Council leaders say they are committed to “building better communities” as changes to a partnership scheme were approved, writes Local Democracy Reporter, Bill Edgar.
Durham County Council cabinet members supported a plan to amend the local authority’s 12 Local Networks to ensure residents, councillors, businesses and partner organisations can collaborate to improve their local areas.
Changes to the scheme include a new structure, which includes a new Local Network Elected Member Board, a Local Network Stakeholder Panel and regular Local Network Community Forums.
Nicola Lyons, cabinet member for communities and civic resilience, said the latest changes are an “important step towards locality working and our commitment to building better communities.”
New Local Network Action Plans (LNAPs) will be formed to create effective coordination and delivery of council and partnership activity, as well as how Local Network funding is spent, the council said.
The model for Local Networks agreed by the previous administration in charge of the council was scheduled for launch in April 2025, however, with the change of political leadership at the council, Reform leaders reviewed the remit to assess whether it was fit for purpose.
Cllr Lyons said the new model “provides a more balanced geography and elected member distribution across the county.”
Local Network Community Forums will be opened up to everyone who lives, works or studies in the area to attend, increasing representation and involvement from a greater proportion of County Durham.
Stakeholder Panels will work alongside Local Network Community Forums and consist of representatives from core stakeholders including police, fire, housing, health, town and parish councils, and businesses.
Consideration will also be given to how the wider voluntary community sector is involved at the Stakeholder Panel level.
The changes will be implemented in April.
Stephen Gray, cabinet member for transformation, efficiency, digital and procurement, said: “I am confident that these recommendations will greatly enhance their current strengths and ensure they are front and centre of the wider strategic thinking around place-based thinking.
“I look forward to seeing the delivery of our networks from next month and the increased opportunity for outcomes in our communities.”
Bill Edgar
Reporter for the Local Democracy Reporter Service.
