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Parish Newsletter March 2009

Your Ward Councillors

Brandon

Esh Winning & Waterhouses

Langley Moor

Meadowfield & Browney

New Brancepeth

Ushaw Moor & Broompark

Local Government Review

From 1st April 2009 a new unitary authority will be formed to replace the existing County Council and seven district councils in the area. The new Durham County Council will be responsible for providing all the main council services in your area. The District Councils will be replaced by 14 Area Action Partnerships consisting of varying numbers of parish council boundaries.
Brandon & Byshottles Parish Council will form part of the Mid Durham Rural West Partnership which also includes Esh, Lanchester, Burnhope, Greencroft, Satley, Cornsay, Hedleyhope, Healeyfield and Brancepeth Parish Councils.

Area Action Partnerships will be the main method of listening to the views of local people and working with them in partnership with other organisations with a view to delivering quality and cost effective services which meet local needs. It is proposed that each Area Action Partnership will have a dual structure as follows:

1. Area Forum which will be a meeting held twice a year which anyone can attend to discuss issues such as:
   1. Defining local priorities
   2. Discussions with partner organisations about their plans for the year
   3. Reviewing the AAP’s progress against Local Area Agreement targets
2. Area Board which would meet monthly and have a more formal structure made up of 21 members comprising one third elected members, one third members of the public and one third representatives of partner organisations. Again the public may attend.

The Mid Durham Rural West Action Partnership held an initial meeting on 28th February and began the process of electing a representative to the Area Board.

The Area Action Partnerships will be launched at public inaugural meetings in each of the 14 areas held between 15th April and 13th May 2009. The Mid Durham Rural West AAP will be held on Wednesday 13th May at Deerness Community Business College’s Sir Bobby Robson Centre. Look out for further details on Parish Council notice boards and website and in the local press.

Chairman’s Charity Evening

The Chairman of the Council, Cllr.Brian Nelson, will be holding his charity evening in the British Legion Club, Meadowfield, on Friday 14th March 2008 from 7-11pm. The proceeds from the evening will be distributed between Carrside and St Andrew's Youth Clubs to benefit young people of the area. Any donations for raffle prizes or tombola stall will £3.50 each, include a buffet

Planters

The Council will once again be providing floral containers to brighten up our villages this summer. Brandon, Meadowfield, Langley Moor, Ushaw Moor and Esh Winning will all benefit from the summer planting. I am sure you will agree that they add some welcome colour to the area.

Restoration of Our Parks

The ‘Friends of Brandon & Addison Parks’ continue to hold regular meetings to discuss the restoration of the Brandon Welfare Ground and Addison Park at Meadowfield. The Parish Council fully supports the work of these groups and anyone wishing to get involved can contact Andrea Boyd on 0191 3018759.

Brandon United Football Club

The Parish Council was recently approached by the Chairman of Brandon United F.C. requesting financial assistance towards their project to develop the ground to bring it up the standard required by the Football Association for Northern League Status. The work will be done in 3 stages. Firstly the security fence, secondly spectator seating and thirdly the changing rooms. The F.A. have set a time scale for the completion of the work of 31st March 2010.

The Members of the Council agreed that the project was well worthwhile and would be greatly appreciated by the local community and all who are involved with the Club. Brandon Ward was able to contribute £500 towards the fencing and Mr. Fisher was presented with the cheque by the Chairman at the last Parish Council meeting.

Around the Wards

Brandon

Cricket Club

With the cricket season nearly upon once again Brandon Ward was pleased to assist Brandon Cricket Club with their project to refurbish the changing rooms, provide equipment for the newly formed Under 11 team and a complete Match Bag for the Under 13 team. Meadowfield and Langley Moor wards were also happy to contribute. Let’s hope this season will be blessed with some sunshine!

St.Andrews Methodist Church

St.Andrew’s Chapel runs the Toddler Group, Kids’ Fun Club and the open Youth Club. Storage of equipment for the groups has become a problem and the Chapel has undertaken to refurbish the loft space in order to address the problem. With help from Brandon Ward St.Andrew’s will hopefully achieve their goal.

Esh Winning

MUGA Pitch

The Multi Purpose Games Area has now been installed on the field at Newhouse Road. It is being well used by the children of our area who are getting great enjoyment from this new and extra facility in the village.

Library Easter Egg Competition

The Deerness ward of the Parish Council are pleased, once again, to sponsor the Easter Egg competition for school children which will be held at Esh Winning Library. The Parish Councillors await the judging with a little apprehension for they know it will be as difficult as ever because the standards of entries is always so very high. Judging will take place on 8th April and the presentation of prizes on the 9th.

New Brancepeth

Youth Club

The young people continue to enjoy having fun, making friends and learning new skills at the club. Recently some members received awards for an environmental project and some are working towards a music accreditation. Each week the young people also enjoy pool, nail art and many other games and crafts.

Ushaw Moor

Cricket Club F.C.

The Council continues to support local sporting clubs in the area and were pleased to be able to assist Ushaw Moor Cricket Club F.C. by paying the cost of hire of their pitch for this season.

Age Concern

Following a request from the Secretary of the Ushaw Moor branch of Age Concern, the council was pleased to assist with funding for an outing for the aged members.

Meadowfield and Langley Moor

Alex Oliver

Local resident Alex Oliver has been chosen to box in Las Vegas against a ranked opponent. Alex, who trains at Spennymoor Boxing Academy, has been a keen boxer for years and the Parish Council were pleased to support him in his efforts. Our best wishes go to Alex and we wish him every success in Las Vegas.

St.Patrick’s Breakfast Club

St.Patrick’s School are in the process of setting up a Breakfast Club after a questionnaire identified the need for this. The Council is supporting the initiative by helping in the purchase of a fridge, freezer, crockery and cutlery.

Citizens Advice Bureau Outreach Sessions Brandon Community Hall

11 am-12noon- second Thursday of month

Brandon House

11 am-12noon- fourth Thursday

Esh Winning Community Centre

2-3pm-first & third Tuesdays

New Brancepeth Village Hall

10-11am-first Wednesday

Sure Start, Ushaw Moor

10-11am-second Wednesday

Credit Union

Every Tuesday 2p.m.-3p.m. in Esh Winning Community Centre

Vacant Allotments

The Parish Council currently has vacant allotments for rent at Alder Park, Brandon. Anyone interested contact Mrs. Howe.

Clerk to the Council: Mrs Susan Carmedy
Administrative Assistant: Mrs Susan Howe
6 Goatbeck Terrace
Langley Moor
Co Durham, DH7 8JJ
Office Hours Monday-Friday 9.30am to 11.30am
Tel/Fax:   0191 3789947
Email:      info@brandonandbyshottlesparishcouncil.gov.uk
or at:        www.brandonandbyshottlesparishcouncil.gov.uk
Chairman: Councillor William Dowsey

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