The best managers keep their teams productive and engaged – and a course offered by Optimum Skills helps delegates do just that and more. The Skills Bootcamp in Business and People Management gives junior managers, new managers and first-time leaders the toolkit to get the best out of their team – and themselves. And by encouraging...

Residents in County Durham are being reminded that Customer Access Points and most other county council buildings will be closed over the Christmas and New Year holidays. Customer Access Points will close at 12.45pm on Tuesday (December 24), with normal opening hours resuming from Thursday 2 January. Normal opening days and times vary, visit...

Holidaymakers who decide to drive under the influence once they touch down at the airport are being targeted as part of a new police operation. The first of its kind in the North East, Operation Take Off sees Durham officers team up with Northumbria Police to take dangerous drivers off the roads. It is hoped the campaign will make travellers...

A national monument to highlight the dangers of knife crime is coming to Newton Aycliffe for the first time. The Knife Angel – constructed using 100,000 seized blades and weighing in at 3.5tonnes – will officially be installed in the town on June 1, 2025. The sculpture was created by artist Alfie Bradley, from The British Ironwork...

Durham County Council has announced it will once again offer free parking after 3pm in its car parks this festive season. The local authority’s Free After 3pm scheme will return on Monday, December 16, and run through to Friday, January 4. The aim is to encourage people to shop on their local high streets and to visit the county’s...

Companies across Aycliffe Business Park have been armed with 20 crime-busting radios. The communication tool have been funded by Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen to help tackle crime and anti-social behaviour on the business park. The County Durham and Darlington PCC provided a grant worth just over £9,000 for the devices, which will...

By Steven Dawson What a couple of weeks it has been for Aycliffe Running Club as we start the countdown to Christmas. On Saturday, November 30, an amazing 23 runners travelled to Ravestonedale to take part in the Ravenstonedale 10k. John Surtees (38:18) finished as fourth male with Martyn Knox (44:49), Daniel Tatham (44:54), Mark...

A new online tool has been launched in partnership with Durham Constabulary, Livin and Durham County Council to help victims of anti-social behaviour in Aycliffe access support to resolve the issue. The web resource has been developed by Aycliffe IT and training firm Optimum Skills and provides everything residents and businesses in the town...

A new facility opens its doors today offering safe housing and longer-term support for women across County Durham. Durham County Council has extended its contract with Changing Lives for the provision of supported homeless accommodation until June 2026. While short-term provision for women is already in place for up to 56 days, the opening...

Durham County Council has secured a prestigious national climate change award while retaining its green accreditation for the third year running. The local authority triumphed in the Best Carbon Reduction category at this year’s Investors in the Environment Awards in recognition of the significant steps it has taken to tackle climate...