December 2013 - Darlington Together

Hello and welcome to the Decemberedition of Darlington Together

As you will probably be aware, the maintopic of discussion across the Town Hallthis month is the budget and the budgetproposals. The papers went live inNovember, with a special Cabinet meetingto discuss the proposals, and a consultationto discuss what we do next – a consultationthat is still ongoing.

During our Money Talks events in the summer, yousaid that a town without leisure, arts and support forchildren would result in Darlington no longer beingfit for purpose. We agree wholeheartedly. However,in order to keep these non-essential services, in atime when we are getting significantly less moneyfrom Central Government, we need you, the peopleof Darlington, to help us. Tough times are ahead, andwe need every resident and business owner to helpsupport the cause. Please go to pages 27-29 to findout more. There is also information on the website:www.darlington.gov.uk/budget

Speaking of finances, a short while ago, DarlingtonBorough Council took the decision to block accessto payday lender websites from council computers,including those in public spaces such as our libraries.A bold step for us to take, but I believe it was theright one. We have received Freedom of Information

requests asking why we did it but I think wemade the right choice. These loans exploitthe most vulnerable in society.

On a lighter note, the festive season is nowin full swing in Darlington, with theChristmas lights having been switched on,the pantomime due to start, and the widerange of independent shops in the towncentre all ready for business. I’d like to take

the opportunity to wish you all a wonderfulChristmas and a happy and healthy 2014. There havebeen a lot of hard decisions to make this year, and Ican’t sugar-coat the fact that next year will not beany easier, but Darlington is a great place, full ofwonderful, resolute peopleand I know that we canall work together tomake the best ofthings.

Cllr Bill Dixon MBE(@BillDixonDton)Leader of theCouncil

Darlington Borough Council | 17

Welcome to thismonth’s magazine forDarlington Borough

MP’s surgeriesJenny Chapman: MP for Darlington. Walk-in surgery will be held Friday 6December from 9:30 - 10:30am at theConstituency Office, 40a Coniscliffe Road,Darlington, DL3 7RG. E-mail: [email protected]: 01325 382345

Phil Wilson: MP for Sedgefield. Theoffice is open between Monday to Friday,9.30am - 5pm. Appointments can bearranged by calling 01325 321603 or e-mail [email protected]

December

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18 | www.darlington.gov.uk

Police and Communities Together (PACT):PACT meetings are meetings where you can tell thePolice what their priorities should be. If you can’tattend a meeting, you can still get involved bycontacting your local policing team.

To find out more, call 101 or visit the DurhamConstabulary website: www.durham.police.uk. Wealso promote the meetings onwww.darlington.gov.uk/events

NEWS IN BRIEF

STREET SCENEwww.darlington.gov.uk/streetsceneTel (01325) 388777

COUNCIL TAXwww.darlington.gov.uk/counciltaxTel (01325) 388373

HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX SUPPORTwww.darlington.gov.uk/benefitsTel (01325) 388514

HOUSING AND REPAIRSwww.darlington.gov.uk/housingTel (01325) 388542

HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTHwww.darlington.gov.ukTel (01325) 388799

www.darlington.gov.uk

01325 380651

[email protected]

The Customer Services Centre at theTown Hall is closed for renovation.

Find out more on page 19.

CONTACT US

Winter gritting: Follow us on Facebook, Twitter andGoogle+ to find out when the roadsare being gritted this winter—www.darlington.gov.uk/wintergritting

Civic Theatre bid: The Civic Theatre has put in a multi-million pound Lottery Fund bid for a host ofimprovements to the building to enhance everyone's visit to the theatre. The plans willinclude better accessibility for customers and more comfortable seats with improvedsight lines. Visiting companies will also see the difference, with refurbished dressingrooms and backstage showers.

The bid is part of an ambitious scheme developed with leading theatre restorationconsultant David Wilmore.

Get ready for DryJanuary! Alcohol Concernis throwing out a challengefor people to be alcohol-free for the whole ofJanuary. In the run-up to thecampaign, we're opening upa challenge of our own -why not try somethingdifferent and have a night-out or night-in withoutalcohol, and tell us about it?

Tell us what you did, where you found the best (orcheapest!) non-alcoholic drinks or give us the recipesfor your favourite alcohol-free cocktail! We'll sharethe best stories on social media. Email [email protected] with how you get on!

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We all need to take responsibility forour health and well being. Help yourselffeel good. Make time for you thisChristmas. Join in an activity, club orlocal group or volunteer to help others.

Try new things and develop existing interests.Take a walk, jog or cycle around the park... gofor a swim, join the gym, your local running,book, or knitting group; visit the library,cinema, theatre or enrol on a course.

Focus on new positives - they will take your mind off yourproblems and introduce you to new like-minded people.

For ideas see our clubs and societies information on pages36 & 37 and our What's On guide on pages 38 & 39.

As well as being a time for celebrations, Christmas can be alonely and difficult time for some people.

Managing low mood and depression at ChristmasIf you are struggling with low mood or are feelingdepressed, tell someone, ask them for help, listen to advice,visit your GP. Know who to call in a crisis and keep thenumber with you.

For more information and advice visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/depression

Be happy and healthy thisChristmas

If you are feeling; controlled, manipulated or treatedlike an object and as a result, have low self esteem andself confidence due to the behaviour of someone you

live with, help and support is available. Visit thedomestic abuse service directory for details of whereto get help. www.darlington.gov.uk/domesticabuse

Don’t let drink spoil yourChristmas and New YearAlcohol flows more freely during thefestive season. Unfortunately, as a result,reports in domestic abuse, violence, roadtraffic accidents and A & E admissionsincrease. You don’t have to stop drinkingaltogether, just adopt a common senseattitude. Sip slowly, enjoy the taste, have asoft drink or water in between alcoholicdrinks, or a single instead of a double.

For more information about how to helpcut down on your alcohol intake visit thegovernment’s Change for Life pageshttp://www.nhs.uk/change4life/pages/alcohol-drink-swaps.aspx

If you are concerned that you, or a friendor family member, may have a problemwith alcohol or drugs, there is supportavailable. Local recovery treatmentservices provide confidential help, advice,treatment and support for those withsubstance issues and their families andcarers. Visit www.darlington.gov.uk/alcohol

DOMESTIC ABUSE

Getting out and about If you or someone you know has difficulty getting out andabout why not hire a manual or electric wheelchair fromShopmobility who are located next to the Dolphin Centre,in the market square.

For more information or to book call 01325 489999or e-mail: [email protected]

dres0131_DT DEC 2013 18/11/2013 10:41


High Street looking bright!Local retailers in Darlington are takingadvantage of a scheme to help themthrive in tough times.

Since the High Street Innovation Fundlaunched earlier this year, 26 local businesseshave come forward to claim their share of£100,000 of funding to help them occupyempty properties.

The money has also funded vacant shop frontimprovements, making the town a moreattractive place to be.

Brilliant Bondgate!A particular area that stands out is the part ofBondgate between the St. Augustine’s Wayroundabout and the Woodland Road trafficlights. Nine new businesses have opened orare due to open, in an area that has sufferedfrom low footfall and empty properties. Thesenew businesses include a general store,children’s clothing shop, nailbar, carpetshowroom and homewares shop.

Find out more about thesupport available to

entrepreneurs in Darlington by visiting

www.darlington.gov.uk/businessor by scanning the QR code

Celebrating small businesseson Saturday 7 December

It is part of a Governmentpackage to help revive ourhigh streets. 100 localauthorities across the countryeach received £100,000 -Darlington being one of them.

Nails nailbar Emelia’s Clothing

Distinct Darlington – formed to encourageand promote trade in the town centre – iscalling on residents and visitors to showtheir support for independent retailers in aday-long promotion taking place onSaturday 7 December.

Small Business Saturday is a Government initiativewhich aims to increase footfall and raise awarenessof a whole range of small businesses from retailersto not-for- profit charities and organisations.

In Darlington, visitors to the town will be able totake a spin on the newly opened ice rink, browsethe stalls in the Christingle Market and park forfree after three.*

“Darlington has a wealth of small, independently-owned businesses and we hope that Small BusinessSaturday will shine a spotlight on them,” said Alex

Hirst, manager atDistinct Darlington.

*The “free after 3”parking scheme will runfrom Monday to Saturdayfrom the first week inDecember right up untilChristmas Eve and willoperate in all council carparks including pay anddisplay on-street parking.

The Cornmill Centre will also offer free parkingafter 3pm Monday to Saturday (with free parking asnormal on a Sunday) throughout the whole ofDecember.

For further information visit:www.distinctdarlington.co.uk

What is the HighStreet InnovationFund?

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Park for FREE after 3

In the October edition of Darlington Togetherwe told you about car park closures in theTown Centre. Now we’d like to tell you howwe’re getting on, and that Darlington is readyand open for business in the run-up toChristmas.

We recently carried out work in our Archer Street,Kendrew Street and Commercial Street car parks inorder to improve the surface and repaint white lines.

The car park at the rear of the Town Hall closed inSeptember so that we could start work on therelocation of the Department for Education offices.This resulted in the loss of 162 spaces, but the formerbus depot site is open as normal, as well as the carpark in Beaumont Street.

We are ensuring that the town centreis as clearly signposted as possible soyou will know where the best placesto park are.

You can find out more about parking in Darlington town centre by visitingwww.darlington.gov.uk/parking.

Parking is “freeafter 3” thisChristmas!Did you know that you canpark for free after 3pmfrom Saturday December 7 upto Christmas Eve (Tuesday 24December)?

This is great news for shoppers who can come tothe town centre in the afternoon and enjoy somefestive retail therapy!

Shoppers can park in the off-street council carparks and on-street pay and display parking bays.

Private car park operators are also runningChristmas promotions, check these out on theDistinct Darlington website:www.distinctdarlington.co.uk.

Don’t forget that there’s lotsgoing on in Darlington TownCentre this Christmas. Visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/christmasor scan the QR code to find outmore


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2222222222Did you know?Collective energy switching schemeshave helped over 21,000 householdsacross the country save an averageof £131? Source: DECC, 2013


Get thrifty Christmas can be a great time of year, with lotsof parties to go to and presents to buy forfamilies and friends, but it can be hard to watchthe budget. We hope these money-saving tipswill help give your wallet and purse a festivetreat, and help you through the New Year!

We’ll be publishing more tips in 2014 to help you keepyour finances healthy and cut down on your bills.

Be a bright spark and save on your energy!

k

Age UK Darlington’s HE-AT project providesfree information and advice for saving money onenergy and on keeping warm, whatever your age. Formore information call 01325 357345 or visitwww.ageuk.org.uk/darlington/information--advice/he-at/

Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau runs freeEnergy Best Deal sessions. Call 01325 256999 orvisit www.darlingtoncab.co.uk

Buy LED Christmas lights and switch off alllights when leaving the room. Don’t forgetoutside lights too! For more energy saving tips visitwww.energysavingtrust.org.uk/Take-action/Energy-saving-top-tips

Beat the energy price rises and take part inDarlington’s Big Community Switch! With recently announced rises in energy prices andcolder winter weather, December is a good time totackle your energy bills. Darlington Borough Councilis offering people another opportunity to take part inthe Big Community Switch, a collective energyswitching scheme powered by iChoosr.

• Register for free with no obligation to switch• You can register if you rent or have a pre-payment meter

• An auction is organised and the energy supplierwho offers the best tariff will offer you a newcontract

• We’ll tell you how much you could save and youdecide whether to switch

• Businesses and Voluntary & CommunityOrganisations can join for free too.

REGISTER FOR FREE from 10 December until midnight 17 February.

To register visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/bigcommunityswitch

For personal one to one support to register, callPhill at Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau on 01325256999 (ext. 122).

You will need a copy of a recent bill in your or yourpartner’s name (or your organisation’s name) toregister.

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2222222222Darlington Borough Council | 23

Share your thrifty tips! Thanks to the people who visited the Festival of Thrift in September for sharing their tips with us for this article.

Do you have any thrifty tips to share? Call Elizabeth Goodchild on 01325 388920 or email [email protected]

Get on the top of Santa’s nicelist with cheaper cards andpressies!Watch out for offers such as 3 for 2 or 25% off

Make your own cards, gifts and decorations. Manymagazines and websites give instructions. Social mediawebsites such as Pinterest are great for getting lots ofideas!

Don’t be a turkey!Use up leftover turkey by making curry and boilingthe carcass to make soup. Cook the meat to 75ºCand refrigerate leftovers below 10ºC to keep it safe.For more ideas for leftovers and food safety tips visit:www.lovefoodhatewaste.com and www.food.gov.uk

Be a Christmas cracker and avoid debt!Set a realistic budget for Christmas spending and stickto it. If you are going to find Christmas difficult toafford or are in debt, Darlington Citizens AdviceBureau (01325 256999) and Darlington Credit Union(01325 520005) can provide advice and a free financialreview. Visit: www.darlingtoncab.co.uk orwww.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk

Don’t forget you still have to pay everyday billsand put these first!

Avoid easy to access short term loans. Theyusually have very high interest rates which canmake things worse. Speak to Darlington CreditUnion. Call 01325 520005 or visitwww.darlingtoncreditunion.co.uk

this Christmas!j

Did you know?The North East are the nation’sbiggest spenders at Christmas, -spending 20% more than people inLondon?Source: The Co-operative Bank

Did you know?One-third of people rely on creditcards to pay for Christmas?

Source: The Co-operative Bank

dres0131_DT DEC 2013 18/11/2013 10:43


Last month, we let you know that work wasneeded to modernise our Customer ServiceCentre at the Town Hall. The new centre willdeal with more services in one place, whichwill be more convenient for you and will cutcosts. There will be more staff available, betterwaiting areas and a receptionist to welcomeand help you.

How will this affect me?The closure only affects people visiting the Town Hall.During this time, please contact us by email,telephone or using the website(www.darlington.gov.uk). If we need to see you, wewill organise an appointment for you at the Town Hallreception. Please contact us by email, telephone orusing the website before coming down to the TownHall.

We would like to offer the following advice for eachservice.

Council Tax, Street Scene and Planning - Pleasecontact us by email or telephone. Benefits - Please contact us by email, telephone or

post. If we write to you asking for information, pleasefollow the instructions in the letter. Social Fund - Crisis Support applications can onlybe made by telephone (01325 388514). CommunityCare applications can only be submitted through thewebsite (www.darlington.gov.uk/socialfund). We willmake an appointment to see you if required. Housing - Please contact us by email or telephone.We will offer the usual service if you are homeless,collecting decorating vouchers, ending a tenancy, orhave a pre-arranged appointment with us.Blue Badges - Please contact us by email ortelephone. We will make an appointment for you tovisit once we've determined you are eligible. Bus Passes - Please contact us by email ortelephone. We will make an appointment for you tovisit if we need to take your picture. Parking - We will provide a full service as normal.Forms may be given out to return rather thancomplete at the Town Hall.Children's Financial Payments - We will provide afull service as normal.Housing Bond Scheme - No service. Pleasecontact us by email or telephone to find out aboutalternative arrangements.

The existing CustomerService Centre has nowclosed - please call oremail us instead. We hope to open thenew Centre in the firstweek of February 2014.

The Customer Services Centrehas closed for improvements

STREET SCENE Tel (01325) 388777 • COUNCIL TAX Tel (01325) 388373HOUSING BENEFIT AND COUNCIL TAX SUPPORT Tel (01325) 388514

HOUSING AND REPAIRS Tel (01325) 388542 • BLUE BADGES Tel (01325) 346200 (OPTION 3)HIGHWAYS, TRANSPORT, PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH Tel (01325) 388799

How to contact us: Visit www.darlington.gov.uk Email [email protected]

Telephone:

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Two year olds can enjoy up to 15hours a week of free early educationand childcare over at least 38 weeksof the year.

Children are eligible if:

They are being ‘looked after’ by the Council

Or if you receive the following benefits:

• Universal Credit (to be phased in fromOctober 2013)

• Income Support • Income based Jobseekers Allowance• Income related Employment andSupport Allowance

• Support under part VI of theImmigration and Asylum Act 1999

• The guarantee element of State PensionCredit

• Child Tax Credit (provided you are notentitled to Working Tax Credit and havean annual income that does not exceed£16,190.

FREE Childcarefor two year olds

The cost of childcare can seem daunting,but there’s still help available:

If you are working, you may be able toclaim tax credits for your childcare costs.Call the Tax Credits Helpline on 0345 3003900

Lone parents looking for jobs or trainingmay be able to get help for childcare coststhrough Job Centre Plus - 0845 606 0234

Some families will be eligible for freechildcare whilst training

If you are paying for childcare the freeentitlement will be deducted from yourcosts.

I’m not eligible for freechildcare, can I still gethelp?

Only approved childcare providers (includingsome childminders) can provide free childcareplaces - ask for a list of providers by contactingDarlington People and Families informationsupport (details below).

Your child must attend the childcareprovider by a particular date in order toget a free place for that term - People andFamilies information support can adviseyou when that date is.

Please note:

?If you think you are eligible, apply for your free place by calling Darlington People andFamilies information support on 0800 9172121 or emailing [email protected]. We canrun an eligibility check over the phone if you have your National Insurance number to hand.

You can also find more information online: www.darlington.gov.uk/freeearlyeducation

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Although one side of the road has now reopened,investigations have shown that a longer section of theA67 is unstable and needs to be repaired.

A central government fund called Pinch Point wasannounced at the start of October, with £55 millionmade available nationally. We have applied for £2.4million of funding to help us fix the road.

We estimate that it will take £4 million to fix thelandslip. Darlington Borough Council will contribute£878,000, NorthumbrianWater will contribute£596,000 and the rest wehope to be awarded fromthe Pinch Point fund.

The A67 is a maintransport route betweenDarlington, Teesdale andthe rest of the Tees Valley.It has been estimated thatrepairing the road willreduce travel time formore than 8,600 vehicleseach day.

We have applied for £2.4 million of centralgovernment funding to provide a permanentfix to the Carlbury landslip (A67, HighConiscliffe/Piercebridge Road), which occurredearlier this year.

What is the Carlbury landslip?In February this year, a landslip was identified next tothe A67- the embankment had dropped over 500mmand had started to affect the road.

The landslip resulted in the road being closed as therewere worries that, if there was a further slip, it wouldaffect the water mains under the road and placedrivers at immediate risk. A diversion was put in placeand a temporary bus service arranged.

One side of the road was reopened in July afterinvestigations had shown the landslip had stabilised.We are monitoring the road and embankmentregularly and there is the risk that the road could beclosed again if the landslip gets worse.

We’re applying for fundingto keep the A67 open

We will find out if the funding has been successful this month. If we get funding, we hopeto repair the landslip by Spring 2015. If we don’t get funding, we will need to look atkeeping things as they are, with the potential risk of closure if the landslip gets worse.

Keep up to date with the latest developments by visiting www.darlington.gov.uk/carlburyor scanning the QR code.

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At the events we suggested that we could stopproviding things that the law does not requireus to do - this would mean no sports facilities,no parks, no theatre or museums and nochildren’s centres.

Although it would save money, we believed it wouldmake Darlington a poorer place to live, and many ofyou agreed with this.We have to do all we can to cut costs, and - if we areto keep the things that make Darlington special - weneed your help.


In June and July we held events to find outwhat people thought of the services weprovide and which services they valued themost.

Residents could attend meetings where they couldhave their say, as well as vote online. The feedback wasused to draw up the proposals for the new councilbudget.

: what you said

Darlington needs you! Help us reduce £13.8m from our spendingand create a stronger, better community.Read on to find out more...

: so far

YOUR DARLINGTON

YOUR DARLINGTON

MONEY TALKS

YOUR DARLINGTON

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We have two years to make these changes.


The consultation on the budget is different this year - we’re not just asking for your views onthe savings being proposed, but on our plans for the future. We want as many residents aspossible to get involved.

Find out more about the proposals and have your say by visitingwww.darlington.gov.uk/budget or by scanning the QR code.

Please take five minutes to read what we are proposing and to let us know your thoughts- if you do not have your say - we will not be able to take your views into consideration.

The proposals we are settingout allow us to provideservices until 2015/2016 - butafter that we will need toreduce our spending by £13mevery year.

We appreciate that there are a lotof hard choices that have to bemade. We need every resident ofDarlington to get involved andwork together with us.

YOUR DARLINGTON: what’s next?

THE PROPOSALS FALL UNDER THREE CATEGORIES:

Growing EconomyWe want to increase income.We can do this if we grow theeconomy, create more jobs,build more houses, and growmore businesses.• We intend to increase our

income by £1.5M througheconomic growth.

Spending WiselyWe want to reduce the amount wespend. We can do this by reviewingthe way we do things and workingtogether better with other publicbodies and working with others suchas businesses or voluntary bodies tohelp us too. • We will work with the NHS to help

us both save money.• We will continue to make ourselves

more efficient by reviewing what wedo, for example by moving to newarrangements for collecting recyclingand rubbish (see page 30 for moredetails).

• Public Health is a new function andwe can save money by changing thecontracts currently in place.

• By working differently we willreduce the amount we spend onadult and children’s social care.

Building StrongCommunitiesWe want to reduce demandfor services. We can do this ifwe all take ownership andresponsibility for theneighbourhood we live in andlook out for each other. • We will work with

communities to help themtake responsibility forrunning Head of Steam andCockerton Library withoutmoney from the Council.

• We can reduce costs ifpeople drop less litter and iflocal people look after thegreen spaces around them.

• If people help and supporttheir neighbours they canstay independent longer andhelp to reduce some costs.

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We spent over £90 million in 2013/2014. This may seem like alarge amount, but the challenge we face in regards to reducingour costs is not dissimilar to the one that you face with yourhousehold budget.

Our budget can be likened to an everyday household budget - withmoney coming in and money going out.


YOUR DARLINGTON: the budget, explained

If you would like more information about our budget, including facts and figures - please visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/budget

Many of you will have seen yourincome fall or stay the same formany years, which means you can’tspend as much as you used to.We’re in the same position.

When your income falls one of thefirst things you do is look at yourspending to see what you spendand how you can get what you buyfor less, for example - switchingenergy providers so you can getcheaper gas and electricity.However, if your income keepsfalling, this is eventually not enoughand you have to stop buying certain

things - starting with the thingswhich are not very important,moving along to the things whichare important to you and yourfamily.

We are continuing to try and buycheaper things, but our loss ofincome is so great that we arehaving to change the way we dothings - such as changing the waywe provide services and askingothers to help; for example - askingpeople to stop dropping litter orvolunteering to help theirneighbours.

Government grant, Council Tax,and business rates.

Wages and any benefitsthat you may receive

The Budget facts- did you know?• We are expecting to get

87% less money fromcentral government in sixyears time than we dotoday.

• Money from council taxonly makes up 41% of ourbudget.

• We spend £78 millioneach year on legallyrequired services.

Council Household

Council Household

Repairing roads Rent/mortgage

Caring for children Gas/electric

Looking after older people Car insurance/car tax and transport

Cleaning the streets Food and clothes

Leisure and arts Trips out/holidays

INCOME:

SPENDING:

dres0131_DT DEC 2013 18/11/2013 10:46

Revised Weekly Refuse andRecycling Collection ServiceAs part of the budget proposals DarlingtonBorough Council is proposing to change theexisting refuse and recycling service to analternate weekly collection service with generalhousehold waste being collected in Week 1 andrecycling material being collected in Week 2.

In other words, there will be a collection of differentsorts of waste every week, where the recycling andgeneral household waste collections will be on alternateweeks.

Currently only paper, glass and card are recycled by thehousehold sorting it and other recyclable waste in thewheeled bin is recycled at the waste plant.

The new system will improve the quality of materialgoing for recycling, and save costs, with more sortingbeing done by households. The proposals are to collectthree separate groups of recycling from the majority ofproperties:

• Glass

• Cans and metals

• Paper and card

• Plastic of all types, Tetrapaks (e.g. milkcontainers).

This proposal would result in a saving of £400,000.

Take a look at the photographs on this page tounderstand the size of the containers in the threeoptions available.

More information and a videoexplaining the options is availableat www.darlington.gov.uk/budget,to have your say please fill in thesurvey on the Budget Page by the16 December 2013. Paper copiesare also available from Town Hallreception. The three options arecurrently available to view in theDolphin Centre Reception.

Option 1

Option 2

Option 3


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Don’t lose your right to vote!

You will have now received yourannual canvass form. It’simportant that your form iscompleted and returned as soonas possible - otherwise you couldlose your voice on the issues thataffect you.

You need to complete and return yourform every year to be included on theelectoral register. Registering to payCouncil Tax does not automaticallyinclude you on the register.

We need to know the details of everyonewho is eligible to vote in your household.Confirming your details is quick and easy,especially if you do it by phone or online.

7

What is the Electoral Register?It is a list of everyone who is allowed to vote. You can only votein Local, European and General elections if your name is listedon the current register.

You can register by post and, ifthere are no changes to yourdetails from last year, you canalso register by...

w PHONE w TEXT w INTERNET

The European Parliamentary Elections willtake place next year—make sure you areregistered to vote!

For more information on the Annual Canvass pleasecall the Electoral Registration Office on 01325388351 or visit www.darlington.gov.uk/annualcanvass

…just follow the instructions on your form

dres0131_DT DEC 2013 18/11/2013 10:47

BANK TOP WARDVeronica Copeland (L) Tel: 358530; ChrisTaylor (L), Tel: 243298. Fri 13 Dec, King William StreetCommunity Centre 5pm-6pm. Wesley Court CommunityCentre, Rocket Street 6pm-6.30pm

CENTRAL WARD Jan Taylor (L) Tel: 243298; Malcolm Wright(L) Tel: 484374. Wed 18 Dec and Wed 8 Jan, Borough RoadNursery 6pm-7pm

COCKERTON EAST WARD Paul Baldwin (L) Tel: 362690Sue Richmond (L) Tel: 351538. Bryan Thistlethwaite (L) Tel:485466. Thurs 12 Dec, Cockerton Library 6pm-7pm.

COCKERTON WEST WARD Jan Cossins (L) Tel: 241124David Regan (L) Tel: 495258. Wed 11 Dec, Windsor Court10am-11am. Thurs 12 Dec, Cockerton Library 6pm – 7pm.

COLLEGE WARDTony Richmond (C) Tel: 351538 IanGalletley (C) Tel: 07507904109. Wed 11 Dec, Abbey JuniorSchool 7pm-8pm.

EASTBOURNE WARD Bill Dixon (L) Tel: 486588 RoderickFrancis (L) Tel: 488173 Lee Vasey (L) Tel: 488513. No WardSurgery held this month.

FAVERDALE Richard Grundy (C) Tel: 266314. Wed 11 Dec,West Park Academy 6pm-7pm.

HARROWGATE HILL WARD Gill Cartwright (C) Tel:382276. Wed 1 Jan, Harrowgate CIU Ltd. Salters Lane North7.30pm – 8.30pm. Marjory Knowles (L) Tel: 265847 John Vasey(L) Tel: 488513. Wed 8 Jan, Classroom in the New Sports HallLongfield Academy 7pm-8pm.

HAUGHTON EAST WARD Chris McEwan (L) Tel: 283262Martin Landers (L) Tel: 07709804580. Sat 4 Jan, Asda Foyer10am-11.30am. Wed 8 Jan, Education Village 6pm-7pm.

HAUGHTON NORTH WARDTom Nutt (L) Tel: [email protected] Beverley Hutchinson (L) Tel:262015. Sat 4 Jan, Asda Foyer 10am-11.30am.

HAUGHTON WEST WARD Nick Wallis (L) Tel: 488797David Lyonette (L) Tel: 464693 Andy Scott (L) Tel: [email protected] Wed 11 Dec and Wed 8 JanSalvation Army, Thompson St. 6pm–7pm. Sat 4 Jan, Asda Foyer10am-11.30am.

HEIGHINGTON AND CONISCLIFFE WARD GeraldLee (C) Tel: 314622. Paul Crudass (C) Tel: 374537. Sat 7 Dec,Killerby and Summerhouse Village Hall10am-11am.

HUMMERSKNOTT WARDAlan Coultas (C) Tel: 350453.Charles Johnson (C) Tel: 463712. No Ward Surgery held thismonth.

HURWORTH WARD Joe Kelley (LD) Tel: 266760. MartinSwainston (LD) Tel: 07535637060. Thurs 2 Jan, HurworthGrange Community Centre Library 6pm-7pm.

LASCELLES WARDWendy Newall (L) Tel: 251574. HelenCrumbie (L) Tel: 462642. Sat 14 Dec, Cleveland Bridge SocialClub 12 noon – 1pm.

LINGFIELD WARD Ian Haszeldine (L) Tel: 741508. LynneHaszeldine (L) Tel: 07950521511. Wed 8 Jan, Eastbourne SportsComplex 6pm-6.30pm.

MIDDLETON ST. GEORGE WARD Doris Jones (C) Tel:332820. Steve York (C) Tel: 332025. No Ward Surgery thismonth.

MOWDEN WARD Ron Lewis (C) Tel: [email protected] Bill Stenson (C) Tel: 468249.Mon 2 Dec, Mon 6 Jan, Mowden Junior School 6.30pm-7.30pm.

NORTH ROAD WARDAnne-Marie Curry (LD) Tel:07531304050 [email protected] Fred Lawton(LD) Tel: 467413 Alan Macnab (LD) Tel: 482015. Wed 18 Dec StThomas Aquinas Church Hall 1pm-2pm. Wed 8 Jan MorrisonsNorth Road, Car Park Entrance 6pm-7pm.

NORTHGATE WARD Eleanor Lister, (L) Tel. 254091.Dorothy Long, (L) Tel. 355755. Wed 8 Jan, Reid Street PrimarySchool, 6pm-7pm.

PARK EAST WARD Paul Harman (L) Tel: 483259. CyndiHughes (L) Tel: 480975. Joe Lyonette (L) Tel: 263480. Fri 13 Dec,St. Columbas Church Hall 6-7pm. Fri 20 Dec, The ColeridgeCentre 6-7pm.

PARK WEST WARD Bob Donoghue (C) Tel: 352582Heather Scott (C) Tel: 468547. No Ward Surgery this month.

PIERREMONT WARD Bob Carson (L) Tel: 240627. StephenHarker (L) Tel: 380039. Linda Hughes (L) Tel: 07904772387. Wed4 Dec and Wed 8 Jan, Reid Street Primary School 6-7pm.

SADBERGE AND WHESSOE No ward surgeries held butplease contact your Councillor with any issues or queries. BrianJones (C) Tel: 332820.

Key: (L) Labour (C) Conservative (LD) Liberal Democrat

E-mailing councillors: If you wish to e-mail your councillor their e-mail address is: [email protected]

For example, if you wish to e-mail Bill Dixon, type in [email protected]

• The only exceptions are Andy Scott (Haughton West Ward), Anne-Marie Curry (North Road Ward), Ron Lewis (Mowden) andTom Nutt (Haughton North); their e-mail addresses are shown with their ward surgery details.


Your local councillor is there to listen to you and find out about theissues that are affecting life in your ward. You can e-mail, telephone ormeet with your local councillor at regular ward surgeries.

Upcoming Committee DatesCabinet Tues 3 December 5.00pm Committee Room 2

Health and Partnerships Scrutiny Committee Tues 10 December 9.30am Committee Room 2

Place Scrutiny Committee Thur 12 December 9.30am Committee Room 3

Audit Committee Fri 13 December 4.15pm Committee Room 2

Children and Young Mon 16 December 4.00pm Committee Room 1People Scrutiny Committee

General Licensing Committee Tues 17 December 9.30am Committee Room 3

Planning Applications Committee Wed 18 December 1.30pm Committee Room 2

Efficiency and Resources Scrutiny Committee Thur 19 December 9.30am Committee Room 2

Adults and Housing Scrutiny Committee Tues 7 January 2014 9.30am Committee Room 2

Cabinet Tues 7 January 2014 5.00pm Committee Room 2

DARLINGTONTOGETHER

dres0131_DT DEC 2013 18/11/2013 10:48

December 2013 - Darlington Together

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