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Coordinates: 54°52′01″N 1°45′36″W / 54.867°N 1.760°W
Derwentside was, from 1974 to 2009, a local government district in County Durham, England. The district took its name from the River Derwent, which made up part of the northern border of the district. Its main towns were Consett and Stanley, with the district council offices on Consett's Medomsley Road. The rest of the district was semi-rural, with numerous former pit villages running into one another.
[edit] FormationThe district was formed on 1 April 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, which reorganised local administration throughout England and Wales. The district was a merger of three abolished districts:[1]
Derwentside was one of eight districts into which County Durham was divided in 1974. It was bounded on the east by Chester-le-Street District, to the south-east by the City of Durham and to the south and west by Wear Valley District. To the north the district was bounded by the Metropolitan County of Tyne and Wear and to the north west by Northumberland.[1] [edit] EconomyDerwentside's economy was traditionally based on the steel industry and coal mining. With the loss of these industries, the district struggled with unemployment, although European Union funding provided a boost to local businesses and visitor attractions.[citation needed] [edit] Elections and political controlThe first election to Derwentside District Council took place on 7 June 1973, with the 55 councillors elected forming a shadow authority until 1 April 1974.[1][4] Elections of the whole council were next held in 1976, and every four years thereafter.[5] Throughout the council's existence it was controlled by the Labour Party, initially with very large majorities. The main opposition group were the Derwentside Independents. At the final election prior to abolition, held in 2007, Labour's majority was reduced to only three seats.[6]
[edit] Coat of armsDerwentside District Council were granted armorial bearings by the College of Arms in 1975. The letters patent were dated 8 May 1975, and the arms were blazoned as follows:[14]
The shield had a field of silver and blue waves, representing the Rivers Derwent, Deerness and Browney. On top of this was placed a Roman eagle, for the Roman settlements at Ebchester, Lanchester, Dere Street and Stanley. About the eagle's neck was a mural crown representing a city wall, and thus local government. On the eagle's breast and wings were three crosses of Saint Cuthbert, patron saint of Durham: these suggested the union of three County Durham councils in one.[14] Upon a helm with torse and mantling was the crest. The swords and flames stood for the steel industry and the pickaxe for coalmining. Hanging from the axe was a Roman shield bearing a thunderbolt for the broadcasting station at Pontop Pike.[14] The Latin motto was Donec Defluet Amnis or Until the river ceases to flow. It was adapted from the writings of the Roman poet Horace.[14] [edit] Town TwinningDerwentside district was twinned with Werdohl in Germany.[citation needed] [edit] AbolitionThe district was abolished as part of the 2009 structural changes to local government in England. On 1 April 2009 the two-tier system of administration in County Durham was replaced, with a unitary Durham County Council replacing both the existing county council and district councils.[15] [edit] Electoral wards
[edit] References
[edit] External links
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