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The Police and Communities Together (PACT) meetings for Bishop Auckland Town and Toronto are being held on the following dates at 6:30pm at Zair’s Cafe, 10 Fore Bondgate, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL14 7PF:

• Wednesday 8th February 2023
• Wednesday 8th March 2023
• Wednesday 5th April 2023
• Wednesday 3rd May 2023
• Wednesday 14th June 2023
• Wednesday 12th July 2023
• Wednesday 9th August 2023
• Wednesday 6th September 2023
• Wednesday 4th October 2023
• Wednesday 1st November 2023
• Wednesday 13th December 2023

Your local Police Community Support Officers (PCSO) are:

PCSO 8834   Tom Lowther:   Tom.lowther@durham.police.uk
PCSO 8302   Bethany Mason:   Bethany.mason@durham.police.uk

Bishop Auckland Town and Toronto – PACT Meeting Dates 2023 – Poster

The amount of Council Tax residents of Bishop Auckland Town council will pay will increase for 2023-24 by 5% in Bishop Auckland after the Town Council agreed an increase at the meeting of Full Council last week. This equates to an increase of £2.61 a year or 5 pence (5p) per week for a property in Council Tax Band D.

The Chair of the Finance Committee Cllr. David Wilson, said: “This last year brought with it some of the of the most difficult times for our residents, and as we now move into 2023 these challenging times are growing, and whilst the Council do not wish to add to anyone’s burden the Council are faced with a deficit. Whilst the Council all agreed that it is never ideal to increase taxes, we feel that after freezing Council Tax for the past couple of years this couldn’t continue, as it not financially viable to continually take from reserves to balance the books.”

“This was not an easy decision for the council to agree, it ensued lots of debate, initially it was hoped that the increase could be only 3% however this left a larger deficit to fill. With an increase of 5% a small deficit remains but we are confident with stringent planning that we can look to make savings to reduce the deficit moving forward.”

Mayor of Bishop Auckland Cllr. Michael Siddle said: “Whilst Covid-19 delayed some of our plans for events and activities, 2022 saw us come back with some fabulous events and activities to help bring people back together in Bishop Auckland, though the likes of the fabulous Jubilee Celebrations, and the wonderful Christmas Town Activity, all of which increased footfall in our town, which helped to boost our local economy. We hope to do more activities in partnership with others to support our communities during 2023.”

It was recorded that Bishop Auckland Town Council Precept for the forthcoming year 2021-22 will be £237,621 which is a band D equivalent of £54.71. The Council Tax for Bishop Auckland Town Council is collected by Durham County Council.

The next meeting of the Finance Committee will be held at the Council Offices, 54 Kingsway, Bishop Auckland on Wednesday 25th January 2023 at 3:30pm.

Members of the Public and Press are welcome to attend. However, in light of room capacity, we ask that where possible people are asked to register attendance to do so please call 01388 207110 or email council@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk by 4pm on Tuesday 3rd January 2023.

The Chairman advises members of the Council and the public that the meeting or part of the meeting may be recorded by audio and may be by video.

A copy of the agendas is now available to download on the Agendas and Minutes Page.

The next meeting of the Bishop Auckland Town Council Events Committee on Wednesday 25th January 2023 at 4:00pm, at the Town Council Offices, 54 Kingsway, Bishop Auckland, Co. Durham DL14 7JF.

Members of the Public and Press are welcome to attend. However, in light of the easing of coronavirus restrictions and room sizes, we request that attendance is registered with the Town Clerk prior to attending to ensure that the meeting space is large enough to accommodate everyone safely.

To register attendance please call 01388 207110 or email council@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk by noon on 24th January 2023.

The Chairman advises members of the Council and the public that the meeting or part of the meeting may be recorded by audio and may be by video.

A copy of the agendas is now available to download on the Agendas and Minutes Page.

The next meeting of the Town Council will be held at the Council Offices, 54 Kingsway, Bishop Auckland on Tuesday 10th January 2023 at 6:00pm.

Members of the Public and Press are welcome to attend. However, in light of caution surrounding the easing of coronavirus restrictions, it is recommended that attendance is registered with the Town Clerk prior to attending to ensure that the meeting space is large enough to accommodate everyone safely. To register attendance please call 01388 207110 or email council@bishopauckland-tc.gov.uk by noon on Monday 9th January 2023.

The Chairman advises members of the Council and the public that the meeting or part of the meeting may be recorded by audio and may be by video.

A copy of the agendas is now available to download on the Agendas and Minutes Page.