Working together with Residents Groups 

Durham University Residents Forum (DURF) has established procedures for meetings, communication, partnership working and keeping track of its work.

Terms of Reference

DURF operates to a Terms of Reference and aims to: 

• Recognise and bring to attention existing and potential issues
• Identify practical initiatives that deliver desried solutions and outcomes to such issues
• Agree how initiatives can deliver less friction and greater harmony between all residents of Durham
• Seek ways to balance the University’s development with the interests of the local community. 

Meetings 

DURF meets at least four times annually however it also arranges smaller or more informal meetings, like workshops, to help move its projects forward as and when needed. 

Membership 

DURF has membership from the following local residents groups and, as such, brings representatives from the majority of areas of the City where our students live: 

• Carrville and Belmont Residents’ Association 
• Crossgate Community Partnership 
• Elvet Residents' Association 
• Gilesgate Residents' Association 
• Mount Oswald Residents’ Association 
• Nevilles Cross Community Association 
• Sheraton Park Residents' Association 
• Sidegate Residents' Association 
• St Nicholas Community Forum

Further information on the groups will be available soon. 

Durham Students Union and the Student Community Wardens play a key part in the membership of DURF, bringing students and their representatives together with the residents groups at the meetings. 

Projects and Planning 

A ‘Community Lead’ position is currently held by DURF member Walia Kani. Together with the Chair and the University’s Community Liaison Manager, the Community Lead supports the planning and organisation of the meetings, communication with members and arrangements for key speakers at meetings. 

Each year DURF decide the priorities for the main meetings and invite key speakers into those meetings accordingly, guided by the topic / theme of the meeting. This means of working has been critical to DURF’s success over the last 8 years. 

DURF’s work is reviewed and monitored using an action plan titled ‘Actions & Issues Register’ (commonly referred to in meetings as the ‘AIR’).

Actions & Issues Register (AIR)

DURF's Actions & Issues Register was last updated at its December 2023 meeting. The current areas of focus are:

• Planning Policy
• Student Accommodation
• Anti-Social Behaviour & Environmental Issues
• Community Liaison