The Links Neighbourhood Watch meeting last night was urged to ring 101 if they see anything suspicious. That’s the national number for non-urgent crime reports.

There are a number of things that might provoke that, and one in particular was that charity bags marked “Treating Children with Cancer” have been delivered/collected in our area but are apparently not genuine. The Genuine Charity of that name have said that they do not operate in this area, and the bags are not ones they currently use, so if you see these bags being delivered or collected please note the number of the van and call 101 as soon as possible to report it.

Another is that as the summer months lengthen, off road bikes become an increasing nuisance. If you see any causing a nuisance, or where you believe that the law is being broken, please ring 101.

Another concern is that with our region being the last in the  country to “enjoy” the digital TV switchover, we should learn from the experience of other areas where scams have taken place, with old and vulnerable people being ripped off  by people charging them for unnecessary work like special aerial installations. All you will need if you have a television which currently only receives 5 channels is a freeview box, and there’s he;lp available for a number of groups of people. If you want to know more, visit the Digital UK website for good advice.

is still no news. I checked today and the judgement in the Belle Vue case is still outstanding.

I regularly get stopped and asked if the Judicial Review of the refusal of the Belle Vue Town or Village Green application has been decided yet, and I know that people on both sides of the argument would really like to know the result, but we’re all going to have to wait.

“You can’t hurry love,” sang the Supremes. The same goes for the law.

Testos is on the move.

It’s easy to mis-read this, but for the avoidance of doubt this is the former bowling alley and Bingo Hall on John Street, which after years of dereliction and decay has suddenly seen a surge of life.

I had a look in with the new  leaseholder, and amidst the damp and decayed paraphenalia of the bingo hall you knew you had to be dealing with an optimist. No one else would have wanted to take it on and it will be interesting to see if he can make something useful and profitable from it. He’s clearly got a number of ideas but nothing will be clear until all the paperwork and any planning application has gone through.

In the short term the work has reduced further the available parking in the town, with the pitted and puddle filled end that is leased from the county now dug up and unavailable. The other end has been behind a frustrating barrier for years. This wasn’t the way I had hoped to have that barrier raised, but I’ll keep my fingers crossed that it will bring something good to the heart of Consett.

At the launch of the new Draft Bill on energy, Liberal Democrat Secretary of State of Energy and Climate Change Ed Davey, writes:

Over the next decade, around a fifth of existing power plants are due to close, against a background of increased energy demand and increasing prices. We need new investment simply to keep the lights on.

But more than that, we need a clean energy revolution to meet our ambitious climate change goals and make this the greenest government ever.

That’s why I am bringing forward a new Energy Bill today.

You can read more about our clean energy revolution here.

We also need to transform our energy market to reduce the risk and cost of low carbon technologies.

That’s what our Bill does.

The UK is fast becoming a world leader in renewable energy, especially in off shore wind. I want us to lead the world in Carbon Capture and Storage too.

And we are also tackling rising energy bills. Without reforming the energy market bills will rise by around £200 in the coming years. Our reforms will mean bills are around 4% lower than they otherwise would have been.

Going green is good for the economy, good for Britain and good for you.

Yours,

Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change

(Image licensed under Creative Commons from DECC)

“I Love Shoe” has been chosen for an Olympic Film Festival run by Shetland Arts. The film, based on an original song by the young people from Consett, really is an example of our young people promoting Consett across the length and breadth of the nation.

Shetland Arts is taking a UK-wide part in the London 2012 Festival celebrating the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games. ‘A Hansel of Film – Shetland to Southampton and Back’ is a relay of screenings of short films made by the public in each of the nations and many of the regions of the UK. It will be launched in Shetland on 10^th June with the arrival of the Olympic Torch in the isles as it reaches its UK most northerly point. The films will be relayed between participating venues by ‘runners’; that is, creative and energetic individuals who will employ whatever means of transport they can devise to get the right films to the right venue on time. This will culminate in a marathon screening of over 100 short films at Shetland’s annual film festival, Screenplay 2012, between 4^th and 9^th September.

The festival is supported by Mark Kermode the acclaimed film critic so everyone involved is thrilled it has been selected to be part of something so exciting.

You can watch the film here and save yourself a trip to Shetland. On second thoughts, a trip to Shetland in September sounds absolutely fine.

(Click picture to play video)

It is shameful that, despite all the promise on a four or five year old’s first day at school, or the passion of their teachers, you can all too often plot that child’s path just by asking how much their parents earn.

The £2.5billion Pupil Premium was one of the four pledges on the front page of our manifesto.  And now, with Liberal Democrats in government, schools are using the money for things like breakfast clubs; homework clubs; or to provide one-to-one-tuition. These are the sort of experiences many middle class children take for granted but a poorer child might rarely enjoy.

Yesterday I visited a fantastic primary school to see how they are spending their Pupil Premium, highlight our new Summer Schools to ease the transition from primary to secondary, and to set out our plans to reward teachers and hold schools to account.

The Pupil Premium shows that, in tough times, we are implementing Liberal Democrat values and prioritising help for those pupils who need it most.

Best wishes,

Nick Clegg MP

Leader of the Liberal Democrats and Deputy Prime Minister

PS Click here to find out how much money your local school will receive from the Liberal Democrats’ Pupil Premium.

You learn something new every day. Even at Full Council!

The outgoing chair of council, Dennis Morgan, made his year in the chair something of a crusade to promote “Made in Durham” after discovering that the county council’s supply of “gifts” for visiting dignatories comprised almost entirely products that were made in  China. Whilst I haven’t been vouchsafed a look through the cupboard I understand that it now contains souvenirs made in Durham, from chutney to teddy bears, and that is a very welcome move.

Caterpillar trucks are a bit too big for the cupboard, but what I learnt today was that all Caterpillar Trucks made in Durham – and Peterlee is a key UK site for the company – start with a number 7 which gives the family a new I-Spy opportunity when going on holiday, and a chance to celebrate a success of our county.

In Consett, too, we have cause to thank Dennis. He has been a regular visitor to the town during his year in office, particularly at The Empire, and I understand that he’ll even be there tonight for the Phil Kelsall concert. He”ll be less recognisable without his chain of office, but very welcome just the same.

The passing of the old also brings in the new, and I’m confident that the new chair, Linda Marshall, will build on Dennis’s foundations. Linda was a member of Derwentside District Council and I’ve always appreciated her warmth and enthusiasm which I’m sure will benefit the county this year.

It’s nice to be able to celebrate other councillors, regardless of party, and it’s one of the aspects of British politics and civic life we should particularly value – smooth transitions and courteous handovers.

That’s not to say that there were no aspects of today’s proceedings that reflected the less acceptable aspects of our politics, but I’ll save them for another day.

Friday, 25 May 12.00 – 3.00 at the YMCA is another chance for young people to get this “proof of age” card.

The cards are aimed at people aged between 14 and 25-years-old and are run in partnership between Durham Constabulary and Durham County Council.

To sign up for a card you must bring along a valid passport, driving licence or PASS accredited card. Alternatively you will need a ‘verifier’ to complete part of the application form. Verifiers must be over 25-years-old and know the applicant personally.

Mumpreneur could be for you.

That’s my favourite geography school report of all time.

It could however be a thing of the past if a new course run by Durham County proves successful.

It’s a beginner’s guide to map and compass reading and will take place on Saturday, May 19 and Sunday, May 20 between 10am and 3pm. Day One will be theory-based with some practical activities in Durham and on Day Two people will put their new skills into practice when they head out into the Durham Dales.

The course costs £25 and people are required to bring their own Silva-type compass and a North Pennines Leisure Map number 31.

Places are limited and must be booked in advance by calling 0191 372 9100 or emailing countryside@durham.gov.uk.