A COUNTY council has agreed to carry on supporting the country's smallest local authority while it undergoes a staffing problem.

Durham County Council has said its stop-gap aid to Teesdale District Council could pave the way for more permanent partnership arrangements between councils.

Earlier this year, the county council agreed to support Teesdale to cover the vacant post of chief executive and help with a recovery programme after a critical inspection.

The county council also provides support in areas such as purchasing, media relations, legal and corporate services.

Kingsley Smith, the former county council chief executive and now chairman of the County Durham Development Company, took on the vacant role at Teesdale and expected to be working two or three days a week until Christmas.

Yesterday, the county council agreed to extend his appointment until March. By that time, the programme of work should be completed and a permanent chief executive appointed.

The county council also agreed to provide support for nine months from next month when Teesdale's head of financial services takes maternity leave.

County council leader Ken Manton said: "These temporary arrangements to support Teesdale provide us with a good opportunity to explore in greater depth the whole prospect of partnership working within different tiers of local government.

"It seems to us that in sharing expertise, manpower and costs, there may also be other benefits to be shared."

District council leader Councillor Ken Robinson said: "Our arrangements with the county council to cover temporary staffing difficulties are working very well and I share Coun Manton's view that there may be scope for developing more permanent arrangements within local government generally.

"I am also very pleased with the additional support we are receiving from Darlington Borough Council."