An external review of the local authority praised its financial stability and performance, highlighting the “strong and unified culture” among councillors and staff. 

The Corporate Peer Challenge, conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA) last year, identified “strong strategic direction and stability” within the new administration after Reform UK gained overall control of the local authority at the May 2025 local elections.

Council officials have now set out an action plan for continuous improvement following the positive review. 

Andrew Husband, council leader, said: “Being a new administration, it would have been easy for us to defer the inspection, but we didn’t. 

“If we are to make continuous improvements, the views of senior officers and cabinet members from other authorities are important to hear.”

The council’s partnership working and commitment to community engagement were also praised. 

Among several recommendations, the LGA urged the council to establish a comprehensive transformation programme to address the budget gap and drive sustainable change, and develop a refreshed digital strategy. 

The review also called on the authority to “further develop the council’s place leadership as part of the North East Combined Authority and County Durham Vision 2035” and “recognise and demonstrate the council’s leadership role in promoting social cohesion across the entire community.”

Cabinet members were told that around 92 per cent of actions are already underway or complete, with work ongoing to implement the others. 

The challenge process is designed to support local councils in improving their performance and governance. Officers from the LGA interviewed more than 100 council representatives, including councillors, officers and staff, during the review in October 2025.

Darren Grimes, deputy leader, told a cabinet meeting: “We have already come a long way since October, and I have no doubt that when we get the follow-up review later this year, we will have made even more progress and that will be acknowledged by the peer team. 

“Some of the actions are straightforward and already addressed, but others are whole council actions that require us to build on that unified culture identified by our peers and work together to deliver the outcomes that the people of County Durham deserve. 

“We have all played our part in getting the council to where it is today. And what’s more, we have all had a part to play in what happens next and how we achieve continuous improvement.”

A progress review will take place later this year to assess the council’s implementation of the recommendations.

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This means more breaking news, leisure exclusives, and the latest must read stories from your area. 

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England’s World Cup-winning captain Zoe Stratford has announced she is pregnant with her first child.

Announcing the news on Instagram the 29-year-old said the baby is due in September.

“We are so incredibly grateful and excited,” added Stratford.

The news comes seven months after she led the Red Roses to a World Cup triumph on home soil.

Stratford’s news will rule her out of the Women’s Six Nations, where England will open their campaign against Ireland at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham on Saturday, 11 April.

England are yet to confirm who will lead the side in the 2026 campaign, but Marlie Packer and Meg Jones were vice-captains during the World Cup, with Alex Matthews taking the skipper’s armband for their pool match against Australia.

Red Roses head coach John Mitchell will name his Six Nations squad on Friday.

Stratford was named World Player of the Year in 2021 and has also co-captained her club Gloucester-Hartpury to three back-to-back Premiership Women’s Rugby titles.

Since the World Cup success, she has also opened a coffee shop with England and Gloucester team-mate Natasha Hunt.

Stratford becomes the third England women’s player to announce they are expecting this year, following Bristol duo Lark Atkin-Davies and Abbie Ward.

Senior DWP officials have updated MPs on the Access to Work scheme, which provides grants for workplace support for those with health conditions or disabilities.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has provided an update on a scheme that could offer £4,000 or more in additional support. Senior officials from the department recently appeared before the Public Accounts Committee to discuss the scheme, which can provide over £60,000 a year in assistance.

The top officials briefed MPs about the Access to Work scheme. This is a grant programme offering extra workplace support for those with a health condition or disability, helping them carry out their job. Through the programme, you can receive up to £69,260 annually in grants, which can cover things like specialist equipment or a support worker.

The average grant award is £4,000 per year, or £10,500 for those requiring a support worker, the equivalent of almost £200 a week.

Both demand and spending on the scheme have doubled since the 2018/2019 tax year, with the DWP spending £321million on the programme in 2024/2025. The current wait time for applications to be processed is up to 37 weeks.

However, the committee heard that the DWP can fast-track your application. DWP permanent secretary, Peter Schofield, said: “If you have a job that you are ready to start within four weeks, we prioritise it. If there is some other reason why it needs to be prioritised, we prioritise it.”

The officials said they are making progress in cutting the time needed to process cases. Mr Schofield said one significant change they have observed is the type of medical conditions for which people are claiming the support, reports the Mirror.

He elaborated: “What we have seen is not only a doubling of claims but a really dramatic change in the nature of the claims coming in and of the health conditions that we are talking about-more mental health conditions and more conditions around neurodiversity. There is not a standard way of looking at what would be required in terms of reasonable adjustments.”

Reasonable adjustments are alterations that employers are legally required to make so a person with a health condition can perform their job. This could involve providing physical aids or changing how you execute your work.

Mr Schofield stated: “You have to think about each of those conditions individually. They could be fluctuating conditions; they could be conditions that impact in particular circumstances in a different way.

“Obviously, the nature of the workplace has changed dramatically as well. To get this right – to get the right decisions – is a really complex piece of work, and we have got to get it right.”

The missing man was last seen in Lisburn on Saturday

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Police have put out a public appeal to locate missing man, 22-year-old Cain Matchett, who was last seen at approximately 11pm on Saturday night in the Lisburn area.

Cain was last sighted in the area of Oakridge Crescent, Lisburn, wearing dark clothing and carrying a rucksack and a light-coloured suitcase.PSNI said the man is known to have links to the Newry, Derry, Belfast and Mid Ulster areas.A statement from the PSNI said: “If you have seen Cain or have any information regarding his whereabouts, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please contact Police on 101 quoting reference 1398 16/3/26.”

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To vote, eligible residents must be on the electoral register by midnight on Monday, April 20.

Residents in North Lanarkshire are reminded to make sure they are registered to vote in the Scottish Parliament Election on May 7.

To vote, eligible residents must be on the electoral register by midnight on Monday, April 20.

It takes five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote with your National Insurance number.

“The Scottish Parliament election is an opportunity to make your voice heard and have a say on who represents you on issues including health, education, housing, justice and the environment,” said North Lanarkshire Returning Officer Des Murray.

“Research by the Electoral Commission shows that some groups, including young people, students and those who have recently moved, are less likely to be registered than others.

“If you’re not registered by April 20, you won’t be able to vote so please take a few minutes to register now.”

When registered, voters have a range of options for casting their ballot – in person, by post or by appointing someone they trust to vote in their place, known as a proxy vote.

Voter ID is not required to vote in person at the Scottish Parliament election.

READ MORE: Council grants planning permission for development of new car wash in Motherwell

The deadline to apply for a postal vote is 5pm on Tuesday, April 21, and for a proxy vote the deadline is 5pm on Tuesday, April 28.

For information on how to register to vote, or how to apply to vote by post or by proxy, visit www.electoralcommission.org.uk/voter

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And did you know Lanarkshire Live had its own app? Download yours for free here.

READ MORE: Scotland netball captain surprises Lanarkshire players for international women’s day

Crookhaven stars Dougray Scott and Carmel Laniado appeared on BBC’s The One Show

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BBC Crookhaven star Dougray Scott suffered an awkward moment as he discovered that he hadn’t been added to the cast group chat

The actor, 60, is set to star in the upcoming BBC drama series as he takes on the role of Caspian Lockett, the headmaster and leader of the secretive Crookhaven.

Ahead of the new show, Dougray appeared on Wednesday’s (March 18) episode of BBC The One Show alongside co-star Carmel Laniado, who plays his daughter, Penelope.

However things took an awkward turn as Carmel revealed that there is a group chat with cast members that Dougray has not been added to.

Opening up about the bonds she has made on-set, Carmel went on to say: “To be able to do this now at 21, I’m just so grateful to have all these like different opportunities and also I feel like when you’re older, you definitely are a lot more like aware of what’s going on.”

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She continued; “You can actually build friendships with people on set and with your crew members and your cast so yeah, definitely really appreciate it. All of us, we’re best friends now to this day.

The actress then shared: “We still text on the group chat all the time.” Dougray looked stunned as he pointed out: “I’m not in that group chat.” Carmel awkwardly laughed as she replied: “I need to add you. I promise you, you honestly would not want to be in it.”

Based on the beloved novels by J.J. Arcanjothe, BBC’s adaptation is set in the secret school for crooks, where students, or Crooklings, are taught to perfect their skills to do good, bring balance, justice and order to the outside world.

Centred on pickpocketing genius Gabriel (Lucas Leach) and his arch-rival, headmaster’s daughter Penelope (Carmel Laniado), the series follows a group of eight very different, young international students.

As they go head to head in the competition for the infamous Crooked Cup – all while battling a terrifying enemy, The Nameless.

Joining Dougray and Carmel is an award-winning cast including Julie Hesmondhalgh (Mr Bates vs The Post Office, Coronation Street, The Pact, Broadchurch), Keith Allen (Shallow Grave, Trainspotting, Kingsman, Marcella, Bodies) and Naomi Wirthner (Slow Horses, Alex Rider).

As well as an exciting ensemble of talent who play the high achieving, hand-picked Crookhaven students sharing credits such as Adolescence, Game of Thrones, Heartstopper and The Witcher.

Screenwriter Justin Young said: “From the moment my daughters and I read the first Crookhaven book, I knew it had the potential to be a thrilling, timeless series for the whole family.

“Bringing the Crookhaven world to life has been a glorious adventure, and it’s both an honour and a thrill to be working with such an extraordinarily talented cast and crew — truly a dream mix of industry legends and dazzling new faces.”

BBC The One Show airs weekdays from 7pm on BBC One and iPlayer

Eddie Howe has confirmed that Sandro Tonali has suffered a groin injury during Newcastle United’s 7-2 defeat to Barcelona in the Champions League on Wednesday night.

Newcastle equalised twice through Anthony Elanga at Camp Nou in a thrilling first half but Barcelona went into the break 3-2 in front via Lamine Yamal’s penalty.

Howe’s side then collapsed in the second half as Barcelona went on to score four more without reply to secure their place in the Champions League quarter-final where they will play Atletico Madrid or Tottenham.

Tonali, meanwhile, was forced off in the second half against Barcelona and is now a doubt to be fit for Newcastle’s Premier League derby at home to Sunderland this Sunderland.

When asked about Tonali’s injury after the game, Howe said: ‘I’d say he’s a doubt.

‘It looks like he’s got a groin, or a hip problem. I thought he performed really well in the first half and we really missed him in that second period.’

Analysing his side’s defeat to Barcelona, Howe said: ‘The defending today was not at the level that it was just a few days ago at Chelsea.

‘Starting with the first goal where two players slipped, then we concede a set play, then probably the big one was the penalty. So as well as we played in the first half and I thought we were outstanding in many aspects, it was really a great representation of how we want to play.

‘If we performed anywhere near or defended anywhere near the level we can, I think we would have been leading at half time.

‘The second half we said we didn’t have the same energy and when the game was effectively over, we didn’t react well to that moment either.

‘So it became a very, very difficult second half. And even changing to play lower and deeper in a compact space didn’t really help us in our efforts.’

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Tensions were high in court following a trial where the boys were accused of raping a 13-year-old girl when they were 12, 13 and 14

Family members of three young boys accused of raping a 13-year-old girl reacted with tears and heavy sighs as the jury returned their verdicts after nearly 10 hours of deliberations.

Earlier this month, prosecutors told jurors the boys raped the girl when they were 12, 13 and 14. She was 13 at the time, the Crown said.

On Wednesday, they were cleared of all charges as jurors delivered not guilty verdicts. Two boys – one now 16, the other 15 – were cleared of rape. They were also cleared of two ‘joint enterprise’ counts.

Jurors were asked to find whether the third boy – now aged 14, then 12 – had committed the acts and whether he had encouraged the other boys as he had been found unfit to stand trial. They found he did not commit the offences.

Over 10 emotional days at Minshull Street Crown Court, family members of the young defendants watched on from a tense public gallery. As the jury foreperson delivered the verdicts one exhausted voice cried “Jesus”.

Sitting next to his mum, a red-faced and bleary eyed boy wept. On the opposite side of the bench, another boy put his arm around the shoulder of a trembling family member, reports the Manchester Evening News.

As the trial began, the jury was told the three boys raped the girl, taking it in ‘turns’ and ‘swapp[ing] positions’ during the incident in Rochdale town centre in February 2024.

Part of the alleged attack was filmed on a mobile phone, the court heard. Footage was later ‘circulated among themselves’ and ‘others’, prosecutors said.

Four boys were hanging out, the court heard, and ended up at a tram stop where a large group had gathered. Jurors were told they were seen on CCTV chatting and vaping.

Among the group were two 13-year-old girls, the court heard. The defendants walked up to the station. One would later tell the court they were ‘showing off’.

They all got onto the tram at Rochdale, it was said. One of the girls sat down, her friend beside her. The boys – then 12, 13, and 14 – remained standing, with one repeatedly pressing the button to keep the door open, the court heard.

They moved between seats and struck up a conversation with an elderly lady sitting nearby, it was said. The girls watched on. One friend joked ‘she fancies you’, pointing at one of the lads, jurors were told.

Towards the end of the eight-minute journey, the now 15-year-old boy, sat next to the girl. He would later tell jurors they flirted and that there had been talk of ‘sh*gging’.

They got off the tram together at Newbold, the court heard. The boys put their arms around the girls as they moved to the other side of the platform, jurors were told.

The group made their way down the path towards Morrisons. Prosecutors alleged the now 15-year-old said: “We can do it in the bush if you want.” In his evidence, the now 15-year-old said it was the girl who ‘asked [him] for sex’.

Her friend told them she was on her period, telling them to ‘f*** off’, the court heard. The other girl told the court she said ‘no’. It was then they went into nearby bushes.

Prosecutors said the girl was bent over. Snapchat footage of the incident was played in court. Laughing could be heard. One voice was heard saying ‘s**k it’.

The court heard the girl’s friend ran over and pulled her away. The boys ran home, jurors were told. The girl cried, the court heard as her friend said: “She said she wanted to leave it, she didn’t want any more drama.

“I said we should call the police. She then said to call her mum from my phone.” Minutes later, the girl’s mum pulled into the car park. She found her daughter and friend sitting in a family member’s van. Police had put up a cordon.

Jurors were told the boys, by then at home, messaged each other. The now 15-year-old sent the video he had filmed to the now 16-year-old, it was said.

The now 14-year-old, the court heard, wrote: “Send all the videos… send vids… send me the videos.”

The trial heard evidence from the girl, in the form of a recording of a police interview. She was later cross-examined by barristers on behalf of the boys.

It was put to her by Rachel Shenton, representing the now 16-year-old, that there was flirting on the tram. “My friend pointed and said I like[d] him as a joke,” she said. “But it didn’t come from my mouth.”

“Did you point to one of them and say ‘I would sh*g him’?,” Ms Shenton asked. “No,” the girl replied. “Did you fancy one of them?,” she was asked. “No,” the girl said.

The girl became emotional as she was questioned. “Did you willingly bend over? Did you say anything to anyone in the bushes? Did you try to move away from the bushes? Did you scream?,” Ms Shenton asked her.

“Did you do anything to make the boys think you did not agree to it?” The girl replied: “I never said yeah.” Later in the trial, as the defence closed its cases, it was suggested the girl had lied about being raped.

“[Her friend] told them to f*** off,” Ms Shenton told. “I asked [the alleged victim] if she told them to ‘f*** off’. She did not. She went into the bushes. I’m not seeking to throw shade at her. She is a young girl… immature. Why didn’t she shout? Why didn’t she scream?”

Ms Shenton said the girl had been embarrassed about being called a ‘sl*g’ by two strangers who walked past. She added: “How does she react? ‘I was raped’. It is a get out of jail free card. This was not a rape, it was a shameful encounter.”

Ms Shenton said the girl had been ‘untruthful’ and ‘inconsistent’. Peter Gilmour, representing the now 15-year-old said: “These are children. We must not judge children by the standards of adults.

“If there was a point she had second thoughts, she didn’t give any indication. And she immediately regretted that and says to her friend she had been raped. She went into the bushes, she went willingly. Her answer was ‘I never said yeah’. How was he supposed to know?”

Both boys told the court what happened in the bushes was consensual. They were virgins and had both left school at a young age with no sex education, the court heard.

The now 16-year-old said he felt ‘happy’ after the experience, thought said it was not ‘successful’. He said he would not have done anything if he didn’t believe she was consenting.

The now 15-year-old said the girl had asked him for sex. “I could tell by the way she was looking at me, she fancied me,” he said. He denied running away after, instead saying he was ‘not h**d’ and so ‘couldn’t do anything’.

For the Crown, Kim Whittlestone said that according to the defence: “[The alleged victim] had made herself available for not just one, but three of them.

“Alone and combined, the evidence shows this is not a case of her leading the way. Far from it. A bit of smiling and teen flirting on the tram does not equate to consent to a foursome in the bushes.”

“It was asked in cross examination by one of the barristers ‘did you gang rape [her]?’. The prosecution held back from using that phrase – it is headline grabbing and emotive.

“But, sadly, that phrase best describes what happened to her in those bushes. From the evidence in this case, ‘gang rape’ fits the description perfectly.”

Ultimately, jurors found all three boys not guilty on all counts. They were discharged from court as families embraced and wept.

Across Europe, many banks alongside motorways are planted with grass to stabilise soil and keep roadside landscapes tidy.

But there may be a better solution. Already some countries are experimenting with using moss in built-up areas to absorb air pollution. As countries search for nature-based solutions to climate and environmental challenges, roadside moss is starting to attract attention. So could mossy motorway banks work?

Moss could offer environmental benefits over grass, from trapping air pollution to slowing rainwater runoff during heavy storms.

Mosses are small plants that grow without roots or flowers. Instead of drawing nutrients from soil like most plants do, they absorb water and minerals directly from the air. They can grow in thin soils, shaded areas and exposed surfaces where grass often struggles. Once established, moss also requires very little maintenance. Unlike grass, moss grows slowly and stays low to the ground. This means roadside moss would require far less mowing, potentially reducing labour and maintenance costs along thousands of kilometres of roads.

Moss and air pollution

One of moss’s most fascinating features is its ability to absorb substances from the atmosphere. It can accumulate pollutants such as heavy metals.

Scientists have used moss for decades as a bioindicator – a living organism used to monitor environmental pollution. Experimental observations have shown that moss can also exhibit visible physical responses to air pollution. For example, moss exposed to highly polluted environments has been observed to change colour from fresh green to brownish.

Across Europe, the European Moss Survey uses moss samples to track air pollution levels in dozens of countries. Research shows moss can capture pollutants including nitrogen compounds and particulate matter, both of which are produced by traffic emissions. If moss grows beside busy roads, it may therefore help capture some airborne pollution before it spreads into surrounding ecosystems or nearby communities.

Another potential benefit involves water. Many moss species act like natural sponges. They can absorb several times their own weight in water and release it slowly over time. On roadside slopes, this property could help slow down rainwater runoff during heavy storms. Fast runoff from roads and embankments can overwhelm drainage systems and contribute to flash flooding. By temporarily storing water, moss could reduce the speed at which rainwater flows into roadside drains. The UK, for instance, has one of the densest road networks in Europe, and many major roads run close to towns and residential areas. Vegetation that can reduce pollution and water runoff could therefore provide environmental benefits.

Roadside vegetation can also play an important role in biodiversity. Road verges and embankments form long, connected strips of habitat that can support insects, mosses, lichens and other small organisms. In landscapes heavily shaped by agriculture or urban development, these narrow corridors can help species move between fragmented habitats. Moss-dominated banks may provide microhabitats for invertebrates and microorganisms that depend on moist, shaded environments. Although research on mossy roadside systems is still limited, increasing structural diversity along road verges could enhance ecological connectivity and contribute to wider efforts to support biodiversity in managed landscapes.

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An epic global study of moss reveals it is far more vital to Earth’s ecosystems than we knew

Moss thrives in cool, damp climates with frequent rainfall, conditions common across much of the UK, for instance. Shaded roadside slopes, especially where roads cut through hillsides or woodland, also favour moss growth. In such places, grass often struggles because soils are thin and sunlight is limited.

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Best in shade

Despite its potential advantages, moss would not be a universal solution.

One problem is it grows slowly. Establishing a stable moss cover on new embankments could take several years.
Also, roadside environments can be harsh. Salt used for winter road de-icing can damage many moss species, and prolonged dry conditions may limit growth on exposed slopes.

Another issue is pollutant accumulation. Moss can absorb airborne pollutants, but these substances remain stored within the plant material. Over time this may require monitoring or periodic removal. Finally, moss generally prefers shaded and moist environments. On sunny or dry motorway banks, other vegetation may still be more suitable.

Road networks occupy vast areas of land, yet roadside vegetation is often managed simply to keep it short and tidy. Instead of treating roadside land as space that just needs mowing, it could be designed to capture pollution, manage water and support biodiversity.

Moss will not transform highways overnight. But small ecological changes along thousands of kilometres of roads could add up to meaningful environmental benefits. Sometimes, even plants at the edges of our motorways may help tackle pollution, flooding and climate change.