Our consultation will close on 30 January 2023.

After we have considered all representations made to us during this consultation, we intend to publish draft recommendations in April 2023.

We will then hold a further period of consultation on our draft recommendations. Our final recommendations are expected to be published in September 2023.

The new electoral arrangements will come into effect at the local elections in May 2025.

What is an electoral review?

Our electoral review will recommend new electoral arrangements for Durham County Council. We will propose:

·         the total number of councillors elected to the council in the future;

·         the number of divisions;

·         the number of councillors representing each division;

·         division boundaries; and

·         the names of divisions.

How to get involved

This is a public consultation and we welcome views from individuals and organisations across Durham on where they think new division boundaries should be drawn.

We are minded to recommend that 98 councillors should be elected to Durham County Council in the future.

This is 28 fewer than the current number of councillors.

We are now inviting proposals to help us draw up a pattern of divisions to accommodate 98 councillors.

In drawing up new electoral divisions , we must balance three legal criteria, namely:

·         to deliver electoral equality: where each councillor represents roughly the same number of electors as others across the county;

·         that the pattern of divisions should, as far as possible, reflect the interests and identities of local communities;

·         that the electoral arrangements should provide for effective and convenient local government.

We will treat all submissions equally, and judge each case on its merits and against the legal criteria.

If you wish to put forward a view, we would also urge you to ensure that evidence supports your submission.

For example, if you wish to argue that two areas should be included in the same electoral divisions, make sure you tell us why they should be together, providing evidence about community facilities, ties, organisations, and amenities, rather than simply asserting that they belong together.

There is more advice on our website about how you can get involved in the consultation.

Our website features technical guidance that explains the process and our policies, as well as guidance on how to take part in each part of the process.

We have also set up a webpage dedicated to the review of Durham, where you can find all the relevant information.

You can also access interactive maps of the current ward boundaries across Durham on our specialist consultation portal. The portal also allows you to comment and upload documents directly to the site.

Get in touch

We welcome comments on division arrangements by 30 January 2023. Representations should be made:

– Through our interactive consultation portal, where you can explore the maps of the recommendations and make comments;

– By email to reviews@lgbce.org.uk;

– Or in writing to Review Officer (Durham), LGBCE, PO Box 133, Blyth, NE24 9FE