Environment
You can view our Business Plan 2008/09 and our Annual Performance Review 2007/08. The Business Plan 2008/09 sets out the Corporate and Service Context for 2008/09. The Priorities for Improvement for the Environment Service are listed together with the relevant key actions and indicators. The Annual Performance Review 2007/08 reports our performance and achievements against what we set ourselves to do in 2007/08.
Our responsibilities include:
Business Development - County Durham Development Company (CDDC)
County Durham Development Company (CDDC) is the inward investment and local business support arm of Durham County Council. CDDC reinforces the Council's long-standing commitment to economic regeneration and is driving forward the County's knowledge economy through the development of the NETPark (the North East technology Park) at Sedgefield.Related Information: Business Advice
Civil & Geotechnical Engineering
The provision of geotechnical desk studies, site investigations, testing of construction materials and reports giving recommendations and advice for proposed development such as buildings and highways.Related Information: Civil and Geotechnical Engineering Laboratory Services
Consumer Advice
Expert advice and guidance on a wide range of consumer matters to residents of County Durham.County Durham Sustainability and Environment Partnership
The County Durham Sustainabilty and Environment Partnership (CDSEP) lies at the heart of driving forward sustainability in County Durham. This new partnership, launched in October 2007 sees the bringing together of two influential partnerships in the County -The County Durham Local Agenda 21 Partnership and the County Durham Environment Partnership.Related Information: County Durham Sustainabilty and Environment Partnership
Countryside Sites & Public Rights of Way
Responsible for the County Council's country parks, picnic areas and railway paths. Nature conservation and biodiversity issues. Improving access to and enjoyment of the County's countryside through the public rights of way network and the management of Open Access.Related Information: Access and Public Rights of Way, Durham Voluntary Countryside Ranger Service, Rights of Way team Countryside
County Highways and Bridges
Development, design and implementation of road and bridge schemes on the County highway network. Structural maintenance works for County bridges and retaining walls. Contract management.Related Information: Bridge Schemes
Economic Development and Regeneration
Economic Policy
Drives and provides both economic policy for the County Council and the Secretariat to the County Durham Economic Partnership, which is recognised by One NorthEast as the sub regional partnership for County Durham. Responsible for the County Durham Economic Strategy and developing the County's and the Partnership's input to local, regional, national and international economic policy matters.Related Information: Economic Policy
Funding and Programmes
The Funding and Programmes Team aims to ensure the County fully benefits from external funding. It manages a number of funding programmes including Single Programme, LEADER+ and other European funding. The team seeks to identify and secure additional external funding to help meet the County Council's and County Durham's main priorities. It also provides an external funding co-ordination service to ensure the County Council's priorities are met and the Council utilises external funding efficiently and effectively.Related Information: Europe,
International Relations
The International Relations Team works with partners in other countries and at home to promote cultural diversity, to develop the skills of learners for the global workplace and to support transnational partnerships. The team also manages a regional European Information Service and co-ordinates a staff development programme around international education for schools in the North East.Related Information: International Education
Strategic Projects
The Strategic Projects Team works with key partners to drive forward a number of key projects in County Durham, which help to deliver the County's economic strategy and support the Strategic Vision for the County. These include for example, the Durham City Vision, Barnard Castle and Eastgate.related Information: Finance and Monitoring Team
Energy
Management and monitoring of the consumption and costs of energy and water use in County Council buildings. Development and implementation of energy efficiency measures and renewable energy projects in partnership with other agencies.Related Information: Energy
Environmental Management
Environmental enhancement and protection by converting derelict and contaminated land into useable condition and ensuring minewater and sewage are properly treated. Provision of an Integrated Management System for Environment covering Quality, Health and Safety and Environmental Management.Related Information: Reclamation of derelict land
Food Standards
Providing independent, expert, scientific backup to enforcement specialists in Environmental Health and Trading Standards. Regular testing of food and drinks. Monitoring and advice on food labelling.Highways Management
Highway matters including monitoring, maintenance and management of the highway network. We ensure the safe and effective movement of people and goods by the provision, maintenance and improvement of the county's network of roads and bridges. Two area offices in Durham and Bishop Auckland directly manage all highway maintenance work.HAL is Durham County Council's Highways Action Line. A one-stop call centre for all highways related enquiries and to report road and lighting defects.
A winter maintenance serivce is provided to allow the safe movement of traffic throughout the County and keep delays to a minimum.
Related Information: Motor Vehicles, Roads and Parking.
Integrated Transport Unit
Organising transport for schools and social care as well as many evening and weekend buses which supplement commercial bus operations. The service also provides public transport information including timetables and real time displays.Related Information: Public Transport, Travel Response Centre
Local Transport Plan
A general strategy for the future development of transport, together with detailed proposals intended to be implemented over 5 years.Related Information:Local Transport Plan
Natural and Built Environment
Environment improvements and regeneration work, historic buildings, grant schemes, landscape management and urban and rural renaissance. Strategy and policy work in relation to the natural and built environment.Related Information: Landscape, Design and Conservation
Planning Development Control
Dealing with planning applications for minerals and waste developments and development by the County Council. Review and updating of old minerals planning permissions. Monitoring of minerals and waste sites and taking enforcement action when necessary.Related Information: Planning, Development Control team.
Planning Policy
Preparation, monitoring and review of the Minerals and Waste Development Framework. National and regional planning policy issues including the Regional Spatial Strategy. Responding to consultations from other authorities on proposals of strategic significance such as major shopping developments.Related Information: Planning, Planning Policy team
Regeneration
The Regeneration Team works to improve the quality of life of the most disadvantaged people in the County.Related Information: Regeneration Team
Road Safety
Education and training in schools and similar organisations. Includes cycle proficiency scheme and aspects of school travel plans. Organisation of a wide range of road safety publicity campaigns and initiatives.Related Information: Road Safety
Safety of Sports Grounds
Certification duties for regulated stands and designated sports grounds.Scientific Services
The provision of a scientific testing and advisory service to Durham County Council and other local authorities in the North of England.Street Lighting and Lit Signs
Management and maintenance of over 78,000 street lights and 5,500 illuminated traffic signs on County roads. Design and installation of new and replacement street lights.Related Information: Street Lighting
Trading Standards
Enforcement of legislation covering a huge range of business and consumer related areas. Provision of advice on animal welfare and the licensing of farm animal movements. Advice to businesses on weights and measures, food labelling, safety and credit.Related Information: Trading Standards
Traffic Management
The planning, co-ordination and control of vehicular and pedestrian traffic by means of traffic regulation orders, calming control, pedestrianisation schemes, travel planning, traffic signals, signs and road markings. Highway aspects of development control related to planning applications.Waste
Management of municipal waste collected by the seven district and borough councils and monitoring of the waste disposal contract. Waste minimisation campaigns and management of 15 Household Waste Recycling Centres throughout the county. Implementation of Municipal Waste Management Strategy for County Durham in partnership with the district/borough councils.Related Information:Sustainable Waste Management, Household Waste Recycling
John Richardson
Corporate Director, Environment
Durham County Council
County Hall
Durham
DH1 5UQ
Tel: 0191 3833472
Fax: 0191 3834096
