Lanchester Parish Council is a Council with a clear vision of what can be achieved for the Parish and is made up of Councillors with a range of high quality skills, abilities and experiences who are determined and who work together towards achieving that vision.

The Council has made significant improvements in recent years not least in building positive relationships with the unitary County Council and other organisations such as Lanchester Partnership, who work to improve outcomes and facilities for those living in the Parish. Lanchester Parish Council provides services that enhance life in the parish from play areas to Christmas lights and leading the debate on our area’s future.  The areas of Lanchester, Hurbuck Cottages, Hollinside, Malton and Ornsby Hill are all located within the Parish.

Lanchester Parish Council currently provides and maintains the following services within the village:

• Play Areas x 5 (Park House, Kitswell Park, Manor Grange, Hurbuck Cottages and Hollinside)
• Bike Track – Kitswell Park
• Football and cricket – Kitswell Park
• Allotments – behind Durham Road
• Village Green
• Xmas Lights
• Hanging Baskets
• Grass Cutting (some areas)
• Tree Maintenance
• Bus shelters (some)
• Public seating (some)
• General upkeep of the village
• Partnership working
• Project working

The Principal Authority consults Lanchester Parish Council on all planning matters affecting Lanchester Parish.  The Parish Council continues to fulfil its objectives in protecting and enhancing the village by its consideration of planning applications and comments to the Principal Authority which reflect the content of the Lanchester Neighbourhood Plan.

Lanchester Parish Council continues to work alongside a variety of partners including; Durham County Council, Lanchester Partnership, Police and Community Groups etc.

The Parish Council Clerk attained the CiLCA qualification in 2009 and the Parish Council achieved Quality Status in September 2009 as a result of which it has reviewed and improved all of its procedures, policies and working practises e.g. community engagement, quarterly newsletters, annual reports, councillor surgeries, complaints procedures etc. and a range of internal procedures including internal audit arrangements, risk assessment etc.

The Parish Council fulfilled the criteria and adopted the Power of Well Being in July 2009, followed by the General Power of Competence in 2013 as it understood the potential to better represent community desires and aspirations.  The newsletter and annual reports are distributed widely in the Parish and these together with the adopted Public Participation Policy have encouraged attendance at councillors surgeries and Council meetings. All members of the Council work hard for the benefit of the community.  No expenses are claimed. The Council comprises of 15 Members.