Fears raised over 'town in decline' (From The Northern Echo)

Fears raised over 'town in decline'

5:17pm Tuesday 21st February 2012 in Crook & Weardale News By Duncan Leatherdale

A COUNCILLOR has called for urgent work to be carried out to halt a decline in living standards in Crook.

But Durham County Council claims it already has many ideas to improve the town and has already designated it one of 12 key County Durham settlements.

Crook South county councillor Eddie Murphy commissioned a report to investigate living standards in the town, a copy of which has been passed to The Northern Echo.

When questioned about the report, which features facts and figures from the Salvation Army and advice agency Signpost, Coun Murphy said he wanted to lift the lid on a growing crisis in the town.

Last year, more than 3,300 people used Signpost while 165 adults and 95 children turned to the Salvation Army for food.

He said: "Crook is being run down and that seems to be backed up by the figures, in that more and more people are coming to charities for support to live and help to find work."

Coun Murphy said closing the town's leisure centre and proposing to shut several community centres has left many with the impression that Durham County Council does not care about Crook.

He said: "I request that the chief executive and his well paid management team earn their existence and, after visiting Crook, come up with plans to the improve the people of Crook's everyday life and future."

The council said Crook is a priority and money has already been invested through the Three Towns Area Action Partnership (AAP) to address issues including youth support and unemployment.

It is also redeveloping Crook Civic Centre, known locally as the Pagoda, and said it is negotiating with a supermarket chain about building a new store in the town centre, with plans expected soon.

The library will bemoved to the Pagoda in June, a customer access point will be installed in September and the council is also looking at installing a gym.

Crook is also home to a council-run business centre which the authority claims offers support for job seekers and long-term unemployed, including skills training, job search and interview techniques.

The council said it is also spending £2.2m a year on adult care in Crook and £500,000 on an extra care scheme for residents in a care home, both of which are among the priorities as identified by people living in the town through the AAP.