Local Government Act 1972

I Hereby Give You Notice that an Ordinary Meeting of the Durham County Council will be held in the on Wednesday 22 January 2020 at 10.00 am. to transact the following business:-

1. To confirm the minutes of the meeting held on 4 December 2019 (Pages 3 - 14)

2. To receive any declarations of interest from Members

3. Chair's Announcements

4. Leader's Report

5. Presentation from Area Action Partnership (Pages 15 - 32)

6. Questions from the Public

7. Petitions

8. Report from the Cabinet (Pages 33 - 38)

9. Members Allowance Scheme - Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel - Report of Corporate Director of Resources (Pages 39 - 78)

10. Review of Polling Districts and Places - Report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services (Pages 79 - 246)

11. Standards Committee Annual Report 2019/20 - Report of Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer (Pages 247 - 254)

12. Appointment of Chair of Corporate Parenting Panel

13. Motions on Notice

Councillor S McDonnell to Move

That this Council establish an all-party working group to include Trading Standards, the Police and Fire Service, to devise and implement strategies to regulate the sale of fireworks and carry out effective enforcement for those who misuse fireworks within County Durham.

Councillor E Scott to Move

This Council notes with dismay the inevitable future loss of European funding for our County. It resolves to write to all recently elected MP’s in County Durham and ask that they:

i. ensure that County Durham is fairly and reasonably compensated for the loss; and

ii. are ambitious on our behalf and seek to promote significant investment and economic growth throughout the County.

14. Questions from Members

And pursuant to the provisions of the above-named act, I Hereby Summon You to attend the said meeting

Dated this 14th day of January 2020

Helen Lynch Head of Legal and Democratic Services

To: All Members of the County Council

Agenda Item 1

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

At an Ordinary Meeting of the County Council held in the Council Chamber, County Hall, Durham on Wednesday 4 December 2019 at 10.00 a.m.

Present:

Councillor K Corrigan in the Chair

Councillors E Adam, J Allen, P Atkinson, B Avery, A Bainbridge, B Bainbridge, A Batey, A Bell, D Bell, E Bell, J Bell, R Bell, H Bennett, J Blakey, G Bleasdale, D Brown, J Brown, L Brown, C Carr, J Carr, J Chaplow, J Clare, J Clark, M Clarke, I Cochrane, J Considine, B Coult, P Crathorne, R Crute, M Davinson, S Dunn, J Grant, O Gunn, D Hall, C Hampson, T Henderson, S Henig, J Higgins, A Hopgood, K Hopper, L Hovvels, S Iveson, I Jewell, O Johnson (Vice-Chair), P Jopling, B Kellett, A Laing, J Lethbridge, H Liddle, L Maddison, J Maitland, J Makepeace, R Manchester, C Marshall, L Marshall, C Martin, I McLean, O Milburn, S Morrison, A Napier, P Oliver, R Ormerod, A Patterson, C Potts, L Pounder, A Reed, G Richardson, J Robinson, S Robinson, J Rowlandson, E Scott, P Sexton, K Shaw, J Shuttleworth, M Simmons, A Simpson, H Smith, J Stephenson, B Stephens, D Stoker, A Surtees, O Temple, K Thompson, F Tinsley, T Tucker, A Watson, A Willis, M Wilson, S Wilson and D Wood

Apologies for absence were received from Councillors J Atkinson, P Brookes, J Charlton, D Freeman, A Gardner, Geldard, K Hawley, D Hicks, S Hugill, G Huntington, C Kay, K Liddell, E Mavin, S McDonnell, M McKeon, J Nicholson, S Quinn, A Savory, A Shield, T Smith, W Stelling, P Taylor, J Turnbull, M Wilkes, C Wilson and S Zair

Prior to the commencement of the meeting, the Chair reported the sad news of the following deaths:

 Former Easington District Councillor and Durham County Councillor Charlie Walker. Charlie represented the Dawdon area on Easington District Council from 1999 to 2008 and on Durham County Council from 2008 to 2013.  Former Sedgefield Borough Councillor John Piggott who represented the Neville and Simpasture Ward of the Borough Council for 8 years from 1999 to 2007.

The Council stood for a moments silence as a mark of respect.

Page 3 1 Minutes

The minutes of the meeting held on 23 October 2019 were confirmed by the Council as a correct record and signed by the Chair.

2 Declarations of Interest

There were no declarations of interest in relation to any items of business on the agenda

3 Chairman's Announcements

The Chair thanked all Members and officers who helped with the Chair/Mayor coffee morning at the Town Hall on 30 November. A lot of money had been raised for the Chair’s chosen charities.

On Monday 2 December the Chair was joined by Lyla O’Donovan to switch on the Christmas tree lights at County Hall. Lyla, who was seven years old and from Ushaw Moor, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in 2016 and had undergone nine operations and suffered multiple complications. Despite all she had been through Lyla had kept on smiling and had gone out of her way to help other poorly children.

Last month, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex presented Lyla with a Wellchild Award in recognition of her strength, bravery and generosity. The Chair wished Lyla and her family a very merry Christmas.

The Chair’s Salvation Army Toy Appeal collection would run until 13 December. Unwrapped presents could be placed under the Christmas tree in the Durham Room and the Chair urged Members to consider supporting this worthwhile cause.

Finally, the Chair reminded Members about the Christmas Carol Concert which was being held in the Durham Room on 5 December at 1.00 p.m. The concert which would be facilitated by the Durham Music Service and would last for approximately one hour. If attending, the Chair advised Members to arrive in good time to be seated by 12.45 p.m.

4 Leader's Report

The Council noted a report from the Leader of the Council as follows:

 As the festive season approached the Council was once again supporting small businesses ahead of a key trading period through a number of initiatives, including bringing back the Free after 3 offer which would see free parking available in council owned car parks

Page 4 across the county after 3pm every day in December. In addition, free parking would be available across the county after 10 a.m. on Saturday 7 December in all Council off-street car parks and on-street spaces. This coincided with Small Business Saturday, a national campaign which encouraged people to shop local and support small businesses in their communities.

 The Council’s Year of Culture, #durham19 was continuing with Christmas festivals, fayres, pantomimes and events taking place across the county. Following on from the successful Take Off Festival, England’s leading festival of theatre for children and young people, and the much-awaited re-opening of Auckland Castle, last month saw the 10th anniversary of Lumiere.

The biggest cultural event in the Council’s calendar, initial estimates showed that Lumiere attracted 165,000 visitors this year and the millionth visitor since Lumiere began ten years ago, despite very challenging weather conditions on the first three nights. The Council was particularly pleased to welcome many international visitors this year, including delegations from Galway in Ireland which was next year’s European Capital of Culture and from the Councils twin town Tubingen in southern Germany.

Lumiere also touched the lives of hundreds of people of all ages and backgrounds across the county through community outreach programmes, providing the chance to work with professional artists and become part of the festival and this was the case with many of the installations this year.

The Leader thanked Artichoke, partners including the Arts Council England, Durham University and Durham Cathedral, sponsors, businesses, residents, the emergency services, Council staff and the 300 volunteers who, despite the rain, made Lumiere 2019 such an incredible experience, and the Council very much looked forward to its return in 2021.

 The Council had become the first local authority in the country to sign- up to the GMB trade union’s Disability Passport initiative. The passport was a live record of up to date and appropriate reasonable adjustments which had been agreed and recorded between a manager and an employee to support individuals at work with a health condition or disability. The passport was owned by the employee and alleviated the need for them to repeat potentially difficult conversations if their line manager changed, or they changed roles within the organisation.

Page 5  The Council-led £2.5m Durham Advance scheme for residents who were out of work with a health condition or unemployed over 50s, had now provided support to over 500 people. The programme had helped 523 residents overcome the barriers preventing them re-entering the labour market, so that they could progress into employment or self- employment by providing one to one support, helping develop their skills or providing the training they needed.

 Members of both the Safeguarding Adults Board and the Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership gathered at an event organised as part of National Safeguarding Adults Week. The national week ran from 18 to 24 November and aimed to encourage agencies to focus on safeguarding adults. Safeguarding was the protection of a person's right to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect. The event saw speakers from statutory and voluntary organisations on a range of safeguarding issues, such as loan sharks and domestic abuse.

 Primary school pupils across County Durham learnt how people of different religions used light to celebrate their faith at a festival last month. Over 100 children, from years 4 and 5, were invited to the Festival of Lights, where they met with leaders from Hindu, Jewish, Sikh, Buddhist, Muslim and Christian communities to learn how each faith used light to celebrate important events in its calendar. As well as enjoying stories and games, pupils got creative, trying traditional Indian arts as part of a celebration of the Hindu festival Diwali.

 Twelve schools from across County Durham were honoured at Durham Town Hall last month as part of the International School Awards. The British Council scheme recognised schools that had demonstrated their commitment to raising awareness of other countries, traditions and languages. The schools hosted pupil exchanges with countries all over the world, including Spain, Finland, France, Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic and many also had partner schools in countries such as Kenya and Sri Lanka and collaborated on projects focusing on a range of issues.

 Aycliffe Secure Centre, which provided a secure children's home environment, had been given an outstanding judgement by Ofsted in all four areas assessed. The centre provided high quality, specialist secure accommodation for up to 38 vulnerable 10 to 18-year olds. The centre was judged to be 'outstanding' in terms of the overall experiences and progress of children and young people, based on how well they are helped and protected; their health; the effectiveness of leaders and managers; and outcomes in education and related learning activities.

Page 6  The Council’s Practice Lead for the Social Work Academy, Shelley Gill, had received the silver award in the Practice Educator of the Year category in the annual Social Worker of the Year Awards.

Shelley was an exceptional practitioner and had played a key part in the success of the Council’s workforce development programme and support to newly qualified social workers within the academy over the last three years. The award was well deserved.

 County Durham Youth Justice Service was also highly commended in the Youth Volunteering and Social Action category at the prestigious national Children and Young People Now Awards 2019. The team was shortlisted for the With Youth in Mind group, which provided activities for young people who had been victims of crime. Since it was set up in 2015, the group had supported over 150 children and young people aged up to 18 years old. The group was led by young people, supported by agencies including Durham Constabulary, the Police, Crime and Victims Commissioner and Investors in Children. The Leader congratulated everyone involved.

 The Leader paid tribute to a number of senior officers for whom this would be their last full council meeting before they left the authority. Brian Archer had led Business Durham through a period of continued economic growth over the last two years but would now move back to his native Yorkshire to take up a post with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in Leeds. Steve Howell had been the Council’s Head of Culture, Sport and Tourism for many years during which County Durham had developed a real reputation for delivering high quality cultural and sporting events. Lorraine O’Donnell had served as Assistant Chief Executive and more recently Director of Transformation and Partnerships, areas in which the council had set the standard for others to follow. Lorraine had played a key role in many different areas of work, including the transformation programme, the County Durham Partnership and performance management, helping ensure that identified budget savings were delivered on time, something achieved each year in spite of the large budget reductions which had unfortunately been required during the years of austerity. The Leader was sure all Members would join in thanking Lorraine as well as Brian and Steve for all of their hard work and wish them well in their future endeavours.

The Leader took the opportunity to wish everyone a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

The Chairman invited Group Leaders, or their representatives, to say a few words about the officers due to leave the authority.

Page 7

Councillor A Hopgood, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group informed Council that it was sad to see Lorraine O’Donnell leaving the authority. Lorraine had always been approachable, a dedicated member of CMT for the last 10 years and a great advocate for public engagement across County Durham. Councillor Hopgood wished Lorraine the best of luck for the future.

Councillor Hopgood wished Steve Howell a long and happy retirement and thanked him for his 10 years of service to the Council, particularly the work he did for Wharton Park in establishing the investment for its refurbishment.

Brian Archer had been an excellent ambassador for County Durham businesses, had engaged small businesses and had led by example. Councillor Hopgood wished Brian good luck in his new job.

Councillor J Shuttleworth, Leader of the Durham County Council Independent Group endorsed the sentiments of Councillor Hopgood and wished all three officers all the best in their new ventures.

Councillor R Bell, Leader of the Conservative Group gave his Group’s best wishes to all three officers and thanked them for their service. They had played an important role in building up the Unitary Council over the years and relationships outside of the Council through partnership working in the fields culture, sport and business and public service delivery.

Councillor Jopling on behalf of the Durham Independent Group wished all three officers the best of luck.

Councillor L Maddison, Leader of the Spennymoor Independent Group thanked all three officers for the contribution they had made over the years and wished them all good luck for their future.

Councillor J Allen, Portfolio Holder for Transformation, Culture and Tourism thanked Lorraine for leading a significant change and transformation agenda which had already delivered major benefits to both residents and staff. Austerity measures and budget cuts had presented many challenges and innovative ways had been adopted to accommodate budget pressures to achieve the necessary savings. Many peer reviews had been undertaken which had identified improved ways of working to deliver more efficient, economic and effective services. Councillor Allen also thanked Steve Howell for his invaluable service and achievements and wished him all the best for his retirement.

Councillor L Hovvels, Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services thanked Lorraine for her work on the Police and Crime Panel and wished all three officers the best for the future.

Page 8

Councillor B Stephens, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Local Partnerships thanked Lorraine for her work with Area Acton Partnerships and wished Steve and Brian the best for the future.

5 Questions from the Public

There were no questions from the public.

6 Petitions

There were no petitions for consideration

7 Report from the Cabinet

The Leader of the Council provided the Council with an update of business considered by Cabinet at its meetings held on 16 October and 13 November 2019 (for copy see file of Minutes).

8 Restructuring of the Corporate Management Team

The Council considered a report of the Chief Executive regarding a proposed restructuring of the Corporate Management Team (for copy see file of Minutes).

In presenting his report, the Chief Executive thanked all three officers who were leaving the authority for their service.

The report sought to establish two new posts of Corporate Director Regeneration, Economy and Growth and Corporate Director Neighbourhoods and Climate Change and proposed the deletion of the posts of Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services and the Director of Transformation and Partnerships and provided details of the subsequent re- distribution of responsibilities to other posts.

In moving the report Councillor C Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration informed Council the report identified that in recent years there had been significant extra activity within County Durham with major new developments and significant investment. The culture, sport and tourism offer of County Durham had also grown significantly in recent years. The proposed restructuring of the Corporate Management Team would allow the Council to dedicate resource to growing the economy and jobs.

In seconding the report Councillor B Stephens, Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods and Partnerships informed Council that the proposed restructure of the Corporate Management Team would help the Council to

Page 9 continue to deliver important services as well as focussing on the sustainable future of the county.

Resolved: That:

i) The creation of two new posts of Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth and Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Climate Change be approved; ii) The deletion of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services post and the Director of Transformation post and consequent proposed changes be noted.

9 Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2020/21

The Council considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which sought approval for the continuation of the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) for a further year into 2020/21, with two minor amendments, which would continue the protection afforded to all claimants in line with what their entitlement would have been under the Council Tax Benefit System, as agreed by Cabinet at their meeting on 10 July 2019. The proposed amendments to the scheme would enhance flexibility in terms of backdated awards (for copy see file of Minutes).

In moving the report Councillor A Napier, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance informed Council that the LCTRS proposals were a continuance of the current scheme with some added flexibility to help those most vulnerable. Durham was now the only Council in the north east to have a scheme that continued with the benefits available under the former Council Tax Benefits Scheme and the Council should be proud that it had supported such an important benefit for people across the County. People were struggling to make ends meet. Universal Credit, constant welfare reform and years of austerity had hit people hard. By continuing the LCTRS the Council would provide much needed support to those who needed it most.

In seconding the report Councillor Surtees, Portfolio Holder for Social Inclusion informed Council that the LCTRS supported financially vulnerable households in County Durham in line with that available under the former Council Tax Benefits Scheme.

Councillor K Thompson, while supportive of the LCTRS, informed Council that when the scheme was introduced the Council Tax Base for his town was reduced by 14%, the equivalent of £¼ million. This had happened every year for the last seven years and for the last two years no grant had been received. Councillor Thompson asked why the scheme could not be made available to everybody in County Durham. Large swathes of the County did

Page 10 not, because they did not have a Town or Parish Council, pay towards this system and there should be a way in which these areas contributed to the LCTRS.

The Corporate Director of Resources replied that he would discuss this with Councillor Thompson outside of the meeting.

Councillor Napier mentioned that this had been discussed on numerous occasions with the local councils who had agreed with the scheme. The Council was not obliged to passport any of the grant to Parish or Town Councils.

Resolved: That

(a) the current Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme be continued into 2020/21, which will retain the same level of support to all working age council tax payers on low incomes; (b) the scheme be amended to allow for a maximum of 12 months backdating where appropriate and allow applications to be treated as made on the date council tax liability started where applications are received with one month, or longer if reasonable, of the date that the council tax liability was created; (c) the Scheme be extended initially for a further year only and be kept under continuous review with a further decision on the scheme to apply in 2021/22 to be considered by Cabinet in spring/summer 2020 and Full Council by 11 March 2021.

10 2019/20 Treasury Management Half Year Update

The Council considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources that provided information on the treasury management mid-year position for 2019/20 (for copy see file of Minutes).

In moving the report Councillor A Napier, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance informed Council that the report was a half year update on treasury management activity. It was pleasing that investments and borrowing were being well managed in accordance with the Treasury Management Strategy that the Council had agreed. The report recommended increasing the operational boundary and authorising the limit for external debt.

Seconded by Councillor S Henig.

Resolved: (a) that the progress with the Treasury Management Strategy 2019/20 be noted;

Page 11 (b) that a revised operational debt boundary of £556 million and authorised limit of £611 million for 2019/20 reflecting increased finance lease commitments as referred to in the report be approved.

11 Review of the Officer Code of Conduct in relation to Gifts and Hospitality

The Council considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which sought approval for proposed revisions to the Employee Code of Values, Behaviours and Conduct on Section 5.10 Gifts and Hospitality (for copy see file of Minutes).

Moved by Councillor S Henig, Seconded by Councillor A Hopgood and

Resolved: That the changes to Section 5.10 of the Employee Code of Values, Behaviours and Conduct as attached at Appendix 2 be approved.

12 Witton Gilbert Neighbourhood Plan

The Council considered a report of the Corporate Director of Regeneration and Local Services regarding the formal adoption of the Witton Gilbert Neighbourhood Plan (for copy see file of Minutes).

In moving the Plan Councillor C Marshall, Portfolio Holder for Economic Regeneration congratulated all those involved in the production of it.

In seconding the Plan Councillor K Shaw, Portfolio Holder for Strategic Housing and Assets informed Council that the Neighbourhood Plan was another way of reinforcing the Council’s approach of placing an increased emphasis on its towns and villages.

Councillor B Coult gave the background to the production of the Neighbourhood Plan and encouraged all Members to support it.

Resolved: That the Witton Gilbert Neighbourhood Plan be formally made (adopted) by the Council to become part of the statutory development plan.

13 Public Health Annual Report 2019/20

The Council considered a report of the Director of Public Health regarding the 2019 annual report of the Director of Public Health for County Durham (for copy see file of Minutes).

Page 12 Councillor L Hovvels informed Council that the annual report gave a flavour of the work which had been undertaken. Councillor Hovvels was pleased to see the emphasis being placed on mental health and the changes being made to stigma and mental health.

Resolved: That the annual report of the Director of Public Health, County Durham be received.

14 Motions on Notice

There were no Motions on Notice.

15 Questions from Members

There were no questions from Members.

Page 13 This page is intentionally left blank East Durham Rural Corridor AAP

Jane Bellis – AAP Coordinator & Councillor Maura Agenda Item 5

Page 15 Page McKeon Page 16 Page AAP Priorities 2019/2020

• Activities for Children, Young People and Families

• Older People

• Health and Wellbeing Page 17 Page 18 Page Participatory Budgeting – School Roadshow

• 12 schools (9 primary and 3 comprehensive) took part • 1 primary chose not to take part; however the children from this school had the opportunity to vote at the Forum Event Fun Day • £40,000 allocated to the scheme • 13 projects funded • 1288 children and young people voted on the projects Participatory Budgeting – School Roadshow

• 396 young people aged 11+ voted on the priorities • 10 young people aged 11+ signed up to become Forum members • 715 children and young people took part in the Councils Budget Consultation • Feedback from evaluation was positive • Children and young people really thought about their decisions Page 19 Page Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page Youth Forum-Recent Board Meeting Youth Forum and Cyber Crime Project

£6,530 awarded, Match £3,253.40, 400 estimated beneficiaries Aim • Develop safer communities by providing cyber crime prevention workshops & training • Provide opportunities for children and young people to have their say–increased confidence/ self esteem • Encourage young people to work with the community to look at issues important to them Page 23 Page Page 24 Page ATOMS Education

£6,203 awarded, Match £360, 250 estimated beneficiaries Aim • Improve engagement in schools • Ensure children begin to develop aspirations for future • Encourage families to be more engaged with schools • Ensure children develop a range of life skills Mixed Fitness–Bowburn Youth Club £2,784.21 awarded from Youth Fund, 20 estimated beneficiaries Aim • Increase confidence in young people • More young people engaged in fitness • Young people become confident to engage in mixed age fitness • Provide issue based sessions Page 25 Page Page 26 Social Car Scheme £10,000 awarded, Match £15,954.21, 30 estimated beneficiaries Aim • Ease social isolation and enable people within the AAP area access to vital services • Recruit new volunteer drivers within the AAP area • Work in partnership with new Page 27 Page projects within the AAP area Page 28 Page Social Car Scheme Helping Hands £9164.60 awarded, Match £12,444.80, 95 estimated beneficiaries Aim Families across the AAP area to: - be more confident and more emotionally fulfilled - positively change their lives and aspire to better things - Families and young people across the area to have the skills and confidence to progress Page 29 Page Page 30 Page Revitalise Applying to OPSIF-successful project 18/19 £6,040 in 2018/19, Match £8,076 Aim Older people will - feel less isolated/ engage in community activity through gaining confidence - learn how to run physical activity sessions independently at end of project - have a day trip outside of the area -receive information/ advice/ guidance on alternative local provision Additional Projects

Projects: • Durham Cathedral – Tunnel of Light • Durham County Council – Durham Savers • OASES – Plastic Fantastic? 2 • Bowburn Community Partnership – Bowburn Festive Lights • Coxhoe Village Hall – Fire Alarm System • Deaf Hill Ward Partnership – Main Stairs Refurbishment • Fishburn Youth and Community Centre – Transforming Spaces • Trimdon Grange Community Centre – Replacement of Fascias, Soffits and Guttering • The Cornforth Partnership – Healthy Communities Page 31 Page Page 32 Page

Contact Details

Jane Bellis AAP Coordinator East Durham Rural Corridor

03000 261128

[email protected]

Find us on @ East Durham Rural Corridor Area Action Partnership

[email protected] Agenda Item 8

22 January 2020

Report from the Cabinet

Purpose of the Report

To provide information to the Council on issues considered by the Cabinet at its meetings held on to enable Members to ask related questions.

Contents

11 December 2019

Item 1 Quarter Two – 2019/20 Performance Management Report

Item 2 Update on the delivery on the Medium Term Financial Plan

Item 3 Mainstream Primary and Secondary Formula Funding 2020-21

1. Quarter Two, 2019/20 Performance Performance Management Report Councillor S Henig, Leader of the Council Contact - Jenny Haworth – 03000 268 071

We considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided progress towards achieving the key outcomes of the council’s corporate performance framework.

Following an extensive public consultation programme, a shared vision for the county for the next 15 years had been developed with partners. This vision, agreed by Council on 23 October and formally launched at the County Durham Partnership event on 25 October, was structured around three externally focused results-based ambitions of ‘more and better jobs’, ‘long and independent lives’ and ‘connected communities’.

As the Council has now adopted this vision, key performance messages for quarter two have been realigned to the ambitions of the new Durham 2035 vision plus a ‘better council’ theme, and these were contained in the report.

Page 33 Decision

We considered the overall position and direction of travel in relation to quarter two performance, and the actions being taken to address areas of underperformance.

2. Update on the delivery of the Medium Term Financial Plan 9 Councillor Simon Henig, Leader of the Council and all Cabinet collectively Contacts - Andy Palmer, Tel: 03000 268551, Abbie McQuillan, Tel: 03000 264714

We considered a report of the Corporate Director of Resources which provided an update on the position of the delivery of the 2019/20 Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP9).

We have received regular updates on the progress made by the Council in delivering the financial targets within the MTFP since 2011/12. MTFP9 savings were agreed by Council in February 2019 and set a savings target of just under £10 million for 2019/20. This brings the overall savings target for the period from 2011/12 to 2020/21 to circa £251 million. Significant progress towards these savings was being made at the present time.

The development of MTFP10 proposals for 2020/21 had been underway since the 2019/20 proposlas were agreed. The latest information suggested that the settlement figure would be higher than anticipated, therefore, further consideration was currenly being undertaken and some of the proposals for next year were being revisted.

Decision

We noted the contents of the report and the amount of savings delivered during quarter 2 of the MTFP9 period and agreed to consider MTFP10 proposals once all relevant information is available.

Page 34 3. Mainstream Primary and Secondary Formula Funding 2020-21 Councillor O Gunn, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People’s Services Contacts - Paul Darby 03000 261 930, David Shirer 03000 268 554

We considered a joint report of the Corporate Director of Children and Young People’s Services and the Corporate Director of Resources which provided an update on the mainstream primary and secondary funding formula funding arrangements for the coming financial year and recommended approval the proposed approach to setting the local formula for mainstream primary and secondary funding 2020/21.

Information about mainstream primary and secondary formula funding for the 2020-21 financial year was published on 11 October 2019, following the spending round announcements on 4 September 2019. There had been a national increase in funding for 2020-21, with further increases planned for 2021-22 and 2022-23. There was no information available relating to how much of the announced increases for 2021-22 and 2022-23 would be in terms of the mainstream formula.

The Units of Funding per pupil (UFs), which determined most of the funding for the formula had increased from last year. The primary increase was near the national average (4.4%), but the secondary increase (2.5%) was less than the national average (3.8%). The national funding formula, which determines UFs, had been amended for 2020/21 as follows:

(a) The mobility factor had been amended and Durham would receive funding for this for the first time. The proposed local formula included the mobility factor for the first time; (b) There had been an increase in most factor values; (c) The Minimum Per Pupil Funding (MPPF) values had increased and the NFF values would be mandatory for local formulas; (d) The MPPF changes were of concern, because they tended to benefit larger schools with relatively few pupils with additional needs. The council had responded to a consultation regarding this. A a copy of the response was included at appendix 2 of the report; (e) There were changes to the funding floor in the NFF and to the Minimum Funding Guarantee (MFG) in the local formula, which would result in all schools seeing an increase in funding per pupil next year. Local formulas were allowed to vary the MFG value, between a minimum of a 0.5% increase per pupil and a 1.84% increase per pupil;

Page 35 (f) The increase in funding per pupil did not protect schools from falling rolls and some funding was excluded from the MFG calculation.

The council would continue to determine the local formula and take account of feedback from the Schools Forum in doing so. The formula included a continuation of the transition from the local formula to the NFF at the rate set last year i.e. to achieve convergence in 2021-22.

The report identified that a request had been made to the Secretary of State to disapply funding regulations in respect of the MFG/capping calculation for Bowburn Primary School, so that it did not lose the benefit of a split-site allowance in the first year in which this is received. This was supported by the Schools Forum at its meeting on 25 November 2019.

The council intended to make adjustments to the pupil numbers used in the 2020-21 formula for four primary schools in respect of basic need growth. The council asked the DfE to review a decision not to provide growth funding for a group of secondary schools and the DfE had not questioned the decision.

The Schools Forum will meet again on 7January 2020 to consider the use of the growth funding provided as part of formula funding.

Options for the formula had been modelled using current year’s pupil numbers and data, with changes to reflect school amalgamations and academy conversions to demonstrate the pure formula impacts. The council is not requesting a transfer of funding from the Schools Block to the High Needs Block in 2020/21.

Five options had been modelled, using the minimum and maximum permitted MFG values. These were discussed with the Schools Forum on 25 November 2019. The forum supported a transitional mid-point option, therefore the MFG would result in a 1.17% increase next year.

Decision

We have noted:

(a) the impact of the government’s announcements and the draft local formula funding proposals for 2020-21 outlined in the report; (b) and supported the request to disapply the funding regulations to exclude the split-site allowance for Bowburn Primary from the MFG/capping calculation;

Page 36 (c) that the Schools Forum will meet again on 7 January 2020, to consider the use of growth funding;

We have agreed:

(d) to the adjustments planned for growth at Red Rose, Howden- le-Wear, Montalbo and Framwellgate Moor primary schools for the 2020-21 formula; (e) the continued use of the transitional formula, including the new mobility factor, with the aim of achieving convergence with the NFF in 2021-22; and (f) the use of a transitional MFG value of 1.17% in the local formula for 2020-21.

A further report will be presented to Cabinet in February with the final formula values and will factor the impact of the formula on schools and the October 2019 pupil census numbers.

Councillor S Henig Leader of the County Council

14 January 2020

Page 37 This page is intentionally left blank Agenda Item 9

County Council

22 January 2020

Members Allowance Scheme- Recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel

Report of Corporate Management Team

John Hewitt, Corporate Director of Resources

Electoral division affected: Countywide

Purpose of the Report 1 To advise Council of the outcome of the review of the Members’ Allowances Scheme by the Independent Remuneration Panel and to ask Council to agree a scheme of allowances for 2020/21 taking into account the views of the Panel. Executive summary

2 The Council is required to have a scheme which makes provision for the payment of allowances and expenses to elected members, and council is to consider the scheme for 2020/21. When approving any changes to the scheme council must have regard to any recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel. The Panel met in December 2019 and included in the report are its recommendations for council to consider. At its meeting on 6 January 2020, Constitution Working Group considered the Panel’s recommendations and were not minded to support any change to the allowances scheme for the next financial year.

Recommendation

3 Council is asked to consider the recommendations of the Independent

Page 39 Remuneration Panel for the Members’ Allowances Scheme for 2020/21 and determine whether the allowances scheme should be amended.

Page 40

Background

4 All local authorities are required to have a scheme which makes provision for the payment of a range of allowances and expenses to elected members. Each local authority must appoint an Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) to make representations on allowances, including the amounts payable. When approving any changes to its Scheme, the Council must have regard to the Panel’s recommendations.

5 Council agreed at its meeting on 19 June 2019 to establish a new Independent Remuneration Panel with its term of office of its members being for a five year period. Appointments to two of the existing panel members were made and a recruitment exercise for the remaining positions on the Panel was undertaken in October 2019. The membership of the new Panel is Joyce Drummond-Hill, Alan Fletcher, Ray Morris, Steve Lothian and Ian Youll.

6 The last changes made to the Member Allowance Scheme were for the year 2014/15. At that time, the IRP recommended a 1% increase to the basic allowance. Council considered that recommendation and decided not to introduce an increase. However, when Council set its budget for 2014/15 it agreed to reduce the Members Mileage Allowance to 0.45p per mile in line with HMRC rate. This is the only change to the scheme since it was adopted in 2009, following LGR.

7 The Council’s Member’s Allowance Scheme for 2019/20 was considered by the Panel in October and December 2018, and January 2019. The majority view of the Panel was to recommend a 1% increase to the members basic allowance. The reasons for the proposed increase included:-

(a) It has been a number of years since the IRP last recommended an increase and Member Allowances have remained at the same level since 2009; (b) An increase of 1% to the basic allowance acknowledged in part the increased costs of living since 2009; (c) An increase to the allowance this year would help ensure that allowances remain at an appropriate level to avoid potentially larger increases;

8 Council considered the IRPs reasons at its meeting on 23 January 2019 and agreed that no changes would be made for the forthcoming year.

Page 41

Independent Remuneration Panel

9 On 3 December 2019 the Panel met to consider the review of the allowances scheme for 2020/21. When reviewing the Members Allowance Scheme, it is helpful for the Panel to be aware of any changes to the Council’s Committee Structures since the last review however this year there have been no changes.

10 The list of outside bodies in the appendices to the scheme have been reviewed and updated to reflect the appointments made following annual council.

11 In preparation for the review of the scheme by the Independent Remuneration Panel, elected Members were asked to express views or make submissions to be considered by the Panel, and the following responses were considered:-

(a) An allowance for Cabinet support officers should be considered.

(b) Comments made from a member that the allowance is significantly below the governments living wage, and for there to be a re-evaluation of the hours councillors undertaken, and whether the council is in breach of employment legislation by failing to pay the minimum wage.

12 In the past the Panel have found it helpful to be aware of any changes to allowances schemes for other councils. At its meeting the Panel had been provided with the current rates of basic allowance that are paid by councils in the region to its members and which shows where changes were made to the basic allowances for 2019/20 (Appendix 2). There were also tables to show comparisons of basic allowances for unitary authorities of a similar population size to Durham.

13 At the Panel meeting on 3 December 2019 members were provided with additional information which they had sought in advance of their meeting. This included:

 Information from the comparator group on Special Responsibility Allowances.  How the basic allowance of £13,300 had been set at the time of LGR.

Page 42 14 The Panel took into consideration all of the information provided, and it agreed unanimously to recommend that there be no change to the allowance scheme for 2020/21.

In summary the reasons included:-

 As councillors were not employees of the council, it would not be appropriate to link the allowance they receive with the national living wage. The Regulations relating to allowances set out that an allowance is intended to reflect a time commitment and was not a salary. There is no breach of employment legislation. Some Councillors saw their role as full-time whereas others held jobs outside of the Council.

 The Panel noted that the basic allowance in Durham was higher than the average of the north east councils, and that it had been set by Council in 2010. It was set based on a lengthy set of discussions by the IRP at the time of Local Government Reorganisation, including interviews with councillors and information from the Local Government Association. The size of the unitary council, its population and geography together with having both urban and rural parts would impact on a councillors time and the issues raised.

 There was a lack of evidence to support payment of a special responsibility allowance to Cabinet Support Members. It was noted that this had been considered by the panel the previous year and it was agreed then not to make any changes;

 There was no widespread call from councillors for an increase and no evidence that the level of allowances was deterring candidates standing as councillors.

Constitution Working Group

15 At its meeting on 6 January 2020 Constitution Working Group considered the Panel’s recommendations, and were not minded to support any change to the allowances scheme for the next financial year.

Next Steps

16 Council is asked to consider and agree a scheme of allowances for 2020/21 taking into account the views of the Independent Remuneration Panel. The current scheme of allowances is appended to the report at Appendix 3. If the Council was to agree with the recommendations of

Page 43 the Panel, then the allowance scheme document as attached would be agreed for 2020/21.

Background papers The Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003

Contact: John Hewitt Tel: 03000 261943

Page 44

Appendix 1: Implications

Legal Implications The Local Authorities (Members’ Allowances) Regulations (England) Regulations 2003 (as amended) require the Council to review members allowances at least once every four years for the purpose of agreeing how it will index link its scheme of allowances. Before any amendments to the Scheme are made, the County Council must have regard to the recommendations made by the IRP and determine whether and how these are implemented.

Finance There are 126 members and a basic allowance of £13,300 is paid to each. There are also special responsibility allowances for members taking on additional responsibility for example, cabinet or chairing roles and these are set out in the scheme.

Consultation Members were invited to submit representations for consideration by the IRP.

Equality and Diversity / Public Sector Equality Duty None specific within this report.

Climate Change None specific within this report.

Human Rights None specific within this report.

Crime and Disorder None specific within this report.

Staffing None specific within this report.

Accommodation None specific within this report.

Risk

Page 45 None specific within this report.

Procurement None specific within this report.

Page 46

Appendix 2: Basic Allowances- councils in the region

Authority Basic Basic Allowance Allowance per per member member 18/19 19/20

£ £

Darlington 8,188 8,188

Durham 13,300 13,300

Gateshead 10,550 10,977

Hartlepool 7,948 8,107

Middlesbrough 6,378 6,378

Newcastle 8,775 9,000

North Tyneside 10,155 10,358

Northumberland 12,625 13,329

Redcar and 9,550 9,550 Cleveland

South Tyneside 7,370 7,667

Stockton-on- 9,300 9,300 Tees

Sunderland 8,369 8,369

Page 47 Appendix 3: Members Allowance Scheme

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

MEMBERS’ HANDBOOK

AND

ALLOWANCES GUIDE

Allowances as at 1 April 2019

Page 48

Preface

This booklet is intended to provide Councillors with a detailed guide to the rules governing the payment of allowances together with details of the amounts payable and the procedures to be followed in making claims, etc.

Page 49 CONTENTS

1. Allowances Payable

2. Definition of Approved Duties

3. Claim Forms

4. Members Appointed to Other Bodies

5. Income Tax

6. Pensions

7. Insurance

8. Social Security

9. Sick Pay

10. Members' Surgeries

APPENDICES

A Distribution of Special Responsibility Allowance

B Ground rules for Travel and Subsistence

C Travelling Allowances Subsistence Allowances for Approved Duties Travel Outside the United Kingdom

D Schedule of Outside Organisations, attendance at which qualifies for Travel and Subsistence Allowances

E Schedule of Outside Organisations which pay Travelling and Subsistence Allowances to Members

F Schedule of Outside Organisations which pay Attendance Allowance to Members

G Association of North East Councils Members' Allowances Scheme

H North East Regional Employers’ Organisation Scheme

I LGA Members’ Allowances Scheme

J List of ABI approved insurance companies

Page 50 1. ALLOWANCES PAYABLE

1.1 The Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 require that an authority shall make a scheme in respect of the succeeding financial year on or before 31st March each year. The scheme may be amended at any time but may only be revoked with effect from the beginning of a year.

1.2 Under these regulations Councils are required to establish and maintain an independent remuneration panel to provide the local authority with advice on its scheme and the amounts to be paid. Local authorities must have regard to this advice.

1.3 The prescribed components of the County Council Scheme are as follows:

(a) Basic Allowance

(i) Payable to each Member of the authority who is a County Councillor. Where the term of office of a Councillor begins or ends otherwise than at the beginning or end of a financial year the amount of basic allowance due is calculated as follows:

Number of days in office X annual basic allowance Number of days in year

(ii) Basic Allowance is intended to recognise the time commitment of all Councillors, including such inevitable calls on their time as meeting with officers and constituents and attendance at political group meetings. It is also intended to cover incidental costs such as the use of their homes. The allowance is also intended to cover the cost of meals and other incidental expenses incurred within the region.

(iii) The amount of allowance per Member as at 1st April 2019 is £13,300 per annum and is to be paid at £1108.33 per month.

(b) Special Responsibility Allowance

(i) Payable to Members of the Council specified in the Scheme who have special responsibilities. Where a Councillor takes up or relinquishes any special responsibility otherwise than at the beginning or end of the financial year the amount of special responsibility allowance payable is calculated as follows:

Number of days performing annual special responsibility X special responsibility Number of days in year allowance

Page 51 (ii) No Member can receive more than one Special Responsibility Allowance.

(iii) The amounts currently payable are shown in Appendix A.

(c) Dependant Carers’ Allowance

(i) A dependant carers’ allowance is payable at a rate not exceeding £7.70 an hour to those Councillors who incur expenditure for the care of dependent relatives or children whilst undertaking approved duties. “Approved duties” are specified in the Regulations and are as follows:

a. A meeting of the Executive;

b. A meeting of a committee of the Executive;

c. A meeting of the Authority;

d. A meeting of a committee or sub-committee of the authority;

e. A meeting of some other body to which the authority makes appointments or nominations; or

f. A meeting of a committee or sub-committee of a body to which the authority makes appointments or nominations;

g. A meeting which has both been authorised by the authority, a committee, or sub-committee of the authority or a joint committee of the authority and one or more other authorities, or a sub-committee of a joint committee;

h. A meeting which has both been authorised by the authority, a committee, or sub-committee of the authority or a joint committee of the authority and one or more other authorities, or a sub-committee of a joint committee; and

i. to which representatives of more than one political group have been invited (if the authority is divided into several political groups) or to which two or more councillors have been invited (if the authority is not divided into political groups);

j. A meeting of a local authority association of which the authority is a member;

k. Duties undertaken on behalf of the authority in connection with the discharge of any function of the authority conferred by or under any enactment and empowering or requiring the authority to inspect or authorise the inspection of premises;

Page 52

l. Duties undertaken on behalf of the authority in connection with arrangements made by the authority for the attendance of pupils at a school approved for the purposes of section 342 of the Education Act 1996.

(ii) Payment is claimable in respect of children aged 16 or under and in respect of other dependants where there is medical or social work evidence that care is required. Evidence would take the form of a letter from a doctor or social worker stating the maximum time that the dependant could be left without care.

(iii) The allowance is paid against actual expenditure evidenced by receipts. The allowance is not payable to a member of the claimant’s household. The maximum rate payable will be increased each April in line with the national minimum wage. (The hourly rate is paid in line with national minimum wage at age 21).

1.4 The amounts specified in paragraph 1.3(a) and Appendix A of this document are subject to an annual review by the Independent Remuneration Panel.

Foregoing Allowances

1.5 A member may, by notice in writing given to the Corporate Director of Resources, elect to forego any part of their entitlement to an allowance under this scheme.

Co-opted Members

1.6 Co-opted Members (including Parent Governor Representatives) are entitled to claim travelling allowance at the rates given in Appendix C. This allowance is taxable. A claim form should be completed and forwarded to the Committee Services contact as soon as practicable after the duty has been performed.

2. DEFINITION OF APPROVED DUTIES

Travelling and Subsistence Allowances

2.1 Payable in respect of expenditure incurred in the performance of approved duties. Subsistence allowance is not payable for duties performed within the boundaries of the counties of Durham (including Darlington) and Northumberland, and the former administrative counties of Tyne & Wear and Cleveland.

2.2 The definition of an approved duty is as follows:

Page 53 (a) A meeting of the County Council or of the Cabinet or of any committee, or sub-committee of the County Council, or of any body to which the County Council makes appointments or nominations, or of any committee or sub-committee of such a body.

A list of bodies covered by this paragraph is given in Appendix D.

A number of such bodies operate their own schemes of allowances. A list of these is given at Appendix F.

(b) Any other meeting the holding of which is authorised by the County Council, a committee or sub-committee of the County Council, or a joint committee of the County Council and one or more other authorities, or a sub-committee of such a joint committee, provided that it is a meeting to which Members of at least two political groups have been invited.

(c) A meeting of any association of authorities of which the County Council is a member.

(d) The performance of any duty in connection with arrangements made by the County Council for the attendance of pupils at any school approved for the purposes of Section 342 (approval of non- maintained special schools) of the Education Act 1996.

(e) Any other duty approved by the County Council in connection with the discharge of the functions of the Council or of any of its committees or sub-committees including the making of official and courtesy visits on behalf of the authority. Tasks so approved are shown below:

(i) Attendance by County Councillors at County Hall to read official papers and deal with correspondence.

(ii) Attendance by chair and vice-chair of committees and sub-committees at pre-meeting discussions with officers.

(iii) Attendance at a meeting to which the Member is invited whether as chair, vice-chair or otherwise, by or on behalf of the Chief Executive, the Director of Resources or another chief officer to discuss matters or consider issues relating to the functions of the County Council, including meetings with third parties such as government departments, statutory bodies, other local authorities, trade unions and the public.

(iv) Attendance at press conferences to which the Member is invited by the Corporate Director, Resources in consultation with the appropriate chair or vice-chair.

Page 54 (v) Attendance by a Member at the request of the Local Government Ombudsman, for interview by an officer of the Ombudsman in relation to a complaint against the County Council.

(vi) Attendance at a meeting with the appropriate officer(s) of any of the bodies listed in Appendix D to which the Member is invited by the body, or attendance at a meeting with third parties when representing the body by virtue of their position as chair or vice-chair of the body or one of its committees or sub-committees, the purpose of their attendance being to discuss matters arising for the purpose of or in connection with the functions of the body.

(vii) Attendances at conferences or meetings held inside or outside the United Kingdom and convened by any person or body (other than a person or body convening it in the course of a trade or business or a body the objects of which are wholly or partly political) for the purpose of discussing matters which in their opinion relate to the interests of their area or any part of it or the interests of the inhabitants of their area or any part of it.

(viii) Official openings of County Council establishments, Developments and Exhibitions at the invitation of the appropriate Chief Officer in consultation with the Leader or Deputy Leader of the County Council. This is intended to cover situations where Members are required to perform a duty such as perform an opening ceremony, make a speech, give prizes etc. Courtesy invitations issued to several or all Members are functions which do not qualify for payment. Members are advised to seek guidance from appropriate Chief Officers.

2.3 Invitations from groups or bodies to attend meetings as a Local Member are not approved duties for the payment of travelling and subsistence allowances. These duties are constituency matters not connected with the discharge of the functions of the County Council.

2.4 Details of the travelling and subsistence allowances currently payable are shown in Appendix C.

Travelling to conferences, seminars, etc.

2.5 Members who in their capacity as a County Councillor receive an invitation directly to a conference, seminar etc. should, if they wish to attend, contact Member Development on 03000 265 346 who will consult with the appropriate designated Member.

Payment of expenses of official and courtesy visits, etc.

Page 55

2.6 Subject to paragraph 2.7 the County Council will pay the cost of any travelling or other expenses reasonably incurred by or on behalf of any members in making official and courtesy visits, whether inside or outside the United Kingdom, on behalf of the County Council.

2.7 In the case of a visit within the United Kingdom, the amount paid under this section in respect of the expenses of any member of the County Council shall not exceed the payments which they would have been entitled to receive by way of travelling allowance or subsistence allowance if the making of the visit had been an approved duty of that member.

Ground rules for travel

2.8 Ground rules for Members' Claims for Travel and Subsistence are set out in Appendix B.

Meals on Trains

2.9 Members may claim full reimbursement of the reasonable cost (including VAT) of a main meal (full breakfast, lunch or dinner) taken on a train. Members wishing to claim must submit receipts. Where full reimbursement is claimed the allowance for the meal provided cannot also be claimed, i.e. breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.

Travel outside the United Kingdom

2.10 Members may claim for reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred. Receipts for all expenses must be submitted with any claim, as set out in Appendix B.

Out of Pocket Expenses

2.11 Where the attendance fee for a course or conference includes accommodation and meals, an out-of-pocket expense allowance is payable in place of the normal subsistence allowances.

2.12 The current rates are set out in Appendix C.

Special Functions and Occasions

2.13 Elected Members on occasions are invited or feel it necessary to attend functions or occasions which have a social element. No allowances are paid to Members of the Council on these occasions unless the Member is undertaking the performance of a specific duty, e.g. making a speech or distributing prizes when travel and subsistence allowances may be paid. Courtesy invitations issued to several or all Members are functions which do not qualify for payments.

Page 56

3. CLAIM FORMS

Completion

3.1 The attention of Members is drawn to the following points when completing a claim form:

(a) The claim form must be completed and signed in ink.

(b) Full details/description of an approved duty must be given

(i) if the reason for claiming travelling or subsistence allowances is a qualifying meeting, the full title of the meeting should be given;

(ii) for conferences, seminars, etc., full details must be given, including names of any officers involved, conference title and location, etc;

(iii) VAT receipts for purchase of petrol should be attached to all claims

Submission

3.2 Payment of allowances is made monthly. All deadlines and payment dates are published in advance and are available to view on the Councillors page of the Intranet.

3.3 All travel and subsistence claims are paid along with any allowances direct into a bank/building society of your choice. There is no facility for cheque payment in relation to Allowances or claims.

3.4 The Local Authorities (Members' Allowances) (England) Regulations 2003 prescribe that claims must be submitted within two months of the date of the meeting for which the claim is made.

Advances

3.5 In exceptional cases, payment of an advance can be arranged via the Business Support Team on 03000 263 751

Avoidance of Duplication of Allowances

3.6 A councillor performing approved duties as a member of more than one body or becoming entitled to payments under any other legislation must ensure that only one claim is made for that duty.

Page 57 Withholding Allowances

3.7 Where payment of any allowance has already been made in respect of any period during which the member concerned:-

(a) ceases to be a member of the County Council, or

(b) is in any other way not entitled to receive the allowance in respect of that period, the County Council requires that such part of the allowance as relates to any such period be repaid to the County Council.

4. MEMBERS APPOINTED TO OTHER BODIES

Special arrangements apply to Members who are appointed to certain bodies, such as the Local Government Association, the North East Regional Employers’ Organisation and the Association of North East Councils, which operate their own allowances schemes. Notes are attached in Appendices G to I which deal with the individual schemes. Attendance allowances payable under these schemes are in addition to the basic allowance from the County Council.

5. INCOME TAX

Tax is payable on basic allowances, special responsibility allowance, attendance allowance payable by other bodies, dependant’s carers’ allowance and co-optees’ allowance. Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is notified of all new Members. However, as Members’ circumstances vary, and their tax may be dealt with at other HMRC offices, it is advisable for Members to make arrangements with their Tax Inspector for a tax code number to be allocated.

6. PENSIONS

With effect from the local elections in May 2017, no councillors have access to the Local Government Pension Scheme.

7. INSURANCE

The County Council has arranged travel insurance for its Members while travelling abroad on County Council business. Cover is provided for medical expenses, baggage, cash and personal public liability: details are available from the Insurance Officer on (03000) 269 666.

Page 58 8. SOCIAL SECURITY

National Insurance Contributions

8.1 National Insurance contributions are payable on all basic allowances, special responsibility allowances, attendance allowances payable by other bodies, plus elements of mileage allowances, provided the aggregate amount of these allowances reaches a lower earnings limit (£118 per week or £512 per month) and the Member is under state pension age. Members who are state pension age – are not liable to pay National Insurance contributions provided confirmation is provided of their age in the form of a birth certificate or passport (originals only) which should be sighted by the Business Support Officer. Alternatively a certificate of non-liability could be supplied by the local office of the Department of Work and Pensions.

8.2 There is an annual maximum contribution liability for people with more than one job and, in some instances, Members in this position may be entitled to a refund of contributions; alternatively they may apply to the DWP to defer payment of contributions in their capacity as councillors.

Benefits

8.3 The National Insurance contributions paid by Members count towards the full range of contributory benefits, including statutory sick pay, state pensions, unemployment benefits, etc.

Advice

8.4 Advice on contributions and benefits can be obtained from the local office of the Department of Work and Pensions.

9. SICK PAY

Members who fall ill will receive their basic allowance and special responsibility allowance, as normal. As there is no deduction for being off sick, Statutory Sick Pay is not payable in addition to these allowances and it is not necessary to submit a self-certification of sickness form or a doctor’s sick note when you are ill.

10. MEMBERS' SURGERIES

10.1 The County Council will pay the cost for one surgery per month. Invoices for room hire can be sent to Durham County Council for payment or alternatively can be reclaimed from Resources, Business Support on production of a receipt.

Page 59 10.2 Please note that attendances at surgeries DO NOT qualify for travelling and subsistence, and other expenses such as advertising costs must be borne by the Members who incur them.

Page 60 APPENDIX A MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES

SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITY ALLOWANCE

Designation Amount (£)

Chair of the County Council 6650

Vice-Chair of the County Council 3325 Leader of the County Council 36575

Deputy Leader of the County Council 19950 Cabinet Member (x8) 13300 Chair of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management 13300 Board Vice-Chair of Corporate Overview and Scrutiny 7980 Management Board Chair of Appeals and Complaints Committee 2660 Vice-Chair of Appeals and Complaints Committee 1330 Chair of Audit Committee 2660

Vice-Chair of Audit Committee 1330 Chair of Corporate Parenting Panel 2660 Vice-Chair of Corporate Parenting Panel 1330 Chair of Highways Committee 2660 Vice-Chair of Highways Committee 1330 Chair of General Licensing and Registration Committee 3325 Vice-Chair of General Licensing and Registration Committee 1662 Chair of Statutory Licensing Committee 3325 Vice-Chair of Statutory Licensing Committee x 2 1662 Chair of General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee 3325 (1) Chair of General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee 3325 (2) Chair of General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee 3325 (3) Chair of County Planning Committee 3325 Vice-Chair of County Planning Committee 1662 Chair of Area Planning Committee (North Durham) 3325 Vice-Chair of Area Planning Committee (North Durham) 1662 Chair of Area Planning Committee (Central and East 3325 Durham) Vice-Chair of Area Planning Committee (Central and East 1662 Durham)

Page 61

DESIGNATION £

Chair of Area Planning Committee (South and West) 3325 Vice-Chair of Area Planning Committee (South and West) 1662 Chair of Pension Fund Committee 2660 Vice-Chair of Pension Fund Committee 1330 Chair of Children and Young People’s Scrutiny Committee 2660 Vice-Chair of Children and Young People’s Scrutiny 1330 Committee Chair of Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny 2660 Committee Vice-Chair of Safer and Stronger Communities Scrutiny 1330 Committee Chair of Environment and Sustainable Communities Scrutiny 2660 Committee Vice-Chair of Environment and Sustainable Communities 1330 Scrutiny Committee

Chair of Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee 2660 Vice-Chair of Economy and Enterprise Scrutiny Committee 1330 Chair of Adults, Wellbeing and Health Scrutiny Committee 2660 Vice-Chair of Adults, Wellbeing and Health Scrutiny 1330 Committee Chair of Standards Committee 2660 Where an Opposition Group has 20% or more of the Council Members allowance is £6650, where Group has less than 20% membership allowance is £3325 Leader of Opposition Group (Conservative)membership 3325 Leader of Opposition Group (Liberal Democrats) 3325 membership Leader of Opposition Group (Durham Independent Group) 3325 membership Leader of Opposition Group (DCC Independent Group) 3325 membership Leader of Opposition Group (Spennymoor Independent 3325 Group) membership

Leader of Opposition Group (North East Party Group) 3325 membership

Page 62 APPENDIX B

GROUNDRULES FOR MEMBERS' CLAIMS FOR TRAVEL AND SUBSISTENCE

1. Travel by Rail

Rail tickets should be requested from the Business Support Team in the Resources Service Grouping in advance of travel, as the Council’s contract provides for a discount.

Members should either contact Members’ Support who will liaise directly with Business Support on your behalf, or members can go direct to the Business Support Team.

Standard Class rail travel is the approved class of travel, although first class rail can sometimes be the cheaper option dependent upon the time of booking.

Members wishing to travel first class when it is not the cheapest option can choose to do so but will be required to pay the difference between that cost and the standard cost. The difference will be recovered by payroll deduction.

Tickets can be booked up to 3 months in advance of date of travel. Members should make their requests as far in advance as possible in order to maximise savings and should you have any special requirements to assist you with your journey please advise Members’ Support or the Business Support Team at the time of the request.

Members eligible for a Senior Citizens Railcard or any other concessionary travel railcard and who may be required to travel as part of their duties are encouraged to buy one as this results in a further discount on the ticket cost. The cost of the railcard will be reimbursed upon receipt of your first claim for travel and subsistence.

2. Overnight Accommodation

Where it is considered that an overnight stay is required, then accommodation should be organised in advance by the Business Support Team.

Members should contact Members’ Support who will liaise with Business Support to organise for you. Alternatively, please contact the Business Support Team direct who will also be able to satisfy any specific queries or special requirements which you may have.

Accommodation along with Breakfast and Evening meal, if required, will be booked and paid for in advance. Members should make their requests as far in advance as possible in order to achieve best prices and should you have any special requirements in relation to your booking please advise us at the time of the request.

Page 63

Reimbursement for any additional meals purchased up to the maximum amounts detailed below i.e. breakfast, lunch, tea or evening meal can be claimed retrospectively (less any meals provided) on the production of receipts. Should it not be possible to obtain subsistence within these limits then actual costs can be claimed up to a reasonable amount in liaison with Business Support Manager and upon the production of receipts.

In exceptional circumstances an advance can be given to cover incidental subsistence/travel requirements i.e. lunch, evening meal, taxis, where it has not been possible to organise these prior to travel. Receipts should be retained to cover all advance expenditure and this can be reconciled on return.

Rates are set out below and also for reference shown on members’ claim forms.

Allowance Minimum absence from home Rate £ Breakfast 2 hours which must be before 11.00am 6.75 Lunch 2 hours which must be between 12 noon and 2.00pm 9.27 Tea 3 hours which must include 3.00pm to 6.00pm 3.65 Evening Meal 3 hours which must be after 7.00pm 11.48

Nb. No reimbursement for alcohol purchased will be made – should this be included on your receipt it will be deducted from the amount claimed.

Whilst it is appreciated that most travel is planned and can be organised in advance there may be exceptional circumstances where Members may need to organise themselves. In such circumstances, retrospective claims for travel or accommodation will be paid when submitted on monthly claim forms and on the production of receipts.

The current rates are laid out below and are intended to cover the costs of accommodation and associated subsistence during a 24 hour period. However, it is also recognised that on occasion it may not be possible to obtain accommodation and subsistence within these limits and therefore higher amounts can be claimed up to a reasonable amount upon presentation of receipts. However only in exceptional circumstances should this be the case.

Overnight Rate £ allowance London Up to a maximum claim on production of receipts £124.76 Outside London Up to a maximum claim on production of receipts £109.39

3. Travel by car as an alternative to Rail

As a general rule, journeys outside the locality should be undertaken by rail as this is usually the cheapest mode of travel for someone travelling alone.

Page 64

The ability to get to a particular destination by rail needs to be taken into account. Where the venue for the meeting is some distance from the railway station, the advantages and disadvantages of alternative methods of travel should be considered. Where Members choose to travel by car on a journey that would be reasonable to travel by rail either mileage or the cost of the cheapest available rail fare will be paid, whichever is the cheaper.

4. Air Travel

The cost of travel by air shall not exceed the cost applicable to travel by appropriate alternative means of transport. Unless in circumstances where the saving in time is so substantial as to justify payment of the fare for travel by air.

All arrangements should be made by contacting Members’ Support who will liaise with Business Support to organise for you. Alternatively, please contact the Business Support Team in relation to any specific queries or special requirements which you may have.

5. Travel outside the United Kingdom

The same procedure as shown above will apply.

Page 65 APPENDIX C

MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES

Travelling Allowances

Travelling allowances are payable for journeys undertaken in the performance of official duties. The rates are as follows from 1 April 2019

1. The rate for travel by a Member's own private motor vehicle, or one belonging to a member of their family or otherwise provided for their use, will be paid at 45.0p a mile

2. The rate for travel by a hired motor vehicle, other than a taxi-cab or cab, shall not exceed the value of the claim which would have been applicable had the vehicle belonged to the Member who hired it.

3. The rate for travel by taxi-cab or cab shall not exceed:

 in cases of urgency or where no public transport is reasonably available, the amount of the actual fare and any reasonable gratuity paid (receipts should be obtained where possible);

 in any other case, the amount of the fare for travel by appropriate public transport.

Motor Vehicle Insurance

Members are advised that when using their own vehicle for meetings they will be deemed to be using it on County Council business. It is therefore essential that vehicles should be adequately insured, and Members are therefore required to ensure that insurance covers business use as well as for the usual social, domestic and pleasure categories.

The Association of British Insurers provide a list of approved insurance companies which indemnify local authorities against all third party claims arising out of the use of their vehicle. A copy of the list is shown at Appendix J.

If a Member is covered for business use by a company not on the list, they should contact their insurer and arrange the necessary indemnity, which should be supplied in the form of a letter. An example is given in appendix J. Insurance companies not on this approved list, although they would insure for business use, would not cover injuries to a third party unless the necessary indemnity had been arranged.

Page 66 Subsistence Allowances

Duties performed within the United Kingdom

When carrying out approved duties “Out of Region”, Members may claim up to the approved rates as follows on production of receipts:

1. For an absence not involving an absence overnight from the usual place of residence:

Allowance Minimum absence Rate from home (£)

Breakfast 2 hours which must be before 11.00 6.75 Lunch 2 hours which must include 12.00 to 14.00 9.27 Tea 3 hours which must include 15.00 to 18.00 3.65 Evening Meal 3 hours which must be after 19.00 11.48

Travel Outside the United Kingdom

Members may claim for reimbursement of reasonable expenses incurred. Receipts for all expenses must be submitted with the claim, as set out in Appendix B.

Out of Pocket Expenses

Where the attendance fee for a course or conference includes accommodation and meals, an out-of-pocket expense allowance is payable, as follows:

£ per day Courses or conferences within the UK 5.00 Courses or conferences overseas 18.00 the day of arrival and departure being counted as one day.

Taxable and Non-Taxable Mileage

From 6 April 2016, following a change in HMRC guidance, all mileage claimed for journeys from this date should be shown as non-taxable mileage.

Page 67

APPENDIX D MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES

Schedule of other bodies, attendance at meetings of which (subject to the approval of a committee or other body) entitles a County Councillor to claim travelling and subsistence allowance.

Outside Bodies

Name of Body

Admissions Forum Annfield Plain Gleemen Association for Public Service Excellence Association of North East Councils – Collaborative Procurement Board Association of North East Councils - Leaders and Elected Members Board Association of North East Councils – North East Culture Partnership Board Association of North East Councils – Resources Task and Finish Group

Barnard Castle School Governing Body Beamish Museum Board Believe Housing Board Believe Housing Values Group Bishop Auckland Community Partnership (Four Clocks) Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone Advisory Group Bishop Auckland Heritage Action Zone Bowes Museum Bus Lane Adjudication Service Joint Committee Business Durham Advisory Board - Members

Castle Eden Dene Nature Joint Advisory Committee CDC Enterprise Agency Central Durham Joint Crematorium Committee Chapter Homes Charter Trustees for the City of Durham Chester le Street Unit of Sea Cadet Corps Chester Moor Village Scheme Children in Care Council Chilton and Windlestone Community College Citizens Advice County Durham Cong Burn Wood Nature Reserve Management Committee Consett Churches Detached Youth Project Cornforth Partnership County Councils Network County Councils Network - Executive Committee County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Authority County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust Council of Governors County Durham Children and Families Partnership

Page 68 County of Durham School Benevolent Fund Coxhoe and Quarrington Hill Tarmac Quarries Liaison Committee

Derwent Valley Landscape Partnership- the Land of Oak and Iron in North East England Derwentside District Scout Council Derwentside Enterprise Agency Board Durham City Access for All Durham Cricket CIC Durham Darlington and Teesside, Hambleton, Richmondshire and Whitby STP Joint Health Scrutiny Committee Durham Heritage Coast Partnership Durham Johnston Educational Foundation Durham Tees Valley Airport Durham Tees Valley Airport Consultative Committee Durham Villages Regeneration Limited

Easington Colliery Regeneration Partnership Easington Social Welfare Centre East Durham Business Service English Heritage - Historic Environment Local Management

Henry Smith's Charity Horden Regeneration Partnership

Industrial Communities Alliance

Joint Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee of North East Local Authorities Joint Health Scurtiny Committees set up under Health Scrutiny legislation including– Path 2 Excellence Phase 2, Northern and Central ICS/ICP, Central and Southern ICS/ICP and Durham and Darlington

Lanchester Bowling Club Laurel Avenue Community Association Local Access Forum Local Government Association Lord Crewe's Durham Educational Foundation - Representative Trustees

Middleton Plus Development Trust Mountsett Crematorium Joint Committee

National Association of Councillors National Railway Museum at Shildon Newbiggin and District Village Hall Association Newcastle International Airport Local Authority Holding Company Limited Newcastle International Airport Consultative Committee Newcastle International Airport Limited NEWCO North East Combined Authority- Audit and Standards Committee

Page 69 North East Combined Authority- Economic Development and Regeneration Board North East Combined Authority- Leadership Board North East Combined Authority - Overview and Scrutiny Committee North East Combined Authority and North of Tyne Combined Authority - North East Joint Transport Audit Committee North East Combined Authority and North of Tyne Combined Authority - North East Joint Transport Committee North East Combined Authority and North of Tyne Combined Authority - North East Joint Transport Overview and Scrutiny Committee North East Disability Resource Centre North East Local Enterprise Partnership North East Purchasing Organisation North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority North Eastern Regional Employers Organisation (NEREO) North Eastern Regional Employers Organisation (NEREO) - Executive Committee North of England Reserve Forces and Cadets Association North Pennines AONB Partnership North Regional Brass Band Trust North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust Council of Governors Northumberland, Tyne and Wear and North Durham STP Joint Health Scrutiny Committee Northumbria Regional Flood and Coastal Committee

PATROL (Parking and Traffic Regulations outside London) Adjudication Joint Committee Pelton Fell Community Partnership Police and Crime Panel Project Genesis

Roseberry Grange Golf Course Committee Ruth First Educational Trust Executive Committee

Sacriston Community Development Group Safe Durham Partnership Standing Advisory Committee for Religious Education Stanhope Hartwell Educational Foundation

Teesdale Development Company Limited Teesdale Village Halls Consortium The Bow Trust (Durham) Ltd Thrislington Quarry Liaison Committee Trimdon Community College Association

United Charities of Romaldkirk Upper Teesdale Community Association

Visit County Durham

Wear Valley Women's Aid Limited Weardale Open Air Swimming Pool Association

Page 70 Witham Hall Limited Witton Gilbert Educational Foundation (formerly Jane Finney Trust)

Page 71 APPENDIX E

MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES

Schedule of outside organisations which pay travelling and subsistence allowances directly to Members for attendance at meetings convened by the organisation, subject to the Members' attendance having been authorised.

North East Regional Employers’ Organisation Committees (for further details see Appendix H, paragraph 3)

Page 72 APPENDIX F

MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES

Schedule of outside organisations which are recharged by the County Council in respect of attendance allowance paid to Members for attendance at meetings convened by the organisation, subject to the Members' attendance having been authorised.

Association of North East Councils North East Regional Employers’ Organisation

Page 73 APPENDIX G

ASSOCIATION OF NORTH EAST COUNCILS MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES SCHEME

1. Eligible Members Those eligible for the ANEC scheme are representatives of member authorities at the meetings of the Association, Executive and Standing Committees and the Regional Assembly.

2. Approved Duties For the purposes of the Association's scheme, approved duties include:

 attendance at meetings of the Association, Executive and Standing Committees and the Regional Assembly;

 duties carried out by Members as the Association's appointed representatives on any public body, charity, voluntary body or other body formed for a public purpose (and not for the personal benefit of its members) except where such remuneration would be prohibited by another enactment;

 attendance on behalf of the Association at briefing meetings, Chair's meetings and at meetings with Ministers, Government Departments or other bodies.

3. Rate of Allowance 2019/20 An allowance of £22.00 for a twenty-four hour period will be payable, irrespective of the number of duties undertaken. Travelling and subsistence allowance in respect of attendance at the meetings outlined in paragraph 2 above will be reimbursed by the County Council.

4. Payment Arrangements The County Council will meet the cost of attendance allowance initially with subsequent reimbursement from the Association.

The County Council is requested to submit invoices monthly, or for longer periods in arrears, to the Association. Each invoice should be supported by a schedule which sets out the following details:

 name of Association representative  dates of approved duties  detail of approved duties  amount of claim

The County Council will be responsible for making the appropriate returns to the Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Page 74 APPENDIX H

NORTH EAST REGIONAL EMPLOYERS’ ORGANISATION MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES SCHEME

1. Eligible Members

Those eligible for the North East Regional Employers’ Organisation Scheme are representatives of member authorities at meetings of the full North East Regional Employers' Organisation, Councils and Committees.

2. Approved Duties

For the purposes of the Organisation's scheme, approved duties include attendance at meetings of the full North East Regional Employers' Organisation, Councils and Committees.

3. Rate of Allowance 2019/20

An allowance of £21.00 for a twenty-four hour period will be payable, irrespective of the number of duties undertaken.

Members who attend ALL meetings of North East Regional Employers’ Organisation Committees will be reimbursed the necessary travelling and subsistence expenses, in cash, by the North East Regional Employers’ Organisation.

Members who DO NOT attend ALL meetings of North East Regional Employers’ Organisation Committees will be reimbursed travelling and subsistence allowances by the County Council.

4. Payment Arrangements

The County Council will meet the cost of attendance allowance initially with subsequent reimbursement from the Organisation.

The County Council is requested to submit invoices, in arrears, to the Association. Each invoice should be supported by a schedule which sets out the following details:  name of Member  date  association/council/committee attended

The County Council will be responsible for making the appropriate returns to the Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

Page 75 APPENDIX I

LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSOCIATION MEMBERS' ALLOWANCES SCHEME

Introduction

1. The Constitution of the Local Government Association empowers the LGA Executive to establish a scheme for payments to members attending meetings and other approved duties of the Local Government Association and in the light of independent advice to make payments to office holders of the Association and such other members as may be specified in recognition of duties carried out on the Association’s behalf.

2. In June 1998, the Management Sub-Committee of the LGA appointed an Independent Panel to consider the existing arrangements and to establish a framework on which a suitable scheme for adoption by the Association could be based. The LGA accepted the principles on which the Panel’s recommendations were based, and the recommendations themselves, and formally adopted the recommended scheme with the full support of all political parties represented on the Association.

3. The scheme has now been independently reviewed to reflect the changes to the member structure agreed by the General Assembly in July 2004. The proposed changes were agreed by the LGA Executive on 29 July 2004. The revised scheme is set out in the following paragraphs.

Key Features of the Scheme

 Members of all bodies listed in the Annex to the Scheme are paid an allowance reflecting both the time which might be spent and the level of responsibility involved in carrying out these posts (payments agreed by the LGA are set out below).

 The LGA does not pay Travel and Subsistence for attendance at its own meetings (i.e. Boards, Panels, Policy Review Groups, Task Groups), with the exception of the Chair, 2 Vice chair’s and 4 Deputy Chair’s of the Association; and the Chair’s of the LGA Boards.

 The LGA does not pay Travel and Subsistence for General Assembly, conferences, seminars, etc. where members are representing their local authorities; and

 Allowances are index-linked to the principal local government pay settlement.

Page 76 APPENDIX J MOTOR CONFERENCE

Motor Conference

Motor Conference is the body that represents members of ABI transacting motor insurance business and the motor syndicates of Lloyd’s Motor Underwriters Association (LMUA). Motor Conference is representative of some 98% of the motor insurance business transacted in the UK. Many of ABI’s activities – for example, representations to Government – are carried out under the auspices of Motor Conference.

A number of undertakings have been given on behalf of all members of Motor Conference to various bodies e.g. Government Departments, local authorities and voluntary organisations. The undertakings allow an individual with motor insurance which includes use for personal business to use theirown vehicle for the business of their employer. They also provide that the receipt of a mileage allowance will not constitute use for “hire or reward”. This is to ensure that individuals in receipt of such an allowance continue to be covered under their insurance policy, notwithstanding any general exclusion of hire and reward use.

Please note that there may be a small number of insurance policies issued by certain insurers that are covered by the undertakings. To check whether any individual insurer not currently listed is a subscriber, contact [email protected]

To check whether your insurer is a member of the Association of British Insurers please click this link

Member directory ABI

Page 77 SAMPLE

Dear Sirs

Motor Policy No.

It is hereby declared and agreed that the policy, which permits the use of the vehicle by the Policyholder in person in connection with their business, shall be deemed to permit such use of the vehicle on the business of the employer and the receipt of an allowance from such employer for such use or in respect of the carriage by them of official passengers shall not be deemed for the purpose of the policy to constitute use hiring or for the carriage of passengers for hire or reward.

We will indemnify Durham County Council in the terms of the Third Party section of the Policy in respect of such use provided that:

(a) this indemnity does not apply in connection with a vehicle belonging to Durham County Council

(b) Durham County Council is not entitled to indemnity under any other policy

(c) Durham County Council shall as though it were the Policyholder observe fulfil and be subject to the terms and exceptions and conditions of the Policy insofar as they can apply.

Yours faithfully

Page 78 Agenda Item 10

County Council

22 January 2020

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

Report of Corporate Management Team

Helen Lynch, Head of Legal & Democratic Services

Electoral division(s) affected: All

Purpose of the Report 1 To consider the proposed changes to the County Council’s polling districts and polling places following a review. Executive Summary 2 Each Local Authority is required to carry out a review of Polling Districts and Polling Places within its area every 5 years. The County Council must complete a review by 31 January 2020.

3 The review commenced on 1 March 2019 and included two stages of consultation. The report summarises the comments/observations received during the consultation and sets out the Returning Officer’s proposals for change having considered the representations received. Recommendation(s) 4 Council is asked to:

(a) Approve the proposed changes to the Council’s polling districts and polling places as detailed in Appendix 3 to the report.

(b) Agree that the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, and local members as appropriate, is granted delegated authority to make changes that may be required before the next review.

Page 79 Background

5 Under the Representation of the People Act 1983 as amended by the Electoral Administration Act 2006, the County Council is required to conduct a review of polling districts and polling places within the County Durham every five years. In accordance with this obligation Durham County Council began a review on 1 March 2019, which must be completed by 31 January 2020.

6 During any review the Returning Officer must comment on both existing polling stations and the polling stations that would likely be used if any new polling places were accepted. The role of Returning Officer is to ensure that an election is administered effectively and that as a result of voters and those standing for election is a positive one.

7 Where a local authority makes any alterations the Electoral Registration Officer who has responsibility for compiling the register of electors, must amend the register of electors accordingly.

8 The review considered all polling districts and polling places across County Durham. There are 423 polling places and 63 electoral divisions within those districts. A polling place is an area or building within a polling district in which a polling station is situated.

Consultation

9 As part of the review, there were two stages of consultation. The first round invited comments on the existing polling arrangements, and the second comprised publishing the representations received at the first round of consultation for further comment.

10 The first round of consultation was undertaken from 1 to 31 March 2019. Statutory notices were displayed, press releases issued, and details of the consultation arrangements were available on the council’s website. This involved inviting representations and comments from a number of groups and individuals including the following:-

 Electors via notices on the council’s website and in council buildings;  County Councillors  Parish Councils  MPs  Disabled/Access Organisations via the Council’s Equality and Diversity Officer  Area Action Partnerships/Community Groups  Schools (only those currently used as polling stations)  All existing premises that are currently used as polling stations

Page 80 11 Following announcement of Elections to the European Parliament the initial timeline was suspended to be resumed as soon as practicable.

12 On 1 July 2019 the representations received, together with initial comments from the Returning Officer, as set out in Appendix 2 were published on the council’s website. A further period of consultation which mirrored that undertaken in the first round took place from 1 to 22 July 2019. There was only one comment made that related to the initial representations received. The comments made by one of the local members of the Weardale electoral division in the North West Durham Constituency have been added to the document at Appendix 2 as highlighted italics. The local member was opposed to changing the polling station from the village hall to the school. Constitution Working Group at its meeting on 11 November 2019 noted the position and asked that a review of the two locations be undertaken prior to further consideration by the group. The findings of the review were reported back to the Group at its meeting on 6 January 2020, and consequently the group supported the proposal to change the Wearhead Polling station from the village hall to the primary school.

13 Several non-specific letters were received relating to the use of schools as polling stations. The legislation relating to the use of schools as polling stations is the Local Elections (Principal Areas) (England and Wales) Rules 2006 which states that the Returning Officer may use, free of charge, for the purpose of taking the poll or counting the votes, a room the expense of maintaining which is payable out of any rate. Wherever possible officers work with schools to utilise community rooms which allow the school to remain open. However, in some cases this is not possible. The final decision as to whether a school remains open rests with the school management.

14 The Returning Officer in considering the arrangements to be made and the representations received, noted that the pattern of polling districts and polling places in the County Council area had evolved to meet successive boundary changes and to meet the convenience of electors across the County. By and large, it ensures that electors have reasonable facilities for voting. Furthermore, in line with the Council’s policies and statutory obligations, every attempt had been made to ensure that polling stations were accessible to electors who are disabled. Therefore, the proposals for change in this review have been kept to a minimum.

15 The Returning Officer has taken the following considerations into account when drawing up the proposals.

 the Council must seek to ensure that all electors have such reasonable facilities for voting as are practicable in the circumstances;

Page 81  the Council must seek to ensure that, so far as is reasonable and practicable, every polling place is accessible to electors who are disabled;

 every parish shall be in a separate polling district;

 ideally the polling place should be in its own polling district;

 ideally there should be no more than 2,500 electors per polling place;

 polling district boundaries should be co-terminus with existing parish ward or division boundaries;

 a polling station costs approximately £1,100 to hire, equip and staff for polling day (portable units used as polling stations can cost significantly more to hire and maintain on the day). Proposed Changes

16 The table attached at Appendix 3 sets out the proposed changes to the arrangements for the polling districts and polling places. The changes include proposing alternative polling places where existing places are no longer available, or more suitable places have been proposed. Other changes are administrative and will not affect electors. The tables show the existing polling arrangements in each polling district:

 the polling district identity letters & description  the polling place for the polling district  the polling station within the polling place  the Returning Officer’s Final Proposal.

17 Also attached is a list of issues that are being kept under review and may result in changes to be implemented prior to the next review, which must be conducted by 2025. Accordingly, Council is asked to delegate authority to the Head of Legal and Democratic Services in consultation with the Leader and Deputy Leader, and local members as appropriate, to make changes that may be required before the next review.

18 Appendix 4 comprises a full list of the polling arrangements for each parliamentary constituency with each county electoral division separately thereafter.

Constitution Working Group

19 Constitution Working Group met on 11 November 2019 and 6 January 2020, and agreed to recommend to Council that its approves the proposals set out in the report.

Page 82 Next Steps

20 Council is asked to agree the recommendations set out in the report.

Contact: Ros Layfield Tel: 03000 269708

David Collingwood Tel: 03000 261201

Page 83 Appendix 1: Implications

Legal Implications The legislative requirements for a Polling District and Places review are set out at paragraphs 5 and 14 of the report.

Finance

The proposals do not have any impact on the existing financial arrangements. Consultation As set out in the report.

Equality and Diversity / Public Sector Equality Duty

The council ensures it has made every attempt that each polling stations is accessible to electors who are disabled and considers these arrangements when proposing any new or alternative arrangements. Consultation on its review includes seeking comments from people who have expertise in relation to access to premises or facilities for persons who have disabilities. The Council’s Equalities and Diversity Officer is included among the consultees, and comments sought from the Disability Partnership. Climate Change None.

Human Rights The review helps ensure that electors within County Durham have an opportunity to contribute to the review and maximum opportunity to exercise their democratic right to vote.

Crime and Disorder None.

Staffing None.

Accommodation

The Returning Officer must comment on both existing polling stations and the polling stations that would likely be used if any new polling places were accepted. The use of schools as polling stations is avoided as far as possible. This is more challenging where public buildings are no longer available or are

Page 84 not accessible venues. Returning Officers may use free of charge for the purpose of taking the poll or counting the votes, a room the expense of maintaining which is payable out of any rate. Wherever possible officers work with schools to utilise community rooms which allow the school to remain open, in some cases however this is not possible. Risk If electors are not provided with suitable convenient places to vote it could possibly give rise to corporate criticism and adverse publicity. If the review is not complete with the required timescales it would be in breach of its legal duties.

Procurement None.

Page 85 Page 86 Page

Appendix 2: Representations Received

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES 2019

REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED

BISHOP AUCKLAND CONSTITUENCY

Electoral Comment Comment Returning Officer Response Division/Polling Received From District

BARNARD Secretary of the Suggest that Streatlam and Stainton Parish stretches south beyond the A688 and CASTLE EAST Teesdale Branch electors from includes the streets Stainton Bank, The Green, The Crescent and The Labour Party Stainton Bank, Avenue. BAXB – Stainton The Green, The Secretary of the Crescent and The The polling station on the south side of the road is Stainton Grove Bishop Auckland Avenue at Stainton Community Centre. Labour Party Grove be moved polling stations It makes sense for the electors in Stainton Bank, The Green, The Eight members of from Stainton and Crescent and The Avenue to vote in this location otherwise they must the public Streatlam Village cross a busy road and walk to Streatlam and Stainton Village Hall, Hall to Stainton along roads which have no footpaths. Grove Community The move will cause some administrative changes at County and Centre. Parish elections as the electors currently allocated to Stainton Grove Community Centre vote for the Barnard Castle East County Division and the Urban Ward of Marwood Parish, whilst those from Stainton Bank, The Green, The Crescent and The Avenue will vote in the Barnard Castle East County Division and Stainton and Streatlam Parish Council.

This can be accommodated and the proposal is supported.

BARNARD Treasurer of Notified that Forest The suggested alternative is Forest in Teesdale Primary School. CASTLE WEST Forest (Roadside) Methodist Chapel Methodist Chapel will close on 31 BAOA – Forest December 2019 and will no longer be available for use as a polling station.

BISHOP Head Teacher of Request that the This request has been made previously. The polling district is AUCKLAND St Anne’s CE school is not used predominantly residential with very little in the way of alternatives for TOWN Primary School as a polling polling station use. station. BABC – Central 5 The Pollard Public House was asked whether they would be willing to give up room for a polling station but declined as the loss of income to the business would be too great.

There is another school nearby – The Evergreen School which caters for children with special educational needs.

Page 87 Page Page 88 Page

It is considered that disruption to the routine of children with special educational needs would be greater if that school were to be used as a polling station.

As there are no viable alternative premises for use as a polling station within this polling district request is not supported.

SHILDON AND Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the DENE VALLEY proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – Shildon Civic Hall and Garbutt Close Supported Housing. This is an BAACB-Sunnydale administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling district 2 numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

SPENNYMOOR Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – BAAFA – Low Hartley Terrace, Supported Housing and King Street Primary School. Spennymoor and This is an administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling Tudhoe Grange 1 district numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

It should be noted that prior to the European Parliamentary Elections in May 19 one of the polling stations in this polling district was King William Grange, Supported Housing. This venue is no longer available to us and arrangements were made to move the polling station to King Street Primary School. It is proposed that this become the default arrangement.

SPENNYMOOR Cllr Kevin Suggesting an The two polling stations for this polling district are located at St Paul’s Thompson additional polling Centre, St Pauls Gardens, a location which is fairly central to the BAAGB – station within the majority of residential properties in the polling district. The new Spennymoor 2 polling district to development at Burton Woods is primarily a residential development accommodate electors from the new Burton Woods and doesn’t offer any other venues for possible use as a polling Estate. station.

The closest alternative venue would appear to be The Meadows School, however the school caters for children with special educational needs and it is acknowledged that disruption to their routine would have a significant effect. This option is not recommended.

Google maps indicates that both walking and driving routes are only slightly longer from the Burton Wood estate to that of residents living in Cragside Close, which is to the east of the polling district.

Both Whitworth Park Academy and Middlestone Moor Primary School lie within the polling district but there is little benefit to be gained from closing or disrupting a school when there is a suitable venue already in use.

St Paul’s Centre has proved to be a good venue for the polling stations for this district, it is central to the polling district and there are nearby car parks which can be used by electors choosing to drive to the venue. It offers reasonable facilities for staff working on the day.

At present the request for another polling station within this polling district is not supported.

SPENNYMOOR Councillor Liz Suggested the use Both schools suggested for use as possible polling stations for this Maddison of Whitworth Park area are outside of the boundary line for the polling district. Electoral BAAHA – Academy or Commission guidance indicates that wherever possible the polling Middlestone Middlestone Moor place/polling station should be within the polling district. Page 89 Page Primary School as Page 90 Page

an additional As we have a polling station within the polling district it would not be polling station considered reasonable to allocate electors to a different location within this polling outside of the boundary of that polling district. district due to the increase in Middlestone Moor Community Centre is a good venue for the residential designated polling stations. It is large enough to accommodate both development and polling stations without being crowded. It has access for the disabled distance of those and 15 car parking spaces. Google maps indicates that the distance properties from the either walking or driving from the new estate to the community centre existing polling or primary school is very similar. station There is no other venue within the polling district that may be suitable for use as a polling station the proposal therefore is not supported.

TUDHOE Cllr Kevin Seeks an Access to the existing polling station is difficult with electors having to Thompson additional polling cross a dual carriageway (there is a subway crossing). There is no BAAFB-Low station within the alternative provision this side of the A688 that could be used as a Spennymoor and polling district to polling station. Tudhoe Grange 2 accommodate electors from the The polling district has 1050 registered electors and with those residential numbers it is unnecessary to provide another polling station that does development near not offer a discernible benefit to those electors on the development Thorn Lighting near the Thorn Lighting site.

TUDHOE Member of the Would like to There are two polling stations within this polling district. One is public suggest use of Tudhoe Community Centre and the other is St David’s Church Hall. BAAEA-Tudhoe 1 Tudhoe The dividing line for the allocation of electors to polling stations is the Community Centre B6238 – all those to the right are allocated to Tudhoe Community as a polling station Centre and those to the left go to St David’s Church Hall. The resident because access to in question lives to the left and is allocated to St David’s Church Hall. the polling station If line for the allocation of electors was moved to include the at St David’s properties in Attwood Terrace it would leave the elector/polling station Church Hall has a ration unbalanced – to the extent that consideration should be given to slope and was not having only one polling station within the polling district. good for those with mobility issues.

TUDHOE Cllr Liz Maddison The Durham Gate A room at Green Lane Council Offices has been used for a number of and Watson Park years now as the polling station for this polling district. However at the BAAEB – Tudhoe areas of the polling unexpected EU Parliamentary elections Green Lane Offices was 2 district needs unavailable due to ongoing construction works. As an emergency better coverage for measure the polling station was moved to the Education Development polling stations. Centre, another Council owned building within the polling district. Suggested use of the Living offices Approach was made to Living at that time however they would not as a polling station consider use of their building as a polling station. Living are a private company and cannot be forced to adopt this use.

Going forward the aim would be to retain use of the Education and Development Centre as a polling station for the polling district.

When the construction works are complete at Green Lane offices if there is a room available this will be sought to be designated as a polling station to serve the bottom half of the polling district.

It is noted that Tudhoe Moor Nursery School is situated in the bottom half of the polling district. This could potentially be used as a polling station, however wherever possible we try to avoid closing schools due to the disruption caused to education and childcare.

Page 91 Page Page 92 Page

TUDHOE Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – BAAEA – Tudhoe Tudhoe Community Centre and St David’s Church Hall. This is an 1 administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling district numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES 2019

REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED

CITY OF DURHAM CONSTITUENCY

Electoral Comment Comment Returning Officer Response Division/Polling Received From District

DURHAM SOUTH President of Raises concerns St Oswalds Institute serves as a double polling station. Polling districts Durham Students that the existing DGA1-Elvet and DGB – Elvet (South) are allocated to one polling DGB-Elvet (South) Union polling station at St station with DGA2 – Elvet Hill and DGA3 – The Howlands being Oswalds Institute allocated to the other. DGA3 – The is a considerable Howlands distance from Historically it was sought to use a university venue as a polling many of the station, however the University were unable to commit to the use of a colleges and that particular college as their demand for rooms fluctuated. Having been that area is noted moved between college buildings several elections in a row the ELVET AND for its considerable decision was taken that to ensure a consistency for the electorate they GILESGATE pedestrian would all be allocated to St Oswalds Institute. congestion. DGA1-Elvet Following receipt of this representation discussions have begun with the University to explore the suggestions made. However at this stage

no definite solutions have been agreed. NEVILLES He suggests that Discussions with the university will continue with a view to Page 93 Page CROSS the following implementing some/all of the suggestions but at present do not Page 94 Page

DGA2-Elvet Hill alternative sites be recommend any change to the allocated polling stations to these considered :- polling districts.

Josephine Butler College

St Mary’s College and Sheraton Park

DURHAM SOUTH Clerk to City of Supports the As above there are ongoing discussions with the University regarding Durham Parish comments made the proposals and at this stage no change is recommended. Whatever DGB-Elvet (South) Council by the President of the outcome existing polling stations would be retained for local Durham Students electors. DGA3 – The Union – with the Howlands proviso that the existing polling stations at St Oswalds Institute ELVET AND and Merryoaks GILESGATE Pavillion are

DGA1-Elvet retained for the convenience of local electors

NEVILLES The City of CROSS Durham Council feel that with the DGA2-Elvet Hill development of the Mount Oswald site, the Farewell Hall and the Roundhaven developments, together with the This proposal would mean that electors were allocated to a polling two proposed station outside of the boundary of their polling district. This is allowed colleges on the only in exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances do not Josephine Butler apply here and agree that another polling should be provided in this NEVILLES College site this locality. Discussions are ongoing with the University to agree a CROSS polling district will location, however these have not yet been finalised. The final have insufficient outcome will be reported when discussions have concluded. DFB-Nevilles polling station Cross (South) provision. A further polling station is

suggested at Stephenson College

The polling station at St Mary’s This forms part of the ongoing discussions with the University. College should be reinstated.

There is a lack of There is no polling station to serve the development on the former polling stations to Police HQ site. The Rivergreen Centre is now occupied solely by the north of St Atom Bank and is not available for use. However Salvus House may Leonards School. be a suitable option. Discussions about its use as a polling station are

With the ongoing ongoing and hopeful of a positive outcome. If that is the case a new development on polling station will be designated in this area for those properties on the former Police the site of the former Police HQ. HQ site there

should be another polling station in this area. Durham Trinity School and Page 95 Page Sports College or Page 96 Page

the Rivergreen Durham Trinity School would be a last choice as it is not within the Centre have been polling district boundary and because of the disruption it would cause suggested. to education.

This is possible although these properties lie within a different division – Framwellgate and Newton Hall and where possible try not to cross If a new polling division boundaries as it has the potential to lead to mistakes at station is County Elections if different county division ballot papers are being NEVILLES established it is distributed from the same polling station. CROSS suggested that residents of DCA1- Dunholme Close Framwelgate and Aykley Vale could use it.

NEVILLES St Leonards Request that There are no other alternative venues available within the polling CROSS Catholic School alternative district. premises be DCA1 – sought for use as The Garden House Inn has indicated that it is unwilling to be used as Framwelgate a polling station a polling station. St Cuthberts Church does not have the necessary facilities and Salvus House and the Rivergreen Centre are remote from the majority of the residential properties within the polling district. The request cannot be supported. No change is recommended.

FRAMWELLGATE Member of the Is happy with all Agreed – no change is recommended. AND NEWTON public the polling station HALL locations in this area DAA1 – Newton Hall North

DAA2 – Newton Hall North

DBA1- Newton Hall South

DBA1- Newton Hall South

ELVET AND Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the GILESGATE proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – St Nicholas Church Hall, Market Place and St Nicholas Church Youth DEA – St Nicholas Club, The Sands. This is an administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling district numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

SHERBURN Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – Sherburn Community Centre and Attlee Square Communal Hall. This Page 97 Page Page 98 Page

DKD – Sherburn is an administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling district Village numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

DURHAM SOUTH Returning Officer Relocate the The current designated polling station for this area is The Library, proposal polling station Sherburn Hospital. However the venue can no longer support use as DLC – a polling station and an alternative location is to be found. The polling Sherburn/Whitwell district is small and there is no other building within the polling district House that could be used as a polling station.

At the European Parliamentary Election in May 2019 electors were moved to Shincliffe Primary School. It is recommended that this change be made permanent.

FRAMWELLGATE Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the AND NEWTON proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – HALL Woodbine Road Community Centre and Abbey Leisure Centre. This is an administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling district DNB – Pity Me numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS & POLLING PLACES 2019

REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED

EASINGTON CONSTITUENCY

Electoral Comment Comment Returning Officer Response Division/Polling Received From District

Electoral Returning Officer Closure of existing No other premises are available within the area so the options were Division: Proposal polling station at Kasko to either send electors to the polling station at St Joseph’s Church Peterlee East House, Marine Crescent, Hall, Blackhall Colliery or site a mobile unit within the housing estate Blackhall Rocks in Blackhall Rocks. County Councillors Rob Krute and Lynn Pounder were consulted and both agreed that the siting of a mobile unit was the best option in the circumstances due to the distance Polling District: residents would have to travel to St Joseph’s. At the European Parliamentary Election on 23 May 2019, a mobile unit was sited on EBC – Blackhall the corner of Ocean Drive/Mickle Hill Road and apart from some Rocks No 2 initial confusion over location, this arrangement worked suitably well and it is proposed that a mobile is sited here in the future.

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Electoral Howletch Lane Suggestion that non- The school will continue to be used as there are no other suitable Division: Primary School, school buildings are premises in the area – both the school and Councillor Rob Moore Peterlee and used acknowledged that this was the case in the current circumstances Peterlee West Councillor Rob Moore

Polling District:

EFA – Howletch

Electoral Our Lady Star of Suggestion that other Implementing a system of using different premises as suggested Division: the Sea RC schools in the area are would confuse electors and provide inconsistency for voters. This Primary School, used on a rota basis area is highly populated and one of the other local schools is in fact Horden Horden already a designated polling station. It is proposed that current arrangements at the school continue.

Polling District:

EHA – Horden North No 1

Electoral Returning Officer The polling district itself It is proposed to divide the polling district EMA into two parts so that Division: contains a polling station 115-126 Toft Crescent, 1-54 Burnip Road, and 26-48 Webb Avenue (Ribbon Academy) but are re-allocated to vote at Ribbon Academy and leave the Murton electors in this polling remainder of the polling district allocated to New Hesleden Social district are not actually Club. allocated to this station. Its boundary wraps Polling District: around polling district EMB – this results in the EMA – Murton electors from EMA being West No 1 allocated to New Hesledon Social Club and the electors from EMB at Ribbon Academy

Electoral Member of the Query as to why he and It was explained to the elector that whilst it is appreciated that these Division: Public his neighbours in St Ives voting arrangements may be confusing, they are as they are due to Place vote at Ribbon the fact that the boundary for the polling district in which they live Murton Academy when there is (ENB) runs in front of their house and that properties, whilst close a polling station closer. by, are actually in another polling district (END) which is allocated to He suggested that all Macrae House. It would be difficult to find a dividing line within the households in St Ives polling district ENB to reallocate some electors to Macrae House. Polling District: Place be able to vote at Whilst understanding the comments of the elector, it is proposed Macrae House that current voting arrangements continue. ENB – Murton East No 1

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DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS & POLLING PLACES 2019

REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED

NORTH DURHAM CONSTITUENCY

Electoral Comment Comment Returning Officer Response Division/Polling Received From District

Electoral Returning Officer Complaint from parent Councillor Smith was asked for her opinion if use of the schools Division: following email about the closure of the was stopped and Holyoake Communal Room was used as a from member of Chester le Street double station to service the whole area. She felt that due to the Chester le Street the public Primary School for ageing community within the Hilda Park Estate, the extra distance North elections and the road that electors would have to cross would prohibit people from voting and whilst she makes residents aware of the postal vote option, many see voting at a polling station as a tradition. She also made reference to the fact that the election Polling District: dates are often known well in advance so the school could use elections days as teacher training opportunities – this is NDLB – Chester something already suggested in the past but schools have North No 2 organised their timetables according to their own preferences. Kevan Jones MP supports the comments made by Councillor Smith. Views are sought as whether to move the whole polling district to Holyoake Communal Room or continue with the current voting arrangements at the school. Electoral Returning Officer If the arrangements as This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal described above are not election time – the division does not affect the external boundary changed - division of the of the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or Chester le Street polling district in to two any parish boundaries North parts to reflect current elector allocation to the polling stations at Chester le Street CE Polling District: Primary School, Hilda Park and Holyoake NDLB – Chester Communal Hall, South North No 2 Pelaw

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the external boundary elector allocation to the of the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or Chester le Street polling stations at the any parish boundaries. South Hermitage Academy Sixth Form Centre and the Mobile Unit at Chillingham Drive, in Polling District: Chester le Street NDFB- Edmondsley & Waldridge No 2

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the external boundary elector allocation to the of the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or Lumley polling stations at any parish boundaries.

Page 103 Page Lambourn Close Communal Hall and St Page 104 Page

Barnabas Church Hall in Bournmoor Polling District:

NDAA – Bournmoor No 1

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the external boundary elector allocation to the of the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or Pelton polling stations at any parish boundaries. Perkinsville Methodist Church and Pelton Community Centre Polling District:

NDNA – Pelton No 2

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the external boundary elector allocation to the of the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or Pelton polling stations at The any parish boundaries. Cherry Tree Pub, Urpeth Grange and the Mobile Unit at Wensley Polling District: Close, Ouston NDPB – Pelton No 3 Electoral Returning Officer Confirmation of the Suitable land has been identified adjacent to Melbourne Terrace, Division: proposal location to be used for Daisy Hill and it is proposed that, until any suitable premises the siting of a mobile become available in the area, that a mobile unit is sited here. Sacriston unit since the closure of the Daisy Hill Club which was originally used as a polling station Polling District:

NDDB – Kimblesworth & Plawsworth No 2

NDEA -Sacriston No 1

NDEB- Sacriston No 2

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the external boundary elector allocation to the of the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or Sacriston polling stations at any parish boundaries. Fyndoune Community College and The Fulforth Centre in Polling District: Sacriston and the Mobile Unit in Daisy Hill NDEB – Sacriston (location as detailed No 2 above) Page 105 Page Page 106 Page

Electoral St Mary’s RC The school has made Wwhile the school continues to be the most suitable premises to Division: School, South several requests for us serve the electors allocated to it due to its central location, there Stanley to consider other are alternative premises which are suitable and available at Stanley premises so that the Stanley Young People’s Club on Severn Crescent or South Moor school is not used as a Library. The library would have to close to be used as a polling polling station station is there is not adequate space in the premises to allow both functions to be carried out at the same time. Local Polling District: councillors were asked to comment on these premises initially and Councillor Mark Davinson raised concerns about the effect NDQF – moving the polling station away from the school to this new Hustledown West location. Views are sought as whether to change the current NDWD – polling place. Hustledown East

Electoral Returning Officer The decision by the It is proposed that the electors in this polling district are moved to Division: proposal school to remain open the polling station at Age Concern, Betjeman Close, Stanley. on election day has Some electors in No Place already vote here due to the position of Stanley raised the boundary of polling district NDRB.

some issues regarding access of the premises Polling District: for electors and the facilities available for NDSB – No Place staff

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the external boundary elector allocation to the of the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or Craghead & South polling stations at South any parish boundaries. Moor Moor Methodist Church and The Haven, Park Road Polling District:

NDWB – South Moor West

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DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS & POLLING PLACES 2019

REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED

NORTH WEST DURHAM CONSTITUENCY

Electoral Comment Comment Returning Officer Response Division/Polling Received From District

Electoral Returning Officer Closure of existing polling Councillor Stelling suggested siting a mobile unit on land next to Division: proposal station at Bradley the former church hall, but on inspection, this land was found to Cottages Methodist be unsuitable. As there are no other suitable premises in the Leadgate & Church Hall – this has area, for the European Parliamentary Election on 23 May, the Medomsley now been converted into electors were moved to Leadgate Methodist Church Hall (already private premises in use as a polling station). This change did not cause any problems so it is proposed that this arrangement continues in the future. Polling District:

NWDDC – Bradley & Pont

Electoral Returning Officer Informed by Karbon After contacting Councillor Hicks for information regarding other Division: proposal Homes that the existing premises in the area, he suggested the Methodist Church Hall on polling station at the Holly Gardens. The premises were inspected and found suitable Consett South Communal Room, Selby to be used as a polling station. This change was implemented at Gardens will no longer be available due to the the European Parliamentary Election on 23 May 2019 and worked premises being converted well so it is proposed that these premises are used in the future. Polling District: back to a residential property NWDIB – The Grove

Electoral Returning Officer Amendment of polling It is proposed that the boundary of polling district NWDIC is Division: proposal er district boundaries extended into NWDIB to reflect the creation of new properties between NWDIC and resulting from the current housing development taking place on Consett South NWDIB to reallocate the Berry Edge Site and to incorporate any future development in electors to the more that area. The proposals are to move the following streets from conveniently located NWDIB – The Grove: polling station at Gospel Polling District: Hall, Front Street  Kensington Close  Dukes Way NWDIC – Berry Edge West  Queen Elizabeth Drive  Buckingham Close  Monarch Road  St James Court into polling district NWDIC – Berry Edge West. This better reflects the location of these properties and the polling station allocated to this polling district is closer and more convenient for the electors.

Electoral Burnhope The school had Once the new community centre had been completed, the Division: Primary School previously asked that the premises were inspected and found suitable to be used as a newly built community polling station. This change was implemented at the European Lanchester centre be considered to Parliamentary Election on 23 May 2019 and worked well so it is be used as a polling proposed that these premises are used in the future.

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Polling District: station instead of the school NWDMA – Burnhope

NWDMB - Holmside

Electoral Member of the Elector asked why the Access to both the main door at the front and the rear door of the Division: public local primary school is Village Hall is via steps. The Head Teacher of the primary school not used given the poor was contacted and confirmed that the school would be available Weardale access at the current for use but due to its size, would have to close if used as a polling polling station at the station due to safeguarding issues. Views are sought as to which Village Hall. premises would be most suitable in this location.

Polling District:

NWDPD – Comments from Councillor J Shuttleworth to the representation Wearhead received. He would not like to see the school closed for the day. There is a disabled access to the side of the hall which could be used. There is the option of using postal votes.

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the boundary of the elector allocation to the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or any Tow Law polling stations at Tow parish boundaries. Law Community Centre and Baring Court Polling District: NWDSG – Tow Law

Electoral Returning Officer Amendment of polling It is proposed to amend the boundary of this polling district with Division: proposal district boundary NWDTB – Howden to include Inglenook Close.

Crook

Polling District:

NWDVA – Crook East

Electoral Sunnybrow The school has asked us There are no other premises in Sunnybrow that can be used as a Division: Primary School to consider other polling station apart from Sunnybrow Community Centre on premises so that the Dovedale Avenue – which is already used. Two polling stations Willington & school is not used as a are needed in the village due to the size of the electorate and the Hunwick polling station proportion of elderly people who live within the vicinity of the school. It is recommended that in the circumstances the school continue to be used until such times as alternative premises become available in that area of the village. Polling District:

NWDYB and NWDX - Sunnybrow

Electoral Returning Officer Division of the polling This exercise be carried out to ease administrative procedures at Division: proposal district to reflect current election time – the division does not affect the boundary of the elector allocation to the polling district, the allocation of electors to polling stations or any

Page 111 Page polling stations at parish boundaries. Page 112 Page

Willington & Sunnybrow Primary Hunwick School and Sunnybrow Community Centre

Polling District:

NWDXF – Sunnybrow

DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

REVIEW OF POLLING DISTRICTS AND POLLING PLACES 2019

REPRESENTATIONS RECEIVED

SEDGEFIELD CONSTITUENCY

Electoral Comment Comment Returning Officer Response Division/Polling Received From District

AYCLIFFE EAST Great Aycliffe Town Requested the The response covers both requests. The polling district in question Council removal of Sugar has no other venue’s suitable for use as a polling station. SIA – Shafto St Hill Infants School Marys and Vane Road At the unexpected European Parliamentary Election Sugar Hill Infants Primary School as School was again used as a polling station. A visit was made to the polling stations school and discussions held with the Head Teacher. Agreement was made to locate the polling station in a staff area with a separate entrance. This meant that the school did not close and there was no disruption.

Vane Road Primary School was not used as a polling station on that occasion as it was undergoing construction works. However a similar visit was made to the school and discussions held with the Head Sugar Hill Infants Requested not to Teacher. The new school has been designed to allow one of the School be used as a rooms to be used as a polling station with a separate entrance. This polling station will allow the school to remain open on polling days. Page 113 Page Page 114 Page

Two alternative venues were suggested by Sugar Hill Infants School – “The Big Club” and St Clare’s Church – however both are outside of the polling district boundary and the EC guidance indicates that the polling place must be within the polling district.

As there are no alternative venues available within the polling district and accommodations have been made with both schools which allows for polling station use without compromise to the school no change is recommended.

AYCLIFFE EAST Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – SIA – Shafto St Sugar Hill Infants School and Vane Road Primary School. This is an Marys administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling district numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

AYCLIFFE EAST Newton Aycliffe Suggested a This suggestion is supported. The Main Hall is of sufficient size to Youth and change of room for accommodate the needs of a polling station. SIB – Aycliffe Community Centre the polling station Central from the sports hall to the main hall

AYCLIFFE Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the NORTH AND proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – MIDDRIDGE Woodham Village Community Centre and Agnew Community Centre. This is an administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling SGA – Woodham district numbering and is proposed to streamline election management. BISHOP Cornforth Parish Following the At the EU Election in May 2019 the Community Centre was used as MIDDLEHAM Council closure of the the polling station. This proved to be a suitable venue and a AND Parish Hall, the permanent change to designate Cornforth Community Centre as the CORNFORTH Parish Council polling station for this polling district is recommended. support the use of SCB - Cornforth the Community Centre as a polling station

FERRYHILL Returning Officer Divide the polling It is proposed to split the polling district into two along the lines of the proposal district elector allocation to the two polling stations within this polling district – SDC-Ferryhill Royal British Legion and Mainsforth Community Association. This is Station an administrative adjustment which will only affect the polling district numbering and is proposed to streamline election management.

WINGATE Clerk to the Parish Request a review The Division is made up of 2 polling districts – electors in the SMD Council of the electors polling district (882) vote at Wingate Community Centre which is SMD - Wingate 1 allocated to the within that polling district. Parish Councillor polling stations SME – Wingate 2 within the polling Electors in the SME polling district (2099) vote at Gully House which is district within that polling district. Because the number of electors in the SME polling district is more than double that of SMD we put two polling stations in Gully House (one with 1042 electors and one with 1057 electors) to cope with the numbers.

It would not be in line with legislation to move electors from a polling station in SME to SMD to even up the numbers.

It is possible to redraw the polling district boundary lines but in doing so this would, in line with EC Guidance on allocation of electors to polling stations) mean that one of the polling stations in Gully House

Page 115 Page would be lost – but the number of electors to each polling district Page 116 Page

would be more even. There would be no impact on the Parish or County Division boundary.

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Appendix 3 – Summary of proposed changes to polling arrangements and issues to be kept under review.

Summary of proposed changes

Following an extensive consultation process with a wide range of consultees, a number of changes to polling stations have been proposed and are summarised below. The tables show the existing polling arrangements in each polling district:

 the polling district identity letters & description  the polling place for the polling district  the polling station within the polling place  the Returning Officer’s Final Proposal

No. Polling Polling Place Proposal District Affected

1 BAXB – Stainton and It is recommended that a new polling Stainton Streatlam district be created to accommodate Village Hall electors from Stainton Bank, The Green, The Crescent and The Avenue. And Electors within the new polling district will Stainton Grove then be directed to vote at Stainton Grove Community Community Centre. This will remove the Centre need for these electors to cross the busy A688. The new polling district will be called BAXB1 - Stainton South

2 BAOA – Forest As Forest Methodist Chapel will close on Forest (Roadside) 31 December 2019 a new polling station Methodist is required. Forest Primary School is Chapel recommended.

Page 118 3 BAAB – Bishop Change the polling station to The Scout Central 2 Auckland Centre, Kingsway, Bishop Auckland as it Cricket Club always proves very difficult to obtain a response from the Cricket Club. The Scout Hut has parking for disabled and able customers and has disabled access.

4 BAACB – Garbutt Close Division of the BAACB polling district to Sunnydale Supported reflect the current elector allocations to 2 Housing and the polling stations within the polling Shildon Civic district. This will streamline administrative Hall procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be

BAACB1 – Sunnydale 2 and

BAACB2 – Sunnydale 2A

5 BAAGA – Oxclose Division of the BAAGA polling district to Spenny Nursery School reflect the current elector allocations to moor 1 and the polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative Spennymoor procedures at election time. The revised Town Hall polling districts will be

BAAGA1 – Spennymoor 1 and

BAAGA2 – Spennymoor 1A

6 BAAEA – St Davids Division of the BAAEA polling district to Tudhoe 1 Church Hall and reflect the current elector allocations to the polling stations within the polling Tudhoe district. This will streamline administrative Community procedures at election time. The revised Centre polling districts will be

BAAEA1 – Tudhoe 1 and

BAAEA2 – Tudhoe 1A

Page 119 7 BAAFA - Hartley Terrace At the European Election King William Low Supported Grange advised it was no longer available Spennymo Housing and as a polling station. As an emergency or & King William measure, the polling station was moved to Tudhoe Grange King Street Primary School. This proved Grange 1 to be successful and it is recommended that King Street Primary School be designated as a polling station.

Division of the BAAFA polling district to reflect the current elector allocations to the polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be

BAAFA 1 – Low Spennymoor & Tudhoe Grange 1 and

BAAFA 2 – Low Spennymoor & Tudhoe Grange 1A

8 DLC – The Library, The current designated polling station for Sherburn/ Sherburn this area is The Library, Sherburn Whitwell Hospital Hospital. However, the venue can no House longer support use as a polling station. The polling district is small and there is no other building within the polling district that could be used as a polling station. At the European Parliamentary Election in May 2019 electors were moved to Shincliffe Primary School. It is recommended that this change be made permanent.

Page 120 9 DEA – St St Nicholas Division of the DEA polling district to Nicholas Church Hall reflect the current elector allocations to (Lower) the polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative St Nicholas procedures at election time. The revised Church Youth polling districts will be Club DEA1 – St Nicholas (Town) and

DEA2 – St Nicholas (Sands)

10 DNB – Pity Woodbine Road Division of the DNB polling district to Me Community reflect the current elector allocations to Centre the polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative Abbey Leisure procedures at election time. The revised Centre polling districts will be

DNB1 – Pity Me and

DNB2 – Pity Me

11 DCA1 – St Leonard’s Retain the use of St Leonard’s Catholic Framwelga Catholic School School and provide an additional polling te (4691) station at Salvus House for use by residents of the development on the former Police HQ site

12 DKD – Sherburn Division of the DKD polling district to Sherburn Village reflect the current elector allocations to Village Community the polling stations within the polling Centre and district. This will streamline administrative Attlee Square procedures at election time. The revised Communal Hall polling districts will be

DKD1 – Sherburn Village and

DKD2 – Sherburn Village

13 EBC – Kasko House, Due to the closure of Kasko House, a Blackhall Marine mobile unit sited on the corner of Ocean Rocks Crescent, Drive/Mickle Hill Road be designated as No.2 Blackhall the polling station for this polling district Rocks

Page 121 14 EMA – New Hesleden Divide this polling district into two parts so Murton Social Club, that 115-126 Toft Crescent, 1-54 Burnip West No.1 Wellfield Road, Road and 26-48 Webb Avenue are Murton allocated to vote at the Ribbon Academy and leave the remainder of the polling district allocated to New Hesleden Social Club. The revised polling districts will be

EMA1 – Murton West No.1 and

EMA2 – Murton West No.1b.

15 NDLB – Chester le Division of the NDLB polling district to Chester le Street CE reflect the current elector allocations to Street Primary the polling stations within the polling North No.2 School, Hilda district. This will streamline administrative Park and procedures at election time. The revised Holyoake polling districts will be Communal Hall, South NDLB1 – Chester North No.2a and Pelaw NDLB2 – Chester North No.2b

16 NDFB – The Hermitage Division of the NDFB polling district to Edmondsle Academy Sixth reflect the current elector allocations to y & Form Centre the polling stations within the polling Waldridge and the Mobile district. This will streamline administrative No.2 Unit sited at procedures at election time. The revised Chillingham polling districts will be Drive NDFB1 – Edmondsley & Waldridge No.2a and

NDFB2 – Edmondsley & Waldridge No.2b

17 NDWB – South Moor Division of the NDWB polling district to South Methodist reflect the current elector allocations to Moor West Church, Park the polling stations within the polling Road and The district. This will streamline administrative Haven, Park procedures at election time. The revised Road, South polling districts will be Moor NDWB1 – South Moor West No.1 and

NDWB2 – South Moor West No.2

Page 122 18 NDWD – St Marys RC Change to alternative premises at Hustledow School, South Stanley Young Peoples Club on Severn n East Stanley Crescent

19 NDAA – Lambourne Division of the NDAA polling district to Bournmoor Close reflect the current elector allocations to No.1 Communal Hall the polling stations within the polling and St district. This will streamline administrative Barnabus procedures at election time. The revised Church Hall, polling districts will be Bournmoor NDAA1 – Bournmoor No.1a and

NDAA2 – Bournmoor No.1b

20 NDNA – Pelton Division of the NDNA polling district to Pelton Community reflect the current elector allocations to No.2 Centre, Front the polling stations within the polling Street Pelton district. This will streamline administrative and Perkinsville procedures at election time. The revised Methodist polling districts will be Church, Ouston Lane NDNA1 – Pelton No.2a and NDNA2 – Pelton No.2b

21 NDPB – The Cherry Division of the NDPB polling district to Urpeth Tree Pub, reflect the current elector allocations to No.1 Urpeth Grange the polling stations within the polling and the Mobile district. This will streamline administrative Unit sited near procedures at election time. The revised Wensley Close, polling districts will be Ouston NDP1 – Urpeth No.1a and

NDP2 – Urpeth No.1b.

Page 123 22 NDEB – The Fulforth Division of the NDEB polling district to Sacriston Centre, Front reflect the current elector allocations to No.2 Street, the polling stations within the polling Fyndoune district. This will streamline administrative Community procedures at election time. The revised College, polling districts will be Findon Hill, Salvation Army NDEB1 – Sacriston No.2a Hall, NDEB2 – Sacriston No.2b Plawsworth Road, and the NDEB3 – Sacriston No.2c Mobile Unit on land adjacent NDEB4 – Sacriston No.2d to Melbourne Terrace, Daisy Hill

23 NDQF – St Marys RC Change to alternative premises at Hustledow School, South Stanley Young Peoples Club on Severn n West Stanley Crescent

24 NDSB – Beamish Re-allocate electors to premises already No Place Primary used as a polling station at Age Concern, School, Betjeman Close, East Stanley

Co-operative Villas, No Place

25 NDTA – Tanfield School Re-allocate electors to premises already Good used as a polling station at Tanfield Lea Street Community Centre, Leith Gardens, Estate Tanfield Lea

26 NWDIB – Communal Due to the closure of the Communal Grove Room, Selby Room at Selby Gardens, it is proposed Gardens that The Grove Methodist Church Hall is used as the polling station in the future

Page 124 27 NWDIC – Gospel Hall, Extend the boundary of NWDIC into Berry Edge Front Street, NWDIB to reflect the creation of new West Consett properties resulting from the current housing development on the Berry Edge Site. Move the following streets from NWDIB to NWDIC:

 Kensington Close  Dukes Way  Queen Elizabeth Drive  Buckingham Close  Monarch Road  St James Court This better reflects the location of the properties and the polling station at the Gospel Hall is closer and more convenient for electors.

28 NWDVA – St Catherine’s Amend the boundary of this polling district Crook East Community with NWDTB to include Inglenook Close Centre, Market so that electors do not have to travel to Place, Crook Howden le Wear to vote

29 NWDMA – Burnhope It is proposed that Burnhope Community Burnhope Primary School Centre, Langley Avenue be used as the polling station in the future to prevent the school having to close.

30 NWDMB - Burnhope It is proposed that Burnhope Community Holmside Primary School Centre, Langley Avenue be used as the polling station in the future to prevent the school having to close.

31 NWDDC – Methodist It is proposed that, due to the sale of Bradley & Church Hall, these premises and their change of use to Pont Bradley private dwelling, that electors are re- Cottages allocated to Leadgate Methodist Church Hall in the future as no other premises are available in this polling district.

Page 125 32 NWDSG – Tow Law Division of the NWDSG polling district to Tow Law Community reflect the current elector allocations to Centre and the polling stations within the polling Baring Court, district. This will streamline administrative Tow Law procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be

NWDSG1 – Tow Law 1 &

NWDSG2 – Tow Law 2

33 NWDPD – Wearhead The current designated polling station for Wearhead Village Hall this polling district is Wearhead Village Hall, but as it has ten steps into the main entrance and also ramped steps into the side entrance, it is proposed that Wearhead Primary School is used as the polling station for this polling district in the future as it offers greatly improved access and is still centrally located within the village.

34 NWDXF - Sunnybrow Division of the NWDXF polling district to Sunnybrow Primary School reflect the current elector allocations to and Sunnybrow the polling stations within the polling Community district. This will streamline administrative Centre procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be

NWDXF1 – Sunnybrow 1 and

NWDXF2 – Sunnybrow 2

35 SIA – Sugar Hill Division of the SIA polling district to reflect Shafto St Infants School the current elector allocations to the Marys (2743) and polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative Vane Road procedures at election time. The revised Primary School polling districts will be (2742) SIA1 – Shafto St Marys and

SIA2 – Shafto St Marys

Page 126 36 SIB – Newton Aycliffe Recommend that the designated room Aycliffe Youth and within this polling station be moved from Central Community the Sports Hall to the Main Hall. Centre

37 SGA - Woodham Division of the SGA polling district to Woodham Village reflect the current elector allocations to Community the polling stations within the polling Centre and district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised Agnew polling districts will be Community Centre SGA1 – Woodham and

SGA2 – Woodham

38 SCB – The Cornforth At the EU Election in May 2019 the Cornforth Partnership, Community Centre was used as the Number 66 polling station. This proved to be a suitable venue and a permanent change to designate Cornforth Community Centre as the polling station for this polling district.

39 SDC – Royal British Division of the SDC polling district to Ferryhill Legion and reflect the current elector allocations to Station Mainsforth the polling stations within the polling Community district. This will streamline administrative Association procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be

SDC1 – Ferryhill Station and SDC2 – Ferryhill Station

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Premises to be kept under review

No. Polling Districts Affected Premises to be reviewed

1 Various All Schools used as polling places

2 Various Mobile Units – to be replaced if any premises suitable to use as a polling station become available

3 BAAC – Bishop Auckland Town Bishop Auckland Town Hall - the Town Hall is undergoing renovation. If an election is called before the renovations are complete an alternative venue will need to be found.

4 BAAEB – Tudhoe 2 Green Lane (Hot Desk Room) - The polling station was moved to the Education Development Centre, Spennymoor (for the European Election) as Green Lane was undergoing renovation.

Page 128 It is not yet clear whether, following the renovations at Green Lane there will be space to retain the polling station at that location. It is recommended that the polling station location be changed to the Education Development Centre and that the situation be reviewed when the works at Green Lane are complete with a view to perhaps using both locations and splitting the polling district at that time for the convenience of electors.

5 DFB – Nevilles Cross (South) St Cuthberts Hospice (Merryoaks) serves as polling station for Nevilles Cross (South) however with the no. of students’ resident in the area, discussions are ongoing with the University with a view to securing an additional venue for use as a polling station. When this has been secured it will be reported back.

6 DGA1 – Elvet and St Oswalds Institute - St Oswalds Institute serves as a DGB – Elvet (South) multiple polling station. Polling districts DGA1-Elvet and DGB

– Elvet (South) are allocated to DGA2- Elvet Hill and one polling station with DGA2 – Elvet Hill and DGA3 – The DGA3 – The Howlands Howlands being allocated to the other.

Historically a university venue has been sought for use as a polling station, however the University were unable to commit to the use of a

particular college as their demand for rooms fluctuated.

Page 129 Having been moved between college buildings several elections in a row the decision was taken that to ensure a

consistency for the electorate they would all be allocated to St Oswalds Institute.

Following receipt of this representation discussions have begun with the University to explore the suggestions made. However, at this stage no definite solutions have been agreed. Discussions are continuing with the university with a view to implementing some/all of the suggestions but at present do not recommend any change to the allocated polling stations to these polling districts. 7 NWDCD – Medomsley Edge There is a current application to demolish these premises and build a private dwelling. There are no other available premises in this polling district so the electors would have to be re-allocated to the Methodist Church Hall in Medomsley

Page 130 8 NWDVC -Mown Meadows Management of these Crook premises have recently imposed restrictions on the facilities that polling staff have access to. Enquires have been made about the availability of using a room at the new fire station in Crook but inspection of the premises to determine the suitability has not been possible recently.

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Appendix 4 – Full list of the polling stations and places by Constituency and electoral division

Bishop Auckland Constituency

Electoral Division BARNARD CASTLE EAST Electorate 6957 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at For Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal BAAAA – Ingleton BAAAA – Ingleton 381 Ingleton Village Hall No change BAAAB – Headlam BAAAB – Headlam 39 Ingleton Village Hall No change BAAAC – Langton BAAAC – Langton 23 Ingleton Village Hall No change BAAAD – Bolam BAAAD – Bolam 77 Ingleton Village Hall No change BAAAE – Morton BAAAE – Morton 10 Ingleton Village Hall No change Tinmouth Tinmouth BAAAF – Hilton BAAAF – Hilton 47 Ingleton Village Hall No change BAAAG – Wackerfield BAAAG – Wackerfield 43 Ingleton Village Hall No change BARA – Brignall BARA – Brignall 39 Boldron Village Hall No change BARB – Rokeby BARB – Rokeby 71 Boldron Village Hall No change BARD – Egglestone BARD – Egglestone 12 Boldron Village Hall No change Abbey Abbey BASA – Barningham BASA – Barningham 131 Barningham Village No change Hall Page 133 Page Page 134 Page

BASB – Ovington BASB – Ovington 117 Ovington Village No change Institute BASC - Barforth BASC - Barforth 51 Ovington Village No change Institute BASD – Hutton Magna BASD – Hutton Magna 100 Ovington Village No change Institute BASE – Wycliffe with BASE – Wycliffe with 75 Ovington Village No change Thorpe Thorpe Institute BASF – Hope BASF – Hope 14 Barningham Village No change Hall BASG - Scargill BASG - Scargill 29 Barningham Village No change Hall BAUA – Barnard Castle BAUA – Barnard Castle 1307 Barnard Castle Library No change East East BAVA2 – Barnard Castle BAVA2 – Barnard 753 Teesdale Leisure No change East Castle East Centre BAVB – Marwood Urban BAVB – Marwood 338 Teesdale Leisure No change Urban Centre BAXA - Westwick BAXA - Westwick 52 Whorlton Village Hall No change BAXB – Stainton BAXB – Stainton 375 Stainton and Streatlam It is recommended that Village Hall a new polling district be created to accommodate electors from Stainton Bank, The Green, The Crescent and The Avenue. Electors within the new polling district will then be directed to vote at Stainton Grove Community Centre. This will remove the need for these electors to cross the busy A688.

The new polling district will be called BAXB1 - Stainton South BAXC – The Oval BAXC – The Oval 105 Stainton Grove No change Community Centre BAXD – Whorlton BAXD – Whorlton 170 Whorlton Village Hall No change BAYA – Staindrop BAYA – Staindrop 1005 Scarth Memorial No change Village Hall BAYB – Cleatlam BAYB – Cleatlam 80 Scarth Memorial No change Village Hall BAYC – Raby BAYC – Raby 56 Scarth Memorial No change Village Hall BAYD – Langleydale BAYD – Langleydale 71 Scarth Memorial No change Village Hall BAZA – Gainford BAZA – Gainford 1022 Gainford Village Hall No change BAZB – Winston BAZB – Winston 299 Winston Village Hall No change Page 135 Page Page 136 Page

BAZC – South Cleatlam BAZC – South 65 Winston Village Hall No change Cleatlam

Electoral Division BARNARD CASTLE WEST Electorate 6546 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at For Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BANA – Eggleston BANA – Eggleston 362 Eggleston Village Hall No change BANB – Marwood Rural BANB – Marwood 169 Marwood Social Centre No change Rural BAOA – Forest BAOA – Forest 122 Forest (Roadside) As Forest Methodist Methodist Chapel Chapel will close on 31 December 2019 a new polling is required. Forest Primary School is recommended. BAOB – Middleton-In- BAOB – Middleton-In- 924 Middleton-in-Teesdale No change Teesdale Teesdale Village Hall BAOC – Newbiggin BAOC – Newbiggin 108 Newbiggin and District No change Village Hall BAPA – Romaldkirk BAPA – Romaldkirk 143 Reading Room, No change Romaldkirk Page 137 Page Page 138 Page

BAPB – Hunderthwaite BAPB – Hunderthwaite 99 Reading Room, No change Romaldkirk BAPC – Holwick BAPC – Holwick 63 Mickleton Village Hall No change BAPD – Lunedale BAPD – Lunedale 78 Mickleton Village Hall No change BAPE – Mickleton BAPE – Mickleton 329 Mickleton Village Hall No change BAQA – Cotherstone BAQA – Cotherstone 451 Cotherstone Village No change Hall BAQB – Briscoe BAQB – Briscoe 43 Cotherstone Village No change Hall BAQC - Lartington BAQC - Lartington 112 Cotherstone Village No change Hall BARC – Boldron BARC – Boldron 92 Boldron Village Hall No change BARE – Bowes BARE – Bowes 368 Bowes & Gilmonby No change Village Hall BARF – Gilmonby BARF – Gilmonby 30 Bowes & Gilmonby No change Village Hall BATA - Startforth BATA - Startforth 803 Startforth Morritt No change Memorial Community Centre BAVA1 – Barnard Castle BAVA1 – Barnard 317 Methodist Hall, Scar No change West Castle West Top BAWA1 – Barnard Castle BAWA1 – Barnard 1933 Methodist Hall, Scar No change West Castle West Top

Electoral Division BISHOP AUCKLAND TOWN Electorate 6021 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BAAA – Central 1 BAAA – Central 1 416 Elim Pentecostal No change Church BAAB – Central 2 BAAB – Central 2 1238 Bishop Auckland Amend the polling Cricket Club station to The Scout Centre, Kingsway, Bishop Auckland as it always proves very difficult to elicit a response from the Cricket Club. The Scout Hut has parking for disabled and able customers and has disabled access. BAAC – Bishop Town BAAC – Bishop 428 Bishop Auckland Town Keep under review –

Page 139 Page Town Hall the Town Hall is undergoing renovation. Page 140 Page

If an election is called before the renovations are complete an alternative venue will need to be found. BAAD – Toronto BAAD – Toronto 421 Mobile Unit (Peel No change Place) Toronto BABA – Central 3 BABA – Central 3 871 Elim Pentecostal No change Church BABB – Central 4 BABB – Central 4 1020 Baptist Church Hall, No change Cockton Hill BABC – Central 5 BABC – Central 5 1627 St Anne’s Primary In spite of several School complaints regarding the schools use there is no suitable alternative venue within the polling district. No change

Electoral Division COUNDON Electorate 3205 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BACA – Leeholme BACA – Leeholme 582 Coundon and No change Leeholme Community Centre BACB – Coundon Gate BACB – Coundon 193 Park Head Hotel No change Gate BACC – Coundon BACC – Coundon 1786 Victoria Lane Academy No change Nursery BACD – Leasingthorne BACD – 111 Coundon and No change Colliery Leasingthorne Leeholme Community Colliery Centre BACE – Binchester BACE – Binchester 217 Binchester Community No change Centre BACF – Westerton BACF – Westerton 68 Victoria Lane Academy No change Nursery BACG - Newfield BACG - Newfield 248 Queens Head Inn No change Page 141 Page Page 142 Page

Electoral Division EVENWOOD Electorate 6400 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BAIA – Etherley (West BAIA – Etherley 264 West Auckland No change Auckland) (West Auckland) Memorial Hall BAIB – Etherley (Toft Hill) BAIB – Etherley (Toft 1372 Toft Hill/Etherley No change Hill) Community Centre BAIC – Witton BAIC – Witton 193 Toft Hill/Etherley No change Community Centre BAJA – Toft Hill BAJA – Toft Hill 51 Ramshaw Primary No change School BAJB – Evenwood BAJB – Evenwood 1274 St Paul’s Church Hall No change BAJC – Ramshaw BAJC – Ramshaw 195 Ramshaw Primary No change School BAJD – Lands BAJD – Lands 167 Lands Village Hall No change BAKA – Cockfield BAKA – Cockfield 1210 Lipscomb Hall No change BALA – Butterknowle BALA – Butterknowle 587 Butterknowle Village No change Hall

Page 143 Page BALB – Copley BALB – Copley 392 Copley Village Hall No change Page 144 Page

BALC – Woodland BALC – Woodland 200 Woodland Village Hall No change BAMA – Hamsterley BAMA – Hamsterley 360 Hamsterley Village Hall No change BAMB – South Bedburn BAMB – South 135 Hamsterley Village Hall No change Bedburn

Electoral Division FERRYHILL (PART) Electorate 999 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BAAHB - Merrington BAAHB - 999 Kirk Merrington No change Merrington Community Centre

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Electoral Division SHILDON AND DENE VALLEY Electorate 9513 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BAABA – Byerley 1 Byerley 1 399 West Close Supported No change Housing BAABB – Byerley 2 Byerley 2 620 Harrison Close No change BAABC – Byerley 3 Byerley 3 226 Children’s Centre No change BAABD – Byerley 4 Byerley 4 1274 Children’s Centre No change BAACA – Sunnydale 1 Sunnydale 1 820 Sunnydale Leisure No change Centre BAACB – Sunnydale 2 Sunnydale 2 1309 Garbutt Close Division of the BAACB Supported Housing and polling district to reflect Shildon Civic Hall the current elector allocation to the 2 polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be BAACB1 – Sunnydale 2 and BAACB2 – Sunnydale 2A BAACC – Eldon Eldon 252 Eldon Community No change Centre BAADA – Thickley 1 Thickley 1 2275 Jubilee Fields No change Community Centre BAADB – Thickley 2 Thickley 2 334 Mobile Unit (Dalton No change Cottages) BADA – South Church South Church 238 Methodist Church Hall, No change South Church BADB – South Church South Church 264 Methodist Church Hall, No change South Church BADC – Eldon Lane Eldon Lane 300 One Stop Shop No change BADD – Auckland Park Auckland Park 855 Auckland Park No change Methodist Church BADE – Coundon Grange Coundon Grange 178 Valley Methodist No change Church (Coundon Grange) BADF – Close House Close House 169 Valley Methodist No change Church (Coundon

Page 147 Page Grange) Page 148 Page

Electoral Division SPENNYMOOR Electorate 8826 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as for Information Officer’s Final at April 2019 Proposal BAAFC – Spennymoor 3 BAAFC – 821 Oxclose Nursery No change Spennymoor 3 School BAAGA – Spennymoor 1 BAAGA – 1732 Oxclose Nursery Division of the BAAGA Spennymoor 1 School and polling district to reflect the current elector Spennymoor Town allocation to the 2 polling Hall stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be BAAGA1 – Spennymoor 1 and BAAGA2 – Spennymoor 1A BAAGB – Spennymoor 2 BAAGB – 2812 St Paul’s Centre Ltd No change Spennymoor 2 BAAHA – Middlestone BAAHA – 2808 Middlestone Moor No change Middlestone Community Centre BAAHC – Byers Green BAAHC – Byers 653 Byers Green Village No change Green Hall

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Electoral Division TUDHOE Electorate 6871 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Polling Station Polling Station for Returning Place Electorate as Information Officer’s Final at April 2019 Proposal BAAEA – Tudhoe 1 BAAEA – Tudhoe 1750 St Davids Church Hall Division of the BAAEA 1 and polling district to reflect the current elector Tudhoe Community allocation to the 2 polling Centre stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be BAAEA1 – Tudhoe 1 and BAAEA2 – Tudhoe 1A

BAAEB – Tudhoe 2 BAAEB – Tudhoe 1666 Green Lane (Hot Desk The polling station was 2 Room) moved to the Education Development Centre, Spennymoor (for the European Election) as Green Lane was undergoing renovation. It is not yet clear whether, following the renovations at Green Lane there will be space to retain the polling station at that location. It is recommended that the polling station location be changed to the Education Development Centre and that the situation be reviewed when the works at Green Lane are complete with a view to perhaps using both locations and splitting the polling district at that time for the convenience of electors. BAAFA - Low Spennymoor BAAFA - Low 2403 Hartley Terrace At the European Election & Tudhoe Grange 1 Spennymoor & Supported Housing and we were advised that King Tudhoe Grange 1 King William Grange William Grange was no longer available as a polling station. As an emergency measure we moved the polling station to King Street Primary Page 151 Page School. This proved to be Page 152 Page

successful and it is recommended that King Street Primary School be designated as a polling station.

In addition to this I recommend the division of the BAAFA polling district to reflect the current elector allocation to the 2 polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be BAAFA1 – Low Spennymoor & Tudhoe Grange 1 and BAAFA2 – Low Spennymoor & Tudhoe Grange 1A

BAAFB - Low Spennymoor BAAFB - Low 1052 Spennymoor Youth and No change & Tudhoe Grange 2 Spennymoor & Community Centre Tudhoe Grange 2

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Electoral Division WEST AUCKLAND Electorate 6584 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BAFA – Witton Park BAFA – Witton Park 465 Witton Park Village Hall No change BAFB – Escomb BAFB – Escomb 2065 Escomb Village Hall No change BAHA – St Helen Auckland BAHA – St Helen 2206 St Helen Auckland No change Auckland Parish Centre BAHB – West Auckland 1 BAHB – West 953 West Auckland No change Auckland 1 Memorial Hall BAHC – West Auckland 2 BAHC – West 895 West Auckland No change Auckland 2 Memorial Hall

Electoral Division WOODHOUSE CLOSE Electorate 6075 Constituency BISHOP AUCKLAND Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal BAEA – St Andrews BAEA – St Andrews 178 Cornwall Place No change BAEB – South Church BAEB – South 803 Cornwall Place No change Church BAEC – Central 6 BAEC – Central 6 1123 Cockton Hill Infant No change School BAED – Central 7 BAED – Central 7 838 Cockton Hill Infant No change School BAGA – Tindale Crescent BAGA – Tindale 263 Woodhouse Close No change Crescent Primary School BAGB – Woodhouse Close BAGB – Woodhouse 892 Aclet Close Nursery No change 1 Close 1 School BAGC – Woodhouse Close BAGC – Woodhouse 542 Auckland Youth and No change 2 Close 2 Community Centre BAGD – Woodhouse Close BAGD – Woodhouse 1436 Woodhouse Close No change Page 155 Page 3 Close 3 Primary School Page 156 Page

City of Durham Constituency

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Electoral Division BELMONT Electorate 10127 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DDA – Gilesgate DDA – Gilesgate 1100 Durham Gilesgate No change Primary School DDB1 – Gilesgate (West) DDB1 – Gilesgate 501 Durham Gilesgate No change (West) Primary School DDC – Pelaw (West) DDC – Pelaw (West) 543 St Joseph’s RCVA No change Primary School DDD – Pelaw (South) DDD – Pelaw 528 Laurel Avenue No change (South) Community Association DDE – Pelaw (East) DDE – Pelaw (East) 516 Pelaw View Centre No change DOA – Belmont DOA – Belmont 2749 Belmont Library No change DPA – Carrville DPA – Carrville 2003 Carrville Methodist No change Church Hall DPB - Gilesgate DPB - Gilesgate 2187 Durham Gilesgate No change Primary School

Electoral Division BRANDON Electorate 7573 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DQB – Langley Moor DQB – Langley Moor 1318 Langley Moor Nursery No change School DQC – Meadowfield DQC – Meadowfield 1860 Meadowfield Leisure No change Centre DRA1 – Brandon DRA1 – Brandon 2197 Murray Independent No change Methodist Church DRA2 – Brandon DRA2 – Brandon 2198 Murray Independent No change Methodist Church

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Electoral Division COXHOE Electorate 9801 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DHA – Quarrington Hil DHA – Quarrington 529 Quarrington Hill No change Hill Community Centre DHB – East Hetton DHB – East Hetton 705 Kelloe Primary School No change DHC – Kelloe DHC – Kelloe 394 Kelloe Primary School No change DHD – Cornforth Lane DHD – Cornforth 565 Coxhoe Leisure Centre No change Lane DHE – Coxhoe DHE – Coxhoe 2312 Coxhoe Village Hall No change DIA – Cassop DIA – Cassop 391 Cassop Community No change Centre DIB – Bowburn (South) DIB – Bowburn 554 Mobile Unit (Park No change (South) Avenu) Opp 121/123 Park Avenue DIC – Tursdale DIC – Tursdale 41 Unit S4 (Tursdale) No change DID – Bowburn (North) DID – Bowburn 2956 Church Hall of Christ No change (North) the King DIE – Bowburn (Central) DIE – Bowburn 635 Bowburn Community No change (Central) Centre DIF – Croxdale DIF – Croxdale 531 Croxdale Communal No change Hall DIG - Hett DIG - Hett 188 Hett Village Hall No change

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Electoral Division DEERNESS (Part) Electorate 8625 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DMA – Bearpark DMA – Bearpark 1583 Bearpark Community No change Centre DSA – Ushaw DSA – Ushaw 903 St Luke’s Church Hall No change DSB -Ushaw Moor DSB -Ushaw Moor 1537 Ushaw Moor Catholic No change Club DSC – Broompark DSC – Broompark 1005 Deerness Gymnastics No change Academy DSD – New Brancepeth DSD – New 947 New Brancepeth No change Brancepeth Village Hall DTA – Esh Winning DTA – Esh Winning 1151 Our Lady Queen of No change Martyrs RCVA Primary School DTB – Waterhouses No 1 DTB – Waterhouses 1143 Esh Winning Primary No change No 1 School DTC – Waterhouses No 2 DTC – Waterhouses 356 Waterhouses Village No change No 2 Hall

Electoral Division DURHAM SOUTH Electorate 1694 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Polling Station Returning Officer’s Station for Information Final Proposal Electorate as at April 2019 DGA3 – The Howlands DGA3 – The 310 St Oswalds Institute St Oswalds Institute serves Howlands as a multiple polling station. Polling districts DGA1-Elvet and DGB – Elvet (South) are allocated to one polling station with DGA2 – Elvet Hill and DGA3 – The Howlands being allocated to the other. Historically we sought to use a university venue as a polling station, however the University were unable to commit to the use of a particular college as their demand for rooms fluctuated. Having been Page 163 Page moved between college Page 164 Page

buildings several elections in a row the decision was taken that to ensure a consistency for the electorate they would all be allocated to St Oswalds Institute. Following receipt of this representation discussions have begun with the University to explore the suggestions made. However at this stage no definite solutions have been agreed. We will continue our discussions with the university with a view to implementing some/all of the suggestions but at present do not recommend any change to the allocated polling stations to these polling districts.

DGB – Elvet (South) DGB – Elvet (South) 43 St Oswalds Institute No change – see the comments as above DLA – Shincliffe DLA – Shincliffe 291 Shincliffe Village Hall No change DLB – High Shincliffe DLB – High Shincliffe 950 Shincliffe C.E. No change (Controlled) Primary School DLC – Sherburn/Whitwell DLC – 100 The Library, Sherburn The current designated House Sherburn/Whitwell Hospital polling station for this area House is The Library, Sherburn Hospital. However the venue can no longer support use as a polling station and we must find another location. The polling district is small and there is no other building within the polling district that could be used as a polling station. At the European Parliamentary Election in May 2019 electors were moved to Shincliffe Primary School. It is recommended that this change be made permanent.

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Electoral Division ELVET AND GILESGATE Electorate 3924 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DCB – Framwelgate DCB – Framwelgate 225 St Nicholas Church No change (South) (South) Hall (Lower) DCD – Crossgate (Lower) DCD – Crossgate 646 The Spiritualist Church No change (Lower) Hall (Durham) DDB2 – Gilesgate (West) 1 DDB2 – Gilesgate 463 St Giles Church Hall No change (West) 1 DEA – St Nicholas DEA – St Nicholas 1621 St Nicholas Church Division of the DEA Hall (Lower) polling district to reflect the current elector St Nicholas Church allocation to the 2 Youth Club polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be DEA1 – St Nicholas (Town) and DEA2 – St Nicholas (Sands) DGA1 - Elvet DGA1 - Elvet 969 St Oswalds Institute No change – see the comments at Durham South – DGA3 – The Howlands

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Electoral Division ESH AND WITTON GILBERT (Part) Electorate 2058 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DMB – Witton Gilbert DMB – Witton Gilbert 2058 Witton Gilbert Village No change Hall

Electoral Division FRAMWELLGATE AND NEWTON HALL Electorate 10374 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DAA1 – Newton Hall 1093 All Saints Church No change DAA1 – Newton Hall North North (Newton Hall) DAA2 – Newton Hall 1348 Finchale Primary No change DAA2 – Newton Hall North North School (2748) DBA1 – Newton Hall 999 All Saints Church No change DBA1 – Newton Hall South South (Newton Hall) DBA2 – Newton Hall 1965 Finchale Primary No change DBA2 – Newton Hall South South School (2748) DCA2 – 65 Framwellgate Moor No change DCA2 – Framwelgate Framwelgate Community Centre DNA – Brasside DNA – Brasside 441 Mobile Unit (Brasside) No change Woodbine Road Division of the DNB Community Centre polling district to reflect DNB – Pity Me DNB – Pity Me 1531 the current elector Abbey Leisure Centre allocation to the 2 Page 169 Page polling stations within Page 170 Page

the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be DNB1 – Pity Me and DNB2 – Pity Me DNC – Framwellgate 2283 Framwellgate Moor No change DNC – Framwellgate Moor Moor Community Centre DND – Framwellgate Moor DND – Framwellgate 479 All Saints Church No change No 1 Moor No 1 (Newton Hall) DNE – Framwellgate Moor DNE – Framwellgate 170 Framwellgate Moor No change No 2 Moor No 2 Community Centre

Electoral Division NEVILLES CROSS Electorate 5883 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DCA1 – Framwelgate DCA1 – 1387 St Leonard’s Catholic Retain the use of St Framwelgate School (4691) Leonard’s Catholic School and provide an additional polling station at Salvus House for use by residents of the development on the former Police HQ site DCC – Crossgate DCC – Crossgate 1083 The Spiritualist Church No change Hall (Durham) DFA – Nevilles Cross DFA – Nevilles Cross 1615 St Johns Church Hall No change (North) (North) (Nevilles Cross) DFB – Nevilles Cross DFB – Nevilles Cross 1370 St Cuthberts Hospice No change – however (South) (South) (Merryoaks) discussions are ongoing with the

Page 171 Page University with a view to securing an Page 172 Page

additional venue for use as a polling station. When this has been secured it will be reported back. DGA2 – Elvet Hill DGA2 – Elvet Hill 428 St Oswalds Institute No change – see the comments at Durham South – DGA3 – The Howlands

Electoral Division SHERBURN Electorate 6721 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DJA – Pittington DJA – Pittington 1112 Pittington Village Hall No change DJB – Littletown DJB – Littletown 117 Pittington Village Hall No change DJC – West Rainton DJC – West Rainton 1877 Jubilee Hall No change DKA – Sherburn Hill DKA – Sherburn Hill 845 Sherburn Hill Methodist No change Church DKB – Shadforth DKB – Shadforth 339 Shadforth Village Hall No change DKD – Sherburn Village DKD – Sherburn 2431 Sherburn Village Division of the DKD Village Community Centre and polling district to reflect Attlee Square the current elector Communal Hall allocation to the 2 polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election Page 173 Page Page 174 Page

time. The revised polling districts will be DKD1 – Sherburn Village and DKD2 – Sherburn Village

Electoral Division TRIMDON AND THORNLEY (Part) Electorate 494 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DKC – Ludworth DKC – Ludworth 494 Ludworth Community No change Centre

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Electoral Division WILLINGTON AND HUNWICK (Part) Electorate 344 Constituency CITY OF DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal DQA – Brancepeth DQA – Brancepeth 344 Brancepeth Village Hall No change

Easington Constituency

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Electoral BLACKHALLS Division Electorate 7539 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EAC - Nesbitt EAC - Nesbitt 8 St Francis Community No change Hall EAE – Castle Eden EAE – Castle Eden 484 Castle Eden Village No change Hall EAD – Hutton Henry EAD – Hutton Henry 351 St Francis Community No change Hall SMA – Station Town SMA – Station Town 787 Milbank Methodist No change Church EAA - Hesleden EAA - Hesleden 608 Hesleden No change Workingman’s Club EBA – Blackhall Colliery EBA – Blackhall 2148 Blackhall Resource No change Colliery Centre EBB – Blackhall Rocks EBB – Blackhall Rocks 715 Blackhall Resource No change No1 No1 Centre EBC – Blackhall Rocks EBC – Blackhall Rocks 971 Kasko House Due to the closure of No2 No2 Kasko House, it is proposed that a Mobile Unit is sited on the corner of Ocean Drive/Mickle Hill Road EAB - Sheraton EAB - Sheraton 77 St Francis Community No change Hall

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Electoral DAWDON Division Electorate 6065 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EOA – Dawdon No.1 EOA – Dawdon No.1 1146 Parkside Community No change Centre EOB – Dawdon No.2 EOB – Dawdon No.2 1160 Seaham Trinity Primary No change School EOC – Dawdon No.3 EOC – Dawdon No.3 564 Ropery Walk Primary No change School EOD – Dawdon No.4 EOD – Dawdon No.4 1105 Dawdon Community No change Centre EQB – Seaham Harbour EQB – Seaham 973 St Mary Magdalen No change No.2 Harbour No.2 Parish Hall EQC – Seaham EQC – Seaham 402 St John’s Church Hall No change Harbour No.3 Harbour No.3 EQD – Seaham EQD – Seaham 715 St John’s Church Hall No change Harbour No.4 Harbour No.4

Electoral DENESIDE Division Electorate 5464 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EPA – Dalton Urban Dalton Urban 1006 Eastlea Community No change Centre EPB – Deneside No.1 Deneside No.1 846 Eastlea Community No change Centre EPC – Deneside No.2 Deneside No.2 2054 All Saints Church, No change

ERB2 – Seaham North Seaham North No.1b 328 Byron House No change No.1b ERD – Seaham North Seaham North No.3 1230 The New Westlea No change No.3

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Electoral EASINGTON Division Electorate 5597 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal ELA – Easington ELA – Easington 1860 Church of the No change Colliery No.1 Colliery No.1 Ascension Hall ELB – Easington ELB – Easington 1461 Healthworks Building No change Colliery No.2 Colliery No.2 EKB – Easington Village EKB – Easington 871 Seaton Holme No change No.1 Village No.1 EKC - Easington Village EKC - Easington 994 Seaton Holme No change No.2 Village No.2 EKA - Hawthorn EKA - Hawthorn 411 Hawthorn Community No change Centre

Electoral HORDEN Division Electorate 5441 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EGA – Horden South Horden South No.1 694 Horden Salvation Army No change No.1 Hall EGB – Horden South Horden South No.2 1677 Yohden Primary School No change No.2 EHA – Horden North Horden North No.1 1256 Our Lady Star of the No change No.1 Sea RC Primary School EHB – Horden North Horden North No.2 314 Mobile unit sited at No change No.2 Grants Houses, Horden EHC – Horden North Horden North No.3 1500 Horden Social Centre, No change No.3

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Electoral MURTON Division Electorate 5759 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal ENA – Dalton Village ENA – Dalton Village 231 Dalton le Dale Parish No change Hall EMA – Murton West EMA– Murton West 1731 New Hesleden Social Existing polling district No.1 No.1 Club/Ribbon Academy EMA is divided into two parts:  EMA1 _Murton West No.1  EMA2 – Murton West No.1b For ease of voters move the following properties to newly created EMA2:  115-126 Toft Crescent  1-54 Burnip Road  26-48 Webb Avenue

EMA2 – Murton West EMA2 – Murton West 123 Ribbon Academy and allocate these No.1b No.1b electors to Ribbon Academy. Electors remaining in EMA1 will continue to vote at New Hesleden Social Club EMB - Murton West EMB - Murton West 381 Ribbon Academy No change No.2 No.2 EMC – Murton West EMC – Murton West 560 Ribbon Academy No change No.3 No.3 ENB – Murton East ENB – Murton East 1473 Ribbon Academy No change No.1 No.1

ENC – Murton East ENC – Murton East 1103 The Glebe Centre No change No.2 No.2 END – Murton East END – Murton East 280 Macrae House No change No.3 No.3

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Electoral PASSFIELD Division Electorate 3458 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EDA – Passfield No.1 EDA – Passfield No.1 2472 Oakerside Community No change Centre EDB1 – Passfield No.2a EDB1 – Passfield 986 Helford Road Pavilion No change No.2a

Electoral Division PETERLEE EAST Electorate 5417 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal ECA – Dene House ECA – Dene House 2734 Dene House Primary No change School EIA – Eden Hill EIA – Eden Hill 2683 East Durham Trust, No change

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Electoral Division PETERLEE WEST Electorate 6179 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EDB2 – Passfield No.2b EDB2 – Passfield 110 Helford Road Pavilion No change No.2b EDC – Passfield No.3 EDC – Passfield 733 East Durham College No change No.3 EFA - Howletch EFA - Howletch 2513 Howletch Lane Primary No change

EJA – Acre Rigg EJA – Acre Rigg 2823 Acre Rigg Academy No change

Electoral Division SEAHAM Electorate 5356 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EQA – Seaham Harbour Seaham Harbour 1907 Earl House Community No change No.1 No.1 Centre ERB1 – Seaham North Seaham North No.1a 1121 Byron House No change No.1a ERC – Seaham North No.2 Seaham North No.2 1261 St Mary Magdalen No change Parish Hall ERA - Seaton Seaton 1067 Seaton Community No change Association Hall

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Electoral Division SHOTTON & SOUTH HETTON Electorate 6699 Constituency EASINGTON Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal EEB - Haswell Haswell 1079 The Hazelwell Centre No change

EEC – Shotton No.1 Shotton No.1 940 The Presbytery, No change Fleming Field EED – Shotton No.2 Shotton No.2 1029 Shotton Library, No change

EEE – Shotton No.3 Shotton No.3 1525 Shotton Community No change Centre EKD – South Hetton South Hetton 2126 Robin Todd Centre No change

North Durham Constituency

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Electoral Division ANNFIELD PLAIN Electorate 5875 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDUA – West Kyo NDUA – West Kyo 749 Annfield Plain Library No change

NDUB – Hare Law NDUB – Hare Law 849 St Thomas’ Church No change Community Room NDUC - Catchgate NDUC - Catchgate 776 Catchgate Primary No change School NDVA - Greencroft NDVA - Greencroft 478 Annfield Plain Cricket No change Club NDVB - Clavering NDVB - Clavering 674 Annfield Plain Cricket No change Club NDVC – St Aidans NDVC – St Aidans 960 Annfield Plain No change Methodist Church Hall NDVD – Fines Park NDVD – Fines Park 586 Annfield Plain Library No change

NDVE – New Kyo NDVE – New Kyo 803 New Kyo Constitutional No change Club

Electoral Division CHESTER LE STREET EAST Electorate 2963 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDCA – Chester East No.1 Chester East No.1 575 Parish Centre, Church No change Chare NDCB – Chester East No.2 Chester East No.2 1131 Evangel Church No change

NDCC – Chester East No.3 Chester East No.3 902 Evangel Church No change

NDLC1 – Chester North Chester North No.3 355 ACF No change No.3

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Electoral Division CHESTER LE STREET NORTH Electorate 3062 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDLA – Chester North No.1 Chester North No.1 836 Chester le Street No change Community Centre NDLB – Chester North No.2 Chester North No.2 2226 Chester le Street CE Division of current Primary NDLB polling district School/Holyoake into two parts: Communal Hall  NDLB1 – Chester North No.2a  NDLB2 – Chester North No.2b

This is to reflect the current elector allocation to these stations to streamline administrative procedures at election time

Electoral Division CHESTER LE STREET SOUTH Electorate 5920 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDFC – Edmondsley & NDFC – Edmondsley 200 Chester Moor Communal No change Waldridge No.3 & Waldridge No.3 Hall NDJA – Chester South NDJA – Chester 2508 Mobile unit sited at No change South Garden Farm Shops Car Park, Chester le Street

NDFA – Edmondsley & NDFA – Edmondsley 202 Waldridge Parish Rooms No change Waldridge No.1 & Waldridge No.1 NDFB1 – Edmondsley & NDFB – Edmondsley 3004 The Hermitage Academy Division of current Waldridge No.2 & Waldridge No.2 Sixth Form Centre/Mobile NDFB polling district United sited at into two parts: Chillingham Drive

 NDFB1 – Edmondsley & Waldridge No.2a Page 195 Page Page 196 Page

 NDFB2 - Edmondsley & Waldridge No.2b This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to these stations to streamline administrative procedures at election time

Electoral Division CHESTER LE STREET WEST CENTRAL Electorate 5830 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDHA – Pelton Fell No.1 NDHA – Pelton Fell 164 Pelton Fell Bowls No change No.1 Pavilion NDHB – Pelton Fell No.2 NDHB – Pelton Fell 1208 The Brockwell Centre No change No.2 NDIA – Chester West No.1 NDIA – Chester West 546 Bullion Hall No change No.1 NDIB – Chester West No.2 NDIB – Chester West 1244 Auckland Communal No change No.2 Room NDIC – Chester West No.3 NDIC – Chester 742 Mobile unit sited at No change West No.3 Cragside NDKA – Chester Central NDKA – Chester 574 Chester le Street No change No.1 Central No.1 Library NDKB – Chester Central NDKB – Chester 1352 Mobile unit sited at The No change No.2 Central No.2 Green

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Electoral CRAGHEAD & SOUTH MOOR Division Electorate 5669 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as Information Officer’s Final at August Proposal 2019 NDQA – The Middles NDQA – The Middles 1280 Craghead Village Hall No change

NDQB - Craghead NDQB - Craghead 638 Spiritualist Church No change

NDQC - Burnside NDQC - Burnside 584 Burnside Family Centre No change

NDWA – Oxhill North NDWA – Oxhill North 315 Oxhill Nursery School No change

NDWB – South Moor NDWB – South Moor 1184 South Moor Methodist Division of current West West Church/The Haven NDWB polling district into two parts:

 NDWB1 – South Moor West No.1  NDWB2 – South Moor West No.2 This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to these stations to streamline administrative procedures at election time NDWC – Quaking NDWC – Quaking 591 Quaking Houses Village No change Houses Houses Hall NDWD – Hustledown NDWD – Hustledown 191 St Marys RC School Alternative premises East East are available at Stanley Young Peoples Club on Severn Crescent and while this solution would avoid closing the school, it does mean some electors would have to travel extra distance. The school is also used for electors in Stanley Electoral Division

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Electoral LUMLEY Division Electorate 5654 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDAA – Bournmoor NDAA – Bournmoor 826 Lambourne Close Division of current No.1 No.1 Communal Hall/St NDAA polling district Barnabus Church Hall into two parts:

 NDAA1 – Bournmoor No.1a  NDAA2 – Bournmoor No.1b : This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to these stations to streamline administrative procedures at election time NDAB – Bournmoor NDAB – Bournmoor 483 Woodlea Primary School No change No.2 No.2 NDBA – Lumley No.1 NDBA – Lumley No.1 2838 Great Lumley Community No change Centre NDBB – Lumley No.2 NDBB – Lumley No.2 750 Fencehouses Community No change Centre

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Electoral Division NORTH LODGE Electorate 2882 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDLC2 – Chester North NDLC2 – Chester 377 ACF No change No.4 North No.4 NDMB – North Lodge No.2 NDMB – North 512 Mobile unit sited in The No change Lodge No.2 Wheatsheaf Inn Car Park NDMA – North Lodge No.1 NDMA – North 1993 Mobile unit sited in The No change Lodge No.1 Wheatsheaf Inn Car Park

Electoral Division PELTON Electorate 10168 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDGC – Grange Villa & NDGC – Grange 19 Grange Villa No change West Pelton No.4 Villa & West Pelton Community Centre No.4 NDOA – Ouston No.1 NDOA – Ouston 1040 Ouston Community No change No.1 Centre NDOB – Ouston No.2 NDOB – Ouston 1131 Ouston Community No change No.2 Centre NDOC – Ouston No.3 NDOC – Ouston 84 Perkinsville Methodist No change No.3 Church NDGA – Grange Villa & NDGA – Grange Villa 517 Grange Villa No change West Pelton No.2 & West Pelton No.2 Community Centre NDGB – Grange Villa & NDGB – Grange Villa 155 West Pelton Methodist No change West Pelton No.3 & West Pelton No.3 Church NDNA – Pelton No.2 NDNA – Pelton No.2 3090 Pelton Community Division of current Centre/Perkinsville NDNA polling district Methodist Church into two parts:

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 NDNA1 – Pelton No.2a  NDNA2 – Pelton No.2b This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to these stations to streamline administrative procedures at election time NDNB – Pelton No.3 NDNB – Pelton No.3 1042 Roseberry Primary & No change Nursery School NDND – Pelton No.5 NDND – Pelton No.5 205 Roseberry Primary & No change Nursery School NDPA – Urpeth No.3 NDPA – Urpeth No.3 75 High Handenhold Fire No change Station NDGD – Grange Villa & NDGD – Grange 343 West Pelton Methodist No change West Pelton No.1 Villa & West Pelton Church No.1 NDNC – Pelton No.4 NDNC – Pelton No.4 78 Roseberry Primary & No change Nursery School NDPB – Urpeth No.1 NDPB – Urpeth No.1 892 The Cherry Tree Division of current Pub/Mobile Unit site in NDPB polling district the layby near Wensley into two parts: Close

 NDPB1 – Urpeth No.1a  NDPB2 – Urpeth No.1b

This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to these stations to streamline administrative procedures at election time NDPC – Urpeth No.2 NDPC – Urpeth No.2 223 High Handenhold Fire No change Station NDPD – Urpeth No.4 NDPD – Urpeth No.4 253 High Handenhold Fire No change Station

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Electoral Division SACRISTON Electorate 5664 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDFD – Edmondsley & Edmondsley & 457 Edmondsley Parish No change Waldridge No.4 Waldridge No.4 Hall NDDA – Kimblesworth & Kimblesworth & 806 Kimblesworth & No change Plawsworth No.1 Plawsworth No.1 Plawsworth Community Centre NDDB – Kimblesworth & Kimblesworth & 257 Mobile Unit sited on No change Plawsworth No.2 Plawsworth No.2 land adjacent to Melbourne Terrace, Daisy Hill NDDC – Kimblesworth & Kimblesworth & 274 Kimblesworth Church No change Plawsworth No.3 Plawsworth No.3 Hall NDEA – Sacrison No.1 NDEA – Sacrison 231 Mobile Unit sited on No change No.1 land adjacent to Melbourne Terrace, Daisy Hill NDEB – Sacriston No.2 NDEB – Sacriston 1978 The Fulforth Division of current No.2 Centre/Mobile Unit NDEB polling district sited on land adjacent into 4 parts: to Melbourne Terrace, Daisy Hill/Salvation Army Hall/Fyndoune  NDEB1 – Community College Sacriston No.2a  NDEB2 – Sacriston No.2b  NDEB3 - Sacriston No.2c  NDEB4 – Sacriston No.2d

This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to these stations to streamline administrative procedures at election time

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Electoral Division STANLEY Electorate 6342 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDQD – Holly Hill NDQD – Holly Hill 714 Burnside Family Centre No change NDQE – Stanley Banks NDQE – Stanley 329 Age Concern, No change Banks Betjeman Close NDQF – Hustledown West NDQF – Hustledown 691 St Marys RC School, Alternative premises West are available at Stanley Young Peoples Club on Severn Crescent and while this solution would avoid closing the school, it does mean some electors would have to travel extra distance. The school is also used for electors in Craghead & South Moor Electoral Division NDRA - Towneley NDRA - Towneley 1790 The Venue No change NDRB – Kings’s Head NDRB – Kings’s 1793 Age Concern, No change Head Betjeman Close NDSA – Hill Top NDSA – Hill Top 775 View Lane Bowling No change Club NDSB – No Place NDSB – No Place 250 Beamish Primary Electors are re- School allocated to vote at Age Concern, Betjeman Close, East Stanley and the school is no longer used as a polling station

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Electoral Division TANFIELD Electorate 6509 Constituency NORTH DURHAM Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NDSC – Shield Row NDSC – Shield Row 1922 Shield Row Community No change House NDSD – Stanley Central NDSD – Stanley 1277 Practice Gym, The No change Central Louisa Centre NDTA – Good Street Estate NDTA – Good Street 319 Tanfield School Electors are re- Estate allocated to vote at Tanfield Lea Community Centre NDTB – Tanfield Lea NDTB – Tanfield Lea 1618 Tanfield Lea No change Community Centre NDTC – White le Head NDTC – White le 427 White le Head No change Head Methodist Church Hall NDTD - Tantobie NDTD - Tantobie 537 Tantobie Community No change Centre NDTE - Tanfield NDTE - Tanfield 409 St Margarets Church No change Hall

North West Durham Constituency

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Electoral Division BENFIELDSIDE Electorate 6492 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDCF – Snows Green NWDCF – Snows 578 Our Lady of the Rosary No change Green Church Hall NWDEA – Shotley Bridge NWDEA – Shotley 600 Our Lady of the Rosary No change East Bridge East Church Hall NWDEB – Shotley Bridge NWDEB – Shotley 407 Our Lady of the Rosary No change West Bridge West Church Hall NWDEC - Benfieldside NWDEC - 2423 Benfieldside Primary No change Benfieldside School NWDED – Blackhill North 1 NWDED – Blackhill 518 Methodist Church Hall, No change North 1 Durham Road NWDFA - Bridgehill NWDFA - Bridgehill 1130 Blackhill Baptist Church No change Hall NWDFB – Blackhill North 2 NWDFB – Blackhill 278 Methodist Church Hall, No change North 2 Durham Road NWDFC St Mary’s 558 Blackhill Baptist Church No change Hall

Electoral Division BURNOPFIELD & DIPTON Electorate 6210 Constituency North West Durham Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDAA - Leazes NWDAA - Leazes 2118 Burnopfield Community No change Centre NWDAB - Burnopfield NWDAB - 1142 Burnopfield Masonic No change Burnopfield Hall NWDAC - Crookgate NWDAC - Crookgate 442 Burnopfield Masonic No change Hall NWDBA - Hobson NWDBA - Hobson 275 Burnopfield Community No change Centre NWDBB - Dipton NWDBB - Dipton 1201 Dipton Jubilee Centre No change

NWDBC – Flint Hill NWDBC – Flint Hill 1032 Prince of Wales Inn No change

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Electoral Division CONSETT NORTH Electorate 5907 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDFD – Blackhill South NWDFD – Blackhill 979 Blackhill Community No change South Centre NWDFE – St Aidan’s NWDFE – St Aidan’s 663 Masonic Hall, No change Laburnum Avenue NWDGA – Berry Edge East NWDGA – Berry 2776 Christ Church, Consett No change Edge East NWDGB – Villa Real NWDGB – Villa Real 646 Villa Real School No change

NWDGC – Belle Vue NWDGC – Belle Vue 843 Consett Leisure Centre No change

Electoral Division CONSETT SOUTH Electorate 3540 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDIA - Moorside Moorside 1546 St John’s Church Hall No change

NWDIB – The Grove The Grove 1084 Communal Room at Due to the closure of Selby Gardens the Communal Room at Selby Gardens, it is proposed that The Grove Methodist Church Hall is used as the polling station in the future NWDIC – Berry Edge West Berry Edge West 910 Gospel Hall, Front It is proposed that the Street, Consett boundary of NWDIC is extended into NWDIB to reflect the creation of new properties resulting from the current and any future housing development

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streets from NWDIB to NWDIC:  Kensington Close  Dukes Way  Queen Elizabeth Drive  Buckingham Close  Monarch Road  St James Court This better reflects the location of the properties and the polling station at the Gospel Hall is closer and more convenient for electors.

Electoral Division CROOK Electorate 9129 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDTA – Fir Tree NWDTA – Fir Tree 232 Howden le Wear No change Village Hall NWDTB - Howden NWDTB - Howden 1212 Howden le Wear No change Village Hall NWDUB – Crook North NWDUB – Crook 942 Hartside Primary No change North Academy NWDVA – Crook East NWDVA – Crook 1104 St Catherine’s It is proposed that the East Community Centre boundary of this polling district with NWDTB is amended to include Inglenook Close NWDVB – Crook South NWDVB – Crook 331 St Catherine’s No change South Community Centre NWDVC – Mown Meadows NWDVC – Mown 2713 Millfield Clubhouse, No change Crook Meadows Crook Crook Town AFC Page 217 Page Page 218 Page

NWDWA - Wheatbottom NWDWA - 898 Communal Room, No change Wheatbottom Wheatbottom, Crook NWDWB - Watergate NWDWB - Watergate 898 Communal Room, No change Wheatbottom, Crook NWDWC – Helmngton Row NWDWC – 321 Helmington Row No change Helmngton Row Village Hall, Helmington Row NWDZA – North Bitchburn NWDZA – North 337 Cricket Club House, No change Bitchburn North Bitchburn NWDZB – High Grange NWDZB – High 141 Cricket Club House, No change Grange North Bitchburn

Electoral Division DELVES LANE Electorate 6266 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDHA – Consett East NWDHA – Consett 766 Citizens House No change East NWDHB – Templeton South NWDHB – 984 Gospel Hall, Front No change Templeton South Street NWDJA - Crookhall NWDJA - Crookhall 424 Crookhall Community No change Centre NWDJB – Delves Lane NWDJB – Delves 2019 Consett AFC Belle Vue No change North Lane North Stadium NWDJC – Templetown NWDJC – 166 Gospel Hall, Front No change North Templetown North Street NWDJD – Delves Lane NWDJD – Delves 1907 Delves Lane Village No change South Lane South Hall

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Electoral Division ESH & WITTON GILBERT Electorate 6303 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDOA - Cornsay NWDOA - Cornsay 78 Royal Oak, Cornsay No change Colliery

NWDOB – Cornsay Colliery NWDOB – Cornsay 142 Royal Oak, Cornsay No change Colliery Colliery

NWDNA - Esh NWDNA - Esh 299 St Michaels RC No change Primary School, Esh Village NWDNB – Willow Park NWDNB – Willow 93 Miners Institute, No change Park Church Street NWDNC – Langley Park NWDNC – Langley 1241 Miners Institute, No change East Park East Church Street NWDND – Langley Park NWDND – Langley 1953 Miners Institute, No change West Park West Church Street NWDNE - Ushaw NWDNE - Ushaw 31 St Michaels RC No change Primary School, Esh Village NWDNF - Quebec NWDNF - Quebec 163 Quebec Village Hall No change

NWDOE - Satley NWDOE - Satley 250 Satley Parish Hall No change

DMB Witton Gilbert 2053 Witton Gilbert Village No change Hall

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Electoral Division LANCHESTER Electorate 6014 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDMA - Burnhope NWDMA - Burnhope 1138 Burnhope Primary It is proposed that School Burnhope Community Centre is used as the polling station in the future NWDMB - Holmside NWDMB - Holmside 69 Burnhope Primary It is proposed that School Burnhope Community Centre is used as the polling station in the future NWDLC – Maiden Law NWDLC – Maiden 157 Lanchester Community No change Law Centre NWDKA - Castleside NWDKA - Castleside 1250 Castleside Village Hall No change

NWDLA – Lanchester North NWDLA – 795 Lanchester Bowling No change Lanchester North Club Pavilion NWDLB – Lanchester East NWDLB – 2510 Lanchester Community No change Lanchester East Centre NWDKB - Muggleswick NWDKB - 95 Muggleswick Parish No change Muggleswick Hall

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Electoral Division LEADGATE & MEDOMSLEY Electorate 6781 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDCA - Ebchester NWDCA - Ebchester 897 Ebchester Community No change Centre

NWDCB - Hamsterley NWDCB - 1120 Dene Court Communal No change Hamsterley Room

NWDCC – The Dene NWDCC – The Dene 306 Mobile unit sited on the No change recreation ground at The Dene

NWDCD – Medomsley NWDCD – 218 Pretoria Club, No change Edge Medomsley Edge Corbridge Road, Medomsley Edge

NWDCE - Medomsley NWDCE - 858 Methodist Church Hall, No change Medomsley Medomsley

NWDDA – Leadgate South NWDDA – Leadgate 1846 Leadgate Community No change South Centre NWDDB – Leadgate East NWDDB – Leadgate 915 Leadgate Methodist No change East Church NWDDC – Bradley & Pont NWDDC – Bradley & 621 Methodist Church Hall, Due to the sale and Pont Bradley Cottages change of use of these premises, it is proposed that electors are re-allocated to Leadgate Methodist Church Hall in the future

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Electoral Division TOW LAW Electorate 3404 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDSA - Sunniside NWDSA - Sunniside 265 Sunniside Community No change Centre NWDSB - Stanley NWDSB - Stanley 600 Stanley Village No change Community Hall NWDSC – Billy Row NWDSC – Billy Row 573 Communal Room, No change Stanley Way NWDUA- Roddymoor NWDUA- Roddymoor 324 Roddymoor Allotments No change Community Room NWDSG – Tow Law NWDSG – Tow Law 691 Tow Law Community Division of current Centre/Baring Court NDSG polling district into two parts:

 NWDSG1 – Tow Law 1  NWDSG2 – Tow Law 2

This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to this station to streamline administrative procedures at election time NWDSD – Tow Law Rural 1 NWDSD – Tow Law 43 Tow Law Community No change Rural 1 Centre NWDSE – Tow Law Rural 2 NWDSE – Tow Law 13 Baring Court, Tow Law No change Rural 2 NWDSF – Tow Law Rural 3 NWDSF – Tow Law 102 Thornley Village Hall No change Rural 3

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Electoral Division WEARDALE Electorate 6505 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDRD – Harperley NWDRD – Harperley 1 Thornley Village Hall No change Roundabout Roundabout NWDQF - Edmundbyers NWDQF - 147 Edmundbyers Village No change Edmundbyers Hall NWDQG - Hunstanworth NWDQG - 99 Hunstanworth Village No change Hunstanworth Hall NWDPA - Ireshopeburn NWDPA - 164 The Institutute No change Ireshopeburn NWDPB – St Johns Chapel NWDPB – St Johns 356 Barrington Hall No change Chapel NWDPC - Lanehead NWDPC - Lanehead 146 Cowshill Hotel No change

NWDPD - Wearhead NWDPD - Wearhead 200 Wearhead Village Hall Due to the fact that Wearhead Village Hall has ten steps into the main entrance and also ramped steps into the side entrance, it is proposed that Wearhead Primary School is used as the polling station for this polling district in the future as it offers greatly improved access and is still centrally located within the village. NWDPE - Westgate NWDPE - Westgate 308 Westgate Village Hall No change

NWDQA - Eastgate NWDQA - Eastgate 115 Eastgate Village Hall No change

NWDQB - Frosterley NWDQB - Frosterley 691 Frosterley Village Hall No change

NWDQC - Rookhope NWDQC - Rookhope 219 Rookhope Village Hall No change

NWDQD – Stanhope Urban NWDQD – Stanhope 1100 St Thomas Church Hall No change Urban NWDQE- Stanhope Rural NWDQE- Stanhope 385 St Thomas Church Hall No change Rural Page 229 Page Page 230 Page

NWDRA – Witton le Wear NWDRA – Witton le 561 Witton le Wear No change Wear Community Centre NWDRB1 – Wolsingham NWDRB1 – 1730 St Thomas Centre No change Urban Wolsingham Urban NWDRB2 – Wolsingham NWDRB2 – 228 St Thomas Centre No change Rural Wolsingham Rural NWDRC – Thornley Rural NWDRC – Thornley 55 Thornley Village Hall No change Rural

Electoral Division WILLINGTON & HUNWICK Electorate 6872 Constituency NORTH WEST DURHAM Recommended Recommended Polling Station Polling Station Returning Polling District Polling Place Electorate as at Information Officer’s Final August 2019 Proposal NWDZC - Hunwick NWDZC - Hunwick 1057 Hunwick Primary No change School DQA - Brancepeth DQA - Brancepeth 343 Brancepeth Village Hall No change NWDXA – Low Willington NWDXA – Low 1338 Willington Cricket Club No change Willington NWDXB – Willington South NWDXB – Willington 973 Willington Primary No change South School NWDXC - Rosedale NWDXC - Rosedale 595 Methodist Church Hall, No change Wesley Street NWDXD - Oakenshaw NWDXD - 463 Mobile unit sited on No change Oakenshaw land adjacent to Reed Avenue NWDXE – Page Bank NWDXE – Page 24 Willington Cricket Club No change Bank Page 231 Page Page 232 Page

NWDXF - Sunnybrow NWDXF - Sunnybrow 315 Sunnybrow Primary Division of current School NWDXF polling district into two parts:

 NWDXF1 – Sunnybrow 1  NWDXF2 – Sunnybrow 2 This is done to reflect the current elector allocation to this station to streamline administrative procedures at election time NWDYA – Willington West NWDYA – Willington 1111 Willington Primary No change West School NWDYB - Sunnybrow NWDYB - 199 Sunnybrow Primary No change Sunnybrow School

Sedgefield Constituency

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Electoral Division AYCLIFFE EAST Electorate 6399 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal

SHA – Aycliffe Village SHA – Aycliffe 754 Aycliffe Village Hall No change Village SHB – Neville SHB – Neville 1551 Methodist Church Hall No change (Newton Aycliffe) SIA – Shafto St Marys SIA – Shafto St 2518 Sugar Hill Infants No change to the Marys School (2743) and polling stations however the division of Vane Road Primary the SIA polling district School (2742) is recommended to reflect the current elector allocation to the 2 polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be SIA1 – Shafto St Marys And SIA2 – Shafto St Marys

SIB – Aycliffe Central SIB – Aycliffe Central 1576 Newton Aycliffe Youth Recommend that the and Community Centre designated room within this polling station be moved from the Sports Hall to the Main Hall.

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Electoral Division AYCLIFFE NORTH AND MIDDRIDGE Electorate 8383 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Polling Returning Officer’s Station Station for Final Proposal Electorate as Information at April 2019 SEA – Middridge SEA – Middridge 261 Middridge Village No change Hall SEB - Byerley Park, SEB - Byerley Park, 1012 Aycliffe Evangelical No change Horndale & Cobblers Hall Horndale & Cobblers Church No. 1 Hall No. 1 SEC - Byerley Park, SEC - Byerley Park, 1189 Aycliffe Evangelical No change Horndale & Cobblers Hall Horndale & Cobblers Church No. 2 Hall No. 2 SED - Byerley Park, SED - Byerley Park, 1073 Scout H Q (Newton No change Horndale & Cobblers Hall Horndale & Cobblers Aycliffe) No. 3 Hall No. 3 SGA - Woodham SGA - Woodham 4848 Woodham Village Division of the SGA polling Community Centre district is recommended to and reflect the current elector allocation to the 2 polling Agnew Community stations within the polling Centre district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be SGA1 – Woodham And SGA2 - Woodham

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Electoral Division AYCLIFFE WEST Electorate 5491 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SEE – West No. 6 SEE – West No. 6 354 Silverdale House No change SFA - West No. 1 SFA - West No. 1 553 Methodist Church No change (Burnhill Way) SFB - West No. 2 SFB - West No. 2 627 St Joseph’s Primary No change School (2020) SFC - West No. 3 SFC - West No. 3 391 Silverdale House No change SFD - West No. 4 SFD - West No. 4 1718 Stephenson Way No change Academy and Nursery School (2010) SFE - West No. 5 SFE - West No. 5 562 School Aycliffe No change Community Hall SHC - Simpasture SHC - Simpasture 1286 Simpasture Court No change Supported Housing

Electoral Division BISHOP MIDDLEHAM AND CORNFORTH Electorate 2907 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SCA – Bishop Middleham SCA – Bishop 1028 Bishop Middleham No change Middleham Village Hall SCB - Cornforth SCB - Cornforth 1879 The Cornforth At the EU Election in Partnership, Number May 2019 we used the 66 Community Centre as the polling station. This proved to be a suitable venue and a permanent change to designate Cornforth Community Centre as the polling station for this polling district is recommended.

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Electoral Division BLACKHALLS (Part) Electorate 791 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SMA – Station Town SMA – Station Town 791 Millbank Methodist No change Church

Electoral Division CHILTON Electorate 3375 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SDA – Chilton No. 1 SDA – Chilton No. 1 1711 Chilton Catholic Club No change SDB – Chilton No. 2 SDB – Chilton No. 2 1458 Hutton House No change SDD - Windlestone SDD - Windlestone 206 Eden Arms Hotel No change

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Electoral Division FERRYHILL Electorate 7109 Constituency SEDGEFIELD (PART) Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SAA - Ferryhill & Dean SAA - Ferryhill & 652 Ferryhill Catholic Club No change Bank No. 1 Dean Bank No. 1 SAB - Ferryhill & Dean SAB - Ferryhill & 1035 St Luke’s Parish Centre No change Bank No. 2 Dean Bank No. 2 SAC - Ferryhill & Dean SAC - Ferryhill & 69 St Luke’s Parish Centre No change Bank No. 3 Dean Bank No. 3 SAD - Ferryhill & Dean SAD - Ferryhill & 1167 Dean Bank and No change Bank No. 4 Dean Bank No. 4 Ferryhill Literary Institute SBA - Broom No. 1 SBA - Broom No. 1 1684 Ferryhill Sports and No change Education Centre SBB - Broom No. 2 SBB - Broom No. 2 1852 Ferryhill Sports and No change Education Centre SDC - Ferryhill Station SDC - Ferryhill 650 Royal British Legion Division of the SDC Station and Mainsforth polling district is Community Association recommended to reflect the current elector allocation to the 2 polling stations within the polling district. This will streamline administrative procedures at election time. The revised polling districts will be SDC1 – Ferryhill Station and SDC2 – Ferryhill Station

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Electoral Division SEDGEFIELD Electorate 6294 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SJA – Mordon SJA – Mordon 229 Mordon Village Hall No change SJB – Bradbury SJB – Bradbury 112 Mordon Village Hall No change SJC – Sedgefield Urban SJC – Sedgefield 3775 Sedgefield Parish Hall No change Urban SJD – Sedgefield Rural SJD – Sedgefield 275 Sedgefield Parish Hall No change Rural SKA - Fishburn SKA - Fishburn 1903 Fishburn and District No change Working Mens Club

Electoral Division TRIMDON AND THORNLEY (PART) Electorate 8915 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SKB – Old Trimdon SKB – Old Trimdon 2186 Trimdon Village Hall No change SLA - New Trimdon & SLA - New Trimdon 458 Trimdon Colliery and No change Trimdon Grange No. 1 & Trimdon Grange Deaf Hill WMC No. 1 SLB - New Trimdon & SLB - New Trimdon 910 Trimdon Grange No change Trimdon Grange No. 2 & Trimdon Grange Community Centre No. 2 SMB - Trimdon Foundry No. SMB - Trimdon 652 Trimdon Station No change 1 Foundry No. 1 Community Centre SMC - Trimdon Foundry SMC - Trimdon 422 Trimdon Station No change No. 2 Foundry No. 2 Residents Assocation SNA - Wheatley Hill No. 1 SNA - Wheatley Hill 520 All Saints Church No change No. 1 (Wheatley Hill) SNB - Wheatley Hill No. 2 SNB - Wheatley Hill 1809 Wheatley House No change No. 2 SNC - Thornley SNC - Thornley 1958 Thornley Village Hall No change Page 245 Page Page 246 Page

Electoral Division WINGATE Electorate 3009 Constituency SEDGEFIELD Polling District Polling Place Polling Station Polling Station Returning Electorate as at for Information Officer’s Final April 2019 Proposal SMD – Wingate No. 1 SMD – Wingate No. 894 Wingate Community No change 1 Centre SME – Wingate No. 2 SME – Wingate No. 2115 Gully House No change 2

Agenda Item 11

County Council

22 January 2020

Annual Report of the Standards Committee 2018/2019

Report of Helen Lynch, Head of Legal and Democratic Services and Monitoring Officer

Electoral division(s) affected: None

Purpose of the Report 1 To inform the Council of the work of the Standards Committee during 2018/2019 and to set out the future direction which the Committee intends to take during 2019/2020.

Executive summary 2 The Standards Committee has continued to promote the principles and values of good governance within the Council and across the County. The Members of the Standards Committee are committed and dedicated to ensuring that high standards of conduct are maintained by all local elected Members.

3 This report sets out the progress made by the Standards Committee in 2018/2019 in respect of code of conduct issues for the elected Members within County Durham.

4 This report also sets out the training provided to Members as well as the work programme of the Standards Committee to achieve the objective of promoting and maintaining high standards.

Recommendations 5 It is recommended that Council note the report.

Page 247 Background 6 Although there is no legislative requirement for Standards Committees to produce an Annual Report, doing so is recognised as good practice. Not only does the report publicise the work of the Committee to the wider general public, it is also a means for the Authority itself to monitor the Committee’s work.

7 References to Articles in the Council’s Constitution in this report are to those that existed during 2018 – 2019. Standards Committee’s Terms of Reference are set out in Article 7.

Membership of the Standards Committee 2018/2019 8 The Standards Committee is comprised of 11 County Council Members and 2 Parish/Town Council Members as follows:-

County Council Membership

Councillor B Kellett – Chairman

Councillor E Huntington – Vice Chairman

County Councillors J Atkinson, A Bainbridge, E Bell, J Bell, J Clark, M Clarke, J Nicholson, A Savory and D Stoker.

Parish and Town Council Representatives Councillor Terry Batson is a consultant Arborist and a former Local Government Officer. Councillor Batson is also a Member of Tow Law Town Council.

Councillor Ralph Harrison is a former Member of Chester le Street District Council who continues to serve his local community as a Member of Sacriston Parish Council.

Independent Persons 9 Under the Localism Act 2011, the Council was required to appoint one or more Independent Persons to assist in the Standards process.

10 The functions of the Independent Persons are:

a. They must be consulted by the Authority before it makes a finding as to whether a Member has failed to comply with the Code of Conduct or decide on action to be taken in respect of that Member.

b. They may be consulted by the Authority in respect of a Standards complaint at any other stage and they may be consulted by a Member or a co-opted member.

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11 In September 2012 the Council appointed the following persons:

a. John Dixon Dawson. John is from Peterlee and is currently Head of Post Graduate Programmes at the University of Sunderland Business School. He has a career going back to 1986, which has involved various placements at universities in the North East, four years as a non-Executive Director at an NHS Trust and seven years as a Deputy Town Clerk.

b. Peter William Jackson. Peter is from Newton Hall and is retired. Originally from the private sector having fulfilled the roles of Factory Manager, General Manager, Managing Director, Group Technical Executive and Sales Manager. He has also served on the Youth Employment Committee of the Council and the Police Consultative Committee for Durham County Council.

12 The Independent Persons were appointed for a four-year term with effect from 25 September 2016 and this is their second term of office.

Role of the Standards Committee 13 The Members of the Standards Committee have a common interest in that they believe in principled local politics and value their role as champions of high standards of conduct amongst local politicians.

14 In accordance with Article 7 of the Constitution of Durham County Council, the roles and functions of the Standards Committee are as follows:

a) promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by Members and Co-opted Members of the Council and Parish and Town Council Members;

b) assisting Members and Co-opted Members of the Council and Parish and Town Council Members to observe the Members’ Code of Conduct and where appropriate, the Planning Code of Practice;

c) advising the Council on the adoption or revision of the Members’ Code of Conduct and the Planning Code of Practice;

d) monitoring the operation of the Members’ Code of Conduct and the Planning Code of Practice;

e) advising, training or arranging to train Members and Co-opted Members of the Council and Parish and Town Council Members on matters relating to the Members’ Code of Conduct and Planning Code of Practice;

Page 249

f) granting dispensations to Members and Co-opted Members of the Council from requirements relating to interests set out in the Members’ Code of Conduct and Planning Code of Practice in circumstances where this function has not been delegated to the Monitoring Officer;

g) the assessment and/or referral for investigation of allegations of misconduct on the part of Members and Co-opted Members of the Council and Parish and Town Council Members, if requested to undertake this function by the Monitoring Officer;

h) the determination of allegations of misconduct on the part of Members and Co-opted Members of the Council and Parish and Town Council Members;

i) dealing with any alleged breach by a Member of a Council Protocol, in accordance with procedures approved by the Committee;

j) overview of the Officers’ Code of Conduct;

k) overview of the Protocol on Member/Officer Relations.

Code of Conduct Complaints 15 In 2012, following the implementation of the Localism Act 2011 and associated changes to the Standards regime, the Monitoring Officer was appointed as the ‘Proper Officer’ to receive complaints of failure to comply with the Code of Conduct. The Monitoring Officer has delegated power, after consultation with the Independent Person, if appropriate, to determine whether a complaint merits formal investigation. Wherever practicable, the Monitoring Officer seeks resolution of complaints without formal investigation and she has discretion to refer decisions to the Standards Committee where she feels that it is inappropriate for her to make the decision. The Standards Committee receives a quarterly report on the discharge of this function.

16 During 2018/19 the number and breakdown of complaints regarding breaches of the Code of Conduct was as follows:-

Year 1 April 2018 to 31 March 1 April 2017 to 31 March 2019 2018

Total no. of complaints 96 41 received Source of Councillors 27 Councillors 14 Complaints

Page 250 Members of the public 67 Members of the public 25

Parish/Town Council Parish/Town Council employee 2 employee 1

Anonymous 0 Anonymous 1

Complaints County Councillors 13 County Councillors 13 against including withdrawn and Parish Councillors 30 Parish Councillors 13 rejected Town Councillors 53 Town Councillors 15

Dual-hatted 0 Dual-hatted 0

Independent The Independent Person 7 plus 1 Standards Persons Involved was consulted in respect Committee Hearing Panel of 28 complaints.

Outcomes Withdrawn/Rejected 7 No Further Action 30

No Further Action 70 Local Resolution 8

Local Resolution 10 Local Investigation 3

Local Investigation 9 Standards Committee Hearing Panel 1

17 There has been an increase in the number of complaints received in 2018/2019 compared to the previous year. Whilst there has been an increase in the number of complaints received by the Authority it is important to note that some of these complaints are made by multiple individuals in respect of a single Member.

18 There has been a rise in the number of complaints which have been rejected on initial assessment or withdrawn prior to a decision being reached.

Work of the Standards Committee during 2018/2019 19 During the year the Committee has met on four occasions. The Committee received updates on the current status of complaints and of the ‘national picture’ on Standards issues affecting Local Government. A Work Programme for the Committee was agreed at the December 2018 meeting.

Page 251 20 As part of the Work Programme during 2018/2019 the Committee reviewed the Local Assessment Procedure, adopted Social Media Guidance and considered Department of Communities and Local Government Consultation on Disqualification Criteria for Councillors.

21 The Committee had previously commented on the review of Local Ethical Standards undertaken by the Committee for Standards in Public Life. The report was published in January 2019 and as a result of this the Standards Committee agreed to update the Code of Conduct to include the best practice recommendations.

Training and Development 22 The Monitoring Officer held a training session on 14 November 2018 for Stanley Town Council and on 8 January 2019 for Waldridge Parish Council. The Monitoring Officer has also delivered individual training to Members elected during 2018/2019.

Moving Forward 23 The Standards Committee is continually dedicated to its responsibility to champion and promote high standards of conduct amongst the County’s local politicians. To achieve this aim the Committee will review the Member Code of Conduct, including Planning, the Member/Officer Protocol and Gifts and Hospitality.

24 The Committee will continue to provide support and advice where necessary to local Councils and in conjunction with the County Durham Association of Local Councils.

Contact: Kamila Coulson-Patel Tel: 03000 269674

Page 252 Appendix 1: Implications

Legal Implications The Council has a duty under section 27 of the Localism Act 2011 to promote and maintain high standards of conduct by its members and to adopt a code of conduct that is consistent with the Nolan Principles and to have in place arrangements under which allegations can be investigated and decisions made. The publication of an Annual Report aids the public understanding and awareness of the committee’s work and demonstrates how the Council discharges its section 27 duty.

Finance There are no financial implications arising out of the report.

Consultation There are no consultation implications arising out of the report.

Equality and Diversity / Public Sector Equality Duty There are no equality and diversity implications arising out of the report.

Climate Change There are no climate change implications arising out of the report.

Human Rights There are no Human Rights implications arising out of the report.

Crime and Disorder There are no Crime and Disorder implications arising out of the report.

Staffing There are no staffing implications.

Accommodation There are no accommodation implications.

Risk There are no risk implications arising out of the report.

Procurement There are no procurement implications.

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