Durham County Council Consultations

Durham County Council have several consultations available for members of the public to view and comment on. The County Council have a duty to share consultation information. Your input is vital to help ensure their services meet the needs of our communities. 

New and ongoing consultations

Updated proposals to balance the Council budget

As we wait to find out what funding we will receive from the government next year, we continue to work towards finalising our budget proposals and are still experiencing significant financial challenges. The estimated budget deficit we face next year and across the next four years has increased since we made our initial forecasts in September. We therefore must now propose additional savings for consultation.

To view the full information and take part go to: Consultation on updated proposals to balance the Council budget

The closing date for comments is 5.00pm on Friday 17 January 2025.

Service Area(s): Resources

Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (phase 2)

Following on from our initial consultation in June this year, we want your views on the amended Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). We are committed to securing improvements for biodiversity, and the Biodiversity SPD is a key action in our Ecological Emergency Action Plan. It provides guidance to support existing planning policies in the County Durham Plan. It also includes guidance on the requirement introduced by government this year (2024) for most developments to achieve a minimum 10% net gain in biodiversity.

To view the full information and take part, or take part in the event on 8 January 2025, go to: Biodiversity Supplementary Planning Document consultation (phase 2)

The closing date for comments is 5.00pm on Sunday 12 January 2025.

Service Area(s): Regeneration Economy and Growth

Non-Designated Heritage Asset Supplementary Planning Document (phase 2)

Following on from our initial consultation in June 2024, we want your views on the amended Non-Designated Heritage Asset (NDHA) Supplementary Planning Document (SPD). We are passionate about our heritage in County Durham and this draft SPD provides detailed guidance on NDHAs, which are buildings, monuments, sites, places, areas or landscapes that have a degree of significance meriting consideration in planning decisions, because of their heritage interest, but which do not meet the criteria for designated heritage assets. It supports a range of policies in the County Durham Plan. 2.  To view the full information and take part go to: Non-Designated Heritage Asset Supplementary Planning Document consultation (phase 2)

The closing date for comments is 5.00pm on Sunday 12 January 2025.

Service Area(s): Regeneration Economy and Growth

Closing soon

Belonging, culture and identity in Bishop Auckland

We are continuing to build a better Bishop Auckland, to revitalise and transform it into a place where residents and visitors can enjoy work, leisure, and life. As part of this, we want to continually learn about peoples' sense of community belonging and the key features that make Bishop Auckland unique, as well as understand how people interact with local cultural and heritage places and events within the area.

To support this ongoing work and long-term planning for the area we are conducting a survey to understand how people who live, work or visit, feel about Bishop Auckland.

To view the full information and take part go to: Belonging, culture and identity in Bishop Auckland

The closing date is 5.00pm on Friday 13 December 2024.

Service Area(s): Regeneration Economy and Growth

Update on closed consultations

New Local Network boundary areas consultation

We received 299 responses to our survey which were analysed alongside feedback received from other groups including Area Action Partnership boards, elected members and some of our partners. Following this analysis the recommended option for our main community engagement function is to have 12 Local Networks with new boundaries aligned to electoral divisions which will have a more consistent population size and county councillor representation. Moving to 12 Local Networks from 14 Area Action Partnerships will also help us to achieve budget savings of £500,000 for 2025/26 to 2026/27. The recommended option was agreed by our Cabinet at its meeting on 13 November.

For more information regarding the feedback for this consultation go to: Proposals for new Local Network boundary areas

Coming in January 2025

We are really excited about the launch, in January, of our new consultation and engagement platform, Let’s Talk County Durham.

This is a new space for you to be actively involved in matters that affect you and your local area. There will be more ways for you to participate including surveys, commenting, quick polls and voting. There will also be the ability to put forward ideas and proposals and join in discussions on other proposals that have been put forward.

Look out for further communications about Let’s Talk County Durham when it goes live including how to register and create your own personalised account, to make the most of its features.

Visit the County Council’s website https://www.durham.gov.uk/consultation to share your views.