Minutes:
Proceedings Relating to Budgetary Items
The Chairman proposed that under rule 13.4 of the Council’s Rules of Procedure Group Leaders be allowed more than the allotted five minutes when discussing the budget.
Resolved:
That the proposal be approved.
South Asian Festival – 7 March
The Chairman reported that over 50 schools in the County had links with schools in Central and South Asia. These lay principally in Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Nepal and had been developed by the Council’s international relations team and funded by government departments and the British Council's Connecting Classrooms scheme.
To celebrate these links, over half of the linked schools in County Durham would be taking part in a series of workshops to explore the cultural diversity of the region. Members were most welcome to join the Chairman to take part and to observe during the day.
International Women’s Day
The Chairman reported that International Women’s Day, which was an annual event, took place on 8 March with the theme being set nationally. It was celebrated throughout the world in different ways. This year the theme was ‘The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum’ and this year female pupils from County Secondary Schools had been invited to County Hall to enjoy inspirational and educational workshops which ranged from a make-up artist to the stars, to a Church of England Vicar and from Chinese crafts to Bollywood Dancing. Eighty girls were registered to attend the event which aimed to inspire them and help them believe that anything was possible in their futures.
The event would begin with a welcome from the Chairman and Mrs Sue Snowdon. This would be Mrs Snowdon’s very first duty in her new role as she had been appointed as the first female Lord Lieutenant of County Durham and would succeed Sir Paul Nicholson who was retiring from office on 7 March.
Japanese Day of Culture
The Chairman reminded Council of the Japanese Day of Culture which was taking place in the Durham Room. There would be a Japanese gift wrapping workshop, origami, Japanese etiquette and basic conversation.
Agenda
The Chairman reported that Item No. 15 had been withdrawn from the agenda and would be considered at a future meeting of the Council.