A COUNTY-WIDE residents' association has been formed which will align itself with the new County Durham unitary authority.

The County Durham Residents' Association (CDRA) aims to improve services and the quality of life for residents and communities.

Membership comes from the seven borough and district councils that will merge, along with Durham County Council, to form the new authority. Darlington will also be included.

The CDRA's development came from Sedgefield Residents' Federation and its chairman, Andrew Bowman, who had called for the new association.

Mr Bowman said: "As local government changes, so must we.

"The time has come for the various resident federations in the county to band together, not just to get together, but to unite and be organised effectively so they can be proactive, ensuring the community's voice is heard."

Representatives of other federations were invited to attend a meeting last October to discuss the creation of an autonomous countywide association.

Mr Bowman said he was overwhelmed with the response and that after several more meetings, the CDRA is ready to start work.

At its inaugural meeting, the CDRA will adopt its consultation, elect officers and formally accept the executive committee.

Mr Bowman said: "The 2006 local government White Paper, Strong and Prosperous Communities, laid the groundwork, and it is firmly on the side of individuals and families who wish to be involved.

"It is about empowered communities, it is about people being given more control over their lives, consulted and involved in running services, informed about the quality of services in their area, and enabled to call local agencies to account if services fail to meet their needs."

CDRA meetings are open to residents who are part of a recognised tenants' or residents' associations and community groups or partnerships in County Durham.

Places should be booked.

The first meeting of the association will take place on Tuesday, at Shildon Civic Hall, Shildon, County Durham, between 10am and 3pm.

All correspondence should be sent to the CDRA, 27 Hylton Road, Ferryhill, County Durham, DL17 8QP. For more information, call Mr Bowman on 07938-756407.