Further details of these Reviews and links to the final reports are outlined below.
Highways Maintenance
This Review Group was established to investigate how highway maintenance was programmed and prioritised and whether targets were being achieved in the light of increased resources available and the current arrangements for Statutory Undertakers taking into account Section 74 of the New Roads and Street Works Act which came into operation on 1st April, 2001 with the objective of minimising the adverse effects of Statutory Undertakers works.
View the Final Report of the Highways Maintenance Review Group - pdf document
View the Action Plan of the Highways Maintenance Review Group - pdf document
Play Areas for Disabled Children
This Review was established, jointly with Social Affairs and Health Scrutiny Committee, to look at areas of best practice and the options available to the Council in developing an inclusive play facility for Darlington, this Review was influential in the development of a brand new inclusive play area, which was opened in North Lodge Park on 17th August, 2004. It is hoped that the children of Darlington continue to enjoy these play facilities for many years to come.
View the Final Report of the Play Areas for Disabled Children Review Group - pdf document
European Directives
This Review was established, jointly with Public Protection and Community Partnerships Scrutiny Committee, to consider the European directives on the disposal of fridges and freezers, waste electronic and electrical equipment, waste tyres and 'end of life' vehicles.
View the Final Report of the European Directives Review Group - pdf document
Conservation
This Review was established to examine and investigate the existence of a Conservation Policy within this Authority and also sought to inform and educate agencies to engage the wider community about the extent of the Borough's architectural and historic assets. It was also hoped to identify and make recommendations on gaps in public awareness of conservation within the Borough.
View the Final Report of the Conservation Review Group - pdf document
Street Signage and Furniture
This Task and Finish Review was established to assist the Best Value Review of Street Environment with issues relating to street furniture and signage. Members undertook various inspections of the Town Centre and immediate surrounding area to assist with their information gathering exercise.
View the Final Report of the Street Signage and Furniture Review Group - pdf document
A167 North Road Corridor of Certainty
This Task and Finish Review was established at the request of the Cabinet Member with portfolio for Highways and Transport who requested the view of Environment Scrutiny Committee on the problems and issues which arose on a daily basis on the North Road Corridor.
View the Final Report of the A167 North Road Corridor of Certainty Task and Finish Review Group - pdf document
Tourism
This Review was established to investigate how the Council's Tourism Strategy could be improved in the light of regeneration. Darlington has a great deal to offer as a historic market town but has been too modest in its effort in the past to establish its image.
View the Final Report of the Tourism Review Group - pdf document
Business Starts-ups in Darlington
This Task and Finish Review was established to encourage local businesses to grow, investigate franchises and analyse how Darlington Borough Council could support new businesses. After several meetings of the Group it was decided that the issue was too wide-ranging to consider as part of a Task and Finish Review and was therefore deferred until the Environment Scrutiny Committee could give greater consideration to this Review once the main Review of Neglected Land was completed.
Derelict Land Sites
This Task and Finish Review was established to define dereliction and gain knowledge of any legal powers available to the Council and the public in dealing with the issue of derelict land within Wards classed as 'deprived'. Following several meetings it was decided that this was too large and complex an issue to be dealt with under a Task and Finish Review Group and has now been reconvened as Neglected Land Review Group (see below) and is Environment Scrutiny's main Review for 2004/05.
View the Final Report of the Derelict Land Sites Task and Finish Review Group - pdf document
Joint Review on Gulley Cleaning
This Task and Finish Review Group was estabished as a joint review with Public Protection and Community Partnerships Scrutiny Committee to investigate the Gulley Cleaning process and reporting process for blocked and/or flooded gulleys.
View the Final Report of the Joint Review on Gulley Cleaning Task and Finish Review Group - pdf document
Works of Art Purchasing
This Task and Finish Review Group was established to investigate financing the purchase of works of art for future generations, with particular attention to obtaining a budget and devising a purchasing policy on works of art. As an audit of the Council's Works of Art Collection was to take place in April 2005 over a period of six months it was decided no further action on this Review be taken until the outcome of the Audit was known.
View the Final Report of the Works of Art Purchasing Task and Finish Review Group - pdf document
Neglected Land
This Review was established as a main review following the findings of the Derelict Land Task and Finish Review Group (details above). The findings of the Group were considered by Cabinet on 11th July, 2006.
View the Final Report of the Neglected Land Review Group - pdf document
View Appendix One of the Neglected Land Review Group Final Report - pdf document
View Appendix Two of the Neglected Land Review Group Final Report - pdf document
View Appendix Three of the Neglected Land Review Group Final Report - pdf document
Financial Assistance to Business
This Review was established as a main review following the findings of the Business Start-ups in Darlington Review Group (details above). The findings of the Group were considered by Cabinet on 16th January, 2007
View the Final Report of the Financial Assistance to Business Review Group - pdf document
View Appendix Two of the Financial Assistance to Business Review Group Final Report
View Appendix Three of the Financial Assistance to Business Review Group Final Report
View Appendix Four of the Financial Assistance to Business Review Group Final Report
Swimming Safety and Early Years Classes
View the findings of the Swimming Safety and Early Years Classes Task and Finish Review Group