Potholes can occur at any time of the year, however they tend to be more of a problem during the winter months. Severe prolonged winters can lead to more potholes in the roads. Durham County Council have an inspection and maintenance system, however if you want to report any road damage please call the County Council on 03000 260 000 or visit durham.gov.uk/potholes
Tackling Food Poverty
A new fund aimed at tackling food poverty in East Durham has launched.
The Access to Food in the Community Fund, launched by The East Durham Area Action Partnership, supports groups providing vital healthy eating services.
Lunch clubs, breakfast clubs and community cafes can apply for funding to set up new clubs or improve existing ones by replacing kitchen equipment.
For more information call 03000 262 054 or email eastdurhamaap@durham.gov.uk.
Wheatley Hill Community Association – Meals on Wheels
The Meals on Wheels service, provided by Wheatley Hill Community Association was established in 2011 and is a lifeline to those, who for various reasons may not otherwise have access to a daily hot meal. It also provides a vital service to isolated individuals who look forward to the social interaction or the sight of a “friendly face”. The service coupled with the Luncheon Club at the Centre ensures that the elderly and less mobile in our community can receive a hot meal seven days a week.
Meals are freshly prepared each day at the Greenhills Centre. The service operates Monday to Friday delivering hot meals from a choice of menu, with fresh chilled meals available for weekends and Bank Holidays.
If you are interested in receiving a meal, would like more information about the service or would like to become a volunteer driver please contact the Centre 01429 820 0214.
Registered to Vote Online?
To vote at an election you must be on the electoral register and electoral registration is changing. In the past the “head of the household” registered everyone who lived at that address. Now individuals must register themselves.
Over the summer Durham County Council wrote to people to tell them of this change. If you received a letter saying you were not automatically transferred; or you have not registered before; or have just turned 18, visit Gov.uk to register to vote online.
If you didn’t receive a letter, contact 03000 261 212 or email electoralservices@durham.gov.uk.
Household Waste Recycling Centre Opening Times
Household waste recycling centres are for household waste only and businesses and landlords are not permitted to take rubbish to these sites. Residents who own a van, minibus, trailer or pick up will also need to apply for a waste permit to access the site or if they need to dispose of hazardous household waste.
If you need any further information please telephone 03000 261 000 or visit the Household Waste Recycling Centre section of the Durham County Council website.
Council Approves 2026-2027 Budget
Wheatley Hill Parish Council approved its budget for 2026-2027 in the sum of £147,313 at a meeting of the Parish Council held on 12 January 2026.
Durham County Council had advised of changes to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) grant and tax base for the forthcoming 2026/27 financial year.
In 2024/25 Durham County Council implemented a three-year phased reduction of 50% of the LCTRS grant paid to local councils. The staged cuts, running from 2024/25 to 2026/27, were intended to gradually reduce the support originally provided by the Council Tax Reduction Schene, introduced in 2013 to reduced local tax bases.
The County Council had now changed its position and was stopping all LCTRS grant payments entirely from 2026/27. This proposal was part of the County Council’s response to its wider financial pressures.
In 2025/26 the Parish Council received a LCTRS grant of £5,969 and the tax base was 787.00. The Parish Council would receive no grant in 2026/27, and the tax base had been reduced to 784.00.
Due to the loss of the LCTRS grant and the reduced tax base the Parish Council had to consider how to balance its budget for 2026/27 and set a budget based on an 8% increase to the precept. The increase was necessary to make up for the loss of the LCTRS grant.
The Parish Council set a budget of £147,313 for the 2026/27 financial year. Due to the loss of the LCTRS grant Durham County Council were advised that the Parish Councils precept request for 2026/27 was £147,313.
The figures below demonstrate what a household would have paid in 2025/26 compared to what they will be paying in 2026/27.
| Band | A | B | C | D | E | F | ||
| 2025/26 | 115.56 | 134.82 | 154.08 | 173.34 | 211.86 | 250.38 | ||
| 2026/27 | 125.82 | 146.09 | 166.96 | 187.89 | 229.57 | 271.31 | ||
| Increase | 10.26 | 11.27 | 12.88 | 14.55 | 17.71 | 20.93 |
If you require any further information in relation to the councils budget or precept then please Contact Us
Neighbourhood Policing – Wheatley Hill
The neighbourhood policing team is made up of police officers, police community support officers and special constables. They work with local people to find out what matters most to you in the area you live. They work with the community and other partners to tackle local problems and help improve the quality of life for residents.
How to contact your Neighbourhood Policing Team:
Peterlee Police Station
St Aidan’s Way
County Durham
SR8 1QR
Telephone: 101
Fax: 0191 375 2610 / 2560
Email: peterlee@durham.pnn.police.uk
If you are interested in crime rates in your area then the Police have developed a new site to allow you to access this information. Why not check out the site by clicking on the following link and typing in your postcode or address.
Durham Constabulary Website – www.durham.police.uk
Durham Foodbank
Did you know that one in every four people live below the poverty line in County Durham.
Durham Foodbank provide a minimum of three days emergency food and support to people experiencing crisis, but hey rely on food donations.
Please give what you can. To find out where your local drop-off point is call 0191 303 7559 or visit the Durham Foodbank website.
Salt bin Requests and Refills
All Durham County Council salt bins located in Wheatley Hill have a unique reference number. To find your nearest salt bin on a map visit www.durham.gov.uk/saltbins
To request a new salt bin or ask for a refill call 03000 26 0000 or complete an online form at www.durham.gov.uk/saltbins. Please quote the unique reference number on the top or side of the bin.
Alternatively Contact Us and we will arrange to have the bin refilled.
The following list is some of the criteria considered when a new salt bin request is submitted to Durham County Council.
Roads
- steep gradients
- severe bends
- traffic category
- bus route
- accident history
Footpaths
- high pedestrian activity
- gradients
- pedestrians with reduced mobility
- health centres
- local services
There is specific criteria which must be met before a salt bin can be placed in a new location, as outlined in the salt bin assessment form Appendix 4 in the winter maintenance policy located on Durham County Councils Winter service plan web page.
Provision and Maintenance of Dog Bins
Dog waste bins are located throughout Wheatley Hill. Bins are inspected and emptied on a regular basis. You can use any litter bin to dispose of dog waste, provided it is properly bagged.
If you are aware of a bin that is not being emptied on a regular basis or have noticed problems with a bin please Contact Us.
Free dog bags are provide by the Parish Council to all residents living in Wheatley Hill. Bags are available to collect from the Heritage Centre, Community Centre and Wheatley House.
