OPPOSITION councillors have questioned the success of a series of meetings designed to give people a say in how the authority is run.

Darlington Borough Council set up the Talking Together events last summer following the mayoral referendum and council elections.

Council leader John Williams wanted to launch the sessions so the council could hear directly from residents about how to improve services.

The first meeting was held in October when dozens of people visited Willow Road Community Centre, in the Denes, to quiz councillors, officers, police and other officials.

Since then several other meetings have been held, some at schools in the area.

But at Thursday night's full council meeting, some councillors called for the idea to be refreshed.

Councillor Ron Lewis said: "The response from the public has been far from overwhelming.

"I see the need to re-energise them to find residents' concerns.

Have the past sesssions been a success given officer time and the expense involved?"

Fellow Conservative councillor Doris Jones said publicity in rural areas had been poor.

And Councillor Kate Davies requested a breakdown of the costs involved during the three rounds of meetings held so far.

Councillor Williams said doorto- door advertising had taken place in relevant areas to publicise the time and venue of meetings.

He said: "Talking Together is a genuine attempt to engage more with Darlington's citizens.

It is work in progress.

"Councillor Jenny Chapman (cabinet member for communities and engagement) realised we need a full review of how we do it. That will happen over the next few weeks and months.

"Some of the meetings have been a resounding success. There were more than 140 people at the one in the Dolphin Centre.

"We perhaps need to be more imaginative in how and where we have these meetings."

The third round of meetings ended on May 17. For information, visit darlington.gov.uk/ connectingwithcommunities