Talking Together sessions have seen staged across the borough allowing residents the opportunity to quiz officials face to face on all manner of concerns.

At the most recent, scores of people attended the Coleridge Centre on Skerne Park to talk to officials from Darlington Borough Council, Darlington Primary Care Trust, the voluntary and community sectors, the police and fire and rescue services.

Cabinet member for sustainable environment and climate change Veronica Copeland chaired a talking together session at which residents raised a host of issues on topics ranging from health to dangerous motorcycles and community facilities.

While their parents chatted, children enjoyed face painting, games and balloon sculpting.

Darlington PCT’s head of health improvement Ken Ross revealed plans for a new GP-led health clinic for the town which would increase access to services.

He told residents the new facility would be based in the already successful walk-in centre at Doctor Piper House.

It would be staffed by doctors and would be open 8am to 8pm offering walk-in and bookable appointments.

The PCT had just launched a consultation exercise to find out from the public what other facilities they would like to see based there.

“It is going to be much more accessible for residents who can’t get to their own doctors during conventional opening hours or aren’t registered with a GP,” he said.

“We need to hear from Darlington residents about their views on the new clinic which will be up and running by next April.”

Councillor Copeland said: “This has been a fantastic event and I am delighted so many people took time out to let us know their views. The debate was really productive and will help us make life on Skerne Park and in the rest of the borough even better for residents.”

Video: Introduction to Coleridge Centre Event

Duration: 1 minute 2 seconds

Video: Public Transport to Dr Piper House Interview

Duration: 2 minutes 10 seconds

Video: New GP Clinic Consultation Interview

Duration: 1 minute 33 seconds

Video: Skerne Park Community Centre Interview

Duration: 1 minute 29 seconds