Clearance works on land behind the Esso service station in Blackhall

I've been contacted this afternoon by residents wondering why the land behind the Esso service station on the Coast Road in Blackhall was being cleared. Rumours had been circulating that the land was being prepared for development works, but when I've checked with the head of the planning section this evening they've confirmed that they have no record of any planning approval for development works at this location. I'm told that the head of planning has asked the enforcement team to carry out an investigation into this development to determine what's going on. I'll update on any significant developments on this case as soon as I have more information from the planning team.

On a more positive note however, the vacant land between the side of the service station and Coronation Avenue has now been cleared. I'd raised concerns on behalf of residents last year after a wall along the curtilage of the site had fallen into the roadway - presumably forced into collapse by the overgrown trees and bushes pressing against it. For full background details please follow this link: Progress on repairing a collapsed wall at Coronation Avenue

Reform UK supports Tory-led Coalition to hike Council Tax

Yesterday in county hall a full meeting of the county council was held for the authority to agree its budget and set council tax levels for the coming year. Despite every Labour member voting against the budget the Tory-led coalition, with the full support of Reform UK members, voted through a 4.99% increase in council tax alongside a budget that continues to funnel funding into Durham City centre at the expense of our pit communities in East Durham and other towns and villages across the county. 

I spoke on behalf of Management Board members who had closely scrutinised the coalition cabinet’s budget proposals at every stage of development since they were first published last year. Members welcomed the additional £48m in central government funding this year - by far the most positive and promising local government finance settlement in over a decade following 14 long, hard years of damaging Tory government austerity that had snatched away £270m in funding for our local communities and public services.

The coalition cabinet’s own budget papers show a funding increase of over £68m this year alone (this figure includes an additional £48m in government grant plus revenue from the coalition’s council tax increase)

Despite that significantly improved funding settlement members had raised concerns about the ever-rising cost of extra borrowing by the coalition that will burden the people of County Durham with debt totalling over £1bn over the next 40 years. 

Concerns were also expressed about the rate at which council reserves had been eroded to a level below what is considered prudent by CIPFA, which sets a guideline limit of above 5% to 7.5% to be held in reserves as a proportion of the council’s net revenue budget. 

In addition members raised concerns about the risks involved in the coalition borrowing an extra £55m this year to take over a failed private sector development at Milburngate in Durham City centre. Whilst it was recognised that the project could eventually succeed members felt that the risk to the tax-payers of County Durham remained unacceptably high.

The meeting concluded when the Tory-led coalition, supported by their allies in Reform UK, agreed the budget despite the risks involved. To top it all off they also agreed to raise council tax levels by the maximum permitted 4.99% for the coming year. 

In a series of passionate speeches Labour members made it clear that they could not support a budget that continues to squander public money on vanity projects in Durham City centre at the expense of villages like Blackhall and Hesleden and the rest of County Durham - and then demands that our residents stump up an extra 5% in Council Tax for the privilege.

Company launches 3 week public consultation on Benridge Solar Farm plans

Over the past few weeks I've been circulating information on proposals for a solar farm at Benridge, just off Fillpoke Lane between Crimdon and High Hesleden. 

The company involved held a public exhibition in High Hesleden last night which kick-started a three-week consultation exercise to gauge public opinion on their plans. They've said they intend to use the information gathered from the public consultation exercise to guide them in deciding whether they should submit a full planning application to the local planning authority to get consent for their solar farm.

It is vital at this early stage in the process that as many people as possible take part in the consultation to get their views across, so I've posted a link below which will take you to the company's website where you'll find more details about the solar farm proposals along with a 'Contact Us' option for you to make your voice heard. 

Please make every effort to respond: Consultation — Benridge Farm

For more background information on the solar farm proposals, and additional details about how important it is to make your voice heard please go to this link: Proposed Solar Farm at Fillpoke Lane - Lessons from Sheraton

Safer Parking in Blackhall Colliery

Over the past few weeks residents will have noticed that double-yellow lines have been installed or reinstated at a number locations throughout Blackhall Colliery. This includes outside Airlie House and on the junction of Hesleden Road and Middle Street, and follows calls from several residents for something to be done to address their concerns about obstructive parking that causes bottle-necks and restricts the view of drivers when pulling out of side streets and onto the main road.

These measures have been welcomed, but a few residents have been in touch to tell me about their concerns about the way some of the lines have been applied. This relates mainly to the road at the Hesleden Road junction and also at the side of Airlie House at the top of First Street where the lines appear to have been hastily applied or missed altogether.

I’ve raised those concerns with the highways department with a request that the lines at the side of Airlie House are reinstated properly and that those at the bottom of Hesleden Road are edged-off to make them look neater.

Following additional issues raised by residents about problem parking at some locations I’ve also asked the parking enforcement team to increase patrols in the area to make sure that drivers are parking responsibly and in places where they are not causing an obstruction.

Proposed Solar Farm at Fillpoke Lane - Lessons from Sheraton

Over the past couple of weeks I've been circulating information throughout the community about a company's proposal to install a solar farm on land to the south of Fillpoke Lane between Crimdon and High Hesleden.

To outline its plans the company will hold a public exhibition at the Ship Inn at High Hesleden this coming Tuesday, 18 February between 2 and 8pm. This event will mark the beginning of a three week public engagement exercise, which the company says will give it a view on whether or not to submit a full planning application to the county council. I would encourage as many people as possible to take part in the consultation to let the company know what their feelings are about a solar farm in open countryside between our villages. Please see full background details in this link: Company seeks public opinion on Solar Farm proposal at Fillpoke Lane

Since I began publicising the company's proposals it appears there's a handful of residents who believe there's no point in engaging with the company because this is already a done deal, or even that it doesn't matter what we say. While people are entitled to their own opinion, I profoundly disagree with any suggestion that it doesn't matter what we have to say. Quite the opposite is true, and there's evidence to prove that engaging and organising in our communities can reap rewards if we stand together behind a common cause.

A few years ago a company announced plans to construct a solar farm at nearby Sheraton, which at the moment is still in the Blackhall ward. The community as a whole didn't want it so we worked with residents to organise a campaign to fight the proposal. Although it was a long drawn-out struggle the community prevailed in the end when the planning committee refused planning consent for the solar farm. Members of the planning committee were persuaded by our campaign and its main message - this was the wrong type of the development in the wrong place.

Although the company subsequently appealed the council's decision to refuse consent we should never be put off by what might happen next. The community campaign in Sheraton showed what we can achieve when we organise, agree a united campaign and then work alongside one another to make a stand.

The late trade union leader Bob Crow once said that 'if you fight back you won't always win. But if you don't fight back you will always lose'. I for one will never concede without a fight - and I know from experience that our communities share the same tenacity when the time comes to stand together.

We have plans in place to hold our own public meeting for residents of Hesleden, Crimdon and Blackhall where we'll have the opportunity to voice our opinion on this latest solar farm proposal, with full details to be announced soon. In the meantime I would encourage every resident and business to engage in the pubic consultation exercise over the next few weeks. That will set the scene for what comes next.

Please follow the link below for full details of the Sheraton solar farm campaign: Committee rejects Sheraton Solar Farm proposal

Road works at St Joseph's RC Primary School

Last month I published details of ongoing road marking works to prohibit parking at certain locations in Blackhall Colliery where residents had raised their concerns about obstructive parking practices. This included highway patching works in the lane outside St Joseph's RC Primary School to enable the highways authority to reinstate faded road markings at the main entrance to the school. Full background details can be found in this link: Road repairs and markings for St Joseph's RC Primary School

I have now received formal notification from the council's highways maintenance section confirming that works will be carried out during the school holidays to minimise disruption to the staff and children. This means the road directly outside the school will be temporarily closed between 7.30am and 3.30pm each day from Monday 24 February until Friday 28 February.

I've asked the council for an assurance that disruption for residents in the Aged Miners' Home opposite the school will be kept at an absolute minimum and I've been told that all potentially affected residents will be notified in advance of the works taking place. I've also been given an assurance that there will be access for emergency service vehicles at all times.

If you have any comments or queries about these works please get in touch with me and I'll make sure you get the information you need: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Restoration works underway at the former Hesleden pit heap site

Following enquiries made on behalf of residents Stacey and I have received an update from the planning case officer on ongoing restoration works on the site of the former pit heap in Hesleden. The update also included details of the timescale for restoration works:

Regarding the presence of JTL Mr Dig Groundworks on the site. This was the first notification of their involvement, and immediate clarification was sought from the site operator. It was confirmed that JTL Mr Dig Groundworks Ltd has been contracted by Robert Surtees to undertake site restoration in accordance with the requirements of the Enforcement Notice.

As outlined in the Enforcement Notice, all stockpiled material must be removed by 12 May 2025, with full site restoration to be completed in accordance with the approved restoration scheme by 11 November 2025. The site has not been abandoned, and the compliance periods set out in the Enforcement Notice remain in effect.

For clarity, responsibility for site restoration rests with the landowner or occupant. Durham County Council has no responsibility for these works, and JTL Mr Dig Groundworks Ltd is neither affiliated with nor contracted by the Council.

We will continue to monitor progress on restoration of the site and update residents on any significant developments. In the meantime if you have any comments or queries please continue to contact us in the usual way: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or stacey.deinali@durham.gov.uk

Company seeks public opinion on Solar Farm proposal at Fillpoke Lane

By now all residents in Blackhall Rocks, Crimdon, High Hesleden, Hesleden and Blackhall Colliery should have received a leaflet delivered direct to their door by two companies, Groupotec and REG Power Developments (REG) who are working on proposals to install a solar farm on land to the south of Fillpoke Lane between Crimdon and High Hesleden.

At this stage the companies are seeking the initial views of the community before they decide whether or not to submit a full planning application to Durham County Council as the local planning authority. As part of this process they are starting a 3-week consultation period with a public exhibition to be held in the Ship Inn in High Hesleden on Tuesday 18 February 2025 from 2pm until 8pm. The closing date for receipt of public comments is Tuesday 11 March 2025.

Please note that at this stage the companies promoting this project have not submitted a planning application. This is your opportunity to let them know what you think of their plans before they consider their next steps.

If you have any comments or queries you would like me to know about as your local councillor please get in touch direct at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk If the company eventually decides to go ahead with a full planning application I'll make sure your comments are reflected at the planning committee stage.

If you haven't received a leaflet from the company you can find more details of their proposal on their website at: Project Benridge Farm

Local Issues & Casework Update for January 2025

Since my most recent monthly local issues and casework update report I’ve raised queries with the authorities on behalf of 74 residents and businesses across the Blackhall ward. I've also made direct contact with more than 85 individual residents. Almost all of these queries are personal and/or confidential so for obvious reasons details cannot and will not be disclosed to the public.

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

The main issues covered this month include an ongoing initiative to tackle private sector housing issues, a safe parking scheme designed to prevent drivers pulling onto the public footpath on Middle Street and the Community Action Team project focusing on housing and environmental issues in the numbered streets in Blackhall Colliery. I’ve selected a few of the articles about these issues for re-posting, just in case you missed them first time around.

Please follow the links below for full details. If you have any queries or comments that require a response please get in touch with me direct at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Community Action Team project in Blackhall Colliery

Attempt to bring derelict buildings back into use

Durham County Council - Local Elections in May 2025

New safe parking scheme on Middle Street puts pedestrian safety first

Progress on repairing a collapsed wall at Coronation Avenue

Road repairs and markings for St Joseph's RC Primary School

Preparation works at the former Chimneys Hotel on East Street

Working together to improve private-sector housing conditions

Truth and Justice for the Miners

Working with residents and the Community Action Team to identify local priorities

Working with residents and the Community Action Team to identify local priorities

Earlier this week Stacey and I met with the Community Action Team (CAT) and a number of partner agencies to take part in an initial street walkabout through the numbered streets. The purpose of the walkabout was to enable the CAT team to see for themselves the different types of environmental and housing issues facing the area, and also to map the most affected locations for attention during the CAT project.

When the findings from the walkabout were discussed later the same day at a meeting of the partner agencies involved it was obvious that issues around fly-tipping, dog fouling and the condition of some of the empty private-sector houses were the main issues to be prioritised during the CAT project. 

Those issues are identical to most of those raised frequently by residents, and it came as no surprise to those of us who interact with residents on a daily basis and deal with similar issues all year round.

At a separate public engagement exercise carried out before and after the Blackhall PACT meeting on Wednesday night residents took the opportunity to choose the 3 main issues they saw as a priority for attention by the CAT team. As expected, the priority issues identified by residents reflected the same issues we’d picked up on the street walkabout. These included rubbish dumped in back yards, the management of some private sector properties, dog fouling in several locations, off-road bikes and reports of anti-social behaviour in one or two of the streets in the targeted area.

As a result of the street walkabout, and from a number of engagement sessions with residents recently, the CAT team and their partners now have a clearer idea of local priorities and of the issues to be addressed over the remaining period of the project, which will run until April.

We'll continue to work closely with the team throughout the CAT programme, so if you have any issues you would like us to raise on your behalf please get in touch with us direct at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk or stacey.deinali@durham.gov.uk 

For more details about the Community Action Team project please follow this link to an article I published earlier this month: Community Action Team project in Blackhall Colliery

Truth and Justice for the Miners

In November last year I submitted a motion to be debated at a full meeting of Durham County Council urging the government to carry out a public inquiry into policing tactics deployed at Orgreave during the 1985-85 Miners’ Strike.

The motion was scheduled to be heard at the December meeting of the county council but was timed-out by a discussion on an earlier motion (the council’s constitution limits the amount of time set aside at each council meeting for motions). Instead the motion was discussed at last week’s meeting where I’m pleased to say it was unanimously endorsed.

I’ve published below a transcript of the notes I used when addressing members last week:

The purpose of the motion in front of members this morning is to ask the government to hold a full independent inquiry into the background of policing decisions and behaviour of the police at the Orgreave coking works during the 1984/85 Miners’ Strike.

Orgreave stands out as a serious miscarriage of justice - and after 40 years we’re still no closer to understanding how events unfolded that day. So, it’s vital that the truth comes out and that the police and any associated bodies are brought to account.

Thousands of striking miners, including an estimated 1500 from our own county, were at Orgreave and many still suffer today from physical and psychological problems. Many of them lost their jobs and livelihoods. Many saw their marriages break down and some were left in limbo for many months awaiting trial at which several of them faced charges of riot – a charge which carries with it a potential sentence of life imprisonment on conviction.

In all cases those charges were eventually abandoned once it became clear that the lads arrested had been fitted up by the police. But the trauma of it all haunts them even today.

In addition, what happened at Orgreave sent a message to the police that they could use violence and lies with impunity.

Back in 2015 an Independent Police Complaints Commission review concluded that there was evidence that some police officers on duty at Orgreave had committed assault. Some went on to commit perjury and ultimately pervert the course of justice.

But the real perversion of justice is that no one has ever been held to account.

Given the organised way that events unfolded at Orgreave it’s almost certain that the order for the onslaught and subsequent cover-up came from above. Whether that’s from higher up the chain of command in the police force itself, or from an even higher level in Thatcher's government remains to be seen.

And that’s why it’s important for everyone concerned that the truth is established through an independent inquiry and that the state is brought to account.

Whatever form the inquiry takes, the scope and terms of reference must be adequately robust and sufficient to finally reveal the truth of what happened at Orgreave, and at last put right the wrongs of the past.

If we really care about accountability and responsibility in public service - and if we want to ensure that truth and justice prevail we must demand nothing less than a full inquiry into Orgreave.

Finally, in handing back the miners’ money held in the MPS Investment Reserve we’ve seen that this government is prepared to go where no previous government has gone in acknowledging the injustices faced by the miners and their families.

Now that the sands are at last shifting in favour of justice for the miners, we need to push harder for an inquiry into Orgreave.

Working together to improve private-sector housing conditions

Early on Tuesday morning I had an unexpected hour or so spare before I made my way into county hall for one of several meetings scheduled for this week. 

Given the spare time I took the opportunity to have a look around the streets to check on the condition of some of the back yards after I’d received reports from residents recently about fly-tipping at unsecured properties. Most of the yards I wanted to check up on had been reported previously for the owner/landlord to clear, and progress has been made with one or two of them. 

All the properties I visited are privately-owned, currently empty, and in most cases left wide open to access by fly-tippers.

While I was out on the streets I noticed there were two yards where the rubbish remained, despite calls for the owner to clear it away, and another yard where additional fly-tipping had occurred since my previous reports. These persistent kind of incidents are a particular concern for residents because if the owner or landlord fails to clear the yard quickly the rubbish left behind can attract vermin - especially if there’s food waste among the litter. And of course there’s the added problem of fire risk, particularly where rubbish is piled high against the wall of the property. I’ve passed these latest incidents to the council for referral to the landlord or owner.

In addition to reporting these latest issues I’ll also raise them with the Community Action Team (CAT) which is currently in the village carrying out a targeted 11-week programme focusing mainly on issues of this nature. 

Stacey and I will be joining the team next week on an extended street walkabout to track progress on previously reported issues, and also to identify other yards and properties that are causing concern. Full details of the CAT project can be found in this link: Community Action Team project in Blackhall Colliery

Fourth Street

Middle Street

Middle Street

Eighth Street

Preparation works at the former Chimneys Hotel on East Street

Following extensive roof replacement works carried out recently works have begun at the former Chimneys Hotel (formerly The Trust) on East Street in Blackhall Colliery as its owners prepare to reopen as a provider of supported living accommodation for people with autism or learning disabilities.

Predictably the rumour mill has been cranked up again by a handful of people on social media deliberately misleading residents with claims that the building will be used as a crack-den, luxury accommodation for illegal immigrants, a mosque and even a training centre for radical hate preachers! Unfortunately for those who appear desperate to create alarm and division in our community the truth is a bit more mundane.

For full details of the planning proposal please go to this link:

DM/23/00095/FPA | Change of use of existing Hotel to a C2 use for Supported Living Accommodation for 8 people with a learning disability or autism and associated staff office (amended title) | 116 East Street Blackhall Colliery Hartlepool TS27 4HA

Road repairs and markings for St Joseph's RC Primary School

I’ve received confirmation from the highways department that the next phase of road markings will include highway repair and patching works in the street directly outside the entrance to St Joseph’s RC Primary School. Once the roadworks are completed the highways markings will be reinstated to an acceptable standard.

To enable the works to go ahead, and to keep disruption to a minimum, the road between the school and the Aged Miners’ Homes will be closed off during the school holidays from 24 - 28 February between 7.30am and 3.30pm. Residents will be informed in writing and advisory signage will be erected prior to works commencing.

Additional lining works already in the works programme include double-yellow line markings outside Airlie House on Middle Street. This follows reports from several drivers and residents that visibility is seriously impaired by parked vehicles when they pull out of First Street onto the Coast Road.

Parking restriction markings will also be installed at the junction of the Coast Road and Hart Crescent in Blackhall Rocks and at some of the lane endings at the Scheme Houses in Blackhall Colliery. This follows complaints registered by residents and members of the public about disruption caused by parked vehicles, particularly on waste and recycling collection days.

Works already carried out as part of this scheme include renewed markings on the road outside St Andrew’s church on Hesleden Road to prevent obstructions caused by parked cars and other vehicles outside the church.

In addition works have been completed to install bollards on Middle Street recently to prevent vehicles pulling onto the public footpath when parking. These works were carried out after several residents over many years reported ‘near misses’ where they were almost hit by vehicles driving along the pavement when parking. 

The bollards have been positioned to ensure that vehicles can still park as close to the kerb as they did before, but will now be physically prevented from driving into the footpath. The parking enforcement team will now do everything they can to make sure that parking spaces are kept vacant for legitimate users such as delivery drivers and blue badge holders. Full details can be found in an article published last week on this site: New safe parking scheme on Middle Street puts pedestrian safety first

Progress on repairing a collapsed wall at Coronation Avenue

Last month I published an article on these pages giving an update on attempts to urge a landowner to take responsibility for the unacceptable condition of privately-owned land next to Coronation Avenue.

This was after a wall collapsed into the lane last year, and followed reports from residents nearby that the land remained untidy and open to fly-tippers. In addition residents reported vermin coming from the land. Full background details can be found here: Collapsed wall and untidy land at Coronation Avenue 

Since then I've worked alongside the relevant authorities to urge the private company that owns the land to put things right. This included contact with the council's neighbourhood wardens, the clean and green team and any other agency with an interest in this matter.

As a result there are signs of progress at last after the landowner gave an assurance last week that works would be carried out soon to rebuild the wall and bring the land behind it back to an acceptable condition.

In addition, I've contacted the council's community protection team and the community action team (CAT) who will be starting an 11-week project later this month to tackle a range of environmental issues. I've suggested that the some of the issues associated with this location and the streets nearby are considered as a particular focus as part of the wider project.

I'll update on progress with this issue in due course. I'll also report on developments with the CAT project as it develops over the coming weeks, but in the meantime you can find full details of the CAT scheme in an article published on this site last week: Community Action Team project in Blackhall Colliery

New safe parking scheme on Middle Street puts pedestrian safety first

Public safety has been prioritised as a new safe parking scheme on Middle Street got underway earlier this week.

Middle Street after the bollards were installed

Shoppers and businesses will have noticed that bollards have been installed along Middle Street during the week to prevent vehicles driving into the public footpath when parking. As previously reported, there have been quite a few near misses over the years where pedestrians have almost been hit by vehicles as they pull onto the pavement to park. 

In addition, as Middle Street is one of the main walk-to-school routes for many children, the need to protect pedestrians from these dangerous driving practices was seen by members of the public as a priority.

As a result, several residents and some of the local business owners asked if there was anything that could be done to protect pedestrians from vehicles driving onto the pavement. That’s why the bollards have now been installed outside the shops along Middle Street, and they've been positioned in a way that enables drivers to park as close to the kerb as they did before, but they'll now be physically prevented from driving onto the footpath.

Middle Street before the bollards were installed

I’ve also asked the parking enforcement team to give the area more attention over the coming weeks and months to deter illegal parking on Middle Street, and to direct drivers to off-street parking elsewhere or at the designated car park at the community centre nearby. Additional signage will be installed at the junction of Hesleden Road and Middle Street to direct drivers to the community centre car park. 

Double-yellow lines will also be installed or reinstated soon to prevent problem parking at one or two other locations in the village.

I posted a brief update on this scheme a few months ago, and there are additional links to more detailed background information within the article which you can find in this link: Notes from the Blackhall PACT meeting for September 2024

Durham County Council - Local Elections in May 2025

There have been quite a few misleading comments circulating lately on social media claiming that the local elections in County Durham will be either postponed or cancelled this year. 

These comments appear to have originated from politically motivated sources that are either ill-informed, those that don't understand how governance arrangements work or from those organisations that are simply seeking to create division and confusion by spreading misinformation they know isn't true.

To clarify the position in County Durham I've received a statement from Durham County Council confirming that the local elections in County Durham were never at risk of cancellation, along with further confirmation that the local elections are scheduled to go ahead on 1 May 2025 as planned:

Further to the publication of the Government’s Devolution White Paper on 16 December 2024, we have become aware of some speculation that the County Council elections in May 2025 will be postponed.

The White Paper sets out the Government’s expectations for all two-tier areas and smaller or failing unitary councils to develop proposals for re-organisation. After publication of the White Paper, the Minister for Local Government wrote to the leaders of counties and districts in two tier (County and district) areas seeking a clear commitment to devolution and re-organisation on or before 10 January 2025 in order for elections to be postponed.

The local government re-organisation implemented in 2009 created a single tier of local government in County Durham. Therefore, the expectations for local government re-organisation and potential for elections to be postponed does not apply to Durham County Council. The elections will take place on Thursday 1 May 2025 as planned.

Attempt to bring derelict buildings back into use

I've contacted Durham County Council this morning to enquire about the ownership and maintenance responsibility for two long-term derelict properties on the corner of Middle Street and Seventh Street in Blackhall Colliery. 

Both buildings have stood empty for a considerable length of time and have become a blight on the main route through our village, so it would be a considerable benefit to the community if these properties could be tidied up, and perhaps brought back to useful purpose.

In addition to the poor visible condition of the properties, resident will recall that damage was caused to the front of one of the buildings during the recent storms, leaving the current condition of the building a potential threat to public safety.

As I reported on these pages yesterday the council's *Community Action Team (CAT) is due to begin an 11 week project later this month which will focus on environmental issues of this type. It's hoped that if we can get some advance information about these two properties any initiative to bring them back to an acceptable standard will get off to a stronger start. 

*More details about the CAT project can be found here: Community Action Team project in Blackhall Colliery

Community Action Team project in Blackhall Colliery

I've received confirmation from the council’s community protection department that the Community Action Team (CAT) will be starting an 11 week project in Blackhall Colliery later this month focusing mainly on housing, anti-social behaviour and general environmental issues. 

The proposed format can be found below in the communication I received this afternoon from the CAT team leader. 

The Community Action Team are currently preparing for our next project in Blackhall Colliery from 20 January – 4 April 2025.  This will be an 11-week project to tackle local housing, environmental and antisocial behaviour issues.

Weekly walkabouts are planned during the action weeks (5 February - 19 March) on a Wednesday at 1pm. These will be focused on the priority topics. Locations to be confirmed at the Strategy meeting.

We have planned resident engagement events at Blackhall Community Centre as follows. These are a chance for locals to meet the Community Action Team, let us know their views and help decide priorities for the project:

·    Tuesday 21 January from 12-2pm, alongside seated exercise and The Bread & Butter Thing

·    Wednesday 22 January 10am-1pm, alongside coffee morning, café and Knit and Knatter

·    Wednesday 29 January 5-7pm, alongside the PACT meeting

We’ve also arranged mid-action update events, again at Blackhall Community Centre as follows. These are a chance for locals to receive updates on the project and advice on the priority topics:

·    Tuesday 25 February 2025, from 1pm - 2pm, alongside seated exercise and The Bread & Butter Thing

·    Wednesday 26 February 2025, from 12noon - 1pm, alongside coffee morning, café and Knit and Knatter

·    Wednesday 26 February 2025 – 6pm, alongside the PACT meeting

Resident letters will shortly be prepared for those in the focus area, as well as posters, leaflets, and social media to launch the project.