Improving Local Government
In October 2006, the Government published a White Paper ‘Strong and Prosperous Communities’ that called upon councils, communities, residents and local partners to work together to make sustained improvements in services and performance and create neighbourhood support structures that truly meet the needs of the people who live and work in local communities.
At its heart, the White Paper challenges authorities to improve local governance and give local people more influence and power to improve their lives.
All of the eight County Durham councils are working together to deliver a new vision for local government in the County - a new unitary council committed to developing a prosperous, safe and sustainable future for County Durham, listening to and working with local people, leading and shaping our communities and working in partnership to ensure quality, cost effective services.
Currently, local government in the County is organised on a 'two-tier' basis, in which two types of council – a County council and a district or borough council - provide the majority of council services people receive.
But by April 2009, the County and district councils will be brought together to create one new unitary council for the County.
We will be publishing the results on-line on a specific website - www.elections08.durham.gov.uk.
For further information on the reorganisation, please consult our website and the following documents.
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