RESIDENTS living in the Newton Aycliffe area have cast their vote to determine the key priorities to benefit from funding in the next financial year.

The results of the priority voting for the Great Aycliffe and Middridge Area Action Partnership were revealed at a meeting on Tuesday.

In line to get a slice of the AAP ‘s budget of £100,000 are children, young people and families, employment, enterprise and training and older people.

Board members agreed to follow a new process for area budget allocation during 2017-18, through an open callout for projects.

The call out will take place sometime in April or May when a criteria has been set.

Last year the AAP’s priorities were activities for young people, employment, enterprise, education and training and crime and community safety.

At the meeting at Oakleaf Sports Complex the board approved allocating £8,600 to a defibrillator project launched by David Sutton-Lloyd, treasurer and vesting trustee at Woodham Community Centre, who is campaigning to give Newton Aycliffe 24/7 access to the equipment.

Cllrs John Clare, Mike Dixon and Joan Gray were approved an allocation of £2,600 to the scheme from their neighbourhood budgets while Cllrs Eddie Adam and Kate Hopper awarded £1,076 to pedestrian improvements in the Simpasture area.

Four vacancies on the board were confirmed ahead of an upcoming recruitment campaign

For more information call 01325 327441 or visit www.durham.gov.uk/gampaap