Council Agenda Uploaded for next Tuesday’s meeting – Items to be discussed: Neighbourhood Planning, Winter Maintenance, Communication Policy, Queen’s 90th Birthday, Civic Hall Coffee Shop, PACT House & Louisa Morrison Disaster Memorial.
Agenda: FC Agenda 23 February
What is Stanley Fringe? It’s difficult to neatly categorise it. They have published no list of objectives. They have no charitable aims. The group is a loose collective of artists in the broadest sense from this area. It isn’t a historical society, but one of the only clear goals of the group is to remember the anniversary of the Burns pit disaster. It isn’t a political group but their work reflects the politics of the early Labour movement, Their event on 16th February is called ‘Remembrance, Rebellion and Revolt’. Without having yet attended the event I get the feeling that the Stanley Fringe will be settling scores on behalf of the men who died in 1909. Their first event last summer was branded as an ‘alternative afternoon of music and poetry’ but the music and poetry presented was steeped in the traditions of the north east. There is a certain nostalgia for old Stanley about the group but it isn’t sentimentality. Rather, their work speaks about the continued warmth and optimism of the people of this town despite all the injustices that they have endured. Pit disasters, wars, the end of the coal industry and the pedestrianisation of the Front Street. The Stanley Fringe and Stanley Town Council will be leading the remembrance for the men of the West Stanley Disaster at the memorial by North Durham Academy at 3.45 on 16th February, the 107th Anniversary of the event.
At 7pm come along to the Beamish Mary, join the group for a pint, song and poetry and settle some scores with the pit owners who sent those men down unsafe pits.
Visit the Stanley Fringe group on Facebook for more information or to get involved
Did you know that it is compulsory for dogs to be fitted with a microchip.
The change in the law is intended to deal with an increasing number of stray dogs. The chips are coded with the owners’ details and dog owners who do not get their dogs chipped could be fined.
It will also be a requirement to update the database with any changes to the owner’s details, like a change of address.
If you’re thinking of buying a puppy, make sure that the breeder has had it microchipped. If your dog has not yet been chipped, please contact your vet who will be able to help you.
Stray Aid provide free microchipping to dogs belonging to residents of County Durham seven days a week between 2.00pm and 3.00pm, excluding bank holidays. Call 0300 999 4247 to make an appointment at least the day before to make sure they have a volunteer available.
More information is available on the Durham County Council website http://www.durham.gov.uk/microchipping
Today we are announcing the launch of ‘Ask Stanley 2016’, a comprehensive consultation exercise with Stanley Residents. We want to know what you like about your area, what you don’t, and what you think should be done to improve both the good and bad things. We have put together a short questionnaire and will be trying to get as many people as possible to participate over the next six weeks. The more people take part and the more feedback we get, the better chance we have of identifying the real priorities of Stanley people.
We will use the results to identify issues and options for a more detailed questionnaire to be sent out later in the year and we will use all this evidence to build an action plan for the next five years.
To reach as wide an audience as possible, we are sending a hard copy of the questionnaire to every address in Stanley. The questionnaire will be in the centre pages of the ‘Stanley Life’ magazine, which will be distributed across the parish in the week commencing 18th January. We will also be going out into the community and have arranged sessions to discuss the consultation at:
Catchgate Primary School – 08.30am to 12.30pm Tuesday 9th February
Craghead Village Hall – 09.30am to 11.30am Wednesday 10th February
South Moor Methodist Church – 6pm to 8pm Tuesday 16th February
Tanfield Lea Community Centre – 6pm to 8pm Monday 22nd February
Asda – still to confirm date
Market day – Thursday 21st January 0900am to 1200pm
We will also be speaking to the schools because we want to capture the views of our young people – every person currently aged 13 or over will reach the age of majority during the lifetime of this plan so we need their opinions – any positive changes we can make will have the greatest impact on them.
The Consultation questionnaire can be found on our website at the following address: https://www.stanley-tc.gov.uk/ask2016
Please take the time to complete the questionnaire. Your views are important to us.