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About Us
We are the Local Council for Annfield Plain, Bloemfontein, Catchgate, Clough Dene, Craghead, Greencroft, Harelaw, Kip Hill, The Middles, New Kyo, No Place, Oxhill, Quaking Houses, Shield Row, South Moor, Stanley, Tanfield, Tanfield Lea, Tantobie, West Kyo and White-le-Head. With a population of more than 31,000, the Town Council represents one of the largest local council areas in County Durham.
The Council was set up in 2007 to give Stanley people a stronger voice and influence over matters affecting the area. In the current climate where we have a unitary County Council covering a huge area under significant financial pressure from ongoing budget reductions, the need for local representation is greater than ever.
The Council is committed to improving our area, improving the quality of life in all our communities and developing a sense of pride. The Council has the power to raise funds through Council Tax and invest in almost anything that will improve amenities for our residents.
We want your views. Please let us know what they are through the contact us page.
A message from The Leader on COVID-19
A message from Stanley Town Council Leader, Les Timbey:
These are unprecedented times.
As the situation with Coronavirus unfolds across the world, we face a crisis of unparalleled proportions and one that we all hope we will never have to overcome again as a global community.
And while we keep a concerned eye on the worldwide situation, it is beholden on us to look more local in our response.
Stanley is a town that has had to prove its resilience time and time again. Our communities are adept at coming together to support each other. Offering kindness, care and working together to pull us through. It is these values, that we live by, that will help us in this uncertain time, emerging stronger and closer-knit than we’ve ever been.
Stanley Town Council must now show leadership and offer a calm, measured and assured response. We have to ensure our response is swift, decisive and helps those that we serve – our residents – as best as we possibly can during what is a fast-changing situation.
We need to innovate and find new ways of delivering support to people and organisations who need it most in and around Stanley. And I hope that tonight, we will come together as a council and agree clear priorities and an immediate course of action.
Today we approved a £63,000 emergency support package to ensure our community facilities can keep their doors open and continue to to deliver the vital services they help provide.
In total, 23 buildings and organisations will be assisted with this fund, helping people across Stanley and the surrounding areas.
The Stanley Town Council workforce has also agreed to help the voluntary groups effected by COVID 19. I’m immensely proud and grateful that our employees are volunteering to assist these groups. To them, I say thank you on behalf of myself and the Town Council. We will not forget your dedication.
The health and wellbeing of our residents is paramount.
We must support our friends at PACT House to deliver food, support and resources to our most vulnerable residents and also those who have been hit with a drop-off in work due to quarantine procedures. We must prioritise funding for our community buildings, so they can stay open and help the people who rely on them. We must use our own human resources and utilise our workforce to help those who can’t help themselves.
We are a caring Council and it is incumbent upon us to act immediately.
We will protect our most vulnerable and at-risk families. We will support them through this worrying time.
We will disseminate Government and health professionals’ advice – wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze and please, follow guidance on self-isolation.
We will work with partners to deliver the best care we can in Stanley.
Our town has a small army of amazing volunteers and groups that have already mobilised. As I said, we must support them as a council. Our partners do fantastic work year-round, but during times like this, their dedication and endeavour really does shine through and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude for all they are doing.
As such, we will be re-purposing enhanced, emergency support for them.
For many businesses, this is a worrying and uncertain time too.
The Government has promised support for companies that may be under strain as a result of this pandemic. We must press them to act, and lend our voice to that of Durham County Council calling for support to be delivered as quickly and effectively as possible.
Frontline services are showing incredible resilience and pulling together to ensure that things continue to run as smoothly as possible during this time.
We must look at new ways of dispersing our team to ensure that they deliver help it’s needed most.
Crises like this highlight the real heroes in our community – health and hospital staff, care workers, shop workers, who carry on delivering warm, empathetic support when I am sure their instinct is to stay close to their family. On behalf of Stanley Town Council, I extend our thanks to everyone pulling together to support our residents.
Everyone is worried. Be assured that will do everything we possibly can to keep our residents safe, to keep them informed, and to minimise disruption to services.
I also call on this Government to help sole traders and the self employed as a priority, and increase statutory sick pay to an acceptable level.
We face a challenge like never before. But we’ll get through this by working together, supporting each other and stepping up to all challenges that lie ahead – as a council we will do everything we possibly can to ensure Stanley and our communities come through this in the strongest possible position.
Stay inside, stay safe, stay well and look after each other.
Council launches local response as COVID-crisis deepens
AN emergency meeting of Stanley Town Council last night green-lit a £63,000 coronavirus response programme to help communities through the crisis.
Councillors approved the package at a meeting specially-convened to agree what support was required and where it was most urgently needed.
The emergency measures will ensure that 23 organisations and community buildings, such as PACT House, Single Homeless Action Initiative in Durham (SHAID) and Just for Women, to name but a few, can not only keep their services running, but also enhance some areas of provision to support COVID 19 response efforts.
The measures put forward by Council Leader, Les Timbey, also include re-prioritising Stanley Town Council’s employees to deliver emergency aid and provide help at some of the facilities supported by the emergency response package.
Cllr Timbey said: “We find ourselves in unprecedented times and, as such, we must take unprecedented action.
“The measures outlined will come into force immediately and provide direct support to the people of Stanley. It is our duty to take care of the people in our communities, to make sure they have food, medication and the help and support required.
“In Stanley, we’re fortunate to have a range of organisations that deliver key services to some of the most vulnerable people in our society and by looking after them with this financial and physical support, we’re helping them look after others.
“COVID 19 has brought the world to a standstill, but one thing remains certain – we will get through this. It might take a month, three months or a year, but we will emerge from this crisis a stronger, smarter and more caring society.”
In total, 23 organisations are in-line for support grants, ranging from £500 to £3,000. The comprehensive list of buildings receiving the funds covers the entire Stanley Town Council area.
Among the organisations receiving support via the £64,000 response fund, are:
- PACT House
- SHAID
- Just for Women
- The Venue
- Annfield Plain and Catchgate Partnership
- Annfield Plain Community Centre
- Shield Row Community Hut
- Tantobie Community Centre
- Quaking Houses Village Hall
Cllr Carl Marshall said the funds are aimed at bolstering front line resilience as the fight against the coronavirus continues.
He said: “What we have done is agree to target our key community anchors and venues with support that enables them to keep the lights on while their services are required. As Les said, we help them, they help others and that is how we will get through this pandemic, by helping each other out.
“I am immensely proud of the way our local people and organisations have already mobilised to help our town and surrounding areas, but more must be done and we must not tire in our efforts to make sure every single member of our communities receives the help and contact they need.
“Stanley Town Council employees will be delivering food and prescriptions, helping co-ordinate volunteers, operating a helpline (07720 650 533), and helping with loneliness and isolation.
“Our message to residents is stay home, stay safe and if you need help, we’re here for you.”
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update
To ensure you have access to up to date guidance from local and central government, Stanley Town Council has compiled links to the below websites.
Each website is regularly updated and offers help and information for people impacted by COVID-19 itself, or by the current self-isolation period in place.
For all COVID-19 support information, please visit:
Or for more specific support visit:
- For Those Affected
- For Business Support
- For Employees, Employers and Businesses
- Money and Pension Service
- Advice in County Durham
Stay safe, stay indoors and together we will get through this.
