You write

I would like to assure readers that Framwellgate School Durham takes the problem of litter very seriously. The school actively and regularly takes opportunities to address the issue with students.

Using assemblies and Personal, Health and Social Education lessons, the students' awareness of good citizenship and contributions to the community is raised.

Students take part in regular litter picks around the school and the issue is discussed by the student council.

Also, senior school staff frequently make checks around the school area, including Newton Hall and Framwellgate Moor, and encourage students to use bins provided and not to drop litter.

Students caught dropping litter are subject to sanctions.

At a recent meeting between the school and a representative from the parish council, there was a common view that responsibility was shared between all partners - individuals, parents, councils, residents and retailers. We will continue to diligently discharge our responsibilities and support others in doing so too.

Karen Cromarty

chairman of governors

at Framwellgate School

Durham

An issue for all

NOTICES in local post offices and elsewhere, posted by Durham City Council, inform council house tenants they are to be consulted about the future management and ownership of their homes.

The value of Durham City Council's housing estate is in the order of £110m. Property assets of the council are held in trust on behalf of the people of Durham.

Future ownership of our council's housing estate is of concern to all the electorate and in particular to those who pay council tax.

Tyne Valley District Council created a new company, the Tynedale Housing Company, and transferred ownership of council homes to that company in exchange for a capital receipt of £25m.

Our city council was left with herd of white elephants by the outgoing administration; £900,000 is needed to subsidise the Gala Theatre.

Selling its council houses to a housing association would bring in a huge capital sum. Bank interest from £110m would bring in £6m in income each year, enough to subsidise the Gala Theatre in perpetuity and enough to reduce council tax substantially.

It is acknowledged that the LibDems inherited a mountain of debt while left with no capital reserves. The council owes it to the electorate to consult on the future of the council's housing estate.

The decision is perhaps the single most important financial item ever to come before this council. All stakeholders in the city deserve a say - not only council tenants. It is called democracy.

Brian Clouston

Durham Taxpayers Alliance, Durham

Yet more parking!

RESIDENTS of the Sands and Claypath areas of Durham, will have noticed that the new Sands car park was opened just in time for the Christmas Festival last weekend.

Judging by the number of cars, it must have been a profitable weekend both for businesses and the Freemen who own the site.

But the decision to open the car park shows Durham City Council's true colours. Ripping up another of our beautiful green spaces was granted by the DEFRA inquiry on the understanding that it was a replacement for the parking that would be lost during the development of the Walkergate site.

That development has not yet begun, and the Walkergate car park remains open. So the Sands car park was opened to expand Durham's car parking capacity, permission for which had neither been sought, nor granted.

As a result, nearby residents have had a lovely weekend with twice the normal amount of traffic coming in and out of the City, twice the amount of noise and twice the amount of pollution.

It seems we can look forward to more of the same in the run-up to Christmas.

Dr Bill Pollard

Wanlass Terrace

Durham City

Travellers appeal

WHY do residents of Newton Hall feel let down by Arriva after many years of having a regular bus service to Chester-le-Street and Newcastle? What can be done?

The X41 was a good, regular service, which so many people, young and old, relied upon in Newton Hall.

Eleven journeys daily have been cut to three and the service completely withdrawn on a Saturday.

The day of writing being a typical example, I witnessed, at about 6.45am, a double decker X41 carrying only three passengers which was being followed along Canterbury Road by three empty single decker buses.

What justification is there for all these buses yet apparently no justification for the X41 being a reliable and needed service used by so many people?

Not enough consideration has been given to the needs of local residents.

Perhaps a reduced service may have been necessary but perhaps consideration could have been given to a number of services during weekdays and priority given to at least Saturday services.

P Longstaff, Newton Hall, Durham.