Tasks and actions dealt with by Neighbourhood Wardens and Antisocial Behaviour Team in the Consett Area during April 2013.

Dog fouling

 Dog fouling is one of the major issues dealt with by neighbourhood wardens. We have investigated 18 reports of dog fouling and issued 1 fixed penalty notice for dog fouling. We have also removed 16 stray dogs.

Littering

Litter is another important issue. We investigated 10 reports of littering and issued 12 fixed penalty notices for littering.

Fly tipping

73 incidents of fly tipping were reported during April. We carried out 10 investigations into these incidents in order to try and find any evidence to link the fly tipping to those who dumped it.

Untidy yards and gardens

8 first or second advisory letters and 2 litter clearing notices were issued to properties with untidy gardens or yards.

Antisocial behaviour

Wardens dealt with 6 reports of antisocial behaviour reported by members of the public, as well as 19 incidents which were passed via the Police Airwaves system.

The table below shows the number of Fixed Penalty Notices which have been issued by township during April 2013.

Location, Issued Reason & Date

Bridgehill       Gillside View             Dog Fouling  14/4/13

Consett          Morrisons                  Littering x 7   3/4/13

Consett          Morrisons                  Littering          8/4/13

Consett          Morrisons                  Littering          22/4/13

Castleside     A68                             Littering          8/4/13

Iveston           Stoney Heap             Littering          18/4/13

Kaysburn       Langley Lane           Littering          23/4/13

Special Initiatives

Wardens have carried out mini dog fouling campaigns in Ebchester and Bridgehill areas. Various dog walkers were spoken to in both areas and there has been a noticeable reduction in the amount of fouling which is visible in the Bridgehill area.

Fly-Tipping – we carry out stop and search exercises, installing our covert CCTV and

patrols in hot spot areas. You can really help by providing us with information in

confidence by calling 03000 26 1000 and help us stop illegal dumping.

Contact Neighbourhood Wardens on 03000 26 1000

Wednesday 5 June 2013 1.30pm – 4.00pm
St Patrick’s Hall, Victoria Road, Consett, DH8 5AX
The Churches Regional Commission has been working in partnership with Durham County Council to consider the distinctive contribution faith communities can and do make to the life of our County. The publication of ’Faith in Sustainable Communities’ outlines some of this work and introduces a programme of conversation styled workshops reflecting on the Sustainable Community Strategy for County Durham. Five Key themes are at the heart of the Strategy: Altogether Wealthier; Altogether Better for children & young people; Altogether Healthier; Altogether Safer; Altogether Greener.
Faith communities have a distinctive role in most communities and neighbourhoods; in some situations providing resources and services; in others, along with other community groups and organisations expressing views and opinion which inform and shape policy formation and implementation.
The workshop in Consett will focus on ‘Altogether Greener’. An aim is to identify challenges and changes, personal and political, which may need to be addressed at all levels. The roundtable discussions will provide opportunities for dialogue and critical reflection which can then lead to informed actions.
Three short presentations identifying current challenging issues and concerns will be given by:

• Dr Robert Song – Senior Lecturer in Christian Ethics, Durham University
• Kathryn Sygrove – Chair of Durham Fair Trade Partnership
• Maggie Bosanquet and Stephen Beresford – Sustainability, Carbon and Climate Change Team, Durham County Council

The event is free and booking is requested.

email crcnortheast@btconnect.com or telephone 0191 232 0296

Underground issues are causing the big puddles at the end of Ashdale Road when it rains heavily.

That’s the verdict of the drainage team who have been investigating the issue at my request. When they were jetting the drain they apparently came across a blockage/possible collapse. They have raised an order to carry out a drainage investigation & repair and they expect the work to be carried out in the next month.

Fingers crossed that Summer really has started, then!

And no doubt my older readers will recognise the reference to this sad councillor: “Johnny’s on the pavement thinking bout the Government ….”

After all the upheaval of the local elections, today has been a day for getting back into the groove, which has included some casework, the Consett North Partnership monthly meeting, and saying thank you to some of the many people who have supported Margaret and me through the election.

There’s as much as ever to be done, and as always I’ll welcome your feedback. “Comments” are turned back on again on this site. I suspended them for the election, but I’ve missed you all and it’s been much less fun for me logging on without that slight frisson as to who may have written what!

So welcome one and all, and I hope we’ll get back into dialogue soon.

Margaret and Owen thank you for the warmth, support and friendship you have shown us on the doorstep.

We’re grateful to you, too, for sending Owen back to County Hall where he will work as hard as ever at listening to your concerns and issues, acting on them, and feeding back to you through leaflets and this site.

And now for a well earned rest.

The local election count is tomorrow. Expect result tomorrow night.

I apologise for the lack of informative posts. I’ve just been 100% focused on the election and that has left little time for the research and other involvement that normally drives my entries.

The Count tomorrow is at the Louisa Centre in Stanley, with the first three hours allocated to the verification process – checking that the number of votes in the boxes tallies with the number of votes issued.

Then there’s the count proper which tells Consett and the rest of the county (in that order from my point of view) who their representatives will be. It’s complicated counting with multiple candidates which is why it takes quite a long time.

I’ll post the result when I get home.

Whatever the outcome I’m proud to have taken part in a real campaign – a campaign where lots of people were met ion their doorsteps (and where lots of people who were at home shunned us!), and where we spent the election day on the streets striving to win that precious birth-right of |Britons – their vote. It’s not a perfect system, but it’s the best their is! I hope you took part.

It matters who represents you. Take it into your own hands.

Fashion Show of New to You clothes at Consett Methodist Church, Saturday 27th 10.00 onwards.

The ladies of Consett Methodist Church are taking to the catwalk in an effort to keep the lights on in their Church.

Faced with a £6,000 bill for essential electrical work, the ladies will be modelling a top class range of “new-to-you” clothes and accessories, all of which will be available for sale after their Fashion Show. The show starts in the Church Hall on Station Road Consett at 10.00 a.m. on Saturday April 27th.

At just £3 entry fee, with refreshments included, both the entry itself and the clothes for sale offer a real bargain.

We’re too old to remember the original Potts’ Clock, but take a proprietorial  interest in the clock by the bus station. After all,  it took a lot of pushing to get it back, so imagine our disappointment when we were told it had gone wrong.

In fact, there may be a different explanation. It may be that works to the bus station have resulted in an interruption to the electricity supply. Lets hope so.

For those who don’t know the phrase, a less than flattering indication of idleness, according to “The Consett Story” published in 1963 the phrase “like Potts’ Clock” arose as follows:

In March 1881, Mr. Potts, a draper in Middle Street, had a large clock mounted on top of his shop. It had a massive cast-iron horizontal frame, and the wheels were of hard gun metal. The clock had one dial three feet in diameter, decorated with gilt and glazed with best opal glass. The clock became a Consett byword, for when Mr. Potts died, the clock also ceased to function, despite all the efforts of the local clock repairers. This was the origin of the saying, “You’re like Potts’ clock, you’ve stopped!”

We promise not to be idle on this one (or anything else) and will keep an eye on the time-keeping through, and after, the work on the bus station.