Cllr Jack McGlenen for Dalton and Dawdon

24/06/2026

24/06/2026

With Creative Youth Opportunities, this years Youth Fest will be bigger than ever with a packed day of activities at Seaham Town Park on Sunday, 28th June from 11am to 5pm.

We have expanded the event area and for the first time we have two stages in addition to all the activities taking place inside the Town Hall and around the park.

Main Stage
11am-11.30am - Starz Drama School
11.30am-12pm - Aerial Hoop and Fire Show
12pm-12.30pm - Dynamique Arts
12.30pm–1pm - Solo Artists
1pm-1.30pm - Dance Pit
1.30pm-2pm – Solo Artists
2pm-2.30pm - Dream Dance Studios
2.30pm-3pm - Band ‘Taxi’
3pm-3.30pm - Seaham Music Academy
3.30pm-4pm - Starz Drama School
4pm-5pm - Seahams Got Talent Finals

Bus Stage
11.30am-12.15pm – DJ set by Seaham Youth Centre
12.15pm-3.15pm - Solo Artists

Town Hall
Youth Art Exhibition, Platform Art creation station, Youth Voice Wall, Create-a-TAG, Seaham Music Academy instruments taster sessions and workshops, Community stalls and information stands, Dance Pit workshop

In The Park
CYO circus activity tent, CYO side show funfair, Bubble entertainment, Face painting, Crafts, Giant inflatables, Game-on penalty shoot out, Community stalls.

23/06/2026

Can you help us find Mikaylea?

We are concerned for the welfare of the 15-year-old who was last seen in Seaham yesterday (Monday, June 22) evening.

Mikaylea is described as around 5ft 2ins tall, with long wavy brown/black hair.

She was last seen was wearing a black jacket, a green Montirex T-shirt, black leggings and Nike trainers.

She has links to the Seaham and Sunderland areas.

If you have seen her, or know where she is, please call Durham Constabulary on 101, quoting incident reference 564 of June 22.

23/06/2026

We know how important you are to the future of County Durham.

That’s why we're inviting everyone to take part in our consultation on the new County Durham plan we're developing.

The local plan will meet the changing needs of the county, while aligning closely with national policy and ensuring growth.

As part of this, we are inviting residents to give their views on:
🏠 Housing needs
💼 Jobs and the local economy
🚌 Transport and movement
🌲The environment
🎾 Community facilities and local services
🍇 Health, food and local quality of life

The consultation has launched today and will last for eight weeks, finishing on Monday 17 August.

Find out more and take part in the consultation here: https://www.durham.gov.uk/article/36115/News-Residents-critical-to-future-of-County-Durham

23/06/2026

22/06/2026

Residents are advised that an emergency temporary road closure is now in place on Maureen Terrace, Seaham, to allow Northumbrian Water to carry out urgent repair works.

The closure came into effect on 22 June and may remain in place for up to 21 days while the necessary work is completed. Diversion routes and traffic management measures will be in place throughout the duration of the works.

I appreciate that closures such as this can cause inconvenience for residents, businesses and motorists, but these emergency repairs are essential to maintain the water network and prevent further issues.

Please allow extra time for journeys in the area and follow all signed diversion routes.

22/06/2026

Road Closure Notice – Garron Street, Seaham

Residents are advised that Garron Street, Seaham, between 75 and 76 Princess Road, is scheduled to be closed from Monday 6 July until Friday 10 July to allow Northern Gas Networks to carry out essential gas main replacement works.

The closure will be in place 24 hours a day during this period while the existing gas main is replaced with new pipework to help maintain a safe and reliable gas supply for local homes.

Northern Gas Networks have confirmed that residents will be notified ahead of the works, and their customer contact team will be available to discuss any concerns. Access for emergency services will be maintained where possible throughout the project.
I understand that road closures can be inconvenient, and I would like to thank residents for their patience while these necessary infrastructure improvements are completed.

19/06/2026

Good evening everyone,

I thought I would start providing weekly updates on what I have been working on, including casework, meetings, committees, and community activities across the division.

As of Friday 19th June 2026, I currently serve on the following Durham County Council committees and panels:

• Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Area Planning Committee (Central and East)
• Area Planning Committee (North)
• Children and Young People's Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• Durham Family Panel
• Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee
• General Licensing and Registration Committee
• Highways Committee
• Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee
• Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Throughout the week, I have been out across the division investigating issues that residents have reported to me, as well as reporting concerns that I have identified while out and about in the community.

Monday

I met with the Police and Crime Commissioner, alongside fellow County and Town Councillors, to discuss ongoing issues affecting Seaham and the wider area. Following this, I visited Seaham Youth and Community Centre to discuss funding that I have supported for the organisation. Later in the day, I attended the Leanne Kennedy Centre to meet with local residents and discuss issues affecting them.

Tuesday

I spent the day out on the ward meeting residents regarding ongoing casework and visiting a number of local organisations to discuss community projects and concerns.

Wednesday

I started the morning at the Leanne Kennedy Centre, enjoying breakfast with some of the groups that meet there. I then spoke with Cllr Chris Fairs, who represents the Seaham Division, about a new project involving myself, Cllr Chris Fairs and Cllr George Anderson. More details on this exciting initiative will be announced soon.

Thursday

I attended the Taxi Working Group at County Hall, where I listened to the concerns and views of taxi drivers from across County Durham. It was also a good opportunity to discuss some of the wider challenges facing our communities with fellow councillors from across the county. In the afternoon, I volunteered at the Youth Hub and spent time supporting local young people.

Friday

Today, I attended the Durham Family Panel at County Hall, where we heard directly about the experiences and achievements of young people across County Durham. It was inspiring to hear their stories and the progress they have made. After the meeting, I returned to Seaham to follow up on ongoing casework and continue chasing outstanding issues on behalf of residents. I then finished the week by volunteering once again at the Youth Hub.

As always, if there is anything you would like to raise with me, please do not hesitate to get in touch. I will continue working hard to represent our communities and ensure residents' concerns are heard and acted upon.

Have a great weekend everyone.

19/06/2026

It was fantastic to see our Youth Councillors and Members of Youth Parliament making history by hosting the North East's first-ever political summit for young people here in County Durham.

Young representatives from across the region came together to discuss the issues that matter most to their generation, following the results of the recent Have Your Say ballot, which saw an incredible 29,383 young people share their views and priorities.

The summit provided an important platform for young people to have their voices heard, debate key issues, and help shape future campaigns. Following a live debate, health and wellbeing was chosen as the group's campaign priority for 2026/27, highlighting the importance young people place on mental health, physical wellbeing, and access to support services.

I would like to congratulate everyone involved in organising and participating in this landmark event. The passion, professionalism, and commitment shown by our young representatives demonstrates that the future is in safe hands.

I look forward to seeing the development of the health and wellbeing campaign and wish the group every success ahead of the next youth conference in Northumberland this October.

Our youth councillors and Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) made history with the region’s first ever political summit for young people.

Youth politicians from County Durham, Cumberland, Darlington, Hartlepool, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside, Stockton-on-Tees, and Sunderland gathered for a conference to discuss what issues and priorities are relevant to today’s generation.

Hosted in County Durham, discussions were based on the results of a recent Have Your Say ballot, where 29,383 young people gave their views in a region-wide survey.

The group then took part in a live debate to vote for their campaign priority for the next year, with health and wellbeing being chosen as the group’s manifesto for 2026/2027.

Campaigns which support health and wellbeing will be drafted at the next youth conference, which will be hosted by Northumberland in October.