A CITY parish council has met for the first time following elections last week.

The newly created City of Durham Parish Council met for the first time at the Shakespeare Hall, in North Road, on Thursday.

Councillor Elizabeth Scott was elected as chair while cllr Alan Doig will be vice-chair, following a tied vote between him and cllr John Ashby.

Cllr Scott said: “The overarching feeling and what I’m hearing is that people want the council to be a voice for Durham City so that’s our primary objective.

“It’s certainly my primary objective to find consensus among the political persuasions.”

The authority agreed its standing orders, financial regulations, code of conduct and complaints procedures which will allow it to function.

It has agreed to have an extraordinary meeting in the first week of June to discuss items, including setting up committees, which could include ones looking at planning and licensing issues, and deciding on a name for the council.

Cllr Jonathan Elmer said he was planning to film meetings so they will be available to watch online.

He said: “I think what we are doing should be absolutely public and transparent.”

The council is also looking at live streaming them on its website.