This week was extremely busy but brilliant ☺️ We...
✅ Attended the full council meeting at Spennymoor
✅Attended the Corporate Parenting Panel where we heard about the recent OFSTED focused visit to DCC children’s services as well as lots of other things, full details here https://democracy.durham.gov.uk/ieListDocuments.aspx...
✅Attended the Planning Committee (south and west) where we approved some exciting plans
✅Attended the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee
✅Promoted the craft fayre at Citizens House on Saturday 25th September, free attend so pop in if you can between 11am and 3pm and The Oasis Cafe will be serving treats
✅Posted details about Miller Homes plans to build at Greenways https://www.facebook.com/110511681110915/posts/217138923781523/?d=n
✅Were privileged to attend the Consett Royal British Legion women’s section birthday party
✅Helped residents and local businesses with issues they told us about
✅…and in other news, donned a party frock as a finalist in the North East Business Awards

What a week! We met so many people, thanks to everyone who has been so lovely This week we…
✅ Attended a catch up with the fabulous Children in Care Council and heard about all the hard work they’ve been doing and how they are all settling back in to school and Uni life https://www.durhamcicc.co.uk/
✅Attended Richard Holden’s busy busy job fair at Derwentside College. Thrilled to chat with the team from North East Autism Society who have local vacancies for support workers, contact them if you’re interested. ✅Also met the team from Fuzzy Brush and got to test their product – fabulous!!
✅Visited the fabulous team at MAC Security www.facebook.com/MACconsett to hear all about their current and future exciting plans – managed to sneak a pic in one of their projects
✅Met with the team of The Chop Shop Custom Auto Repairs – get in touch with them for all your MOT and other vehicle services #supportlocalbusiness
​✅Let residents know that the Persimmon plans have now been validated and can be viewed and commented on here: ​https://publicaccess.durham.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=QXOIIXGD0A500&fbclid=IwAR3MsJPBeMCRlbWW3g02Dkw-uXmrN9naBvyqMlbm59e3qtQ8VDhYhkkGs7A

This week we was FABULOUS! We…
✅ Attended a demonstration against Consett Incinerator alongside other elected members and local residents
✅ Spoke at the meeting where the planning committee unanimously rejected plans for Consett incinerator – watch the meeting again here and forward to 48 minutes to hear Angela’s speech https://youtu.be/DDhOpwG2COQ
✅ During the speech we asked Project Genesis not to appeal the committee’s decision but unfortunately it looks like they will https://www.delves.info/.../when-will-they-understand...
✅ We were immensely impressed by representations at the meeting by members of the public squarely against the plans. The Consett community is incredible!
✅ Spoke to the press and appeared in the Evening Chronicle https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/.../durham-consett... and Northern Echo https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/.../19565004.../
✅ Were overjoyed to wish Elddis Transport a very happy birthday for their 50th year trading of trading
✅ Attended the Highways Committee Meeting and voted on some important improvements across the county
✅ Were updated with the the Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny committee on the work of Safe Durham Partnership Alcohol and Drugs Harm Reduction Group
✅ Signed up some volunteers to help open up Crookhall Community Centre – register your support at delves.info/crookhall
✅ Promoted the FREE online Fire Safety event
✅ Promoted the FREE jobs fair at Derwentside College on Friday 17th September
✅ ​Helped residents with a huge range of issues and concerns
😁 Oh, did we mention that incinerator plan had been rejected? 😆

We were thrilled that Durham County Council planners yesterday recommended the Hownsgill Incinerator plans to be rejected. However as your local councillors we are concerned that Project Genesis will appeal and have that decision overturned. So much so that Angela made a heartfelt plea in her speech directly to the applicant NOT to appeal, which was also acknowledged in the Northern Echo today. Here is an excerpt from her speech...

"Finally I would like to speak directly to the applicant. Project Genesis has done a huge amount of good work and after meeting with Mike Clark and Mark Short personally, their passion for the continued regeneration of Consett is abundantly clear. However what is also dazzlingly obvious is how unpopular these proposals are with the people of Consett. 

The disconnect is troubling and is why Michelle and I asked Project Genesis to rescind this application on two separate occasions; once in a private meeting where we asked them questions raised by local residents and a second time during the public Question and Answer session we arranged between the applicant and members of the public. And our position still stands. 

Should this planning committee advise this application is rejected, my heartfelt plea to the applicant is please do not appeal. Why would you bring something to our hometown that is so vastly unpopular? 

Please let this be. 

And please engage earlier and with increased visibility for future projects. We all have the same aim. To improve Consett. And I know that the residents in my ward and across the town will be behind you with future development plans. But the public must be included and the plans must be for the benefit of Consett and be welcomed by the public."

Watch Angela's speech below from 48 minutes:

Today was a BIG day for the residents in our ward...Durham County Council Planning Committee met to make a decision on Hownsgill Incinerator. County Hall was packed with councillors, representatives from the Say No to Consett Incinerator group and other local residents all to speak out against the plans. One councillor was in favour and of course Project Genesis read a statement too. But it was wonderful to see the majority of people speaking against the proposals.

Cllr Sterling made a speech on behalf of Delves Lane Division councillors. Our promise to the residents of our ward, and one we take incredibly seriously, is to properly represent them and their views. While the site for the proposed incinerator is not in our ward, a huge number of our residents would have been affected with the closest living merely 300 metres away from the site. Therefore we felt essential we conveyed their strong feelings on this issue on their behalf at the council meeting today. 

Angela made a passionate heartfelt speech and addressed Project Genesis directly asking them not to appeal. The plans are so unpopular we can't see how they can push forward with an appeal, which is our fear. You can watch Angela's speech below - scroll forward to 48 minutes. Let's hope they take heed...

We were thrilled to take part in the demonstration today alongside Cllr Haney and Cllr Rooney against the Hownsgill Incinerator. The event was organised by the Say No to Consett Incinerator group who have worked very hard to have the proposals rejected. Local planners were visiting the site and the people of Consett wanted to show them exactly what they think of the project - and did so in style! 

It was very well attended and was even reported in the Evening Chronicle. You can read the article here. Watch the Say No song below which was also playing loud and proud for the planning committee representatives to hear. As local councillors, we have been proud to see the local community and elected members work together to try and have these plans rejected. 

Here’s our usual weekly round-up...
This week we:
✅ Met with the committee at Crookhall Community Centre to help plan their post Covid reopening…watch this space - LOTS of information coming VERY soon!
✅ Finalised plans with local members for the forthcoming County Planning Meeting regarding Hownsgill Incinerator which takes place on Tuesday
✅ Promoted planting of bulbs at various locations across our ward
✅ Made plans for action after the summer recess
✅ Helped with school transport issues
✅ Helped residents with a whole host of issues, check out some of our before and after pictures!