Council announces financial support for residents and businesses

 

A series of financial measures to help residents and businesses impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak has been announced by Durham County Council.

 

The authority is to postpone debt recovery action for anyone in council tax or business rates arrears, as part of the support it is offering people during the COVID-19 pandemic. Further resources have also been ploughed into its welfare assistance scheme to support people in difficulty.

 

Residents are being encouraged to seek financial assistance through the authority’s council tax reduction scheme, the only such scheme in the North East to offer reductions of up to 100 per cent.

 

Residents are also being urged to get in touch if they need to rearrange their council tax payments for the coming year, with the authority offering a range of flexible payment plans, including the ability to spread the cost of council tax evenly over 12 months or starting payments from June instead of April.

 

Any residents who are struggling or worried about their council tax position can find out about the support available by visiting the authority’s website at http://www.durham.gov.uk/counciltax They can also contact the council’s customer services team for assistance by emailing help@durham.gov.uk

 

The council has been closely monitoring the continuously emerging government guidance in relation to Coronavirus, and national announcements of a range of financial measures designed to support businesses and residents.

 

These measures include offering a three-month mortgage holiday for those in need, reimbursing small and medium-sized companies for the cost of statutory sick pay, supplying vouchers for children who currently receive free school meals when schools close, and continuing to fund free childcare entitlements for two, three and four-year-olds.

 

The government also announced £1 billion to support vulnerable people across the country, half of which will be ploughed into the welfare system and the rest in the creation

of a new hardship fund for local authorities; as well as £3.2m in emergency funding across the country to help rough sleepers isolate.

 

The council’s postponement of debt recovery action will apply until further notice.

 

Paul Darby, the council’s head of finance and transactional services, said: “We appreciate that this is a really difficult time for everyone but especially the most vulnerable members of our society and those who are struggling financially.

 

“That is why we have taken the decision to postpone debt recovery action in most cases that we deal with – and this will include anyone facing action in relation to council tax and business rates.

 

“We’d also like to thank residents who are able to continue paying council tax despite the difficult times we find ourselves in – their contribution is helping us maintain essential services.

 

“We are awaiting further detail of the various financial measures announced by the government, following which, we will be implementing them across the county as quickly as we can to ensure the benefits are felt by our residents.”

 

The council has set up a webpage to provide advice for residents on the various means of support available to them during the outbreak, which covers welfare, finances, housing and the closure of schools. This can be found at http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/22971/Support-for-residents

 

The authority’s Customer Access Points are also open providing a range of help and information for residents, although residents are asked to phone them on 03000 260 000 rather than visiting where possible. Details of these can be found at http://www.durham.gov.uk/customeraccesspoints

 

The council’s One Point hubs and Family Centres remain open to provide advice, guidance and signposting on a one-to-one basis, although residents are advised to phone them during opening hours on 03000 261 111 rather than visiting where possible.

 

However, in line with government guidance around social distancing, all group-based family activities in community venues and family centres have been cancelled for the time being. This includes baby clinics, breastfeeding groups, early learning groups, parenting support programmes and sensory play sessions.

 

Martyn Stenton, the council’s head of early help and inclusion and vulnerable children, said: “We understand this is a worrying time for everyone and we are doing all we can to provide services for families while ensuring we protect the health and safety of our staff.  We will strive to make sure that families can still access help, advice and guidance at this difficult time.”

 

More information, including opening hours of One Point hubs and Family Centres, is available at http://www.durham.gov.uk/article/22977/Family-centre-One-Point-cancellations

 

For more information about the council’s response to Coronavirus, visit http://www.durham.gov.uk/coronavirus

 

Councillors Report 

Villa Real Bridge

Our Councillors report, the work for completion of this project has resulted in the official opening of the new road being planned for 11 am on Friday 9^th Dec. with the current Chair of DCC, Snr DCC Officers/Members & Local Cllrs due to attend – the official opening is likely to be “conducted” by the current Chair of DCC (Cllr Eddie Bell) – we hope that a local person from Leadgate (perhaps Mrs Carol Stockdale – widow of the late Hon. Alderman Bill Stockdale) could be involved in the ‘cutting of the tape’   

 

The Cricket Club has agreed to open (after the official road opening) for the provision of light refreshments

 

Cllrs continue holding discussions with DCC project management, & Bentleys, to finalise the remaining work schedules before the opening of the road.

 

1.1 – Removal of the remaining bridge stonework & the realignment of the eastern corner of the mound improving the visual access to road/cycleway has been completed.

 

 

1.2 – All roadways (incl. West Parade) footpath & cycleway surfacing are to be completed during w/c 21^st & 28^th of November.

 

1.3 – The white concrete wall at Leadgate C.C. is to be removed (w/c Dec 5^th) and will be replaced with wire weld mesh – improving the visual amenity outlook when entering/leaving the village.

 

1.4 – All bus services are to be routed through the village as of Saturday 10^th Dec. and all the diversion route signs removed

 

1.5 – The bollards at the Cricket Club (preventing access to Garden Place & Terrace via Bradley Ind. Estate) are to be replaced (creating some additional parking for the cricket club) once any issues with the new road are resolved.

 

The introduction of this new road will provide Leadgate with an opportunity to improve the economic prosperity of the village for existing tradespeople and encourage new commercial businesses to relocate to the area.

Local DCC members (Councillors Alan Shield &  Watts Stelling) will strive to achieve the potential that this new road development will bring.

 

 

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Update on Villa Real Bridge ( Last Bridge Standing)

 

info re: Villa Real Bridge

 

This project has been beset by a series of ongoing problems

 

– Utility companies caused innumerable delays from the 1st day of closure of the bridge (Tuesday, May 26th) until Dec 19th, 2015

– Initial ground investigation work (undertaken on behalf of DCC) before the bore drilling by BT identified ‘top layered’ material (spoil/clinker) which could prove expensive to remove/reprocess, before disposal.

– Following completion of the utility works further ground investigation work identified that the level of spoil/clinker was predominant throughout the length and depth of the bridge embankments.

Whilst there is nothing of any concern to public health, the expense which would be incurred to reprocess all this spoil/clinker material is prohibitive, therefore a redesign of the road alignment is being developed using the spoil/clinker as a sub-base; raising the profile of the road between 0.5m-1.0m along its length with additional landscape features/drainage requirements.

 

Following discussions with the contractor regarding the redesign of the road layout it is expected that JN Bentley’s will return to the site with a likely start date late March/early April with the probability of a shorter construction time

 

Councillors are extremely concerned that the extended closure of Villa Real Bridge is contributing to the ongoing commercial problems being experienced by the tradespeople in Leadgate Village due predominantly to the loss of passing trade. We have requested that DCC provide some financial/grant support to prevent the closure of any of these commercial businesses.

 

Local Councillors will provide the community and residents of Leadgate (who have been extremely patient & tolerant of these delays) with regular updates on this project including the opportunity for a public meeting and we appreciate/understand the frustrations encountered with the original project timescales of 6-8mths being extended by nearly 12mths.

 

Councillors Alan Shield          and             Watts Stelling

07500125327                           07500125328

Update on (Last Bridge Standing) 22nd January 2016

This project has been beset by a series of ongoing problems

 

– Utility companies caused innumerable delays from the 1st day of closure of the bridge (Tuesday, May 26th) until Dec 19th, 2015

– Initial ground investigation work (undertaken on behalf of DCC) before the bore drilling by BT identified ‘top layered’ material (spoil/clinker) which could prove expensive to remove/reprocess, before disposal.

– Following completion of the utility works further ground investigation work identified that the level of spoil/clinker was predominant throughout the length and depth of the bridge embankments.

Whilst there is nothing of any concern to public health, the expense which would be incurred to reprocess all this spoil/clinker material is prohibitive, therefore a redesign of the road alignment is being developed using the spoil/clinker as a sub-base; raising the profile of the road between 0.5m-1.0m along its length with additional landscape features/drainage requirements.

 

Following discussions with the contractor regarding the redesign of the road layout it is expected that JN Bentley’s will return to the site with a likely start date late March/early April with the probability of a shorter construction time

 

Councillors are extremely concerned that the extended closure of Villa Real Bridge is contributing to the ongoing commercial problems being experienced by the tradespeople in Leadgate Village due predominantly to the loss of passing trade. We have requested that DCC provide some financial/grant support to prevent the closure of any of these commercial businesses.

 

Local Cllrs will provide the community and residents of Leadgate (who have been extremely patient & tolerant of these delays) with regular updates on this project including the opportunity for a public meeting and we appreciate/understand the frustrations encountered with the original project timescales of 6-8mths being extended by nearly 12mths.

 

Councillors Alan Shield          and              Watts Stelling

07500125327                           07500125328

 

1.Villa Real Bridge

1. We have just been advised that BT are running significantly behind their planned schedule and whilst they have increased the number of technicians on site (at the request of DCC) they have stated that they are unlikely to complete the work until December 18^th (at the earliest).            This will further delay the actual commencement of the major part of this project – dismantling of the bridge and construction of the new road.

 

1. The contractors (JN Bentley) have been on site since October 19^th                                -they have provided a secure compound for their equipment & machinery

-they have introduced a traffic light controlled safe walking passage via Bradley Industrial Estate.

 

1. However with the imposition of BT’s situation and to prevent significant delay damages to the contractor being incurred by DCC the decision has been taken to demobilise the contractor until BT have completed their works.

 

1. Therefore we have requested that pedestrian & cyclist access to the bridge is temporarily reopened, with the current pedestrian & cyclist route through Bradley Industrial Estate being no longer required until the contractor actually starts work on the bridge.

 

1. We have requested that street lighting opposite West Parade is replaced.

 

1. We have also requested that DCC look to provide some financial support (e.g. grant funding etc.) towards the businesses in Leadgate to offset the reduced income revenue because of the reduced passing trade.

 

2. Durham Light Infantry Museum (DLI)

DCC Cabinet has proposed the closure of the DLI museum (relocating the extensive memorabilia to the Palace Green Library in Durham City as well as safe storage in Spennymoor) because of the apparent uneconomical costs associated with the current museum.

However, it is perceived that the current location of the museum will impinge on the planned development of the Aykley Heads Enterprise site which is hoped to attract 6000 jobs according to the Co.Durham Plan.

There is a groundswell of public opinion opposing the planned closure of the DLI museum – the direct links allowing residents to register their support if they wished are attached

http://savethedli.org.uk/

http://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-the-closure-of-the-dli-museum

 

3. North East Combined Authority (NECA)

The 7 North East Local Authorities have signed an agreement ‘in principle’ for the terms of reference to create a “Super Council” for the devolution of power to the North East from Westminster.

DCC has decided to allow a level of consultation ‘a poll’ (not a referendum) with the residents of Co.Durham – we believe that more detailed information is needed to allow residents to make an informed decision.

– it will be interesting to see the outcome of this poll and if this influences the final decision of DCC to fully participate in the “Super Council” or whether the outcome of this poll will be disregarded similar to the previous poll in 2008 when 75.8% of Co.Durham residents voted against the creation of a Unitary Authority

 

 

Councillors Alan Shield (07500125327)         and            Watts Stelling (07500125328)

 

Leadgate/Villa Real Bridge

– after numerous false alarms and following months of meetings and discussions, it actually looks like the dismantling of the bridge & creation of the new road to Villa real Roundabout is about to start.

The appointed contractor (JN Bentley) is scheduled to start preparatory works (building storage compound, security of the site, provision of services) on Monday 19^th October.

 

We have held a recent meeting with the Site Manager from Bentley’s & D.C.C. Project Manager regarding the creation of a new footpath to allow pedestrians (including school children going to Consett Academy) safe passage towards Consett –

A newly linked footpath is to be created on the north side of the bridge (safety fencing on both sides of the footpath) starting from beside Leadgate Cricket Club (concrete wall) veering right before the bridge & exiting alongside the entrance at Villa Real Bungalows. The footpath needs to have the correct sub base and a top cover (probably chippings), & provision for lighting especially during the dark winter months.

 

We have proposed that a public meeting (probably in Leadgate Cricket Club) will be arranged in the next few weeks

 

Villa Real Bridge Update 5th August 2015

1. The closure of the bridge to all vehicular traffic from Tuesday, May 26th was to allow the ‘realignment’ of the utilities using the principle of thrust boring. An inspection of the bridge in July to consider its safety & capability levels has determined that it is considered structurally unsafe and it is now closed to ALL vehicular traffic (new barriers/cones being positioned to prevent unauthorised access) – cyclists and pedestrians are still able to use the bridge until the commencement of the demolishment, and the introduction of the new road etc. expected in mid-2016

 

Bus Service Update

Following the closure of Villa Real bridge the bus services have been rerouted up and down the resurfaced Werdhol Way, with some buses (V6, X71, V8) not entering Leadgate village at all. This has created significant problems for the local community.

 

• Passengers are having to alight those buses at the bottom of Werdohl Way and walk into Leadgate or alternatively, passengers are travelling to Consett and then change into a bus service (e.g. – 15,V78,X70 etc.)that actually go through Leadgate.
• Local traders are seeing a dramatic reduction in their takings and income has reduced between 25-40%, – an opportunity for traders to claim a rebate in their Business Rates has been proposed & business ratepayers should contact the Valuation Office Agency (03000 501501)
• The GP service is seeing an increase in requested home visits because people are not able to travel to Leadgate to get to the surgery on Watling Street.
• Residents in certain parts of ‘West’ Leadgate are feeling particularly isolated.

 

At a recent meeting (requested by Cllrs) with all the appropriate DCC Officers – Neighbourhood Services (Bridge removal), Passenger Transport & GONe (Bus Service)to redress the ongoing issues.

it has been agreed to introduce a short rerouting of traffic including the V6 (Midi Bus service) through Front Street Leadgate and then via Bradley Industrial Estate until the new road is opened. Unfortunately, it has not been possible to arrange for the X71 & the V8 service to use this rerouting arrangement, because these services use or will use (in the case of the V8) a larger bus vehicle.

 

Open Cast Update

1. The decision by the Independent Planning Inspectorate has disappointingly upheld the appeal by UK Coal and approved the application for opencast mining on the Bradley site.

The Inspector (Mrs Kath Ellison) made her decision that whilst the current environmental conditions (supported by the Derwentside Local Plan) could not be sustained, the National need for coal (supported by the National Planning Policy Framework – NPPF) super ceded the environmental concerns & local planning policies.

2. Before any extraction of coal is allowed from the Bradley site restoration bonds must be submitted to DCC, These bonds are required (as a condition of the Planning Inspectorates decision) to ensure that the site is returned to an acceptable pre-open cast environmental condition.
3. A community fund of £53K (£0.10/tonne) will be available for local communities once the extraction of the coal deposits expected at 533K tonnes has been concluded – this will be co-ordinated by DCC and UK Coal.

 

Councillors Alan Shield (07500125327)         And           Watts Stelling (07500125328)

 

Leadgate Bridge And Opencast Site

Leadgate/Villa Real Bridge

We are extremely concerned to hear that the scheduled work (relocation of all utilities; construction of new road & demolishing of the bridge) is now to take more than 12mths with the access via the bridge restricting through traffic into the village expected to take +9mths.

–          Cllrs have scheduled a meeting with the relevant DCC Officers to try and resolve the issue

 

GoNe Bus Service

We are extremely disappointed that since the closure of Villa Real bridge the rerouted bus service particularly the V6(Bradley, Pont Circular) & X71 (Consett-Leadgate-Medomsley-Gateshead link) are using the Werdohl Way/Bradley Shops route, meaning passengers are no longer able to alight in Leadgate, which is having an effect on the various commercial traders in the village.

GoNe have stated that the number of passengers using this service is extremely low and have declined to meet with Cllrs to try and resolve the situation

–          Cllrs have held meetings with DCC Passenger Transport Officers and will be meeting with the DCC Director asap.

 

Bradley Open Cast  

The Planning Inspector has decided to uphold the appeal by UK Coal and thereby grant their application to Open Cast on the Bradley Site – there is no further right of appeal or judicial review. This is extremely disappointing to all concerned which means that the local communities will be affected by the environmental conditions – noise, dust, traffic etc. during the duration of extraction.

 

As UK Coal are technically in administration it will be interesting to see how they can resolve their financial difficulties to cover the operational costs and the bond required to cover the full costs of restoration of the site once the coal extraction has been completed.

 

Regards

Alan

 

Good day from Councillors Shield and Stelling.

This page has been created to allow us to provide the residents and community of Leadgate with relevant information about Durham County Council and other organizations which have a direct bearing on the quality of life that effect us on a regular basis.

Yours

Councillors Shield & Stelling

Leadgate/Villa Real Bridge {30-01-2015}

The previous ‘legal problems’ with Sustrans (who are the owners of the bridge) have finally been resolved and all the relevant documents have been signed and are in the possession of the legal dept @ County Hall.

Discussion’s with the contractor (Balfour Beatty) are progressing to commence the construction of the new road (from villa real roundabout & Leadgate Village) and schedule the final dismantling of the actual span of the bridge. The target date for the commencement of the work is the 1st week in April.

Councillors have impressed upon DCC Officers that the disruption to the residents of Leadgate village and the footfall of passing traffic (which contributes to the various businesses) is kept to an absolute minimum with the removal of the bridge span (which in effect will close the road to incoming traffic) being left to the latest possible date.

After persistent lobbying and contact with DCC Officers (over several years) we are hopeful that the final element of this whole saga is nearing completion.

importance of community

There are many reasons why we and our Councillors should be focusing on community building, not least of these is that communities are often best placed to provide the things that local people need. For too long, public agencies have sought to drive change through top-down interventions designed around the needs of the organisation, that now has to change. It is time to let go of power and help communities build their own futures, in their own way. Time to get out of the way. Yes, we need public services there to mediate, to provide the safety net and to champion equalities and the needs of minorities, but increasingly our role should focus on facilitating not controlling; helping without dictating. If you share this view, then you might like this short 5-minute video about the Eileen and the Grit Bin.

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