Grant scheme extended to cover mobile and home-based businesses

Durham County Council has issued a press release to promote an extension to the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) which is aimed at helping mobile and home-based businesses previously excluded from support. Full details below:

Mobile and home-based businesses in County Durham are now able to apply for financial support during the coronavirus pandemic after a scheme was extended by a council.  

Limited fixed funding has been made available by the Government through the Additional Restrictions Grant (ARG) which can be used to fund a discretionary policy that supports businesses in the hospitality, leisure, accommodation and personal care sectors which have not had any previous support, do not have their own business rates account but still incur monthly fixed business-related costs and have been significantly impacted by the restrictions imposed by the pandemic.

Durham County Council has previously extended the scheme to offer support to those businesses in shared commercial spaces, taxi drivers, registered childcare providers, childminders as well as driving instructors.

Last year, the council administered the first round of Government grants during the pandemic, with more than £104 million paid to more than 9,500 businesses across the county. A number of businesses praised the council for working with them through the claims process.

Under this new extended scheme, eligible businesses with monthly fixed costs of between £100 and £200 will receive a one off payment of £500, those with monthly fixed costs of £200 to £400 will be given a one off payment of £1,000 and those with a monthly fixed cost of over £400 will receive a payment of £2,500.

To be eligible for this scheme, businesses must be in the hospitality, leisure, accommodation and personal care sectors which have not had any previous support and be able to:

 

•           Demonstrate fixed business-related costs of at least £100 a month, these must be integral to the running of the business and not include personal salary costs or rent/ mortgage costs

•           Evidence that the business provides the majority of the applicant's income (over 50 per cent)

•           Demonstrate that the business is within the hospitality, accommodation or leisure (HAL) sector, is in the HAL supply chain or provides in-person, face to face services

•           Demonstrate that the business has been severely impacted by local and/or national restrictions

•           Evidence that the business was trading on 18 September 2020

•           Demonstrate that the business has not received or is eligible for support under the Local Restrictions Support Grant or the current ARG funding.

 

Driving instructors are also encouraged to make their application for support using this online process.

Business owners can find out more and apply for financial support by going to: www.durham.gov.uk/covid19businessgrants

Voting in local elections in May

Elections for county councils and parish and town councils are taking place on Thursday 6 May 2021 and those wanting to vote must be registered. 

Poll cards are being delivered to residents from today onwards. Anyone currently registered on the electoral register and eligible to vote in the elections will receive a poll card providing details of their allocated polling station. 

Anyone who is not registered or has recently moved house and has not informed electoral services is encouraged to register at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote by midnight on Monday 19 April. 

Anyone who is listed on the electoral register can request a postal vote or proxy vote if they are unable to vote in person. 

The deadline for postal vote applications is 5pm on Tuesday 20 April, while for proxy vote applications the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday 27 April. 

To request a paper copy of either application form contact the electoral services team on 03000 261212 or email electoralservices@durham.gov.uk

Road works for the C22 between Station Town and Hutton Henry

I've received advance notification of gas supply works scheduled to take place in May along the C22 between Station Town and Hutton Henry:

Road No.	Location	Description	Traffic Management	Start Date	End Date	Responsibility
C22	Road from Station Town to Hutton Henry	New gas supply	2 way lights	24 May	2 June	Northern Gas Networks

Refuse and recycling issues in Blackhall

As some residents will be aware there have been problems recently with the refuse and recycling rounds in two or three specific locations in the Blackhall area.

As is common in these situations there are a number of factors combining to create problems so I’ve contacted the service to ask for a review into the latest issues - and more importantly how they will be put right again. I received the following response earlier this week from the crew supervisor:

Morning Rob, 

I will speak to the teams and find out what has been problem with these, my guess would be blocked access but I will confirm. What would be the normal with blocked access streets would be for driver to log on bartec then report to team leader for him to assist crew whilst still in area. 

Unfortunately due to busy period of holidays, extra shielding staff, sick and isolated staff all team leaders are out on wagons ensuring we complete rounds. This is not ideal and we are continually training drivers up from an agency to help with this but getting the right drivers in to drive a 26t vehicle needs to be carefully thought out through driver assessment as how dangerous driving these vehicles can be. 

Friday team leaders left rounds they were driving to ensure Shakespeare Avenue was collected as I know you were getting complaints from here but they then had to return back to rounds to complete. Also we have a lot of people working from home due to the pandemic and this means a huge amount of extra vehicles in street that wouldn't normally be there. 

We are trying our best in these unprecedented times and at times it has been really difficult, but hopefully once we have shielding staff back at the beginning of April and demands on holidays ease I will have team leaders back out sorting these kinds of problems. I will also ensure you are informed of missed streets in your ward with reasons why.

I have assured residents that I will continue to press the service to take whichever measures are necessary to avoid the disruption experienced during the past few weeks. In the meantime if your bin has not been emptied on the allotted day please report it to the council as soon as possible on: 03000 260000 or at: help@durham.gov.uk If you prefer you could let me know and I’ll ask the crew to check the onboard CCTV coverage to identify the issue. I can be contacted at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Works to prevent flooding on Crimdon footpath

Last year I was contacted by a number of motorists and pedestrians concerned about the poor condition of the footpath on the A1086 Coast Road leading to and from the northbound bus stop halfway up the bank to the Evergreen Park entrance (pictured below).

It was reported that pedestrians were having to walk into the road to get to and from the bus stop, with the obvious risk each time of a collision with passing traffic.

I had been told that rainwater was soaking into the fields above the bank side and then gradually draining away onto the public footpath below, so I contacted officers in the highways assets and drainage departments at county hall with a request that they investigate the source of the water ingress and ensure that mitigation measures were taken as soon as possible.

I received confirmation this morning that works to redirect the flow of water were now completed and that a site inspection would be carried out soon by drainage engineers to ensure those measures have been effective.

As they say, the proof of the pudding is in the eating so I’ll report on progress as soon as I have an update from the drainage team.

Roadside littering from passing vehicles

I was contacted recently by members of the public and a volunteer litter picking group in Blackhall asking if advisory signs could be put up on the roadside to deter passing motorists from throwing litter from their vehicles onto our public open spaces and streets. 

I contacted the civic pride office to ask if they would be able to help with this request, and in response they have advised that while signs of this nature do have a short-term impact they tend to be ignored after a few weeks once people become accustomed to them. 

This certainly rings true with my past experience when a few years ago I worked with the parish council and some of our schools to put up banners in the streets around schools in the hope of deterring a few irresponsible dog walkers from allowing their pets to make a mess of the streets. For background details please go to posts dated:

• Saturday 27 February 2016 https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2016/02/direct-approach-to-dog-fouling-in.html and 
• Tuesday 25 April 2017 https://robcrute blackhall.blogspot.com/2017/04/further-reports-of-dog-fouling-in.html 

As can be seen from these two posts the campaigns had the desired effect for a few weeks but then the problem returned as soon as dog walkers became used to the signs the children had designed and put up on fences around their school.

However members of the civic pride team have confirmed they are happy to contact the clean and green team with a request for temporary signage to be placed in locations where littering from passing vehicles is a particular problem. I’ll update on progress when I have more details.

Update on the council's Climate Emergency Response Plan

In February 2019 Durham County Council declared a Climate Change Emergency and set ambitious targets to reduce its own carbon emissions by 60% by 2030 and to investigate what further actions would be necessary to make County Durham carbon neutral by 2050.

In February last year, given strong performance to date, the Council's target was raised to an 80% reduction. However a reduction of this scale is extremely challenging as can be seen from the latest update on the council's Climate Emergency Response Plan (CERP).

Last Friday the county council's Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee considered progress with the plan as part of its annual work programme.

As usual during the current pandemic the meeting was held remotely and can be viewed at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VX2FAz_utc

Full details of the CERP can be found in the links below:

a	Report of the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change PDF 556 KB

• APP2 CERP report , item 7a PDF 665 KB
• APP3 CERP report , item 7a PDF 699 KB
• APP 4 CERP report , item 7a PDF 450 KB
• Backgroud Paper - Full Council 20 February 2019 Climate Change Emergency Declaration, item 7a
• Background Paper - Full Council 17 July 2019 Climate Change Emergency Update Report, item 7a
• Background Paper: Cabinet 12 February 2020 Climate Emergency Response Plan, item 7a

Road works next week at Blackhall Rocks

I've received notification from the highways department of road works scheduled to take place next week on the A1086 Coast Road at Blackhall Rocks.

Please note details below:

Road No.	Location	Description	Traffic Management	Start Date	End Date	Responsibility
A1086	Coast Road, Mickle Hill Road, Blackhall Rocks	Install traffic detector loops	4 way lights (9:00am - 3:30pm)	24 March	25 March	Durham County Council

Alternative polling arrangements at Blackhall Rocks

Just a few weeks ago the government assured the whole country that local elections could proceed safely and without disruption on Thursday 6 May, so imagine my dismay when I received notification that there would not be a polling station this year at Blackhall Rocks.

Residents will recall that Kasko House in Marine Crescent, the home of the former Blackhall Rocks Residents’ Association, had been used in the past as a polling station. Unfortunately Kasko House, which is owned and maintained by believe housing, has been empty for some time and is no longer available for use, so along with the council I’d expected alternative arrangements to be put in place in the form of a Portakabin, just as they had been for previous elections.

However I received correspondence from the council recently informing me that their order of Portakabins couldn’t now be delivered because supply across the country had been disrupted - reportedly as a result of a steel shortage and because existing facilities were being deployed as testing and vaccination centres. I was assured that the national shortage of Portakabins had disrupted polling arrangements in many communities across County Durham and the rest of the country. 

My primary concern was for the residents of Blackhall Rocks who are now expected to make their way to the nearest polling station at St Joseph’s RC church at Blackhall Colliery - over half a mile away. To make matters worse access to public transport during the current pandemic lockdown will be restricted, with residents understandably reluctant to take the risk of using public transport to get to the polling station. In addition, local volunteers like myself who traditionally offer transport on demand for those who need it will no longer be allowed to step in to help because of social distancing requirements.

Earlier this week I wrote to the chief executive at county hall to express my concerns and to seek an assurance that all options had been exhausted in pursuing alternative polling arrangements. I have reproduced the response below in full:

Good morning Cllr Crute

 

Thank you for your email regarding the polling station at Blackhall Rocks. I do understand your concerns about moving the polling station and the impact that it may have on electors. If we could have avoided moving the station we would have done. In recent times, the polling station for Blackhall Rocks has been a Portakabin and it was intended that this would be the case this year. There is a national shortage of Portakabins currently because many are deployed for use at Covid-19 testing/vaccination centres. Our supplier initially informed us that our usual supply would be available but on 22 February 2021 informed us that this was no longer the case.  We understand that in order to meet our requirements, the supplier had ordered new Portakabins to be built but due to a steel shortage, these will not be completed in time for polling day.

 

We needed to confirm polling station arrangements for the whole county by 12 March 2021 so that details could be sent to the printers to ensure that poll cards are prepared and sent out on time. This left us very limited time to explore alternative options, particularly as we had to find alternative polling stations in 37 electoral areas as well, as well as undertaking additional covid assessments across all 400 polling stations.  All of this work has been conducted during the usual election preparations, which are required in advance of polling day.

 

I understand Believe Housing have advised that Kasko House has been mothballed and no longer suitable/available for use, which is why we have opted to use St Joseph’s RC Church Hall.  It was not feasible given the time constraints and scale of the task across the county to source alternatives such as reconditioned vehicles (others have suggested marquees and other forms of provision), assess their suitability for use as a polling station, health and safety and covid security arrangements and then put the required contractual arrangements in place.  I do understand that it is not ideal, however the approach that we have taken is consistent across the 38 areas where we have had to make changes.

 

We are in the process of writing to all electors affected to advise them of the changes. We have enclosed a postal vote application with each letter as well as details of how people can apply for a proxy vote as alternatives to voting in person. 

 

I hope the above reassures you that we have done what we can within the timescales that we are working to and that this is an exceptional year in which to plan and deliver an election across county Durham. 

Because alternative voting arrangements cannot now be put in place I would urge everyone to apply for a postal vote when they receive the application form from the council as advised in the chief executive’s response. Under the circumstances I think this is the safest and most convenient way to cast your vote.

If you experience any difficulty with any aspect of the elections in May please get in touch with me at: rob.crute@gmail.com and I’ll do everything I can to help.

The local elections are scheduled for Thursday 6 May 2021.

Housing improvement initiative for Blackhall Colliery

Housing issues, especially those associated with some properties in the private-rented sector, have been at the forefront of a number of initiatives intended to improve our environment and the appearance of our streets.

The amount of articles published over the years on this site reflect the priority that local residents’ have placed on returning the condition of some of the housing stock in our communities back to an acceptable standard and the measures I’ve taken to try and bring that about.

These schemes include the council’s Selective Licensing Scheme which is currently awaiting approval from the Secretary of State for Housing and is intended to regulate homes in the private-rented sector (see post dated Monday 21 September 2020 for background details https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2020/09/private-rented-housing-improvement.html) and other projects aimed at improving the appearance of our streets such as the Community Action Scheme carried out a couple of times over the past few years, most recently last Autumn in Blackhall Colliery (see post dated Wednesday 25 November 2020 https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2020/11/street-walkabout-and-environmental.html for background details).

In addition to the initiatives referred to above Durham County Council’s cabinet today gave the go ahead for the roll-out of its Targeted Delivery Plans (TDPs) which are aimed at tackling a number of issues associated with homes in specific locations. I’m pleased to report that the first tranche of activity will focus on a defined area in Blackhall Colliery. 

The report submitted to cabinet this morning described how TDPs are an essential part of the council’s housing strategy and are focused around an intensive and coordinated programme of activities in towns and villages where they are most needed. As well as identifying new initiatives they also put the council in a stronger position to capitalise on future funding opportunities to support community regeneration efforts.

Full details of the TDP initiative, along with its expected outcomes, can be found in a link to today’s cabinet meeting papers:

https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/documents/s133571/Cover%20Housing%20Strategy%20Targeted%20Delivery%20Plans.pdf

Alleyway clearance at the Scheme Houses

I’ve been contacted quite regularly in the past by residents concerned about the poor condition of the alleyways at the Scheme Houses in Blackhall Colliery. Many alleys had been used as fly-tipping points and some others had been blighted by overgrowth and general litter. In most cases the alleyways had become unsightly and obstructed by debris.

It’s an issue I’ve been trying to resolve for some time, but because of rather complex land ownership issues and mixed responsibility for keeping these locations clear of rubbish it’s something that the council wouldn’t normally deal with. However, because of the risk of additional incidents of fly-tipping and associated problems it became clear that another way of addressing residents’ concerns would have to be found

Having initially approached the council’s neighbourhood wardens and the clean and green team I applied for separate funding for a one-off scheme to clear the alleyways of rubbish and detritus. I’m pleased to report that works began on site yesterday, with an almost instant improvement in the condition of the alleyways.

Road repairs query at Crimdon

For some time I've received complaints about the condition of the private road linking the A1086 Coast Road with the seafront at Crimdon. As can be seen from the image below some parts of the road are marked with deep potholes - with the length of road passing beneath the viaduct being in particularly poor condition.

When I've raised these concerns in the past I’ve been assured that this is a private road and that ownership and maintenance responsibility have been disputed for some time. I contacted the legal department at county hall again recently to ask for an investigation to be carried out to determine once and for all the owner(s) of the road and the agency or organisation responsible for its maintenance.

Legal and land issues of this nature tend to be quite complex, with deeds changing hands frequently over the years, and this has proved to be the case on this occasion. However, I've asked for a definitive resolution to be reached in sufficient time for the road to be repaired before the summer season and the opening of the new Crimdon Hub later this year.

I'll update on progress with this query as soon as the landownership and maintenance responsibility issues are resolved.

Welfare Crescent garage site scheme completed

Last year I was contacted by residents concerned about the poor and potentially dangerous condition of the former garage site at Welfare Crescent. Almost all the garage blocks had been abandoned and were becoming an eyesore - as well as attracting unwanted attention from trespassers with concealed access to the Welfare Park and nearby gardens (please see post dated Friday 20 November 2020: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2020/11/welfare-crescent-garage-site-scheduled.html for background details).

Along with the parish clerk I contacted believe housing who, as owners of the site, agreed to take whichever measures were necessary to improve the appearance of the site and also make it secure against trespass. 

Work began on site in November last year to carry out the first phase of works, which was to remove the derelict garage blocks and make the area safe. I have now been contacted by officers from the housing company to confirm that the second phase of the works, which was to erect fencing and provide lockable gates at the entrance to and from Welfare Crescent, had been completed too.

On behalf of residents my thanks go to the staff at believe housing for their quick response to this matter, and for the high quality of the works carried out.

Volunteer litter picking at Crimdon

Following a number of comments made a few days ago about volunteer litter picking issues at Crimdon I asked the clean and green team earlier this week to clarify collection arrangements for deposited litter bags. In response they've confirmed that they have arrangements in place to pick up volunteers' bags as requested, and also that they’re quite happy to continue with that practice. 

And perhaps now is as good a time as any to thank again all our volunteer litter-picking groups and individuals - whether at Crimdon, Blackhall, Hesleden, Castle Eden or in other locations throughout our villages. They do a fantastic job in their own time supplementing the work of the clean and green teams and helping to keep our streets and open spaces safe and clean. Their work does not go unnoticed and is very much appreciated by the whole community.

Ongoing groundworks at East Street

Residents in and around East Street and at the bottom of First Street may have noticed that a heap of boulders has built up on land nearby. These are to used in completing the works I’ve requested to make the land at the bottom of Aspatria Avenue and Chicken’s Green secure against trespass (please see post dated Thursday 28 January 2021: https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2021/01/first-phase-of-safety-measures-at.html  for background details).

Works already carried out include the erection of a new, lockable boom gate designed to allow access for grounds maintenance teams while at the same time preventing access by vehicles which residents have reported are causing damage to the grassed area at the bottom of Corry Close and onwards onto Chicken’s Green.

The clean and green team will be carrying out additional works in due course, and I’m advised that the boulders will be placed in position as soon as the ground dries out sufficiently.

Committee request to review issues associated with off-road bikes in County Durham

Regular readers of these pages will be aware that I've been dealing lately with a number of residents' concerns relating to motorbikes, quads and off-road vehicles causing problems by trespassing on public footpaths and open spaces in our villages, on the coast and in the countryside (please see post dated Thursday 25 February 2021 https://robcrute-blackhall.blogspot.com/2021/02/reporting-bikes-and-off-road-vehicles.html for background details).

As a member of the council's Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee I took part in a remote meeting this morning where committee members looked ahead to setting its future work programme. Given that concerns about off-road vehicles have been reported in communities across the entire county I've asked that the committee considers including in its work programme an overview of this issue, which would look at ways of working with partners to address the concerns of residents and businesses about the scale and impact of off-road vehicles accessing public open spaces.

Committee work programmes will be agreed after the local elections in May and I'll update on progress in due course, but in the meantime if you experience problems relating to off-road vehicles please refer to the contact details included in the article mentioned above.

Additional details about yesterday’s scrutiny meeting can be found in a Northern Echo article published here: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19127733.durham-county-council-call-nuisance-rider-crackdown/