** The next meeting of NNCCP is on 19th March 6-8pm in Northgate Church Hall **
“This is not just another action group that talks about issues,” said resident Janet Bowles, chairman of the Northgate & North Road Community Cohesion Partnership, “We’ve already started doing practical things and are prepared to do anything we can for the benefit of the community and its residents.”
During a day of action in November 2024, activities included County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service staff in the area raising awareness and carrying out fire surveys within residents’ homes and installing smoke alarms; the council’s environmental health team carried out visits to commercial and residential properties and civic enforcement officers were on patrol to tackle fly tipping and side waste issues.
Billy McAloon, CDDFRS district manager, said: “CDDFRS participated in a day of action as part of the newly established Northgate and North Road Community Cohesion Partnership.
“It was fantastic to see partner agencies and residents collaborating to identify local issues and improve the local area.
“Our crews from Darlington were able to conduct additional environmental visual audits of the Northgate and North Road areas and engage directly with residents, offering valuable home fire safety advice.”
Northgate and North Road wards were identified as underprivileged areas within Darlington Borough. The Durham Police Crime Commissioner (OPCC) provided funding to make the wards a safer place to live. Residents have volunteered to create NNCCP to work in collaboration with Durham Police, Darlington Borough Council and partner agencies with their aim being to improve the quality of life for all residents of Northgate and North Road.
The Panel meet bi-monthly and is supported by Councillors. Everyone is welcome to attend to discuss issues that residents face and work together on how to tackle them. Funding Bids can be submitted by anyone to the Panel, one week in advance of the next meeting date, for the Panel to consider and discuss at the meeting, prior to agreeing any funding.
So far, the Panel have funded projects for 24hr publicly accessible lifesaving cabinets in both wards, increased lighting in the Havelock Street and Havelock Centre area, funding to YMCA and Future Pathways along with purchasing gym equipment for Ward Degnans Boxing Club to provide a youth provision to prevent anti-social behaviour and the purchase of trail cameras to tackle fly tipping.
NNCCP meet at the United Reform Church, 150-154 Northgate, Darlington, DL1 1QU.
Meetings start at 6pm and usually last around an hour. If you would like to find out any further information then please contact the NNCCP Chair Janet Bowles by email at janet.bowles2@outlook.com or Darlington Borough Council’s Community Safety Team at NNCCP@darlington.gov.uk
Dates for the next meetings are set out below; –
Wednesday 11th June 2025
Wednesday 23rd July 2025
Wednesday 24th September 2025
Wednesday 22nd October 2025
Wednesday 26th November 2025
If you live or work in the Northgate and North Road area and would like to find out more about the group and get involved, you can email Janet Bowles at janet.bowles2@outlook.com or local ward councillor Sonia Kane at sonia.kane@darlington.gov.uk