Hitachi chose to bring train building back to the region with it creation of a new assembly plant in Newton Aycliff. The company became one of the biggest investors in the region and helped create thousands of jobs, with 800 at the plant itself.

Atom Bank, Britain’s first digital bank, helped create 400 new jobs with picking Aykley Heads to be its new home ahead of other areas from across the country.

£10 million has been invested by Durham County Council in Town Centre regeneration, including a targeted business support scheme which has supported more than 200 businesses across our town centres.

Durham has held the largest participatory budget events ever held in England, with approximately 1,500 residents taking part in an event in Crook voting to allocate £500,000 and similar numbers in Stanley, Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street and elsewhere voting how to allocate community budgets of up to £100,000. More than 30,000 people have now taken part in PB events, making decisions on how money should be spent locally.

Durham has held the largest participatory budget events ever held in England, with approximately 1,500 residents taking part in an event in Crook voting to allocate £500,000 and similar numbers in Stanley, Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street and elsewhere voting how to allocate community budgets of up to £100,000. More than 30,000 people have now taken part in PB events, making decisions on how money should be spent locally.

Durham has held the largest participatory budget events ever held in England, with approximately 1,500 residents taking part in an event in Crook voting to allocate £500,000 and similar numbers in Stanley, Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street and elsewhere voting how to allocate community budgets of up to £100,000. More than 30,000 people have now taken part in PB events, making decisions on how money should be spent locally.

Durham has held the largest participatory budget events ever held in England, with approximately 1,500 residents taking part in an event in Crook voting to allocate £500,000 and similar numbers in Stanley, Spennymoor, Chester-le-Street and elsewhere voting how to allocate community budgets of up to £100,000. More than 30,000 people have now taken part in PB events, making decisions on how money should be spent locally.

We have worked in partnership with housing providers to develop new independent living schemes for people with learning disabilities and autism in Consett, Ferryhill, Blackhall Colliery, Esh Winning and Durham City.

We have worked in partnership with housing providers to develop new independent living schemes for people with learning disabilities and autism in Consett, Ferryhill, Blackhall Colliery, Esh Winning and Durham City.

We have worked in partnership with housing providers to develop new independent living schemes for people with learning disabilities and autism in Consett, Ferryhill, Blackhall Colliery, Esh Winning and Durham City.

We have worked in partnership with housing providers to develop new independent living schemes for people with learning disabilities and autism in Consett, Ferryhill, Blackhall Colliery, Esh Winning and Durham City.

Almost all waste in County Durham is now diverted away from landfill sites, following the introduction of alternate weekly collections and the re-procurement of all key waste contracts.

Ten Green Flags have been awarded to County Durham Parks and Cemeteries, the highest number in the North East.

Improvement have been made at junction 63 of the A1 (M) at Chester-le-Street to improved traffic flow at the junction.

After attracting over 200,000 visitors to the region, Lumiere is now the largest light festival in the UK. The festival has taken place in Durham four times and helps boost the economy by £20 million. Lumiere is set to return in November 2017.

There have been a range of successful public events at Locomotion Museum in Shildon including visits by the Flying Scotsman, attracting thousands of visitors to the county.

Newton Aycliffe Business Park is now the largest business park in North East England, with a further development at Forrest Park, which aims to bring 3,000 more jobs, now underway.

Seaham Marina rejuvenation project was successfully completed in July 2013, winning several awards. The site now includes cafes, shops and the restored lifeboat house.

The extension of Dalton Park started in June 2015 with aims to boost the counties economy by creating several jobs at its new cinema, restaurants and brand new hotel.

NetPark at Sedgefield continues to grow, with the creation of thousands of jobs the development of new technologies within the region. The exciting next phase of expansion is due to start in spring 2017.

The exciting restoration of the Witham in Barnard Castle has provided a luxury space in the area and includes a 225-seat auditorium for conference, theatre, events and cinema.

The refurbished Wharton Park in Durham City re-opened in 2016 following £3 million of investment, including new children’s playgrounds, signposting and a community café.

Facilities at the Riverside Park have also improved with the re-introduction of the popular ‘Splashpad’ area.

There has been a major refurbishment of Durham Crematorium and work undertaken to cut emissions as well as plans to do the same with other sites such as Mountsett Crematorium.

Almost £45 million was invested in a new Academy and Leisure Centre in Consett which helped transform facilities for young people and the wider community.

70,000 cricket fans came to the region to watch England win the 2013 Ashes series. This was the first time the Durham hosted the major events which was broadcast across the world.

New exhibitions came to a number of venues acorss the county, such as Durham Cathedral, the Bowes Museum at Barnard Castle as well as the oping of the new exhibition space at Palace Green Library.

The council are aiding in the major expansions of visitor attractions at Auckland Castle and Beamish which aim to attract hundereds of thousands more visitors to County Durham.

The council are aiding in the major expansions of visitor attractions at Auckland Castle and Beamish which aim to attract hundereds of thousands more visitors to County Durham.

We have created an arms-length company Chapter Homes to offer better choice for house buyers and create job opportunities. The pilot scheme at Newton Aycliffe will provide around 125 new homes and an economic impact of around £12.5 million.

The council secured £17 million in funding from EU to help develop skills and increase opportunities for 6,000 young people across County Durham.

As one of its first decisions, the new council created fourteen Area Action Partnerships (AAPs) which aimed to improve the engagement of residents, community representatives and partners. This has developed to 14,000 members across County Durham, who participate in a wide range of decision making events.

There were big falls in anti-social behaviour of almost 50% across County Durham between 2010 and 2015.

A Dementia Strategy has been agreed to help those with the condition, as well as their carers, build dementia-friendly communities and provide support who most need it.

The County Durham Better Care Fund plan helps people to stay independent in their own homes for longer through the provision of services such as telecare, reablement, community services and support for carers.

The council has helped with providing more than 1,000 additional primary school places by building extensions to schools, remodelling or refurbishment.

The Digital Durham Programme, delivered on time and to budget, is on course to deliver super-fast broadband to 98% of all households across the county.

Durham County Council has implemented and maintained a Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme that continues to protect thousands of vulnerable working age claimants – one of only two authorities in the North East to have done so.

The Freeman’s Reach development in the city centre has safeguarded 1,200 jobs as well as opening a riverside walk and restaurant.

The council have worked closely with Auckland Castle Trust to give continued support in running events such as the hugely successful Kynren, which brought more than 100,000 visitors to the area last year. They have also aided in the continued improvements of traffic flow around the castle.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gave out a number of awards in the Northumbria in Bloom competition, including a Gold award for Durham City and Silver Gilt with Chester-le Street winning ‘Best Large Town’.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) gave out a number of awards in the Northumbria in Bloom competition, including a Gold award for Durham City and Silver Gilt with Chester-le Street winning ‘Best Large Town’.

Improvements to Libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

Improvements to libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

Improvements to libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

Improvements to libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

Improvements to libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

Improvements to libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

Improvements to libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

Improvements to libraries have included the refurbishment of libraries in Chester-le-Street, Consett and Durham City as well as the relocation of others to improve multi-use facilities in Barnard Castle, Crook, Newton Aycliffe, Pelton and Stanley.

The Northlands roundabout in Chester-le-Street has also been improved with the aim of better public safety for pedestrians, including children walking to Park View school.

A new travel hub, which aims to provides information on walking, cycling, bus and rail services, has opened in Bishop Auckland as part of a redevelopment of the town’s railway station.

A spectacular summer of events in 2016 including Kynren: A Tale of England at Bishop Auckland saw a surge in visitor numbers and spending.

The new roundabout at Sunderland Bridge in the city centre has helped eased congestion and improved road safety.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

Customer Access Points, which help local residents access a range of council services, have been opened in across County Durham.

A new POP card was introduced for the Council’s Park & Ride making journeys cheaper and easier to use by allowing travellers to get straight onto the bus, avoiding queues at ticket machines.

A new POP card was introduced for the Council’s Park & Ride making journeys cheaper and easier to use by allowing travellers to get straight onto the bus, avoiding queues at ticket machines.

A new POP card was introduced for the Council’s Park & Ride making journeys cheaper and easier to use by allowing travellers to get straight onto the bus, avoiding queues at ticket machines.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

Speed limits have been cut in a number of residential areas after consultation with residents. The road safety schemes have seen cuts in speed limits in residential streets to 20 MPH. This has included a number of areas outside our local schools to improve public safety, with futher expansion of the scheme expected.

A range of other world class public events are held every year, including the successful Durham Book Festival and Bishop Auckland Food Festival.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service. The new register office at Aykley Heads House provides a choice of celebratory rooms in an elegant listed building.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service.

The Registrars service has been reviewed and improved, entering into a shared service agreement with Northumberland County Council with an increased focus on customer service.