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ON the eve of the biggest council shake-up in a generation, Local Government Minister John Healey said: "The acid test will be whether these councils deliver their promises including better services, leadership and achieving more for less." One month after the new unitary Durham County Council came into being, The Northern Echo has launched a year-long series taking an in-depth look at whether the council is meeting that test.

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A beacon of stability – or a shambolic mess?

CRITICAL: John Shuttleworth

8:48am Tuesday 2nd March 2010

LAST year’s reorganisation will allow Durham County Council to save more money and shed more jobs than originally promised, chiefs at the new "super council" have claimed.

Are you being served?

EVIDENCE OF IMPROVEMENTS: In April, Evan Jones helped Durham County Council launch its bus poster campaign publicising free swimming for under-19s and over-60s

9:04am Saturday 2nd January 2010

THE old Durham County Council was often said to lack leadership. Critics saw a county torn between two city regions: Tyne and Wear to the north and the Tees Valley to the south. There was much talk of Durham not "punching its weight".

Watchdog: Leaders are more effective

9:06am Saturday 2nd January 2010

DURHAM County Council is now providing more effective leadership, according to the Audit Commission.

Housing a key area for revival

GIVING VIEWS: John Humes outside his home

8:10am Tuesday 4th August 2009

ON the eve of the biggest council in a generation, Local Government Minister John Healey said: “The acid test will be whether these councils deliver their promises including better services, leadership and achieving more for less.”

Will action partnerships win over a sceptical public?

SEAT OF POWER: County Hall, in Durham City

8:12am Thursday 2nd July 2009

In the third of a monthly series analysing whether the new Durham County Council is delivering for the area, Mark Tallentire examines how the authority is keeping the public informed of its work

Challenge for dale lies in punching above its weight

REMOTE LOCATION: Teesdale may be idyllic, but living there comes with problems

8:14am Thursday 2nd July 2009

Acid Test: ON the eve of the biggest council shake-up for a generation, Local Government Minister John Healey said: “The acid test will be whether these councils deliver their promises including better services, leadership and achieving more for less.”

Mixed results for several initiatives

Council leader: Simon Henig

12:03pm Thursday 2nd July 2009

THE council has launched a number of initiatives aimed at bringing it closer to the public, with mixed success.

A tale of two collections

George Taylor, who lives in the part of Esh Winning which was formerly Derwentside district, puts out his green bin.

4:08pm Tuesday 2nd June 2009

IT’S a bright and breezy Wednesday morning: bin day in Esh Winning. In Willow Road, George Taylor is preparing to walk the dog, while his wife, Christine, makes clothes for the grandchildren.

Two views on the first budget

5:30am Friday 1st May 2009

In the first of a monthly series analysing whether the new unitary council is delivering for Durham, Mark Tallentire examines council tax.

Decision not to draw on reserves was 'sensible'

Expert view: Professor Martin Laffin believes the council is already feeling the impact of the credit crunch

5:00am Friday 1st May 2009

THE council was sensible not to draw on reserves to fund tax cuts, according to a local government expert.

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