closed as there were worries that, if there was a further slip, it would affect the water mains under the road and place drivers at immediate risk. A diversion was put in place and a temporary bus service arranged. One side of the road was reopened in July after investigations had shown the landslip had stabilised. We are monitoring the road and embankment regularly and there is the risk that the road could be closed again if the landslip gets worse.
Although one side of the road has now reopened, investigations have shown that a longer section of the A67 is unstable and needs to be repaired. A central government fund called Pinch Point was announced at the start of October, with £55 million made available nationally. We have applied for £2.4 million of funding to help us fix the road. We estimate that it will take £4 million to fix the landslip. Darlington Borough Council will contribute £878,000, Northumbrian Water will contribute £596,000 and the rest we hope to be awarded from the Pinch Point fund. The A67 is a main transport route between Darlington, Teesdale and the rest of the Tees Valley. It has been estimated that repairing the road will reduce travel time for more than 8,600 vehicles each day.
We will find out if the funding has been successful this month. If we get funding, we hope to repair the landslip by Spring 2015. If we don’t get funding, we will need to look at keeping things as they are, with the potential risk of closure if the landslip gets worse. Keep up to date with the latest developments by visiting www.darlington.gov.uk/carlbury or scanning the QR code.
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YOUR
DARLINGTON MONEY TALKS YOUR DARLINGTON
: so far In June and July we held events to find out what people thought of the services we provide and which services they valued the most. Residents could attend meetings where they could have their say, as well as vote online. The feedback was used to draw up the proposals for the new council budget.
YOUR DARLINGTON
: what you said At the events we suggested that we could stop providing things that the law does not require us to do - this would mean no sports facilities, no parks, no theatre or museums and no children’s centres. Although it would save money, we believed it would make Darlington a poorer place to live, and many of you agreed with this. We have to do all we can to cut costs, and - if we are to keep the things that make Darlington special - we need your help.
Darlington needs you! Help us reduce ÂŁ13.8m from our spending and create a stronger, better community. Read on to find out more...
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YOUR DARLINGTON : what’s next? The consultation on the budget is different this year - we’re not just asking for your views on the savings being proposed, but on our plans for the future. We want as many residents as possible to get involved.
THE PROPOSALS FALL UNDER THREE CATEGORIES: Building Strong Communities We want to reduce demand for services. We can do this if we all take ownership and responsibility for the neighbourhood we live in and look out for each other. • We will work with communities to help them take responsibility for running Head of Steam and Cockerton Library without money from the Council. • We can reduce costs if people drop less litter and if local people look after the green spaces around them. • If people help and support their neighbours they can stay independent longer and help to reduce some costs.
Spending Wisely
Growing Economy
We want to reduce the amount we spend. We can do this by reviewing the way we do things and working together better with other public bodies and working with others such as businesses or voluntary bodies to help us too. • We will work with the NHS to help us both save money. • We will continue to make ourselves more efficient by reviewing what we do, for example by moving to new arrangements for collecting recycling and rubbish (see page 30 for more details). • Public Health is a new function and we can save money by changing the contracts currently in place. • By working differently we will reduce the amount we spend on adult and children’s social care.
We want to increase income. We can do this if we grow the economy, create more jobs, build more houses, and grow more businesses. • We intend to increase our income by £1.5M through economic growth. The proposals we are setting out allow us to provide services until 2015/2016 - but after that we will need to reduce our spending by £13m every year. We appreciate that there are a lot of hard choices that have to be made.We need every resident of Darlington to get involved and work together with us.
We have two years to make these changes.
Find out more about the proposals and have your say by visiting www.darlington.gov.uk/budget or by scanning the QR code. Please take five minutes to read what we are proposing and to let us know your thoughts - if you do not have your say - we will not be able to take your views into consideration.
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YOUR DARLINGTON : the budget, explained We spent over £90 million in 2013/2014.This may seem like a large amount, but the challenge we face in regards to reducing our costs is not dissimilar to the one that you face with your household budget. Our budget can be likened to an everyday household budget - with money coming in and money going out.
INCOME: Council
Household
Government grant, Council Tax, and business rates.
Wages and any benefits that you may receive
The Budget facts - did you know?
SPENDING: Council
Household
Repairing roads
Rent/mortgage
Caring for children
Gas/electric
Looking after older people
Car insurance/car tax and transport
Cleaning the streets
Food and clothes
Leisure and arts
Trips out/holidays
• We are expecting to get 87% less money from central government in six years time than we do today. • Money from council tax only makes up 41% of our budget. • We spend £78 million each year on legally required services.
Many of you will have seen your income fall or stay the same for many years, which means you can’t spend as much as you used to. We’re in the same position.
things - starting with the things which are not very important, moving along to the things which are important to you and your family.
When your income falls one of the first things you do is look at your spending to see what you spend and how you can get what you buy for less, for example - switching energy providers so you can get cheaper gas and electricity. However, if your income keeps falling, this is eventually not enough and you have to stop buying certain
We are continuing to try and buy cheaper things, but our loss of income is so great that we are having to change the way we do things - such as changing the way we provide services and asking others to help; for example - asking people to stop dropping litter or volunteering to help their neighbours.
If you would like more information about our budget, including facts and figures - please visit www.darlington.gov.uk/budget
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As part of the budget proposals Darlington Borough Council is proposing to change the existing refuse and recycling service to an alternate weekly collection service with general household waste being collected in Week 1 and recycling material being collected in Week 2. In other words, there will be a collection of different sorts of waste every week, where the recycling and general household waste collections will be on alternate weeks.
Option 1
Revised Weekly Refuse and Recycling Collection Service
The new system will improve the quality of material going for recycling, and save costs, with more sorting being done by households. The proposals are to collect three separate groups of recycling from the majority of properties: • Glass
Option 2
Currently only paper, glass and card are recycled by the household sorting it and other recyclable waste in the wheeled bin is recycled at the waste plant.
• Cans and metals • Paper and card • Plastic of all types,Tetrapaks (e.g. milk containers).
Take a look at the photographs on this page to understand the size of the containers in the three options available. More information and a video explaining the options is available at www.darlington.gov.uk/budget, to have your say please fill in the survey on the Budget Page by the 16 December 2013. Paper copies are also available from Town Hall reception.The three options are currently available to view in the Dolphin Centre Reception.
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Option 3
This proposal would result in a saving of £400,000.
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Don’t lose your right to vote!
You will have now received your annual canvass form. It’s important that your form is completed and returned as soon as possible - otherwise you could lose your voice on the issues that affect you. You need to complete and return your form every year to be included on the electoral register. Registering to pay Council Tax does not automatically include you on the register. We need to know the details of everyone who is eligible to vote in your household. Confirming your details is quick and easy, especially if you do it by phone or online.
You can register by post and, if there are no changes to your details from last year, you can also register by...
w PHONE
What is the Electoral Register? It is a list of everyone who is allowed to vote.You can only vote in Local, European and General elections if your name is listed on the current register.
w TEXT
w INTERNET
…just follow the instructions on your form The European Parliamentary Elections will take place next year—make sure you are registered to vote!
For more information on the Annual Canvass please call the Electoral Registration Office on 01325 388351 or visit www.darlington.gov.uk/annualcanvass
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DARLINGTON TOGETHER
Your local councillor is there to listen to you and find out about the issues that are affecting life in your ward. You can e-mail, telephone or meet with your local councillor at regular ward surgeries.
E-mailing councillors: If you wish to e-mail your councillor their e-mail address is: firstname.lastname@darlington.gov.uk For example, if you wish to e-mail Bill Dixon, type in bill.dixon@darlington.gov.uk • The only exceptions are Andy Scott (Haughton West Ward), Anne-Marie Curry (North Road Ward), Ron Lewis (Mowden) and Tom Nutt (Haughton North); their e-mail addresses are shown with their ward surgery details.
BANK TOP WARD Veronica Copeland (L) Tel: 358530; Chris Taylor (L), Tel: 243298. Fri 13 Dec, King William Street Community Centre 5pm-6pm. Wesley Court Community Centre, Rocket Street 6pm-6.30pm CENTRAL WARD Jan Taylor (L) Tel: 243298; Malcolm Wright (L) Tel: 484374. Wed 18 Dec and Wed 8 Jan, Borough Road Nursery 6pm-7pm COCKERTON EAST WARD Paul Baldwin (L) Tel: 362690 Sue Richmond (L) Tel: 351538. Bryan Thistlethwaite (L) Tel: 485466. Thurs 12 Dec, Cockerton Library 6pm-7pm. COCKERTON WEST WARD Jan Cossins (L) Tel: 241124 David Regan (L) Tel: 495258. Wed 11 Dec, Windsor Court 10am-11am. Thurs 12 Dec, Cockerton Library 6pm – 7pm. COLLEGE WARD Tony Richmond (C) Tel: 351538 Ian Galletley (C) Tel: 07507904109. Wed 11 Dec, Abbey Junior School 7pm-8pm. EASTBOURNE WARD Bill Dixon (L) Tel: 486588 Roderick Francis (L) Tel: 488173 Lee Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. No Ward Surgery held this month. FAVERDALE Richard Grundy (C) Tel: 266314. Wed 11 Dec, West Park Academy 6pm-7pm. HARROWGATE HILL WARD Gill Cartwright (C) Tel: 382276. Wed 1 Jan, Harrowgate CIU Ltd. Salters Lane North 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Marjory Knowles (L) Tel: 265847 John Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. Wed 8 Jan, Classroom in the New Sports Hall Longfield Academy 7pm-8pm. HAUGHTON EAST WARD Chris McEwan (L) Tel: 283262 Martin Landers (L) Tel: 07709804580. Sat 4 Jan, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am. Wed 8 Jan, Education Village 6pm-7pm. HAUGHTON NORTH WARD Tom Nutt (L) Tel: 360953 thomas.nutt@darlington.gov.uk Beverley Hutchinson (L) Tel: 262015. Sat 4 Jan, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am. HAUGHTON WEST WARD Nick Wallis (L) Tel: 488797 David Lyonette (L) Tel: 464693 Andy Scott (L) Tel: 253707 andrew.scott@darlington.gov.uk Wed 11 Dec and Wed 8 Jan Salvation Army, Thompson St. 6pm–7pm. Sat 4 Jan, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am. HEIGHINGTON AND CONISCLIFFE WARD Gerald Lee (C) Tel: 314622. Paul Crudass (C) Tel: 374537. Sat 7 Dec, Killerby and Summerhouse Village Hall10am-11am. HUMMERSKNOTT WARD Alan Coultas (C) Tel: 350453. Charles Johnson (C) Tel: 463712. No Ward Surgery held this month. HURWORTH WARD Joe Kelley (LD) Tel: 266760. Martin Swainston (LD) Tel: 07535637060. Thurs 2 Jan, Hurworth Grange Community Centre Library 6pm-7pm. LASCELLES WARD Wendy Newall (L) Tel: 251574. Helen Crumbie (L) Tel: 462642. Sat 14 Dec, Cleveland Bridge Social Club 12 noon – 1pm.
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LINGFIELD WARD Ian Haszeldine (L) Tel: 741508. Lynne Haszeldine (L) Tel: 07950521511. Wed 8 Jan, Eastbourne Sports Complex 6pm-6.30pm. MIDDLETON ST. GEORGE WARD Doris Jones (C) Tel: 332820. Steve York (C) Tel: 332025. No Ward Surgery this month. MOWDEN WARD Ron Lewis (C) Tel: 350259 ronald.lewis@darlington.gov.uk Bill Stenson (C) Tel: 468249. Mon 2 Dec, Mon 6 Jan, Mowden Junior School 6.30pm-7.30pm. NORTH ROAD WARD Anne-Marie Curry (LD) Tel: 07531304050 annemarie.curry@darlington.gov.uk Fred Lawton (LD) Tel: 467413 Alan Macnab (LD) Tel: 482015. Wed 18 Dec St Thomas Aquinas Church Hall 1pm-2pm. Wed 8 Jan Morrisons North Road, Car Park Entrance 6pm-7pm. NORTHGATE WARD Eleanor Lister, (L) Tel. 254091. Dorothy Long, (L) Tel. 355755. Wed 8 Jan, Reid Street Primary School, 6pm-7pm. PARK EAST WARD Paul Harman (L) Tel: 483259. Cyndi Hughes (L) Tel: 480975. Joe Lyonette (L) Tel: 263480. Fri 13 Dec, St. Columbas Church Hall 6-7pm. Fri 20 Dec, The Coleridge Centre 6-7pm. PARK WEST WARD Bob Donoghue (C) Tel: 352582 Heather Scott (C) Tel: 468547. No Ward Surgery this month. PIERREMONT WARD Bob Carson (L) Tel: 240627. Stephen Harker (L) Tel: 380039. Linda Hughes (L) Tel: 07904772387. Wed 4 Dec and Wed 8 Jan, Reid Street Primary School 6-7pm. SADBERGE AND WHESSOE No ward surgeries held but please contact your Councillor with any issues or queries. Brian Jones (C) Tel: 332820. Key: (L) Labour (C) Conservative (LD) Liberal Democrat
Upcoming Committee Dates Cabinet
Tues 3 December
Tues 10 December 9.30am
Committee Room 2
Place Scrutiny Committee
Thur 12 December 9.30am
Committee Room 3
Fri 13 December
4.15pm
Committee Room 2
Mon 16 December 4.00pm
Committee Room 1
Tues 17 December 9.30am
Committee Room 3
Planning Applications Committee Wed 18 December 1.30pm
Committee Room 2
Thur 19 December 9.30am
Committee Room 2
Tues 7 January 2014 9.30am
Committee Room 2
Tues 7 January 2014 5.00pm
Committee Room 2
Health and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee
Audit Committee
Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee
General Licensing Committee Efficiency and Resources Scrutiny Committee Adults and Housing Scrutiny Committee Cabinet
5.00pm
Committee Room 2