Councillors to discuss Durham parish council plans

Councillors will meet this week to discuss plans to create a new parish council for Durham City.

Members of Durham Council will meet on Wednesday to discuss a recent public consultation on the proposal and other plans to create a new parish council for Newton Hall and extend Framwellgate Moor Parish Council.

Durham City Council was abolished in 2009, as part of the last round of local government reorganisation.

The unitary authority’s head of legal and democratic services, Colette Longbottom, said: ‘Gauging public opinion on this has been a long-standing commitment by the county council and the process is now nearing close.

‘Since the completion of the consultations, the cross-party constitution working group has considered these results and the representations received.

‘Having concluded that the matter is very finely balanced, the group will be presenting two options for consideration at full council.

‘One option incorporates the whole area being parished by a combination of parish councils for Durham City and Newton Hall, an extension of Framwellgate Moor Parish Council and two parish meetings. The alternative option will propose no change at this time.’