Ouston Parish Council

Ouston Parish Council

Planning Consultations

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Consultations

Planning Consultations

We want to give everyone who lives in County Durham, works here or comes to visit, the chance to help improve our services and influence the decisions we make. One way that we do this is through holding consultations.

Before making significant changes to any of our services we ask the public for their views. This helps us ensure our services meet the needs of our communities. For details on how we consult with people, please see our Icon for pdf Consultation Statement (PDF, 165.1kb) .

Current consultations

To view current consultations please click on the link  durham.gov.uk/consultation

Get Involved

You can make your comments known to us in a number of ways, but we would encourage you to submit your views online, via the consultation pages at: https://consult-durhamcc.objective.co.uk/kse.

You can also send us your comments by e-mail to: spatialpolicy@durham.gov.uk. Alternatively, you can send us your comments to our freepost address (all you need to do is write this one line on an envelope – no other address details or postage stamp are needed): FREEPOST Spatial Policy.

Police & Crime Commissioner – Durham Constabulary

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The Role Of The PCC

PCCs (Police and Crime Commissioners) are elected by the public to hold Chief Constables and the force to account, thus making the police answerable to the communities they serve. PCCs ensure community needs are met as effectively as possible and are improving local relationships through building confidence and restoring trust.

They work in partnership across a range of agencies at local and national level to ensure there is a unified approach to preventing and reducing crime.

PCC’s were introduced by the Government through the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act (2011), Police and Crime Commissioners (PCCs) will be expected to cut crime and deliver effective and efficient policing.

Our current PCC is Joy Allen. Please click on the links below for further information.

PCC Website

Police and Crime Plan

The Police and Crime Plan for 2021-24 was published on the 16th of December 2021. You can read the full Police and Crime Plan here.

The draft version of the plan was approved by the Police and Crime Panel by PCC Joy Allen on the 19th of July 2021. The Police and Crime Plan sets out the PCC’s Vision, the outcomes they wish to achieve, along with six key priority areas which will be the focus over the life of the plan. The PCC has reached out to the communities in the Durham Police area in her first six months of office to understand exactly what areas of crime and safety matter most to them and impact on their quality of life.

The results have enabled Mrs Allen to develop a robust three-year action plan to help improve life for local people, reduce their risk and fear of crime, increase their confidence in reporting crime and target policing resources where they matter most. Building on a hugely successful first six months, the PCC’s Police and Crime Plan outlines six key priorities:

  • Safer Business
  • Safer Communities
  • Safer Online
  • Safer People
  • Safer Roads
  • Safer Countryside

The results have enabled Mrs Allen to develop a robust three-year action plan to help improve life for local people, reduce their risk and fear of crime, increase their confidence in reporting crime and target policing resources where they matter most.

PCC Durham End of Year Report – May to December 2021

 

SCAM Information

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Scam Information

The National Fraud Intelligence Bureau (NFIB) is warning the public to be vigilant of scam calls that appear to be coming from numbers similar to their own. Commonly, the first seven digits (07nnnnn) match the victim’s own number.

The calls impersonate well-known government organisations, or law enforcement agencies, and will ask the recipient of the call to “press 1” in order to speak with an advisor, or police officer, about unpaid fines or police warrants.

In May 2021, Action Fraud received 2,110 scam call reports where the caller’s number matched the first seven digits of the victim’s own phone number. Of these, 1,426 (68%) referred to HMRC or National Insurance.

Victims have also reported receiving these types of calls, and messaging, via widely-used messaging apps, such as WhatsApp

What you need to do:

  • Government and law enforcement agencies will not notify you about unpaid fines or outstanding police warrants by calling or texting you. Do not respond to any calls or texts you receive about these.
  • Always take a moment to stop and think before parting with money or your personal information, it could prevent you from falling victim to fraud. Remember, it’s okay to reject, refuse or ignore any requests. Only criminals will try to rush or panic you.
  • If you receive a suspicious text message, you can report it by forwarding the message to 7726. It’s free of charge.
  • Suspicious telephone/mobile calls can be reported to Action Fraud via their website: http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/report-phishing

For more information about how to protect yoursefl online, visit http://www.cyberaware.gov.uk or http://takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/about/take-five/

Every report matters:
If you have been a victim of fraud or Cyber Crime, report it to http://www.actionfraud.police.uk/ or by calling 0300 1232040

CHRISTMAS EVENTS 2021

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Christmas Lights Competition

Ouston Parish Council invited Ouston Parish Residents to take part in our Christmas Lights Competition!

There were some amazing festively lit homes and it was a pleasure for our Councillors to judge them.

FIRST PRIZE £50 VOUCHER was awarded to a home in Cromarty.

SECOND PRIZE £30 VOUCHER was awarded to a home in Turnberry and

THIRD PRIZE £20 VOUCHER was awarded to another home in Cromarty.

Ouston Parish Council would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our residents a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Durham County Plan Outcome

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Thousands of jobs, almost 25,000 new homes and over 300 hectares of land for business and industry development are now a step closer after a government planning inspector published his final report following examination of the County Durham Plan.
Overall, the inspector agrees with the plan, subject to a number of modifications which have recently been the subject of consultation.
The plan with the modifications will go to our Cabinet and ultimately full council for adoption in the coming months.
Read more about this: http://ow.ly/BfWp50BxvSt

Ouston Parish Councillor Vacancy

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Ouston Parish Council currently has one Parish Councillor vacancy. If you would like further information please contact the Clerk on 07917 440 556 or by email on oustonparishcouncil@gmail.com

Being a Parish Councillor is an important part of the local democratic framework. If you read through the Parish Newsletter you will be able to see the Parish Council is progressive and busy, working to help all residents within the Parish. We look forward to hearing from you.

NOTICE OF

PARISH COUNCILLOR VACANCY

OUSTON PARISH

TO APPLY – Eligible persons (see below*) are to write expressing an interest, together with any relevant information e.g. a CV, details of voluntary or community experience etc.

*Eligible persons must be at least 18 years old • be a British citizen, an eligible Commonwealth citizen or a citizen of any member state of the European Union, and meet at least one of the following four qualifications: a. You are, and will continue to be, registered as a local government elector for the local authority area in which you wish to stand from the day of your nomination onwards. b. You have occupied as owner or tenant any land or other premises in the local authority area during the whole of the previous 12 months. c. Your main or only place of work during the previous 12 months has been in the local authority area. d. You have lived in the local authority area during the whole of the previous 12 months.

*Persons disqualified from applying include anyone A. employed by the parish council. B. You hold a politically restricted post. C. You are the subject of a bankruptcy restrictions order or interim order. D. You have been sentenced to a term of imprisonment of three months or more (including a suspended sentence), without the option of a fine, during the five years prior to joining the council.

OPC Monthly Meetings April 2022 – March 2023

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Ouston Parish Council meetings will take place at Ouston Community Centre following current Covid regulations.

Please see our risk assessmentCOVID meeting RA 8th May 2021

Thursday 28th April 2022

Thursday 26th May 2022 – Parish Assembly and AGM

Thursday 23rd June 2022

Thursday 28th July 2022

Thursday 18th August 2022

Thursday 29th September 2022

Thursday 27th October 2022

Thursday 24th November 2022

Thursday 15th December 2022

Thursday 19th January 2023

Thursday 23rd February 2023

Thursday 23rd March 2023

Next Parish Council Meeting

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The next Ouston Parish Council meeting, will be held on Thursday 24th November at 7.00pm in Ouston Community Centre.. Attendees are limited due to room size, please contact the clerk to reserve your place in advance. Please see guidance for Public Speaking below.

Lisa Blondrage
Clerk to the Parish Council Ouston

Email: oustonparishcouncil@gmail.com

Public speaking at Parish Council meetings

Ouston Parish Council encourages public participation at its meetings. To ensure that everyone gets an opportunity to talk, we have introduced guidance on how you can best have your say, and make the most of your time when you speak.

To ensure everyone gets a fair-share of the available time you will only be able to speak once for up to three minutes.

GENERALLY

  • You will be asked to give the Clerk your name and address. This is to establish that you are a parishioner. Non-Parishioners may only speak if invited to do so.
  • To make the best use of your time, please be brief and to the point. You may find it helpful to rehearse what you have to say to ensure that everything is included. You will not be allowed to over-run your time.
  • You may find that if there are significant numbers of objectors / supporters that it would be better to appoint one person to speak for you all.
  • Written submissions, photographs or display material will not be accepted at the meeting, but may be sent to the Clerk at least 5 days before the meeting, so they can be copied and given to the Councillors.
  • Please avoid derogatory or defamatory statements. If the Chairman feels that this is the case you may be asked to stop speaking. The Council does not tolerate inflammatory or abusive behaviour towards its councillors, staff or members of the Parish.
  • Owing to the short time you have to put your views across, it may not be appropriate to bring plans or elaborate visual aids to illustrate your points.
  • Please note the meetings are recorded on a Dictaphone to ensure accuracy.

PROCEDURE AT THE MEETING

  • Most meetings of the Parish Council take place in Ouston Community Centre on Iris Crescent. Please check with the Clerk before the meeting in case there has been any change. If you want to speak, please arrive at least 15 minutes before the meeting and introduce yourself to the Clerk.
  • You will be asked to sit in the public area.
  • The Chairman will announce that Public Participation has commenced and if you wish to speak, invite you to do so.
  • If you are speaking on an issue for which there are other speakers who hold differing views. Objector(s) will be invited to speak first, followed by the supporter(s).
  • You will be invited to speak for up to three minutes. The time limit will be strictly enforced and the Chairman will notify you when you have 30 seconds left. Please have the respect and courtesy you would wish for yourself when others present their thoughts.
  • After you have finished speaking, you may be asked questions by the Councillors to clarify issues that have arisen.
  • After Public Participation section of the Agenda, the Parish Council will continue with items as listed in the Agenda. You are welcome to sit and listen to the debate and other workings of the Council, but will not be able to take part in further discussion.
  • If the item you have raised is not on the agenda, Members will not be able to debate or vote on the item. This is proper Council procedure.
  • The Chairman has responsibility for the smooth running of the meeting. His/her decision on procedural matters is final.
  • Please note that the Council will generally not comment on planning matters until a formal application to Durham County Council has been made.

To contact the Clerk call 07917 440 556 or email oustonparishcouncil@gmail.com.

Our address:

Iris Crescent
Ouston
Chester Le Street
DH2 1RJ

T: 0191 410 2801
M: 07917 440 556
E: oustonparishcouncil@googlemail.com

Our location: