DARLINGTON Borough Council has been criticised for the way it has handled a consultation on controversial proposals.

The chair of Neasham Parish Council received a letter on Monday, December 1 asking for the parish council’s views on a contentious community governance review to be submitted by Sunday, November 30 – with the letter itself dated Friday, November 27.

Ward councillor Martin Swainston is now calling for an extension of the “failed” consultation period, saying DBC had prevented Neasham Parish Council from taking part in a process that would significantly impact on them.

The community governance review - suggested in light of upcoming changes to borough ward boundaries - would consider issues such as whether to create a new parish or alter the boundary of an existing one.

In a letter to The Northern Echo, Cllr Swainston said implications for parish councils could be “stark” and would include added financial pressure and increased precepts.

He said Neasham Parish Council’s limited opportunity to reply was insufficient and unsuitable, adding that the parish council had previously been told it would not be included in the review.

He added: “I’m not sure whether the short timescale was a result of incompetence or a deliberate attempt to prevent responses from the parish council but this sort of behaviour should not be allowed.”

Councillor Stephen Harker – the cabinet member responsible for the review – called the letter a red herring, saying parish council members had been aware of – and participated in - a lengthier consultation period and that the letter merely represented an update.

He said a representative from Neasham Parish Council had attended a meeting in November with Darlington Borough Council’s assistant chief executive Catherine Whitehead where he put forward a “strong” argument for a review to be carried out.

Cllr Harker said: “He attended as a representative of the parish council - the presumption would be that he was speaking on their behalf.

“The fact he has argued for the review and then the chair is saying they don’t want it tells me they need to talk between themselves and come to an agreement.”

Cllr Harker said if the parish council was unable to decide whether or not they wanted a review, Darlington Borough Council would have to make the decision on their behalf.

He also said parish councils would not face added financial pressure as the local authority had already pledged to fund the cost of any additional election.

A spokeswoman for Darlington Borough Council invited the parish council to submit their views prior to a council meeting on Thursday, January 29, saying that they could change the outcome.