Following a Public Meeting on February 1st which was attended by Councillors and members of the public, a decision was made to alter the PACT areas within Newton Aycliffe and Middridge to reflect the county council wards. It was agreed that we would hold 3 PACT meetings per month, one in each of the wards – the venue within each ward to rotate. In organising these new venues we have had to take into consideration other groups that meet at the venues and also the shift pattern of the Neighbourhood Police Team. Therefore there will be two venues per county council ward area and the meetings will all be held on either a Wednesday or Thursday evening between 6.00pm and 7.00pm.
Whilst the venues may not be of everyone’s choosing, it has not been an easy process and I am keen to be in a position where we can publicise the meetings well in advance so as to maximise attendance. I have therefore booked the venues up until the end of February 2019. The team intends to advertise these dates regularly through the Newton News and on our Facebook site. They will also be displayed each month on the Durham Constabulary website.
I would like to remind residents of Newton Aycliffe, Aycliffe Village and Middridge that the PACT meetings are an opportunity for the community to work with Police to address issues across the area. We would encourage your attendance so that we can discuss matters that are important to you and also update you on what is happening in your area.
The purpose of reorganising PACT in the area was to improve the meetings and to increase attendance. Some of the previous PACT meetings were poorly attended and this was not assisted by venues being changed last minute on some occasions owing to other public events and classes.
The first meeting in each of the three wards will focus on setting new PACT priorities, so this is your opportunity to influence the priorities of your local policing teams so that we focus on the issues that most to you.
Please show your support for the town and villages by attending your PACT meeting. We have a wonderful town and by working together we can improve it further!
Sarah Honeyman, NPT Inspector
Meetings
Aycliffe North and Middridge:
Thursday 26th April 2018 (6.00-7.00pm) Woodham Community Centre
Wednesday 23rd May 2018 (6.00-7.00pm) Greenfield Arts College
Aycliffe West:
Wednesday 11th April 2018 (6.00-7.00pm) Newton Aycliffe Evangelica Church, Ladybower
Wednesday 9th May 2018 (6.00-7.00pm) Simpasture Court
Aycliffe East:
Thursday 12th April 2018 (6.00-7.00pm) Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre, Burn Lane
Thursday 10th May 2018 (6.00-7.00pm) Neville Community Centre
