Bishop Auckland Town Council was established in May 2007. It has 11 Councillors who are elected every four years. The next election will be held in May 2025.
All councillors live in Bishop Auckland and party-political considerations are very much secondary to the well-being of their town.
The Town Council’s aims and values are set out in the following Mission Statement:
“Working in partnership to improve the quality of life for all those who live, work, visit or invest in Bishop Auckland.”
In doing so, the Council will:
Conduct business openly and democratically, and consult with local people.
- Act in the best interests of local people in making appropriate representations to Durham County Council and other appropriate private and public sector groups.
- Deliver services to the highest quality in terms of efficiency, effectiveness and value for money.
- Continue to build relationships with the community and voluntary organisations and with the statutory, public and private sector.
- Encourage and promote economic and commercial long terms plans for the town through partnership working.
- Recognise and support diversity and seek to strengthen the inclusion of all residents of Bishop Auckland.
Bishop Auckland Town Council has an office based at Kingsway Court, 54 Kingsway Bishop Auckland. It currently employs a full time Town Clerk, a full time Assistant Town Clerk, and full time Admin Assistant.
The town is also served by Durham County Council, who has responsibility for the following areas:
- Rubbish and Recycling
- Council Tax
- School and Education
- Benefits and Support
- Roads and Transport
- Leisure and Culture
- Social and Health
- Planning Property and Environment
- Libraries and Archives
- Children and Families
- Environmental Issues
- Housing
- Crime and Community Safety
- Births, Deaths and Marriages
- Voting and Elections