Latest news with #Durham
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Public asked to share views on Reform's 5 key priorities in County Durham
Residents have been asked to share their views on Reform's priorities and objectives in County Durham. Reform leaders in charge of Durham County Council will rewrite the local authority's Council Plan, which was recently agreed by the previous administration, because it 'no longer reflects the political priorities of this council.' The party has revealed five key ambitions that members say better align with its political mandate. Reform's priorities Reforming the council to make it an efficient, effective servant of the people, ensuring taxpayers' money is spent wisely and well. Supercharging the economy to make County Durham the best place in the north east to do business. Building better communities to ensure a connected, safe, clean and thriving place to live. Caring for people and supporting those who need it. A practical rather than ideological environmental stewardship. Council Leader Andrew Husband said: 'Following the recent local elections and overwhelming political mandate provided to this new administration, we have been focused on delivering the change that people voted for.' The new plan will help reset the local authority's priorities and clearly sets out its objectives, Reform added. A review of all council spending will also be undertaken. Cllr Husband added: 'This clarity of purpose is critical as we develop our transformation plans and work with our Department of Local Government Efficiency (DOGE) to deliver value for money. 'This administration will focus on practical outcomes that residents can understand, see, and value. It will enable common sense governance that enables value for money as well as efficient decision making that gets things done.' Consultation will take place between Tuesday, July 22, and Monday, August 18. A final decision is due to be made in October. Reform UK made history in the county in the recent local election to gain control of the local authority by holding 63 of the 98 available seats. The council's climate emergency was recently rescinded by Reform in favour of a 'County Durham care emergency', which instead focuses on shortfalls within the Special educational needs and disability (SEND) sector. Recommended reading: County Durham Reform leader confirms decision to scrap council's diversity training Reform UK councillors vote to scrap climate emergency pledge in County Durham Protesters vow to maintain climate campaigns after County Durham pledge scrapped Supporting the updated council proposal, deputy leader Darren Grimes told a cabinet meeting: 'The emerging priorities are now a reflection of our political will. The framework we are considering sets out the actions that we will lead on and take forward. It focuses on the things that make a difference to the people and businesses of County Durham. 'The report provides the interim guidance needed regarding the will of the new administration until a new Council Plan can be consulted upon and agreed by council in October. 'The consultation period proposed will ensure that our plans are further developed by listening to the views of our communities and local businesses.'
CTV News
8 hours ago
- CTV News
Police charge man with impaired driving after boat crashes in Whitby
A boat was damaged after crashing into rocks near the Whitby marina on Monday, July 21, 2025. (Durham police) A 36-year-old man has been charged after a boat crashed near the Whitby marina on Monday night that resulted in three people, including a child, falling into the water. Emergency services received a call at 9:20 p.m. about impaired boaters heading to Whitby. Durham police said a boat crashed into the rocks and the three occupants, including a seven-year-old, fell overboard. Off-duty firefighters who were on a boat nearby responded and rescued all three people, who police said did not sustain physical injuries. Shortly later, the boat was pulled into the marina. Images shared by police show a damaged bow. Police said the driver of the boat was arrested and has been charged with impaired operation—alcohol and fail/refuse demand.
Forbes
10 hours ago
- Business
- Forbes
The Top Housing Markets Where Inventory Has Increased The Most
The Durham, NC metro area has witnessed the largest one-year increase in available inventory since ... More last summer. With mortgage rates still elevated compared to where they were five years ago, affordability is still a problem for many of America's housing markets. But a key development recently has been that the number of home sales has been falling. Inventory has been stacking up. As a result, prices are coming down in many areas, though nowhere close to pre-pandemic levels. Based on a list of the largest American metro areas by population, 100 housing markets were analyzed in terms of the change in their available housing inventory year-over-year, from June 2024 to June 2025, as well as their three-year and five-year rates. All housing data was sourced from Redfin. Read on to find out which cities have experienced the biggest growth in their available housing inventory over the last year. Markets Where Housing Inventory Has Increased the Most Looking at housing inventory change in percentage terms over the course of one year, the majority of cities that have experienced the largest one-year increase are primarily in the U.S. West and South regions. Leading the way is the Durham metro area in North Carolina, which saw its monthly inventory rise by 45.8%: From 1,335 homes available for sale in June 2024 to 1,947 in June 2025. Out of all the cities analyzed, Durham's one-year growth in housing inventory was the greatest. Below are the top 10 metro areas that have experienced the greatest increase in housing inventory in the course of the last year: While pretty much every housing market saw their inventory get really low in 2021-2022, during the pandemic buying spree, Durham's supply of available homes reached its lowest point later. It actually occurred in December 2023, when it reached a monthly low of 898 homes. Two North Carolina housing markets made the top 10 list, the other being Raleigh. Its lowest level of inventory was reached in early 2022, as is common with many housing markets. In January 2022, available homes got down to 2,459. There was then a very rapid recovery, as interest rate hikes kicked in. By September 2022, inventory was back up to 5,419, the highest since September 2020. Below is a table detailing the 12-month average housing inventories for these 10 cities from 2020 to now: Trends Among Cities With Increasing Housing Inventory Housing markets in the western U.S. dominate the top 10 list. Two North Carolina metro areas made the top 10, but the South has more among the top 20. This includes Knoxville, TN metro area, which saw monthly inventory rise by 25.4% from June 2024 to June 2025. Over the last three years it increased by 63.3%. Miami's increased by 22% year-over-year, but saw a massive increase of 75.9% since 2022. Two Utah housing markets made the top 10 as well: The Salt Lake City, UT metro area and the Ogden, UT metro area. The pattern here was a bit different than in Raleigh and Durham. Both these Utah metro areas saw inventory decline precipitously in late 2021 and they stayed low right through to spring 2022. But since then, both housing market's have not seen their available homes ever get that low again, unlike the two North Carolina housing markets. This seems to be a regional trend occurring in the west. The Las Vegas, NV metro area witnessed a similar pattern: Its lowest inventory occurred between the stretch from early 2021 to early 2022, then never reached those depths again. The lowest level Las Vegas got to was 4,431 available homes for sale in February 2022, well below its 12-month average of 5,910 for 2021-2022.
South Wales Guardian
11 hours ago
- Sport
- South Wales Guardian
Durham toil as 22 wickets fall on first day at Taunton
Craig Overton took six for 23 as Durham were bowled out for 145 before the hosts, boosted by a superb 89 from Tom Lammonby, chiselled their way to 250 all out despite George Drissell's five for 59. Durham's hopes were further hit as opener Alex Lees and nightwatchman Callum Parkinson were dismissed when they returned to the crease. That's it for the day. There will be no more play at Scarborough today. Good day for the White Rose, who finish on 282-4.#YORvSUR — Yorkshire CCC (@YorkshireCCC) July 22, 2025 Yorkshire shrugged off the absence of new overseas signing Imam-ul-Haq to reach 282 for four on the first day of their clash with leaders Surrey in Scarborough. The Pakistan opener, nephew of the great Inzamam, warmed up with his new team-mates but was forced to remain on the sidelines due to visa issues and his replacement Will Luxton responded with a first-class best 71 off 118 balls. Luxton's knock was surpassed by James Wharton's 78, with Finlay Bean contributing 57. Captain Jonny Bairstow – whose own participation was in doubt due to the impending arrival of his child – stood on 19 when play was curtailed due to bad light. Dan Worrall took three for 49. Essex's hopes of avoiding relegation were boosted by a sturdy opening day against third-placed Sussex at Hove. End of the first day at Hove. Looking to gain a healthy lead tomorrow on Day 2 💪 🦅 #FlyLikeAnEagle — Essex Cricket (@EssexCricket) July 22, 2025 Jamie Porter took four for 30 as Sussex were bowled out for 204 and the visitors responded by reaching 152 for four at the close to leave them in a promising position. Nottinghamshire reached 241 for five after being put in to bat by hosts Hampshire at Southampton. Freddie McCann fired a fine 79 and Jack Haynes was unbeaten on 70 for the visitors, while Kyle Abbott added two more wickets to his season's tally on a day that saw three hours lost to rain. Ethan Brookes' 80 helped Warwickshire muscle their way to a hard-earned 262 for eight against Warwickshire at Edgbaston. Division Two leaders Leicestershire served up a statement of intent with a commanding opening day's play against nearest challengers Derbyshire at Derby. Openers Rishi Patel and Sol Budinger fell with no score on the board but Lewis Hill's unbeaten 132, backed up by 115 from Rehan Ahmed and 99 not out by Peter Handscomb, helped their side reach an imposing 357 for three at stumps. 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗖𝗛 𝗥𝗘𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧 🏏 Leicestershire displayed the quality of promotion contenders, as Rehan Ahmed and Lewis Hill hundreds spearheaded an incredible fightback on the opening day against rivals Derbyshire. 🥊#Foxes🦊 — Leicestershire CCC 🦊 (@leicsccc) July 22, 2025 Middlesex were also well on their way to a big target as an unbeaten 199 stand from Max Holden – who stands on 137 not out – and Kane Williamson (88no) helped them reach 319 for the loss of just one wicket at Northwood. Kent collapsed from 148 for three to 155 all out as Glamorgan took command on day one at Sophia Gardens, although the Welsh side were far from faultless in a response that reached 125 for four at close. Matty Hurst was 105 not out as Lancashire reached 290 for six on a competitive first day against Gloucestershire at Cheltenham. Zaman Akhter's four for 64 helped the hosts remain very much in with a shout.
BBC News
11 hours ago
- Business
- BBC News
Durham County Council approves HMO rules
New planning rules which make it tougher for landlords to convert properties into shared housing have been Durham County Council has supported a proposal to introduce an Article 4 Direction, which requires owners to apply for planning permission when converting properties into Homes in Multiple Occupation (HMO).Currently, properties for between three and six occupants can be converted without planning permission. Campaigners said they were "absolutely thrilled" and added the changes would help to improve people's quality of life, following an increase in HMOs in certain areas. "This is going to be huge for the community, because people will now be able to know if the house next door is HMO, because they'll be notified," said Matthew Tough, the secretary of East Durham Communities Standing Together group, which has been calling for more regulations."They'll get a chance to object. If there's any parking concerns in the street, they'll be noted and recorded."Councillor Lyndsey Fox, cabinet member for economy and partnerships, said there had been a "steady increase" in HMOs outside of Durham City over the past few years, with the number rising more significantly since 2021."Residents have expressed concerns that the increase in HMOs is negatively impacting residential amenity and local character," Fox said. "In these circumstances, it is considered an Article 4 is needed to enable the proper planning of the county to maintain mixed and balanced communities by requiring planning applications to be submitted for HMO use." 'A lot safer' Article 4 regulations are currently in place in areas around Durham City popular with students, the Local Democracy Reporting Service East Durham Communities Standing Together group had warned an expansion of the rules was needed, as some of the county's most deprived areas were being targeted by private Tough added the county council would now be able to scrutinise proposed designs and call applications to committee so it could be debated."They can ensure that it's going to be safe for all parties involved - the tenants, the community. It'll just be a lot safer for everybody involved," he Nicola Lyons, cabinet member for neighbourhoods and environment, added that HMOs could provide an affordable form of accommodation for a wide range of groups."However, an overconcentration of this type of housing can have a negative impact on day-to-day life for communities, often because of issues such as increased noise, the general appearance of properties, refuse management, and parking issues," she new measures were approved at a cabinet meeting on Monday. A public consultation will be held before a final decision is made later this year. Follow BBC North East on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
