The last 18 months have been a bit of a rollercoaster for employment lawyers with the pandemic bringing periods of intense activity, but also quieter times while workplaces were closed and many employees were simply getting on with working from home. Correspondingly, the number of claims in the employment tribunal system had risen steadily...

Police and Crime Commissioner Joy Allen has unveiled her blueprint for a safer County Durham and Darlington, promising to deliver on the improvements local people have asked for. The PCC has reached out to the communities in the Durham Police area in her first six months of office to understand exactly what areas of crime and safety matter most...

This year as part of Woodham Academy’s Christmas preparations they have been supporting Junction 7 to provide the local community with Christmas Hampers. Junction 7 is a crisis intervention charity who help people with a variety of needs such as housing and operate an emergency foodbank. Woodham wanted to help the charity and contribute to...

RTC North welcomed Dr Andy Aldrin and Jim Christensen to inspire and educate the next generation of space explorers. Dr Aldrin, the son of acclaimed astronaut Buzz Aldrin, is the president of the Aldrin Family Foundation. Alongside his colleague Jim Christensen, former director of education at NASA’s Kennedy Space Centre and executive...

Christmas crafts, swimming sessions and theatrical workshops are just some of the activities set to entertain youngsters over the festive break. Durham County Council’s Fun and Food programme returns this weekend and is offering a host of free holiday activities with healthy food for children and young people across the county. The...

By Paul Blythe Another weekly round-up from Newton Aycliffe FC’s junior section… Under 9’s Whites - played Washington Athletic, the Whites started slowly conceding a sloppy goal early on. It did not take long to get going and a strong end to the first half ensued, with goals from Ryley and Oscar. The game ended in a draw, but overall,...

Mark Thompson, business development manager for Aycliffe-based Cobots Online, on how collaborative robots can work for any business… As has been heavily publicised over recent months, the UK is suffering from one of the biggest labour shortages in the last few decades, causing significant issues across all walks of life. Everyone from the...

Durham County Council is reassuring residents and businesses that it will continue to deliver its services following the introduction of the Government’s Plan B winter response. In line with the new national guidance, the local authority has made changes to how some services will be delivered, as well as implementing additional measures to...

Traders are being invited to apply for a stand at one of the region’s most popular food festivals ahead of its return next spring. Durham County Council has confirmed Bishop Auckland Food Festival will take place on Saturday and Sunday, April 23/24, next year. This year, to ensure the event could go ahead in line with coronavirus...

Durham County Council has announced a return to live streaming of the majority of its meetings in response to new guidance. The local authority will once again be live streaming all formal committee meetings from this Wednesday, December 15. Only meetings that briefly open to the public before going private, including appeals and complaints...