Bishop Auckland Constituency Labour Party

09/10/2026

And another Labour gain of note

09/10/2026

Following yesterday's by-election in Holborn and St Pancras, Sagal Abdi-Wali has been elected as a Member of Parliament.

Find out more: https://www.parliament.uk/business/news/2026/october-2026/sagal-abdi-wali-elected-as-member-of-parliament-for-holborn-and-st-pancras/

08/10/2026

Good to see. Lets hope this can be rolled out to other areas of County Durham where there are appropriate heat sources.

A major milestone has been reached in one of Britain's first large-scale mine water heat projects, with the scheme now officially up-and-running.

We've worked with a number of organisations to deliver the project, which sees mine water used to heat affordable properties at Seaham Garden Village.

We've teamed up with Karbon Homes, Vital Energi, the Mining Remediation Authority and others on the scheme, which also delivers hot water to residents.

Following completion of construction of an energy centre, the project is now operational - using naturally warm water from the nearby Dawdon Mine Water Treatment Scheme.

The project has received more than £3.8m in government funding and will go on to heat 750 affordable homes.

Cllr Kyle Genner, our Cabinet member for neighbourhoods, environment and police relations, said: "We're really pleased to have helped facilitate this scheme which makes impressive use of the legacy left by our coal mining heritage, using mine water to create a heat network supplying heat and hot water to around 750 homes.
"This is an exciting emerging option for heating our homes, and we're looking closely to see where else it might be viable in the future."

08/10/2026

💼 Come along to Employability Durham's Employability Link Up session in Durham to meet local employers, connect with organisations and discover opportunities in jobs,
training, volunteering and personal development

📍Wednesday 14 October 10am-2.00pm, Durham Town Hall

✅Meet a wide range of local employers
✅ Learn about current job vacancies and upcoming recruitment
✅ Explore work experience or volunteering pathways
✅ Discover skills programmes, training offers, and industry insights
✅ Get support and guidance to help move confidently towards employment

The Elevate Hub is here to help you feel more confident using digital technology and accessing online services.

👉 For more information:
📧 [email protected]
📞 03000 262 009
🔗https://www.durham.gov.uk/employability

08/10/2026

A County Durham landlord is facing questions over claims that AI or automated tools have been repeatedly used in decisions affecting applicants previously disqualified from the housing register — raising concerns that the system is operating as an effective ‘blacklist’ with little transparency over who's really making the decisions.

Read on the Teesside & Durham Post: https://www.teesdurhampost.co.uk/post/county-durham-landlord-faces-transparency-test-over-ai-assisted-housing-decisions

Read on Substack: https://teesdurhampost.substack.com/p/county-durham-landlord-faces-transparency?r=8lnlpt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

08/10/2026

Thinking about your next step after school? 💭

Come along to our Open Event on Saturday 10 October, 10am–12pm, and get a feel for what life at Bishop Auckland College is really like.

Meet our tutors, explore our facilities and find out more about the courses and career routes available to you.

Whether you know exactly what you want to do or you’re still figuring it out, come along, have a look around and see what could be next.

📅 Saturday 10 October
⏰ 10am–12pm

Call in on the day, or sign up in advance using the link in our bio.

06/10/2026

05/10/2026

Labour Conference brought an important change to the future of council housing.
Existing council tenants would not lose their existing Right to Buy, but new council homes built through the Government’s programme would not subsequently be available through Right to Buy.

The aim is that when public money builds a new council home in places like Blaydon, Consett, Ryton, Leadgate, Chopwell or High Spen, that home can remain part of the social housing stock for future generations rather than immediately beginning the route out of public ownership.

The Government is also planning stronger powers for councils to take control of long-term empty homes and to intervene where seriously substandard private rented properties are repeatedly left unimproved.

In Blaydon & Consett those new powers would be exercised locally by either Gateshead Council or Durham County Council, depending on where the property is located.

05/10/2026

Reform’s Durham Majority Hangs by a Thread at Durham County Council as Financial Pressures Intensify

Substack: https://teesdurhampost.substack.com/p/the-reform-reality-bites-council?r=8lnlpt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

04/10/2026

Back out today in . Honest chats, real issues, and concerns about poor responses from Durham County Council. We’re out every week listening to local people. If you want to help us in your community sign up at bishopaucklandlabour.org.uk