Ferryhill Town Council considered a proposal at its meeting held on 6th April 2022 to dedicate the dog walking area at Dean Bank to the late Councillor Brian Avery.

Brian was a big supporter of the dog walking area, contributing to its development from his Neighbourhood Budget.  Councillors thought it would be a fitting tribute to name the area ‘Avery Walk’ after him.  It was also thought that if the area could be designated as a dog walking area on a permanent basis it would be a lasting tribute.  The opportunity could also be taken to improve facilities in that area.

The Dog Walking Area is located on former allotment land at Storehouse Allotments.  Approval was obtained from the Secretary of State to use the land on a temporary basis with the proviso that if demand on that site increased it should revert back to allotment use.  As the area is allocated on a temporary basis the Town Council is unable to obtain grant funding to improve facilities.  Demand for allotments at Storehouse remains low, particularly at the bottom corner.

It has been the Council’s wish to extend the dog walking area to take in unused allotments towards the A167 and to request that the area be redesignated as recreational land on a permanent basis so facilities can be improved.

Resident’s views are sought on the proposals.  The survey is available on the Councils website or by scanning the QR code or by using the following link  Complete Survey

The closing date for the survey is Sunday 8th May 2022

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that it has recently contributed funds towards an Easter event being organised by the Ferryhill Station Royal British Legion Club for local children.  A cheque for £400 was presented by the Chair of the Events Sub Committee, Councillor Joe Quinn and Town Mayor of Ferryhill, Councillor David Farry, to a representative from the Ferryhill Station Royal British Legion Club, in a presentation held at Ferryhill Town Hall.

Monies provided by the Town Council will be used to cover the costs associated with holding a children’s disco with refreshments and face-painting from 4.00pm – 6.00pm on Easter Monday, 18^th April at the Legion Club.

Councillor Joe Quinn said “As Chair of the Town Council’s Events Sub-Committee, I am pleased that Ferryhill Town Council is able to support local organisations in this way and help to provide fun activities for local children to enjoy. I look forward to being able to continue partnership working with a range of community groups and organisations in the Town in the future.”

Town Mayor, Councillor David Farry said “Ferryhill Town Council is always keen to support local community groups and is pleased to be able on this occasion to contribute towards an Easter event for local children. The Town Council is looking forward to supporting more community groups moving forward.”

Ferryhill Town Council is celebrating having secured a grant of £65,250 through Tarmac Ltd’s Landfill Communities Fund to deliver the first phase of a project that will see the Council install a range of renewable technologies including solar panels and air source heat pumps across its buildings. The project will be instrumental in the Council’s commitment to the Climate Change emergency declared for County Durham, helping to reduce the Council’s energy usage and the number of greenhouse gas emissions it releases into the environment, while also helping to save the Council money through reduced energy bills.

Mayor, Councillor David Farry said ‘Ferryhill Town Council takes its responsibility for the environment seriously and is thoroughly committed to reducing its carbon footprint, and its impact on the environment. The Council is extremely grateful to Tarmac’s Landfill Communities Fund for their financial contribution, which will enable the Town Council to install several renewable technologies across its buildings helping to support the Town Council in its environmental journey and ambition of becoming Carbon Neutral, while also encouraging other partner organisations to improve their own green credentials.’

Ferryhill Town Council are looking to co-opt someone to the Council to serve Ferryhill Station.

A Councillor position has become vacant for Ferryhill Station due to a resignation.  A by-election would have been held if 10 electors from the ward request an election, however the Elections Office at Durham County Council did not receive the required number of valid requests by the deadline.  This means that the Council must now co-opt a Councillor.

Anyone interested in becoming a Town Councillor to serve the Ferryhill Station ward should complete and return an application form before midnight Thursday, 5^th May 2022.

Candidates meeting the eligibility criteria to become a Councillor will be invited to a Council meeting to be held on Wednesday, 11^th May 2022 at 6.00pm to introduce themselves and explain why they wish to become a member of the Council.  The successful candidate will be chosen at the meeting.

Applications forms and further information is available from the Council’s website using the following link Co-option of a Town Councillor for Ferryhill Station Ward, or from the Town Hall, or can be requested by calling 01740 652157, or by emailing enquiries@ferryhill.gov.uk

Ferryhill Town Council are seeking to co-opt a Councillor for the Ferryhill Station Ward.  The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 5th May 2022.

For further details please see below:

Co-option Notice

Policy for the Co-option of Members

Co-option Application Form

Make a difference – Become a Councillor

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce the launch of its new Members Initiative Fund.  Each Ferryhill Town Councillor has been allocated a small pot of money, which they can use to contribute towards projects and initiatives organised by local community groups/charities. Councillors will also be able to pool their resources to deliver larger projects that will be of significant benefit to the local community.

Any group who would like to apply for a grant through the Members Initiative Fund should speak to one of their local Councillors in the first instance to ensure that they have support for their project idea before submitting an application.  The first ever round of the Members Initiative Fund will open on 11th April 2022, with application forms being available from Ferryhill Town Hall.  The deadline for applications for the 2022-2023 Financial year will be 28^th February 2023.  Groups looking to apply should contact Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk All applicants must have a fully constituted group and have a bank account with at least two unrelated signatories. For more information, please contact Karen Younghusband, Events & Projects Officer at Ferryhill Town Council.

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that it is currently planning a series of events to commemorate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.  Plans will include a Beacon Lighting Ceremony in the Town Hall Garden on the evening of Thursday, 2^nd June, a ‘Party in the Park’ family event at Dean Bank Park on Saturday, 4^th June (keep a look out for more details in the coming weeks) as well as offering local community groups the chance to apply for a grant of up to £200 towards the cost of organising their own event to mark the occasion.

As part of its celebrations the Town Council is also encouraging local Traders to create a Jubilee themed window display in a Competition which will see the ‘Best Window Display’ receive a trophy and a FREE Hanging Basket.  The Competition will be judged by Members of the Town Council’s Events Committee during the week commencing 23^rd May with the winner being announced during the week commencing 30^th May.  To enter the Competition, Traders are invited to complete an application form, (available from Ferryhill Town Council) and return it to Karen Younghusband, Events & Projects Officer at Ferryhill Town Hall or email completed applications to kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk by no later than 20th May 2022. For more information about any of the Town Council’s plans to commemorate the Queen’s Jubilee please contact Karen Younghusband, Events & Projects Officer at Ferryhill Town Council.

Ferryhill Town Council is pleased to announce that it will be offering local groups the chance to apply for grants of up to £200 towards the cost of community events organised to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.

£1,000 has been allocated by the Council’s Events Committee to contribute towards Jubilee events, with groups being offered up to 50% of the total cost of their event, up to a maximum of £200.

The pot of funding will open on 11th April 2022, with application forms being available from Ferryhill Town Hall.  The deadline for applications will be 9th May 2022.  Groups looking to apply should contact Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk  All applicants must have a fully constituted group and have a bank account with at least two unrelated signatories. For more information, please contact Karen Younghusband, Events & Projects Officer at Ferryhill Town Council.

Ferryhill Town Council would like to invite local groups, organisations and residents to attend this year’s Annual Town Meeting, which has been scheduled to take place from 6.00pm onwards on Thursday, 26^th May 2022 at St Luke’s Parish Centre.

As in previous years it is envisaged that the meeting will provide an opportunity for local groups to showcase their work, and share their plans for the forthcoming year, while also facilitating an exchange of ideas and information between the Town’s various stakeholders, to help encourage future partnership working.

Any group or organisation interested in attending the Annual Town Meeting to deliver a presentation, or to provide a display, or any member of the public who would like to attend the event as a spectator is asked to contact Karen Younghusband at Ferryhill Town Hall on telephone: 01740 652157 or email kyounghusband@ferryhill.gov.uk as soon as possible, and by no later than 13th May 2022 to confirm their attendance at the event.

Ferryhill Town Council is thrilled to announce that Carnival Fun Fairs will be returning to Ferryhill Market Place on the weekend of Saturday, 9^th April and Sunday, 10^th April 2022 to host an Easter Extravaganza.

The event which will be held from 12 noon onwards both days will comprise a range of fun rides and attractions suitable for all ages including Rodeo Rodeo from Italy and theme park attraction the mighty Kick Down, both of which will be making their debut in the Town, as well as firm favourites such as the T Cups, Funhouse, Monster Trucks and Tagada.  The event will also include a hook a Duck stall and refreshments such as Candy Floss, Hotdogs and Toffee apples. Residents are encouraged to come along and enjoy all the fun of the fair.

For more information about Carnival Fun Fairs events please visit: www.carnivalfunfairs.co.uk