Out of time (From Durham Times)

Out of time

6:00am Friday 27th July 2012 in Leader By Malcolm Warne

THIS newspaper has championed the idea that Durham should have a town council to represent the city.

We have always thought it appropriate that a community with the heritage and pride of Durham should be represented by a body which speaks solely for the interest of the city and its residents.

However, the residents have spoken on the issue on the creation of a new, albeit small, local authority and it is clear the majority are not fussed.

The majority of households did not even bother to express an opinion either way.

It is, as Durham County Council leader Simon Henig puts it, hardly a ringing endorsement of the idea.

Perhaps the timing of this consultation exercise has been wrong.

With so much time and energy being expended on the business of ensuring local government in its current form survives, the concept of extending government in this small way is just inappropriate right now.

It is a luxury residents feel they can do without.

It may be that, at some point in the future, the city decides that the 14 Durham area ward councillors representing a minority on the 126-strong Durham County Council cannot adequately represent the city’s interests.

At that point, the idea of a council for the city and the city alone may be resurrected.

Its time may yet come.