SENIOR council officials say the biggest cash windfall in the history of the authority represents members' best ever chance to make a difference in the borough.

Sedgefield Borough Council is to receive at least £25m from housing land sales over the next two to three years.

Changes to Government rules on how capital receipts must be spent means that the council can plough all of the money back into projects to regenerate the borough.

Council top brass have urged members to make the most of an unprecedented opportunity for the borough. Moves are already under way to identify schemes, some of which could be started before the end of the financial year.

Director of resources Brian Allen, who has worked at the authority since it was established, broke the good news to members at a full council meeting.

He said: "The council is 30 years old this year and in all that time we've never had this level of resources available to council members to deliver real change.

"I'm really trying to contain my excitement, because accountants shouldn't get excited about this kind of thing.

"But this does provide an unprecedented opportunity to make a real difference across the borough."

Speaking exclusively to The Northern Echo before the meeting, chief executive Normal Vaulks and council leader Bob Fleming said the council would ensure the money was spent responsibly.

Mr Vaulks said: "I've been here for 30 years and this is the best opportunity we've had to improve life for the people out there and we have got to make sure we make the most of it."

Councillor Fleming, who believes the £25m figure is a conservative estimate, said consultation is an important aspect of the process.

He will be talking to his fellow members, parish and town councils and the area forums and community empowerment network.

He said: "I believe this will re-invigorate the area forums when they have decisions they can make and money they can spend.

"And I put great emphasis on the town and parish councils, they've got the message that there's money out there and they want to talk to the community."