COMMUNITY groups have been working together to improve life for villagers in north Durham.

They have been working with residents and landlords in a Community Action Team (CAT) pilot scheme, which was carried out in No Place, near Stanley, over the last two months.

The scheme gave local people the chance to identify priorities, which were addressed, along with a number of other issues, during a four-week action period.

The main priorities identified by the community were housing standards and better management of privately rented property, the removal of rubbish dumped in back yards, fixing broken windows and removing graffiti.

As a result of the scheme work with a number of private landlords is taking place to bring about an improvement in housing management standards, empty properties are being brought back into use and rubbish left in back yards has been cleared.

Councillor Bob Young, the Durham County Council’s cabinet member for strategic environment, said: “The Community Action Team project demonstrates what can be achieved when we all work together to address issues of concern.

“We’ve seen a number of successful results in the three pilot areas and would like to thank the local people and partner organisations who have played a part in making this possible.”

An energy efficiency survey of housing was carried out and advice was given on insulation and warm front grants available.

A total of 74 home fire risk checks were carried out and 99 smoke alarms have been fitted.

Work has begun on setting up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme and a speedwatch survey is to be carried out in John Street.

There was also an investigation into recent flooding in the area carried out by drainage engineers and plans are being put in place to provide two dog waste bins with free bags available from the Beamish Mary Inn.