Pitch Reflections

It is now 2 weeks since the much talked about Pitch Panel and we have had time to reflect on the opportunities this may have created and meet again as a team to discuss the best way forwards. It hasn’t been a whirlwind of people putting their hands in their pockets, but we have certainly got people in positions of power talking. This is exciting in itself as one is firm of consultants and the other a regional office.

There is a long way to go with this idea despite the time already spent on it. The first real step will be a meeting with the North of Tyne Combined Authority who have an interest in not only digital innovations but also community led housing. Although Durham is not yet part of this I believe the North East Combined Authority deal has been agreed where all parties will come together to combine funding and expertise. It looks like the Combined Authority can provide some training, links to developers and signpost us to business innovation funding. We would then need to decide if the team and their related organisations had the appetite and capacity to continue driving things forwards.

Where Stanley is concerned this is Project is probably not a moment too soon. I read in the Northern Echo today that they had been awarded the 7th ugliest town award. Not the greatest accolade this town has seen: https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/23939885.stanley-named-telegraphs-uk-ugliest-locations-list/

The author does acknowledge that Stanley has redeeming features, and it clearly has, but I feel that this is not a view shared by many of those that live in the locality at the moment. I have an infinity with the area as my Dad was a teacher there when I was in my infancy and thus I spent many school holidays playing in the parks there. If something good can from our work then supporting and helping the communities of Stanley will be top of my list.