• DCC’s Cabinet will be told on Wednesday that by 2019 government grants to the Council will have been cut by 60% (or £250million a year) – this is an incomprehensible amount when you consider that the controversial scheme to charge for green waste collection will save less than £1million a year.  A full report on the implications for Durham County Council of the Government’s policy programme is available here: http://bit.ly/DCCGrantsCut
• Public consultation on the Durham Police & Crime Plan: http://bit.ly/DPCCconsultation (ends 15 February)
• DCC School Nurse Service consultation: http://bit.ly/DCCSchoolNurses (ends 2 February)
• Money crisis after Christmas?  Residents of Aycliffe and Middridge can get free debt advice – http://bit.ly/NAdebtadvice or call Andy McGill on 07908 176456
• Many Aycliffe electors dropped off the electoral register with the new arrangements – RU one of them? https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
• An NHS ‘Commissioning Priorities’ public consultation event is taking place on the afternoon of 14 January, at Ferryhill Community Hub, DL17 8BQ – telephone 0191 3713235 to book a place.
• Teen parenting programme: an 18-week course starts 14 January Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre – contact 03000 261118
• Counselling and Listening Skills: a 5-week course starts 14 January at the PCP – contact 01325 329936
• Diabetes support – a 4-week course starts at the PCP on 14 January, 6-8pm, email healthtrainers@pcp.uk.net  or phone 01325 321234
• Sunday 18th January, 4pm in the Leisure Centre – Durham Wildcats play high-flying Worcester Wolves
• Level 2 Food Safety in Catering: 1-day course, 28 January at the PCP – contact 01325 329936
• Warm Up North ‘green deal’ home improvement fund – up to £5600 for such as cavity wall insulation, boiler upgrades, double-glazing etc. – phone 0800 2948073 to arrange an assessment.
• A car left unattended with its engine running to warm up is asking to be stolen
• Feeling fat after Christmas?  Here are some guided DCC Countryside Service walks: http://bit.ly/DCCWalks14-15
• Feeding the birds this winter? Make sure you’re not killing them: http://bit.ly/BirdFeed
• Small grants are still available for Children and Young People’s groups – phone 01325 327462 for more info.
• Keep up with local council issues on Cllr John D Clare’s facebook page: http://bit.ly/JDClare