By 2035, County Durham will have more and better jobs, people will live long and independent lives and communities will be well connected and supportive.
That’s the vision being proposed for the area by the County Durham Partnership – but do you agree with this ambition for the future?
Residents, business and visitors to the county are to be asked for their views on the ambitions laid out in the vision during a consultation launched this week.
The document, which has been shaped by feedback received during an earlier round of consultation, also outlines a series of aims and objectives which underpin the vision statement.
Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “The vision will help guide the growth of the county over the next 15 years – from regeneration projects and health to police and fire and rescue services.
“It reflects the strengths, opportunities and challenges we believe we face as a county and sets out where we want to be in the future.
“It is an important document for County Durham, for all of the organisations involved but, most importantly, for our residents. With that in mind, we’re once again asking people for their feedback.
“We particularly want people to tell us whether they think the vision strikes the right balance of priorities and ambitions for the county and how, given the challenges we face, we can work together to achieve our goals.”
Once agreed, the new vision will replace the existing one, which was created in 2009 and is in need of updating with the County Durham Partnership having already successfully achieved or implemented many of its long-term aims. This includes:
• An increase in employment from 64.6 per cent in 2010 to 74.6 per cent in 2018
• A reduction in smoking from 22 per cent in 2012 to 14 per cent in 2018
• A reduction in carbon emissions of 45 per cent in the past 10 years
• A reduction of 55 percentage points in 10 years in the amount of household waste sent to landfill
Stuart Errington, Chief Fire Officer at County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, said: “County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service fully supports the ambitious vision for County Durham that has been developed through the County Durham Partnership. We look forward to working with our partners to do everything we can to make the vision a reality.”
More information, including a video and copy of the vision, is available at www.durham.gov.uk/vision.
Members of the public can have their say, by emailing [email protected]. The closing date for comments is Tuesday, July 30.
There will also be the chance to give your views at Area Action Partnership (AAP) meetings taking place across the county.