Currently, local government in the County is organised on a 'two-tier' basis, in which two types of council – a county council and a district or borough council - provide the majority of council services you receive.
Across County Durham, there is one county council and seven district or borough councils.
The Government believes that local government in two-tier areas could be improved and provided more cost effectively, if a simpler and clearer system is introduced.
Having considered proposals from across the country, the Government has chosen County Durham as one of the areas where it wants to introduce 'unitary' local government. Under this system, one council would provide all of the main council services you receive.
The specific unitary council proposal the Government intends to implement is based on a submission made by Durham County Council earlier this year.
The Government ran a consultation upon the proposal between 27 March until 22 June 2007 and on 25 July 2007, announced that it was minded to proceed and implement the proposal, subject to the progress of legislation. On 5 December 2007 it confirmed its decision and gave the final green light to reorganisation.
On this site, you can find information about:
Since the Government announced that local government in the County is to change, we have established a reorganisation programme with the district councils. Please go to www.durham.gov.uk/newera for further information.