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Written by Mark Burton
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Thursday, 03 December 2009 |
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 Don’t fall victim to a council tax scam in which bogus callers ask for bank details so that ‘overpaid’ council tax can be repaid back into your bank account, or so that money can be taken directly to avoid a fine for ‘non-payment’.
You may think it to be great news, at this time of the year, to be receiving some money back but, Darlington Borough Council would never contact you in this manner and you must remain vigilant.
Cllr. M Burton
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80k Windfall for Local Recreation and Play - But What Should It Be Used For? |
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Written by Mark Burton
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Wednesday, 02 December 2009 |
 As you may know there is currently one development taking place on the former Shell garage site and another planned to start by March, 2010, with completion in May, 2011, on the former Beaumont Hill school sites.
Both of these developments come with community cash in the form of what is commonly known as ‘106’ agreements. Funding from 106 relates to recreation and play and it is generally £200 per bed space as per council policy.
Before any council officer comes up with some grand idea as to how he or she can or should spend this money on our behalf and ring-fence it, I would like to ask all residents to get in touch with details of how you think this money should be spent as soon as possible.
Should I campaign for the replacement of the play area which was taken away and never replaced some time ago on the recreational ground at the bottom of Mayfair Road? Or do you have some other ideas? |
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 December 2009 )
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Written by Mark Burton
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Tuesday, 01 December 2009 |
 The 10th edition of the Little Red Rosette is back from the printers and currently being delivered to all residents and businesses in Harrowgate Hill at a slightly slower pace than normal due to poor weather conditions, but I do hope to have completed deliveries by Wednesday of this week.
If for some strange reason you have not received a copy by then, please let me know. Remember; you can always download previous editions from this website on the archive page and you’ll also find copies in the Premier and Coop shop’s and in the Harrowgate Workmen’s Club.
Here's a 'Snap Shot' and update of some of the topics I'm dealing with at the moment...
Former Beaumont Hill School Sites
Fabric have now submitted their planning application
Longfield School
Awarded 2.9m plus 500k for a new sports hall
Longfield School
The Council heard officially today (30/11/09) that their bid for BSF (£57m) to rebuild/refurbish Longfield, Branksome & Hurworth was successful. Longfield School has been awarded around 15m for a substantial refurbishment of the whole school
Burtree Lane
Speeding in excess of 40mph has been proven here and the police have been requested to take action
Harrowgate Hill School
Set to expand by 3 classrooms due to local population growth
Allotments to expand
Papers are being drawn up for cabinet approval of funds towards the transition of additional land for allotment's on Ridgeway & Glebe Road
Cycle Path Bensham Road to Mayfair Road
Consultation set to take place soon
Safer journey to School
Longfield Road 20mph proposal nears completion - with consultation to follow in the new year
Bensham Park Play
Development set to commence in January
Harrowgate Farm Play
Council working towards adoption of area from developers
Bus Stops in Glebe/Mayfair
Consultation with regards to permanent locations to begin in the new year
Coop Deliveries
Agreed new later times have started
Additional Lighting Requests
Scrutiny are to look at council policy and determine a better way forward
Dog Walk Routes
Officers to find suitable locations for dog bins along Lowson Street and Washbrook Drive
Former Harrowgate Hill School Buildings
Darlington Homes are looking to sell this site with planning permissions
Ashleigh House
Undergoing redevelopment to cater for up to 30 residents with minor mental health issues
Grass Verges
Laburnum Road verge hopefully to be hardened this financial year
Drinkfield Marsh Digging
A permanent Stop Notice has now been served
Drinkfield Marsh Access
Residents have made further requests for this to be made more pushchair user friendly
Glebe Road Resurfacing
Should take place following any development of former school sites
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Last Updated ( Wednesday, 02 December 2009 )
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Read more...
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Digging Drinkfield Marsh - update |
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Written by Mark Burton
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Friday, 27 November 2009 |
 These site operations are having a detrimental effect on the amenities of nearby residents through the production of noise, dust and fumes. A planning permission was granted in 1968 but has, in the council’s view, long since lapsed. This permission allowed some tipping, but only to raise land levels. Two temporary Stop Notices have been served on the site operators. The council has since followed these up with an Enforcement Notice requiring cessation of operations and the reinstatement of the land to its condition prior to the operations taking place. This has been appealed by the operator and a date for the inquiry is awaited and in the meantime, I have asked the council to consider issuing a more permanent Stop Notice. The Environment Agency has confirmed, in terms of its own legislation, that the operator is exempt from requiring a permit to bring specific wastes on to this site and to treat them, by crushing or screening for example, in order to produce recycled waste materials. The list of acceptable wastes does not include hazardous wastes such as asbestos or materials that contain asbestos. This is the only waste permission currently applicable to this land but is independent of and does not override the planning position described above. Adding to the dismay of residents living closest to the marsh is the erection of the new business use waste transfer station, mainly because of its size and proximity. I'm working with officers to see if residents’ outlook upon this new building can be camouflaged, perhaps by planting some trees. Update... The council have now issued a permanent Stop Notice. |
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Last Updated ( Saturday, 28 November 2009 )
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Written by Mark Burton
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Tuesday, 24 November 2009 |
 Minster Care Group purchased Ashleigh House Care Home situated on North Road in Darlington in January 2009, the home was registered for 41 elderly people suffering from Dementia with ten people using the service at that time, the home required refurbishment, further to discussions with Darlington Social Services it was evident that the home was not sustainable as an elderly dementia unit and the company looked at alternative areas of care where they could be of support to the local community.
Minster Care Group have been established many years with specialist knowledge in all categories of care including; learning disabilities, physical disabilities, mental health, elderly care, supported living accommodation, domiciliary care, day care services to name a few. The company prides itself on providing service user led facilities offering a high standard of care and support helping people to lead a happy and fulfilled life.
The company is, at present refurbishing Ashleigh House reducing to 30 bedrooms and have applied to vary the registration with the Care Quality Commission to provide care for people with mental health problems, this will be a medium – low needs residential unit managed by a highly qualified manager weekdays with a staffing ratio suitable to the clients needs which will be staffed 24 hours a day.
The home will be registered and governed by The Care Quality Commission and will operate under the National Minimum Care Standards, they aim to provide a service for people living within the local community who have suffered from a mental condition and need a low level of support, each person will have a staged programme of care agreed prior to admission this could be as simple as providing assistance to perform daily living skills, managing finances, help and support in the community, confidence building, sourcing employment opportunities with the main goal to live independently within the local community.
Minster Care Group aims to provide a much-needed service for the local community bridging the gap for people who may otherwise put a strain on local NHS resources.
Minster Care Group operates an open door policy and will be happy to answer any concerns anyone may have, in writing to Minster Care Group, P.O. Box 424, Harrow, Middlesex, HA2 2AL or you may contact the company’s Area Manager Ms Carol Coxon on 07909942553.
Cllr. M Burton
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 24 November 2009 )
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