Welcome to the new invigorated Darlington Council .
You voted for a change on the 2nd May and you will see evidence on your roads and streets and in your communities in the next few months. We listened and we will respond.
Over the next few months you will also hopefully start to see positive changes in communication. We are committed to making communication with Council simpler, more transparent and more straightforward, and to improving the quality of the content and information available from Council via all forms of media.
We are committed to working with anyone who wishes to join with us to positively improve the quality of life for all Darlington residents as far as is practicable.
Darlington had a reputation for being a market town with the historic market hall as the jewel in the crown.
Exciting plans are being developed to restore and enhance our town centre spaces attracting shoppers and visitors to enjoy our heritage attractions and be encouraged to stay and enjoy the numerous cafes and restaurants by our free parking offers.
The area is also being enhanced by the planting of some mature trees to make it a healthier, more
appealing and importantly, greener environment to encourage visitors to spend more time within our beautiful town and to benefit our own residents, families and workers who are Darlington’s regular service users.
Residents are rightly extremely dissatisfied with the litter and fly tipping which blights many of our areas and we will explore every avenue to deal effectively with this unacceptable problem.
We have been fortunate to have benefitted from £85 million devolved budget from Ben Houchen and the Tees Valley Combined Authority. We must ensure it is spent wisely and speedily so you can all benefit from this welcome contribution.
Environmental considerations must be to the forefront of all our decisions. Including in planning, recycling, the use of plastic wrapping, transport congestion, appropriate tree planting and play areas, to name just a few.
We now have a more diverse make up of councillors and we are all united by our concern for the future health and prosperity of our unique and special town. We are committed and determined to make the most of this opportunity to make a positive change and contribution to Darlington and those who live, work and visit here. We will do our very best to live up to your expectations.
Heather Scott
Leader of Darlington Council.
