Residents in Pelton Fell are being given a further opportunity to have their say on a proposal to create a community council.
We have launched a second round of consultation following a petition by Pelton Fell Community Partnership calling for the creation of an independent community council.
Pelton Fell currently has no parish or community council.
A community council has the same powers as a parish council, however, it would be known as a community council as it reflects the style of the parish for that area.
We carried out an initial round of consultation last year, as the responsible body for parish boundary reviews.
A total of 900 questionnaires were sent out in September, asking households whether they wanted a community council or no change.
Residents were given six weeks to have their say.
A total of 110 responses were received, a 12% return.
Of those, 56% were in favour of creating a community council – 6.87% of the total households consulted, and 5.33% of the total households consulted were against.
The second round of consultation is now underway with feedback forms sent to residents, which they can complete and return.
Further information has been provided to residents about what a community council would look like if it was established, including council size and the precept that would be set for its first year.
Written representations and any comments or queries can also be sent by email to durhamcgr@durham.gov.uk
Feedback forms have also been sent to other statutory consultees, including the local MP, councillors, the Chester-le-Street and District Area Action Partnership and County Durham Association of Local Councils.
The deadline for all responses is 2 March.
Colette Longbottom, our head of legal and democratic services, said: “This consultation is extremely important for the area and we would encourage as many people to respond as possible.”
Further information about the review is available online at www.durham.gov.uk/communitygovernance