Unitary Information

In County Durham, we are working towards a new era for local government.

We are replacing our current two-tier system of councils, with a unitary system in which all of the main local government services people receive will be provided by one unitary or 'all-purpose' council.

The new unitary council will be up and running by 1 April 2009 at which point it will become responsible for all the services and functions currently provided by County Durham's existing county and district councils.

During the course of 2008-09, the county and district councils will be working closely together to prepare for unitary and to ensure 'service as usual' for residents, businesses and communities during this important period of change.

In this section, you can find out about:

• The background to unitary local government reorganisation.
• How we are managing the reorganisation programme.
• Latest news about reorganisation.
• Useful links and background information about reorganisation.