Correspondence List for Meeting Dated 21 July 2021

Startforth Parish Council

Correspondence List for meeting dated 21 July 2021

Ref Date received From Subject

Note: CDALC = County Durham Association of Local Councils NALC = National Association of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks

1 09/06/2021 DCC Press Office Press release - Cabinet to be asked to support first 3 of 6 bids for Levelling Up Fund, forming the Bishop Auckland constituency submission for a £20m contribution: improving connectivity for rural communities, reducing transport times and expanding economic and cultural opportunities. 2 09/06/2021 DCC Press Office Press release - Cabinet to be asked to approve an increase in County Councillors’ Neighbourhood Budgets, with each of the 126 County Councillors proposed to be given a one-off allocation of £10,000 to support revitalisation of towns and villages, in addition to their £19,400 existing allocation. 3 09/06/2021 Jennie White Copy of letter from three residents to Historic England asking for involvement in discussions between Historic England and Highways England over Rokeby Estate land / woodland etc.

4 10/06/2021 CDALC Recommendation that all PCs adopt the new Durham County Council Code of Conduct. Agenda item for July meeting.

5 11/05/2021 Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: 7-day infection rate is 30/100k (up from 13.8 last week, below the England average; rising rates reflect that people are Durham County Council mixing more; as at 3 June, one Covid inpatient across Co. Durham and Darlington; >570k vaccinations administered across Co. Durham so far; promotion of Leader support for those bereaved, eg. The Bereavement Support Payment, which is not means-tested, can be claimed by those who have been widowed, while residents who receive a means-tested benefit can also qualify for a Funeral Expenses Payment - DCC Welfare Rights Service can offer more advice. Other news: award of £33.2m to transform Bishop Auckland into a world-class visitor destination; cabinet will be asked on Wednesday to approve - options appraisal for the new building on The Sands in Durham City; review of options for display and storage of Durham Light Infantry Collection and archive; proposals to increase County Councillors’ community budgets; and an update on plans for additional government funds to help improve connectivity for rural communities. ———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

6 14/06/2021 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 13 June. No new applications to consider.

7 14/06/2021 CDALC Launch of 2021/22 CiLCA (Certificate in Local Council Administration) Mentoring sessions, beginning 20 July with free introductory session and then five sessions throughout the year - Core Roles, Law and Procedures, Finance, Management and Community Engagement. PDF copy of CiLCA portfolio, describing the 30 Learning Outcomes for which assignments must be written, is available. CiLCA is a qualification for clerks and for councillors who might be interested.

8 15/06/2021 CDALC In the light of government announcement that Step 4 in Covid Roadmap is being extended to 19 July, reference to NALC updated website https:www.nalc.gov.uk/ coronavirus and the government’s website https://www.gov.co.uk/coronavirus for the latest information.

9 15/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - combination of promotion of foster caring through Bloom display in Durham City.

10 15/06/2021 DCC Woodland Creation Promotion of opportunities for new community woodlands. Looking for sites on mainly, but not exclusively, public land where it might be possible to plant new Officer woodlands and so increase carbon capture — whole fields or corners of fields or corners of recreational spaces or backsides currently covered in rough grasses or bramble. Aim to plant 140k trees across Co. Durham in next 3 years. Involvement through individuals/schools/parish councils etc most welcome.

11 16/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - promotion of Make Music Day, Monday 21 June in which thousands of schoolchildren will be participating.

12 16/06/2021 SLCC Branch Next branch meeting 23 July, as hybrid; branch resource pack of books, documents and general information; pointers to Toolkit, Advice service, Forum and The Clerk magazine.

13 17/06/2021 Durham Community Notes and link to updated guidance on the use of community buildings in the light of the delay in implementation of step 4 of the Covid Recovery roadmap. Action

14 18/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release -plea for everyone in and around Durham City to play their part in slowing the spread of coronavirus following a sharp increase of more than 300 new cases in the Durham City, Langley Moor and Neville’s Cross area in the last 7 days, the majority in the 19-24 year old age group.

15 18/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - photography exhibition celebrating the Colpitts Poetry Group is set to go on display on the Gala Gallery, Durham City from 21 June to 29 August.

16 18/06/2021 CDALC Reminder of SLCC Regional Training Seminar, 23 June 10-4.30pm for clerks and councillors [Clerk already booked]. Also finance related training - Finance for Councillors, Budgeting for Clerks and finance staff, Internal Controls and An Introduction to VAT for local councils, are available for booking at £30 per 90-minute online session.

Page 1 of 5 210721-9 Correspondence list Startforth Parish Council

Ref Date received From Subject

Note: CDALC = County Durham Association of Local Councils NALC = National Association of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks

17 18/06/2021 Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: 7-day infection rate is 94.5/100k (trebled from last week, and above the England average of 77.5/100k; Vaccinations - Durham County Council >600k now delivered across Co. Durham to date, DCC working with Durham University to plan student vaccinations; supporting the campaign ‘Every Question Leader Matters’ about vaccines; Infection rates and outbreak control — DCC with Public Health England and Durham University asking everyone to play their part in slowing the spread (see item 14), opening extra testing units and asking all students to undertake weekly PCR testing; spike detector tool is highlighting rising cases in Bishop Auckland and Coundon areas.

18 18/06/2021 Photographer Email thanking the Council for the generous and very swift response to the request to clear vegetation from around the boundary marker/artwork at Deepdale Beck. Email forwarded to all cllrs 18/6/21.

———————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————————

19 21/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - Aycliﬀe Secure Children’s Home retains its ‘Outstanding’ status following a recent Ofsted inspection.

20 21/06/2021 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 20 June.No new applications to consider.

21 22/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - schools being invited to collaborate with children and young people from around the world to learn, think and discuss climate change, through ECO2 Smart Schools Programme.

22 23/06/2021 DCC Press Office Press release - still time for mobile and home-based businesses to apply for financial support to get through Covid pandemic (hospitality, leisure, accommodation and personal care sectors). Businesses with monthly costs of £100-£200 are eligible for one-off £500, if monthly costs £200-400, then one-off payment of £1k, above this a grant of £2,500. www.durham.gov.uk/covid19businessgrants

23 23/06/2021 Teesdale Action 8-page PDF Annual Report 2020-21. Partnership

24 25/06/2021 SLCC News bulletin: Buckingham Palace has unveiled plans to mark the Platinum Jubilee of HM The Queen; two Clerk members awarded BEM for supporting their communities through the pandemic; link to Radio 4 show ‘PM’ on 21 June when standards and behaviour in local councils was explored; Cemetery of the Year awards entries open; announcement that Government Digital Service will sample 2,000 public sector websites during the year (the body has 12 weeks to respond to any shortcomings identiﬁed); July 4 is the ﬁrst national ‘Thank You Day’; Local Government Association has published a councillor workbook on equality, diversity and inclusion; list of training opportunities.

25 25/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - £100s pounds of damage through vandalism of recently installed Gruﬀalo-inspires sculpture at Hardwick Park.

26 25/06/2021 NALC Chief Executive’s bulletin: launch of Future Communities one-day online conference 2 December; reports of good media coverage of local councils having to go to great lengths to hold physical meetings (Clerk has now submitted Mercury report of our meeting); County Oﬃcers’ Forum discussions on banking, job evaluation process and civility project; report on Rural England’s Rural Vulnerability Day and zero net carbon report; and new research backs NALC’s Prospectus for Ultralocalism.

27 25/06/2021 Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: 7-day infection rate is 218.8/100k (more than doubled from last week, and above the England average of 105.2/100k, Durham County Council though no signiﬁcant rise in hospital admissions (currently 13 inpatients); >78% of eligible population 16+ have received ﬁrst dose of vaccination, >60% both Leader doses; work continues on outbreak in Durham City among 19-24 year olds, with enhanced testing capacity; and 20 schools (out of 266 in the county) have >5 cases, with 3 schools and a nursery closed.

28 25/06/2021 Resident A Enquiry about reporting traveller encampment on the site of the Old Mill. Clerk responded with link to Do-it-Online section to report to the authority responsible. Resident also congratulated all newly-elected councillors, saying their eﬀorts are appreciated.

29 28/06/2021 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 27 June. No new applications to consider.

30 28/06/2021 Teesdale Action Ebulletin: new Chair CCllr Richard Bell, funding opportunities, public representative vacancy and new member of team. Partnership

Page 2 of 5 210721-9 Correspondence list Startforth Parish Council

Ref Date received From Subject

Note: CDALC = County Durham Association of Local Councils NALC = National Association of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks

31 28/06/2021 Durham Community Virtual Funding Information sessions running in July. Action

32 28/06/2021 CDALC Details of Parish Clerk vacancy - Shadforth Parish Council

33 28/06/2021 Teesdale Action Details of Public Representative Board vacancy - enthusiasm for local community, board meeting every two months, preferable input to any Task & Finish groups, Partnership but mainly to share valuable local knowledge and being passionate about making a diﬀerence to the area. To apply, or for further details: [email protected]. Closing date 5pm Monday 12 July, informal interviews at end of July.

34 28/06/2021 Resident B Email raising 3 concerns: 1) roadside grass on A67 at exit from Startforth Park is blocking visibility; 2) Dark Lane overgrown and slippy and blocking street lighting (oﬀering to help clear the footpath if a roadsweepers does the road); and 3) area to back of Stainmore Close, towards top of Dark Lane is overgrown, slippy and dark. Clerk responded by email stating that she will report ﬁrst two issues to DCC, believing that it’s their responsibility and asking for photographs to help correctly identify third issue.

35 30/06/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - reminder (and link to) County Durham residents’ consultation on proposals to change Parliamentary constituency boundaries; closing date 2 August.

36 01/07/2021 Teesdale Action Call for funding applications (for >£5k) for to address one or more of the following focussing on Covid-19 recovery: employability initiatives; advice and guidance; Partnership mental health and wellbeing; organisational sustainability; food provision and support; social isolation; support for the voluntary and community sector; support to small businesses (through a third-party, not-for-proﬁt); and emerging community issues.

37 30/06/2021 NALC Newsletter with links to: NALC response to government consultation on remote meetings; All Party Parliamentary Group seeking views on levelling up; The Future of High Streets online event; Future Communities online conference; and new blog by Together, about #ThankYouDay, 4 July.

38 01/07/2021 DCC (New) Highways Services Roadworks Update Report for w/c 5 July - an overview of ongoing work, proposed works and completed works for Highway Services and Street Lighting.

39 02/07/2021 CDALC Three information items: 1) Land Registry parish councils survey results; 2) All Party Parliamentary Group on Local Democracy - invitation to join online roundtable on the levelling up agenda, 11.10am, Monday 12 July; and 3) from Plunkett Foundation, support for community-owned businesses locating in active churches through Community Businesses in Places of Worship programme.

40 02/07/2021 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 1 July. No new applications to consider.

41 02/07/2021 NALC Chie Executive’s bulletin: joint statement agreed by Civility and Respect Working Group; still time to book place on either Women councillors’ (5 July 12-13.15) or Young councillors’ (26 July) network meetings; think tank Local Government Information Unit survey on the future of local government; and plea for all PCs to lobby their MPs to push for remote meetings to be allowed once more.

42 02/07/2021 Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: 7-day infection rate is 428.6/100k (above the England average of 172.6/100k, though no signiﬁcant rise in hospital Durham County Council admissions (currently 23 inpatients); >80% of eligible population 16+ have received ﬁrst dose of vaccination, >62% both doses; work continues on outbreak in Leader Durham City with several pop-up vaccination clinics; cases rising quickly in Consett and Stanley areas; care providers are being reminded of free wellbeing training and support.

43 05/07/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - DCC Community Action Team will carry out a scheme in South Moor 5-17 September as part of project to tackle housing and environmental issues.

44 05/07/2021 CDALC Copy of PDF and link to ‘Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Guide’. Parish Council are encouraged to be involved through lighting beacons on 2 June 2022 at 9.15pm, use of town crier if there is one.

45 05/07/2021 CDALC Invitation to sign petition on Code of Conduct sanctions: ‘Legislate to enable Councillors to be disqualified or suspended for poor conduct. The Government Link can be provided on request to Clerk. should amend legislation to enable Councillors to be disqualified or suspended for breaching relevant Code of Conduct … Most Councillors maintain high standards of conduct, but a significant minority engage in unacceptable behaviour, such as harassment and bullying, including racist, sexist, albeist abuse. This activity would be grounds for dismissal in an employment setting, and equivalent sanctions should exist for councillors. Link can be provided on request to Clerk.

Page 3 of 5 210721-9 Correspondence list Startforth Parish Council

Ref Date received From Subject

Note: CDALC = County Durham Association of Local Councils NALC = National Association of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks

46 05/07/2021 CDALC Call for nominations before the end of August for Executive Committee roles (President, Vice-Presidents, Honorary Treasurer and Honorary Auditor) in advance of AGM scheduled for October.

47 05/07/2021 CDALC Reminder that Smaller Councils Forum next meeting is 22 July via Zoom and call for agenda items before 15 July. 2 reps from the PC invited to attend. Let Clerk know if you’re interested.

48 06/07/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - Live theatre returns to Gala Durham with ‘The Damned United’ on 9 July.

49 06/07/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - Organisers of the 2021 Lumiere light festival are looking for volunteers to be Festival Makers (welcoming visitors, directing people to installations and being the face of the festival).

50 06/07/2021 DCC Highway Network News that DCC Highways will no longer be sending emails about road works and closures. Instead a new system - One Network - will be available for residents, businesses and motorists to access on their phone, tablet, computer and through SatNav systems. Full email forwarded to all cllrs 7/7/21 for information.

51 06/07/2021 Resident B Email thanking PC for raising issues with DCC, providing photographs to demonstrate problem at back of Stainmore Close, and suggesting that Find & Fix team Agenda item 21 July. might be able to help.

52 07/07/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - ‘We Are Undefeatable’ pilot project launched by DCC to assist people with long-term health conditions in Ferryhill and Chilton.

53 07/07/2021 DCC Press Oﬃce Press release - ‘We Are Undefeatable’ pilot project launched by DCC to assist people with long-term health conditions in Ferryhill and Chilton.

54 08/07/2021 Teesdale Action Poster, on behalf of Durham County Council, of Walking Football sessions, with Barnard Castle Football Club, at Teesdale Leisure Centre, Fridays 4-5pm, £3 per Partnership session from 16 July.

55 08/07/2021 CDALC Details of Cemetery and Churchyard Management training session, 14 September, 6-8pm, £10 online. Topics include: burial law and record keeping, Exclusive Rights of Burials and Transfers. Cemetery regulations, fees and charges, providing more burial space, grave digging, cemetery groundwater regulations and risk assessments, closure and maintenance of CodE churchyards and memorial management, safety checks and repairs. Presented by former National Cemetery Adviser of the SLCC.

56 08/07/2021 Teesdale Action Reminder that next Board meeting is on 21 July, 3pm via MS Teams. Any neighbourhood issues can be raised by emailing [email protected] before 14 July. Partnership

57 08/07/2021 DCC Highways Highway Services Weekly update 12 July (nothing speciﬁc to Teesdale).

58 09/07/2021 CDALC Request to share information about suppliers/terms for multi-function printer/copier/scanner — for Hett Town Council.

59 09/07/2021 CDALC Details of training oﬀer for councillors - ‘Planning Applications and how to respond eﬀectively’, delivered by Shaun Hanson, planning consultant (and Parish Let Clerk know if you’d like to book a Councillor at Ovington), online, 6-8.30pm on Thursday 7 October, £10 per participant, covering: summary of planning applications process; role of the parish place. council; how planning applications are assessed (including an understanding of ‘material planning considerations’); practice advice on responding (do’s, don’t’s); and how a Planning Committee works (including tips for speaking at a Committee).

60 09/07/2021 NALC Chief Executive's bulletin: new online event on making rural housing affordable on 17 November; English Rural has launched ‘Parish Councillors’ Guide to Rural Affordable Housing’; NALC hosts first meeting of women councillors; Star Council Awards judging has taken place; two internship opportunities; and renewed long-term partnerships with BHIB Councils Insurance and with Blachere Illumination and CLLA.

61 09/07/2021 Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: 7-day infection rate is 42648/100k (above the England average of 274.1/100k, though no signiﬁcant rise in hospital Durham County Council admissions (currently 34 inpatients); people up to age 39 account for 78% of current 7-day cases and over-60s make up less than 5%; >82% of eligible population Leader 16+ have received ﬁrst dose of vaccination, >64% both doses; work continues on outbreak in Durham City and data shows a recent improvement.

Page 4 of 5 210721-9 Correspondence list Startforth Parish Council

Ref Date received From Subject

Note: CDALC = County Durham Association of Local Councils NALC = National Association of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks

62 10/07/2021 Resident C Passing on residents’ comments: overhanging tree branches at Corn Close/Boldron Lane junction (Nº31), footpath from school to church had tall weeds knocked over which then made it dangerous underfoot, steps to Church Bank Field covered in leaves and rubbish, footpath from Low Startforth to Corn Close is overgrown and new noticeboard needs to display key holder details. Clerk acknowledged 10/7 (stating that many will be DCC responsibilities) and will report to council on 21 July.

63 12/07/2021 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 11 July. No new applications to consider.

64 12/07/2021 CDALC Details of walk-in Covid-19 jab clinics - all in east of County Durham.

65 12/07/2021 CDALC Invitation for as many councillors as possible to join Zoom call with Joy Allen, the new Police and Crime Commissioner. Ms Allen will introduce herself, give an Clerk will provide login details for any update on her plans and priorities for the PCC and allow discussion with councillors. 15-30 minutes is the expected duration. Thursday 22 July at 13.15. councillor interested in joining.

66 13/07/2021 Woodland Creation Reminder / follow-up to invitation to suggest possible areas for some tree planting in the parish (see item 10 above) Oﬃcer, DCC

Page 5 of 5 210721-9 Correspondence list