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Durham Districts call for public consultation on Unitary Council
Wednesday 11th April 2007
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced that it is to consult on plans to change local government arrangements in County Durham. The DCLG's preference is for the present Durham County Council (DCC) and Durham District Councils to move to a single Unitary form of local governance by April 2009.
Local Government ReviewAll Durham District Councils are opposed to the single council proposal for the whole of County Durham
What do you think?
City of Durham Council is inviting you to have your say on local government reorganisation.
The Department for Communities and Local Government (DCLG) has announced that it is to consult on plans to change local government arrangements in County Durham. The DCLG's preference is for the present Durham County Council (DCC) and Durham District Councils to move to a single Unitary form of local governance by April 2009.
Whilst the six other Durham Districts favour unitary governance for the County, they do not support the County Council's approach or the tight schedule for change. They submitted to Government an alternative bid for a programme of managed change leading to the creation of local government arrangements better suited to the needs and diversity of the people and the County. This was rejected in favour of the County council's plan.
All of the Durham District Councils' are united in their opposition to the Durham County Council's single council plan.
Two recent polls commissioned separately by the County Council and six of the Durham Districts revealed that more than 70 per cent of residents responding across the county are against its proposal for a single council.
This is a major overhaul of services and governance that will affect the lives of half a million residents across the County and residents could have little influence on the outcome of the debate.
All of the District Council Leaders across the County have challenged the Government to broaden the consultation. Brian Spears, Chief Executive said: "We are calling for our communities to be part of a full, fair and transparent consultation process. It is vital that people have the opportunity to influence future local government plans and the government's consultation process does not make it easy for them to do so."
Do you want to see a single council for County Durham?
The Department for Communities and Local Government has published its plans for consultation and it is open to anyone to respond. For details please select this link: Proposals for Future Unitary - Stakeholder Consultation.
You can respond directly to the Department for Communities and Local Government.
You can also send comments direct to us. We will be involved in the consultation and we will formally state our objections to the County's plans in the strongest possible terms.
We would welcome your views. We will ensure the Government is made aware of the strength of feeling about this plan across communities in City of Durham and across the County. Please make sure you have your say - select the Feedback link above.
If you want to stop the rush to a single council for County Durham - make sure you have your say.