Local Issues and Casework Update for March 2025

Since my most recent local issues and casework update report last month I’ve raised over 120 queries with the authorities on behalf of residents and businesses across the Blackhall ward. I've also been in direct contact with more than 124 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 plans for an exciting new play area at Blackhall Welfare Park, Durham County Council urged to suspend parking charges at Crimdon to avoid traffic chaos this summer and plans for a PACT meeting in Hesleden. 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 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

Blackhall Banner Group Fundraiser The 2025 Blackhall Banner Group Fundraiser

Restoration works at Hesleden Pit Heap Restoration works at the former pit heap site in Hesleden

Exciting new play area at Blackhall Welfare Park Children reveal exciting new plans for Blackhall Welfare Park play area

Residents deserve a level playing field in fight against Benridge Solar Farm Residents deserve a level playing field in fight against Benridge Solar Farm

Local issues update Another busy weekend on the streets

PACT meeting for Hesleden A PACT meeting for Hesleden

Durham County Council warned of traffic chaos this summer Durham County Council urged to suspend parking charges at Crimdon

On the streets, meeting residents and addressing local issues Meeting residents and dealing with local issues

Making the most of the spring weather Lighter nights and warmer weather mean more community engagement

Lighter nights and warmer weather mean more community engagement

As residents will know already I’ve been active in our community for many years. By living here and being visible on the streets regularly I have the perfect opportunity to meet with residents and talk to them face to face about any issues they might have.

Over the past week or so we’ve seen a marked improvement in the weather, and along with the return of the lighter nights that means I’ve been able to get out and about a bit more than usual.

In that time alone I’ve met with dozens of residents and I’ve reported almost 40 individual local issues to the relevant authorities for their attention. These include fly-tipping, litter and potholes in a number of streets, abandoned bins at the Scheme Houses, a blocked drain at the Aged Miners’ Homes, vermin at one or two empty properties and a couple of incidents of anti-social behaviour.

Mattress abandoned at Corry Close was removed within 24 hours

Television set dumped at the Scheme Houses, and now removed

Broken glass was cleared from the steps at the Scheme Houses

Road defects at The Crescent, reported for repair and included in the work programme

Long-term empty property at the Scheme Houses reported to the empty homes team

Watch out for my full monthly update on local issues and casework post which I’ll publish on these pages in the next day or so.

As ever, if you have any issues you would like me to know about please get in touch with me at: rob.crute@durham.gov.uk

Meeting residents and dealing with local issues

It was another fine day yesterday to get out on the streets again to talk with lots of residents about local issues and the things that affect them in our community.

It was especially good to meet up with old friends I hadn’t seen for a while and also to talk with quite a few residents I met for the first time.

Almost all the craic we had was positive about local matters, and there were also lots of issues to report, ranging from long-term empty properties and a few incidents of littering and fly-tipping to abandoned bins and a few highways issues.

All the issues raised yesterday have now been reported for the attention of the council and the other agencies who work alongside them in the community.

I’m now looking forward to another few days out and about - and hopefully with more warm and sunny weather!