darlington together portfolio

Darlington Borough Council | 19

YOUR DARLINGTON

Money Talks...what happens next?

People could vote online and rank the seven services weprovide in order of importance to them. We received 576responses over the course of the consultation.

Which service is the most important to you?

Leisure and Local Environment = 26.9%Adult Social Care and Housing = 25.3%

Children and Young People = 21.9%Economy and Regeneration = 8.2%

Health and Partnerships = 8.0%Your Council = 5.6%

Transport = 4.2%

We will use the results of the pollalongside feedback that wereceived at the consultation eventsand comments we received overthe phone, email and social media.

What have people been saying on Twitter?

We were tweeting live from all ofour events using the #dbcbudgethashtag and residents were keento have their say! Here are someof the messages we were sent:

“Take away school crossing patrolsand wait to see how long it takessomeone to be killed. Not worth it atany cost”

“housing is vital, affordable homesare in short supply in the town”

“the wheelie bins would be too smallfor two weeks rubbish and the smellwould be awful”

“Fortnightly alternate collections?Would encourage recycling and pre-compacting of containers”

“lets protect our most vulnerable inour communities no cuts tosocialcare plz”

For more information about what has happened so far, please visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/budget or scan the QR code on the right-hand side of this page.

We will draw up proposals for a new council budget in October. You will then be able to have your say about these proposals.

In June and July we held events to findout what people thought of the serviceswe provide and which services they valuethe most. This information will help usdetermine the budget for 2014 andbeyond.

dres0126_DT�Sept�2013��14/08/2013��14:49��Page�3

We spent over £90 million in 2013/2014. This may seem like alarge amount, but the challenge we face in regards to reducingour costs is not dissimilar to the one that you face with yourhousehold budget.

Our budget can be likened to an everyday household budget - withmoney coming in and money going out.


YOUR DARLINGTON: the budget, explained

If you would like more information about our budget, including facts and figures - please visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/budget

Many of you will have seen yourincome fall or stay the same formany years, which means you can’tspend as much as you used to.We’re in the same position.

When your income falls one of thefirst things you do is look at yourspending to see what you spendand how you can get what you buyfor less, for example - switchingenergy providers so you can getcheaper gas and electricity.However, if your income keepsfalling, this is eventually not enoughand you have to stop buying certain

things - starting with the thingswhich are not very important,moving along to the things whichare important to you and yourfamily.

We are continuing to try and buycheaper things, but our loss ofincome is so great that we arehaving to change the way we dothings - such as changing the waywe provide services and askingothers to help; for example - askingpeople to stop dropping litter orvolunteering to help theirneighbours.

Government grant, Council Tax,and business rates.

Wages and any benefitsthat you may receive

The Budget facts- did you know?• We are expecting to get

87% less money fromcentral government in sixyears time than we dotoday.

• Money from council taxonly makes up 41% of ourbudget.

• We spend £78 millioneach year on legallyrequired services.

Council Household

Council Household

Repairing roads Rent/mortgage

Caring for children Gas/electric

Looking after older people Car insurance/car tax and transport

Cleaning the streets Food and clothes

Leisure and arts Trips out/holidays

INCOME:

SPENDING:

dres0131_DT�DEC�2013��18/11/2013��10:46��Page�13

24 | www.darlington.gov.uk

The end of the road for a It’s the end of the road for one ofDarlington’s landmark roundabouts as workon one of the main town centre roadjunctions – Stonebridge roundabout – begins.

It is a major project that will help prepare the towncentre and its road structure for the futuredevelopment of the town and the increase in trafficthis will bring. The scheme has generated manyconcerns amongst road users as it will mean bigchanges to how the road junction operates – themain one being that the roundabout will beconverted to a traffic signal controlled junction.

Why are you changing the junction?The developments taking place in town like theDepartment for Education Offices and Cinemacomplex are great news for the town but willincrease traffic. Stonebridge roundabout wasbuilt in the 1970s and it is now unable to copewith the volume of traffic in town. If we don’tchange the junction, it could lead to gridlock atpeak times as well as accidents.

The changes will also open up the town centrefor pedestrians, making the Civic Theatre feelmore like part of the town and allow us to openup the riverside area.

Is this solution the best one?We have considered many different options, fromdoing nothing, to signalised roundabouts to arange of traffic signal junctions. The option wehave chosen is the one we believe works best formotorists, public transport and pedestrians.

Won’t traffic lights slow traffic evenfurther?Roundabouts work best when the trafficapproaching them from different directions isroughly the same. Unfortunately, this is not thecase at Stonebridge roundabout, with theroundabout ‘seizing up’ and causing congestion at

peak times. The introduction of traffic lights willhelp manage the traffic better, and althoughdrivers will have to wait for their turn, they willhave the certainty that the new lights will helpmanage traffic flow better,

How much will the works cost? Whyaren’t you spending the money onother services that are being cut?The scheme will be funded from part of the £57million Department for Transport Tees Valley BusNetwork Improvement Projects. This moneycan’t be spent on other services or projects.

YOUR QUESTIONS

dres0135_DT�Feb�2014��17/01/2014��17:10��Page�8


r a landmark roundaboutWhat the changes will mean for youDrivers will not be able to go straight ahead or rightfrom Stonebridge (expect for buses, taxis and cycles).This will help optimise the way the traffic signals willwork for the majority of road users.

ALL DRIVERS WILL NEED TO TURN LEFT AND USE THE FOLLOWING ROUTE:

In addition, drivers will not be able to turn rightinto Stonebridge from the Ring Road. Theprovision of a right turn into Stonebridge will leadto delays to all traffic as it would require anadditional phase to traffic signals.

Drivers will have to use the following route:

Work on the scheme is set to start in Marchand is expected to be completed before March2015.

It is inevitable that there will bedisruption to traffic and busservices during this time, and wewill make every effort to make suredisruption is minimised.

We will keep you up to date with the latestdevelopments. For the latest information visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/stonebridge or scan theQR code.

Whilst the changes may make some road users feel inconvenienced, there are design reasons for theserestrictions.

dres0135_DT�Feb�2014��17/01/2014��17:10��Page�9

Anyone living in England, over 16 years old and not in full-time education can apply to be an apprentice. If you wouldlike more information, please contact Chris Burney(Trainer/Assessor) on 01325 248021 [email protected].

You can also visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/apprenticeships (orscan the QR code)


Monday 3 to Friday 7 March is NationalApprenticeship week; a time tocelebrate apprenticeship talent andencourage apprenticeships as a greatway to gain nationally recognisedqualifications whilst being paid.

We are a major provider of Apprenticeshiptraining in Darlington, offering Level 2 andLevel 3 Apprenticeships in; BusinessAdministration, Childcare, Health and SocialCare, Site Joinery and Motor Vehicle.

Apprentices attend the Coleridge Centre orworkshops in Lingfield Way for one day aweek, and four days a week with theiremployer, gaining the skills and knowledge tocomplete the qualification.

For employers, Apprenticeships are a greatway to build a team, providing a cost effectiveway to recruit employees with relevant skillsand respected qualifications.

Celebrating great apprenticeships

Laura’sstoryLaura started as aFoundation Learningstudent in September2011 aged 16, havingleft school withinsufficient GCSEs tojoin an Apprenticeshipcourse.

As part of her course, she did work experience at theGardens Care Home two days a week. The manager atthe Gardens was so impressed, she offered Laura aplace as a Level 2 Apprentice.

Laura successfully completed her Level 2Apprenticeship, progressed to Level 3 and was soonoffered a permanent contract with the Gardens.

With the blessing of her manager, Laura began lookingfor opportunities with the NHS and secured atemporary health care role in the A & E department ofDarlington Memorial Hospital. Within around 12weeks, Laura was offered a permanent contract at thehospital and she will be embarking on a degree inNursing in the near future.

During Apprenticeship week we willbe running vocationally basedactivities which will be set up aroundteam or individual challenges:

MOTOR VEHICLE – removing andrefitting a tyre in the fastest time orcarrying out service checks on a vehicle.

SITE JOINERY – building a flat packitem of furniture in the quickest time orbuilding a bird table within a time frame,judged on best product design and finish

HEALTH AND SOCIAL CARE –painting and decorating rooms or tendingto gardens in a local care home.

Advanced apprentices and employers willbe invited to judge the activities and giveprizes.

DID YOU KNOW?In the academic year 2009/2010 only 690 Darlington

residents took up an apprenticeship.

By 2012/2013 this number had risen to 1,550 - up 255%!

in Darlington

Pose

d by

mod

els

dres0136_DT March 2014 14/02/2014 16:18 Page 11

There will be something for everyone as the second-everDarlington Arts Festival gets underway later this month.The Festival promises to be bigger and better, with music,film, visual art and much more in venues across the town.

As well as the Jazz Festival, the Art Lending Library andJabberwocky Market, there will be many other events including: anarts showcase in the Market Place on Sunday 11 May, a Black andWhite Film Festival at the Forum, writing masterclasses and areading of 'Under Milk Wood' which was written by Dylan Thomas.

The Festival is organised by Darlington for Culture with supportfrom various organisations and businesses including CreativeDarlington. Visit www.darlingtonforculture.org for moreinformation.

Darlington Arts Festival Late April and throughout May

Following the success of last year’s event,Jabberwocky Market is making a welcomereturn to Darlington.

The exciting line-up includes productions of 'Shame'by John Berkavitch, '97 years' by Jo Hellier and 'MajorTom' by Victoria Melody at partner venuesDarlington Civic Theatre and the Mercure KingsHotel. For children and families, Mr Doom andMrs Bloom's Story Emporium will be free ofcharge in the town centre market.

Jabberwocky Market has been brought toDarlington by Battersea Arts Centre and Luxi,with support from Creative Darlington.

Tickets cost from £7, and areavailable from the Civic TheatreBox Office.

For more information and a full itinerary ofevents, visit:www.jabberwockymarket.org.uk. Jabberwocky Market is also on Twitter (@JabbMarket) and Facebook(www.facebook.com/JabberwockyMarket)

Jabberwocky MarketThursday 15 to Sunday 18 May

Find out more about what’s www.whatsoninthen

If you’re organisin you can list of charg

Darlington is in April an

There’s lots going on over the organisations come together craft and culture in the tow

there’s something


dres0137_DT�March�2014��18/03/2014��13:01��Page�8

The Art Lending library willallow art lovers to borrow a

work of art from Crown StreetLibrary throughout May.

The lending library is made up of wooden crates,each containing an artwork that people can takehome with them, free of charge. Designers SophieDyer and Sebastian Gorton Kalvik have created a liveonline map that will show in real time the journeysthe artworks take as they spread throughout theBorough.

The project will launchwith a processionthrough Darlingtontown centre onSaturday 3 May. Theonline catalogue will beavailable to view fromMonday 21 April andborrowing will begin onMonday 5 May.

Darlington is the first venue on a nationwide tourthat will see more than sixty works of art by nationaland international artists become available for loanfrom libraries and other venues across the country.

The Art Lending Library project will also includemany free events. Visit:www.artlendinglibrary.org.uk

More than 20 bands from the local, national andinternational Jazz scene will play over a longweekend, with performances at Voodoo Café, TheForum and the Head of Steam Railway Museum.There will also be a Jazz and improvisationworkshop taking place.

Bands and musicians taking part in thefestival include: Darlington Big

Band, The Al Wood Nine, MarkNightingale and Djangologie.

Darlington Jazz FestivalThursday 24 to Sunday 27 April

Visit www.darlingtonjazzfestival.co.uk for more details.

what’s taking place by visitingnthenortheast.co.uk

ganising an event, an list it free

f charge.

Art Lending LibrarySaturday 3 May to Thursday 5 June

n is ‘full of art’ l and May!

Mar

k N

ight

inga

le

er the next couple of months as ether to celebrate music, arts,

he town. Whatever you love, ething for everyone.


dres0137_DT�March�2014��18/03/2014��13:02��Page�9


There’s lots going on atyour local market in May –we’d love it if you couldcelebrate with us!

Love Your Local Market Love Your Local Market takes placein Darlington on Saturday 24 May(9am-5pm) and Monday 26 May(10am-4pm)

A great chance for shoppers to check outlocal businesses and for businesses toshowcase their products and services.

There’ll be live music and entertainmenton both days, with lots to do for childrenand families.

For more information or to book a stall,email [email protected] orcall 01325 388207

❤ourWe

Distinct Darlington will be holding a ‘Distinctly Delicious’ food festivalfrom Saturday 24 to Monday 26 May, with a whole host of activitiestaking place in Darlington Town Centre. The festival will end with the‘Locomotion cake parade’ - recreating the world-famous train withcarriages made out of cake!

For more information check out @DarloFoodFest on Twitter.

First class food at the DistinctlyDelicious food festival

dres0141_DT May 2014 15/04/2014 10:55


ur market!What else is taking place atDarlington markets in May?

4 May, 11am-4pmDarlington Sunday People’s MarketShop for gift, crafts, food and much more. Visit www.darlingtonspm.co.uk for moreinformation.

15 to 18 MayJabberwocky MarketJabberwocky Market makes a welcomereturn to Darlington, with the festival hubbased in the covered market from 7 May. Visit www.jabberwockymarket.org.ukfor more information.

Are you an established trader looking for afresh and exciting place to sell? Are you ayoung entrepreneur with a brilliant businessidea? Want to expand your current businessbut not quite sure how? If the answer to any ofthese questions is yes... You might be just whatwe’re looking for!

We’re looking for new traders to come and join us intime for the Love Your Local Market event and thespring and summer months - both in our Victoriancovered market and our weekly outdoor market.

Becoming a market trader is a great way to start upyour own business with minimal cost or overheads

and can be a great opportunity for self-employment.We can offer stalls for every business and budget.

We’re offering a great discount scheme for all newtraders - £10 for the first week (plus free insurance),£20 for the second week and £10 for the third week.There’s also financial assistance available for coveredmarket traders.

Interested? Get in touch and find out how we can helpyour business ideas grow. Call 07966487773 forinformation about theoutdoor market and 01325388692 for informationabout the covered market.

For more information about Darlington markets visitwww.darlington.gov.uk/markets or scan the QR code.The markets team is also on Facebook – just search for‘Darlington markets’

dres0141_DT May 2014 15/04/2014 10:55


There’s lots going on in South Park overthe next few months – here are some ofthe main events.

Friday 20 June: St Teresa’s Midnight Walk -Take part in a magical midnight stroll around thepark while raising money for charity.

Thursday 26 June – Sunday 29 June:Theatre in the Park – Darlington GreenTheatre bring their version of ‘The Tempest’ tothe great outdoors.

Sunday 13 July: Macmillan Toddle – Aperfect way to spend time with your family,whilst raising money for Macmillan CancerSupport.

Sunday 13 July: Our Big Gig: Back by populardemand, local bands will be playing a wide varietyof music.

Sunday 3 August: Big Biff ’s Fun Run –Takepart in a 5km run with lots of entertainment! Inaid of St. Teresa’s Hospice.

Wednesday 6 August: National Play Day –Arts, crafts and fun activities for children andparents. In association with Groundworks.

Meet the Park RangerWe had a quick chat with Park Ranger Debbie whohelps organise events in South Park and works withall the different groups who use the park.

South Park isn’t just a park these days –it’s a community hub. How many groupsare involved with the park?Too many to mention – it’s great that so many peopleare involved with helping maintain and raise funds forthe park, we couldn’t run the park without them. Wework closely with the Friends of South Park, and arelooking to work with the Street Champions too.

Is there anything planned for the future?Yes – we’re working with Groundworks and theFriends of South Park to build an ‘Alice inWonderland’ themed area in the park. We’ve got thefunding and plan to start the work in September. A quarter of kids spend less than half an hour a weekplaying outside, so we’re hoping that this new areawill encourage kids and their parents to tell stories,explore and enjoy the wildlife.

What’s the most popular part of the park at the moment?The green gym is really popular – welaunched it last summer and isused by many people, from thosewarming up for the Saturdayparkrun, to those whowouldn’t normally exercise.There’s one older gentlemantold us he uses the equipmentevery day when he visitsthe park, which isgreat to hear!

For more information visit www.darlington.gov.uk/southpark To get involved with the Friends of South Park call 01325 283225

Join us for summerin South Park

What’s going on at South Park?

dres0144_DT�June�2014��15/05/2014��15:02��Page�3

Revised Weekly Collections

Week 1:RUBBISH

Week 2:RECYCLING

Caddy for PAPERwhich fits inside

your bin

GeneralRUBBISH

Bin

GeneralRECYCLING

Bin

GLASSRecycling

Box


How will they work for me?

Use your existing BLACK bin forhousehold waste that can’t be recycled.

We won’t collect any extra waste put out in bags.

SCHEME A

You’ll get a new BLACKbin with a GREEN lid -

this is for cans, tins,aerosols, plastics,

juice cartons/tetrapacks and foil.

You’ll get a BLACK caddy,which sits inside yourrecycling bin. Use this forpaper, card and cardboard.If you have excess bulkycardboard, this can beplaced at the side of yourrecycling bin and we’llcollect it. No change from before. Use

your existing GREEN box forrecycling glass bottles and jars.

This will be the scheme that will be used forthe majority of households in Darlington.

Where do I put my rubbish

and recyclingcontainersfor collection?

Please put your refuse andrecycling out for collection where

you place your refuse now,ensuring that you don’t block

the pavement.

Why are you introducing this new system?We are changing this system to save £400,000 a year – moneywhich can be used to help us continue to provide essentialservices in Darlington. The new system will also help boostDarlington’s already excellent recycling rates.

+

dres0147_DT�July�2014��19/06/2014��15:18��Page�14

A new refuse and recycling system will start on October 6. It means thatyour general rubbish will be collected one week and your recycling the next.

GENERALRecycling Box

PAPER

GLASSRecyclingBox


GeneralRUBBISHBin

This will be the scheme for approximately 7,000properties in Darlington. This is because ofaccess restrictions for our recycling vehicles.

You currently have a green box for glass, a blue bag for paper and card, and a black wheeled binfor everything else. In October, this will change to one of two schemes, depending on where youlive. Find out more about the changes below...

SCHEME B

Week 1:RUBBISH

Week 2:RECYCLING

No change from before. Use your existing GREEN box

for recycling glass bottles and jars.

No change frombefore. Use yourexisting BLUE bag forpaper, card andcardboard. If you haveexcess bulky cardboard,this can be placed atthe side of yourrecycling boxes andwe’ll collect it.

You’ll get a large GREEN box whichis for cans, tins, aerosols/plastics, juice

cartons/tetrapacks and foil. If youhave extra recycling, put it in a

carrier bag next to your box andwe’ll collect it.

+

Where do I put my rubbish and recycling containers

for collection?

There won’t be any change – justput it in same place you put your

refuse and recycling now, ensuring that you don’t block

the pavement.

How will I find out if I will be on SCHEMEA or SCHEME B?From August you will be able to find out which scheme has beenallocated to your property by visitingwww.darlington.gov.uk/recycle (or scanningthe QR code) and entering your postcode.

We’ll also be sending a leaflet to everyhousehold in Darlington in August which will letyou know whether your property will get a newwheeled bin or a new box.

Use your existing BLACK bin forhousehold waste that can’t be recycled.

We won’t collect any extra waste put out in bags.

dres0147_DT�July�2014��19/06/2014��15:19��Page�15


Go behind closed doors w Thursday 11 to Sunday 14September is your chance to seebehind the scenes in some ofDarlington's most recognisablehistoric buildings.

Heritage Open Days is a national eventcelebrating England’s architecture.Buildings that are usually closed orcharge an admission fee open theirdoors free of charge to present aunique insight into England’s past.

If you have a passion for places, history and culture;why not book your spot on the Heritage Open Daystaking place across Darlington?

Crown Street Library, Head of Steam and the Civic Theatrewill all be taking part.

Head of Steam will open its doors onSaturday 13 September and Sunday 14September from 10am to 4pm wherevisitors can enjoy free access to themuseum as well as free guided tours bythe Friends of the Museum.

Head of Steam is the home of the Stocktonand Darlington Railway which opened onSeptember 27 1825.

Darlington Model Railway club will beexhibiting some of their models and layouts atthe museum on the same weekend.

There will be the opportunity to talk to railheritage organisations about the work they doand what you can do to volunteer.

Did you know? A number of ghostsare said to haunt the museum. Ghostshave been seen in the museum as well asat the adjoining North Road Station.

Get on boardat Head ofSteam RailwayMuseum

dres0149_DT�August�2014��16/07/2014��09:56��Page�12


with Heritage Open Days

Darlington Civic Theatre will be giving free guided tours onFriday 12 September at 2pm and Sunday 14 September at10am and 2pm.

The beautiful Grade II listed Edwardian theatre will be giving accessall areas backstage and front-of-house and will include a talk on thetheatre’s history.

Places on each tour are limited and must be booked in advance bycalling the Box Office on 01325 486555.

Visitors to Crown Street Librarycan enjoy a behind the scenes tourof the Grade II listed building onThursday 11 September at 2pm,Friday 12 September at 10am andSaturday 13 September at 10am.Each tour lasts about 90 minutes.

The tour will include a visit to theLibrary’s basement, which is home tohistorical local treasures includingmaps, photos and paintings.

Places are limited to 12 people for eachtour and must be booked in advance bycalling 01325 462034.

Visit the Heritage Open Days website to find out more: www.heritageopendays.org.uk

Book your tour at CrownStreet Library

Access all areas at DarlingtonCivic Theatre

dres0149_DT�August�2014��16/07/2014��09:56��Page�13

The dog warden team is collecting food andblankets for dogs in the area.

The dog food will be donated to Deerness Kennelsto help feed the dogs brought into there, as well asKings Church to help people who have a dog and arefinding it difficult to feed them.

If you would like to make a food donation, please callinto Central House Annexe on Gladstone Street, orinto ASDA on Haughton Road, Neasham Road orWhinbush Way.

You can also donate clean blankets and towels at theTown Hall or Central House Annexe. These will beused to make bedding for stray dogs to keep themwarm and snug when they’re in our care.


Darlington’s Dog Wardensare ‘Top of the Pups’

Food and blankets appeal

Our dog warden team has been awarded theGOLD Stray Footprint award from theRSPCA for the fifth year in a row.

The award recognises the work that the team doesin dealing with and looking after stray dogs. Itcovers all aspects of working with stray dogs fromcollection and kennelling to treating injured or sickdogs.

Launched in 2008, RSPCA’s Community AnimalWelfare Footprints scheme rewards and promotesgood practise in animal welfare by local authoritiesand housing providers in England and Wales.

Only 57 Councils across England and Walesreceived this award in 2014

Over the last year, the dog warden team hasdealt with 524 dogs, 311 of which have beenreunited with their owners

The dog warden team is on Facebook:www.facebook.com/darlingtondogwarden,where they have over 4900 likes

Did you know?

Dog Warden, Andy Wood withhis dog Alfie, a former stray.

dres0154_DT�October�2014��18/09/2014��16:13��Page�12

darlington together portfolio

Documents