County Councillor Liz Maddison has provided an update of activities.
A special PACT (Police & Communities Together) meeting took place on Friday, 16 January. We learnt that the drone has been successfully deployed on a number of occasions leading to an arrest for burglary. The police updated us on their use of Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBO) to tackle serious and persistent ASB. This can lead to a term of imprisonment of up to five years, or for an alternative punishment such as a fine or community service. The next PACT meeting is on Wednesday, 29 January, at Spennymoor Town Hall bar area, at 6pm. All are welcome and we will be there.
A few weeks ago Cllr McAloon and I attended North Park Play Area to view the damaged play equipment deliberately set on fire. The cost to replace this will be £12,000 with an eight-week delivery of parts. This senseless act means that there will be a long delay until this equipment can be put back into use.
I have reported two incidences of flytipping this month in popular walking areas of Spennymoor. These areas have now been cleared.
Potholes and damaged road surfaces have also been reported, some of which have quickly been filled.
Spennymoor Litterpickers Group, organised by Cllr McAloon, met at Cow Plantation for a litterpick. This was well attended with 17 volunteers, including three children. We collected 14 bags of rubbish from the Cow Plantation and woods area. I met with Debra and her young granddaughter ‘Middy’ on the walk. I heard that they work tirelessly to help others and get involved with good causes and regularly collect for charity. Well done both and to all the children that attended as well, you did a super job!
This month I have worked with Livin, Home Group and Durham County Council (DCC) to resolve housing issues for residents.
Work started on Whitworth Road w/c 20 January with Burton Woods exit now closed. Works, including lighting on the road will take 16 weeks with a finish time advised of “by Easter”.
Two-way traffic lights are in operation. Some car drivers have been attempting to manoeuvre round barriers and on the grass verges at this closed exit to shortcut access onto Whitworth Road. As this presents as a safety issue, I have reported this to both Barratts and DCC to address.
At the AAP (Area Action Partnership) meeting on 16 January, we received a presentation on the Social Housing Allocations Review.
This important consultation may mean changes on how this scheme operates and runs from 15th January to 12th March for 8 weeks, leading to a new draft policy later in 2025. A detailed consultation page is on the new County Durham consultations website at www.letstalkcountydurham.gov.uk. Please get in touch with us if you need more information or call 03000 260000 to speak to an Officer of the Council.
Cllr Liz Maddison, 24/1/25
Spennymoor's local community newspaper.
