Community action in Coundon

Claire Storey, Andrea Jones, and Jennifer Jones, of our Community Action Team

Our Community Action Team (CAT) will be carrying out work in these areas from Monday 23 January to Sunday 9 April.

Partnership work

Now in its 11^th year of operation, CAT tackles housing and environmental issues identified by the community, working in partnership with Durham Constabulary, County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, housing associations, Groundwork North East and Cumbria, local community groups and residents.

Working with these partners, CAT has identified a focus area within Coundon and Leeholme of around 1,300 properties, which have a higher proportion of private lets, where most of the work will be carried out.

Cllr John Shuttleworth, our Cabinet member for rural communities, highways and community safety, said: "For over a decade the Community Action Team has been working with residents and partners to utilise their experience and knowledge to make real long-term difference to local communities.

"We want to hear from residents living in Coundon and Leeholme so that our action can be tailored towards the needs of the community. There are a range of ways for residents to let us know their concerns, so I would encourage anyone living in these areas to contact us and get involved."

Residents' views

Residents can inform the team of any suggested areas of work by completing a survey online.

They can also attend one of three engagement events taking place on:

• Tuesday 24 January, 10am to 12pm, at Coundon and Leeholme Welfare Hall, Leeholme Road, DL14 8HN
• Friday 27 January, 10am to 12pm, Food Bank, Journey Building, 13 Tees Walk, DL14 8JZ
• Tuesday 31 January, 6pm to 7.30pm, Coundon and District Working Men's Club and Women's Club, Crescent View, DL14 8PG

Action period

CAT will then agree a seven-week action plan focussing on the priority issues highlighted during the engagement period.

Resident surgeries will take place during the programme to allow people to give feedback on the work being carried out.

The team will also be working with our Selective Licensing team to ensure that landlords who rent out properties in the focus area apply for a licence where needed.