Boosting the local economy, providing activities for young people and crime and community safety have been chosen by the people of Newton Aycliffe as their priorities for the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership (GAMP) to address from April 2016 onwards.
More than 800 local people voted on the issues they thought needed the most development in 2016/17. The voting also included young people from both Greenfield and Woodham schools.
A public vote identified the following three areas as priorities, which were later formally agreed by the GAMP Board:
•    Activities for young people
•    Crime and community safety
•    Employment, enterprise, education and training
Brian Riley, GAMP coordinator, said: “We are grateful to the town’s residents for setting GAMP and its partners challenging priorities for the forthcoming year. It is now up to the board, task groups and the GAMP team to take these priorities forward throughout 2016 and into 2017.”
Cllr Brian Hall, GAMP Chair, said: “Since it was set up in 2009, it’s been a busy time for the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership. Through working with its partners we have brought about a great number of projects that have benefited the area.”
Over the last couple of years GAMP and its partners have achieved a number of notable successes, these include:
• Supporting over 200 local residents into employment through the flagship Employability and Discretionary fund project managed on GAMP’s behalf by Bishop Auckland College;
• Working in partnership with South Durham Enterprise Agency, 41 local residents have been supported into self- employment;
• Since 2015, 42 local community groups have benefitted from GAMP Small Grants Funding;
• Part funded a new 3G Pitch at Greenfield Community College;
• Woodham Village Community Centre now has a new extension to help meet theneeds of the local community;
• Working with partners a ‘What’s on Guide’ has been produced to promote local activities for young people; an Employability Information Network has also been established.
A number of projects are also planned for 2016, these include:
• In partnership with Great Aycliffe Town Council a new Scooter Track will be built at Horndale Park;
• A Buddies Befriending Service will be developed to help engage and support older isolated residents within the GAMP area. This initiative will be delivered in partnership with the Pioneering Care Partnership and Cornforth Partnership;
• Working with Durham Constabulary a ‘Mini Police’ project will be delivered in some local schools;
• Sponsor a Grown Up project will be delivered to encourage young people and their relatives or carers to participate in free sporting/physical activities along with supporting local sports clubs.
Cllr Brian Hall, GAMP Chairman, said: “The GAMP Partnership continues to go from strength to strength, and I feel we are now established as an asset to the local community, making a real difference in the area. We are always looking for new people to get involved with GAMP.”
To find out more about GAMP or get involved in its work call Facebook at: Great Aycliffe and Middridge Partnership- GAMP