Government hands Durham County Council a huge funding boost

At last month's meeting of the county council's Corporate Overview & Scrutiny Management Board (COSMB) I noted the downbeat nature of the cabinet's latest budget report in which the Reform UK leadership in county hall laid out its latest plans to set council tax and also decide on any levels of cuts and borrowing. 

From the tone of the cabinet's report it was almost as if the council was facing some kind of catastrophe as a result of the latest local government finance settlement. To make matters worse there was an alarming naivety from cabinet members who complained that the council still faced a deficit despite a record increase in funding.

It's an established fact that no local authority has ever had its deficit written off as part of an annual funding settlement. That isn't the way council funding works. Whether we like it or not governments have always issued its funding settlement to councils predicated on the assumption that the council raises its council tax by the maximum amount permissible to plug any gap in funding. This is largely what constitutes the council's Core Spending Power (CSP). It is then for each local authority to cut its cloth accordingly and balance the books as best they can within the limits of the funding raised. It might not seem fair but that's the way things have always worked in local government funding.

It should be noted here that during the last 14 years of punishing austerity the council was forced to deal with combined cuts to budgets and public services of around £300m. For the Reform leadership to now claim they should be considered an exception to the rules that have applied to every other administration is astounding in its naivety, and shows that Reform simply hasn't grasped even the most basic elements of running a council.

In stark contrast to the last generation of Tory-led austerity and savage cuts to local council funding what we have this year is a significant uplift in funding of over £50m over 3 years (rising to over £82m over 4 years based on the cabinet’s own assumptions). This is supplemented by an additional £4m from a carry-over of the Extended Producer Responsibility grant, an extra £1m from the Triennial Review of the Pension Fund and even more from an extension of the government's Recovery Grant. In addition, for the first time in years, the council has been handed a three year funding settlement that gives them the freedom and the flexibility to plan ahead over the term of the MTFP period (in contrast government funding settlements until this point have been allocated on a single year basis, making it virtually impossible to plan ahead).

Finally, the government announced just last night (Tuesday 10 February) that they are handing the council an additional £3.7m to help plug a gap in its CSP.

Compared to the previous 14 years of austerity the cabinet is today wading waist high through an embarrassment of riches, awash with options when it comes to setting the budget and deciding their council tax levels and spending plans alongside any cuts to services and borrowing levels for the next few years. 

Reform promised on their election leaflets last year to 'cut taxes', 'fix' cuts to services, 'cut energy bills' and 'fix' the council's debt. In that context alone the government has handed them a golden opportunity to deliver on their election pledges and give the residents of County Durham some much needed respite after suffering for many years under a deeply damaging austerity programme unleashed by the Tories - many of whom have since jumped ship and are now swelling the ranks of Reform! 

In recognising the significant increase in funding the council has been handed this year residents will expect the cabinet to make the right choices in delivering on last year's local election promises. The government's gift of a hugely significant uplift in funding gives the cabinet the luxury of having options and the perfect opportunity to stay true to their word to cut taxes, reduce the debt and cut energy bills. Anything less would be seen by the people of County Durham as a betrayal of trust.

**COSMB will meet again tomorrow Thursday 12 February to consider the cabinet's latest budget plans prior to all members making the final decision on council tax levels and the budget at next Wednesday's meeting of full council.

Infrastructure adoption at the Hardwicke Place housing development

Last week I raised a query with the council on behalf of a resident asking if or when the highways infrastructure associated with the ongoing housing development at Hardwicke Place in Blackhall Colliery will be adopted by the local highways authority.

Please see the response below from the Senior Highways Adoption Engineer regarding this request. I'll keep residents up to date with any further developments when I have more information from the council.

“The roundabout is currently on its 12-month maintenance period and is due to be adopted in May this year.

The roundabout was designed to national standards and was subject to a Stage 2 Road Safety Audit (RSA) at the design stage and a Stage 3 RSA post-completion; the latter being attend by officers from Durham Constabulary.

There were, admittedly, several problems identified by the second audit, but these were all addressed.

In respect of the residential streets, we have had no requests from the developer to inspect these for maintenance.

While I am unaware of any ongoing issue that may be preventing this, whole development is covered by Agreements pursuant to Section 38 of the Highways Act, 1980, which would enable the council to complete the development in any default event, however, no such conditions have been reached at this time and we, therefore, must allow the developer to complete the development to suit their own resources.”

Dog walking and training facility at Hesleden set for approval

Last year Durham County Council received a planning application from a developer proposing to open a dog walking and training facility on land adjacent to Mickle Hill Road, just outside the entrance to the village. 

Full details of the application can be found in this direct link to the council's planning portal: DM/25/01554/FPA | Change of use from agricultural land to two secure dog walking fields with associated access from Mickle Hill Road, parking area, two timber shelters, fencing and gates. | Land North West Of Ebony Stud 3 Weems Farm Mickle Hill Road Hesleden TS27 4PY

The applicant has been in touch with me a few times over the past few weeks seeking my support for the proposal. He has also told me that a petition circulated throughout the village has secured the support of a significant number of residents who see this as a positive development for the community. In addition I'm advised that there have been no objections raised with the council.

I have agreed to support the proposal on the terms set out in those conversations with the applicant and those included in the planning case officers report to the planning committee which is due to be held on Tuesday 10 February 2026.

I've offered to speak in support at the committee meeting but the applicant is of the opinion that they have sufficient support in place for next week, so I've withdrawn my request to address members. Instead I've submitted my written comments to the case officer with a request that they are raised with committee members for their consideration. My comments are published below.

The case officer has recommended to committee members that the application should be approved on the terms set out in the committee report so it's likely to be given consent to proceed. However, I'll update on progress next week after the final decision has been made by planning committee members.

For the attention of the chair, vice-chair and members of the Central & East planning committee

I submit these comments in support of planning application DM/25/01554/FPA which would see a change of use from agricultural land to enable a dog walking and training facility adjacent to Mickle Hill Road on the outskirts of Hesleden in my county division of Blackhalls & Hesledens.

As mentioned in the planning officer’s committee report the development would bring a new development to an open agricultural field. I’m pleased to note that any adverse impact of the development will be mitigated through landscaping plans that will provide screening through a new hedgerow and tree planting scheme.

I have been in contact with several residents in the village and the applicant himself who confirms that a petition has been raised demonstrating significant local community support for the proposed development. It is noted that dog fouling has been an issue in the village for some time (along with many other settlements throughout the county) and it is felt that an initiative of this nature would provide bespoke facilities for dog walkers and their pets, thereby helping to address local concerns about the impact of dog fouling.

Critically, I am pleased to note that there will be no permanent or long-term effects from the alternative use of potentially productive land. I also acknowledge that the development supports rural sustainability by protecting local employment in addition to supporting the ongoing viability of a local farm business nearby.

In conclusion I am happy to support this application on the terms set out in the case officer’s report.

Cllr Rob Crute

Blackhalls & Hesledens Division

Durham County Council

Community activities update for January 2026

Over the course of the past month I’ve raised over 68 queries with the authorities on behalf of residents and businesses across the Blackhalls & Hesledens ward. I've also been in direct contact with more than 85 individual residents. Almost all of these queries are personal and/or confidential so for obvious reasons details cannot be disclosed to the public.

In addition, I’ve dealt with a number of general queries raised with me by members of the public. These include issues raised at my twice-monthly ward surgeries, during street walkabouts, at PACT meetings and through other methods including direct contact with me via telephone, email and my social media platforms.

The main issues covered over the past few weeks include holding Royal Mail to account for postal delivery delays, new heating systems at Bluebell Close and Daffodil Close, dealing with off-road bikes and the council's consultation on allotment tenancy agreements, 

I’ve selected just a few of the articles about these issues for re-posting, just in case you missed them first time around.

Please follow the individual links below for full details, and as ever if you have any comments or queries regarding any local issues please get in touch with me direct and I'll see what I can do to help: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Durham County Council consultation on changes to tenancy agreements

Off-road bikes and quads in Hesleden

Continued delays to postal deliveries in Blackhall and Hesleden

Blackhall PACT meeting for January 2026

Believe Housing plans for a new heating system at Bluebell and Daffodil Close

Believe Housing plans for a new heating system at Bluebell and Daffodil Close

I was contacted by heating engineers at Believe Housing yesterday afternoon giving me advance notice that they have plans in the pipeline for an new heating system to be installed at Bluebell Close and Daffodil Close, the intention being to address residents' concerns about recent heating failures.

I've been told that residents in those streets are already aware of the plans, but if there are any questions or comments they would like me to pass on to Believe Housing please get in touch at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk and I'll make sure the housing company is made aware.

I've posted below full details known at this point, and I'll update on developments as and when I have more information from the company.

Hi Cllr Crute

Just a quick email to inform you of a proposed heating project we have planned for the streets below:

• Bluebell Close, Blackhall
• Daffodil Close, Blackhall

These properties are all currently heated form the district heating system fed from Primrose Court, however due to the age of the pipework, and frequent breakdowns the decision has been made to install an independent heating system into all properties. We held a consultation session with the local residents at the community centre before the Christmas break – thankfully there was no concerns raised by the residents.

I’ve almost completed all the site surveys and have managed to answer any questions. Unfortunately I don’t have any timescales or proposed start dates – I have ordered gas supplies from Northern Gas Network – and now we just have to wait.

Blackhall PACT meeting for January 2026

The latest Blackhall PACT (Police & Communities Together) took place at the parish council office on Middle Street in Blackhall Colliery last night. It followed the monthly meeting of the Monk Hesleden Parish Council environment committee which I attend to update on any environmental issues affecting our villages from a county perspective, and also to coordinate a collective response to similar issues raised by residents at the parish level.

Among the issues covered last night included the ongoing problem of quads and off-road bikes trespassing on public land and potentially putting lives at risk - and that's on top of the disruption in our communities and the damage caused to open grassed areas intended for general public use.

The police and neighbourhood wardens updated on recent operations in the area that are having an impact in deterring vehicles from transporting off-road bikes into our communities from other places (it has been reported for some time that the vast majority of off-road bikes in Hesleden, Blackhall and surrounding areas come in from other areas, rather than our own villages).

In addition I reported a police initiative raised with me and other local county councillors in neighbouring wards intended to acquire a drone for use specifically in our villages. Similar initiatives elsewhere across the country have proved highly successful in tracking the movement of off-road vehicles and crucially pin-pointing the exact places where bikes and quads are stored when not in use. This information enables the police to target those storage locations and take whatever measures are necessary to prevent riders from causing problems in our villages. I'll monitor progress on this police proposal and update on what is likely to be a game-changer in tackling the persistent problem of off-road bikes trespassing on otherwise safe places in the community.

Contact details for reporting off-road bikes to the police can be found in an article I posted on these pages a couple of weeks ago: Off-road bikes and quads in Hesleden

Other issues raised last night included the usual reports of potholes, littering and untidy back yards in some of the numbered streets in Blackhall Colliery. Although there are still one or two particular areas affected it was reported that complaints about similar issues in other streets and other parts of the villages were markedly reduced from recent months. This fits with my own experience and is largely down to residents contacting me as soon as issues like this arise. This means the neighbourhood wardens and the empty properties team at DCC are able to react immediately when problems are reported and then set the ball rolling on whichever actions are needed to put things right again. Although there are still one or two issues to tackle (most notably the paint-damaged property in First Street and rubbish in open back yards in Middle Street and Third Street), progress is becoming noticeable in many other locations.

If you have any issues you would like me to know about please get in touch at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk and I'll raise them with the relevant authorities as soon as possible. Finally my thanks go to all those residents who have taken the time to contact me in the past to let me know about their concerns. It's by working together in this way that we'll make our villages better and more attractive places to live and work.

Continued delays to postal deliveries in Blackhall and Hesleden

Last week I published a post about Royal Mail delivery delays in parts of East Durham, and specifically in the Blackhall and Hesleden area. Background details can be found in this link: Update on Royal Mail delivery delays

Since that post was published I've continued to receive complaints from several residents expressing their concerns that they still haven't had any postal deliveries. In some cases the delays have gone on since before Christmas.

Over the weekend I contacted Royal Mail again to raise my concerns about these continued delays, many of which are having a serious impact on residents who have told me they've missed vital GP and hospital appointments, alongside other essential correspondence relating to utility bills and banking services.

The inconvenience of missing a letter now and then is bad enough, but these persistent and prolonged delays are having potentially serious consequences for local people and businesses.

I've also been in touch with the local press this morning to tell them about how residents in our area are having to put up with what has now developed into a complete service failure. 

Hopefully local press coverage will raise the profile of this issue and put increased pressure on the Royal Mail Group to firstly explain fully the reasons behind these unacceptable delays and then tell us what they're doing to tackle the backlog. Residents will also want to be assured that normal delivery services will resume as soon as possible across the whole of our area.

I'll continue to update on progress with this matter as soon as I have more information from the press and the Royal Mail Group.

Update on Royal Mail delivery delays

Over the past few weeks I've been inundated with calls and queries from residents asking if there was any information about delays to Royal Mail deliveries, mainly in Blackhall Rocks and Blackhall Colliery but in a few other locations too.

In response to my initial enquiry I was told that delays had been caused by unavoidable staff sickness, and I was advised that deliveries should soon resume as normal. However, since then the delays have continued, alongside the amount of contact I've had with residents who are understandably concerned about missed hospital appointments and other vital correspondence.

I've also raised this issue with Grahame Morris's office staff who confirm they've been told the same, but I'm advised that because of the unusual length of delays the issue has been forwarded to OFCOM for their attention.

**As a postscript I've seen one or two Royal Mail vans out and about today, so hopefully normal service will resume soon.

Update on pothole repairs at Glenholme Terrace

Over the past few years I've submitted several requests for pothole repairs to be carried out in the back lane behind Glenholme Terrace, and on each occasion I've been told that the council isn't able to carry out any works because they don't own or maintain that particular stretch of road.

However, following a number of requests for clarification last year, I was told that the road did actually belong to DCC as part of its ownership of the Glenholme allotments on the other side of the lane. Consequently I issued another request last year for repairs and was told in September that because of the severity of the defects works would be carried out within 14 days. Full background details can be found in this link: Highway repair works to begin at Glenholme Terrace within the next 14 days

Unfortunately 4 months later it's become obvious from the images in this post that repairs were never carried out at this location so I've contacted the council again to request pothole repairs as a matter of urgency.

I'll update on progress with this query as soon as I have more information from the service, but in the meantime please take extra care when in the area.

Off-road bikes and quads in Hesleden

I've been in touch with Durham police again today to report another incident of off-road bikes trespassing on open public land in Hesleden. This follows several reports over the past few weeks and months as concerns grow about an increased risk of accidents.

I've also reported this latest incident to Durham County Council for the attention of the neighbourhood wardens and I intend to raise the overall problem of off-road bikes and quads in our ward as a priority for the police at their next PACT (Police & Communities Together) meeting later this month.

When I've reported similar incidents in the past, whether in Hesleden, Blackhall or Crimdon, the police tell me that the problem remains under-reported - which means that it won't be flagged as an issue on the police reporting system. Obviously if the police are unaware of problems at a specific time and a particular location they won't be able to deal with them.

So if you know of any recurring problems with quads and off-road bikes in your neighbourhood please report them immediately to the police on their non-emergency line 101 or online at: Contact us | Durham Constabulary. 

If together we can raise the profile of these repeated incidents the police are much more likely to respond more quickly and effectively to residents' concerns.