Thanks to a funding boost of £3,695 Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that works to install a commemorative Miners Wheel Feature at Dean Bank Recreation Park have been completed.

The project, which has seen an original Miners Wheel being sympathetically restored, and given pride of place just inside the entrance to the Park will provide a fitting tribute to the Town’s Mining heritage, for future generations to enjoy, and ensure that the areas mining legacy is never forgotten.

The Town Council would like to say a huge thank you to Councillors Joe Makepeace and Peter Atkinson who each contributed £1,847.50 from their Neighbourhood Budget allocations via the 4Together Partnership, to enable the delivery of the project, and also to Wharton Construction, who carried out the project works.

Councillor Peter Atkinson said “I was delighted to be able to contribute to this project, which will provide a lasting memorial to the Town’s Mining Heritage. Ferryhill is very proud of its history, and it is important to commemorate it with projects like this one.”

Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace said “It was a pleasure to be able to support this project, which commemorates the Town’s deep rooted mining heritage. The project is important, and will provide a fitting tribute, which is especially poignant for the many families of those miners who worked in the Town’s mining industry.”

Anyone with any questions regarding this or any other project being developed by Ferryhill Town Council should contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on tel: 01740 652157 or email: Karen Younghusband

On behalf of Ferryhill Town Council, after such an incredibly difficult year I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a very Happy New Year.

I don’t think anyone could have imagined at the start of 2020, the challenges that this year would bring. I sincerely hope that you are all able to enjoy a safe and enjoyable break in the company of your loved ones, whilst also sparing a thought for those in the community who are less fortunate.

I am very proud to be the Mayor of such a strong community as Ferryhill, and I know everyone will pull together to help those most in need at what can be the most wonderful time of the year, but can also be the most difficult.

I am confident that we can all help and support each other to enjoy the festive period; be it checking on an elderly or vulnerable neighbour, donating food, clothes or toys to a local charity, or remembering to support local businesses by spending local where possible.

This year I would like to say a special thank you to those who continue to do so much to support our communities, and will continue to work over Christmas to enable the rest of us to enjoy the festive season. A special thanks to the fabulous doctors and nurses in the NHS, care workers, the police, fire service, hospitality and retail workers and those who keep our utilities running. We all owe them a massive debt of gratitude. And, not forgetting, of course, our clergy who help us celebrate why we do all this in the first place! I hope that you are all able to enjoy some time with your families this year.

Due to the Pandemic, Ferryhill Town Council was forced to cancel its events programme and many of its plans for the year however, I am proud that scaled back commemorations still managed to be held to mark the 75th Anniversary of VE and VJ Day, Armed Forces Day, Remembrance Sunday and Armistice Day.

I was also honoured to present Civic Awards to those in the community who went the extra mile this year, and to those who brightened up the Town with their floral displays, as well as being able to present the two charities, which I had chosen to raise money for during 2019-2020; the Solan Connor Fawcett Family Cancer Trust and the Ferryhill Scouts, with a cheque each for £1,457.50.

To ensure that a little festive joy could still be spread in the Town this year I was extremely proud to switch on the Town’s Christmas Lights on the 27^th November, accompanied by Paul Howell MP.

I was also honoured to be invited by local schools through Approach Too, to choose one of the children’s Christmas themed designs, to use in a Poster displaying a Christmas Message from Ferryhill Town Council to the public. A huge thank you and congratulations to Jessica from Dean Bank Primary School whose design was chosen and can be seen in the large advertising board in the Town Centre.

The Town Council continues to make plans for the future, and is very much looking forward to working with, and supporting you all in 2021.

Best wishes to all!

Over the last thirty years Dean Bank has seen ongoing regeneration taking place in a variety of forms. From the demolition of the Praxis factory and the building of the housing estate on the western edge of Dean Bank to the introduction of the Children’s Centre, refurbishment of the Literary Institute, and introduction of a Greggs Breakfast Club and Family Learning Schemes at Dean Bank Primary School. Millions of pounds has been spent, and continues to be spent in the area to support residents, and to improve the environment.

A large number of partners and residents have worked together over the years to enable this to happen, and this continues today through a multi partnered working group, which comprises Ferryhill Town Council officers and Councillors, Durham County Council officers and Councillors, Housing providers Benicia and Livin, the Police and the Dean Bank Residents Association.

An action plan has been developed by the working group which considers housing, the environment, anti-social behaviour, economic support, health and wellbeing. Recent development has seen new bungalows built by Livin on Hackworth Close, demolition works to void properties by Bernicia, who have then worked closely with Durham County Council colleagues to make environmental improvements to the areas affected by the demolitions, Ferryhill Town Council’s ongoing development and improvements to the Dean Bank Park Recreation Ground, whilst Durham County Council continues to work with private landlords, and have secured funding to deliver a solid wall insulation scheme on Davy Street, alongside an arts project that will see paintings introduced to windows on void properties, based on work by artist Norman Cornish.

Covid-19 has paused the multi partnership walkabouts for the time being, but partners continue to identify and act in response to those residents guilty of fly tipping and/or causing a range of other issues.

Further investment has been sought and secured, with the support of Durham County Council and MP Paul Howell’s office, to extend the solid wall insulation scheme into Newton Street.

A spokesperson for the group said ‘partnership working has enabled millions of pounds to be invested in Dean Bank, to provide and deliver a wide variety of projects and support for the benefit of the local community. All partners have pledged a long term commitment to the regeneration of the area, and look forward to developing more initiatives in the future.’

The Working Group is keen to hear feedback from residents of Dean Bank, regarding whether improvements are making a difference in the area, and to understand if there are any other areas of concern that the group should be concentrating on.

Anyone with any feedback or comments should contact Karen Younghusband at: Ferryhill Town Council on telephone: 01740 652157 or email: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

Consultation is underway on our region’s first transport plan which includes proposed schemes in Durham and includes reference to the reopening of Ferryhill Rail Station.

Background

The North East Transport Plan contains information on major transport improvements which will help reshape the region’s transport network up to 2035.

The £6.1bn strategy includes 296 proposed schemes covering Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, and Sunderland.

Proposed schemes in County Durham

• road infrastructure improvements
• cycle route improvements on
• proposed reopening of railway stations and lines ( including Ferryhill Station)
• route upgrades and service improvements to the East Durham coast railway line
• rail network upgrades to ensure railway stations in County Durham are high speed ready

Further information and to have your say visit NE Transport Plan.

To share your views, please fill out the following short survey before 14 January 2021.

 

The Town Hall is currently closed to the public but our staff are still working and providing services to the people of Ferryhill.  You can still contact us on the usual telephone number 01740 652157 or by emailing enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk

We are regularly collecting post from the Town Hall.

The situation is being reviewed regularly.  Updates will be posted on the Town Council’s Facebook page and here on the website.

 

FERRYHILL TOWN COUNCIL

Notice of Conclusion of the Audit

Annual Return for the year ended 31^st March 2020

Section 25 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014

Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015

1. The audit of accounts for the Council for the year ended 31 March 2020 has been concluded.
2. The Annual Governance and Accountability Return is available for inspection by any local government elector of the area of the Council on application to:

David Anderson

Town Clerk

Town Hall

Ferryhill

DL17 8JL

3. Copies will be provided to any local government elector on payment of £0.50 for each copy of the Annual Return.

 

Announcement made by:      David Anderson, Town Clerk

Date of announcement:         19^th November 2020

Community Consultation carried out in Ferryhill has continually identified the demand for a Skatepark Facility at the King George V Playing Field (Broom Rec) in Ferryhill.  A Feasibility Study is currently being developed to be used as a tool, to enable external funding to be sought to deliver the project.  As part of the Study a design brief was sent to several professional Skate Companies inviting design concepts and proposals for the scheme.  Two Companies submitted proposals, and the Town Council is now asking residents to vote on their preferred Option, so that the Study can be completed, planning permission can be secured, and funding sought to deliver the project.

 

Ferryhill Town Council is asking residents to vote on their preferred option from the two designs shown i.e. Canvass or Gravity.

This Poll will close on 7^th December 2020, after which time the Town Council will analyse the results together with feedback from local Schools to determine which design to progress.

If anyone has any comments or would like to discuss the project further please contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Council by email at: kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk

 

Welcome to Ferryhilll Town Council’s new website, this site is currently under construction, pages will be updated daily, please bear with us.

Ferryhill paid a fitting tribute on Remembrance Sunday to all those who fought and gave their lives during two world wars and conflicts since.

This year’s acts of Remembrance needed to be carried out differently because of coronavirus and the national lockdown.  This did not prevent residents of Ferryhill marking Remembrance Sunday.  As the services at St. Luke’s Church and the Town Hall Garden could not be held in the usual way, many people observed the two minutes silence at 11.00am at their front doors.

St. Luke’s Church live streamed a Service of Remembrance from the Church. The Last Post and two minutes silence was live streamed from the Town Hall Garden, followed by the laying of wreaths by the Town Mayor, Councillor Joe Makepeace and Deputy Mayor, Councillor Jacqueline Cansella on behalf of the Town. Ex Bugle Major Garry Suggett, who played the Last Post laid a wreath on behalf of The Light Infantry, The Royal Green Jackets and The Rifles, and Lee Carter (Tommy), Ex Second Battalion Light Infantry raised the flag, and laid a tribute on behalf of the Rifles.

The Town Hall gates were opened from 12 noon to enable wreaths to be laid on behalf of organisations, groups and individuals.  A total of 36 wreaths were laid.

As the night drew in, the Town Hall was lit up red as a further act of Remembrance.  This illumination of the Town Hall will be continued until Armistice Day on 11^th November.

The Town Council would like to thank everyone who was involved in this year’s Remembrance arrangements, and especially St. Luke’s Church, the Royal British Legion, Ferryhill Town Band, Ex Bugle Major Garry Suggett, Lee Carter, Ex Second Battalion Light Infantry, Parade Marshall Alan Thompson, and Ferryhill Remembers for producing the beautiful poppy nets that adorn the front of the Town Hall this year, as well as the poppy tributes around the Town.

The Town Council appreciates that many people including veterans were disappointed at not being able to host this years commemorations in the usual way, but would like to thank everyone for their understanding during this difficult time.