Community governance review
The Council is carrying out reviews of three parish areas within the Borough.
This consultation concluded at midnight on 4 October 2015 - follow this link to see the changes to parishes and parish councils
The background is that in 2014 the Boundary Commission completed a review of Darlington ward boundaries (for example for Borough Council wards). This resulted in changes to some ward boundaries and a reduction of councillors from 53 to 50.
Full details including maps of the new ward boundaries can be found at www.lgbce.org.uk.
As a result of the changes to some ward boundaries the Council has looked at the effect on parish areas and decided to carry out reviews (known as Community Governance Reviews) in specific parish areas.
After inviting Parish Councils to give their preferences and views, three Community Governance Reviews are to move forward and proposals have been drawn up for new parish arrangements in those areas. It is on these proposals that the Council is now consulting
|
Area under Review |
Proposal for consultation |
|---|---|
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Archdeacon Newton Parish Community Governance Review
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That Archdeacon Newton Parish Council ceases to be a Parish Council and becomes a parish meeting. The boundary is changed to the line of the A1M. The area East of the A1M (known as High Grange) should no longer form part of a parished area If this is accepted it is proposed that a recommendation is made to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England to suggesting the ward boundary also be redrawn along the line of the A1M. This would move the 13 voters within the Archdeaon Newton parish area into the rural ward of Heighington and Conniscliffe (this would not take effect until the 2019 local government ward elections). This boundary would reflect the existing Parliamentary Boundary and reflect community identity. |
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That the boundary be redrawn so that a small part of the Skerne Park housing development, known as the Pastures, currently part of the Hurworth Parish (now part of the new Park East ward) ceases to be in the Hurworth Parish boundary. That this area of the Park East ward will cease to be parished. It is not proposed that the number of Hurworth Parish Councillors would need to change
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That Low Dinsdale ceases to be a Parish Council That the northern part of Low Dinsdale parish be combined into Middleton St George to create an area of greater Middleton St George. It is not proposed that the number of Middleton St George Parish Councillors would need to change That the southern part of Low Dinsdale together with Sockburn Parish Meeting be combined to create a greater Neasham Parish Council as indicated on the map. |
The Detail
For more detailed information about the proposals for each area please click on the area under review (the left column in the table above) and you will be taken to a separate page.
Timetable
| Date | Activity |
|---|---|
|
April-June 2015 |
Launch of Consultation inviting submissions from Parish Councils and local interested groups on their proposals for their areas. |
|
July 2015 |
Council consideration of submissions and preparation of draft proposals. |
|
August –September 2015 |
Public consultation on draft proposals |
|
November 2015 |
Final decision by Council and approval of draft Order |
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December 2015 – March 2016 |
Implementation of Order, financial arrangements and conduct of nominations/elections. |
|
1 April 2016 |
New arrangements come into force |
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May 2016 |
Election/co option of Parish Councillors for Parish Councils being newly constituted |
Your Views
We would like to hear your views and comments about the proposals. Your views are important whether or not you agree with the proposals set out.
The deadline for you to let us know your views is by the end of Sunday 4 October 2015. Please send your emails to [email protected].
If you need more information please email or ring Barbara Harris 01325 405812.
All consultation responses will be made available for inspection on the Council website.
Responses from this Consultation
- Neasham Parish Council [pdf document]
- Low Dinsdale [pdf document]
- Walworth Parish meeting [pdf document]
- Middleton St George responses [pdf document]
Previous Responses from Parish Councils and Parish meetings
- Archdeacon Newton [pdf document]
- Hurworth [pdf document]
- Middleton St George previous responses [pdf document]
- Neasham [pdf document]
Other information
Law and Guidance
The Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act and detailed guidance from the Department for Local Government and Communities dated March 2010 on Community Governance Reviews requires the Council to consider whether to review parish boundaries.
More information about Parish Councils and Parish Meetings
Please follow this link for our page with extra information relating to Parish Councils and meetings