DURHAM appears split over plans to create a new town council, following a public meeting to debate the issue.

Around 80 people attended a debate on the proposals during a meeting of Durham’s Area Action Partnership in Durham Town Hall on Monday night.

But while some backed the plans, others questioned them; leaving the debate without a conclusive result.

Much debate focused on: whether students would contribute to the costs of a new authority, whether Newton Hall should be included; and how the mayor would fare under any new set-up.

John Lightley, from High Shincliffe, said his parish was too small and backed a town council covering Durham City and Newton Hall.

Tony Cowan, from Belmont, said: "If you’re going to have a town council, it should include the whole of the town – Belmont, Carrville, perhaps Shincliffe.

"Can we have a larger, viable organisation, rather than little, penny-pinching organisations? Let’s have one big town council."

Sherburn Parish Council chairman Stuart Walton said: "Having a parish council is about having a community. Within communities we need a central force and I think that could be the parish council.

"The people who live in the city would be better able to identify their needs than the county council. I think it’s the best thing you could do."

County councillor Dennis Southwell urged residents to think about the mayoralty very carefully and asked whether they wanted the Mayor of Durham to become a parish council chairman.

One man asked: "Where is the popular demand for this change? There’s a lot of people out there who are apathetic and they’re being ignored."

Despite earlier plans, an open floor debate was allowed.

Durham County Council currently is running a public consultation, asking Durham residents whether they want a single town council covering Durham and Newton Hall, separate parish councils for the two areas or neither and support retaining the Charter Trust, currently responsible for the Mayor of Durham.

The consultation ends on Thursday, May 31.

If a new council is set up, the first elections would be held next May.

For more information, visit durham.gov.uk/communitygovernance or call 0191-3833861.