Proposals for new Local Network boundary areas

Durham County Council is proposing to reduce the 14  Area Action Partnerships to 12 New Local Network Boundary Areas to help  achieve budget savings of £500,000 for 2025/26 to 2026/27.  

The proposals will have an adverse affect upon Etherley Parish as it is the only Parish in County Durham that will be split between two Local Network Areas - Teesdale and Bishop Auckland.   This does not affect our Parish Boundary but under the new Local Network Boundary Areas more than half the Parish will be included in Bishop Auckland Local Network Area and the remainder will remain in the Teesdale Local Netweork Area.

Our Parish has always been part of  Teesdale District and from 2009 when Durham County Council becomae the Unitary Authority we have  continued to work in partnership with the  Teesdale Area Action Partnership and be fortunate in receiving substantial funding over the years to improve our local community.

The proposals to split the Parish between two Local Network areas  is a huge mistake and as well as being divisive could affect the funding opportunities open to our Parish.

The Parish Council has already received support from other organisations and  we therefore urge residents  to visit the consultation page using the link below.  We trust that you will support the Parish Council's position on this matter. 

The consultation is open uintil 20th September 2024 and access to the online information can be found by visiting:

www.durham.gov.uk/article/31535/Proposals-for-new-Local-Network-boundary-areas 

To access Durham County Council's  current consulations please visit:  www.durham.gov.uk/consultation