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📄 FOI Request – Entry #001: Council Department Renaming

Date Submitted: June 2025
Subject: Department name changes under new leadership
Council: Durham County Council
Majority Party: Reform UK

🧾 Background

Shortly after Reform UK took control of Durham County Council, two departments were renamed:

  • “Neighbourhood and Climate Change” became “Neighbourhoods and Environment”
  • “Equality and Inclusion” became “Stronger Communities and Belonging”

No explanation was provided publicly. No consultation was announced. But the changes appeared almost immediately on the council website and internal communications.

Renaming departments isn’t illegal. It isn’t even especially unusual. But when the new names seem designed to downplay concepts like climate change, equality, and inclusion, it’s fair to ask: who decided this, why, and at what cost?

âť“ Questions That Prompted the Request

  1. Was this change purely cosmetic, or part of a wider policy shift?
  2. Were staff or residents consulted?
  3. Was any assessment carried out to understand the implications?
  4. Did these changes cost public money (e.g., signage, branding)?
  5. Is there any internal documentation justifying the renaming?

đź“„ Full FOI Request Text

Dear Durham County Council FOI Officer,

Under the Freedom of Information Act 2000, I am requesting access to the following information:

All records, meeting minutes, correspondence, internal communications, reports, consultation documents, and assessments related to the decision to rename the following council departments:

1. The "Neighbourhood and Climate Change" department (renamed to "Neighbourhoods and Environment")
2. The "Equality and Inclusion" department (renamed to "Stronger Communities and Belonging")

Specifically, I request:

* Any written rationale or briefing notes outlining the reasons for the name changes.
* Records of any internal or external consultation processes conducted prior to the renaming.
* Any Equality Impact Assessments or other policy assessments carried out as part of the decision-making process.
* Communications between councillors and officers regarding the proposed or final name changes.
* Details of any financial costs incurred in implementing the name changes (e.g., signage, website changes, branding updates).

Please provide the information in electronic format where possible.

If this request exceeds the cost limit, please advise me as soon as possible so that I may refine it accordingly.

Yours faithfully,
Neil

⏳ Status

Awaiting response.