Residents of Dean Bank in Ferryhill are being asked to share their views on how the area could be improved.

Starting this week, the Durham County Council-led Community Action Team is addressing environmental and housing concerns in the neighbourhood. Residents are invited to have their say on which issues the team should tackle, from anti-social behaviour to noise nuisance, and from dog fouling to empty properties.

Officers from a range of council teams will be in the area until Friday 24 December, working with partner organisations including Durham Constabulary, Ferryhill Town Council and housing associations, to address priorities raised by residents.

The 11-week project will begin with two weeks of public engagement, when residents are encouraged to raise their concerns and priorities, either in person or online.

Feedback can be given in several ways:

  • An initial survey will be promoted on social media, on the council’s website and in letters which will be sent to a specific focus area of properties, which is known to have a high proportion of private lets with environmental issues.
  • A Covid-safe face-to-face engagement event will be held on Tuesday 19 October, between 4pm and 6pm at Dean Bank Institute, St Cuthbert’s Terrace, DL17 8PP.
  • A virtual engagement session and Live Chat can be accessed at www.durham.gov.uk/cat
    Emails can be sent to [email protected]
  • Residents can request a phone call back from a CAT officer by emailing [email protected] or calling 03000 260 000.

Comments collected from the engagement period will be used to agree priorities, which will then be tackled during seven weeks of action in the area.

Weekly walkabouts and two community events will also be held, to update residents on the project’s progress. Covid-safe measures will be in place at the events, which will take place at Dean Bank and Ferryhill Literary Institute, St Cuthbert’s Terrace, on:

  • Thursday 11 November from 1pm to 3pm
  • Thursday 2 December from 1pm to 3pm

Cllr Mark Wilkes, the council’s Cabinet member for neighbourhoods and climate change, said: “Combining the knowledge, skills and resources of the organisations that make up the Community Action Team, allows us to carry out thorough improvements, to make a real, long-term difference to an area.

“We’re aiming to tackle a wide range of problems in Dean Bank, following on from and complementing other recent regeneration work in the area, but we need residents to tell us where they would like us to focus our efforts. I’d encourage people to get in touch to let us know which issues most affect them.”

Further information about the community action project and the work taking place at Dean Bank is available at www.durham.gov.uk/cat


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