March 2010 - Adobe PDF - Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

4
Economic Regeneration and Transport
Regeneration to the tune of £500 Million will bring about benefits to housing, schools, medical services, leisure facilities and
transport. We look at some here. You can read about more on our Environment and Housing and Children and Young People pages.
British Waterways has standard facility at the Tees, will use river water to
London 2012 Olympic Games
appointed contractor JN attracting world class events generate electricity making it and Paralympic Games.
and athletes from around the the UK’s first fully sustainable
Bentley to start the multimillion
pound upgrade to
pound world class upgrade
globe.
white water course.
Funding for the multi million
the white water course. The improvements involve Work on the new, bigger has been secured from
reconfiguring the main canoe storage building has Regional Development Agency
Meldrum Construction will course, building a second already commenced.
One North East, <strong>Stockton</strong>
also construct a new £235K shorter course and installing
Council, Sport England and
canoe storage building as part four massive Archimedes The upgraded course will British Waterways. The new
of the overall redevelopment. screws, to pump the water be a catalyst for wider
£235k canoe storage building
needed to create conditions regeneration opportunities is funded through Sport
The plans will see
for canoeists, rafters and along the River Tees corridor. England Community Club
improvements to the existing other sports activities.
The site has already been Development Programme and
white water course and
confirmed as a Pre-Games Canoe England.
create an international The four Archimedes screws Training Camp ahead of the
The Tees Valley is set The first phase of the Tees Valley
to benefit from more Metro due to start in <strong>2010</strong> is
designed to link the main centres
than £100 million
together using the existing rail
of investment in its
network and pave the way for a
transport network over future tram-train metro system.
the next three years.
This phase would include
new platforms at Darlington
The breakdown looks like this:
and Middlesbrough stations;
• A £62 million investment in
relocation of the existing
the Tees Valley bus network
station at Durham Tees Valley
• A £35 million investment in
Airport; station improvements
the first phase of the Tees
at Eaglescliffe, Thornaby and
Valley Metro project
Hartlepool and new stations
• A £5 million contribution
at James Cook University
towards the East Billingham
Hospital and one in Redcar
Transport Corridor scheme
and Cleveland. Keep up to
• A £4 million innovative
date with the scheme on the
traffic management scheme
Councils’ websites or visit www.
on the A19 and A66
connectteeesvalley.com
26
Think of Adult Education Canoe Union where you will
- it might conjure up receive expert tuition by fully
qualified instructors.
images classrooms
and flower arranging, Learning these great sills in
pottery or learning a such a tremendous location is
new language - but
so exciting and can lead onto
bigger and better challenges.
very soon, right here in For example, imagine being
<strong>Stockton</strong>, you can leave able to try out your new skills
the classroom behind and at the Tees Barrage White
get out on to the River Water Course - due to be open
towards the end of the year!
Tees with some fantastic
water sport courses. You could learn a new skill to
take with you on holiday and
Starting in early May, at the rule the waves as absolutely
Castlegate Quay Watersports everything is provided. All you
Centre, just off the Riverside need to bring is a change of
Road, you can try your hand at clothes and bags of enthusiasm!
sailing, canoeing and kayaking
for beginners, as Tees Active Application packs will soon be
Ltd with Tees Achieve bring the available from Tees Achieve - to
fantastic courses through Adult find out more or to register,
Education.
give them a ring on (01642)
527904 or if you have any
The six week courses, to be held questions on the scheme
on evenings between 5.30pm – contact Castlegate Quay
7.30pm are through the Royal Watersports Centre on (01642)
Yachting Association and British 528689.
Arts, Culture and Leisure
<strong>Stockton</strong> News <strong>March</strong> / April <strong>2010</strong>
Work to the ice rink
Page 5
Work progresses on the
Forum in Billingham and
major strip out works
are now complete with
the building now being
prepared for the renewal
of the fixtures and fittings.
The external works have
progressed with the vibrant
colour scheme of the insulated
panels and inside walls are
now being built to set out the
internal layout of the complex.
You can see monthly updates
of work on the Forum in the
foyer of the old art gallery in
Billingham town centre which
show progress from when the
work started. You can also visit
the Council’s website at
www.stockton.gov.uk/
newlookforum or www.
billingham-forum.co.uk
<strong>Stockton</strong> Council and NHS
podiatry, heart clinics and dermatology If they go ahead, adult education services
<strong>Stockton</strong>-on-Tees are continuing (exact services to be determined) currently provided in the Community
• Three GPs
Centre would move to purpose-built
preparations to create a multimillion
pound integrated health • <strong>Stockton</strong> Council’s Customer Service sites.
• Library
accommodation in one of the two new
centre in Billingham.
Centre
• Resource rooms
Although not yet finalised, if feasible the
This includes work to secure the £35
plans would bring further investment to
million Private Finance Initiative (PFI) The state-of-the-art centre is proposed for Billingham, linking strongly with the Town
credits from the Department of Health, the current site of Billingham’s Council Centre, the £15 million refurbished Forum
allocated in principle to the Council for Offices and former art gallery. Services and John Whitehead Park.
the scheme.
currently located here would move into
the new facilities or existing Council The Council is already talking to
The facility would offer a whole range of buildings.
Community Centre staff and users to
integrated Health and Social Care services
ensure their continuing input to the
including:
The PFI Credits would also pay for an Extra proposals. And the Council’s Planning
• Adults and children’s integrated Care scheme with 50 two-bedroom units in Committee has considered a planning
service area (social services)
Billingham Town Centre, proposed for the brief, setting out the broad principles for
• Integrated PCT care services related to site of Billingham Community Centre and site development.
adjacent car park.
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The national 10:10 campaign, to see everyone
reduce their carbon emissions by 10 per cent in
<strong>2010</strong>, continues. And cutting carbon has the handy
benefit of saving money too!
More than 150 Council staff signed up to the scheme in just
four days, with others following.
And now we’re asking you to get involved.
It’s easy to save money by reducing your emissions – turning
down the thermostat by one degree, leaving the car at home
for short journeys and not leaving appliances switched on are
just some of the simple things anyone can do. Keep the top
tips on the outside back page and see how many you can do.
It couldn’t be easier to register your commitment to 10:10,
just visit: www.stockton.gov.uk/1010 and log in your details.
Neil Ellison, Environment Expert for <strong>Stockton</strong> Council, said:
”Some might question what difference cutting their emissions
by 10 per cent will really make. Well I can tell them, it makes
a huge difference!
“No one person, company, government or country can stop
climate change alone, it’s up to us all to take responsibility
and make small, simple changes to our lifestyles. All these
tiny savings soon add up and, if the whole Borough reduced
our emissions by 10 per cent, the impact will be enormous.
“Of course, some people still don’t believe in climate change
and I’m not going to argue with them now. But I’ll say this
– reducing emissions by saving energy also saves you money.
Surely that’s another good reason for joining 10:10?”
Neil Ellison, with the 1010 pledge.
<strong>Stockton</strong>’s beautiful
Ropner Park is there
for everyone to enjoy
especially now its café,
run by “The Friends”,
is open again after
a short break for
redecorating.
To tempt your tastebuds all
the food is home made on
the premises. The popular
mid-week lunches are now
being served on Wednesdays.
Cafe ‘specials’ are advertised
in and around the cafe.
The Friends of Ropner Park
is a registered charity which
encourages people to use
and enjoy the Park. Any
spare money from the café
and events helps improve
facilities and entertainment
in the park. The next major
project is the preparation of
a scented garden around the
bandstand.
Get families playing tennis
together is the aim of a six-week
tennis coaching programme at
Ropner Park, <strong>Stockton</strong>.
There is a choice of two one-hour sessions
each Sunday – either 10 or 11am – at the
outdoor tennis courts on the following
dates:
• 6 June - 11 July
• 18 July - 22 August
• 29 August - 3 October
No need to worry if you don’t have a tennis
racquet as all equipment is provided. At
just £2 per session, the six week programme
costs adults a total of £12. Children
accompanied by a participating adult take
part for free and must be eight years old or
over to join in.
To book your place, call (01642) 524964 or
email jonathan.hart@stockton.gov.uk
Environment and Housing
This summer,
<strong>Stockton</strong> is proud
to be representing
the UK in Europe’s
biggest Environment
competition – ‘Entente
Florale <strong>2010</strong>’.
The honour follows our
national success in the
2009 Britain in Bloom
Competition, when
<strong>Stockton</strong> won the ‘best information.
city’.
As 2009 winners, we are
not permitted entry into
this year’s Britain in Bloom
Competition and would
need to be nominated in
future years to represent
our region. As such the
Royal Horticultural Society
(RHS) has nominated
<strong>Stockton</strong>-on-Tees to
represent the UK in the
prestigious Entente Florale.
Countries participating
include Austria, Belgium,
Croatia, Czech Republic,
France, Germany,
Hungary, Ireland, Italy, the
Netherlands and Slovenia.
We expect the international
jury, to visit <strong>Stockton</strong> late
July or early August.
The competition aims to
improve quality of life for
communities. So <strong>Stockton</strong>
must show how it engages
with its local communities
to achieve a green,
sustainable and colourful
<strong>Stockton</strong> News <strong>March</strong> / April <strong>2010</strong>
town and promotes
environmental awareness.
If you are a resident,
member of a community
group or business
and interested in
becoming involved in
the competition, please
contact Care For Your
Area on (01642) 391959 or
email careforyourarea@
stockton.gov.uk for further
<strong>Stockton</strong> has entered the
Northumbria in Bloom
Competition for more
than 30 years - being
overall winner in the
Best City category for
six consecutive years.
Now it’s our privilege
to be asked to host this
year’s award ceremony
in September when 400
guests will attend from
across the North East
region. The competition
was also launched in
<strong>Stockton</strong> in early <strong>March</strong>.
Page 27
Sign up for tax
savings
Sports clubs are being urged
not to miss out on the chance
to get a boost from the tax
man and share in a multimillion
pound windfall by
registering for tax savings.
The Community Amateur Sports
Club (CASC) scheme enables
amateur sports clubs to benefit
from a range of tax advantages
including:
• Mandatory relief for 80 per
cent of the total business
rates bill;
• Reclaiming Gift Aid on
donations from individuals
• Exemption from Corporation
Tax on profits if annual
income is under £30,000 per
year;
To be eligible, clubs must
encourage participation in a
qualifying sport, be open to
the whole community without
discrimination, and ensure
profits go back into the club,
benefiting sport.
To find out more visit www.
hmrc.gov.uk/casc/index.htm or
call 0845 3020 203.
Rate relief for
sports clubs
Local not-for-profit sporting
organisations and sports
clubs who pay rates for their
premises to the Council are
being urged to put pen to
paper and apply now for
National Non-Domestic Rate
Relief (NNDRR).
Rate relief can provide great
help for sports organisations and
clubs managing their running
costs. Many organisations across
the Borough have benefited
from this fund so get in touch to
make sure you don’t miss out.
Download an application form
from www.stockton.gov.uk/
nndrr or call (01642) 526690 or
email trevor.massey@stockton.
gov.uk
<strong>Stockton</strong> News <strong>March</strong> / April <strong>2010</strong> Page 13
The Smart EV cars like the one pictured were adapted to
run on a battery and can be charged from a normal power
socket. Able to hit a top speed of 60mph and travel more
than 50 miles on a full charge, they were perfect for the short
distance journeys council staff often make.
Neil Ellison, Environment Expert for <strong>Stockton</strong> Council, said:
“People really liked driving the electric cars. They’re quiet,
nippy and really easy to drive.
“We used two at the Council and based the other two
with partner organisations. After each journey, technical
information was recorded, as well as the driver’s views.
Cenex can now assess the results to see how electric cars
perform in a working environment.
“All the major car manufacturers are developing electric
and electric-hybrid cars, with volume production worldwide
beginning very soon. Data from this trial will aid the
During February the Council was loaned four
automotive industry in producing effective vehicles with realworld
performance and range.”
electric cars as part of a trial scheme to assess
the practicality and acceptability of using electric The Council will soon be installing electric car charge
vehicles in the workplace and for commuting.
points at public locations throughout the Borough as part of
a government and industry supported scheme to install 620
Cenex - the national Centre of Excellence for low-carbon points across the North East by the end of <strong>2010</strong>. More on this
technology coordinated the trial in the Region.
in future editions of <strong>Stockton</strong> News.
The Council’s Cabinet has agreed has demolished more than 200 properties
ambitious housing regeneration and built 80 new homes there.
proposals to transform two Swainby Road residents consulted in
<strong>Stockton</strong> neighbourhoods.
October overwhelmingly supported
demolition proposals.
Following consultation with residents
and landlords the boundary for the During the consultation, 119 people
existing Parkfield Mill Lane housing responded with 99 per cent in favour
regeneration scheme will be extended, of the regeneration plans. At the heart
by extending the boundary in Phase 2 to of the scheme is an opportunity for
Dovecot Street.
residents affected to be initially rehoused
and then given priority to return by
The 152 households in the area included moving into new homes once built.
in the proposed extension received a
hand delivered letter with details of all The area is also soon to benefit from
the proposals and were invited to oneto-one
sessions with staff from <strong>Stockton</strong> academy for secondary school children,
multi million investment in a new
Council to talk through any queries or state-of-the-art youth facilities for young
concerns they may have.
people at Myppace and an additional 330
new high-quality homes on the former
This is the latest development in the Hills Joinery site.
£60 million regeneration masterplan for
Parkfield Mill Lane. When the Council’s Julie Nixon, <strong>Stockton</strong> Council’s Head of
Cabinet first approved the demolition Housing, said: “<strong>Stockton</strong> Council has
boundary in 2005, many residents
an ambitious housing regeneration
just outside the boundary voiced
programme throughout the Borough
disappointment they were not in it. and is committed to ensuring that all its
residents enjoy good quality housing in
85 per cent of residents and landlords safe, well designed neighbourhoods.
affected and of these 82 per cent were in
favour of the plans.
Together, these two schemes could create
more than 600 jobs for local people.
The Council’s ambitious 15 to 20 year
plans for the Parkfield Mill Lane area <strong>Stockton</strong> Council continues to work
aim to transform it into a thriving
on the successful, ambitious housing
residential neighbourhood and, to date, regeneration plans at Hardwick and
Mandale where, to date, more than 1,200
properties have been demolished and
more than 1,000 residents successfully
relocated into new high-quality housing.
Annie Collins, a resident of Swainby Road who
will benefit from the scheme.
contents
<strong>March</strong>/April <strong>2010</strong>
Welcome
to the new look <strong>Stockton</strong> News
Use the colour coding system to make finding
what you’re interested in even easier. Here are
some of the highlights...
News Round Up 2
Economic Regeneration and Transport 4
Environment and Housing 10
<strong>Stockton</strong>
Improving the Borough with £500 million
<strong>Stockton</strong> Borough is set to change over the next decade.
Step closer for world class water course
Better connected
The Forum
– sneak
preview
Work continues on health centre plans
The Forum
sneak
preview
Page 5
Community Safety 15
Children and Young People 20
Adults Services 24
<strong>Stockton</strong> to
represent
the UK
Page 12
<strong>Stockton</strong>
10:10
takes off
<strong>Stockton</strong> to represent the UK!
<strong>Stockton</strong>
plays host
Ohms, James
Ambitious housing plans agreed
Arts, Culture and Leisure 25
Strong Communities 28
Health and Wellbeing 33
<strong>Stockton</strong>
We are sailing... and you could be too!
Spring season in Ropner Park
Families for tennis?
Top money
saving tips for
sports clubs
We are
sailing and
you could
be too
Your Council 37
Focus On Your Area 40
Page 26
What’s On 44
<strong>Stockton</strong> News is published by <strong>Stockton</strong>-on-Tees Borough Council
and distributed to households across the Borough free of charge.
Editor: Vince Rutland, Deputy Editor: Jacky Stevely. To contact
the editorial team or if you have not received a copy please call
(01642) 526098 or e-mail communications@stockton.gov.uk
It aims to provide news and information about the Council, its partner
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publication. Your views and comments are welcome.
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Please call (01642) 526098 to order a copy or e-mail
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