January 2014 - Darlington Together

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Welcome to this month’s magazine for Darlington Borough Hello and welcome to the January edition of Darlington Together.

I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year.

If you’re looking to make (and hopefully not break) resolutions in 2014, there is lots of information on pages 20-22 which may be of interest to you. Even the little things you are able to do can make a difference.

2014 is going to be a year of changes and new beginnings for Darlington, January some of them widely anticipated; Finally, if you haven’t already, please take others not so much. We’ll be featuring the time to have your say on our information about these changes in Darlington budget proposals; you have until the 10 January Together throughout the year, as well as on to do so. After that date we will take your our website (www.darlington.gov.uk) and in feedback and set our final budget. We’ve had the press. over 700 responses so far, but we need every single resident to let us know A very exciting change which features in this their thoughts. month’s magazine is the start of work on the Department for Education building in the town Cllr Bill Dixon MBE centre. As you may remember, there was a (@BillDixonDton) campaign last year to ensure that over 350 jobs Leader of the Council stayed in Darlington, a campaign that ended successfully, with building work starting last month.You can find out more about the journey so far on page 29.

As well as changes going on in the Borough, you may also be making changes closer to home this month. Did you know that only 46% of New Year resolutions made at the start of last year were kept past June?

MP’s surgeries Jenny Chapman: MP for Darlington.

Walk-in surgery will be held Friday 10 and Friday 24 January 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 Record nominations for Best of Darlington: The Best of Darlington Awards have received over 100 nominations, the most yet! Many thanks to everyone who took the time to recognise individuals, organisations and businesses who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in Darlington this year.

We will shortly be inviting the nominees to the Awards Ceremony, which takes place in March.

Surviving Winter campaign: If you can go without your Winter Fuel payment this year, County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF) call on you to donate it to the Surviving Winter campaign in order to help the 3.5 million households in England who have to make the choice between heating and eating.

Visit www.cdcf.org.uk/ways-to-give/surviving-winter to find out how you can help.

Cracking down on burglary and metal theft: A new crime reduction initiative using SelectaDNA forensic marking has been launched in Darlington.

Council buildings such as schools, nurseries and children's centres have been given kits to mark valuable equipment such as computers, printers and televisions. 20,000 gully covers as well as market stall equipment have also been marked.

These precautions will help reduce burglary and metal theft across Darlington, saving money.

Find out more on the website: www.darlington.gov.uk/selectadna Christmas tree recycling: Bring your real Christmas tree to one of our recycling points, where we will recycle it into wood chippings.Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/christmastree or scan the QR code to find your nearest point. We will be accepting trees from Monday 6 until Friday 17 January.

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

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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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Make a PACT with your neighbourhood police team Police and communities working together in Darlington

PACT stands for ‘Police and Communities Together’ and is a way that you can get involved with your neighbourhood policing team and let them know about the important issues in your area.

Meetings are held on a monthly basis across Darlington in your local ward area. PACT also hold regular events in parks and local schools, as well as sessions on Facebook.

Why not come along to your next PACT meeting?

Call 101 or visit www.durham.police.uk to find out more.

At the Lascelles PACT meeting the issue of youths playing football and causing a nuisance around people's gardens was raised. Police worked with residents, Street Scene and the Anti-Social Behaviour team to solve the problems and the anti-social behaviour has now stopped.

After a report of drug dealing in Corporation Road was raised at the Northgate PACT meeting, a drugs warrant was executed, a man was arrested and a quantity of drugs seized.

A Middleton St George PACT meeting raised the issue of speeding motorists in Middleton Lane. As a result, four speed watch operations were carried out and more than 100 motorists received warning letters about their speed.

Meetings taking place in January and February (all at 6pm unless specified) 6 Jan & 3 Feb 8 Jan & 5 Feb 8 Jan & 5 Feb 8 Jan & 12 Feb 8 Jan & 12 Feb 8 Jan & 12 Feb 8 Jan & 12 Feb 8 Jan & 12 Feb 9 Jan & 6 Feb 9 Jan & 13 Feb 9 Jan & 13 Feb 15 Jan & 12 Feb 20 Jan & 26 Feb 22 Jan & 26 Feb 22 Jan & 26 Feb 27 Jan & 24 Feb 28 Jan & 25 Feb 29 Jan & 26 Feb 29 Jan & 26 Feb 29 Jan 30 Jan & 27 Feb 5 Feb TBC

Mowden .....................................................

Town Centre ........................................

Faverdale ..................................................

Eastbourne ..............................................

Cockerton West ................................

Northgate ................................................

Bank Top ..................................................

Lascelles ....................................................

Colleges .....................................................

Park East ...................................................

Pierremont .............................................

Harrowgate Hill .................................

Central ........................................................

Cockerton East ...................................

Lingfield .....................................................

Hummersknott ...................................

North Road .............................................

Haughton East/North/West Middleton St George ....................

Heighington / Coniscliffe ...........

Hurworth .................................................

Park West ................................................

Sadberge and Whessoe ..............

6:30pm at Mowden Junior School St Augustine’s Community Centre, Larchfield Street West Park Academy, Tillage Green 10am at Pilmoor Green Community Centre Windsor Court, Newton Lane Baptist Church, Corporation Road Wesley Court Community Centre Rosemary Court 7pm at Queen Elizabeth College Skerne Park Community Centre Vancouver Street Methodist Church 6:30pm at Harrowgate Hill WC, Salters Lane YMCA, Middleton Street Bowen Road Community Centre Heathfield Primary School Carmel College Darlington Housing Association, 72A St Paul’s Place Education Village 6:30pm at Dinsdale Court 7:30pm at Walworth Castle 6:30pm at hall to rear of Methodist Church, West End Call 101 for time and location.

Please call 101 for details.

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New Year...

Christmas is over and it’s that time of year when you take stock of your life and have a think about anything you’d like to change.

These pages take a look at a few areas where you can make a difference - not only for yourself, but for other people in your community.

Consider volunteering!

Volunteering provides people with an opportunity to contribute to good causes.You can make new friends and have a lot of fun, while gaining work experience and learning new skills.

Could you be a School Governor?

If you have an interest in education and can bring fresh ideas, energy and experience, Darlington schools want you! Read all about how to get involved on page 31.

Do you have a spare room for a young person?

Could you help support a vulnerable young person who has left care and wants to achieve an independent life? The Supported Lodgings scheme may be for you. Find out more on page 25.

Improve lives in Darlington this new year, become a Good Friend By becoming a Good Friend you can choose to commit as little or as much time to volunteering as you like.

The project works by partnering you with an older or vulnerable person in your area who may need help, from simple tasks such as walking the dog of someone with poor mobility, to befriending someone who is lonely or isolated. We can match based on interests and location, so that travelling is convenient.

Having already reached a quarter of our target since launching in October, the project aims to recruit 1000

people in its first year, and we hope that by becoming a Good Friend your experience will be a rewarding one for both you and the person you help.

To become a Good Friend, please call 01325 362832 to register, or apply online at www.goodfriends.org.uk

If you want to know more about volunteering, eVolution can help.

Visit www.evolutiondarlington.com to find out about all the opportunities available in Darlington.

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New You!

Get yourself healthy and fit!

Think about how much you drink with Dry January

Take time out, get thinking about your drinking and prove that you can say no to a tipple or two. We’ll also be holding a Dryday night where you can come along and have a fun night out without any alcohol!

Can you stay off the booze for 31 days? It’s your chance to lose weight, feel better and save money!

For more information visit www.dryjanuary.org.uk

You can even get sponsored and help make a difference to the lives of those affected by alcohol harm.

Quit the cigs this January!

Start a new sport!

Do you want to stub out the cigarettes for good this January but don’t know where to start? You’re not alone.

Starting a new sport is a great way to burn off those Christmas calories and meet new people.

Check out all the activities and classes available by visiting www.darlington.gov.uk/sdad

Did you know that you’re four times more likely to successfully quit smoking if you use your local NHS Stop Smoking Service and stop-smoking medicines, than if you try to quit using willpower alone?

For more information about stopping smoking visit www.smokefree.nhs.uk where you can find information about your local Stop Smoking Service.

If the gym is more your thing, why not start the new year with a membership for the Dolphin Centre? Find out more at www.darlington.gov.uk/memberships

Get on course in 2014...

Keep your mind as well as your body active and consider learning something new. From cake decorating to finding out about your family history, the Learning and Skills Service has something for everyone.You can even learn to knit if you have been inspired by the Stitch-bombing in Darlington town centre!

Find out more at www.darlington.gov.uk/learningandskills, or call 01325 248021

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Save (and make) money!

Reduce your food bills Shopping little and often at local markets is an ideal way of reducing food waste.

Freezing food before it goes off can also mean less trips to the bin!

Save money on your energy bills and get a greener home in 2014 with Warm Up North Under the Warm Up North scheme, which is being delivered

by British Gas, you can request a survey of your home, to find out how you can benefit from a wide range of energy efficient measures such as double glazing, wall insulation and replacement boilers.

Warm Up North may fund all or part of the works, and you may be able to pay the cost back gradually through the savings to your energy bills.

This scheme is backed by national government and is approved and endorsed by the Council. Find out more by calling 0800 294 8073 or visiting www.warmupnorth.com

Save your money with Darlington Credit Union

For more ideas for leftovers and food safety tips visit: www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and www.food.gov.uk

If you don't use a Credit Union to save money, the new year is a good time to start! Darlington Credit Union is a non-profit organisation with access to low-cost loans.You can set up an account with a deposit of £5 and an entrance fee of £1.

Find out more by visiting www.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk

Don’t miss out on money that you may be entitled to check out our benefits calendar on page 23.

New year, new you... new start up!

If you are stuck in a job you don’t enjoy or if you have been out of work for some time – the new year is a good time to make a change.

Starting your own business can be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do and our Business Engagement team is there to help you every step of the way. The team offers support and advice to anyone wishing to start their own business. This can include assistance with researching the target market, looking at funding and training options and helping

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you decide if this path is the right one for you.

Last year the team received more than 1,000 enquiries from would-be entrepreneurs wanting to start their own business. From these initial enquiries, around three hundred have progressed to stepping into the world of self employment.

Find out whether starting your own business is the right step for you by calling 01325 388821 or emailing business.support@darlington.gov.uk

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Don't forget to check your benefits for 2014 Don’t forget to check the dates below to make sure that you don’t miss any deadlines for claiming or renewing your benefits.

Deadline 31 January

If you are self-employed and have estimated your income for tax credits, please provide your actual income details by the date given to you.

31 March

Deadline for claiming Winter Fuel Payments - check your eligibility on www.gov.uk/winter-fuel-payment

31 July

Renewal deadline for Tax Credits

31 August

Check eligibility for Child Benefit if your child is 16 and staying on in education. Check www.gov.uk/child-benefit or call 0300 200 3100

As you may be aware, The Government has introduced changes to the welfare system. Check the table below to see if you will be affected.

Benefit changes Continued alignment of State Pension age

Use the State Pension calculator on GOV.UK: www.gov.uk/calculate-state-pension

Child Benefit and Child Tax Credit for children over 16

Check eligibility if your child is staying on in education www.gov.uk/child-benefit and www.gov.uk/child-tax-credit

Disability Living Allowance & Personal Independence Payment

For information about renewals for a child aged 16, new claims for adults and reporting a change of circumstances, visit www.gov.uk/dla-disability-living-allowance-benefit or call 08457 123456

New mandatory reconsideration & appeals process for all DWP benefits and child maintenance cases

Contact your local advice service or visit www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit

Tax Credits

Report a change of circumstances within one month of it happening to avoid any overpayment

If you need any further information about welfare reform or benefits, these organisations can help: • Darlington CAB - 01325 256999 and www.darlingtoncab.co.uk • Age UK Darlington - 01325 357345 and www.ageuk.org.uk/darlington • Turn2us (www.turn2us.org.uk) is a charity which helps people in financial need gain access to benefits, grants and other financial help.

• You can also visit www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser which will tell you which benefits you could get, how to claim and what will happen if your circumstances change.

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Spotlight on the community: The Haughton Hub A group of people from Haughton-le-Skerne village have launched a website (www.haughtonhub.co.uk) to help the local community get more connected with one another.

With contributions from a wide range of organisations, one of the aims of the website is to help bring local people together by sharing information and news stories, coordinating and promoting local events, and letting people know about all of the clubs, groups, societies, and churches that are active in the local area. The organisers hope that this will help to build a stronger, happier and healthier community with low levels of crime, and where people look out for one another.

Volunteers needed!

If you live or work in Haughton-leSkerne and would like to contribute to the website, the Haughton Hub team would love to hear from you.

Visit www.haughtonhub.co.uk/contact-us and fill in your details and a member of the team will be in touch.

Local businesses are keen to get involved and see the website as an effective way to reach local people and promote their goods and services. The Haughton Hub team also hope that it will encourage potential entrepreneurs to open establishments in the area.

The website includes lots of information on the history of the village and future plans include a section to swap and sell goods and skills as well as a blog and forum.

While this is most definitely a community project, the Council has provided some support and have created a free website template and toolkit which other community organisations can use.

www.haughtonhub.co.uk

Why not start your own online community?

There are many free website building tools and social networking websites that could help you get an online community up and running in no time. If you have a bit of technical knowledge, Darlington Borough Council have developed a website template and toolkit that is available for any local community that would like to use it.

If you would like to get a local community group up and running, the Haughton Hub team may be able to help you get started. For more information contact communications@darlington.gov.uk with your details.

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Could you help a young person get on in life?

Angela Birleson and Alistair Campbell, who recently became supported lodgings providers say: “We’ve received training and can lean on support from the family placement team when we need to. We have set some house rules and have agreements in place to make sure we have a happy household!

Do you have a spare chair at your table and a spare room in your home? Would you like the opportunity to make a difference to a young person’s life without interrupting your career and earn money at the same time?

The arrangement hasn’t interrupted our working life, in fact our lives are more enriched – it’s a pleasure to help a young person be the best that they can be. We both work full time and earn extra money per month for providing the supported lodgings.”

Darlington Borough Council’s Family Placement Service operate a Supported Lodgings scheme for young people (aged 16-21) who are leaving social care.

The scheme gives young people the chance to develop the skills and experiences needed for living independently whilst living in the home of an approved supported lodgings provider, while they are in education, training or employment.

Providers need to provide a safe and welcoming home environment, a bedroom for the exclusive use of the young person, and offer on-going support to help the young person get ready for when they are ready to move on and live on their own.

People from all different walks of life can get involved - no matter what their cultural background or marital status.

Do you want to find out more?

Henry Atkinson*, a young person staying in supported lodgings says: "I was in care for about a year and was worried about where I would move to as I knew I didn't want to live alone. I decided to give supported lodgings a try. I am now going to college, I still spend time with my family and I get on well with the supported lodgings providers. I have my own room and independence and live in an amazing house. I feel supported to do the things I want to do." *Name has been changed to protect the person’s identity.

Please call 01325 406166 / 388077 or email supportedlodgings@darlington.gov.uk You can also visit www.darlington.gov.uk/supportedlodgings or scan the QR code.

The Supported Lodgings team will be in the Dolphin Centre reception on Monday 17, Tuesday 18 and Wednesday 19 February from 10am-3pm. We’d love to see you there!

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Your Darlington…

Breaking down the budget In November we announced the changes we are proposing to our budget. We also set out a plan to bring about changes to make further savings required beyond 2015. These plans include...

Building Stronger Communities - reducing dependency on services If children are cared for in their own families we don’t have to pay to look after them in other settings.

If litter is not dropped, we don’t have to pay to pick it up.

If people help their neighbours to put out their bin, we don’t have to pay staff to do it.

We simply don’t have the money to pay for everything we currently provide. We believe that if you help us to do what you can, we will be able to continue to provide vital services.

Every pound well spent getting more value for public money We know that it’s cheaper to grit a road and prevent an accident than it is for the health service to treat a patient who has broken a hip from slipping over.

We want to work with other services so we can all provide services to you in the most effective way.

We aim to create a joint fund with our colleagues in public health to help prevent future demand on health and social care services.

Growing the Darlington economy making it so we have more to go round We have pledged to create an additional £1.5m in our budget through growth. Not only will this help our budget but it will also make the town a more vibrant place, with more new homes for residents to live in, as well as more jobs.

Darlington has a thriving economy and a growing population, people recognise that it's a great place to live and work. However we have to put in place the businesses and homes that a growing population demands.

We are focusing on growing the economy by attracting businesses and supporting developers. Stimulating growth takes time and resources and we will be appointing a Director of Economic Growth to lead on this.

Thank you to everyone who has given their thoughts on the consultation so far - we will be using your feedback to help us decide the final budget.

The refuse and recycling consultation finished in December, but the general budget consultation runs until Friday 10 January. Please take five minutes to let us know your thoughts - if you don’t have your say, then your views may not be considered.

Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/budget or scan the QR code to find out more about our proposals and to give us your feedback.

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Economic Strategy for Darlington - one year on In the tough and competitive world of business, Darlington must work hard to make sure it is a place where people want to do business and where new business can develop and thrive.

With this in mind, some of the best business brains in the Borough have worked together over the past year to develop Darlington’s Economic Strategy.

After extensive consultation and research, four themes were identified: Place - making sure Darlington is developed and promoted as a key place to do business in.

People - making sure Darlington has a skilled workforce.

Infrastructure - making sure the right facilities are available to make Darlington an attractive and suitable business location.

Business conditions - supporting business and creating opportunities to help them thrive.

Progress has already been made across all four themes.

Highlights include the continued development of key sites in the Borough such as the new multimillion pound cinema and leisure scheme; retaining around 400 public sector jobs; increased house building and the further development of Central Park including the new National Biologics manufacturing centre and Business Growth Hub. The Foundation for Jobs initiative has seen 123 apprentice places and 125 internships created, giving young people the chance to develop valuable workplace skills. In addition, more than £2m has been secured to further develop employment opportunities across the Tees Valley.

Work was done to influence BT’s decision to bring high speed broadband to the Borough and to support businesses such as start-up advice. An online vacant premises register has been developed making it easier for potential business to find suitable sites.

New marketing tools such as a DVD and fact sheets, will help strengthen the push to encourage new businesses to come to Darlington. Business Ambassadors are now being recruited to add to this drive.

Plans going forward include: raising the profile of Darlington on a regional, national and global level to help encourage business growth and working across the region to help growth in key areas such as Biologics, subsea engineering, manufacturing, logistics and the public sector.

Councillor Chris McEwan, Darlington Borough Council’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration said: “In one year development in Darlington has moved on at break neck speed. New developments in the Borough add up to millions of pounds of investment and jobs for the area.

“Developing the Economic Strategy has not just been a talking shop and tick- box exercise. Real improvements have been made in all key areas and we are committed to build on this work in the years to come.

“These are exciting and challenging times. By working together, local businesses have shown that Darlington is a place where people want to do business and where new businesses can develop and flourish.”

For more details of the strategy, or if you would like to get involved, email sue.white@darlington.gov.uk.

Check out our video by scanning the QR code or visiting www.youtube.com/user/DarlingtonBC Darlington Borough Council | 27

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Working together to provide funding for children and young people With money being tight and funding difficult to get hold of, it's important that we all work together to make the best of the resources we have.

With the help of Darlington Borough Council and County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF), an extra £200,000 has been made available to children and young people, at no additional cost to you.

Before the proposal, there were lots of charitable funds in existence, but their money was not being used as well as it could be and the interest rates from endowments could have been better. If the funding was transferred to CDCF then not only would this be improved, but CDCF would also be able to get £200,000 extra match funding from Community First Endowment Match Challenge.

Cabinet agreed to support this proposal last Summer and the Charity Commission have signed off the process. £1.1 million of assets have now been transferred to CDCF, attracting an extra £200,000 of funding.

Who are CDCF?

The money is specifically for young people in Darlington schools and colleges. CDCF will manage the funds and distribution, and all the schools and colleges in Darlington will come together to form an advisory group that will decide how the money will be allocated.

The money will be used to provide prize awards to students to recognise their achievements and to help young people in financial hardship take part in activities. Local groups engaging with the schools and colleges will also be able to benefit.

County Durham Community Foundation (CDCF) is an independent grant-making charity. If members of the public wish to donate to a local worthy cause, they manage their money and ensure it goes to those the donor cares about most.

Since 1995, £25 million has been awarded in the form of grants to over 11,000 local projects and individuals across Darlington and Durham on behalf of donors by County Durham Community Foundation.

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Find out more by visiting www.cdcf.org.uk

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New town centre building means more jobs will stay in Darlington What lay beneath the Town Hall?

The site has been excavated in preparation for the building works to begin and a lot of surprises were found!

© Napper Architects Limited, Newcastle

Work has started on the new office accommodation for the Department for Education (DfE).

Earlier this year, it was announced that the DfE intended to move staff from their offices at Mowden Hall. A successful campaign run by the Council, The Northern Echo, Tees Valley Unlimited and Darlington MP Jenny Chapman convinced the DfE to stay in the town, with a new building at Feethams.

In April, DfE agreed to our proposals and planning permission was granted in September. Willmott Dixon were chosen to design and construct the building.

It is estimated that the build will take 59 weeks to complete. The rent from DfE will cover the development costs for the duration of the lease.

The building will mean that 375 jobs will be brought to Darlington Town Centre, resulting in great economic benefits for the town. The development will also provide new facilities which will be shared between the Council and DfE, meaning a more efficient use of the existing Town Hall.

The archaeological services team at Durham University found the foundations of an early 19th century poor house, as well as fragments of cooking pots, four leather shoes and animal bones, including a whole horses head.

The site was opened to the public in November - with over 250 people coming to take a look at what was found.

The findings have all been taken back to Durham University for investigation but will eventually be displayed locally, and potentially used in the development of the riverside. More details will be available in March 2014.

Leader of Darlington Borough Council, Bill Dixon, said: “This is an important milestone. The archaeological work caused a lot of excitement in the town as everyone wondered what was beneath the car park. It is now time for a big step into the present day as work starts in earnest on what will be an innovative and most welcome development in the town centre.”

More information, including photos, site plans and more information about the archaeological dig can be found at www.darlington.gov.uk/dfe, or by scanning the QR code.

A Twitter feed and website with information about how the development is progressing will go live in the New Year.

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Thinking of flytipping?

Not in our town!

Darlington Borough Council's enforcement team have successfully convicted a waste removal service of fly tipping and failing to keep legally-required documentation, following three flytips in Patches Lane and Union Place.

Waste Removal Service's owner Stephen Paterson was convicted in October. He was fined.

“Flytipping is unsightly, unsanitary and costs your Council money to remove. If you see flytipping in your area, please report it to us as soon as possible.

Our enforcement team recommend that anyone needing waste removal check the credentials of their chosen contractor and ensure that they get a copy of a waste transfer note (these are records that provide an audit trail of waste from production through to disposal) when their waste is taken away.

If you are involved in flytipping - we will take any means necessary to bring you to justice, including confiscating and crushing your vehicle, and disqualifying you from driving.”

Flytipping can attract a maximum fine of £50,000 and/or imprisonment up to five years.

The enforcement team will also actively seek to take any vehicles involved in fly tipping and get the offender disqualified from driving during all future prosecutions.

Vehicles taken by our enforcement team may be crushed.

Councillor Nick Wallis, cabinet Member for Leisure and Local Environment.

Did you know?

86 large and 149 small flytips were reported to us using our online reporting system in 2013?

Help us by reporting flytipping online: www.darlington.gov.uk/reportit You can use our online system to see what else has been reported in your area, and we will give you a reference number you can use to track your case online.

You can also email streetscene@darlington.gov.uk

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Could you be a School Governor?

If you have an interest in education and have fresh ideas, energy and experience then Darlington Schools can offer you a fantastic opportunity.

Every school has a Governing Body that helps to run the school. The role of the Governing Body includes planning the school’s future direction, agreeing its improvement strategy, appointing the head teacher, making decisions on the budget and staffing and much more.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Lead Member for Children and Young People and a long-standing Governor said: “Being a school governor is a fulfilling role that can be filled by anyone with an interest in education and the future of Darlington’s children. You do not need to be a parent or to have any specific qualifications – enthusiasm, time and commitment to support a school are the key requirements.”

As a governor, you will learn new skills and get to work as part of a team, making sure the school provides the best education to its pupils.

Many employers encourage staff to become governors as the skills gained are transferable to a work place. Training courses are available to support you in carrying out your role.

Amanda Baillie, a governor at Heathfield Primary School, said “This experience has been very fulfilling and I feel like I am making a positive difference to the lives of children in my community.”

If you’re wondering if you could fit the bill just ask yourself these questions: • • • • •

Do you want children to get the best from school?

Do you want to put something back into the local community?

Are you interested in people?

Are you prepared to work as part of a team?

Do you have time to get to know your school, go to meetings and read documents and reports?

• Are you comfortable asking questions?

• Are you open to new ideas and ready to learn?

?

If you answered yes to these questions and are over 18 years of age then you could be the person we’re looking for.

Find out more information at www.darlington.gov.uk/governors, or scan the QR code.

You can also e-mail governors@darlington.gov.uk

Darlington Borough Council | 31

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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 17 Jan, 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 22 Jan, Gurney Pease School 6pm-7pm. Wed 5 Feb, Park Place Community Hall 6pm-7pm.

COCKERTON EAST WARD Paul Baldwin (L) Tel: 362690 Sue Richmond (L) Tel: 351538. Bryan Thistlethwaite (L) Tel: 485466. Thurs 9 Jan, Cockerton Library 6pm-7pm.

COCKERTON WEST WARD Jan Cossins (L) Tel: 241124 David Regan (L) Tel: 495258. Wed 8 Jan, Windsor Court 10am11am. Thurs 9 Jan, Cockerton Library 6pm – 7pm.

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

EASTBOURNE WARD Bill Dixon (L) Tel: 486588 Roderick Francis (L) Tel: 488173. Lee Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. Wed 15 Jan, Pilmoor Green Community Centre 5pm-6pm. Wed 29 Jan, Maidendale House 3pm-4pm.

FAVERDALE Richard Grundy (C) Tel: 266314. Wed 8 Jan and Wed 5 Feb, West Park Academy 6pm-7pm.

HARROWGATE HILL WARD Gill Cartwright (C) Tel: 382276. Wed 5 Feb, Harrowgate CIU Ltd. Salters Lane North 7.30pm – 8.30pm. Marjory Knowles (L) Tel: 265847 John Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. Thurs 6 Feb, Classroom in the New Sports Hall Longfield Academy 7pm-8pm.

HAUGHTON EAST WARD Chris McEwan (L) Tel: 283262 Martin Landers (L) Tel: 07709804580. Sat 1 Feb, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am. Wed 5 Feb, Red Hall Community Centre 6pm7pm.

HAUGHTON NORTH WARD Tom Nutt (L) Tel: 360953 thomas.nutt@darlington.gov.uk Beverley Hutchinson (L) Tel: 262015. Sat 1 Feb, 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 Sat 1 Feb, Asda Foyer 10am11.30am. Wed 12 Feb Salvation Army, Thompson St. 6pm–7pm.

HEIGHINGTON AND CONISCLIFFE WARD Gerald Lee (C) Tel: 314622 Paul Crudass (C) Tel: 374537. Sat 1 Feb, High Coniscliffe Village Hall, for Low Coniscliffe and Merrybent residents, 10am-11am.

HUMMERSKNOTT WARD Alan Coultas (C) Tel: 350453 Charles Johnson (C) Tel: 463712. Mon 27 Jan, Carmel College 6pm-7pm.

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

LASCELLES WARD Wendy Newall (L) Tel: 251574. Helen Crumbie (L) Tel: 462642. Sat 11 Jan, Cleveland Bridge Social Club 12 noon – 1pm. Tues 21 Jan, St John’s CofE Academy 6pm-7pm.

32 | www.darlington.gov.uk

LINGFIELD WARD Ian Haszeldine (L) Tel: 741508 Lynne Haszeldine (L) Tel: 07950521511. Wed 22 Jan, Heathfield Primary School 6pm-6.30pm. Wed 12 Feb, Eastbourne Sports Complex 6pm-6.30pm.

MIDDLETON ST. GEORGE WARD Doris Jones (C) Tel: 332820 Steve York (C) Tel: 332025. Tues 28 Jan, Dinsdale Court 6.15pm-7.15pm.

MOWDEN WARD Ron Lewis (C) Tel: 350259 ronald.lewis@darlington.gov.uk Bill Stenson (C) Tel: 468249.

Mon 3 Feb, 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 29 Jan, Northlands Methodist Church Entrance Hall 9.15am-10.15am.

NORTHGATE WARD Eleanor Lister, (L) Tel. 254091 Dorothy Long, (L) Tel. 355755 Wed 5 Feb, 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 10 Jan, St. Columbas Church Hall 6-7pm. Fri 17 Jan, The Coleridge Centre 6-7pm.

PARK WEST WARD Bob Donoghue (C) Tel: 352582 Heather Scott (C) Tel: 468547. Fri 17 Jan, 76 Carmel Road South 5pm6pm.

PIERREMONT WARD Bob Carson (L) Tel: 240627 Stephen Harker (L) Tel: 380039 Linda Hughes (L) Tel: 07904772387. Wed 8 Jan and Wed 5 Feb, Reid Street Primary School 6-7pm.

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

Tues 28 Jan, Sadberge Village Hall 6pm-7pm.

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

Upcoming Committee Dates Special Health and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee

Wed 8 January

9.30am

Committee Room 2

Tues 14 January

9.30am

Committee Room 3

Tues 14 January

11.30am

Committee Room 1

1.30pm

Committee Room 2

9.30am

Committee Room 2

Tue 21 January

5.00pm

Committee Room 2

Tue 28 January

9.30am

Committee Room 2

Tues 28 January

3.30pm

Committee Room 1

Thur 30 January

6.00pm

Council Chamber

Special Audit Committee

Fri 31 January

4.15pm

Committee Room 2

Tue 4 February

5.00pm

Committee Room 2

Place Scrutiny Committee

Thur 6 February

9.30pm

Committee Room 2

General Licensing Committee Special Adults and Housing Scrutiny Committee

Planning Applications Committee Wed 15 January

Special Place Scrutiny Committee Thur 16 January

Special Cabinet

Special Health and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee Health and Wellbeing Board

Council

Cabinet