February 2015 - Darlington Together

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Welcome to this month’s magazine for Darlington Borough

Welcome to the February edition of Darlington Together.

place to watch films and have a great night out. Keep reading Darlington Together and visit www.darlington.gov.uk for all the latest news.

At the start of January I was shocked and saddened to learn of the death of two And finally, the deadline for nominations Councillors who had made a big for the Best of Darlington – the annual contribution to life in Darlington: Sue awards ceremony for the people of Walker and Joe Lyonette. Sue was a FEBRUARY Darlington who have gone the extra mile – Councillor in North Road for many years has been extended to Friday 27 February. and, along with her husband Ken, were If you’ve not nominated someone yet, you’ve still got truly dedicated to their constituents. Joe was a time.Visit www.darlington.org.uk to download the fantastic guy who had many, many friends in the application form and have your say. town and was passionate about live music and local You can also pick up a form events – helping to raise thousands of pounds for from the customer charity through the Darlington Carnival. Both will be services contact centre. missed, and my deepest sympathies go out to their families and friends.

Councillor Bill Dixon MBE On other matters, work on the new Leisure (@billdixondton) Complex and cinema is coming along well. The old Leader of the Council car park is now dug up (it’s amazing to think it only closed in September last year), and the steel structure is now in place. Here’s an interesting fact for you: did you know that in 1939 Darlington had the most cinema seats per head of population for the entire UK? It’s not an achievement we’ve been able to keep over the years, but by next year Darlington film-lovers will have a new and exciting

MP’s surgeries

Jenny Chapman: Jenny Chapman will be holding Surgeries in community venues on Friday 13 and 27 February 2015 between 9.30 and 11.00am. Please phone the Constituency Office 01325 382345 for details.

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

Darlington Borough Council | 17

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NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN National Award for Jo Jo Benson,Youth Offending Service Manager, has been granted the prestigious Butler Trust Award for being an outstanding leader.

It will be presented to her in April.

Free childcare for two year olds

Nearly 400 two year old children across Darlington are benefiting from 15 hours of free childcare.

Find out if you are eligible for 15 hours of free child care by contacting Darlington People and Families’ Information Support on 0800 9172121 or email: pfis@darlington.gov.uk

Theatre fun for all the family

The Youth Offending Service was described as ‘one of the best in the country’ by the Butler Trust. Darlington has seen the number of youth offences continue to drop from a peak in 2006/2007. Another member of the team, PC Deborah Goad, also received a commendation from the Chief Constable of Durham Constabulary for her outstanding work in reducing youth offending.

Photo by Scott Akoz

The Civic Theatre is opening its doors on Saturday February 28 and Sunday March 1 from 12 to 4pm for two days of fun family activities – with competitions, workshops, performances, storytelling and guided tours.

This exciting weekend is free, but advanced booking is essential! Call 01325 486555 to reserve your place or visit www.darlingtoncivic.co.uk for more information.

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Jo said ‘it is a huge honour to have been granted this award, I am very proud of the great achievements of the team.The important thing is that we’re helping young people to turn their lives around and turn their back on crime.’

Head of Steam on track for a great day out

Well done to Head of Steam who have been voted ‘Best Family Day out in Darlington’ by East Coast UK in their #MapmyCity social media campaign.

Social media users voted for their favourite destinations on the East Coast train route, with the winners announced in December 2014.

For more information about Head of Steam – Railway Museum, visit www.head-of-steam.co.uk

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IN BRIEF • NEWS IN BRIEF • NEWS IN BRIEF Have your say about policing in Darlington

Durham Police and Crime Commissioner Ron Hogg is looking for your views on his 2015/17 Police and Crime Plan.

Visit www.durham-pcc.gov.uk to view the draft plan and have your say by Sunday 15 February.

A P-interesting account

Darlington Borough Council is now on Pinterest, a social networking site which works as an ‘online pinboard’ where you can pin photos and images to boards you have created.

You can view our account by going to www.pinterest.com/darlingtonbc

Love where you live and say no to littering!

In the last year (January 2014 - January 2015), more than 300 people were prosecuted or received a fixed penalty notice for littering and fly tipping offences.

Fines and fixed penalty notices ranged from £50 to £450 (plus clearance costs/compensation of up to £1159) as well as up to 200 hours of community service.

To report a fly tipping incident call 01325 388777, email streetscene.enforcement@darlington.gov.uk or report it on our website: www.darlington.gov.uk/reportit

CONTACT US

www.darlington.gov.uk 01325 380651

customerservices@darlington.gov.uk

Did you know we’re also on social media?

Follow us on Twitter (@darlingtonbc) and give us a ‘like’ on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ darlingtonboroughcouncil)

In the coming months we will be changing the numbers you use to contact us. Look out for a full list of numbers next month.

STREET SCENE www.darlington.gov.uk/streetscene Tel (01325) 388777 COUNCIL TAX www.darlington.gov.uk/counciltax Tel (01325) 388373

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

Darlington Borough Council | 19

Stay safe online

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The internet is a fantastic tool; it connects us, educates us and helps us save money, but it’s important to remember to stay safe online.

‘Let’s create a better internet together’ is the slogan for International Safer Internet Day on Tuesday 10 February.

The campaign is focused on making the internet a safe place for our children and young people, a job that we can all play a part in.

Here are some top tips for making sure your kids are safe online:

• Install parental controls and make sure any inappropriate content is blocked.

• Have a look at any sites that your child wants to access before they do.

• Remind your kids not to talk to people they don’t know online.

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The internet should be a safe place for everyone.

Here are some ways to keep yourself safe online:

• Don’t post personal information online, make sure not to post things like your address or phone number.

• Don’t give other people your passwords.

• Be aware that people online may not be who they say they are.

• Make sure your privacy settings are up to date on any social networking sites.

• Remember that any content you put online is there forever.

• If something looks too good to be true, it probably is.

• Report any behaviour that seems suspicious or abusive.

If you want to find out more about being safe online and the steps you can take you can: • Check out www.nspcc.org.uk/shareaware • Have a look at www.saferinternet.org.uk

If you are a parent or carer and are interested in more information or training, please contact the LSCB on 01325 406052 or lscb.training@darlington.gov.uk

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Worried about Help is your energy bills? at hand

If you’re worried about the increasing costs of running your home and energy bills, you’re not alone.

Homes that are energy inefficient are more expensive and harder to heat. Living in a cold home can affect your physical and mental health, no matter what your age.

Improving home insulation, making small changes to how you use gas and electricity and checking your energy tariff can all help to reduce the costs of your energy bills.

The Affordable Warmth Scheme

You may be eligible for help to reduce the cost of heating your home through the Affordable Warmth Scheme – including free loft and cavity installation.

Visit www.affordablewarmthscheme.co.uk to see if you qualify.

The Warm Home Discount Scheme

The Warm Home Discount Scheme offers support with energy costs to low-income households. Check with your electricity supplier or visit www.gov.uk/the-warm-homediscount-scheme for more information but be quick, the scheme closes in March.

Advice about saving energy

Free, impartial advice is available from the national Energy Saving Advice Service on 0300 1231234.You can also make an appointment with the HE-AT (Health and Energy Affordability) advisor at Age UK Darlington on 01325 357345.

Worried about paying your energy bills?

If you are struggling to pay your energy bills, please contact your supplier as soon as possible. They will be able to give you advice and offer a payment plan to help you pay back what you owe.

You can also get impartial advice from Citizens Advice Bureau on 01325 25699, National Debtline on 0808 808400 or Step Change on 0800 1381111.

For more information about how to keep warm and save money over the winter months, visit www.darlington.gov.uk/home-energy or scan the QR code: Darlington Borough Council | 21

Love your heart

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Our heart is a pump that never stops; it keeps our blood moving around our body. Every day, it beats around 100,000 times. We need to keep it strong and healthy to avoid heart disease.

Keeping your heart healthy at all ages is the primary way you can prevent heart disease. There are a number of ways you can keep your heart healthy:

Stop Smoking

Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do for your heart, you’ll be improving your health by reducing your risk of coronary heart disease.

Eat Well

Good health requires a balanced diet including fruit/vegetables; whole grains – found in cereals and bread, dairy, carbohydrates and proteins; try to keep fats, sugar and salt to a minimum.

Move More

Ideally, your ‘heart’ would like you to be active for about 150 minutes each week, but these can be accumulated in bouts of just 10 minutes, so popping to the shop, or stretching your legs for 10 minutes at lunchtime all add up. As long as you are moving enough to make you breathe a bit more quickly, you are doing well!

Make a change

Keeping yo u r heart heal thy

Keep your weight in check

A healthy weight cuts your risk of heart disease, it helps prevent and manage conditions like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and type 2 diabetes.

Drink alcohol sensibly

Drinking more than the recommended amount can cause abnormal heart rhythms, high blood pressure and damage your heart muscle. Daily limits should be 3 - 4 units a day for men and 2 - 3 units of alcohol a day for women.

Avoid stress

Stress does not cause cardiovascular disease but does contribute to your risk depending on your coping mechanisms. Physical activity and relaxation techniques can help.

Making small changes can help improve your health, help you feel fitter and better about yourself, and look good. Make time to think about what you need to change – pop into the Healthy Darlington Hub in the Dolphin Centre or call 01325 388829 to speak to one of the Healthy Darlington Hub Team – it’s a free confidential service - they will help you with any changes you want to make and support you to help keep you on the right track.

For more information visit www.healthydarlington.co.uk For some healthy lifestyle tips visit:

• www.bhf.org.uk

• www.change4life.org • www.nhs.uk/livewell

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Love to Move More

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There’s so much on offer in Darlington to get involved in to keep your heart healthy and your fitness levels up to a standard you are comfortable with, to help you to feel better about yourself and get into shape.

This month our Move More Star is Lisa Jenkins, from Darlington. Lisa has just completed the ‘Couch 2 5k’ programme – a 10 week, coach led, fitness programme that aims to get you running 5k.

We caught up with Lisa to find what she has to say about the ‘Couch 2 5K’ programme: Lisa said: “My friends and I had been talking about wanting to lose some weight and get fitter… we came across the ‘Couch 2 5K’ programme, had a giggle about it and decided to go for it… I had never run before, wondered what I had let myself in for and seriously doubted I would manage it!

Move More S tar

Move More S tar - Lisa Jenkins

On the first night, I joined a group of likeminded people with differing abilities. We started the programme running, then walking for 3 minutes. The coaches supported and encouraged us all the are u o y e Having completed the Couch 2 p way. Following that, sha t a h w 5k programme I feel a great sense every week brought It’s not t what shape of achievement and will continue to about a new challenge, – bu ! n i e r 'run for fun'. I have met new running increasing the running you a buddies and intend to join Parkrun and time and decreasing the enrol on a 5k - 10k programme. I would walking time. Between sessions recommend the 'Couch 2 5k', without we received emails containing advice hesitation, to anyone. and tips, to support and spur us on.

The Couch 2 5K programme:

A 10 week programme designed to assist people new to running, to gently get your body moving by alternating between walking and running small distances and slowly building up to prepare you to run 5 kilometres.

The sessions run on a Tuesday evening from 6.30pm – 7.30pm, starting from the Health Hub in the Dolphin Centre reception area. The next programme starts on Tuesday 21st April. The cost for the 10 weeks is £15 per person and must be paid before the start of the first session.

For more information and to book a place contact movemore@darlington.gov.uk or call 01325 254370.

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Love Darlington, lov

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Win a meal for two E LOV

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There’s so much to love about Darlington town centre... a fantastic range of independent shops, the Victorian Market Hall and national retailers alongside great indoor shopping centres. With a great range of cafes, bars and restaurants, you’ll love to come back to Darlington again and again.

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, here’s your chance to show your love of the Victorian Market Hall and win a meal for two at The Keys in Darlington.

The Keys Darlington opened in November 2014 after an extensive refurbishment to the Mechanics Institute - a grade ll listed building in Skinnergate, Darlington.

DARLING ....................

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They aim to offer seasonal mouth-watering menus and daily specials suitable for everyone, with locally-sourced meat and vegetables.

The Keys restaurant can cater for all occasions from a family meal to a wedding or work party. Visit: www.thekeys.co.uk or call 01325 394222.

FLOWERS RT HEA ....

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HUGS

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ROMAN CE ....................

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CUDDLES ..........................

Look out for Valentine’s themed music and entertainment in the town centre on February 14th.

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HOW TO ENTER

There are nine hearts on these pages containing words connected with Valentine’s Day. For your chance to win, simply visit the Victorian Indoor Market Hall and match these words with those on the hearts displayed at the stalls. Once you have a match simply write the name of the stall on the matching heart provided on these pages.

Once you have matched all nine hearts complete the entry coupon and take your completed pages (24 & 25) with your answers to The Keys on Skinnergate in Darlington. Call in before noon and you can enjoy a free tea or coffee with any breakfast item ordered.

Alternatively, you can send your completed entry to the address on the right. Closing date for entries is 23 February 2015.

The first correct entry drawn after the closing date will win a two-course meal for two at the Keys in Darlington, with a free bottle of fizz, to be taken between 5pm and 9pm, Monday – Thursday. The second correct entry drawn will win a £50 shopping voucher and the third correct entry drawn will win the main ingredients for a meal for two from the Victorian Market Hall.

Entries to reach us by Monday 23 February.

Alternatively, drop your completed entry into The Keys, Skinnergate, Darlington.

Name ............................................................................................

Address ........................................................................................ ........................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................ ........................................................................................................

Postcode ......................................................................................

Daytime Tel No ..........................................................................

Win an overnight stay at Rockliffe Hall

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KISSES

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Complete the hearts and return PAGES 24 & 25 with your answers to: Love Darlington Competition, Communications Unit, Room 101, Town Hall, Darlington, DL1 5QT.

Email Address ............................................................................

CHO COL ATES .......... ...........

ENTRY COUPON

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Get snapped in the Cornmill Shopping Centre’s special Valentine photo booth on Saturday 14 February and you could win an overnight stay for two at Rockliffe Hall with dinner, bed and breakfast, full use of the spa facilities and a 90-minute massage class. For details visit www.cornmillcentre.co.uk or find them on Facebook. Terms and conditions apply.

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A day in the life of...

A market trader

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We had a chat with greengrocer Robin Blair, who has been a grocer for over fifty years and whose shop JJ Blair and Sons has been in the market for more than 140 years.

What is your typical day like at the market?

I usually have a 4am start driving to Stockton and Middlesbrough Market to source fresh produce for the day, and then it's off to the nursery in Darlington to offload, organise and separate the morning's finds. All the produce we sell is sourced locally.

I'll start at the Market Hall at about 9am, setting up the stall and pricing up our goods.There's a lot of going back and forth during the day, going from the stall to the market basement, and organising the fruit, vegetables, plants and flowers.

In the afternoon I'll go back to the nursery to oversee the growing and planting of all our flowers and bulbs, and then I'll head back to the market to close the stall and tidy up.

I'll go back to the nursery between about 9-10pm to plant more bulbs and pot our plants and then I'll go home at about 10pm to sit down for the day! My wife makes me a meal, I'll do a bit of paperwork and then it's bedtime, ready for the next day!

That sounds like a long day!

Yes, I work a 7 day week! I love it though, I wouldn't have it any other way.

What do you love most about your job?

It's definitely the people - the people I meet on a daily basis have lots of interesting stories to tell and the most exciting part of my job is hearing about what people are doing in their lives. Being in the job for over fifty years has meant that I have served several generations of the same families. I've met a few famous people along the way as well!

It's an absolute pleasure sourcing the best quality produce for my customers every day.

What do you love most about the Market Hall and working in Darlington?

It's a nostalgic and exciting place with so much charisma there's warmth from all the stall holders and it has such a friendly atmosphere.The market gives the people of Darlington a place to shop locally and it's a place to where you can feel welcome and respected.

It's a community, and it's home.

There’s a wide variety of stalls at Darlington’s Victorian Covered Market, as well as a rich history.

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What’s App-ening in Darlington

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Make shopping in Darlington town centre more interactive with the Distinct Darlington app, which will be available to download for free from Monday 23 February.

Using state-of-the-art technology, you'll find exclusive deals, a unique loyalty scheme which offers fantastic rewards for shopping in the town, as well as information about events and special deals.You can even top-up your car parking from your phone, giving you the chance to enjoy Darlington's wealth of shops and restaurants for even longer!

The app is available on Apple and Android - download from the App Store or Google Play. For more information about the app visit www.distinctdarlington.co.uk

Treats and Eats

Take advantage of special discounts in Darlington with the latest edition of the Little Book of Offers.

The free booklet, available every quarter from participating retailers, contains discounts and deals from lots of town centre shops and restaurants. Don’t miss out, pick up your Little Book of Offers from the town centre now. Also available at the box office in the Cornmill Centre and Dolphin Centre reception.

Plus, did you know that many local retailers offer their own loyalty scheme? The more times you visit and shop the more offers and discounts you will get.

Simply ask for details, use the new town centre app or visit the Distinct Darlington website: www.distinctdarlington.co.uk

Extra town centre parking

There are more spaces to park in Darlington as a new car park comes into operation behind the Town Hall. The new car park will be in operation for around a year and offers 120 spaces for short stay at £1 per hour – pay for two hours and you will get the third hour free. For more details on parking in Darlington visit: www.darlington.gov.uk/parking

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The Care A

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The biggest changes to planning how older people are looked after and how it is paid for are happening this year. It is called the Care Act and comes into force from 1st April 2015.

 

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When the current health system was set up, the average life expectancy was 68, but now more and more people are living longer. By 2050, there will be 8 million people aged 80 or more. As people age, they are more likely to need help to live at home or think about moving in to residential care.

This needs to be planned and paid for.

 3

2010

MILLION

I need help to live at home or might need to move into care. What does the Care Act mean for me?

Your needs will be assessed by Darlington Council, and if eligible, once you have been assessed, a plan will be prepared to help meet your needs.Your well-being will be at the heart of this plan and you and your family or carers will have much more control about what goes in it to make sure you have the right level of care. Help may be provided through Darlington Council, the Health Service or voluntary and community organisations.You may have to pay some of your care costs yourself.

If you are already getting a package of care and support, don’t worry, nothing will change.

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2030

2050

MILLION

MILLION

4.5

8

Will I have to sell my house to pay for my care?

Some people use the value of their home to pay for their care. Although already an option in Darlington, from April 2015, people across the country may be able to delay selling their home to meet their care costs. This is called a deferred payment. If you are eligible, Darlington Council will help pay your care home bills on your behalf until you choose to sell your home, or until after your death.

For more information deferred payments, visit: www.darlington.gov.uk/careandsupport

What if I move?

If you move to a different part of England, whatever plan is put in place in one part of the country will be the same in the new place you move to.

To find out more about eligibility and assessments visit: www.darlington.gov.uk/careandsupport

Act

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I care for a relative or a neighbour, what does the Care Act mean for me?

For the first time, if you care for a relative or a friend or a neighbour but don’t get paid for doing that, you will have a legal right to a Carer’s Assessment.

This will help you get support to enable you to care for someone.You might be given a personal budget to be spent on things that make caring easier or practical, like arranging for someone to step in when you need a short break.

For more information on changes for carers visit: www.darlington.gov.uk/ careandsupport

Will I have to pay all of my care costs?

From 1st April, 2016, if you have been assessed as having an eligible need, the most you will pay for your care when you reach pensionable age is £72,000. This is called the Care Cap. A Care Account will be set up to monitor how much has been spent on your care and once it reaches £72,000 the council will take over responsibility for funding your care.

Money you have spent before 1st April 2016 will not count towards this figure, and does not include living costs (ie food, rent, electricity and gas) of staying in a residential home.

To find out more about the Care Cap, visit: www.darlington.gov.uk/careandsupport

Further Information visit www.darlington.gov.uk/careandsupport

www.gov.uk/government/publications/care-and-support-whats-changing

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Treasures in the Town Centre

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The new Department for Education building is getting ready to open its doors, but did you know that it has been built on a very special site?

Before the work started on the building, a ten-week excavation took place and a lot of interesting history about Darlington was discovered…

The Bishop’s Palace

For nearly 700 years the Bishop of Durham’s manor house stood on this site. This was a large medieval building built in the 12th Century. From here the Bishop administered his land and property in Darlington and collected his taxes. Wealthy and important guests travelling on the Great North Road would stay here. As well as the manor, there was a brew-house, stables and a tithe barn – a place for storing produce that would be given to the Church.

The Darlington Poorhouse

The Grey Lady

During the Civil War in the 17th Century, Lady Gerrard, who was living in the Bishop’s Palace, had her hand hacked off by two soldiers who took a liking to the ring she was wearing. She died from blood loss and it is believed that her ghost (‘The Grey Lady’) haunts the former site, as well as nearby South Park where some fragments of the manor house were moved to.

The Bishop’s Palace was sold in the early 19th century and converted into Darlington’s Poor House. Only the North Wing and the chapel were kept.

The poor house was then converted into terraced houses (known as Luck’s Square and Luck’s Terrace – named after Alderman Richard Luck who purchased the site).

The houses were cleared away in the 1960s before the Town Hall started to be built in 1969.

During the recent dig, some columns were found. These were pile drives from a proposed extension to the Town Hall which did not happen.

What lies beneath

During the excavation, a treasure trove of archaeological finds were uncovered, from beautifully carved medieval stonework and painted plaster work, to pottery and a whole horses head!

Over 250 people came along to tour the excavation site in November 2013 where they could see the remains of the stone walls of the poor house and find out more about the history of the site.

There will be an exhibition about the excavations in Crown Street Library during March/April – more information will be available soon!

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Bite the Ballot

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Darlington Borough Council is backing the “Bite the Ballot” campaign to make sure people, particularly young people, are registered to vote at the national elections on 7 May 2015.

The Bite the Ballot campaign hopes to inspire young people to register to vote by National Voter Registration Day on 5 February – as part of a week-long programme of activities running from 2-8 February 2015.

“People can miss out on voting simply because their registration is not up to date,” said Cath Whitehead, Darlington Borough Council’s Electoral Registration Officer. “It’s particularly important this year because now every individual has to register - not just one person confirming the details for the whole household. After 5th February I will be writing to people on the electoral register to get them to check their details” she added.

Elections will also be held for local and parish elections on 7 May 2015. This is the first time this has happened in Darlington since 1979 so it’s more important than ever to make sure you’re on the register.

bitetheballot

Residents can register to vote at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

@bitetheballot

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DARLINGTON TOGETHER

Please contact your local councillor if you have any issues that are affecting life in your ward – they are here to listen to you.

You can email, call and meet them face-to-face at regular ward surgeries.

For more information visit www.darlington.gov.uk/wards

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) 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 20 Feb, King William Street Community Centre 5pm-6pm and Wesley Court Community Centre 6pm-6.30pm.

CENTRAL WARD Jan Taylor (L) Tel: 243298; Malcolm Wright (L) Tel: 484374.. Wed 11 Feb, Borough Road Nursery, 5pm-6pm.

Wed 4 Mar, Gurney Pease School, 6pm-7pm.

LASCELLES WARD Wendy Newall (L) Tel: 251574. Helen Crumbie (L) Tel: 462642. Sat 14 Feb, Cleveland Bridge Social Club 12noon-1pm.

LINGFIELD WARD Ian Haszeldine (L) Tel: 741508/07807381613 Lynne Haszeldine (L) Tel: 493298. Wed 11 Feb, Eastbourne Sports Complex, 6pm-6.30pm. Wed 25 Feb, Heathfield Primary School, 6pm-6.30pm.

COCKERTON EAST WARD Paul Baldwin (L) Tel: 362690 Sue Richmond (L) Tel: 351538. Bryan Thistlethwaite (L) Tel: 485466. Thurs 12 Feb, Cockerton Library 6pm-7pm.

MIDDLETON ST. GEORGE WARD Doris Jones (C) Tel: 332820 Steve York (C) Tel: 332025. Tues 24 Feb, Dinsdale Court, 6.15pm-7.15pm.

COLLEGE WARD Tony Richmond (C) Tel: 351538 Ian Galletley (C) Tel: 07507904109. Wed 11 Feb, Abbey Junior School 7pm-8pm.

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 11 Feb, Northlands Methodist Church, Entrance Hall, 9.15am-10.15am.

Wed 4 Mar, St Thomas Aquinas Church Hall, 1pm-2pm.

COCKERTON WEST WARD Jan Cossins (L) Tel: 241124 David Regan (L) Tel: 495258. Tue 10 Feb, Windsor Court, 10am11am. Thurs 12 Feb, Cockerton Library, 6pm-7pm.

EASTBOURNE WARD Roderick Crichlow (L) Tel: 488173 Bill Dixon (L) Tel: 486588. Lee Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. Wed 18 Feb, Pilmoor Green Community Centre 5pm-6pm. Wed 25 Feb, Firthmoor Community Centre 3pm-4pm.

FAVERDALE Richard Grundy (C) Tel: 266314. Wed 4 Mar, West Park Academy 6pm-7pm.

HARROWGATE HILL WARD Gill Cartwright (C) Tel: 382276. Wed 4 Mar, Harrowgate CIU Ltd. Salters Lane North 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Marjory Knowles (L) Tel: 265847 John Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. No ward surgeries held but please contact your Councillors with any issues or queries.

HAUGHTON EAST WARD Chris McEwan (L) Tel: 283262 Martin Landers (L) Tel: 07709804580. Wed 4 Mar, Education Village, 6pm-7pm. Sat 7 Mar, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am HAUGHTON NORTH WARD Tom Nutt (L) Tel: 360953 thomas.nutt@darlington.gov.uk Beverley Hutchinson (L) Tel: 262015. Sat 7 Mar, 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 Feb, Salvation Army, Thompson St., 6pm–7pm, Sat 7 Mar, Asda Foyer, 10am-11.30am.

HEIGHINGTON AND CONISCLIFFE WARD Gerald Lee (C) Tel: 314622 Paul Crudass (C) Tel: 374537. Sat 7 Mar, High Coniscliffe Village Hall, 10am-11am.

HUMMERSKNOTT WARD Alan Coultas (C) Tel: 350453 Charles Johnson (C) Tel: 463712. Mon 23 Feb, Carmel RC College, 6pm-7pm.

HURWORTH WARD Joe Kelley (LD) Tel: 266760. Martin Swainston (LD) Tel: 07535637060. Thurs 5 Mar, Hurworth Grange Community Centre Library 6pm-7pm.

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MOWDEN WARD Bill Stenson (C) Tel: 468249. Pauline Culley (C) Tel: 07535470805 Mon 2 Mar, Mowden Junior School, 6.30pm-7.30pm.

NORTHGATE WARD Eleanor Lister, (L) Tel. 254091 Dorothy Long, (L) Tel. 355755. Wed 4 Mar, Reid Street Primary School, 6pm-7pm.

PARK EAST WARD Paul Harman (L) Tel: 483259 Cyndi Hughes (L) Tel: 480975. Fri 13 Feb, St. Columbas Church Hall 67pm. Fri 20 Feb, Coleridge Centre, 6pm-7pm.

PARK WEST WARD Bob Donoghue (C) Tel: 352582 Heather Scott (C) Tel: 468547. Fri 20 Feb, 76 Carmel Road South, 5pm6pm.

PIERREMONT WARD Bob Carson (L) Tel: 240627 Stephen Harker (L) Tel: 380039 Linda Hughes (L) Tel: 07904772387. Wed 4 Feb and Wed 4 Mar, Reid Street Primary School 6-7pm.

SADBERGE AND WHESSOE Brian Jones (C) Tel: 332820.

Wed 25 Feb, Brafferton Village Hall, 6pm-7pm.

Key: (L) Labour (C) Conservative (LD) Liberal Democrat

Upcoming Committee Dates

General Licensing Committee Tues 10 Feb

9.30am

Committee Room 3

Place Scrutiny Committee

Thur 12 Feb

9.30am

Committee Room 3

Efficiency and Resources Scrutiny Committee

Thur 19 Feb

9.30am

Committee Room 2

Planning Applications Committee

Wed 11 Feb

Special Cabinet

Tues 17 Feb

1.30pm 5pm

Committee Room 2 Committee Room 2

Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee

Mon 23 Feb

4pm

Committee Room 1

Wed 25 Feb

9.30am

Committee Room 2

Cabinet

Tues 3 Mar

5pm

Committee Room 2

Health and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee