Residents are being urged to share their views on the priorities and objectives of a council, to help it meet the needs of County Durham.

Durham County Council has launched a consultation with residents, businesses, partners and staff to check that its proposed objectives and priorities continue to serve them effectively.

The council plan is reviewed regularly to make sure the local authority is delivering efficient and effective services; that it is focusing on the correct ambitions and priorities, and issues that matter most to communities; and that it correctly reflects any changes that have happened since the last review.

As part of this review, the council has added further detail to some of its objectives to provide more information, help present its new priorities, and give clarity on how it will achieve its ambitions.

The local authority’s current ambitions are:

  • Reforming the council: continue to make the council an effective, efficient servant of the people, ensuring taxpayers’ money is spent wisely and well.
  • Supercharging our economy: continue to make County Durham a great place to do business and work, driving economic growth for the benefit of all.
  • Building better communities: safe, connected, clean, and thriving.
  • Caring for our people: caring for those who need it and supporting everyone to live healthy and independent lives.
  • A practical environmental stewardship: delivering practical and tangible benefits.

The council is keen to hear residents’ views on its ambitions, objectives and priorities, specifically, whether they feel anything is missing or if they feel there are issues that need more focus. It also wants to hear what they think of its approach to refreshing the council plan, and any other comments around the plan generally.

Cllr Andrew Husband, leader of Durham County Council said: “We are constantly working hard to make sure that this council is an effective, efficient and dedicated servant of the people of County Durham. We can only continue to do that successfully if we are regularly engaging with residents and reviewing our objectives.

“We’re inviting as many people as possible to get involved with this consultation and share their views on our plans and objectives. We will consider everyone’s views carefully and continue to make sure our objectives are aligned with what the county needs most.”

People can engage with the consultation in multiple ways, either through an online survey; paper survey, which is available from any council library; or emailing their feedback to letstalkcountydurham@durham.gov.uk.

Alternatively, people can book a place at one of a number of online events being held on Wednesday 19 August at 6pm, Thursday 24 August at 2pm, Tuesday 1 September at 11am, or Thursday 10 September at 4pm.

Booking an online event and filling out the online survey can be done by visiting www.letstalkcountydurham.co.uk/projects…