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Town or Parish Council information
A Town or Parish Council for Durham City Centre and Newton Hall ?
15th September: New newsletter published, download now
30th October: Meeting Minutes added, see bottom
Introduction by Cllr Sue Pitts
This is a special newsletter for local residents living in the City Centre and Newton Hall wards to bring you up to date on progress in parishing the unparished areas of Durham and setting up a parish or town council.
So far we have had a number of meetings with local ward Councillors and residents from the unparished areas.Starting next month a formal consultation programme will start to see if local people would be interested in creating a new parish or town council.
All Parish Councils in the Durham District have been contacted for their views as part of the consultation andreview process. Local businesses, police, health, community and resident groups will also be asked for their views.
We have tried to arrange a wide range of venues and times to help as many people as possible to attend a public exhibition where you will be able to ask questions and get more information.
I hope to see you at one of the exhibitions next month. Cllr Sue Pitts, Chair Community Governance Review Group
What's in it for me?
Here are some useful piece of background information that might start you thinking about the importance of having local representation for the City Centre and Newton Hall that would not be affected by any further changes to the Borough or County Councils.
Where do you mean by the City Centre and Newton Hall?
The unparished areas of Durham include:-
- Elvet Ward
- St Nicholas Ward
- Gilesgate and Pelaw Ward
- Newton Hall North Ward
- Newton Hall South Ward
- Crossgate and Framwellgate Moor Ward
- Nevilles Cross Ward
There is a map you can download with the areas clearly defined if you're not familiar with all the wards.
What is a town or parish council?
A town or parish council is the most local form of elected local government. It represents the interests of a particular community. It is a statutory body, but most of the things it does are discretionary, so it can listen to the local community and use its resources accordingly.
What kind of powers would it have?
It's too early to say at this stage but a wide range of powers are available to a parish council, if it wants to exercise them. They include crime prevention (eg litter, dog fouling), maintaining public footbaths, lighting roads and public places, the power to provide bus stops and bus shelters, provide public clocks and lots more. The most important issue for a parish or town council would be to know and appreciate what the local community sees as important to them so that they can try and deliver it.
What rights would a town council have?
It would be a statutory consultee on all planning matters, among other things.
Is it just another piece of bureaucracy?
Parish or Town Councils are another means by which the public can influence decisions that affect their area. All other areas of Durham already have this capability, and there is now an opportunity to extend this capability to the currently unparished area, to give residents there an opportunity to comment on issues affecting the life and fabric of the area. This would give the community a formal footing by which to engage with the new Area Action Partnerships when they are set up for the new Unitary Council. Town and Parish Councils do not usually have high overhead costs. They normally employ a Clerk to carry out routine administration that is often a part time position. The cost depends on the services they choose to provide, but the Parish Council would also be able to apply for funding from other bodies such as the new Unitary Council.
What happens now?
Starting in early September there will be number of public meetings at different venues with exhibitions where you can find out more. These will be publicized in the local press and on this page.
You can also pass any comments to mdufferwiel@durhamcity.gov.uk
Download this information as a PDF leaflet.
Meeting Minutes
Communit Governance Working Group 16/09/2008
Communit Governance Working Group 23/09/2008
Communit Governance Working Group 26/09/2008
Communit Governance Working Group 29/09/2008
Communit Governance Working Group 7/10/2008
Other pages you may find useful
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