The new administration has vowed to review how Durham County Council provides its services and mitigate council tax increases if possible, a report stated.  The council’s current budget plans – formed under the previous Joint Administration – include a deficit of £31 million next year, as pressures on adult and children’s social care and special…

North Yorkshire Council is planning to increase the cost of the pavement licence fee to £397.41 for new licences and £301.28 for renewals. At present, businesses are charged between £0 and £100, with the current fees set by North Yorkshire’s former borough and district councils. A report prepared for senior councillors stated: “Prior to local…

Mr Vickers, who has been an MP since 2019 and represented Stockton South then the new constituency of Stockton West, said he would work with new party chairman Kevin Hollinrake, MP for Thirsk and Malton, to “take the fight” to the Labour government. He will also continue in his role as shadow minister for crime,…

Reform leaders in charge of Durham County Council will rewrite the local authority’s Council Plan, which was recently agreed by the previous administration, because it “no longer reflects the political priorities of this council.”  The party has revealed five key ambitions that members say better align with its political mandate.  Reform’s priorities Reforming the council…

The plan, said to the biggest drive of its kind in England, is aimed at improving the lives of 120,000 babies, children and young people growing up below the breadline in our region. The £28.6 package includes expanding a grant to cover childcare costs currently being trialled in County Durham, a new ‘health in pregnancy’…

Darren Grimes, deputy leader of Durham County Council, tabled a motion to strengthen free speech protections in the code of conduct for elected members. It says elected members may require expressing views “that some find controversial or offensive” as long as they remain within the bounds of law.  But Councillor John Shuttleworth questioned the motive…

Leaders at Stockton Council say they want to make sure “no child is left behind” at a time of rising demand and pressure to meet the needs of children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). It has agreed to spend the money from available capital funds, including grants and money from housing developers as…

It is said to be the biggest drive of its kind in England, aimed at improving the lives of 120,000 babies, children and young people growing up below the breadline. Funding for North East Mayor Kim McGuinness’ child poverty ‘Action Plan’ will be approved today, lasting until 2030. It comes after Ms McGuinness put tackling the…

The end of the first hour free parking in the two centres, replaced with a £1.50 charge for three hours in February, was debated at a Stockton Council cabinet meeting last night (Thursday, July 17). It is being reviewed after just a few months following a petition and council motion calling on leaders to reverse…

Leaders at Stockton Council have agreed to use £1.34m from a funding pot towards the demolition job, which has been described by Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Labour MP Andy McDonald as “one of the most complicated demolition jobs of its kind ever performed in the UK”. This came as a leading independent councillor hailed vital…