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.

North East Combined Authority

The North East Combined Authority was formed on 7 May 2024. Led by Elected Mayor Kim McGuinness and her Cabinet, it covers the seven local authority areas of County Durham, Gateshead, Newcastle, North Tyneside, Northumberland, South Tyneside and Sunderland.

We are represented on the Cabinet by Cllr Amanda Hopgood, who leads the culture, creative, tourism and sport portfolio.

The Cabinet is the main decision-making body of the North East Combined Authority. It is made up of the Mayor and one councillor from each of the seven constituent authorities. There are also two non-voting members representing the business and community and voluntary sectors.

The purpose of the North East Combined Authority is to champion the full potential of our region. Collaborating with partners and local authorities, it aims to create a better way of life by connecting communities, giving people the skills to succeed, and improving wellbeing for all, so that the North East is recognised as an outstanding place to live, work, visit and invest.

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