How the Town Council Was Established

The former Seaham Urban District Council was responsible for local government affairs within the town until it went out of existence in 1974.  Later that decade the public voiced concerns calling for a local Council to be established to give Seaham its own voice.  As a result a referendum was held in 1980 and a majority vote by the townspeople wanted their own Council in the town.  Seaham people clearly felt they wanted the town to have its own voice in local affairs and a separate identity.  In May, 1983 the first elections were held for Seaham Town Council. 

The Council began meeting in hired community hall facilities.  The first phase of their existing Civic Offices in Adelaide Row was purchased in 1984 and the premises have since been extended to incorporate the town tourism, visitor and information facility.  The Council’s crest was agreed following a competition amongst local school pupils.  The design and motto were approved and been formally adopted as a civic crest for Seaham.

 Administrative Headquarters

The Council’s Principal Officer is their Town Clerk (Mark Welsh) who is based at the Civic Offices at 3/4 Adelaide Row, Seaham.  The Parks Manager (Mike Preston) is responsible for the Parks Department operations and is located at the Cemetery Lodge in Princess Road.  The Council employs 24 employees, five of whom are part-time and four are trainees. 

The main responsibilities of the Council can be viewed here.

The Council's Achievements

Seaham was first awarded Quality Town Council Status in September, 2004.  Since then the Council has been re-accredited with Quality Council Status for a further period of four years from November, 2008.  

The Scheme is supported by six National Stakeholders, the Commission for Rural Communities and Local Government, the Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Local Government Association, the National Association of Local Councils and the Social of Local Council Clerks.  The aim of the Scheme, which was launched in June, 2003 following the publication of the Rural White Paper in 2000 and which confirmed the Government's support, is to provide a benchmark of minimum standards for Parish and Town Councils and enable them to better represent the communities they serve.  Achieving Quality Status demonstrates that a Council has met certain minimum standards and increased professionalism expected from an effective, representatives and active Town Council.  The Scheme also aims to provide an enhanced relationship between Local Councils, Principal Authorities and community and voluntary sector organisations.

Our Investors in People accreditation standard was renewed in March, 2008.  The Council produce an Annual Performance Plan around June each year.  The Council is committed to looking for continuous improvement in service provision, monitoring their performance and meeting targets.  Throughout the year in main service areas, surveys are carried out to assess customer satisfaction levels.

Seaham Gifts and Souvenirs

The Council have a range of gifts available, many of which bear Seaham's crest/coat of arms.  Details of the individual gifts are given below and are available for sale from the Council's Civic Offices at 3/4 Adelaide Row, Seaham: