Proposals to increase community budgets in order to boost local economic recovery and support projects go before councillors next week. Durham County Council’s Cabinet is to receive a series of recommendations including an increase to the Neighbourhood Budgets available to all 126 elected members, with each proposed to be given a one-off...

Councillors in County Durham are being asked to agree to review the options for a local authority’s headquarters’ functions, including a review of the potential uses for a new building designed as the council’s base. Durham County Council’s cabinet is being asked to agree to an options appraisal for the new building at the Sands in...

By Adam Cayless U8s Blacks we’re back in league action this morning at home to Coulby Newham. The boys were in a confident mood and scored through some lovely passing play, but the away team quickly drew level. HT and all square. Second half the boys, their passing, and work rate was really impressive and they went on to secure a great...

Plans to transform a historic County Durham town into a world-class visitor destination of national importance have moved a step closer today following a successful bid for £33.2m government funding. Durham County Council has successfully made the case for £33.2m investment for Bishop Auckland as part of the Stronger Towns Fund, allowing it...

Car parts manufacturer Gestamp is investing in a new Academy which will include a wellbeing space for staff and focus on upskilling current workforce as well their future apprentices. The engineering firm has already invested in the Tallent Academy, a 4,300 sq ft facility which sits adjacent to its huge factory in Newton Aycliffe. Gestamp...

County Durham residents are being reminded of the help and support available following the death of a loved one. Following a particularly difficult year in which people have sadly lost family members due to coronavirus, Durham County Council is raising awareness of the welfare benefits that may be available to surviving partners, with its...

International students have provided a glowing endorsement of their experiences at Teesside University as part of an influential global survey. Over 95% of Teesside University’s international students are satisfied with the support they receive, whereas over 93% have praised the learning technology available. That is according to the...

Lee Weldon's weekly round-up from the wicket… Saturday 5th June – NYSD Division 2 Thornaby 2nd XI v Newton Aycliffe 1st XI – weather was warm and sunny. Thornaby won the toss and chose to bowl first. Newton Aycliffe 1st XI 174 all out after 46.1 oversAdam Randall 86, Luke Telford 20, Sam Telford 19 Thornaby 2nd XI 178 for 7...

A team of cross-party councillors teamed up with local KFC to pick up bags of litter left strewn around the service station near Aycliffe Business Park this week. Following the bank holiday, team members at KFC Newton Aycliffe took to the streets and the local areas surrounding the restaurant to do a litter pick on Tuesday (1 June) to mark...

Police are urging people to be vigilant following reports of fraudsters purporting to be police officers. In recent weeks, officers have received several reports of fraudsters calling people on the phone pretending they are a police officer, or from the call taker’s bank. The conmen then go on to tell the person to withdraw money from...