Cllr Liz Maddison has provided an update of activities:
This month has been very busy with Remembrance Day events and helping out at Chris Wheatley’s Poppy stall at Asda. I was delighted to learn that the Spennymoor & Tudhoe Poppy Appeal 2025 raised £21,986.74 for this very deserving cause. Spennymoor residents have been so generous in supporting this Appeal. We thank you!
The minutes of the Planning Committee that approved the Whitworth Park phase 6 development of 299 dwellings (DM/25/01790/FPA have now been published and are included with the Agenda of the next County Planning Committee that takes place on Wednesday, 3rd December. I spoke against this application as did Cllr Molloy and much of what we said has been included in the minutes of the meeting. I spoke for over 20 minutes.
I counted down to start the Fireworks display on 5th November. The weather was kind and I think everyone enjoyed the excellent display. Visitors were also very generous in supporting my Mayor’s Charity, Spennymoor Town Band and Youth Band. The Fireworks display is an annual and FREE event organised by the Town Council.
Cllr McAloon and I met up with the Housing Officer of Thirteen Group at Cornish Park on the 19th November. We were informed that 97% of this well set out development is occupied, with the developer retaining the remaining circa 7 homes. The site is not yet adopted. During our walkabout we discovered an unfinished path with lighting already installed leading partway to the main Merrington Lane road. We asked if this path and its drainage could be looked at and linked with the walkway of Vyners Close and Daisy Fields as a quick link to the Town Centre. The Housing Officer agreed to look into this with the developer. This Group also have some homes on Durham Gate and a number of bungalows on an estate in Spennymoor.
ASB including drug activity, shop lifting and inconsiderate and unsafe use of motor cycles on footpaths continues to be an issue in the Town. At the recent PACT meeting the police advised that they have carried out a number of arrests. They asked if residents would also be vigilant and report all instances to the Police on 101 or through their website (please ensure you obtain an incident number). A multi agency meeting involving Housing Solutions, Changing Lives, Councillors, ASB Team and the Police has been organised for Tuesday, 9 December to discuss some of the issues being reported at PACT meetings. I have also met up with Police Commissioner Joy Allen and local police team to look at long term solutions/preventative measures and CCTV provision in key areas in already identified areas on High Street and Cheapside.
As reported in last edition, the Town Council have invested in an upgrade and extension of CCTV coverage in Jubilee Park and associated monitoring of cameras by the Control Centre at Chilton Depot.
In response to the article in last edition that highlighted the build of new modular units on Merrington View part funded by Homes England from the Government’s Single Homelessness Accommodation Programme (SHAP), I voted against this development as did Cllr McAloon. We will be closely monitoring how this scheme develops and will report any concerns we have to the appropriate Agencies.
I have been able to secure funding for target harding initiatives at Binchester to prevent unauthorised access to the playing field. I met with the Residents Association last week to finalise the plan for tree and bulb planting and additional soil barriers to secure the area. Clean & Green will start this latest work imminently (some work has already been completed).
A plan is also in place for bulb planting in Newfield and some Spennymoor areas. Some identified housing issues in Newfield have been reported.
Some road sweeping has been requested at the church junction from Long Lane towards Church Street, Byers Green and on pathways approaching the Village and in areas across the Spennymoor Division.
I hope that residents are able to support some of our planned Christmas events:
Grotto opening and Lights switch on: Saturday 29 November, 3-7.30pm, Town Centre.
Civic Carol Service: Sunday 7 December, 3pm, Town Hall.
DCC Christmas market, roller skating rink and entertainment: Friday 13 December, from 1pm, Town Centre.
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