Durham, England

Durham County Council’s members are being asked to consider new ways of managing early retirement and voluntary redundancy (ERVR). Changes recommended in a report to full council next week (September would reduce the cost implications for tax payers in the county and put the authority more in line with other similar public sector bodies.
Interim director of resources, Barry Scarr, explains: “We are asking members to consider new options which would make this area both sustainable and affordable during what is already a challenging economic time for the public sector as a whole.
“This report is effectively the start of a process which will also seek approval to ask the council’s employees for their views on the matter, as part of a formal consultation.”
 The council’s Cabinet member for resources is, Cllr Alan Napier, “The council is already facing in-year reductions of some £18m and it is expected that the Comprehensive Spending Review (CSR), due in October, will outline the need for further significant savings.
“For these reasons it is important and timely to look at these matters now.”
Full council will consider the recommended changes in ERVR terms at a meeting at County Hall next week.

A group of seven young people aged between 13 and 23 from across Easington are planning a three day cycle challenge from North Shields to Berwick.
Taking part are; Kyle Hindle, Laura McCulloch, David Worthington, Diane Cameron, Sharnie Wiffen, Liam Wiffen and Lauren Waitell.
The group are all working towards accredited learning from Youth Achievement Awards and Asdan short courses as well as improving their health and fitness at the same time.
The gruelling challenge will see the youngsters cycle up to 30 miles per day.
The group have been meeting weekly to train for the epic event, which is being organised by Durham County Council’s Positive Activities for Young People programme.
The group leave the Royal Quays in North Shields bright and early tomorrow morning and finish their journey on Friday.
The event is being supported by Durham County Council staff, East Durham Area Youth and Community Committee, Northumbria Water who are supplying bottled water and Seaham Van Hire.
Members of the press and photographers are invited to Royal Quays in North Shields for the start of the challenge at 10.00am. (September 1)

Three vans packed with aid for children in Romanian orphanages leave County Durham this week. (September 5)
Durham County Council has joined forces with the GMB union to get goods, including school equipment, baby and children’s clothing, toiletries and computers to the city of Bacau, about 300 km north of Bucharest at the foothills of the Carpathian mountains.
The 1300 mile trek marks the 20th anniversary of the link between the county and Romania.
The mini convoy of vans donated by the county council, Stockton Borough Council and Burnt Tree Vehicle Hire will head off on Sunday, September 5, arriving in Bacau about four days later.
The vans will be given a final check by the Vice Chairman of Durham County Council, Cllr Dennis Morgan on Friday, September 3.
“It’s fabulous to see that we are still able to provide so many essentials for people who are far worse off than ourselves and that we have been doing this for 20 years,” said Cllr Morgan.
“The generosity of local people is amazing and I know it is greatly appreciated by the children in Bacau,” he said.
Terry Scarr, senior organiser with the GMB will accompany the convoy with two GMB members - William Cross and Brian Sample.
“The GMB would like to thank the county council for providing a van to transport the goods, many of which have been donated by local business and the community.  They always make a real difference to those who receive them.
“We have been organising these convoys for a good many years now and we always get a fantastic welcome when we get there,” he said.

Three vans packed with aid for children in Romanian orphanages leave County Durham this week. (September 5)
Durham County Council has joined forces with the GMB union to get goods, including school equipment, baby and children’s clothing, toiletries and computers to the city of Bacau, about 300 km north of Bucharest at the foothills of the Carpathian mountains.
The 1300 mile trek marks the 20th anniversary of the link between the county and Romania.
The mini convoy of vans donated by the county council, Stockton Borough Council and Burnt Tree Vehicle Hire will head off on Sunday, September 5, arriving in Bacau about four days later.
The vans will be given a final check by the Vice Chairman of Durham County Council, Councillor Dennis Morgan on Friday, September 3.
“It’s fabulous to see that we are still able to provide so many essentials for people who are far worse off than ourselves and that we have been doing this for 20 years,” said Councillor Morgan.
“The generosity of local people is amazing and I know it is greatly appreciated by the children in Bacau,” he said.
Terry Scarr, senior organiser with the GMB will accompany the convoy with two GMB members - William Cross and Brian Sample.
“The GMB would like to thank the county council for providing a van to transport the goods, many of which have been donated by local business and the community.  They always make a real difference to those who receive them.
“We have been organising these convoys for a good many years now and we always get a fantastic welcome when we get there,” he said.

The next board meeting for Mid Durham Area Action Partnership (AAP) will be held on Wednesday September 15.
The meeting will take place from 6.00pm at St Andrews Methodist Church, Carr Avenue, Brandon. 
Please note this is a change of venue from Burnhope School.

Local residents are being invited to meet their neighbourhood wardens next month to help contribute to a better Stanley.
Durham County Council has now introduced a new team of neighbourhood wardens to the town to help deliver a safer, cleaner and greener community, thanks to funding from Stanley Town Council.
Tom Pattison, chair of Stanley Town Council, said: “Local residents have made it clear that they want improvements on environmental and anti-social matters. The wardens will be able to make Stanley a greener a place by improving on things such as, litter, dog fouling and fly tipping”
A group of five wardens and one team leader is now in place, with a range of powers to help educate and, where necessary, crack down on a host of enviro-crimes.
 The drop-in session will be held on Thursday September 2, 9.30am until 3.00pm at Asda supermarket in Stanley
Belinda Snow, neighbourhood warden coordinator, said: “We want residents to come along to the session and share their views with us. We want to know if residents are happy with the improvements the wardens will make. It will contribute to our mission of making Stanley a greener place to live.
“As a result of our improved service, the amount of neighbourhood wardens in Stanley has doubled, but it’s vital we work with residents to deliver what they want.”
Photographers and members of the media are welcome.

Families in East Durham are being given the chance to take part in a weekly programme which aims to embrace traditional values.
Durham County Council’s Blackhall Sure Start Children’s Centre is hosting a 10 week ‘Family Nurturing Programme,’ which benefits both adults and children by discussing how to get the most out of family life and exploring the varied emotions experienced.
Liz Clarke, principal family worker, said: “This course helps parents and carers to understand the importance of family rules, recognise appropriate behaviour, value time together as a family and promote positive development.”
“The course has already proven to be successful in the county with parents describing it as ‘helpful’ and ‘improving their confidence’” continued Liz.
The course runs on Mondays between 1.30pm and 3.00pm, beginning Monday 4 October.
Spaces are limited so families in Blackhall who have children under five are advised to book a place by contacting the Sure Start Children’s Centre.
 Tel:  518 3135.
Free crèche places are available.

A Durham County Council worker has set himself, and three colleagues, a life-changing challenge of taking on the ‘three peaks’, ‘coast to coast’ and Great North Run - all in one week.
The team are planning to start their gruelling journey next month. They will climb the national three peaks, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon in a time frame of only 24 hours. They will then cycle the 134 miles from Whitehaven coast across to Roker coast and finish with the Great North Run.
David Jones, 25, a purchasing assistant for the council and event co-creators Jamie Winn, 21, Justin Cobb, 26 and Jack Brennan, 20, have named their up-coming quest ‘The Great Coast to Peak Challenge!’
David, from Langley Park, said: “We haven’t even had any previous experience. None of us have ever climbed a mountain, run any considerable distance, or cycled very far, which means the training is just as tricky as the week will be.”
The friends are pushing themselves to the limit in a good cause though, as they’ll be raising money for Leukaemia and Lymphoma Research.
“Over 28,000 people are diagnosed with Leukaemia every year,” said David. “It is the most common cause of cancer death in people under 35 years old.
“The money raised will help with life-saving research and running ground breaking clinical trials for all blood cancer patients, so please sponsor us.”
The friends will take part in the challenge from September 12 to 19 and aim to raise £5,000.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday 24 August, one of the event co-creators, Jamie Winn, received a bad football injury resulting in him having to undergo surgery.
However, Jamie’s brother, Jason Winn, 19, is stepping in.
Nevertheless, the team have come up with a plan to still include the injured Jamie.
David said:” Although we are all disheartened by the whole thing, we still want Jamie to join us for the Great North Run whatever way possible. Even if means we have to push him in a wheelchair, wheelbarrow or even a shopping trolley!”
Dave Parkin Durham County Council stores manager is wishing the team well:” This is inspirational. What a challenge! I would like to wish the team the very best of luck and look forward to hearing all about their adventures.
“They are clearly determined and doing this for all the right reasons. Well done to them.”
You can sponsor David Jones and his team by visiting www.orginal.justgiving.com/greatcoasttopeak.
Donations can be made right up till 18 October.