Did you know that 24% of the UK adult population have a dog? That’s over 10 million pet dogs producing over 1,000 tonnes of waste each day!  That weighs as much as 200 elephants or 100 double decker buses!

Dog mess affects everyone. It is unpleasant to see it lying around on pavements, in play grounds and other public green spaces. It’s even more unpleasant to step in or to go through it with a pushchair or wheelchair!

As well as being a nuisance, dog mess is unhygienic and can spread disease. It also unfortunately gives dog owners who do clean up after their dogs a bad name. It is the law to clean up after your dog!

We know that most dog owners in the village are responsible and clean up after their pets, but we also know many don’t.

We are running this communication campaign to remind all dog owners about the importance of picking up after their pet to try and ensure the dog mess generated in our village ends up safely in the bin.

The good news is it’s very simple to keep the streets and our public green areas clean.

As part of this campaign, stickers and posters are being rolled out around the parish to encourage all dog owners to act responsibly and to, “please pick up & bag the poo – any public bin will do” (general black waste bins or the dedicated red dog bins).   The posters are available here to download if you think you need one near you.  Mobile Phone Poster v2  The Poo Fairy Poster v2

In addition, you are also encouraged to report irresponsible dog owners to Durham County Council (DCC), the dog fouling enforcement authority.

This can be done online at: www.durham.gov.uk/dogfouling or by calling: 03000 261 000.

If you can, tell DCC:

• The Date and Time of the dog fouling incident
• The Location
• The description of the dog and its owner,
• The dog owners name and address ( if known)

The reporting of incidents helps DCC to identify the “hotspot” areas across the parish which can then trigger more regular patrols by enforcement officers. Irresponsible dog owners could be issued with a a Fixed Penalty Notice of £80, or prosecuted and fined up to £1,000, if they don’t clean up after their dog. Reporting of incidents may also help identify the need for additional bins in some locations.

Be a responsible dog owner and clean up after your pet

The closing date for nominees wishing to stand for election for the scheduled Parish Council election on the 6 May 2021 was the 9 April.  Only 3 nominees were received by Durham County Council for the 9 places available and consequently there will now be no need for an election to be held. The 3 nominees duly elected as Parish Councillors, uncontested, are:

Maureen Boettcher, Ian Haddick and Avril Wallage.    

The first meeting of the new council will take place at the Annual Council Meeting to be held in May 2021.  The first item on the agenda will be to appoint a Chair and Vice Chair for the year. This will be followed by the nomination of council representative to serve on other bodies and monthly routine council business.

The remaining 6 vacancies on the parish council can be filled through a co-option process. The Parish Council will consider the process and timescales for this at its Annual Council Meeting so  look out for further details on the Parish Council Notice Boards and the Website. In the interim, anyone interested in becoming a parish councillor should contact Mark Ramshaw, Parish Clerk at westraintonparishcouncil@yahoo.co,uk or Tel.07900 800 540

The formal Notice of Uncontested Election issued by the Returning Officer is available here.   West Rainton and Leamside Parish

An urgent warning has been issued to every single person with a National Insurance number in the UK after a surge in calls were reported trying to falsely steal information.

It is concerning for millions, as everyone in the UK is sent a National Insurance number before their sixteenth birthday – this helps with applying for jobs, and identifies you with HMRC and the DWP.

More than 1,000 complaints have been made to Action Fraud, with victims reporting they have received an automated telephone call, during which they are told their “National Insurance number has been compromised”.

They are then instructed to “press 1 on their handset to be connected to the caller” in order to supposedly fix the issue and get a new National Insurance number.

Once connected to the “caller”, victims are pressured into handing over personal details – which scammers claim is to enable them to receive a new National Insurance number.

However, giving the criminals your personal details will enable them to commit fraud using your credentials and information.

“If you have any doubts about what is being asked of you, hang up the phone.

“No legitimate organisation will rush or pressure you.”

How to protect yourself from fraudsters

If you receive an unexpected phone call, text message or email that asks for your personal or financial details, remember to 

• STOP – take a moment and think before parting with your personal information or money
• CHALLENGE – could it be fake? It’s OK to reject, refuse of ignore and requests for personal of financial details.
• PROTECT – contact your bank immediately if you think you’ve fallen for a scam and report it to Action Fraud

There is a simple, short, Friends Against Scams online training video can be accessed by clicking the link below.

https://www.friendsagainstscams.org.uk/durham-elearning

Be Aware and Take Care.

#ScamAwareness

At the forthcoming election on 6 May 2021 precautions will be in place to protect voters from Corona Virus.   People who are clinically vulnerable need to be particularly careful.  Durham County Council has issued a press release which is available here on precautions that will be in force and alternatives to physically voting at Polling Stations. Vulnerable people elections information PR

• Whether you’re at the shop, at home or taking exercise, don’t forget Hands, Face, Space. Help keep you, and your friends and family safe
• COVID-19 is still spreading within your community, putting people at risk of infection and huge pressure on our NHS. The most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
• You can stop the spread of Covid 19. If you have symptoms of coronavirus, self-isolate and get a test.
• Visit https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test for more information.

West Rainton&LeamsideParish Council

Councillor Vacancy
 
West Rainton&Leamside Parish Council currently has vacancies for Parish Councillors.

These vacancies can be filled through a co-option process.

Anyone interested in becoming a parish councillor can get more information from theParish Clerk, Mark Ramshaw.

Expressions of interest should be made to the Parish Clerk no later than:

12.00 noon on7^th April 2021.
 
Contact:
 
Parish Clerk, West Rainton Parish Council:

62 Trevelyan Place, Peterlee, SR8 2NL.

Tel: 0790 080 0540
Email: westraintonparishcouncil@yahoo.co.uk

Further information is available at item 3 of the Council Policies, Procedures and Information on this web site.