Chairman’s Annual Report 2024 – 2025
We would like take this opportunity to welcome Cllrs Rebecca Bulpitt and Jane Douglass, who have recently joined the Parish Council.
Post Office closure
We were very disappointed to learn of the sudden closure of the village Post Office. We will be doing our best to try to establish a suitable alternative in the village, as soon as possible, but whatever happens there will be no post office services for quite a number of months in the meantime.
Traffic calming measures on Main Road and reducing the speed limit to 20mph
After a considerable wait, due to Newcastle City Council not having any staff available to work on progressing the scheme, they have now reviewed all comments raised by residents and stakeholders during their recent consultation, and have confirmed that they are looking to move forward with the scheme. Hopefully the work will start in the next 2 to 3 months.
Summer Front Garden Competition
We are holding a best front garden competition again this year. This will be judged by a walk around the village during week commencing 14 July and a prize of £100 will be awarded to the winner, £50 for second place and £25 for third place.
Xmas Lights Competition The winners were - 15 Hutchinson Court, with runners up - 45 Havannah Crescent and 12 Poplar Avenue.
New Doctors Surgery
The current plan for which outline planning has been obtained by the developer is to construct the new Doctors surgery immediately behind the current building and when complete decant from the current building into the new and then demolish the old building, level the area and construct a car park and entrance at the front.
There are however issues in getting the required funding from the Integrated Care Board (ICB) who are the NHS organization responsible for planning and commissioning local health services. In addition the ICB have recently had their funding slashed by the government, which is not helping. It now seems likely that the money may not be available until early 2026.
There are also problems resolving the difference between what the ICB will fund and the amount required by the developers.
The doctors have confirmed though, that whatever the outcome of these negotiations they still intend to provide a new facility in Dinnington.
Due to the constant delays and the real need to get the new doctors built, we have contacted our local MP Emma Foody to ask her to use her influence to push this on for us.
Recreation Ground Improvements
NCC will be erecting on the Parish Councils behalf some chicane style fencing at the Sycamore entrance to the park including a Notice board. This is being designed to allow pedestrians, prams, wheelchairs, mobility scooters access, but prohibit banned vehicles like motorbikes and quad bikes. This has been delayed due to NCC not having staff available to work on this, but hopefully this will be carried out in the next couple of months.
Development of the field adjacent to the allotments known as the Pleasure Grounds to facilitate additional Allotments
After a considerable wait, due to Newcastle City Council not having any staff available to work on progressing the scheme, NCC have now resolved this and are working towards discharging the BNG environmental condition and preparing the tender package by mid-June. The site work will hopefully get underway in late summer on the 21 new allotments, a small car park and central water point.
Dinnington Allotments now have a newly elected Committee in place and you can contact them at dinningtonallotments@icloud.com
For all the Facebook users out there we'd like to reassure you that although we don't have a Facebook presence, we do monitor the posts particularly relevant to the Parish and take appropriate action as required.
Improvements to the Footpath down to Big Waters
A new gravel footpath will be constructed by Newcastle City Council from the bridge adjacent to the Sewage Pumping station ( east end of the Recreation Ground ) heading east to the gravel farm track approx. 250m. Access ramps will be constructed both sides of the bridge. NCC have now allocated staff to progress the work and are hoping to get the tender package prepared by mid June and the site work underway during late summer.
Litter Picking Equipment
We are pleased to announce that Dinnington Parish Council have invested in a range of litter picking equipment and safety resources, that can be used, free of charge, by our residents and their families. We hope this will encourage the local community to keep up with their litter picking efforts around the village, caring for communal areas and looking out for the safety and wellbeing of our local plants and animals in line with the Keep Britain Tidy campaign. Keep Britain Tidy are an organisation whose mission is to tackle local environmental damage and inspire people of Britain to eliminate litter, ending waste for now and future generations as everyone has the right to love where they live - and we agree!
For further information or to request use of the litter picking equipment, please contact Rebecca Bulpitt via phone or email (contact information can be found on the Dinnington Parish Council website). Please allow up to three working days for a response.
Further Projects we are pursuing, utilising S106 and CiL money.
Turn the area of the Old School Field remaining after construction of the Doctors into a small simple park for the enjoyment of the public, carrying out electrical improvements and redecorating the Pavilion in the recreation ground, constructing traffic calming measures on Main Road and reducing the speed limit to 20mph, a new village map on the grass at the rear of The Raj to replace the out of date existing one and possible additional grass cuts, if the need arises.
Speedwatch Volunteering
In response to comments from residents about speeding in the village, one of our members has become a Northumbria Police Community Speed Watch Scheme volunteer.
They will be working with officers to gather information on those speeding and offending on the roads. Those caught speeding will be sent a letter about their offence and data will be monitored so further action can be taken against repeat offenders.
Newcastle Half Marathon & 10k - Advance Notice
This event is due to be held again this year on Sunday 13 July with road closures in place on Main Road from 8.30am until approximately 11.30am. Effected properties will be mail dropped again by the organisers before the event with further details.
Mike Wood, Chairman
