News

Italy, France and maybe even New Zealand: new town twinning links for County Durham
New and resurrected town twinning links with communities in Italy and France are being put forward in County Durham. And a third new arrangement, with a town in New Zealand which shares links to the celebrated Durham Light Infantry (DLI),

Council committed to delivering high-quality adult social care
Councillors will receive an update about ongoing work to make sure adults with care needs in County Durham receive the best possible support. Durham County Council’s adult social care service was rated Good by the Care Quality Commission following an

Communities thrive together thanks to new fund
Cllr Howard Brown (front left) and Amanda Healy, Durham County Council’s director for public health (centre), play curling with members at Spennymoor Youth and Community Association A £1.5m fund is helping to improve health and wellbeing, tackle social isolation and

Landlord prosecuted after mother of newborn baby and disabled child had no heating
A landlord has been forced to pay £28,500 after the mother of a newborn baby and child with disabilities were living in a property blighted with damp and mould, no heating or hot water, and electrical issues. A vulnerable household

Illegal off-road bikes are not harmless fun – they are a danger to our communities
PCC Joy Allen explains, in her own words, why she is determined to tackle the menace of illegal off-road bikes which are causing harm and nuisance to communities and the countryside. The illegal and dangerous use of off-road bikes has

National award for County Durham’s leisure offer
A North East council has been recognised four times for its outstanding contribution to improving the health and wellbeing of residents. Having been named as a finalist in seven ukactive Award categories, Durham County Council walked away with the winner’s

Group will help shape future growth of town
A board bringing investment and regeneration to a County Durham town has established a new working group. The All Together for Spennymoor Board, administered by Durham County Council, has created a new Business Working Group, bringing together local companies, stakeholders

County Durham SEND plan approved by government
A plan setting out how services will be delivered for children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) in County Durham, has won government approval. The Local Area SEND Reform Plan for County Durham has been approved

Sam Rushworth MP gets his flu jab at Wolsingham Pharmacy
Bishop Auckland MP Sam Rushworth has received his flu vaccination at Wolsingham Pharmacy as part of a campaign to encourage people who are most at risk from flu to get protected this winter. The visit highlights the important role community

New report reveals Durham’s Investigative Hub is saving millions, cutting delays and keeping officers on the frontline
More than £800,000 in savings, thousands of staff hours returned to policing and significant reductions in detainee waiting times have been achieved since the opening of Durham’s pioneering Investigative Hub, a new report has revealed. Produced on behalf of County

Event celebrates British farming
The importance of food and farming in County Durham has been celebrated as part of an event marking Back British Farming Day. Durham County Council and members of the National Farmers Union (NFU) came together at The Light, the local

Proposals put forward to tackle anti-social behaviour in County Durham
A North East council is set to consult on measures to tackle anti-social behaviour in town centres. Durham County Council is considering introducing Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) in town centres, including some bus stations, across County Durham. Next week,

New strategy to support children and young people with SEND
Helping children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) to feel included, that they belong, and that they are able to do their best. That is at the heart of a new strategy that goes before Durham

Durham Constabulary crush illegal bikes in crackdown operation
Several bikes and illegal e-scooters seized in Darlington after being linked to anti-social and criminal behaviour have been destroyed as part of a special police operation aimed at making communities safer. Officers were joined at the crushing operation in Shildon

PCC welcomes £195k boost to support victims impacted by early release of offenders
Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has welcomed new government funding to help meet the additional costs of supporting victims impacted by early release plans for some prisoners. Under new proposals, the PCC has secured extra funding worth £195k from

Half of fire services missing basic wildfire kit as blazes reach record highs
Fire services don’t have the basic equipment, training or resources they need to cope with soaring wildfire numbers, according to FOI requests submitted by the Country Land and Business Association (CLA). · Fire crews are being sent to tackle wildfires

Warren claims the King James prize
As the winner of a special competition run by King James I Academy, 10-year-old Warren Hunt from Witton Park was delighted to be presented with an Amazon Fire tablet by Academy Headteacher, Simon Whitehead. King James recently welcomed over 900

believe housing customers invited to help shape the future of Crook, Willington, Sunnybrow and Billy Row
Customers of believe housing in Crook, Willington, Sunnybrow and Billy Row are invited to join Our Place, Our Voice — a new resident-led engagement group that will help local people make a positive difference in their communities. Supported by housing