Consultations / Surveys
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
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 30th November, 10am – 1pm – The Hub, Sherburn Road, Consett
- Monday 4th December, 2pm – 5pm – Consett Library, Victoria Road, Consett
- Thursday 7th December, 11am – 2pm – Tiffany Rose, Middle Street, Consett
Sexual Health Strategy - Public Consultation
The Sexual Health strategy shows how Durham County Council (DCC) would like to improve the overall sexual health of people in County Durham, improve access to sexual health services, promote healthy sexual behaviour, reduce rates of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs), unintended pregnancies and reduce health disparities.
It sets out why sexual health is important and outlines County Durham's vision and priority areas over the next five years. It has been developed by DCC in partnership with organisations that deliver services, the NHS, community and voluntary sector organisations and County Durham people.
The Sexual Health Strategy is open for public consultation and seek the views from members of the public, people directly affected by this strategy, support workers and relevant organisations to understand how the strategy affects them and how best to support them and reduce any impacts.
Have your say: Sexual Health Strategy for County Durham 2023-2028 consultation - Durham County Council
The consultation period closes on 6 August 2023.
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.
Survey for 11-18 year olds around domestic abuse
Durham County Council has partnered with national domestic abuse charity SafeLives to review its Public Health Approach in tackling domestic abuse across County Durham.
They want to develop services to support children and young people affected by domestic abuse. If you are 11 – 18 years old and live in County Durham, please answer this short survey: https://online1.snapsurveys.com/CYP_Durham
The survey aims to find out what you understand about harmful behaviour in families or in relationships and where you might go for advice or support.