Darlington Borough Council's cabinet considered the following matters at its monthly meeting on Tuesday:

SCHOOLS SUCCESS: The cabinet expressed its delight at Darlington securing more than £20m of Government funding to improve Hummersknott School and Carmel RC Technology College. The money will be ploughed into the two schools to enhance ageing facilities. Councillor Chris McEwan said: "I would like to place my thanks on record to all those involved, particularly staff in the children's services directorate and the two headteachers. We can now concentrate capital funding towards Branksome and Longfield (schools)."

TENANTS CRACKDOWN: New measures to tackle anti-social behaviour among council tenants were adopted. Under new legislation, local authorities can now apply to the courts to take action if a tenant, or someone at their home, causes a nuisance. Cabinet members approved the use of such "demoted tenancy orders" in Darlington. Councillor Bill Dixon said he was delighted that the powers could now be used to provide "a wake-up call to people who don't conform to what we believe are perfectly reasonable tenancy conditions".

PEDAL POWER: Cabinet members welcomed the news that Darlington had been chosen as one of five "cycling demonstration towns". The authority will receive £1.5m over the next three years to improve provision and to encourage more people to take up cycling as a green alternative to the car.

MERGER FEARS: Councillors voiced their concern at a proposed merger of mental health services. Plans to merge County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust and Tees and North-East Yorkshire NHS Trust have been put forward. The two trusts believe the merger is the best way to improve specialist services and, if it goes ahead, will come into effect in April. Councillor Dixon said he welcomed the merger in principle, but did not want the successful health partnerships already thriving in Darlington to be affected.