Welfare benefits advice

Durham County Council has issued the following advice regarding changes to welfare benefits due to take effect next year:

As you may be aware the Government is introducing wide ranging changes to welfare benefits.  A project team has been established to look at these changes and undertake the work required to ensure we are able to support the changes being made where we can and our residents are made aware of the changes and the impact of these.

One of the changes being made by Government is the introduction in April 2013 of ‘under occupancy’ criteria which will see housing benefit reduced for those tenants who are classed as under occupying their property.  As an example tenants will in future be classed as under occupying their home if they have more bedrooms than they need e.g. a single occupant in a two bedroomed house.  This is one of the areas of work the project team has been looking at and we will be contacting approximately 8,300 social housing tenants across County Durham who we believe will be affected by this charge.

The letters are to be sent in batches from Monday 3^rd December and will advise the tenant of the introduction of the under occupancy criteria and will ask them to confirm that the detail held on the Housing Benefit system about them is correct.  We have been working with our housing providers on this communication exercise and the letters will provide contact details for their landlord should tenants have any specific questions regarding their personal circumstances.  A Q&A leaflet with further information about this charge will also be included with the letter.

Customer Services have also been involved with the planning of the distribution of the letters and have been briefed on the contents of the letter. They are prepared should there be an increase in calls or visits as a result of these letters, but it is anticipated that tenants will contact their landlords first.

Alan Cox - a clearer picture emerges

On Wednesday 28 November 2012 the Peterlee Star published an article about Alan Cox and letters he claims to have received anonymously.

Whether Alan Cox is trying to create a smokescreen to conceal his failings as a councillor or whether he is simply using the media to try and justify his defection from the Labour Party remains to be seen. Either way, I'm quite sure that residents in the Blackhall ward would much rather hear from Alan Cox about how he proposes to steer our communities through the current economic crisis rather than see him bemoan his fate in public. 

However, in the interests of balance, I have published below, in full, the Blackhall Labour Party's response to Alan Cox's claims:

As Alan Cox is no longer one of its members Blackhall Labour Party (BLP) has no interest in allegations made about his personal conduct or background. Members of the public will draw their own conclusions about his alleged behaviour and about the source of the letters he claims were sent to him and this will be an issue for Alan Cox to resolve.

Regarding Alan Cox’s stated reason for leaving the Labour Party, the BLP can confirm that he certainly intended standing as a Labour Party candidate and continued to attend branch meetings until a matter of days before the branch met to select its candidates for next year’s local government election. 

Given that Alan Cox was subsequently rejected as a candidate by branch members, the BLP finds his sudden defection from the Labour Party somewhat convenient. Clearly he realised that his time was up and he jumped before he was pushed. 

Regarding Alan Cox’s plea that he just wants to “carry on representing his constituents in the best way possible” the BLP would draw constituents’ attention to his apalling record in local government since the last election in 2008. Throughout this time he rarely attended either Labour Group or committee meetings and on those occasions he chose to attend he seldom stayed for longer than a few minutes. Records will confirm that Alan Cox never once spoke at a Labour Group meeting within this four year period. By way of example, during the high profile local campaign to save Glendale House care home in Blackhall, Alan Cox failed to attend a single meeting to voice concerns or make representations on behalf of constituents. Similarly he didn't bother to attend any meetings during the successful campaign within the Labour Group to save our local libraries.

Alan Cox has consistently proved himself incapable of representing his constituents as part of a well organised and influential Labour Group so it is inconceivable that he would have any influence or positive impact standing voiceless and in isolation as an independent.

The electors within the Blackhall ward are not fools and will not be duped by Alan Cox into believing that he has turned his back on the Labour Party for either political or personal reasons. He realised that he had no support and no future in the Labour Party as it became clear that he was way out of his depth as a member of the new unitary county council. This was recognised by the members of his own branch. Their subsequent rejection of him as a councillor and candidate has led him, in desperation, to seek another route into a role to which he is clearly unsuited.

Lights in Blackhall to be repaired

There have been a number of reported incidents of faulty lights in the village recently leaving some areas (Ninth, Tenth, Eleventh and parts of West Street) in complete darkness. Following my persistent appeals to the highways section at county hall over the last few weeks I have received confirmation this morning from the council that repairs are to be carried out here before the weekend.

In a separate issue, the faulty lights on the road between Hesleden and Blackhall and the road connecting Hesleden with High Hesleden will also be addressed in the near future following investigation by highways officials. 

It is reported that the delay to repairs in these locations is due to cable thefts (see posts dated 14 & 16 November 2012 for further detail) and again I have had to lobby hard over recent weeks to ensure that repairs are carried out here to ensure the safety of road users.

Further flooding issues

I have asked the highways section at county hall for an update on progress in addressing the flooding incidents I have reported recently (see post dated Monday 26 November).

I appreciate that there has been an exceptional level of disruption across the county over the last few days and that priorities will have to be made to clear major trunk roads first. However, a number of key access and transport routes in our area have been affected and I feel that urgent action is needed now in locations including: 

• Rodridge Hall between Hutton Henry and Station Town
• Mickle Hill Road at Blackhall Rocks
• Coast Road at Crimdon
• Chicken's Green at Blackhall Colliery and 
• B1281 route from Castle Eden to Blackhall and Hesleden

I will continue to press the relevant authorities to take whatever measures are required and I'll keep residents updated on progress through these posts.

Funding opportunities for local organisations

In the current harsh economic climate, in which central government cuts to local authorities are having a heavy impact on funding opportunities for local organisations, I have received an increase in requests from such groups for advice and assistance in accessing external funding.

The funding officer from East Durham Trust has kindly sent me the following information, along with links and contact details for further advice:

Awards for All – up to £10,000 – General fund, won’t fund salaries, East Durham is a cold spot not enough quality applications. Website: http://www.awardsforall.org.uk/

County Durham Community Foundation – grants up to £5,000 (average £3,000). Website: http://www.cdcf.org.uk/

Coalfields Regeneration Trust – up to £5,000. Website: http://www.coalfields-regen.org.uk/

Greggs Foundation - General fund.  Website: http://www.greggsfoundation.org.uk/

Sherburn House – General fund up to £10,000 Website: http://www.sherburnhouse.org/grants

Arts Council England – Small grants up to £10,000. Website: http://www.artscouncil.org.uk/

Heritage Lottery Fund – Three grants funds, soon be to changing priorities.  Website: http://www.hlf.org.uk/HowToApply/programmes/Pages/programmes.aspx#.UK9QU2fz9MQ

Sport England – Small grants up to £10,000, but be a recognised Sport England Sport.  Website: http://www.sportengland.org/funding.aspx

Useful Websites:

Funding Central: Search for grants under themes and geographical areas: http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/Default.aspx

East Durham Trust: Funding news page with new grants opportunities, deadlines looming etc.  http://www.eastdurhamtrust.org.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=category&id=15&Itemid=46

Turn2us: Similar to Funding Central, search for grants under themes and areas.

http://www.turn2us.org.uk/grants_search.aspx

East Durham Trust has a designated funding Officer who will happily support community groups in sourcing and completing funding applications.   

Contact: Colin Jackson, Funding Officer on 0191 569 3511 or email colin.jackson@eastdurhamtrust.org.uk

Flood meeting cancelled - because of flooding!

I had a meeting arranged for this afternoon with the clerk of the parish council and highways engineers to discuss flooding issues in our area. Ironically it had to be cancelled because of the constant downpour of rain which almost turned Blackhall into an island.

The issues for discussion with highways engineers included flooding at the cemetery at Blackhall, flooded roads at Chicken's Green, at Castle Eden and at Rodridge Hall between Hutton Henry and Station Town. The flooding incidents at Chicken's Green and at Rodridge Hall are both long running problems which I have reported a number of times this year alone. Preliminary investigations were carried out in these locations but I am concerned that progress has been far too slow in putting things right.

The clerk of the parish council will rearrange the meeting at the earliest opportunity but in the meantime I will ensure wherever possible that these areas of concern are given priority.

If you have any flooding related matters to report please contact me on:

rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or get in touch with the highways section at county hall on:

hal@durham.gov.uk

New library opening hours

I have reproduced below a press release from the county council containing new library opening hours to be introduced in the new year (see posts dated 17 January, 12 April & 3 August 2012 for further background information):

Library services set to changeClick  to delete unwanted rows from the table above

Title

New opening times are set to be introduced in libraries across County Durham from January, when mobile library services will also change.

The measures will enable Durham County Council to make required savings of £1.457m without the need to close any library buildings.

Earlier this year, the authority’s Cabinet agreed to reduce opening hours and make them consistent across the county.

It means that all 12 town centre libraries, excluding Clayport in Durham, will open for a core of 36 hours per week, with the council’s 27 community libraries operating a core of 20 hours.

The changes follow a public consultation earlier this year, which saw more than 91 per cent of Citizen’s Panel members support proposals to reduce opening hours rather than close libraries

A further consultation gave library users the opportunity to help decide on specific opening times for each individual library.

The mobile library service, which saw membership fall by 55 per cent between March 2008 and March 2011, will now only visit communities at least three miles from a library building, with only one halt in each settlement the library visits.

Cllr Maria Plews, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, libraries and lifelong learning, said: “These changes are necessary if we are to make the savings required of us.

“I am pleased that we have been able to involve users of the library service throughout the process, both in influencing our overall strategy and in deciding on specific opening times for their local facility.”

The changes will come into effect on Wednesday 2 January when new phone numbers are also being introduced at all libraries.

Information on the new opening times, mobile routes and phone numbers is available in branch libraries, on mobile libraries and online at

www.durham.gov.uk/libraries

Station Town Neighbourhood Group coffee morning

The Station Town Neighbourhood Group (STNG) held its very first coffee morning and advice surgery today at 9.30 am at the Milbank chapel.

I was there as county councillor for the area with members of STNG and Hutton Henry parish council in attendance, along with representatives from the street wardens and East Durham Area Action Partnership.

We met with a number of people from the village and discussed issues ranging from speeding traffic in the Heaton Terrace/Hartbushes area to the proposed new housing development at the former Co-op store in Station Lane.

Considering that this was our first such event - along with the bitter weather - it was encouraging to see residents calling in to talk about their concerns or simply have a chat over a cup of tea or coffee. It is hoped that the coffee morning and advice session will become a regular event in the near future.

Christmas and New Year events at Blackhall Community Centre

Please find below a circular from the community centre with details of our Christmas and New Year events:

Saturday 1 December 2012

10am until 4pm

Santa will be here between 12pm and 3pm

Ice Rink will be open from 12 noon

Table Top Sale open from 10am Saturday 

And lots more activities

7pm until 11pm

Hi lights Family Disco

Fun begins at 7.30pm 11pm

Tickets £1.00 per head

Monday 31 December 2012

New Years Eve Family Party

7pm until late

TICKET ONLY EVENT

Tickets Adults £6.00

Children £4.00

Includes Supper served at 8.45pm. Choice of either Pie and Peas or Winter Broth with Stottie

Update on street light repairs

I have now received a response from the county council regarding my query about faulty street lighting on the road between Hesleden and Blackhall Colliery and also on the road connecting Hesleden with High Hesleden (see post dated 14 November 2012).

Highways engineers have told me that the lights have been out as a result of cable theft in the area some time ago, and that the council is currently assessing similar incidents across the county with a view to replacing cables where required.

In noting these comments I have concerns that the council appears to be taking its time in carrying out repairs, perhaps saving money while the streets are in complete darkness. I have contacted highways engineers again to tell them that I find this entirely unacceptable. Both roads are well used by walkers and motorists alike and the current blackout presents an obvious threat to public safety.

I will persist in applying pressure on the council to replace these street light cables as a matter of urgency to ensure the safety of walkers and other road users in our villages.

Damaged road signs

I have contacted the highways department at county hall to request a replacement road direction sign at the Aged Miners bungalows on the Coast Road in Blackhall Colliery.

Apart from confusing motorists I think that these signs look unsightly and give a poor first impression to visitors to our area so please let me know if you have any similar examples where you live.

Contact me on:

rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Delay in street light repairs

Over the past two months I have reported an increasing number of broken and faulty street lights throughout our villages. In the vast majority of cases repairs are completed within the week but there are exceptions....

Lights have been out along a stretch of the main road between Hesleden and Blackhall Colliery at Hardwicke Hall and also along the road connecting High Hesleden with Hesleden. Both instances have been reported a number of times recently to the highway engineers but there has been no progress to date. I find this particularly frustrating given that both routes are popular with walkers and are also very busy traffic routes between our villages and the A19. Clearly blacked out roads present a danger to road users, particularly at this time of year when daylight hours are short.

As a consequence I spoke to the highway department again on Monday morning to request a detailed response to my continued queries, and I have specifically asked for an explanation for the delay in carrying out repairs in these two areas. I will report further when a response is received but in the meantime please let me know of any similar problems in your area.

Station Town Neighbourhood Group AGM

The annual general meeting of the Station Town Neighbourhood Group (STNG) has been moved from 24 November to 1 December 2012. The time and venue however remain unchanged - the Milbank chapel at 10 am.

Leaflets will be distributed throughout the village this week inviting residents along to the meeting to raise any issues they may have about the current condition or future direction of Station Town, or even if they just want to call in to meet STNG members.

There will also be a coffee morning and advice surgery next Monday (19 November) at 9.30 am in the Milbank chapel. Anyone and everyone is welcome to come in for a cup of tea or coffee and discuss anything they like with me or representatives from STNG and other key organisations in the the village.

Fencing at the Scheme Houses

Works to erect a fence around the green at the children's play area at the Scheme Houses are now almost completed. The fencing scheme has been funded through my neighbourhood budget and the Area Action Partnership (AAP) and it follows numerous complaints earlier this year from parents and residents about traffic driving across the grassed area.

The fencing will prevent cars, trailers and caravans accessing and parking on the green. This ruined the grass and looked unsightly for residents and visitors alike. Clearly this practice also presented a danger to children using the play area.

The works will be finished within the next week or so when a secure gate has been put in place to allow access for grass cutting machinery and emergency vehicles.

Hesleden estate inspection

This morning East Durham Homes carried out an estate inspection in Hesleden to take a closer look at some of the "street scene" issues there which require attention.

I have asked that damaged footpaths along Front Street be reported for repair. These are directly outside the Golden Calf and also at the Methodist chapel.

I have also requested repairs to potholes in the roads throughout the village, particularly in Hazel Drive.

These issues have now been reported to East Durham Homes and Durham County Council for repair.

Sewage reported on Blackhall beach

I have received a report from a concerned resident of a recent raw sewage outflow onto the beach in the pit pond area of Blackhall Colliery.

As the source of this sewage is not immediately obvious I have asked the relevant authorities to investigate further and report back to me.

I will update on progress with this matter in due course but in the meantime I would be grateful for any further information from beach users which may assist the authorities in their investigation:

rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

DCC preparing for winter

Please click on the link below for an article in the Peterlee Star about the county council's roads maintenance preparations for winter:

Ready for winter - Community - Peterlee Star

Safety concerns addressed at Scheme Houses

Earlier this week I wrote on this site about safety concerns expressed by residents at the Scheme Houses in Blackhall (see post dated 5 November 2012). These related to the faulty lighting and overgrown bushes and trees at the steps which lead to the main road at the bottom of the Scheme Houses. 

Given the safety aspect of these complaints I urged the relevant departments at county hall to tackle these issues as a matter of urgency and I'm pleased to confirm that the lighting has now been fully restored. 

I visited the area earlier this morning to check on progress and I can also confirm that maintenance workers were on site cutting back the overgrowth and trees to make the lighting more effective and thereby improve safety for residents using this access path.

Black Path to be re-surfaced

Following a long running campaign, undertaken jointly with the parish council, I have received confirmation this morning from officers at Durham County Council that a tender process is to take place in the next few days to find a contractor to re-surface the Black Path connecting  Blackhall Colliery with High Hesleden.

I have argued for many months that the surface of the path is damaged and dangerous which acts a deterrent to users. I have also made the case that the path should be re-surfaced to encourage walkers to use it for health and recreation purposes and also to link the two settlements more effectively.

This process is expected to be completed by spring next year with tarmac re-surfacing to commence shortly afterwards.

Steps at Blackhall Scheme Houses

I received a report over the weekend of a faulty light on the steps at the Scheme Houses in Blackhall Colliery.

Anyone familiar with this area will be aware that lighting is essential to ensure safety so I have asked that repairs to the lights be undertaken as a matter of urgency. I have also asked that trees and bushes on either side of the steps be cut back to allow for more efficient lighting to improve safety.

Let me know if you are aware of any other areas in our villages which require attention to ensure public safety:

rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Latest news on housing proposals for Station Town

A planning application for 22 new homes on the site of the former Dormand Villa care home in Station Town is to be heard by the planning committee at county hall next Tuesday, 13 November 2012. 

See posts dated 31 July & 9 August 2012 for further details.

Faulty street lights

Street lights are as likely as domestic bulbs to simply "pop" and that's why I report faulty street lights on a regular basis - often three or four times each week. 

Recently there appears to have been an increase in the number of faulty street lights in our area and over the past few weeks I have reported problems throughout our villages, most recently at High Hesleden, Attlee Avenue in Blackhall Rocks and on the road between Blackhall Colliery and Hesleden at Hardwicke Hall.

Clearly, constant vigilance is the key to addressing these problems so if you have any street lighting faults in your area please let me know and I'll make the necessary arrangements:

rob.crute@durham.gov.uk