A new parish council is to be created for Durham City after councillors voted in favour of the proposal.
Members of Durham County Council yesterday (Wednesday, 20 September) agreed the recommendation, which follows a public consultation earlier this year when 66 per cent of those who responded backed the idea.
The new authority, which will be called the City of Durham Parish Council, will have 15 elected members who will represent three parishes – Elvet and Gilesgate, Neville’s Cross and Durham South.
Durham County Council carried out the consultation after receiving a petition from Roberta Blackman-Woods MP requesting that people in the central unparished areas of the city be consulted on the formation of a new town council.
Documents were sent to more than 11,700 residents and stakeholders asking them for their opinions on two options – creating a City of Durham Parish Council or maintaining existing arrangements.
A total of 2,819 ballot papers were returned, of which, 1,856 were in favour of a new council and 958 were opposed to the proposal.
Residents and stakeholders were then given the opportunity to give their feedback on more detailed proposals for the structure of the new council in July.
The new authority will become a recognised legal entity on 1 April, 2018, with inaugural elections taking place in May 2018.
Further information is available at www.durham.gov.uk/communitygovernance