Shincliffe Parish Council

Notice of conclusion of the audit

Annual Return for the year ended 31st March 2025

Section 25 of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014

Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015

The audit of accounts for the council for the year ended 31 March 2025 has been concluded.

The Annual Governance and Accountability Return is available for inspection by any local government elector of the area of the council to:

Richard Ormerod

Clerk & Proper Officer to Shincliffe Parish Council

14 Geoffrey Avenue

DURHAM

DH1 4PF

Copies will be provided to any local government elector on payment of £3.00 for each copy of the Annual Return.

Announcement made by: Richard Ormerod (Clerk & Proper Officer)

Date of announcement: 29 September 2025

Major roadworks will take place on and around Stockton Road from 15 Sep to 7 Nov 2025. Delays are expected and for Shincliffe residents it may well be worth considering leaving Durham via Bowburn as an alternative to Elvet.

Purpose:

As part of Northern Gas Networks (NGN) gas main improvements current being undertaken on the A177 Stockton Road, traffic management will be in place at the junction of A177 Stockon Road and Rose Street (the main university entrance road) from 15 September 2025 – 7 November 2025.

Key details:

From 15 September, traffic lights will be installed at the junction of Stockton Road and Rose Street (Lower Mountjoy main entrance) for approximately 3 weeks, affecting access and egress. The small slip road will be close entering the site form the roundabout. On exit both left and right provision will be maintained.

From 6 October, works will move into the Lower Mountjoy Site, with works along Rose Street (main access road) and Loverose way (pedestrian zone in between Higginson and Confluence building), which is expected to last around 4 weeks. 3-way traffic control will be in place at the junction of Rose Street and Loverose Way.

Please note: Northern Gas Networks will aim to complete the works without full road closures, although temporary traffic management will be in place throughout. Deliveries will still be possible during the works.

Cycle shelters – NGN require access to a branch located below the right-hand cycle shelter. This will be closed from the 15 September and temporary removed as part of the works. This will be reinstated following completion of the works.

Due to these works delays access and existing the lower Mountjoy site are expected at peak times.

This project is being managed entirely by Northern Gas Networks, and the University is not involved in arranging the works. However, Estates colleagues are liaising closely with NGN and we apologise in advice for any inconvenience caused.

The following have been elected unopposed to Shincliffe Parish Council:

ASHFIELD
Stephen James
3 Geoffrey Avenue, Durham, Co
Durham, DH1 4PF

The Green Party

CALLAGHAN
Ann Margaret
(address in County Durham)

Independent

CLATWORTHY
Bill
22 St Marys Close, Shincliffe
Village, Durham, DH1 2ND

Community Focussed

HOLLINGWORTH
Graham
(address in County Durham)

PEARSON
Jamie
(address in County Durham)

The Green Party

TIFFIN
Peter Arnold Crawford
(address in County Durham)

Independent

TUNSTALL
Chris
(address in County Durham)

The above are elected to serve as parish councillors from 6 May 2025 until 2029.

More details here.

Shincliffe Parish Council

Notice of appointment of date for the exercise of public rights
Accounts for the year ended 31st March 2025

The Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, and
The Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015 (SI 234)

Date of announcement: 22 June 2025
Any person interested has the right to inspect and make copies of the accounts to be audited and all books, deeds, contracts, bills, vouchers and receipts relating to them. For the year ended 31 March 2025 these documents will be available on reasonable notice on application to:
Richard Ormerod (Clerk), 14 Geoffrey Avenue, DURHAM, DH1 4PF

clerk@shincliffeparish.gov.uk

commencing on 1 July 2025
and ending on 11 August 2025

Local Government Electors and their representatives also have:
• the opportunity to question the auditor about the accounts; and
• the right to make objections to the accounts or any item in them. Written notice of an objection must first be given to the auditor and a copy sent to the Authority.

The auditor can be contacted at the address in paragraph 4 below for this purpose during the inspection period at 2 above.
4. The auditor’s limited assurance review is being conducted under the provisions of the Local Audit and Accountability Act 2014, the Accounts and Audit (England) Regulations 2015 and the National Audit Office’ Code of Audit Practice. Your review is being carried out by:

Mazars LLP, The Corner, Bank Chambers, 26 Mosley Street, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 1DF
Email: local.councils@mazars.co.uk

This announcement is made by Mr Richard Ormerod, Clerk to Shincliffe Parish Council.

All seven seats on Shincliffe Parish Council are up for election in May 2025.

Nomination papers must be delivered to the Returning Officer, the Durham Room, County Hall, Durham, DH1 5UL on any day after the date of this notice, Monday to Friday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (excluding bank holidays) but no later than 4 pm on Wednesday, 2nd April 2025.

More information can be found here.

We have had several requests to reproduce the display boards that were used at the drop in event held on the 19th of March 2024. They can be seen here.

The feedback that was received when the parish council asked for residents’ views on the scope of the neighbourhood plan can be seen here.

Here is the feedback that was received from the consultation on potential local green space and protected open space – which took place during September and October 2024.

The Parish of Shincliffe

Public Notice

Annual Parish Meeting

Notice is hereby given that the Annual Parish Meeting is to be held on Thursday 22 May 2025 at 6pm at St Mary’s Church Hall, Shincliffe Village, DH1 2ND.

Yours faithfully,

Councillor Stephen Ashfield, Chairman of Shincliffe Parish Council

Agenda
1 Apologies for absence
2 Welcome from the Chairman of the parish council
3 Chairman’s report
4 Other questions and comments

Congratulations to our Clerk Richard Ormerod on achieving his Certificate in Local Council Administration (CiLCA)!

On behalf of the whole Shincliffe Parish Council, I’d like to say a huge well done for all the hard work that’s gone into this. It’s a well-earned achievement, and we’re lucky to have such a dedicated Clerk supporting our community.

Richard was presented with his certificate by Councillor David Bell, Chair of the County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC), at our meeting on Tuesday night. A great milestone—well done, Richard!

Cllr Stephen Ashfield, Chair of Shincliffe Parish Council (on behalf of the whole council)

Dear Residents,

I hope you’re all keeping well. I wanted to give you a full update on what’s been happening in the parish council recently, covering all the key issues, projects, and council matters we’ve been working on.
First and foremost, I’d like to thank all my fellow councillors for their continued hard work and dedication. It’s been a busy few months, and without their commitment, we wouldn’t have made the progress we have on so many important issues.

20mph Speed Limit – High Shincliffe and Shincliffe Village
One of the biggest projects we’ve been focusing on is the introduction of 20mph speed limits in both High Shincliffe and Shincliffe Village. This has been a significant step towards improving road safety in our community. The Parish Council has funded this scheme in partnership with Durham County Council and with support from Cllr David Stoker’s Neighbourhood Budget—a fund that every County Councillor receives to help support local projects. We’re pleased to see this moving forward, but there will also be a formal consultation run by Durham County Council to ensure residents have a say on the final details. We’ll keep you updated on the next steps and how you can get involved.

A177 Speed Reduction Campaign
In addition to the 20mph scheme, we’ve been working on getting the speed limit on the A177 reduced from 40mph to 30mph. This stretch, particularly around Willow Tree Avenue and up Shincliffe Bank, has been a concern for many residents. We’ve raised a petition with Durham County Council, calling for the speed reduction and improved signage to make the road safer for everyone. We’ll continue to push for this and keep you informed of any updates.

Dog Fouling Issues
We’ve been asked by the Neighbourhood Wardens to help tackle the ongoing issue of dog fouling in the parish. To address this, we need residents to report problem areas, along with times and dates when incidents are occurring. This will allow enforcement officers to monitor and take action where needed. If you have any information, please contact the Parish Council so we can work together to resolve this problem and keep our streets and green spaces clean for everyone.

Play Park Inspections and Improvements
The Play Park inspection highlighted some areas needing attention, including minor repairs to play equipment and surfacing issues. We’re working with contractors to address these issues and ensure the park remains safe and fun for children. We’re also looking into longer-term improvements, so if you have any ideas or feedback, we’d love to hear them.

Old Durham Mine Site – Nature Reserve Application
We’ve recently updated the leaflet for the Old Durham Mine Site and have applied to make it an official nature reserve. This is a fantastic opportunity to protect and enhance the site for wildlife and the community. It’s a great space already, but with official status, we’ll be able to do even more to ensure its long-term preservation and improve access for everyone to enjoy.

Houghall Boundary Stone Restoration
We’ve been supporting a project to restore the historic boundary stone at Houghall, which marks the former municipal boundary. Thanks to the Shincliffe Local History Society and the City of Durham Parish Council, plans are underway to reinstall the stone at its original location, with an information board explaining its significance. We’re looking forward to a community event to mark the occasion once the work is complete.
Neighbourhood Plan Progress
Work continues on the Neighbourhood Plan, which is a major project for the parish. It’s a complex piece of work but essential for shaping the future of Shincliffe, covering everything from housing and green spaces to local facilities and transport. We’re making progress, but there’s still a lot to do, and we’ll be consulting residents further as the plan develops.

Social Media and Parish Communication
To improve communication with residents, we’re updating the parish website and will soon be launching a Shincliffe Parish Council Facebook page. This will give us a platform to share news, updates, and events, and we encourage everyone to follow us once it’s live. We’re also working on a broader social media policy to make sure we engage with the community in a positive and constructive way.

Bus Service Disruptions
I’ve had several complaints about missing bus services, especially along the High Street. I’m taking this up directly with the regional mayor to get answers and push for improvements. Reliable public transport is vital for many residents, and we’ll keep working to make sure services meet the community’s needs.

Parish Finances and Precept
We’ve been carefully managing the parish finances, with a focus on funding essential projects like the 20mph speed limits and ongoing park maintenance. The precept for 2025/26 will see a small increase to help rebuild our reserves and cover upcoming costs, including election expenses and future community projects. Full details on the budget and how funds are allocated are available on the parish website.

Upcoming Elections – Get Involved!
One of the biggest challenges the council faces is the lack of people coming forward to get involved. With parish elections coming up, now is a great time to consider how you might help shape the future of Shincliffe. We’re always looking for enthusiastic residents to join the council or one of our committees. Even if you don’t want to stand as a councillor, there are still ways to get involved. Committee roles and volunteer opportunities are open to members of the community, and giving just a bit of your time can make a real difference.
You can find all the details about the upcoming elections, candidates, and how to get involved on the Durham County Council and the Parish Council website. I encourage everyone to think about how they might play a part, no matter how big or small.

Once again, I want to thank all the councillors for their hard work and dedication, and to you, the residents, for your continued support and involvement in parish life. Together, we’re making Shincliffe a better, safer, and more vibrant place to live.

Best wishes,

Cllr Stephen Ashfield
Chair, Shincliffe Parish Council
stephen.ashfield@shincliffeparish.gov.uk

Detailed maps of the proposed 20mph schemes are here:

Shincliffe Village:

Low Road North

Low Road South

High Street West

High Street East

High Shincliffe:

Hill Meadows

Heathways-Beal-Foxton

Heathways East

Whitwell-Apperley-Bromley

Whitwell-Telford

Avenue-Ancroft

Primary School

Our 20mph schemes for the villages have attracted the attention of the BBC.

Read more here: Reduced speed limits planned for Shincliffe and High Shincliffe – BBC News

DOWNLOAD A177 to Low Road proposals map

DOWNLOAD Low Road proposals map

Shincliffe Parish Council has resolved to fund 20mph limits in two villages where the speed limit is currently 30mph.

At its meeting on 9 January, members of Shincliffe Parish Council voted to fund 20mph limits on residential streets in both Shincliffe Village and High Shincliffe.

The work will be carried out by Durham County Council. The scheme will be paid for by Shincliffe Parish Council, with help from County Councillor David Stoker’s Neighbourhood Budget.

The main A177 road through the parish will not be affected. Nor will the High Street/Avenue Street area of High Shincliffe, as it is a bus route.

Residents will be consulted by Durham County Council on the details of the schemes.

Councillor Stephen Ashfield, Chairman of the Council, said:

“The parish council carried out a survey in 2023 which showed clear support for 20mph limits in the villages.

“It is the right thing to do to make our streets safer.

“However, councillors and residents have some reservations about the details on the proposed plans from the county council. We will be responding to the consultation to try to ensure the scheme meets the precise needs to the area before the schemes go ahead. The parish council will keep residents informed and ensure that their comments are fed back to Durham County Council.”

Unfortunately a small number of irresponsible dog owners in our villages spoil things for everyone else.

Shincliffe Parish Council is keen to work with Durham County Council to rid the problem of dog fouling from our beautiful villages. But to do this we need your help.

DCC’s Neighbourhood Wardens can take action. If you see anyone not cleaning up after their dogs, please contact them with as much information as possible. This might include:

• Description of the owner and their address.
• Description of dog(s).
• The times and walk routes they tend to take.

If addresses are known, warning letters can be sent.

You can contact the Neighbourhood Wardens by emailing kirk.thiis@durham.gov.uk

The parish council requests a small contribution from residents on the Council Tax each year (the “parish precept”).

Parish councils provide excellent value for money and details of how the council plans to spend our budget in 2025-26 is here.

There have been numerous reports of illegal fly-tipping in our area lately.

Fly-tipping is a blight on communities and it is quite unfair that a lazy, selfish minority spoil the environment for the rest of us.

Durham County Council recently increased fines for fly-tipping. But this only works when the culprits are caught.

If you see any incidents of this kind taking place, please report it to the police on 101 or to the parish council by emailing clerk@shincliffeparish.gov.uk 

Cllr Bill Clatworthy reports that St Mary’s Close steps leading to A177 are extremely hazardous due to fallen leaves and frost.

Please take care.

The members of Shincliffe Parish Council are shocked and saddened to hear of the sad death of Kate Kirton.

Formerly Kate Cuthbert, she served as Clerk to the parish council between 2013 and 2021, and lived in High Shincliffe.

Councillor Stephen Ashfield, Chairman of Shincliffe Parish Council, said:

“We are immensely saddened to hear this news. Kate’s dedication and service to our community will be fondly remembered.

“Though I didn’t have the privilege of knowing her personally, her contributions have left a lasting impact on the council and the lives of many in Shincliffe. She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

“On behalf of the members of the council I would like to send my condolences to Kate’s family.”

Do YOU use footpaths around Sherburn Hospital?

Have YOU used footpaths around Sherburn Hospital for many years, without challenge or permission?

If so, you might be able to help us.

Shincliffe Parish Council wants to find out whether there are any paths which have been used regularly for 20 years or more, and to find out whether they should become public rights of way.

If you have information or experience of this, we would love to hear from you.

Please contact clerk@shincliffeparish.gov.uk or write to:
Shincliffe Parish Council, 14 Geoffrey Avenue, DURHAM, DH1 4PF

The audit of accounts for the Council for the year ended 31 March 2024 has been concluded.
The Annual Governance and Accountability Return is available for inspection by any local government elector of the area of the Council on application to:

Richard Ormerod
Clerk to Shincliffe Parish Council
14 Geoffrey Avenue, DURHAM. DH1 4PF

Copies will be provided to any local government elector on payment of £3.00 for each copy of the Annual Return.

Announcement made by: Richard Ormerod

Date of announcement: 24 September 2024

The James Etherington Award
ANNUAL COMPETITION for YOUNG MUSICIANS
Supported by the Rotary Club of Chester le Street

Saturday 8th February 2025 7.00pm at Chester le Street Methodist Church
(Open to the public and free of charge)

First Prize: £500 + The James Etherington Trophy
Second Prize: £250 + The Margaret Crawford Trophy
All other finalists will each receive £75

Applicants must reside or attend an educational establishment within the DH Durham County Postcode.

Application forms available from:
Email: jamesetheringtonmusicaward@gmail.com
Download: www.jamesetheringtonaward.org
Facebook: James Etherington Music Award
Twitter (X): @etherington_j

Closing date for Applications Friday 14th December 2024

Well, it didn’t rain, and local volunteers including several children had a great time at the bulb planting event in Shincliffe Village on Sunday 6 October.

The weather was good and over 700 daffodils were planted by the High Street, followed by well-earned refreshments and musical entertainment afterwards in the church hall.

If anyone is interested in assisting with future community environmental evenyts please email clerk@shincliffeparish.gov.uk 

Public Consultation throughout September and October 2024

This is an opportunity for the local community and stakeholders to comment on our proposed listing and ranking of the green spaces we have identified.

The full document can be found on our website below under the heading LGS and POS Background Paper as is an information leaflet summarising its content.

You can fill in the response form online here: https://forms.gle/AGsASuWqTL7z6Qqj8

If you prefer to print off and return the form physically, you can print one off here.

Paper forms can be returned to:

• Shincliffe Parish Council, 14 Geoffrey Avenue, Durham, DH1 4PF or
• 22 St Mary’s Close, Shincliffe Village, DH1 2ND or
• 7 Ancroft Garth, High Shincliffe, DH1 2UD.

The deadline for responses is 31 October 2024.

Leaflets and forms will be distributed across the community and in some community hubs during this period.

LGS and POS Background Paper

LGS and POS Introductory Leaflet

Your parish council has arranged for the play surfaces in Shincliffe Village Play Park to be renewed with a fresh layer of “playchip”. This has been put on top of the old bark.

The team from Scotbark laying the new surface with their highly specialist equipment

The money was provided jointly from parish council funds and from County Councillor David Stoker’s Neighbourhood Budget.

Parish council Chairman Cllr Stephen Ashfield said:

“We have an excellent play park in the village. It is important that we invest in it and keep it in superb condition so that it can be enjoyed for years to come.”

Shincliffe Parish Council is pleased that our parish will be part of a new Elvet, Gilesgate & Shincliffe county council division from 2025.

The Boundary Commission had proposed putting us in with Bowburn and Coxhoe, but we, and many residents, put forward the view that Shincliffe is more closely linked to Durham City than to those villages further away.

Cllr Stephen Ashfield, Chair of Shincliffe Parish Council, said:

“We, at Shincliffe Parish Council, wholeheartedly welcome the decision to include Shincliffe Parish in the Elvet & Gilesgate division. This decision marks a significant milestone in our collective efforts to ensure that our community’s unique identity and interests are duly recognized and represented in our local governance structure. The persuasive evidence presented by local residents, highlighting the distinct character of Shincliffe compared to the Bowburn & Coxhoe division, played a crucial role in this outcome. This inclusion not only aligns with our long-standing commitment to better reflect our community’s identities but also promises a more balanced and equitable representation in the division. We are grateful for the support and acknowledgment of our stance, and we look forward to contributing positively to the Elvet, Gilesgate & Shincliffe division. This decision is a testament to the power of community voice and engagement in shaping effective and representative local governance.”

We just wanted to make you all aware a car was stolen on Tuesday night from Heathways.

The perpetrators attempted to get into the house by breaking the lock but were unsuccessful so threw a rock through the kitchen window to grab the car keys.

The car has been found and police informed us that the thieves are taking them down the farm track to escape.

Before this incident they had apparently tried 3 other houses including smashing a lock safe and entering a house.

We think it would be beneficial for residents to be aware that it is import to not leave car keys near windows and if possible to place them in a ‘Faraday Pouch’ or metal container as this may prevent them from locating the key signal.

They only recovered the car because a barrier was down at the farm track near Sherburn and the police said to break the window they seem desperate.

Make sure outhouses and garages are secured, locked and windows and doors locked at night. Car keys stored safely and securely and vehicles locked.

It is unfortunate but a fact that thieves are about, keep them out.

We will be contacting Police for further information.

Each year Shincliffe Parish Council works out what funding it needs to achieve its mission and key priorities, this is then collected along with the Council Tax by Durham County Council and shown on your Council Tax bill, the amount collected is known as the precept.

For the last two years, given the hardships of Covid and lockdown, the parish council has chosen to
subsidise the precept and hence reduce the cost to you, by releasing reserves accumulated over
previous years (underspends, VAT refunds etc), this is no longer possible, so this year the precept
collected will reflect the true spend.

For more information on how the parish council spends your money please see here.

Dear Residents of Shincliffe Parish,
I hope this message finds you all in good health and high spirits. It is with great humility and a sense of responsibility that I write to you today to formally announce my acceptance of the role of Chair of the Shincliffe Parish Council.
I am deeply honoured to have been given this opportunity to serve our vibrant and diverse community, and I am enthusiastic about the potential of working together to bring about positive change and development to our beloved parish.
Having seen the dedication and hard work of my predecessor, Michael Banks I am inspired and motivated to continue building on the strong foundation that has been laid. It is my promise to each one of you that I will serve with integrity, transparency, and a commitment to fostering a sense of unity and community spirit. I am fully aware of the responsibilities this role entails, and I am committed to being a voice for all residents, addressing your concerns, and working towards the betterment of Shincliffe Parish.
In these coming months, I am eager to listen to your thoughts, ideas, and concerns. I believe that it is through open dialogue and collaboration that we can identify the needs of our community and work towards creating a more inclusive, vibrant, and thriving environment for all.
Furthermore, I am looking forward to working closely with fellow council members, community groups, and local organisations to identify opportunities for development and to address the challenges that lie ahead. Together, I am confident that we can achieve great things and create a lasting impact for the future generations of Shincliffe Parish.
I would like to express my sincere gratitude for entrusting me with this role. I am excited about the journey ahead and I am dedicated to serving our community to the best of my ability. I encourage all residents to reach out, engage, and participate in the civic life of our parish, for it is through your involvement and contribution that we will truly realize our shared vision for Shincliffe.
Thank you for your support and trust. I look forward to meeting many of you in the coming weeks and months and to working together to make Shincliffe Parish a place we are all proud to call home.

Yours sincerely,
Stephen Ashfield
Chair, Shincliffe Parish Council

The results of our 2023 residents’ survey are in!

Many thanks to all who took part.

A summary of the results is here.

Dear Neighbours and Friends,

Since the elections of May 2021, I have served as Chair of Shincliffe Parish Council, however, for reasons to do with my current employment, I have stood down as both Chair and as a Councillor.

I had not previously held any political office, neither had the other two Councillors elected with me, Brian Fairlamb and Lizzie Pexton. This, together with a new Parish Clerk, made life what people euphemistically call ‘interesting’! All seven previous Councillors had not stood for re-election and the Parish Clerk had resigned, so finding our way around policies, plans etc was a challenge, and I am particularly grateful for the support given by County Councillor David Stoker, former Clerk, Kate Cuthbert and her successor, Patricia Embleton, during this difficult period. In June, Stephen Ashfield and Christine Warburton were co-opted on to Council, but Patricia left for a new career and we were pleased to appoint Richard Ormerod as our Clerk. He has been outstanding, helping us to transform the Council. The following year we were joined by Ann Callaghan and Bill Clatworthy, as Christine and Lizzie moved on. I am grateful for the support of all of these Councillors, past and present, who freely give their time and talents for the betterment of our community. I am also grateful for members of our community who have assisted us, particularly Yvonne Collingham and Pat Matthews, on Horticulture Committee, and Roy Smith on the nascent Parish Resilience Forum. Not forgetting our gardener, Marc Platts, who toils to beautify our Parish.

Shincliffe Parish Council has an ambitious programme to improve our community, building on the results of the Parish Surveys, and I hope to be a part of that, but as a resident, rather than a Councillor, which has been deemed incompatible with my role working with the Police and Crime Commissioner.

Finally, I am grateful for the support I have received from within our community. We live in a beautiful place, but even here at times there are significant challenges. We will not always agree on everything, but I hope that we can face what life sends as neighbours and friends.

I wish Shincliffe Parish Council every future success!

Best…

Michael Banks

Dear neighbours and friends,
Shincliffe Parish Council enjoyed some welcome continuity this past year, with all five councillors and our Parish Clerk serving throughout 2022/23.
Your Parish Councillors are:
Stephen Ashfield
Michael Banks
Ann Callaghan
Bill Clatworthy
Brian Fairlamb
Your Parish Clerk is Richard Ormerod. We are grateful for the ongoing support of County Councillor David Stoker throughout the year.
Shincliffe Parish Council has a number of Committees which met throughout the year, namely Finance, Horticulture, Carbon Reduction & Climate Change. Councillors are grateful for the involvement of community members in the latter two committees. If you would like to be involved, please contact us. We have a new website:
www.shincliffeparishcouncil.org.uk
And a new email contact address for our Parish Clerk:
clerk@shincliffeparishcouncil.org.uk
A new notice board was erected at the entrance to the Village Play Park on the occasion of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. Indeed it was a very eventful year with an unprecedented series of Royal occasions. We celebrated the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee then all too quickly mourned her death. The Proclamation of the Accession of King Charles was heralded and we have just ended his Coronation Celebrations. The King’s Big Picnic Lunch took place across four locations in the Parish and was enjoyed by hundreds of residents. The King’s Big Help Out took place on the Public Holiday. There was a special focus on clearing a section of the Old Mine Woods and planting two Turkey Oak saplings, which had been grown from the late Queen Mother’s family estate. A memorial plaque marks the event and a picnic table is to be sited there. Five Coronation Planters, two each in the Village and High Shincliffe and one at Sherburn House are a fitting visual memento of the occasion, all made locally at St. Margaret’s Centre. Each household received a Coronation Bookmark as did all the children at Shincliffe School. There are some for those children in our Parish who do not attend Shincliffe School and these can be obtained by contacting our Parish Clerk. Many Coronation photographs were taken and are being collated by Garry Stout, Chairman of Shincliffe Local History Society. Thanks to all who gave up their time and talents to plan for the Coronation and deliver it within the community.
Shincliffe Parish Council held three Public Meetings in the 2022/3 session, firstly for traffic issues on A177 and throughout the village and perimeter road at High Shincliffe. Over 50 people attended and an action plan emerged on which we are engaging with Durham County Council for speed reductions, better signage and road markings. We support the Safer in Shincliffe campaign instigated by a resident, and thank him for his forensic research and diligence! Secondly, a Public Meeting was held concerning the establishment of a Parish Resilience Forum and the development of a Community Emergency Plan. Sixteen people attended, with representatives from Shincliffe WI, Shincliffe Community Association, St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council and residents, meeting with representatives of the Civil Contingencies Unit and Environment Agency. Councillors are grateful to local resident, Roy Smith, who will be the Volunteer Co-ordinator for this group. We are also grateful to Shincliffe WI for allowing their premises to be used as a base for emergency services in the event of a local emergency, and also to St. Mary’s Parochial Church Council who agreed to let the church hall be used as a public reception centre. Thirdly, we will be holding a Public Meeting on the proposed Boundary Changes for Durham County Council wards immediately after this Parish Meeting.
A comprehensive Parish Survey was delivered to all households and the returns are currently being analysed. This is very important so that the Council can act upon your collective views and spend the precept wisely!
A different type of survey, that of trees, was undertaken by Olivers as we seek to map and maintain these beautiful natural adornments to our Parish
Shincliffe Parish Council increased the inspection regime for the Village Play Park, adding independent quarterly inspections to the annual RoSPA inspection and the ongoing inspections by Durham County Council as per our Service Level Agreement. Funding was awarded by Durham Area Action Partnership for a park access feasibility study. We are also grateful to Cllr Stoker for additional funding for the upkeep and maintenance of the park.
Consultation took place about the siting of yellow lines at key points within the village. We are at the final stage of consultation with DCC before these will be implemented in attempt to improve safety within the village.
Two litter picks were held and many thanks to those members of our community who turned up to don a reflective vest and take up litter picker and bag! It all helps to keep our Parish beautiful. This presents a nice link to the Beautiful Durham Awards…with Shincliffe winning the Best Small Village category, and High Shincliffe being Highly Commended in the Best Village category. Shincliffe Parish Council also held its annual garden awards, with £20 vouchers awarded to ten deserving winners.
Shincliffe Parish Council passed the following motions:
(1) Reducing HGV traffic affecting villages and narrow, unsuitable roads.
(2) To oppose the use of overhead cables in the Parish
We also adopted a new Statement of Shincliffe Parish Council Mission and Values
Shincliffe Parish Council meets each month (except August recess) usually on the third Thursday. You are welcome to attend!
If you would like to know more about Shincliffe Parish Council, or the work of its Councillors, please contact us. If anyone is considering standing as a Councillor, we have two vacancies! Please contact us for an informal chat.
Have a fabulous summer in sunny Shincliffe! Thank you for your support.

Michael Banks
Chairman, Shincliffe Parish Council

Your parish council wants to get an idea of how many residents of Shincliffe Village, High Shincliffe and Sherburn House are interested in renting an allotment.

If enough people are interested we will look into providing some.

To register your interest please email clerk@shincliffeparishcouncil.org.uk

East Grange Farm in High Shincliffe recently applied for a licence to:

Allow the sale of alcohol Monday – Sunday between the hours 10am and 11pm.
Allow the provision of films on Fridays and Saturdays between 12 noon and 11pm.

Shincliffe Parish Council is aware of the significant level of interest in this matter and has objected on the grounds of potential noise disruption and because the council believes that there may be road safety issues arising from the events on the premises due to the potential increase in traffic.

The council would be prepared to withdraw its objection if the following conditions were met:
1. A comprehensive noise reduction policy.
2. A traffic limiting policy that includes measures including the staggering of arriving traffic at the farm, the stewarding of arriving traffic and implementing a parking management plan.
3. That the frequency of events at which there is amplified sound (whether outdoor film screenings or music events) is limited.

View the map HERE

The parish council has received the following notice from Durham County Council. The council will be discussing this at its meeting on 16 March and would be delighted to hear the views of residents. Please let us know what you think by emailing clerk@shincliffeparishcouncil.org.uk

Dear Shincliffe Parish Council,

We have received an application to divert Durham Footpath 90. The proposal will remove sections of cross- field path and divert Footpath 90 around the field-edge which will increase the agricultural productivity of the land benefiting the landowners. The diverted footpath would have a natural surface to a width of 1.8 metres.

I would be pleased to receive any comments or objections from you, within 30 days of the date of this email. If there are no objections, the application may be determined by the Corporate Director of Resources, in consultation with the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change, and if there are objections, it may be determined by the Highways Committee. If you need more time to consider the matter please let me know.

Please note that if you do make representations, then by virtue of the Local Government (Access to Information) Act 1985, the County Council may make them available for public inspection. Additionally, they may also be disclosable under the Freedom of Information Act 2000.

Kind regards

Owen Shaw

Rights of Way Officer

Access & Rights of Way / Neighbourhoods and Climate Change / Durham County Council