Community Action Scheme

The Community Action Scheme brings together residents and a range of organisations to tackle housing and environmental issues in a specific area by identifying local priorities and making best use of resources.

Who takes part in the scheme

The Community Action Scheme is led by our Community Action Team (CAT), which includes members of our Community Protection Service, planning, Neighbourhood wardens and housing teams, who work alongside police and community support officers and fire and rescue teams. As well as delivering some level of enforcement, we have a key role in promoting health and healthier lifestyles.

While we stay involved throughout the programme, other partners may join in the delivery of certain programmes in line with identified problems or issues.

Why this work is happening

We work across the county and provide resources to target particular areas and problems. We use enforcement powers to encourage owners, occupiers and landlords to take responsibility for their neighbourhood and their properties.

How it works

We normally deliver an 11 week rolling programme, moving around the county and focusing on a certain community each time. This breaks down into:

2 weeks of identifying issues and planning priorities
7 weeks of action
2 weeks of review

When moved on to another area, any new issues are then dealt with by the existing services in the area. This unique project model, working alongside the community to improve local conditions, means that the impact of the Community Action Scheme continues beyond the project period, with residents experiencing longer-term benefits.

What happens

We will ask residents, businesses and members of the local community for input in areas and problems they would like us to tackle.

Information from those involved with the community informs the main priorities chosen by residents during a residents' engagement event at the start of the CAT programme. We then focus on these during our weeks of action.

Our current project

We are currently in Deaf Hill until 15 December, having just spent a successful 11 weeks in West Ward, Newton Aycliffe.

We are working on 250 reported issues of concern and have served over 50 legal notices.

Our next project

We'll be in Blackhall Colliery between 20 January and 4 April 2025. This is an 11 week project to tackle housing, antisocial behaviour and environmental issues.