Partnerships we work with

Area Action Partnerships

Our Area Action Partnerships work with community groups, organisations and individuals to provide better all-round services for people in the county.

Business partners

We work with organisations to help business develop in the county: 

• Business Durham
• North East Chamber of Commerce
• NETpark

Children's partnerships

• Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service (CAFCASS)
• Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership

Community groups and centres

We work with a number of community groups, including:

• Community centres and associations
• Neighbourhood Watch
• Youth clubs

County Durham Partnership

Many of the organisations we work with are part of the County Durham Partnership. The County Durham Partnership website will give you more details on its work and who is involved.

Crime and community safety partners

Many organisations work together to tackle crime and the causes and effects of crime in County Durham:

• Durham Police
• County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service
• Durham Police and Crime Commissioner's Office
• Victim Care and Advice Service
• Safe Durham Partnership

Education partners

We not only run schools in County Durham, but we work with other organisations to provide the best education for the people of the county as possible:

• School and college information
• Durham University

Environment partners

Our partners help to improve the environment in and around County Durham:

• Durham Woodland Revival
• Groundwork
• Environment Agency
• Energy advice centre
• North Eastern Inshore Fisheries and Conservation Authority

Equality and diversity partners

As a local council, we make sure that our services are open and accessible to all. To help us do that, we work in partnership with groups to give us guidance on equality and diversity issues: 

• County Durham Equal Access Forum 
• Durham Deafened Support 
• North East Regional Faiths Network

Health partners

Good health is a priority for everybody. We work with the following organisations on a range of health-related projects:

• County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust
• NHS: North East and North Cumbria Integrated Care System (ICS)
• Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust
• County Durham Partnership: Health and Wellbeing Board
• Macmillan Cancer Support

Housing partners

Some of the responsibility we have for council housing is managed by 'arms length organisations' as Housing associations.

International partners

Our work isn't just confined to these shores. We work with partners right across the world. Find out about our International partnerships.

MPs

We work closely with Members of Parliament. 

Neighbouring councils

We often work alongside neighbouring councils:

• Northumberland County Council
• Sunderland City Council
• Gateshead Council
• Cumbria County Council
• Darlington Borough Council
• Hartlepool Borough Council
• Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council 
• Middlesbrough Council
• North Yorkshire County Council  
• Westmorland and Furness Council

Place-based partnerships

Horden Together Partnership is a place-based partnership project aiming to improve public safety by offering support with a broad range of issues.

Safeguarding partnerships

• Durham Safeguarding Adults Partnership
• Durham Safeguarding Children Partnership

Theatres, museums and entertainment venues

We directly run some venues in the county, but we are also involved in others:

• The Bowes Museum
• Lamplight Theatre
• Beamish Museum

Town and parish councils

Parish & Town Councils provide different local services throughout the county.

Traffic and travel partners

Traffic and travel is vitally important to the success of County Durham in so many areas:

• Newcastle Airport is the region's largest airport, handling nearly four and a half million passengers a year. The council is a shareholder and we work with the airport in its crucial role to develop the region's culture and economy.
• Teesside International Airport
• National Highways
• a number of bus companies provide services in County Durham including Arriva North East, Go North East, and Weardale Travel buses

Voluntary organisations

Voluntary organisations carry out a lot of work, providing services and giving people the chance to develop their skills. The volunteer centres in the county can help you get involved:

• Durham Community Action
• East Durham Trust
• Voluntary and Community Sector (VCS) Alliance

We also have a range of volunteering opportunities available with us. To find out more see our volunteering page. 

Welfare organisations

Helping people with jobs and benefits is an important role for these organisations:

• Jobcentre Plus
• Tribunal Service - Social Entitlement 
• Citizens Advice County Durham 
• Age UK County Durham
• Durham County Carers Support
• Connexions County Durham

Our services

We provide many of the services for people that live and work in County Durham. You can get an idea of the public services we provide on our Council structure page. Alternatively, Contact Customer Services.