New political map for County Durham

NEW POLITICAL MAP FOR DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL

Good afternoon everyone and I hope this finds you well.

I thought it important to let everyone know of that the Local Government Boundary Commission for England has today published final recommendations setting out new electoral arrangements for County Durham.

The Local Government Boundary Commission is the independent body that draws these boundaries. It has reviewed County Durham to make sure councillors will represent about the same number of electors, and that division arrangements will help the council work effectively.

The Commission has published final recommendations for changes in County Durham. It says residents should be represented by 98 councillors. This is 28 fewer than current arrangements.

There will be 51 divisions and nine three-councillor divisions, 29 two-councillor divisions and 13 one-councillor divisions. The boundaries of most divisions have changed.

Currently, South Hetton, Haswell & Shotton Colliery are represented by 2 county councillors in a ward called ‘Shotton and South Hetton’.

Easington Village & Easington Colliery are represented by 2 county councillors in a ward called ‘Easington’.

The new boundaries will be as follows:

South Hetton joins with Murton and Hawthorn – that will be represented by 2 councillors in a ward called ‘Murton’.

Haswell, Haswell Plough & Shotton Colliery join with Easington Village, Easington Colliery, Sherburn Hill, Shadforth and Ludworth, – that will be represented by 3 county councillors in a ward called ‘Easington and Shotton’.

The full report and interactive mapping are available on their website at www.lgbce.org.uk/all-reviews/county-durham

The recommendations only become law once they have received parliamentary approval. The formal document (a draft Order) to start that process will be laid in Parliament shortly. The draft Order will provide for the new electoral arrangements for County Durham to come into effect for local elections in May 2025.