Cotherstone Parish Council
Correspondence List for meeting dated 13 January 2020 Date Ref From Subject Note/comment received Note: CDALC = County Durham Associa on of Local Councils NALC = Na onal Associa on of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks
1 05/11/2020 CDALC Copies of CDALC and NALC responses to ‘Planning for the Future’ consulta on (the former a colla on of viewpoints submi ed by local councils). Key issue from CDALC is concern about top-down nature of proposals, which reduces public scru ny and democra c accountability while broadly favouring developers. Clerk can forward the two documents on request. 2 05/11/2020 CDALC Further update on new Covid-19 restrictions from government and new guidance issued on the use of council buildings and managing playgrounds and outdoor gyms (Outdoor gyms must close whereas outdoor playgrounds can stay open and public toilets should be kept open). Also copy of a presentation given to CDALC on HR matters specific to good employment practice during Covid. 3 06/11/2020 Durham County 4-page Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: Public Health (new national restrictions); Outbreak control (at 4 November, 12,594 positive Council Leader cases in County Durham, 1,371 new cases in last 7 days, 7-day rate is now 265.9/100k - data at www.durhaminsight.info/covid-19); Adult social care (assisting with contingency for care home staff pressures, training to providers); Service updates (temporary closure of some venues including all libraries and leisure centres (memberships have been frozen), Bowlees Visitor Centre closed, household waste recycling centres, playgrounds, parks are open); Town centre resilience (support for non-essential businesses forced to close - either through grants or advice, #LoveDurham from your sofa marketing campaign, Visit County Durham promoting gift vouchers, delivery services and online ordering); Support for businesses (DCC will administer Local Restrictions Support Grant (closed businesses) and that for open businesses impacted from 18 September to 4 November -full details awaited, but hopefully up and running next week, with DCC writing to eligible businesses); Test and Trace support payments - applications continue (www.durham.gov.uk/testandtracepayment).
4 06/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - reiteration of support available to people and businesses during current lockdown period - www.durhamlocate.org.uk, www;durham.gov.uk/covid19help and https://durham.gov.uk/testandtracepayment
5 09/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - reintroduction of a collection service to allow residents to access library books during lockdown. 6 09/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC is writing to those who are clinically extremely vulnerable to remind them of government guidance and the support that is available locally during lockdown.
7 09/11/2020 CDALC Request to advise whether the Council’s cemetery is currently open to the public or closed. Clerk replied that Cemetery is open. 8 09/11/2020 CDALC NALC Chief Executive’s bulletin: still strong discouragement of councils meeting face to face; launch of materials for ‘Make a Change’ campaign in run up to next May’s elections; and Tree Charter Festival Day 2020 - 28 November.
9 10/11/2020 CDALC Following survey yesterday, CDALC report that all cemeteries of respondents remain open. Officer presumes that this is following risk assessment earlier in the year and suggesting that many are placing notices reminding visitors that they still need to adhere to the Covid restrictions prevailing at the time.
10 10/11/2020 CDALC New guidance (updated since Remembrance Sunday) from NALC on local authority preparations for Armistice Day. 11 10/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release -DCC Cabinet poised to extend its top up scheme of Council Tax support through the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for another year (open to residents on a low income, whether in work, unemployed or retired, who have less than £16k savings. Currently has 58,250 claimants, of whom 80% receive a full 100% reduction, costing in total £61.9m this year.
12 10/11/2020 CDALC Details of Groundsperson vacancy at Wheatley Hill Parish Council. 13 11/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC Cabinet will be updated on work to alleviate poverty and tackle social inequality through the Poverty Action Plan. 14 11/11/2020 Durham Community Update: Covid Guide for Community Buildings; Volunteering update; and survey to understanding ongoing impact of Covid. Action
15 11/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Annual Report of DCC Director of Public Health reports on work to improve health and wellbeing in response to the pandemic.
16 11/11/2020 DCC Housing Information about DCC’s Managing Money Better service which can help households with their energy bills by finding a more competitive tariff and switching supplier and/or offering fuel debt advice. Energy Adviser makes home visit to do energy assessment - all free and impartial. To make appointment or referral, [email protected] or tel. 03000 268000.
17 12/11/2020 CDALC Invitation to join ‘Clerking in Co. Durham and Cleveland’ webinar on 9 December. As it’s designed for new Clerks, not relevant to attend.
Page 1 of 7 130121-4 Correspondence list Cotherstone Parish Council
Date Ref From Subject Note/comment received Note: CDALC = County Durham Associa on of Local Councils NALC = Na onal Associa on of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks
18 12/11/2020 Durham Community Special bulletin on Safeguarding Week 16-20 November (Safeguarding policy, scams, modern slavery, rough sleeping, domestic abuse, Action Prevent, safeguarding in sport, safe and wellbeing during Covid.
19 12/11/2020 CDALC Agenda and papers for next Smaller Councils Forum meeting, 19 November, 2pm via Zoom. Key topics are Double Taxation and Covid-19 Any councillor would be recovery procedures and deficits. welcome to a end . 20 12/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Man failed for possessing a fake driving licence and over £5k of illicit tobacco, following alert from an eagle-eyed member of public reporting a broken down vehicle and suspicious activity.
21 12/11/2020 Teesdale Action Key messages from recent board meeting: update on DCC budget and Medium Term Financial Plan consultation; update on DCC Leisure Partnership Centre Transformation consultation; Neighbourhood Policing update; A66 improvements update by CCllr Bell; and TAP funding update.
22 12/11/2020 Greener Miles Introduction from organiser of ultra and marathon running events, asking for views on ambition to establish a running event held on the Running Ltd Pennine Journey trail. Background to company at www.greenermilesrunning.co.uk/ Parish Council invited to comment / give a view.
23 13/11/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applica ons w/e 8 November. No new applica ons to consider. 24 13/11/2029 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC paid out >£150k as part of its school meals support during October’s half-term holiday, helping 10k youngsters. 25 13/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Stainton Grove Household Waste Recycling Centre has won national excellence award. 26 13/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - a second coronavirus testing centre to open in Durham City (car park of County Hall), to work 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm, on appointment basis, for at least three months.
27 13/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - new grants for businesses affected by coronavirus restrictions - Local Restrictions Support Grant (Open but affected 18/9 to 4/11), Local Restrictions Support Grant (Closed 5/11 to 2/12) and Local Restriction Support Grant (Sector - for those not reopened since March, eg nightclubs). www.durham.gov.uk/covid19businessgrants
28 13/11/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applica ons w/e 12 November. No new applica ons to consider. 29 13/11/2020 Durham County 4-page Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: Public Health (public health team working on strategy for exit from national lockdown on 2 Council Leader December, letter sent out to those clinically extremely vulnerable); Outbreak control (at 10 November, total 14,260 positive tests in Co. Durham, 1,692 new cases over last 7 days, 7-day rate now 335.6/100k statistics available at www.durhaminsight.info/covid-19); Adult social care (continue to work on designated setting work, on government instruction for local authorities to prioritise safe discharge from hospital, assisted with Health Call Digital Care Home system to monitor residents remotely); Children’s services (£156k used to provide >10k meals during half-term school holiday, forming a Regional Adoption Agency, Coast to Coast, with Cumbria CC and Sunderland City Council, to go live on 1/4/21, offering improved, high quality adoption service); Service updates (libraries offering pick and collect service, consultation on plans to modernise leisure facilities); Town centre resilience (planning for December re-opening, and Employment and Skills support brochure, VisitCountyDurham planning future tourism work); and new business grants (see item 27).
30 16/11/2020 CDALC Roadworks report w/c 14/11. Nothing new to report. 31 16/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Schoolchildren in the county have been learning about how the religious celebration Diwali is marked in the North East. 32 16/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - invitation to join a free online session on how to research family trees - led by Durham County Record Office. 33 16/11/2020 CDALC Copy of DCC Cabinet report on Council Tax Base 2021/22 and Forecast Deficit on the Council Tax Collection Fund as at 31 March 2021 (including details of impact on parish councils’ tax raising capacity - tax base). Report can be forwarded on request to Clerk.
34 16/11/2020 DCC Development Advice that existing database for Spatial Policy Consultation (this PC is on that) will be archived on 2 December but the information and and Housing comments on it which relate to the adopted County Durham Plan will be kept for 3 years. Also invitation to be included on the new database for consultation on future policy documents, some of which will support implementation of the County Durham Plan. Clerk responded with PC details for inclusion in new database (can always opt out at any time in the future).
35 16/11/2020 Resident A Offer to plant some trees and shrubs on Parish Council-owned land. Resident planted 105 in March 2020 on the railway line, with DCC Item on January 2020 agenda permission. A further 105 are to plant in March 2021. Would be planted with 1m plastic tree guards, be well staked and tended until well for decision. established.
36 17/11/2020 Post Office Ltd Advice that outreach service at Village Hall commences 1 December, Tuesdays 2-4pm. Email forwarded to all clls 17/11/20.
Page 2 of 7 130121-4 Correspondence list Cotherstone Parish Council
Date Ref From Subject Note/comment received Note: CDALC = County Durham Associa on of Local Councils NALC = Na onal Associa on of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks
37 19/11/2020 Durham Community Covid-19 updated guidance for voluntary and community sectors, mutual aid groups, DCA Annual Review 2020, working together to improve Action Children’s Health, North East Community-Led Housing Festival, forthcoming training programme, and Covid-19 impact survey.
38 19/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Silver award in Cemetery of the Year Awards 2020 for DCC’s Castleside Cemetery at Consett, for 2nd consecutive year. 39 20/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - online replacement for Gala’s pantomime - four episodes of Rottenchops’ Revenge comedy thriller, at 4pm 14-17 December. www.galadruahm.co.uk
40 20/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - 626 people took part in the 14 Area Action Partnership’s online events ‘Better for Everyone’ to give views on issues affecting their communities.
41 20/11/2020 CDALC Updates on four issues: 1) Current government Covid-related grant schemes available to parish councils — Local Restrictions Support Grants (for councils who have had to close their hospitality, leisure and accommodation services, or suffered loss of trade through restrictions); 2) New training offered on the role of internal audit / year-end accounts and audit / introduction to VAT / finance for councillors - all online 90 minute sessions costing £30 each, running February - March 2021; 3) Drawing attention to Covid dashboard www.durhaminsight.info/covid-19/ which is updated twice weekly with local data (eg. For Barnard Castle, for Upper Teesdale); and 4) Highlighting DCC’s ‘Find and Fix’ scheme aims at fixing environmental issues more efficiently.
42 20/11/2020 Durham County 4-page Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: Public Health (working with NHS to plan roll-out of a Covid-19 vaccine when approved, Council Leader with sites (probably GP surgeries) vaccinating 150 people per day); Outbreak control (rather than quoting the case numbers in this bulletin, improvements have been made to www.durhaminsight.info/covid-19 and readers are referred to this, lapses in practice (offering a quick lift to a colleague or stopping for a quick chat without social distancing are identified as hampering ‘covid secure’ workplace measures); Adult Social Care (continuing support to care homes and care service, support of safeguarding week, launch of ‘No Excuse for Abuse’); Children’s Services (four schools recognised for embedding international work into the curriculum); Countywide recovery (work starts on Festival Walk shopping precinct in Spennymoor, Area Action Partnerships considering feedback from virtual events); Support to businesses (12 November launch of two new Business Support Grant schemes for those impacted by local and national restrictions - see www.durham.gov.uk/ covi19businessgrants 2,000 applications to date, with 682 grants paid out, totalling £1.6m).
43 21/11/2020 Yorkshire Ridings Message via website - “reminder that Cotherstone remains in the historic county of North Riding of Yorkshire and the YRS is working on the Society (YRS) correct signage being installed on the River Tees. Sorry it has taken 46 years. You have my name and contact and I am here to help.”
44 23/11/2020 CDALC Roadworks report w/c 21/11. Nothing new to report. 45 23/11/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 22 November. No new applications to consider. 46 23/11/2020 Supportive News of £100k funding from Barclays to ‘Supportive’ charity, based in Spennymoor, which delivers homecare visits and end of life support, volunteer drivers, and patient transport ambulance across County Durham.
47 23/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - warning that flytippers risk losing their vehicles, as four were seized as part of Operation Stop It. Max. fine can be £50k. 48 24/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - launch of Covid Community Champions scheme in which volunteers become trusted voices in their local area that they can help the council pass on important information and guidance needed to keep communities safe.
49 25/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - pupils from Bishop Auckland to compete in creative online competition to encourage young Spanish people to visit the town. 50 25/11/2020 Carnegie UK Trust News: report on ‘Libraries, Lockdown and Looking Ahead’, online ‘annual gathering on 30 November, theme ‘A Calll to Action for a Better Way’, a case study from North Ayrshire on ‘Kindness’, a model for ‘Building Back Better’ and a report ‘Pooling Together, not Pulling Apart’.
51 26/11/2020 CDALC Request to share information about MUGA surfacing and funding for it — for Middleton St George Parish Council. 52 26/11/2020 Teesdale Action Notice of next board meeting - 20 January, 3pm via Microsoft Team. Local people can raise any neighbourhood issues they would like the Partnership Board to address - submitted in writing before 13 January.
53 27/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - news of reinstatement of (some) council services following national lockdown - all leisure centres (though no group classes), swimming pools, grassroots sports. Libraries remain closed for browsing, but still do Pick and Collect. Households waste and recycling centres will remain open. Weddings and funerals can take place, but with limited numbers attending.
Page 3 of 7 130121-4 Correspondence list Cotherstone Parish Council
Date Ref From Subject Note/comment received Note: CDALC = County Durham Associa on of Local Councils NALC = Na onal Associa on of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks
54 27/11/2020 Durham County 4-page Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: Public Health (request that everyone observes the Tier 3 restrictions when they come into Council Leader force, working on Winter Plan to suppress the spread of infection, to find new and more effective ways of managing the virus and minimising damage to the economy, jobs etc, plans for vaccination continue); Outbreak Control (dashboard of statistics at www.durhaminsight.info/ covid-19 gives current rates by localised areas and current local hospital bed occupancy, infection rate is reducing, launch of Covid Community Champions (see item 48)); Adult Social Care (improvement this week in number of infections in care homes, further roll-out of staff testing from this week, national award for pioneering new equipment which allows residents to be checked in their homes and accessed instantaneously by health professionals - Health Call Digital Care Home); Service updates (see item 53); Countywide Recovery (major roadworks schemes completed in Durham City and started at Dragonville, Durham); and Support to Businesses (applications being processes for various grants at www.durham.gov.uk/covid19businessgrants, with 3,000 grants made totalling nearly £4.5m, and 1.700 applications pending.
55 30/11/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 29 November. No new applications to consider. 56 30/11/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - ground-breaking digital technology created for use in Co. Durham care homes has been recognised with a national award. 57 30/11/2020 Durham Community Link to DCA 2021 Online training programme, all fully funded - covering strategic planning, consultation and engagement, financial Councillors please ask if this Action management and volunteering. Bookings open for courses up until July 2021. might be of interest to you. 58 01/12/2020 CDALC Reminder of ‘Clerking in Co. Durham’ event on 9 December designed to help new clerks with information on what help and support there is. 59 02/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - new funding grant for community groups, parish councils etc and individuals for tree planting. Closes February 2021, for tree planting once coronavirus restrictions are lifted. Max grant £150, awarded on first-come-first-served basis.
60 03/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - urging people with breathing conditions to take up their free flu vaccine offer. 61 03/12/2020 CDALC Request to share information about whether councils are opening changing rooms at outdoor football pitches. 62 03/12/2020 CDALC Request to share Durham Constabulary proposals for new centralised 48-cell custody suite at Spennymoor to replace those at Durham, Bishop Auckland, Darlingont and Peterlee. Briefing note and FAQs provided, with responses welcome to [email protected]
63 04/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - more celebrity chefs join the virtual Durham Festival of Food and Drink which is live until 24 December at www.durhamfestivaloffoodanddrink.co.uk
64 04/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Whorlton Bridge to close to all users (including pedestrians and cyclists) from 5 December until further notice. 65 04/12/2020 Durham County 4-page Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: Public Health (now in Tier 3 restrictions, but infection rates continue to all. Local hospitals Council Leader and NHS staff still under immense pressure. Frontline NHS staff likely to receive Pfizer vaccine, as well as those over 80 who are in hospital at that time. People with breathing conditions being urged to take up flu vaccine offer); Outbreak control (refer to www.durhaminsight.info/ covid-19 for stats on cases and hospital occupancy); Adult Social Care (gradual improvement in number of infections in care homes and in care homes experiencing staffing problems, second designated care home setting study to facilitate safe discharge from hospital for Covid patients, working through detail of visitor testing guidance with care home operators, work started on joint health and social care assistive technology strategy for both adults and children); Countywide recovery (plans for Aykley Heads business park passed by councillors for approval by Secretary of State, ‘free after 3’ parking scheme now in place until Christmas, VisitCountyDurham has launched new content hub encouraging people to shop local); Support to businesses (£7.7m paid to businesses in Co. Durham. Since 12 November 4,913 grants totalling £2.5m given to support hospitality, with previous recipients being contacted about further eligibility - www.durham.gov.uk/ covid19businessgrants); Children’s Services (Sedgefield Community College names Sunday Times Northeast Secondary School of the Decade).
66 07/12/2020 CDALC Update on guidance issued for conducting grass roots sports (off-field activity, changing rooms etc). 67 07/12/2020 CDALC Roadworks report w/c 28/11. Nothing new to report. 68 07/12/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 6 December. Email sent to all cllrs 7/12/20. 69 07/12/2020 CDALC Information and request for council to consider motion about double taxation and County Durham. Agenda item for January 2021. 70 08/12/2020 Resident B Concern about tarmac finish at Marwood View. Clerk chased with DCC and promised to keep Resident up to date.
Page 4 of 7 130121-4 Correspondence list Cotherstone Parish Council
Date Ref From Subject Note/comment received Note: CDALC = County Durham Associa on of Local Councils NALC = Na onal Associa on of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks
71 09/12/2020 CDALC Request to share information about grazing land rents — for Ferryhill Town Council. 72 10/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - encouraging residents to sign up for Garden Waste Collection scheme for 2021. Collections are March/April to November, fortnightly, for £35 annual fee. In Teesdale, the service is operated by Rotters in partnership with the County Council.
73 10/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - work of Durham County Record Office’s 4-year online project ‘Durham at War’ has been recognised as a case study by the Imperial War Museum. Durham at War is an interactive mapping website telling the story of the county and its people in the 1914-18 conflict.
74 11/12/2020 Teesdale Action 6-page bulletin: stories of the projects helped with the Covid-19 Emergency Response funding (Teesdale Day Clubs, YMCA, Music at the Partnership Heart of Teesdale, UTASS), support available for those looking for work and Fire & Rescue service’s Christmas safety campaign.
75 11/12/2020 Durham County 3-page Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: Public Health (coronavirus rates in County Durham continue to fall, helping alleviate Council Leader pressure on local hospitals, continue to promote ‘hands, face, space’ message, 13 vaccination sites will be opening from next week in GP practices, concentrating on over 80s, subject to supplies); Outbreak control (Durham University students have used travel window to return home, improvements seen at Franklin Prison outbreak, decline in cases in last few days, following a three-week plateau, new spike detector tool as an early warning system to highlight area that see more cases than expected (eg. in Brasside and Low Newton, Framwellgate Moor and Pity Me); Adult Social Care (continue to work closely with care providers, strengthening contingency arrangements for Christmas period, working on care home visitor testing support); Economic resilience (contributing more than ten times as much funding to road improvement schemes than 10 years ago (£8.86m in 2019/20 plus £12.2m from Department for Transport), continuing to contact hospitality businesses who have previously claimed support payments, £8.8m paid to county businesses to help them deal with local and national restrictions); and Finally, preparations are being made for next year’s elections on the basis that they will be taking place in May.
76 12/12/2010 NALC Launch of ‘Good Councillors’ Guide to Community Business’ 72-pp publication. PDF of the Guide sent to all cllrs 13/12/20. 77 14/12/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 13 December. No new applications to consider. 78 15/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC has allocated >£1.3m to businesses impacted by Tier 3 coronavirus restrictions, in 2,007 grants paid fortnightly in arrears. Eligibility can be checked out at www.durham.gov.uk/covid19businessgrants
79 15/12/2020 CDALC Request to share information about frequency and supplier used for assessment/inspection of stability of war memorials — for Middleton St George Parish Council.
80 15/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Durham Music Services pupils will perform a Christmas Concert streamed online free of charge at 6.30pm on 18 December. And on Saturday 19 December, at 7.30pm, a Celebration of Lessons and Carols, with three well-known choirs will be streamed. Both on www.durhammusic.org.uk/listing/category/durham-virtual-christmas
81 15/12/2020 CDALC Details of North East Transport Plan consultation, open until 14 January. Full email forwarded to councillors inviting them to respond with comments at the meeting on 13 January to form a collective PC response.
82 15/12/2020 CDALC Request for help/information with a ‘blue plaques’ audit for DCC for a website resource. Parish Councils are asked to identify any plaques in Does a councillor wish to the parish (blue or otherwise) being used to mark points of local history — they want to know what the plaque commemorates, its precise volunteers to collate this location, the scheme it was awarded under, information about the story behind its awards and a photograph. informa on? 83 16/12/2020 Teesdale Action Promotion of ‘Wear Your Winter Woollies for UTASS’ day, 17 December, raising money to be matched by Barclays Bank. Partnership on behalf of UTASS
84 16/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - funding through 3 Towns Area Action Partnership has allowed Jack Drum Arts (£2,061) and St Catherine’s Dementia Café (£5,486) in Crook to deliver their services digitally.
85 16/12/2020 DCC Chief Announcement that DCC full council has approved John Hewitt as Interim Chief Executive, with contact details for him. Executive’s Office
86 16/12/2020 Durham County Christmas Greetings. Council Leader
87 17/12/2020 Durham Community December News: reflections on 2020 (how adaptable, responsive and creative people are when up against it; a significant increase in the Action number of people and variety of organisations taking part in online training); updated guidance for community buildings emergency food at Christmas; 2021 training date; January meeting the funders event and January’s Village Halls week.
Page 5 of 7 130121-4 Correspondence list Cotherstone Parish Council
Date Ref From Subject Note/comment received Note: CDALC = County Durham Associa on of Local Councils NALC = Na onal Associa on of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks
88 17/12/2020 Highways England Request from the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project team for the Parish Council to nominate a member to sit on a Community Liaison For discussion at January Group (CLG) to ensure that ‘conversations and presentations focus on the local issues which impact most on the community’. The CLGs will mee ng. run throughout the planning process and on towards the construction period. A full project update, with project update brochures and videos, is at www.highwaysengland.co.uk/A66-NTP.
89 18/12/2020 Durham County 4-page Update on Covid-19 and DCC’s response: Public Health (fall in rates has now stopped and small rises are seen in some areas, joint Council Leader campaign with other north east authorities thanking people for everything they are doing to limit the spread, including TV ads, vaccination roll- out continues, with high take-up and 6 further sites due to open next week); Outbreak control (self-isolation period for anyone who has tested positive is now 10 days, not 14 days, rates decreasing in schools, number of Covid inpatients in all hospitals in Durham and Darlington has flatlined, spike detection tool highlighted three areas with higher cases - Brasside and Newton Hall, Thornley, Deaf Hill and Wheatley Hill, and Fishburn and Trimdon, 59 people being trained to become Covid Champions across the county); Adult Social Care (care home infection rates and staffing resources remain stable, working with providers on visitor testing, assisting with roll-out of vaccinations); Children’s Services (praise for school staff for a term’s hard work, attendance at 87%); Service updates (Christmas and New Year holiday opening details, bin collection changes only apply to Friday collections, real Christmas trees can be collected free of charge (need to book); Economic Resilience (£1.3m in 2,007 grants allocated this week to businesses impacted by Tier 3 restrictions, new scheme offering extra grants of £1k to pubs and bars that do not serve meals or where turnover from meals is less than 50% of income, with process for application being prepared, www.durham.gov.uk/covid19businessgrants); virtual winter fayre created by Visit County Durham www.thisisdurhan.com/winterfayre).
90 18/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC pledged £21k towards the Feeding Families-run scheme which has delivered 700 hampers to County Durham families in need.
91 18/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Customer Access Points and most other DCC buildings will be closed over Christmas and New Year. For emergency, still run 03000 260000. For any coronavirus-related support, contact County Durham Together on 03000 260260.
92 21/12/2020 CDALC Christmas Greetings from Steve and Audrey, and thanks for huge endeavours during 2020. 93 21/12/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 20 December. No new applications to consider. 94 21/12/2020 CDALC News that parish council are eligible to apply to the new National Recovery Leisure Fund. Scope is limited to outsourced provision and councils must apply via their principal authority, and deadline is noon 21 December (20 minutes after this email arrived!). DCC have regifted their interest and need details from parish councils before 8 January. Good job we don’t have an outsourced leisure facility!
95 21/12/2020 Citizens Advice Raising awareness of the Priority Service Register for vulnerable individuals in the county. PDF leaflet provides details of who is eligible and County Durham how to apply. Also Energy Redress Scheme for social housing tenants and a national Energy Advice Project for energy-related support — 0808 278 7821.
96 21/12/2010 CDALC NALC Chief Executive's bulletin: Local Government Finance Settlement 2021/22 issued (including confirmation of no referendum for parish councils), response to the Redmond Review has been published, new National Recovery Leisure Fund launched (see item 94), update from Communities Partnership Board and new research published by Demos ‘The Future of Towns’.
97 22/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - re-opening of Witton Park Bridge following £2.5m replacement scheme. 98 22/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - workers at Hawthorn House respite centre in Newton Hall have turned the garden into an activities area for Christmas. 99 23/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release -DCC’s Managing Money Better service has helped a disabled Co. Durham woman recover more than £3k in overpayments following her gas supply being transferred to an energy company without her permission five years ago.
100 23/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - Two volunteers with DurhamWorks Plan 4 Life programme are helping spread festive cheer in Stanley. 101 24/12/2020 DCC Planning Weekly list of new applications w/e 23 December. No new applications to consider. 102 24/12/2020 DCC Press Office Press release - members of public invited to have their say on which projects should receive major investment for regeneration in Bishop Auckland.
103 04/01/2021 CDALC Roadworks report w/c 2/1. Nothing new to report. 104 04/01/2021 CDALC Notice of vacancy for Clerk, South Hetton PC.
Page 6 of 7 130121-4 Correspondence list Cotherstone Parish Council
Date Ref From Subject Note/comment received Note: CDALC = County Durham Associa on of Local Councils NALC = Na onal Associa on of Local Councils SLCC = Society of Local Council Clerks
105 04/01/2021 Teesdale Action Notice of Board meeting to be held 20 January, 3pm via MS Teams. Neighbourhood issues can be raised by any local resident, submitted in Partnership writing ([email protected]) before 13 January.
106 04/01/2021 CDALC Invitation to comment on Police Crime and Victim Commissioner’s proposed 2021/22 precept increase. Link to consultation. Deadline 31 January. Email forwarded to all cllrs 4/1 for individual comment, with collective response considered at January PC meeting.
107 04/01/2021 CDALC Notice of vacancy for maternity cover Pojrects and Media Coordinator position at Sedgefield Town Council. 108 05/01/2021 CDALC Confirmation that The Parish and Community Meetings (Coronavirus)(Polls)(Amendment)(England) Rules 2020, were updated on 31 December with the effect that no parish polls will be able to be held until 6 May 2021.
109 05/01/2021 Rural Services Bulletin: barriers to take-up of gigabit-capable broadband; confusing picture over school closures; Covid vaccine; digital connectivity funding Network (to seven councils, including Durham County Council); walking challenge for farming charities; and 10-point plan for Green Industrial Revolution.
110 05/01/2021 Teesdale Action Funding available to support community groups and organisations in Teesdale to deliver enriching holiday activities during the February Half Partnership Term holidays, including healthy food. Grants of £250 to £999, closing date 20 January.
111 05/01/2021 CDALC Invitation to attend a two-part course on Cycling and Walking Infrastructure Design, delivered by Adrian Lord from Phil Jones Associates. Cllr Sabey? Free, online course delivered via MS Team, on Tuesday 2 and Tuesday 9 February, 10-11.30am. More details available and booking needed.
112 05/01/2021 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC cabinet will soon be updated on plans to bid for Government funding which could help provide tens of millions of pounds of improvements to Bishop Auckland through the Stronger Towns Programme.
113 05/01/2021 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC will roll out a grant scheme which would provide up to £40k assistance to companies to help them implement recovery plans to overcome pandemic impacts. Durham Business Recovery Grant Scheme (to help >880 firms, potentially safeguarding 1,760 jobs) will be presented to Cabinet next week.
114 05/01/2021 Resident C Covid-19 Vaccine Scam warning. Circulated to all cllrs 6/1/20 for onward spreading. 115 06/01/2021 Durham Community Invitation to join online ‘Share & Learn’ Network meeting - Meet the Funders, 19 January 10-12noon. Free, but booking essential. Action
116 06/01/2021 Rural Services Monthly Funding Digest and government consultations bulletin. Network
117 06/01/2021 DCC Press Office Press release - DCC Cabinet to hear how partnership working is helping support residents through the pandemic, eg through dedicated £1.4m coronavirus support fund given to the 14 Area Action Partnerships, Community Champions scheme, holiday activities/healthy food.
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