Find out about changes to our services and Christmas opening times on our Festive information page. To find out when your bin will be collected over the festive period, visit Changes to County Durham bin collections at Christmas.

Due to maintenance, the following systems will be unavailable from 11.45am on Tuesday 24 December until 8.00am on Thursday 2 January: our online Council Tax, business rates and housing benefit services, and our welfare assistance form. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

Gold Award for supporting Armed Forces community

Published March 01, 2024 9.47am

We have received national recognition for our work to support the Armed Forces community.

Cllr Robert Potts, Cllr Joan Nicholson, and Major Stephen Simpson

We have been re-awarded the Ministry of Defence's (MOD) Gold Award as part of its Employer Recognition Scheme.

The award recognises employers which demonstrate positive attitudes and policies towards serving and ex-members of the Armed Forces.

Major Stephen Simpson, Executive Officer, 8th Battalion, The Rifles, presented the certificate to our Chair, Cllr Joan Nicholson, and its Armed Forces champion, Cllr Robert Potts, before a meeting of the full council.

Cllr Joan Nicholson said: "It is an honour to be presented with this award. We strive to do all we can to support veterans and members of the armed forces community in County Durham."

Cllr Robert Potts added: "We will never forget the sacrifices made by the Armed Forces community. As a council we aim to do all we can to support them and by signing the Armed Forces Covenant we have made a promise that we will treat all those who serve, or have served in the armed forces, and their families, fairly."

More information on the support provided for all Armed Forces personnel, reservists, veterans and their families can be found at Armed Forces Outreach Service

Related information

Armed Forces support