Welcome to the website of Dalton-le-Dale Parish Council

Dalton-le-Dale is situated in the North East of England in the rural County of Durham. It's about a mile inland of the North Sea coast, snuggled between the small towns of Seaham (to its North East) and Murton (to its South West). To the North is the city of Sunderland about six miles away with the Cathedral City of Durham about nine miles to its West.

Although situated near the busy road network of the North East it is a world apart from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding areas as it gets on with 'life' in its peaceful and tranquil environment. It is one of County Durham's smaller parishes and has a population estimated at 1,500. 

Dalton-le-Dale Parish Council has nine members based on population and electorate.  The parish council meets on the third Monday of each month (except December and August) in the Parish Hall in Dalton-le-Dale at 7 p.m. Other meetings can be convened if necessary to deal with items of urgent business.

The Council's Annual Meeting is held in May, along with the statutory Annual Meeting of Electors, where registered electors of the parish may attend and receive the Annual Report of the Chair. Electors can also question members on matters of interest. All meetings of the parish council are open to electors and every agenda gives the opportunity for residents to bring matters of concern to the attention of members of the council and to question them.

Parish Council History

Parish council roots go back to Middle Ages when village meetings were held in churches, hence the name 'Parish' Council, which is not to be confused with the ecclesiastical meetings of Parochial Church Councils. Meetings were usually held in the church vestry and were often known as vestry meetings. Parish councils were formalised by Act of Parliament in 1894, and today around 8,500 exist in England and Wales (where they are known as Community Councils). 

Dalton-le-Dale celebrated its centenary in 1996 with a service in St. Andrews's Church.