• Roadworks warning: the A167 section of dual carriageway, from the roundabout at the bottom of St Andrew’s Way, across the motorway to the Brafferton Lane junction at Coatham Mundeville, will be closed at night 29th Sep to 6th Oct (8:00pm – 6:00am) for motorway work.

• The DCC Countryside Service Walks programme for this winter is now out: bit.ly/DCCWalks

• The GAMP Community Groups event is on Saturday 8 November, 10am-2pm. Will your group be represented? Phone 01325 327441 for info.

• DCC has set up a website to support special educational needs and disabilities: bit.ly/DCCSEND

• Are you aware of the new Individual Electoral Registration procedures – don’t lose your vote – visit www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

• DCC is consulting on a voluntary smoke-free policy in children’s play areas; have your say at: bit.ly/DCCsmokefree

• DCC has set up a new Planning Portal on which you can register for updates, track applications, and comment: bit.ly/DCCplanningportal

• DCC has launched a new World War One website (www.durhamatwar.org.uk) for research, and for people to ‘pin’ their own information.

• You will have to pay for your garden waste collection in County Durham next year: bit.ly/DCCbrownbin

• Durham is in the finals for ‘Best UK Destination’ in the British Travel Awards 2014 and needs your vote: bit.ly/DurhamTravel

• Durham Wildcats – Aycliffe’s premier league basketball team – have their first home league game on Sunday 28th against Leeds Force at Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre (4:00 pm tip-off).

• There is a Livin Jobs Fair at Spennymoor Leisure Centre on 24 September 9.00am – 12.00 noon.

• DCC are consulting on their change of Children’s Centres policy – have your say on: bit.ly/DCCChildrensCentres

• DCC Performance Management report: more crime and flytipping, but improvements in NEETS, mental health and housing: bit.ly/DCCPerformance914

• The DCC Cabinet last week approved a report about Flooding in the County: bit.ly/DCCFlooding

• Follow local Aycliffe council/community issues as they happen on Cllr John D Clare’s facebook page: bit.ly/JDClare