Here is this week’s news update on developments in the Council and community. As always, there is more about all the following on my blog at: bit.ly/CNB150
(1) COUNCIL
As we prepare ourselves for extreme weather events, you will be interested to read about the DCC Environment Scrutiny Committee’s special meeting on Monday 3 February, which looked at the provisions the County Council and its partners have made to address flooding. On Climate matters, DCC has been invited – despite the fact that Britain has left the EU – to share its business energy-efficiency practices across Europe in an EU-funded project called ‘SME Power’ … and there was also a press release this week about DCC’s new solar farm at Tanfield, built to provide power for its Comeleon House offices.
DCC has also been successful in a number of bids to help meet local housing needs – notably to support the development of a local lettings agency, and to pay for the continuation of ‘Somewhere Safe to Stay’ (SSTSs) – sites for people with a housing need who are not eligible for temporary accommodation.
The local Area Action Partnership (GAMP) Board met on Tuesday 28 January and considered the Police & Crime Commissioner’s report, a Neighbourhood Policing Update, and the Bishop Auckland Hospital and Fire Service consultations.
And Great Aycliffe Town Council’s Full Council meeting on Wednesday 29 January heard about a new home for three looked after children, approved the 2020/21 precept, and debated a complaint that it had not adhered to standing orders.
(2) COMMUNITY
This month’s HealthWatch County Durham newsletter is published, with a large number of items including the ‘Everything in Place’ project; reports on ‘Early Help, Inclusion and Vulnerable Children’ and the ‘Supportive Volunteer Driver Scheme’; along with a ‘Mental Health Attitudes Survey’.
Also, please complete two DCC consultations (your views genuinely do make a difference) on:
• Health & Wellbeing;
• The Safe Durham Partnership Plan.
And finally, why not finish by enjoying some good news items about Aycliffe Business Park (Warrens, Stiller, Homes by Carlton, Kunasan, CPI, and Tekmar).
