Cllr Woodhead - My News - Stockton Council

Cllr Woodhead - My News

Councillors will represent you regardless of political persuasion. This site has been provided to the Councillor by the Local Authority. It has been provided subject to an Acceptable Use Policy (AUP) that this Councillor has agreed to. If you think that this site is not being used according to the AUP, please inform the Local Authority.

Renew Your Postal Vote
All postal votes must be renewed after 5 years. If yours needs renewing, you will receive a form and clear instructions on what to do. Its an easy process but you must return the completed renewal form or you will lose your postal vote.

If you haven't already got a postal vote but would like one or you wish to register to vote, please contact the Council's Electoral Services on (01642) 526196, or by emailing electoral@stockton.gov.uk, or by printing off an application form from www.stockton.gov.uk/yourcouncil/electoralregistration

Surbiton Road Roundabout
For some time Councillor Perry and I have been working to resolve the parking problems and the bus turning arrangements at this location. We have now been allocated monies for improvements to the roundabout to help bus drivers negotiate it safely.

Ropner Playing Fields
Councillor Perry and I, along with a number of residents have raised concerns about the area being reinstated to it's original state after work being carried out by N.W.A. The grass has now been reseeded and the hedge will be replaced at the end of the year when it is the right time for planting.

Parking Issues
We have had requests from residents, for vehicle owners not to park on corners of roads as this obscures sight lines which may cause an accident. This has been a recent problem in Fairville Road.

Litter Problems
There is still a problem in the ward with people dropping litter. Help to make Fairfield a cleaner area of the town, therefore please don't drop it, bin it or take it home. We thank all those residents who help to keep our area tidy and your efforts are much appreciated.

Fly Tipping
The council has recently conducted an exercise checking on unlicensed waste carriers. The law states waste carriers must have a special licence and if found breaking the law will be given 14 days to obtain one or receive a £300 fine. The Council wants to ensure that residents themselves are free from hefty fines too. Even if you unwittingly use unlicensed waste carriers you could receive a fine. The fine could be up to £5000. So please check that the scrap dealer, builder or house clearer you use is licensed and disposing responsibly.

Dog Fouling
This is still a problem in the ward. Please can we ask you to either bag it and take it home or dispose of it in the many dog bins in the area. Please don't throw the bags in the hedge back. It is an offence not to clear up after your dog, with a fixed penalty fine of £50 rising up to £1000 if it goes to court. You can also report irresponsible owners on a confidential hot line. Tel no 526575.

Police Contacts
Our local police officers are P.C. McGarry and P.C.S.O Dargue. They can be contacted by ringing 01642 306604. There is also a dedicated neighbourhood number for Stockton on 01642 302930. Messages can be left on this number if he P.C. is not available or you can contact them by dropping a note through the letterbox at Medina House on Elm Tree Estate. The central number for Cleveland Police is (01642) 326326 and in an emergency call 999.

Ward surgeries
My ward surgery are held at Fairfield Library. Fairfield Library The Police also attend the surgeries.
For a full list please visit my ward surgery page.

Unite Community Mediation Service
Are you in dispute with a neighbour? Unite can help, mediators can can help you and your neighbours to work out an agreement that you are all happy with.

Green Waste
We now have the Green Waste Collection Service in all of our ward. Please only place out the clear plastic sacks containing green waste (this does not include soil) on the day of collection. No other type of sack will be emptied. If it isn't collected for any reason please take it back into your property and place it back out on the next appropriate day. Green Waste is only collected between April and November of each year.

Dog Barking
If a dog is persistently barking in your area please ring the council's dog warden service on 526552, who will attend to the problem and have a quiet word with the owners.

Stockton Welfare Rights Unit
The welfare rights unit is there to help people. They offer free, confidential advice and information. They are committed to ensuring that all of the residents of the borough have equal access to the benefits system. They have an advice line service which operates from 2pm to 5pm Monday to Thursday and 2pm to 4:30pm on Friday. You can contact them on 01642 526141.

Shannon Crescent One-Way System
There have been a number of complaints recently about people ignoring the One-Way system at Shannon Crescent. The police and the council enforcement team will be monitoring the situation.

Protected Trees
I have copies of a very useful booklet called 'Protected Trees' which is a guide to tree preservation procedures. If you would find a copy useful please get in touch. My contact details are at the top right of this page.

Fire Safety
Did You Know that Cleveland Fire Brigade can visit your home for free and supply you with
FREE smoke alarms/detectors
FREE replacement 5 year batteries for your existing alarms/detectors
FREE trained staff who will work with you to identify and reduce the risk of fire in your home.
Telephone 01429 874063 - Fire Headquarters
For more details of the scheme follow the link to the Cleveland Fire Authority web site in the External Links section of this page.

Cold Callers
There have been a number of instances recently in the ward of people being pestered by cold callers asking for money for a variety of obscure reasons. Please be vigilant.
Please keep your door chain on when answering the door. Stockton's crime prevention team have informed me that cold callers have been attempting to gain access to peoples property in various guises recently. If in doubt keep them out!

The Golden Guide for Older People
A booklet has been published for older people in Stockton-on-Tees that is full of information on a range of local topics including money, health, care, your home and leisure activities. It is called The Golden Guide for Older People and it is FREE. You can pick up a copy in local libraries.

In local government, I believe that elected councillors of all parties have a responsibility to work together for the good of the town and it's citizens. I represent ALL residents of the Fairfield ward regardless of political persuasion.

Residents living in the Fairfield Ward are represented in the UK Parliament by James Wharton MP.