Parish Councillor Vacancies

23/09/2025
, Council News

Do you care about your village and want to work with others to shape its future? If so, you might consider joining Thornley Parish Council.

The Parish Council looks after many local services and spaces, including Ludworth Road Cemetery, Welfare Park, play areas, allotments, public spaces, and grounds maintenance. We also operate Thornley Village Centre, which offers a wide range of activities. Recent projects include the new pump track, with more improvements planned in the coming months and years.

Our aim is to deliver services that are well run, good value, and meet the needs of local residents.

Councillors represent the community, help set priorities, and meet at least every other month to make decisions. Parish Councils are often very different to what people expect. Why not get in touch and find out more?

There are currently two vacancies. To express your interest, please contact the Parish Clerk, Claire Llewelyn, by Thursday 23 October 2025.

photo of tarmac pump track with grassed areas

Thornley pump track open!

04/08/2025
Council News, Local News

We are pleased to let you know that Thornley’s pump track is now available for use. The Parish Council has been planning the track for a long time, to provide children, young people and families with something active and positive to enjoy.

We extend grateful thanks to the people and organisations who have generously supported the project with funding:

  • Sir James Knott Trust
  • Former Durham County Councillors Jake Miller, Chris Varty, and Lucy Hovvels
  • Police and Crime Commissioner, Joy Allen
  • Durham County Council planning support (Section 106 funding)
  • East Durham Area Action Partnership

The track was installed by Clark and Kent Contractors, who have built pump tracks, skate parks and bike tracks around the country as well as internationally. Thanks go to Clark and Kent colleagues, and to current and former Parish Council staff and Councillors, for their hard work bringing this project to life.

Please enjoy the track safely and responsibly. There are some more details about the pump track and other facilities on the Parish Council’s play areas and facilities page.

Have you thought about joining the Parish Council?

23/07/2025
, Council News

If you’re passionate about your local community and would like to work with others to make a difference in your village, why not consider becoming a Thornley Parish Councillor?

Thornley Parish Council provides various services in the village, such as Ludworth Road Cemetery, Welfare Park, play areas, a number of allotments, grounds maintenance and public spaces, as well as Thornley Village Centre which offers a wide range of activities and facilities. The Council has worked hard to install an exciting new pump track which will be opened soon, and other projects are planned in future months and years.

The Council always aims to deliver good value, while ensuring its services are well run and meet the needs of our community.

Councillors meet at least every other month to represent local people. They are here for the community and want to make a difference.

Parish Councils may be different to what you expect – why not get in touch to find out more?

There are currently two vacancies. To express an interest please contact the Parish Clerk, Claire Llewelyn, by Thursday 21 August 2025.

Photo of Thornley pit wheel with the Village Centre in the background

Job Vacancy: Community Development Worker

05/06/2025
Council News

Thornley Parish Council is looking for a self-motivated, reliable and confident Community Development Worker with a can-do attitude, to manage and develop activities at Thornley Village Centre.

In this varied and rewarding role, you’ll organise activities and events, support staff and volunteers, manage Centre publicity, and ensure the smooth, safe and efficient running of the Centre. You will encourage and support members of the community to become involved, and arrange inclusive, engaging activities.

We’re seeking someone with strong organisational and communication skills, relevant experience, and the ability to work both independently and as part of a team. The role also involves budget management and seeking external funding. Flexibility to work evenings and weekends is essential.

We offer:

  • Nationally based terms and conditions of employment.
  • Access to the Local Government Pension Scheme or contributions to a private pension scheme.
  • A supportive team environment in a well-organised and welcoming workplace.

Hours: 25 hours per week (flexible, including evenings and weekends)
Salary: SCP 21 – £32,115 Pro Rata/£16.65 per hour (pay award pending)
Application Closing Date: Monday 30th June 2025 at 10.00am
Interview Date: Tuesday 8th July 2025 (evening)

Important Information

Job Description and Person Specification

Application Form

Please note CVs are not accepted. All applications must be on the form provided.

For further information or to request an application form in Word, contact the Parish Clerk:

Email: clerk@thornley-pc.gov.uk

Telephone: 01429 820200 or 07483 119591

Thornley Village Centre, High Street, Thornley, Durham, DH6 3EL

Photograph of Thornley Village Centre with the pit wheel and a flowerbed in front

Working Together for Thornley – Join the Parish Council

22/05/2025
, Council News

If you’re passionate about your local community and would like to work with others to make a difference in your village, consider joining Thornley Parish Council.

Thornley Parish Council provides various services in the village, such as Ludworth Road Cemetery, Welfare Park, play areas, a number of allotments, grounds maintenance and public spaces, as well as Thornley Village Centre which offers a wide range of activities and facilities.

The Council always aims to deliver good value while ensuring its services are well run and meet the needs of our community. An exciting new project is underway to install a pump track.

Councillors meet at least every other month to represent local people, are here for the community and want to make a difference.

Parish Councils may be different from what you expect – why not get in touch to find out more?

There are currently three vacancies. To express an interest please contact the Parish Clerk, Claire Llewelyn, by Thursday 19 June 2025.

Photo of Thornley pit wheel with the Village Centre in the background

Notice of Uncontested Election published

09/04/2025
Council News, Uncategorized

Durham County Council has published a Notice of Uncontested Election for Thornley Parish. Please follow the link to view the Notice. This new Council takes effect from 6 May 2025.

This means there will not be a vote for Parish Councillors on 1 May 2025. There will be an election for County Councillors on that date.

Further information about elections and registering to vote can be found on Durham County Council’s website: https://www.durham.gov.uk/elections2025.

Photograph of Thornley Village Centre with the pit wheel and a flowerbed in front

Have you ever thought about becoming a Parish Councillor?

03/09/2024
, Council News

If you’re passionate about your local community and would like to work with others to improve quality of life in your village, find out more about joining the Parish Council by contacting the Parish Clerk.

Thornley Parish Council provides various services in the village, such as the Cemetery, grounds maintenance, a number of allotments and Thornley Village Centre which offers a wide range of activities and facilities, always looking to secure the best value and make sure those Council services are well run to best suit the needs of our local community. Councillors meet every other month to represent local people, are here for the community and want to make a difference.

Not everyone knows what a parish council looks like and how it works – and it might be different to what you think. Why not get in touch to talk about it?

The Parish Council has one vacancy and invites you to contact the Parish Clerk, Claire Llewelyn, for further details. Please express your interest by Wednesday 16 October 2024.

Photo of Thornley Village Centre with flowerbed

Could you make a difference in Thornley?

20/05/2024
, Council News

If you’re passionate about your local community and would like to work with others to improve quality of life in your village, find out more by contacting the Parish Clerk.

Thornley Parish Council provides various services in the village, such as the Cemetery, grounds maintenance, a number of allotments and Thornley Village Centre which offers a wide range of activities and facilities, always looking to secure the best value and make sure the Council services are well run to best suit the needs of our local community. Councillors meet every other month to represent local people, are here for the community and want to make a real difference.

Not everyone knows what a parish council looks like and how it works – and it might be different to what you think. Why not get in touch to talk about it?

The Parish Council has two vacancies and invites you to contact the Parish Clerk, Claire Llewelyn, for further details. You’ll be asked to provide a brief statement about yourself which should be provided by Wednesday 19 June 2024.

Photograph of Thornley Village Centre with the pit wheel and a flowerbed in front

Annual Report published

20/05/2024
Council News

Thornley Parish Council is pleased to publish the annual report of the Chairperson, Councillor Mrs J. Unsworth, for the past year. The text of the report and a link to the full report are provided below.

Thornley Parish Council Annual Report 2023 to 2024

This has been another challenging year as we try to manage the rising costs of running the Parish Council operations whilst at the same time provide a good service to the community.

I would like to thank the Parish Councillors for their dedication and service to the Parish Council and their commitment to the village to help make Thornley a better place to live for all its residents.

I would like to thank the Village Centre staff who work tirelessly to provide a varied range of activities for all ages that are inclusive whilst at the same time keeping the building clean and tidy and the equipment in good order. We are proud to say that the Special Educational Needs sessions are now well established within the centre activities and are widely appreciated by the SEN community.

Thanks to our grounds maintenance staff who work hard to keep the areas we are responsible for well maintained and looking good and for their involvement in identifying cost saving measures whilst at the same time maintaining our high standards.

Thanks are also extended to our Parish Clerk and Administration Assistant who are the backbone of the Parish Council and show extreme dedication and enthusiasm when faced with the daily challenges of running the Council operations.

Councillor Mrs Joyce Unsworth, Chair, Thornley Parish Council

This report is presented to the Annual Parish Meeting in Thornley, and the Annual Meeting of Thornley Parish Council, held on 14 May 2024

The annual report can also be accessed through this link: Annual Report 2023 to 2024.

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