Previous consultations and outcomes - 2023
We consult on a range of issues on a regular basis. This page lists the consultations we carried out in 2023.
Council Plan 2024 to 2028
Have your say on the Council Plan 2024 to 2028, including our equality objectives.
Consultation on our Council Plan 2024 to 2028
The closing date for comments is 5.00pm on Monday 1 January 2024.
Next phase of our housing conversation
Get involved in the final phase of our housing conversation and help to shape our strategy to meet the county's housing needs both now and in the future.
Join the next phase of our housing conversation
The closing date for comments is 5.00pm on Monday 18 December 2023.
Draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy
Tell us what you think about our draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy.
Consultation on the draft Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy
The closing date for comments is 5.00pm on Monday 18 December 2023.
Proposal to close Rookhope Primary School
We are proposing to close Rookhope Primary School on 31 August 2024.
Proposal to close Rookhope Primary School
The closing date for comments was Thursday 14 December 2023.
Further proposals to balance the Council budget
As we continue to work towards finalising our budget proposals for next year, we continue to experience significant financial uncertainly, due to high inflation and service demand. The estimated budget deficit we face next year and across the next four years has increased, and therefore the scale of the savings we need to balance our budget has increased. With that in mind further savings are proposed for consultation.
Consultation on further proposals to balance the Council budget
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 3 December 2023.
Design Code Supplementary Planning Document
Following on from our initial consultation in the spring of this year, we want your views on the amended County Durham Design Code Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out guidance to ensure development is well designed and fits with its surroundings.
Design Code Supplementary Planning Document consultation (stage two)
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 3 December 2023.
Energy Efficiency, Renewables and the Historic Environment Supplementary Planning Document
We want your views on our new document, which sets out guidance for property owners considering making energy efficiency or renewable energy improvements within the historic environment, for example buildings which are listed, non-designated heritage buildings and properties within conservation areas.
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 3 December 2023.
Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document
We want your views on our new document, which sets out guidance to promote good shopfront design, restoration, and refurbishment.
Shopfront Design Guide Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultation
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 3 December 2023.
Trees, Woodlands and Hedges Supplementary Planning Document
Following on from our initial consultation in the spring of this year, we now want your views on the amended draft document which sets out guidance to ensure trees, woodlands and hedges are fully considered as part of the planning process.
Trees, Woodland and Hedges Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultation (stage two)
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 3 December 2023.
Corporate Enforcement Policy
Have your say on our revised Corporate Enforcement Policy which outlines how we administer and enforce a range of legislation across a variety of services which helps to protect our residents' health, safety and welfare, prevent crime, improve the environment and support the local economy.
Corporate Enforcement Policy consultation
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 26 November 2023.
Stopping the Start: stopping people taking up smoking and tackling youth vaping
The Government asked for views on a range of new measures that will help to create a smokefree generation and tackle youth vaping. Help us to develop a County Durham response.
Stopping the Start: stopping people taking up smoking and tackling youth vaping - have your say
Our survey closed at 5.00pm on Thursday 23 November 2023.
Car parking charges and tariff review
Have your say on proposed changes to car parking charges in Durham City, Seaham and Crimdon.
Car parking charges and tariff review
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Monday 13 November 2023.
Polling District and Polling Places Review 2023
Every five years, we must legally complete a review of our polling districts and polling places. The next scheduled review must be completed by 31 January 2025 and will include proposed changes to Parliamentary boundaries which are being reviewed for the next UK Parliamentary General election.
Polling District and Polling Places Review 2023
The closing date for comments was Monday 30 October 2023.
Proposal to close Rookhope Primary School
Have your say on our proposal to close Rookhope Primary School on 31 August 2024.
Proposal to close Rookhope Primary School
The closing date for comments was Sunday 29 October 2023.
Enhanced Learning Provision for Chester-le-Street CoE Primary and Leadgate Primary Schools
We wanted your views on proposals for these two schools to include extra support for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND) (known as Enhanced Learning Provision (ELP) status).
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Thursday 26 October 2023.
Budget proposals for 2024/5 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2025-2028
Have your say on our budget proposals for 2024/25, as well as on how we meet the financial challenges we face over the next four years.
Consultation on our budget proposals for 2024/5 and Medium Term Financial Plan 2025-2028
The closing date for online comments was 5.00pm on Friday 20 October 2023.
Increasing the council tax on empty properties and second homes
We are reviewing our policy around council tax charges for empty properties and second homes. We want your views on whether to increase the amount we charge (premium) for long term empty properties and second homes.
Consultation on increasing the council tax on empty properties and second homes
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on 13 September 2023.
Policy for school and social care transport contracts
We are consulting on a new policy for people who provide transport for us and act as a driver or passenger assistant, to ensure the safety of all passengers.
Consultation on a policy for school and social care transport contracts
The consultation closed at 5.00pm on 10 September 2023.
Sedgefield and Fishburn Section 106 community funding
Help us to decide how to spend the Section 106 Community Fund for Sedgefield, Fishburn, Mordon, Bradbury, Thorpe Larches and the surrounding area (the Sedgefield ward of County Durham).
Sedgefield and Fishburn Section 106 community funding consultation
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Friday 18 August 2023.
Our housing conversation
We'd like to hear from you to help us write our next housing strategy. Join our housing conversation and help us shape a new plan to meet your housing needs, your community's needs and the needs of the county both now and in the future.
The closing date for all comments and surveys was 5.00pm on 18 August 2023.
Libraries for you - digital review
As part of the review of our libraries, we are looking at what digital services they offer. We invite you to come to an online event on Microsoft Teams to join the discussion and share your thoughts and ideas about what we offer now and what you would like us to offer in the future.
The event took place at 12.00pm on Wednesday 16 August.
Our plan to help people become more active in County Durham
Following conversations with people to find out what would help them be more active, we are now consulting on a new strategy called the Moving Together in County Durham.
Consultation on our plan to help people become more active in County Durham
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 16 July 2023.
Sexual Health Strategy for County Durham 2023-2028
Have your say on our new sexual health strategy that will support the sexual health needs of the people of County Durham.
Sexual Health Strategy for County Durham 2023-2028 consultation
The consultation closed for comments at 5.00pm on Sunday 6 August 2023.
Solar Energy Supplementary Planning Document
We want your views on the County Durham Solar Energy Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out guidance to ensure solar development takes place in suitable locations and is well designed.
Solar Energy Supplementary Planning Document consultation
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 9 July 2023.
Parking and Accessibility Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (stage 3)
We want your views on the final draft of the SPD following the two rounds of consultation in 2021 and 2022. The SPD provides guidance to ensure an appropriate level of parking for a variety of modes of transport on all new developments.
Parking and Accessibility Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultation (stage three)
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 9 July 2023.
Youth vaping
The government is asking for feedback to identify how to reduce the number of under 18s accessing and using vape (ecigarette) products, while still making sure that adults can access them to help stop smoking. Help us to develop a County Durham response.
Information gathering on youth vaping
The survey closed for comments at 5.00pm on Tuesday 30 May 2023.
Digital Strategy
Your opportunity to comment on our draft Digital Strategy 2023-2028.
Have your say on our draft Digital Strategy
The deadline for comments was 11.59pm on Thursday 18 May 2023.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) 4
Tell us what you think about the proposals to improve County Durham's Public Rights of Way (PROW) for all users, ensuring they are fit for the 21st century.
Rights of Way Improvement Plan (ROWIP) 4 consultation
The consultation closed at 5.00pm on Wednesday 26 July 2023.
Review of County Durham's electoral boundaries
The Local Government Boundary Commission is reviewing the electoral areas in County Durham to make sure councillors represent an equal number of people and the boundaries help with effective council work. As part of this review, the total number of councillors will be reduced from 126 to 98 and will consist of 48 divisions, including nine single councillor divisions, 28 two councillor divisions and 11 three councillor divisions.
To have your say on their proposals, visit review of County Durham’s electoral boundaries.
The consultation closes on Monday 10 July 2023.
Corporate financial appointees
We are considering introducing charges for using our Corporate Financial Appointee services.
Corporate financial appointee consultation
The consultation closed at 5.00pm on Friday 19 May 2023.
Health and wellbeing in County Durham 2023
This consultation gives you the chance to have your say on how we will improve health and wellbeing services across County Durham.
Consultation on health and wellbeing in County Durham 2023
The consultation closed at 12 noon on Thursday 13 April 2023.
County Durham community engagement
Tell us what you think about proposals to improve how we work with our communities and residents to better support your future needs. A number of changes have been proposed in an independent review of our current community engagement practises.
County Durham community engagement consultation
The deadline for comments was 5.00pm on Sunday 23 April 2023.
Home to school transport
This consultation gives you the chance to have your say on proposed changes to our home to school transport service.
Have your say on the review of home to school transport
The closing date for comments was Wednesday 12 April 2023.
Design Code Supplementary Planning Document
We want your views on the County Durham Design Code Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which sets out guidance to ensure development is well designed and fits with its surroundings
Design Code Supplementary Planning Document consultation
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on 11 April 2023.
Development Viability, Affordable Housing and Financial Contributions Supplementary Planning Document (second stage)
We want your views on the updated draft Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) (originally called Developer Contributions) following consultation during 2022.
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on 11 April 2023.
Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document
We want your views on the Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) which provides guidance on housing matters including housing for older people, students and first time buyers
Housing Needs Supplementary Planning Document consultation
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on 11 April 2023.
Trees, Woodland and Hedges Supplementary Planning Document
We want your views on the draft document which sets out guidance to ensure trees, woodlands and hedges are fully considered as part of the planning process, so that the multiple benefits that they provide can be experienced by the residents of, and visitors to County Durham.
Trees, Woodland and Hedges Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) consultation
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on 11 April 2023.
North East Devolution Deal
This consultation gives you the chance to have your say on the North East Devolution Deal.
Have your say on the North East Devolution Deal
The closing date for comments was Thursday 23 March 2023.
Bishop Auckland bus station and car parking
We want your views on proposed designs for a new bus station and car park in Bishop Auckland on the current bus station site. We also want your views on the existing Newgate Centre multi-storey car park and how it could be improved in the future.
Consultation on Bishop Auckland bus station and car parking
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on 12 March 2023.
Development of new play area at Hardwick Park
Tell us what you'd like to see included in a brand new play area at Hardwick Park in Sedgefield.
Consultation on the development of new play area at Hardwick Park
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on 26 February 2023.
Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog ownership
Tell us what you think about expanding the Public Space Protection Order we have in place to deal with issues arising from irresponsible dog ownership.
Review of the Public Space Protection Order (PSPO) for dog ownership 2023
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Monday 13 March 2023.
Customer Access Points
Let us know how we can improve the services we offer from our Customer Access Points (CAPs) and your views on our proposal to change the opening hours in four of our least used CAPs.
Review of Customer Access Points
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Monday 6 March 2023.
Review of traffic sensitive streets
This consultation gives you the chance to have your say on a review of the streets in County Durham that are designated as traffic sensitive.
Review of traffic sensitive streets
The closing date for comments was 5.00pm on Friday 24 February 2023.
