The retiring Chairman, Councillor Humes advised that it was great to be back but also sad as it was his last night in the Chair.  He thanked everyone who had helped him throughout the year which had been an experience of a lifetime.  He had made lots of friends and had been fortunate to be Chairman in a year which had been one of the most exciting in the Council’s history.  He advised that we were the first Council in the Country to move from a poor rating to become a good one and that we had seen massive Regeneration in the Town Centre and the development of the Civic Heart.   There had also been considerable regeneration taking place in the outlying Districts at Pelton Fell, Sacriston and Grange Villa.

 

We saw an increase in business complexes on our Industrial Estates provide many jobs for local people.  The Council had won numerous awards of which there were too many to list.  We had moved from being a District Council to become part of the Unitary Authority.  All in all he felt it had been a sensational year and it was with a heavy heart that he handed over to his successor.

 

He conveyed his thanks to all Members for their support during the past year, in particular the Leader Linda Ebbatson and Deputy Leader Simon Henig for making his job an easy one.  He gave special thanks to Roy Templeman Chief Executive who had the enviable task of keeping him right during the Council Meetings. He also gave special thanks to Councillors Westrip and Nathan for their lively and positive contribution to the Council Meetings.

 

Thanks were also given to his Vice Chairman Allen Turner and his wife Margaret for their support, his secretary Sue Pearson, and to all the Officers and staff for the part they played in making this past year the most memorable in the Council’s history.

 

He concluded by conveying thanks and best wishes to Jayne Henderson (who was leaving the Authority) for the phenomenal job she had done in improving the Benefits Service and wished her well for the future in her new role.

Councillor A Humes invited nominations for the appointment of Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

Councillor L Ebbatson proposed and Councillor L Armstrong seconded that Councillor D Thompson be elected Chairman of the Council.

 

There being no further nominations the Council RESOLVED:

 

“That Councillor D Thompson be elected Chairman of the Council for the ensuring year.”

 

Councillor Thompson thanked everyone for giving him this opportunity.  He advised that the final year of the Council should be a year of celebration and about making sure that Members and employees achievements are recognised, celebrated and most importantly communicated.   Let’s make it an unforgettable year!

The newly appointed Chairman invited the retiring Vice Chairman Councillor Allen Turner to say a few words.

 

Councillor Turner said that as most of you know he had previously been Chairman of this Council and he was therefore well aware of the workload and responsibility that came with that position.  He was also aware of the increase in workload and responsibility since becoming a new County Councillor.  To attempt both jobs he felt would be absolutely impossible and he felt it was therefore correct that after the recent Election he gave up any possibility of becoming Chairman of this Council.  However as always he was still committed to this Council.  He offered his best wishes to the new Chairman and Vice Chairman and hoped that they and their families enjoyed their new positions as much as he and Margaret  had done in the past.

 

The Chairman invited nominations for the appointment of Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.

 

Councillor L Ebbatson proposed and Councillor L Armstrong seconded that Councillor F Wilkinson be appointed Vice Chairman of the Council.

 

There being no further nominations, the Council RESOLVED:

 

“That Councillor F Wilkinson be appointed Vice Chairman of the Council for the ensuing year.”

 

The Chairman invited the Leader to say a few words.

 

The Leader took the opportunity to thank those people who were leaving the Authority and welcome the new comers.  Particular thanks and appreciation was given to Councillors Turner and Humes for the work that they had done over the past year. She advised that Councillor Humes had been a particularly good Civic Head and public face of Chester-le-Street and thanked him for being a charming and entertaining host. The Leader requested that thanks and appreciation also be passed on to Councillor Turner and Councillor Humes’s wives. 

 

The Leader welcomed Councillor David Thompson and Councillor Frank Wilkinson and advised that she looked forward to working with them over the coming year.

Apologies for absence were submitted on behalf of Councillors G Armstrong, S Barr, G K Davidson, S C L Westrip, M Potts and K Potts.

It was proposed and seconded that the minutes of the proceedings at the meeting of the District Council held 24 April 2008, copies of which had previously been circulated be approved.

 

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the minutes be confirmed as a correct record.”

 

The Chairman proceeded to sign the minutes.

There were no declarations of interest received from Members.

The Chairman invited nominations for the appointment of Leader of the Council when it was proposed by Councillor L Armstrong and seconded by Councillor M Sekowski that Councillor L Ebbatson be appointed Leader of the Council.

 

There being no further nomination, the Council RESOLVED:

 

“1.        That Councillor L Ebbatson be appointed Leader of the Council.”

 

2.                  That the maximum number of Executive Members remain as 10.”

The Leader thanked everyone for their confidence and support in electing her as Leader of the Council. She thanked members of the Executive who were standing down, namely Councillor S Barr, Councillor M Potts and Councillor S Henig.            

 

She advised that the overall aim of the Executive for the coming year was to achieve our People and Place priority bringing people together to help communities thrive. 

 

It was agreed that the Executive for 2008-2009 would be as follows:

 

Councillor SCL Westrip              - Neighbourhood Services Portfolio

- Lead Member on Neighbourhoods Action

  Learning Set

 

Councillor CJ Jukes - Regeneration and Strategic Planning

  Portfolio

- Lead Member on Town Centre Action

  Learning Set

 

Councillor L Armstrong                  - Resources and Value for Money Portfolio

 

Councillor M Sekowski -Community Engagement and

  Partnerships Portfolio

-Lead Member on Partnerships for the  

            Future Action Learning Set

 

The Leader advised that because there would now only be 5 Members instead of 6 she had requested that the budget saving be used to provide a budget for Scrutiny to assist in their new role.

 

She advised that Councillor Tracie Smith had agreed to be the Champion for Sport in the Community.  Her role would be to liaise with the Executive on the District and County- wide play strategies and the 2012 Olympiad where the District was working with other Councils in the region to welcome visiting teams. 

 

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the appointment of Portfolio Holders be noted.”

 

 

 

Consideration was given to a report from the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to review the Council’s Constitution as part of the Council’s commitment to continuous improvement.

 

He advised of changes he wished to make on pages 22 and 23 of the report and outlined the amendments to the Constitution in relation to Overview and Scrutiny and the composition of the Planning Committee and the Licensing Committee for all Members to serve on these Committees.

 

In relation to the Overview and Scrutiny it was proposed for 29 Members to be on this Committee with only one Overview and Scrutiny Committee.

 

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the changes set out in the report and Appendices be incorporated into the revised Constitution and adopted with immediate effect and that the said fully revised Constitution be formally agreed and adopted with immediate effect.”

 

Councillor L Ebbatson proposed and Councillor L Armstrong seconded that the programme of meetings for the year be agreed as circulated.

 

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the programme of meetings for the year as detailed on the schedule circulated be agreed.”

Consideration was given to a report from the Head of Legal and Democratic Services on the appointment of Committees, the annual review of Political Balance, disapplication of Political Balance Rules, allocation of seats and appointment and nominations to other bodies.  Additional amendments were outlined by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services a copy of which had previously been circulated.

 

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“1.        That the annual review of the political balance on the Council be noted.

 

2.                  That the Council bodies that existed immediately before the end of the last municipal year be re-established with their Schemes of Delegation unchanged with the exceptions that (1) all four Overview and Scrutiny Committees are replaced by a single Overview and Scrutiny Committee and (2) that the Standards Committee be increased by an additional Parish Representative and two independent Members, with in both such cases the respective Schemes of Delegation agreed in the 2008 Review of the Constitution Report (3) the Planning Committee is increased to all 34 elected Members  and (4) the Licensing Committee is increased to all 34 elected Members subject to the proviso at (3) and (4)  that no Members shall be entitled to participate in any decision-making on such Committees unless training has been undertaken by such a member to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive.

 

3.                  That the Council continues to disapply the political balance requirements from the Performance Committee.

 

4.                  That the Council following the above review determines the allocation of seats to the political groups in accordance with the statutory rules as set out in Appendix 1 to this report.

 

5.                  That the Council appoints members to the Council bodies as set out in Appendix 3 to this report and appoints Members and nominates Members to serve on outside bodies as set out in Appendix 4 to this report.

 

6.                  That the amendments proposed by the Head of Legal and Democratic Services to the report be approved.

 

 

Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

All Non-Executive Members

 

Standards Committee

 

Councillor MJ Gollan

Councillor SCL Westrip

Councillor W Laverick

 

Planning Committee

 

All Members

 

Licensing Committee

 

All Members

 

Statutory Licensing Committee

 

Councillor G Armstrong

Councillor L Armstrong

Councillor S Barr

Councillor JW Barrett                       

Councillor MJ Gollan

Councillor S Greatwich

Councillor AK Holden                       

Councillor CJ Jukes

Councillor M Potts

Councillor J Shiell

Councillor T Smith

Councillor D Thompson

Councillor JM Proud

Councillor A Willis

Councillor PH May

 

Personnel Committee

 

Councillor J W Barrett

Councillor P Ellis

Councillor SA Henig

Councillor DM Holding

Councillor K Potts

Councillor M Sekowski

Councillor A Turner

Councillor SCL Westrip

Councillor JM Proud

Councillor P Nathan

Councillor M May

 

 

Personnel Committee Appeals Panel

 

Any 5 Members of the Personnel Committee

 

 

Personnel Committee Appointments Panel

 

Leader of the Council

Deputy Leader of the Leader

Councillor CJ Jukes

Chair of Overview and Scrutiny Committee

Councillor JM Proud

 

Appeals Committee

 

Any three Members of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee

 

Audit Committee

 

Councillor G Armstrong

Councillor R Harrison

Councillor J Shiell

Councillor JM Proud

 

Electoral Arrangements Advisory Group

 

Councillor SA Henig

Councillor G Armstrong

Councillor JW Barrett

Councillor P Ellis

Councillor AK Holden

Councillor K Potts

Councillor A Turner

Councillor R Court

Councillor W Laverick

 

Performance Committee

 

Councillor L Ebbatson

Councillor SA Henig

Councillor SCL Westrip

 

Other Bodies

 

Association of North East Councils                     Councillor L Ebbatson

 

Association of Public Service Excellence                 Councillor TH Harland

 

Age Concern                                                             Councillor A Turner

 

Cestria Housing Association Limited                       Councillor AK Holden

                                                                                    Councillor DL Robson

                                                                                    Councillor A Turner

                                                                                    Councillor SCL Westrip

                                                                                    Isobel Smith

 

Chester-le-Street Amateur Swimming Club            Councillor T Smith

 

Chester-le-Street & City of Durham                  Councillor CJ Jukes

Enterprise Agency                                                           Councillor MJ Gollan

 

Chester-le-Street Community Association            Councillor CJ Jukes

                                                                                    Councillor T Smith

 

Chester-le-Street District Youth and

Community Committee                                         Councillor MJ Gollan

 

Chester-le-Street District Scout Executive

Committee                                                                 Councillor AK Holden

 

Chester-le-Street & Durham Victim

Support Group                                                 Councillor L Ebbatson

 

Chester-le-Street Learning District Partnership            Councillor L Armstrong

 

Chester-le-Street Unit of Sea Cadet Corps

Committee                                                                 Councillor R Harrison

 

Chester-le-Street Youth Centre

Management Committee                                         Councillor T Smith

 

Citizens Advice Bureau Management

Committee                                                                 Councillor S Barr

 

The Alliance

(Coalfields Communities Regeneration)                       Councillor CJ Jukes

 

County Durham e-Government Partnership            Councillor L Armstrong

 

County Health Scrutiny Sub Committee                 Councillor G Armstrong

                                                                                    Councillor R Harrison

 

Crime Prevention Panel                                      Councillor D Thompson

 

Durham County Association of Local                      Councillor L Ebbatson

Authorities                                                                  Councillor SCL Westrip

 

Durham County Waste Partnership                Councillor SCL Westrip

 

Durham Rural Community Council                       Councillor M Sekowski

 

Great North Forest                                                 Councillor AK Holden

                                                                                    Councillor D Thompson

 

Groundwork West Durham                                                Councillor GK Davidson

 

ENCAMS                                                                   Councillor JW Barrett

 

Local Arts Forum                                                 Councillor GK Davidson

 

Local Childrens Board                                     Councillor M Sekowski

 

Local Police/Public Consultative                           Councillor S Barr

Committee                                                                 Councillor R Harrison        

 

 

                                                           

Local Government Association General

Assembly                                                                   Councillor L Ebbatson

 

North East Assembly                                           Councillor L Ebbatson

 

North Eastern Regional Employer’s                 Councillor L Armstrong

Organisation                                                              Councillor SCL Westrip

 

Northern Consortium of Housing Authorities            Councillor S Barr

 

Northern Regional Executive Committee

For National Housing & Town Planning

Council                                                                       Councillor R Harrison

 

Pelton Community Association                            Councillor M Sekowski

                                                                                    Councillor S Greatwich

 

Roseberry Grange Golf Course Committee            Councillor K Potts

 

Sacriston Development Group                         Councillor DL Robson

 

Town Twinning Association                            Councillor DM Holding

                                                                                    Councillor R Harrison

                                                                                    Councillor A Willis

 

School Governors

 

Chester-le-Street South Pelaw Infant School            Councillor CJ Jukes

 

Chester-le-Street Cestria Primary School            Councillor P Ellis

 

Chester-le-Street Newker Primary School            Councillor GK Davidson

 

Chester-le-Street Bullion Lane Primary School            Councillor SA Henig

 

Pelton Roseberry Primary School                                    Councillor S Barr

 

 

 

 

Chester-le-Street Park View School and Community Shared Use Scheme

                                                                                   

                       

Community Association Committee (3)                   Councillor MJ Gollan

                                                                                    Councillor CJ Jukes

                                                                                    Councillor LEW Brown

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the report of the meeting of the Audit Committee held 3 April 2008, copies of which had previously been circulated.”

Consideration was given to a report from the Acting Head of Internal Audit containing the opinion on the effectiveness of the control environment for the 2007/08 financial year.

 

Councillor Harrison spoke in relation to the performance of the Internal Audit Section for 2007/08 and the assignments they had completed during the year and highlighted the key points in the report.  He thanked the Members of staff in the audit section for their hard work over the past year.

 

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the Internal Audit Annual Report 2007/08 be noted.”

The Housing Strategy Officer proceeded to give a background on the report and to seek approval of the revised Housing Strategy.

 

The Leader thanked the Officers concerned on the work they had undertaken on producing this Strategy.

 

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the Housing Strategy be approved, subject to the data being checked on the table 2.12 , page 108 of the report.”

There were no items of correspondence.

There were no invitations to attend conferences.

The Council RESOLVED:

 

“That the action of the Officer in affixing the Common Seal of the Council to the following documents be confirmed:

 

Transfer in duplicate relating to land at Woodstone Village, Fencehouses

Section 106 Agreement in duplicate relating to Land at Drum Road, Chester-le-Street