Blackhall ward surgery

Due to unforeseen circumstances our monthly ward surgery scheduled for this evening at Blackhall Library has been cancelled.

If you have any issues you would like to raise with us please send a DM on Facebook or contact us in the usual way at:

Lynn: lynn.pounder@durham.gov.uk or
Rob: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

We apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Digital Durham Reboot Initiative

Registered charities in County Durham are being offered low-cost laptops and PCs as part of a council-run recycling scheme.

Further details and an image are attached or view the story online at awb://www.durham.gov.uk/article/18995/Low-cost-laptops-and-PCs-offered-to-charities.

You can request an application form through one of the following ways:

Email:   reboot@durham.gov.uk

Phone:  03000 261 160 (voicemail service)

Notes from the Blackhall PACT meeting for July

There was a considerably reduced number of residents at the Blackhall PACT meeting held last night at Blackhall Community Centre. Only two members of the public turned up, which is understandable given that England were playing in a World Cup semi-final at exactly the same time.

PCSO Ian Goodwin read out the incident numbers for the past month which largely consisted of low-level crime and anti-social behaviour (neighbour disputes, thefts, noise and nuisance etc). Although these types of crime are treated as relatively minor incidents it is noted that there are still victims at the receiving end and of course they don’t see these things as minor.

Discussion last night focused largely on parking and pedestrian safety issues in Blackhall Colliery and Blackhall Rocks.

Parking along the main shopping area in Middle Street has been a persistent problem for some time. The main issue, apart from inconsiderate parking, is vehicles driving onto the pavement whilst parking. It was noted that there have been quite a few near misses recently where shoppers have almost been hit by parking cars and vans. To this end we are working with highways officers and the parish council to work up a scheme where bollards will be strategically placed along Middle Street to prevent this practice. As ever there are hurdles to overcome, not least planing consent and of course funding, but we have asked highways officers to draw up a scheme which we can then submit for planning approval, which then triggers a statutory public consultation period to enable pedestrians, shoppers, drivers and shop owners to have their say. If everything goes according to plan we can then focus on drawing down funding to make the scheme happen.

On a number of occasions over the years we have received complaints from residents in the bungalows along the Coast Road between Blackhall Colliery and Blackhall Rocks who are having considerable difficulty safely accessing the main road because of vehicles parked in the marked bays on the A1086 at the top of their streets (please see post dated 13 June 2014 for background details). Police are aware of these problems but at present are limited in taking enforcement action because they don’t have the required legal powers to intervene. However, they have assured us and residents that they will do their best to advise drivers to park their vehicles with consideration for others.

Finally it was reported that reported incidents associated with off-road bikes in Hesleden and along the coast had reduced considerably since they were reported to the PACT meeting in June. However, police will continue to monitor the situation at these locations (please see post dated Thursday 14 June 2018 for background details).

Everything There Ever Was at Crimdon Dene this August

East Durham Creates has released further details of its Summer event to be held in Crimdon Dene this August.

Please see below for details of taster events to be held this weekend:

County Durham Housing Group Grant

Please find below details of a grant available to voluntary and community organisations and local schools:

County Durham Housing Group Grant

Want to make a difference to your neighbourhood? Then group grant could lend a helping hand. Our scheme offers grants of up to £500 to support projects that make a real difference to people’s lives and wellbeing. Not-for-profit ,voluntary and Community organisations can apply for a group grant, as well as local schools. Your project must benefit one or more of the areas that County Durham Housing Group operates in. We are looking to support organisations that are working to improve access to services, reduce isolation, enhance employment prospects and encourage engagement within the community. 

Full details of the group grant scheme are available at www.countydurhamhousinggroup.co.uk/groupgrant, by calling 0191 349 7777 or emailing groupgrant@cdhg.co.uk