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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 βthat some find controversial or offensiveβ as long as they remain within the bounds of law.Β But Councillor John Shuttleworth questioned the motive…
Leaders at Stockton Council say they want to make sure βno child is left behindβ 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 McGuinnessβ child povertyΒ βAction Planβ 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 Β£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 Β£1.34m from a funding pot towards the demolition job, which has been described by Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Labour MP Andy McDonald as βone of the most complicated demolition jobs of its kind ever performed in the UKβ. This came as a leading independent councillor hailed vital…
Leaders at Stockton Council have agreed to use Β£1.34m from a funding pot towards the demolition job, which has been described by Middlesbrough and Thornaby East Labour MP Andy McDonald as βone of the most complicated demolition jobs of its kind ever performed in the UKβ. This came as a leading independent councillor hailed vital…
It marked a significant development as Sir Keir Starmer continued to appoint MPs to various roles two weeks after becoming Prime Minister. Blaydon and Consett MP Liz Twist was appointed as Parliamentary Private Secretary to Sir Keir Starmer, indicating her close working relationship with the Prime Minister. She expressed her enthusiasm on X (formerly Twitter),…
Last year, the steady stream of ASB casework coming into my office made it clear that, without decisive action, this problem wasnβt going away. I spoke with local police to get their view on how best to improve the situation β particularly in relation to the anti-social use of off-road bikes β and was surprised…
Councillor Gerald Lee issued an impassioned plea at Darlington Borough Councilβs meeting on Thursday in the wake of County Durhamβs controversial decision to scrap its climate emergency pledge.Β The Conservative member for Heighington and Coniscliffe urged colleagues to put politics aside and join together in tackling the issue.Β βClimate change is not a distant threat;…
The end of first hour free parking in the two centres, replaced with a Β£1.50 charge for three hours in February, was debated at a Stockton Council cabinet meeting on Thursday (July 17). It is being reviewed after just a few months following a petition and council motion calling on leaders to reverse the policy,…
