Nigel Martin

The first consultation event on the form of what will probably be kn own as Area Action Partnerships (AAP) took place in Durham Town Hall last night.

The meeting had around 90-100 attendees who were separated into 10 discussion groups which were asked to look at issues like what should be the geographical area covered by an AAP in Durham City, who should be involved, what activities should an AAP look at and what spending powers should it have.

My personal view thus far, although I am prepared to be influenced by a sensible debate on this, is that an AAP covering around 5 or 6 of the existing County Divisions would be about the right size.

This would put together Belmont, Elvet, Gilesgate, Neville’s Cross and Newton Hall, say, for the City - splitting the City area into two pieces grouped with other divisions to the east or west would appear illogical.

There is a reasonable question about whether Framwellgate Moor parish should be included, but if things have to be put together as amalgamations of county divisions, this would also have to bring in Witton Gilbert and bear Park too.

Add into the mix the fact that there a ward boundary review has just started, and it looks to me that any geographical boundaries would have to be temporary until after the result of that review is implemented.

The second issue I feel strongly about is how decisions for an AAP to spend money are taken.

Quite clearly the AAP has to involve lots of other representatives apart form the local councillors (police, health, parish and town councils, voluntary groups etc.)  but I am very clear that if an AAP has spending powers, then the final decision on wther or not to allocate money to some scheme must be with the councillors as we and we alone are accountable to the public through the ballot box for what we do.

The third issue that was discussed was how the new council should operate at ‘Neighbourhood’ level.

Clearly AAPs may turn out to be geographically quite large, and there need to be mechanisms to relate the work of the council and the councillors to smaller areas which might be a street, an estate or a village.

My table had quite a good discussion on this and agreed that it was necessary to have a good network of neighbourhood support officers to make this operate (Durham City currently runs a very effective structure with a team of 6 people covering the district).

So altogether an interesting couple of hours. One final point - the labour Leader of the Council stated explicitly that this was a genuine consultation and that nothing was yet decided. We shall be watchful to make sure he keeps to his word.