Council and Democracy
Durham County Council uses regular consultation to seek the view points of local people, groups and organisations. The feedback we receive helps us to make informed decisions and develop policies to meet the needs of County Durham. We aim to improve our services and to reflect your opinions in the decisions we make.
Corporate Complaints
The County Council strives to satisfy the needs of its customers and citizens, but we realise that sometimes we get things wrong and people are not always happy with what we do. To help in these cases we have a corporate policy for handling complaints.
Council Departments
Durham County Council is part of a larger local government structure, find out which areas of the authority deal with specific services and how we work with district, parish and town councils in the area.
Council News
See our press releases and details of upcoming events, or join one of our mailing lists. We’ve also provided latest news about a number of specific areas of the county council.
Council Publications
See a list of a number of council publications, from Countryside information to financial details, and public transport documents. We also have links to 'County Durham Books' leaflets from Social Care and Health and some Trading Standards information.
Council Tax
Council Tax is set by local councils to help pay for services as refuse collection, education and social services. Each house, bungalow, flat, maisonette, mobile home or houseboat pays the tax, and whether it is owned or rented. In County Durham your local district council is responsible for collecting payments.
Councillors, Democracy and Elections
Find out about local democracy, including elections and how to vote. We've provided information on the County Council structure and the decision making process, including Overview and Scrutiny. See details of local district, parish and town councils or links to county councillor information, along with minutes, agendas and diaries of meetings their meetings.
Data Protection and Freedom of Information
The Data Protection Act 1998 sets out rules for processing personal information and applies to paper and digital records, covering collection, storage, processing and distribution of personal data, and giving certain rights to individuals. Find out more about the Data Protection Act, why Durham County Council needs to process your personal data, and how you can get access to it in relation to freedom of information.
Emergencies
Details of what to do in an emergency and how the Civil Contingencies Unit (CCU) provides a coordinated link between local authority resources and emergency services, utilities, voluntary agencies and other organisations.
Equalities and Diversity
See details of Durham County Council's Race Equality Scheme and our Corporate Equalities Plan. We have a number of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) relating to equality and diversity and further information about a number of services we offer.
Grants
Information on a wide variety of funding opportunities relevant to people involved in community, educational, business, cultural and environmental projects, helping them to obtain advice, support and funding to ensure projects are successful.
Jobs at the Council
The County Council is an equal opportunities employer and aims to develop a diverse workforce, we welcome applications from all sections of the community. You can use the 'Jobspot' to see details of our vacancies and apply for posts using our online application form (except school posts).
Performance
Read about the performance of the council, see how we must aim to meet an number of standards, set out by the government, and learn about the 'Best value' performance plans we have in place. Find out how we are 'Embracing Change' and 'Implementing Electronic Government' and what we have agreed to deliver as part of our local Public Service Agreement.
Regeneration
Find out about a number of projects within the county relating to regeneration, such as neighbourhood improvement and renewal schemes and the 'Urban and Rural Renaissance Initiative'.
Statistics and Census Information
We have provided a collection of information, intended as a starting point for researchers and planners, which gives a snap shot of the social, employment, and economic structure of our county, and the commercial and natural environment in which the people of County Durham live.
Tenders and Contracts
See the Council's 'Procurement Strategy' which outlines how procurement throughout Durham County Council (DCC) should operate or link to information which describes how to do business with DCC and register against any forthcoming tender opportunities.
