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Burning waste is not the way to move the UK towards a circular economy

Half of England’s waste is now being burned, at astronomical expense to local councils (“Anger at plans for 41 ‘dirty’ incinerators”, News). Yet Defra has, for years, resisted calls for the standardisation of waste materials collected or the separate collection of dry recyclables and organics, but it is now to implement such measures through its “simpler recycling” schemes in March 2025.Read more...

Consett Area- Housing Needs Assessment- DRAFT Consultation

As part of the process of developing the Consett Area Neighbourhood Plan, we have received funding to conduct a Housing Needs Assessment for the area. Please read the draft document and send us any feedback. Or, if you would like to meet us in person, we have arranged a series of consultation events where you can discuss the plans with us in person!...

Business Roundtable Event - Time to put the North East on the Business Map

As a long-standing member of Do Business Network (DBN),  Christine Thomas was delighted to be asked to attend the business roundtable discussion with Liz Twist MP for Blaydon and Consett, and Gareth Thomas MP, Minister in the Department for Business and Trade on Monday 9th December at Derwentside College.Read more...

North East Mayor’s Local Transport Plan Consultation Closes Sunday 26th January 2025

Kim McGuiness, North East Mayor, has officially opened the consultation on the Local Transport Plan, and is keen to hear from as many voices as possible from across our region. You can complete the following online survey North East Transport Plan Consultation Survey or find other ways to get involved by checking out the North East Combined Authority (NECA) website. ...

Royal British Legion's longest serving poppy-seller celebrates 80 years in the role

Events have been taking place to mark Armistice Day across the North East and the Royal British Legion's fundraisers have been out and about collecting donations to support our Armed Forces.In County Durham, Vera Parnaby has been a committed collector for the charity for eight decades, making her the longest serving poppy-seller.Read more...

Flies, rats and offers of hush money - the price of living next to a ‘monster’ incinerator

“We have been inundated with flies, rats, smell, noise. It's just been horrendous,” says Mandy Royle, who lives in the closest home to the UK’s biggest waste incinerator at Runcorn in Cheshire.Read more...

Homes scheme on hold as new hospital under review

A housing scheme remains on hold after plans for a new hospital were thrown into doubt.The proposal could see homes for elderly people built next to the new facility in Consett, County Durham.The new unit, to replace the existing Shotley Bridge Hospital, was granted planning permission by the previous Conservative government, but is now on a list of "uncosted projects", which is under review.Read more...

Push to identify ‘priority ponds’ in UK that are refuges for plants and animals

More than one in five ponds in the UK could be designated as “priority habitats” but only about 2% have been identified so far, experts say.Read more...

England’s GCSE results show ingrained social and regional inequality post-Covid

As the tide of exam results affected by Covid recedes, it reveals stark social and regional inequalities in GCSE performances across England that are barely changed or worse than before the pandemic struck.Read more...

Plans for woodland to be planted on former mine

Thousands of trees could be planted to create new woodland on a former coal mine.Banks Mining has filed a planning application with Durham County Council to plant 36,000 trees at Bradley Surface Mine.Read more...

Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist appointed as Prime Minister Keir Starmer's Parliamentary Private Secretary

A North East MP will be working alongside the Prime Minister after she was appointed as his Parliamentary Private Secretary.Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist will serve as Keir Starmer's PPS alongside Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven MP Chris Ward. The UK Parliament website describes a PPS as someone appointed by a minister to be their assistant.Read more...

North East mayors 'deserve London-style powers'

Mayors in the North East and Tees Valley should be as powerful as in London, according to a newly elected Labour MP.Chris McDonald told BBC’s Politics North the government would devolve more powers to regional mayors, but there had to be value for money for taxpayers and better accountability.Read more...

New bus routes launched to increase frequency

New bus routes are being launched to offer a more reliable service to passengers.Go North East said residents living in Derwentside will see new fast bus routes to connect Consett, Stanley and Newcastle, serving villages such as Burnopfield, Dipton, and Whickham.Read more...

£1m funding boost for North East communities to tackle health inequality

North East communities are to get £1m in health funding as part of a new "trailblazer" cash pot set up by a leading financial services firm and the University College London Institute for Health Equity.Read more...

Homes at former steelworks site refused by council

Plans to build 71 homes at a former steelworks site have been rejected by the local authority.Project Genesis Ltd had applied to Durham County Council to build the housing estate on land previously used by Consett Steelworks.Read more...

Your Voice, Your Vote: 'Bus services must improve'

In the run-up to the general election, the BBC is looking at the issues that matter the most to you, as part of Your Voice, Your Vote.Read more ...

New car parking rules in England will see drivers given 'grace period' to prevent unfair fines

Drivers could avoid costly fines within months thanks to a new car parking loophole. The upcoming Code of Practice introduces several driving regulations set to enhance consistency and uphold standards for motorists across the nation amidst the ongoing motorists' feud.Read more...

Bus service confidence 'at all time low'

Public confidence in a county's bus service is at an "all time low", transport bosses have been warned.Despite a multimillion investment plan to "improve connectivity" in County Durham, timetable changes and cost-cutting measures by operators have hit services and public trust.Read more ...

Polling Stations for Blaydon and Consett Constituency

With the upcoming election scheduled for Thursday, 4 July 2024, it is important for residents of Consett and the surrounding areas to know where they can cast their votes and who the candidates are. The polling stations will be open from 7:00 am to 10:00 pm. Here is a comprehensive guide to the polling stations and the candidates running for the Blaydon and Consett constituency.Read more...

Consett Area Youth Consultation

Tell us how you would like the Consett Area to look by 2036. What can we all do to improve on what we already have? What ideas do you have to ensure the continued and positive growth of the Consett Area?  Read more...

Iron Men of Consett

Building Self- Belief are currently delivering and Employability Programme at Consett Academy. As part of the sessions, we discuss the importance of volunteering and how impressive this is to employers – especially when young people are channelling their energy into a good cause.Read more...

'We want to save lives' - Holly Newton's parents bid to buy lifesaving bleed kits after teen's death

The parents of stabbed teen Holly Newton have launched a fundraising mission they hope will help spare other families the heartache they have endured.Holly, 15 died in hospital after she was allegedly attacked with a blade outside a pizza shop in Hexham town centre last January. A teenage boy also injured in the incident survived. Now Holly's mum and step-dad Micala and Lee Trussler have set-up a new non-profit organisation called Holly's Hope, which aims to raise money to and install life-savin...

UK charities hiring staff with ‘privilege not potential’, report author warns

Charities are hiring staff with “privilege rather than potential”, according to the author of a report highlighting the stark class divide in the sector.Working-class people are less likely to be hired by charities than by employers in the public and private sectors, said the EY Foundation, which supports young people from low-income backgrounds to progress in professional roles.Read more...

Four new car parking rules coming in October 2024 that all drivers need to know about

Drivers are being warned about new car parking rules that will come into effect in 2024.The new Code of Practice aims to raise standards and improve consistency for motorists across the country. The IPC code will be published in June before coming into effect this autumn.Read more...

Today is the deadline to apply for emergency photo ID for local May elections: Here's how to apply

Wednesday marks the final day anyone without the correct form of photo ID to take part in next week’s local, mayoral and police commissioner elections can apply.Every voter in England and Wales will be able to cast a ballot in at least one type of election on May 2.Read more...