Consultations / Surveys

Community Buildings use in an emergency survey

Use of Community Buildings in an Emergency in County Durham

Durham Community Action is looking at how community buildings across County Durham can help support local people in the event of another emergency like Storm Arwen.

We are asking people running community buildings to tell us how they can help in an emergency and if they need support to help improve their facilities.

We would be grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete this survey which will help us to understand the range of emergency support facilities across County Durham.

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/HLVH8SC

Survey closes 31 July 2024.

Covid-19 memorial consultation

Come along and have your say

Durham County Council is hosting a series of drop-in consultation events around Consett to discuss the installation of a memorial dedicated to those that sadly lost their lives during the pandemic.

In partnership with the elected members, local community groups and local schools, the Community Economic Development team have commissioned initial designs and would like to share these design options with the local community to gain your feedback and opinions on the proposals. 

Sessions will be held as follows:

• Thursday 30^th November, 10am – 1pm – The Hub, Sherburn Road, Consett
• Monday 4^th December, 2pm – 5pm – Consett Library, Victoria Road, Consett
• Thursday 7^th December, 11am – 2pm – Tiffany Rose, Middle Street, Consett

County Durham Early Help Strategy 2024-26

Throughout 2023, Durham County Council has been working with children, young people, parents and carers to develop the new Early Help Strategy for 2024-2026.

The Strategy is also based on the priorities of the Prevention and Early Help Partnership which are underpinned by the national Supporting Families Programme and specifically reflects how County Durham can improve the early help support offered to families.

The closing date for comments is 5pm, 16 February 2024.

To view the strategy and give your comments, visit www.durham.gov.uk/consultation

Long Term Empty Property and Second Homes Council Tax Premium Consultation

Durham County Council (DCC) is reviewing their policy relating to Council Tax charges for empty properties and Second Homes and are seeking your views on proposals which would see the premium charge increased for long term empty properties and Second Homes.

DCC is considering introducing three changes to premiums, two of which are part of the government’s bill, which is going through parliament now, and one which is already covered by current legislation.

Proposal 1 (covered by current legislation) from 1 April 2024, increasing the additional council tax charge for properties which have been unoccupied and unfurnished for more than ten years from 200% to 300%. Currently there isn’t a ten-year threshold in Durham.  

Proposal 2 (subject to being passed into law) from 1 April 2024, reduce the period of time a property can be unoccupied and unfurnished before being subject to the 100% council tax premium charge, from 2 years to 1 year. 

Proposal 3 (subject to being passed into law) from 1 April 2025, to increase the council tax payable by 100% on a property where there is no resident, and which is substantially furnished, often referred to as a second home.  

It is acknowledged that some of the properties affected are not deliberately kept empty but rather the owners cannot sell or let them for various reasons which are often beyond their control. Introducing the additional charges therefore could lead to an increased financial burden in some cases.

To mitigate the financial burden on owners affected, Section 13A policy will be reviewed which outlines circumstances where a reduction in the premium may be applied. The circumstances in which a reduction can be applied currently are outlined on the Council tax on empty properties and second homes  webpage. 

You can fill in the online survey at www.durham.gov.uk/consultation

The closing date for comments is 5pm on 13 September 2023.