Willington is located on the A690 approximately 8 miles from Durham City and the A1(M) in the County of Durham. This once thriving and close knit former coal mining community formed the Greater Willington Town Council in 2007.
Based on the High Street at Willington, the Council currently has eleven members covering the communities of Sunnybrow, Page Bank, Oakenshaw and Willington. Administrative support is provided by Emma McCann, Deputy Town Clerk.
Councillor Dorothy Hales is the Town Mayor and Chairman of the Council. Councillor Angela Smith is the Deputy Town Mayor.
Volunteer members of the town council are working on behalf of local residents to improve conditions across the area wherever possible.
Although there are financial constraints on our expenditure we promise to spend what we have prudently and seek to persuade and influence other organisations to use their budgets to support our aspirations across a range of interests and services.
Committee Meetings
Committee Meetings
Council Meetings are once per month and you can download the relevant minutes as they become available.
Members of the public are welcome to attend and observe any of the council meetings. Every Meeting Agenda has a public participation item. The meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month at 6.00pm.
If you wish to raise an issue for discussion please contact the Town Clerk no later than 12 noon prior to the meeting, so that time can be allocated to accommodate your request to speak.
Councillor Dorothy Hales has lived in Willington for 30 years. She is a retired Primary School Head teacher who has spent almost 40 years working in schools in and around County Durham. Dot is passionate about giving young people a voice and involving them in decision making with matters relevant to them. In her spare time she is involved
Councillor Dorothy Hales has lived in Willington for 30 years. She is a retired Primary School Head teacher who has spent almost 40 years working in schools in and around County Durham. Dot is passionate about giving young people a voice and involving them in decision making with matters relevant to them. In her spare time she is involved with Girlguiding. She is a Rainbow and Brownie Guide leader as well as being a Division Commissioner with responsibility for 17 units. Dot also volunteers at St Cuthberts Hospice and enjoys spending time on the allotment which she shares with her husband. Councillor Hales has responsibility for management issues.
Councillor Angela Smith - Deputy Town Mayor
Councillor Angela Smith - Deputy Town Mayor
Councillor Angela Smith - Deputy Town Mayor
Councillor Smith has lived in Willington for over 30 years. She is driven to engage and support her local community. Angela is a School Governor and a now retired Teaching Assistant. She spends some of her time working with young people who want to achieve Outward Bound Awards. Angela is dedicated to making sure the youth is heard and is keen to initiate a Youth Council.
Councillor Charles Hales
Councillor Angela Smith - Deputy Town Mayor
Councillor Margaret Elgie
Charles has lived in Willington for the last 30+ years. His working life has been spent working in education, in local schools and in Durham City where he became examinations secretary, Faculty lead and head of department working with senior managers and in developing active Citizenship across the age and ability range. He remains committ
Charles has lived in Willington for the last 30+ years. His working life has been spent working in education, in local schools and in Durham City where he became examinations secretary, Faculty lead and head of department working with senior managers and in developing active Citizenship across the age and ability range. He remains committed to education as an A level senior examiner in the UK with a major international examination board.
Charles has a passion for the heritage of the region and the importance of community and identity. He is a private and public tour Guide at Durham Cathedral in addition to being a visitor experience welcome steward. He has worked within GWTC on several heritage initiatives.
Having the shared portfolio for allotments within GWTC has allowed him to promote and participate in their social and health benefits and helping to provide produce for Open-Door Church food bank in recent years as part of a year-round plan to maximise the potential of allotments.
As a member of the GWTC Environment Group, he remains committed to working to enhance the local environment and in supporting the planting initiatives the Group maintains with local primary schools
In addition to his environmental and heritage interests, he is a member for County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust where he is encouraged to express his interests in local community health care provision and current concerns. Equally on a more direct and pro-active level, as a member of the Patient Participation Group based in Willington Surgery. Consequently he remains committed to active participation in a wide range of council activities and public events for the benefit of the wider community within GWTC.
Councillor Margaret Elgie
Councillor Stephen Jackson
Councillor Margaret Elgie
Councillor Elgie is retired and from Sunnybrow. She values the importance of Neighbourhood Watch Schemes and any activities that help tackle crime. She also organises the Dovedale Bingo Group.
Councillor Pauline Savage
Councillor Stephen Jackson
Councillor Stephen Jackson
Councillor Savage has lived in Willington all her life. She is retired after working in social housing for forty years and now enjoys looking after her grandson William. She chairs the Greater Willington Environmental Group and is committed to improving the natural environment. Pauline is keen to continue the bulb and tree planting around
Councillor Savage has lived in Willington all her life. She is retired after working in social housing for forty years and now enjoys looking after her grandson William. She chairs the Greater Willington Environmental Group and is committed to improving the natural environment. Pauline is keen to continue the bulb and tree planting around the town with members of the council and our community. She is also part of the Willington litter picking group.
Councillor Stephen Jackson
Councillor Stephen Jackson
Councillor Stephen Jackson
Councillor Jackson is a lifelong resident of Willington who attended Willington Primary School and Parkside Comprehensive. He is a self-employed Painter and Decorator. Stephen has undertaken many community roles. He was Church of England Primary School Governor for 4 years and led the weekly after school cross country running programme. H
Councillor Jackson is a lifelong resident of Willington who attended Willington Primary School and Parkside Comprehensive. He is a self-employed Painter and Decorator. Stephen has undertaken many community roles. He was Church of England Primary School Governor for 4 years and led the weekly after school cross country running programme. He coached football at Willington Spectrum Leisure Centre each week as a volunteer for nine years. He has been involved with Willington Youth Football for 22 years, during this time he coached both boys and girls football and was also Chairman. Stephen coached Junior cricket at Willington Cricket Club and was also Chairman. His aim as a Town Councillor is to improve the town and be approachable to residents with concerns they may have.
Emma McCann –Town Clerk
Emma McCann –Town Clerk
Emma McCann –Town Clerk
Emma has lived in Willington most of her life and she is very passionate about serving her local community. She has been in post since 2010 and over this period of time has taken on many responsibilities. These include overseeing the portfolio of the allotments and working closely with Councillors and tenants. She is an avid campaigner i
Emma has lived in Willington most of her life and she is very passionate about serving her local community. She has been in post since 2010 and over this period of time has taken on many responsibilities. These include overseeing the portfolio of the allotments and working closely with Councillors and tenants. She is an avid campaigner in organising youth and family events. This is able to happen by her working tirelessly to bring in extra funding. These has seen an increase that the town council has been able to provide and she strives to continue to actively work with local organisations and schools. Emma was also given the Management responsibility of the GWTC offices refurbishment which was a great undertaking to create a local base for supporting our community.
News and Events
Services in Your Local Area
Citizens Advice
Durham County Council Services
Durham County Council Services
Citizens Advice provide free, confidential and impartial advice. Their goal is to help everyone find a way forward, whatever problem they face. People visit Citizens Advice with all sorts of issues. You may have money, benefit, housing or employment problems. You may be facing a crisis, or just considering your options.
For general advice call Adviceline: 0808 278 7821 Monday to Friday 9am-4pm
For debt advice call Citizens Advice National Debt Helpline: 0800 240 4420
Monday to Friday 9am- 8pm. Saturday 9.30am-1.00pm
For goods and services purchased call Consumer Helpline: 0808 223 1133
Monday to Friday 9am-5pm
For help applying for your first Universal Credit claim call Universal Credit Helpline (freephone):
0800 144 8 444 Monday to Friday 8am – 6pm
For personal or workplace pension advice call Pension Wise:
Come along to your next PACT meeting and meet your local beat team. PACT meetings are held at 6pm bimonthly at the Town Council office, 67 High Street, Willington, DL15 0PF
Greater Willington Town Council
Greater Willington Town Council, 67 High Street, Willington, Co. Durham DL15 0PF
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