Items | No. | Item |
| MAYORS ANNOUNCEMENTS The Mayor referred to her year in office, which she had found to be extremely busy and most enjoyable. She had attended many events and had been most impressed and touched by the variety of people she had been privileged to meet. They included couples celebrating notable wedding anniversaries, and people who had gained various educational achievements and awards. Specific reference was made to her nominated charity the Children’s Diabetes Trust Fund for which she had raised £10,082.29 to date during her term in office. It was anticipated that this sum would be increased to £10,832 when other additional income was included. She thanked the local community, business sector and members of staff for their support and generosity. Councillor Mrs. Iveson presented Dr. W. Lamb, Consultant Paediatrician Bishop Auckland Hospital with a cheque. Dr Lamb expressed his thanks and appreciation for the donation. The Mayor also expressed her thanks to Councillor John Robinson JP for the support and assistance he had given her throughout the past year . |
| 1. | DECLARATIONS OF INTEREST To notify the Mayor of any items that appear later in the agenda in which you may have an interest. Minutes: The following Councillors declared a personal interest in Item 12 on the agenda “Local Government Review Proposals - Implications - Proposed single tier areas: Protection of historic traditions and ceremonial arrangements” as members of Town Councils:- Councillors Mrs S.J. Iveson, J. Robinson JP, W.M. Blenkinsopp, Mrs D. Bowman, Mrs J. Gray, G.C. Gray, D. Farry, Mrs E.M. Wood, Mrs E. Maddison, and W. Waters |
| 2. | APPOINTMENT OF MAYOR To elect a Mayor for the 2008/2009 Municipal Year. The Mayor will, on appointment, make a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Minutes: RESOLVED : That Councillor J. Robinson, J.P., be elected Mayor for the 2008/09 Municipal Year. Councillor Robinson, J.P. signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Mayor and took the Chair. Councillor Robinson, J.P. said that it was an honour and a tremendous privilege to accept the position of Mayor and he would endeavour to carry out the duties with dignity honour, sincerity and commitment that the position merits. He made reference to the forthcoming year which would be the final year for Sedgefield Borough Council before Local Government Reorganisation and the transition to a new Unitary Authority. He would , therefore, be the last Mayor of the Borough. Opportunity needed to be taken throughout the year to celebrate the many successes and achievements of the Borough Council as well as facilitating “business as usual” with the provision of Council services. His chosen charity for the year would be Butterwick Hospice. He presented Councillor Mrs. Iveson with a gift to commemorate her year in office and acknowledge the commitment she had shown in carrying out her duties. |
| 3. | APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY MAYOR To appoint a Deputy Mayor for the 2008/2009 Municipal Year. The Deputy Mayor will, on appointment, make a Declaration of Acceptance of Office. Minutes: RESOLVED : That Councillor Mrs. S.J. Iveson be elected Deputy Mayor for the 2008/09 Municipal Year. Councillor Mrs. S.J. Iveson signed the Declaration of Acceptance of Office of Deputy Mayor. |
| 4. | APPOINTMENT OF LEADER OF THE COUNCIL To appoint a Leader of the Council for the 2008/2009 Municipal Year. Minutes: RESOLVED : That Councillor Mrs. A.M. Armstrong be elected Leader of the Council for the 2008/09 Municipal Year. |
| 5. | APPOINTMENT OF DEPUTY LEADER OF THE COUNCIL To appoint a Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2008/2009 Municipal Year. Minutes: RESOLVED : That Councillor V. Crosby be elected Deputy Leader of the Council for the 2008/09 Municipal Year. |
| 6. | ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE REVIEW OF THE CONSTITUTION  PDF 86 K Report of Chief Executive. Additional documents: Minutes: Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive dealing with a further Review of the Council’s Constitution for the purposes of Article 16 of the Constitution. (For copy see file of Minutes). It was explained that the recommendations in the report were based on advice from the Council’s Monitoring Officer, following meetings of the Constitutional Review Group and reflected areas where it was considered appropriate to make further changes in particular in relation to Article 9 dealing with Standards Committee role, function and membership and also officer delegations. RESOLVED : That the amendments set out in the Appendix to the report be approved and the Council’s Monitoring Officer be directed to : a) Amend the Constitution accordingly and make all necessary and consequential amendments. b) Publish an amended version on the Council’s website. |
| 7. | LOCAL GOVERNMENT AND HOUSING ACT 1989. THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT (COMMITTEES AND POLITICAL GROUPS) REGULATIONS 1990 PDF 84 K Report of Chief Executive. Minutes: Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive regarding the allocation of seats on Committees to Political Groups in accordance with the Local Government (Committees and Political Groups) Regulations 1990. (For copy see file of Minutes). RESOLVED : That the allocation of seats to political groups be in accordance with the schedule attached to the report. (Appendix A). |
| CABINET, COMMITTEES, PANELS, FORUMS, WORKING PARTIES AND GROUPS : MEMBERSHIP 2008/09 |
| 8. | CABINET Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Cabinet comprises the following Members : | Councillor Mrs. A.M. Armstrong | Strategic Leadership | | Councillor Mrs. K. Conroy | Community Health | | Councillor V. Crosby | Social Regeneration & Partnership | | Councillor Mrs. B. Graham | Leisure & Culture | | Councillor A. Hodgson | Environment | | Councillor Mrs. L. Hovvels | Learning & Employment | | Councillor J.M. Khan | Safer Communities | | Councillor D.A. Newell | Planning & Development | | Councillor W. Waters | Housing | |
| 9. | STRATEGIC LEADERSHIP - OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Strategic Leadership Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprises the following Members: | Chairman : Vice-Chairman: | Councillor A. Gray Councillor B.F. Avery J.P. | | Members : | Councillor D.R. Brown Councillor V. Chapman Councillor D. Farry Councillor T.F. Forrest Councillor Mrs. J. Gray Councillor B. Haigh Councillor T. Hogan Councillor B.M. Ord Plus vacancy | |
| 10. | HEALTHY BOROUGH WITH STRONG COMMUNITIES - OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Healthy Borough With Strong Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprises the following Members: | Chairman : Vice-Chairman: | Councillor J.E. Higgin Councillor Mrs. P. Crathorne | | Members : | Councillor W.M. Blenkinsopp Councillor Mrs. D. Bowman Councillor J. Burton Councillor Mrs. S. Haigh Councillor Mrs. H.J. Hutchinson Councillor Ms. I. Jackson Councillor Mrs. E.M. Paylor Councillor K. Thompson Councillor T. Ward Councillor Mrs. E.M. Wood Plus 2 Co-optees (non-voting) | |
| 11. | PROSPEROUS AND ATTRACTIVE BOROUGH - OVERVIEW AND SCRUTINY COMMITTEE Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Prosperous and Attractive Borough Overview and Scrutiny Committee comprises the following Members: | Chairman : Vice-Chairman: | Councillor G.C. Gray Councillor B. Lamb | | Members : | Councillor Mrs. L. Cuthbertson Councillor P. Gittins Councillor D.M. Hancock Councillor Mrs. I. Hewitson Councillor G.M.R. Howe Councillor Mrs. S. J. Iveson Councillor Mrs. E. Maddison Councillor B. Stephens Councillor A. Smith Councillor A. Warburton | |
| 12. | AUDIT COMMITTEE Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Audit Committee comprises the following Members: | Chairman : Vice-Chairman: | Councillor D. Chaytor To be appointed at first meeting of the Committee | | Members : | Councillor T.D. Brimm Councillor J.G. Huntington Councillor C. Nelson Councillor Mrs. C. Potts Councillor B. Stephens Mr B. Argyle (Co-Opted Member - Non Voting) | |
| 13. | DEVELOPMENT CONTROL COMMITTEE Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Development Control Committee comprises the following Members : | Chairman : Vice-Chairman: | Councillor A. Smith Councillor B. Stephens | | Members : | All Members of the Council | |
| 14. | LICENSING COMMITTEE 1 Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Licensing Committee 1 comprises the following Members: | Chairman : Vice-Chairman: | Councillor C. Nelson Councillor T. Ward | | Members : | Councillor W.M. Blenkinsopp Councillor Mrs. P. Crathorne Councillor Mrs. L. Cuthbertson Councillor Mrs. B. Graham Councillor A. Gray Councillor D.M. Hancock Councillor Mrs. I. Hewitson Councillor J.E. Higgin Councillor A. Hodgson Councillor T. Hogan Councillor Mrs. L. Hovvels Councillor J.G. Huntington Councillor Mrs. S.J. Iveson Councillor J.M. Khan Councillor B. Lamb Councillor Mrs. E.M. Paylor Councillor K. Thompson | |
| 15. | LICENSING COMMITTEE 2 Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Licensing Committee 2 comprises the following Members : | Chairman : Vice-Chairman: | Councillor T. F. Forrest Councillor Mrs. J. Gray | | Members : | Councillor Mrs. D. Bowman Councillor D.R. Brown Councillor J. Burton Councillor Mrs. K. Conroy Councillor P. Gittins Councillor G.C. Gray Councillor Mrs. S. Haigh Councillor G.M.R. Howe Councillor Ms. I. Jackson Councillor Mrs. E. Maddison Councillor Mrs. C. Potts Councillor A. Warburton Councillor W. Waters | |
| 16. | STANDARDS COMMITTEE Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Standards Committee comprises the following Members: | Chairman Members | Mr. L. Petterson (Independent Co-optee) Councillor A. Gray Councillor T. Hogan Councillor Mrs. L. Hovvels Councillor Mrs. E. Maddison Mr. I. Jamieson (Independent Co-optee) Mr. B. Argyle (Independent Co-optee) Plus Vacancy Plus 2 Parish/Town Council Representatives | |
| 17. | APPEALS/REVIEW PANEL Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Appeals/Review Panel comprises the following Members: | Chairman : | To be appointed at each meeting. | | Members | Councillor W.M. Blenkinsopp Councillor T. D. Brimm Councillor V. Chapman Councillor Mrs. K. Conroy Councillor Mrs. P. Crathorne Councillor V. Crosby Councillor D. Farry Councillor G. C. Gray Councillor Mrs. J. Gray Councillor Mrs. I. Hewitson Councillor G.M.R. Howe Councillor J.G. Huntington Councillor Mrs. S.J. Iveson Councillor J. M. Khan Councillor C. Nelson Councillor Mrs. E.M. Paylor Councillor Mrs. C. Potts Councillor T. Ward . Plus vacancy A Panel of 3 Members to be selected as and when required by the Chief Executive. | |
| 18. | CHIEF OFFICER APPOINTMENTS PANEL Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Chief Officer Appointments Panel comprises the following Members: | | Councillor Mrs A.M. Armstrong Councillor V. Crosby Councillor T. F. Forrest Councillor Mrs. B. Graham Councillor T. Hogan Councillor Ms. I. Jackson Councillors Mrs. E.M. Wood | |
| 19. | EMPLOYMENT ISSUES PANEL Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Employment Issues Panel comprises the following Members: | Chairman: Members: | Councillor A. Hodgson Councillor A. Gray Councillor G. C. Gray Councillor D.M. Hancock Councillor Mrs. H.J. Hutchinson Councillor Mrs. E. Maddison Councillor A. Smith | |
| 20. | PERSONNEL APPEALS PANEL Minutes: C.21/07 PERSONNEL APPEALS PANEL RESOLVED : That the Personnel Appeals Panel comprises the following Members: | Chairman: Members | Councillor Mrs. A. M. Armstrong Councillor W.M. Blenkinsopp Councillor V. Chapman Councillor P. Crathorne Councillor V. Crosby Councillor Mrs. B. Graham Councillor G.C. Gray Councillor Mrs. J. Gray Councillor T. Hogan Councillor B. M. Ord Councillor Mrs. E.M. Paylor Plus Vacancy | |
| 21. | AREA 1 FORUM Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Area 1 Forum comprises the following Members: | (All Members representing the Spennymoor, Low Spennymoor and Tudhoe Grange, Middlestone and Tudhoe Wards, together with representatives from Town and Parish Councils and other organisations as appropriate) | | Chairman : Vice-Chairman : | Councillor A. Smith Councillor C. Nelson | | Members : | Councillor Mrs. A.M. Armstrong Councillor Mrs. B. Graham Councillor A. Gray Councillor J.M. Khan Councillor Mrs. E.Maddison Councillor B.M. Ord Councillor K. Thompson Councillor W. Waters Councillor Mrs. E.M. Wood | |
| 22. | AREA 2 FORUM Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Area 2 Forum comprises the following Members : | (All Members representing the Bishop Middleham and Cornforth, Broom, Chilton, and Ferryhill Wards, together with representatives from Town and Parish Councils and other organisations as appropriate). | | Chairman : Vice-Chairman : | Councillor Mrs. C. Potts Councillor Mrs. P. Crathorne | | Members : | Councillor B.F. Avery, J.P. Councillor T.D. Brimm Councillor Mrs. K. Conroy Councillor D. Farry Councillor T.F. Forrest Councillor J.E.Higgin Councillor .a. hodgson Councillor B. Lamb Councillor D.A. Newell | |
| 23. | AREA 3 FORUM Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Area 3 Forum comprises the following Members : | (All Members representing the Fishburn & Old Trimdon, Sedgefield, New Trimdon & Trimdon Grange Wards, together with representatives from Town and Parish Councils and other organisations as appropriate) | | Chairman : Vice-Chairman : | Councillor T. Ward Councillor J. Burton | | Members : | Councillor D.R. Brown Councillor D. Chaytor Councillor Mrs. L. Hovvels Councillor J. Robinson, J.P. Plus vacancy | |
| 24. | AREA 4 FORUM Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Area 4 Forum comprises the following Members : | (All Members representing the Byerley, Sunnydale and Thickley Wards, together with representatives from Town and Parish Councils and other organisations as appropriate) | | Chairman : Vice-Chairman : | Councillor B. Stephens Councillor V. Chapman | | Members : | Councillor D.M. Hancock Councillor G.M.R. Howe Councillor J.G. Huntington Councillor Ms. I. Jackson | |
| 25. | AREA 5 FORUM Minutes: C.26/07 RESOLVED : That the Area 5 Forum comprises the following Members : | (All Members representing the Greenfield Middridge, Neville & Simpasture, Shafto St. Marys, West and Woodham Wards, together with representatives from Town and Parish Councils and other organisations as appropriate) | | Chairman : Vice-Chairman : | Councillor Mrs. D. Bowman Councillor G.C. Gray | | Members : | Councillor W.M. Blenkinsopp Councillor V. Crosby Councillor Mrs. L. Cuthbertson Councillor P. Gittins Councillor Mrs. J. Gray Councillor B. Haigh Councillor Mrs. S. Haigh Councillor Mrs. I. Hewitson Councillor T. Hogan Councillor Mrs. H.J. Hutchinson Councillor Mrs. S.J. Iveson Councillor Mrs. E.M. Paylor Councillor A. Warburton | |
| 26. | BOROUGH/PARISH RELATIONS WORKING PARTY Minutes: RESOLVED : That the Borough/Parish Relations Working Party comprises the following Members :- | Chairman: To be appointed at the first meeting of the Working Party Vice Chairman: To be appointed at the first meeting of the Working Party | | Members: | Councillor Mrs. A.M. Armstrong Councillor Mrs. K. Conroy Councillor V. Crosby Councillor Mrs. B. Graham Councillor Mrs. L. Hovvels Councillor A. Hodgson Councillor J.G. Huntington Councillor Mrs. H.J. Hutchinson Councillor Mrs. S. J. Iveson Councillor J.M. Khan Councillor D.A. Newell Councillor J. Robinson, J.P. Councillor A. Smith Councillor W. Waters Plus representatives of all Town and Parish Councils/Meetings. | |
| 27. | REPRESENTATION ON OUTSIDE ORGANISATIONS 2008/2009 PDF 68 K Reportof Chief Executive. Minutes: Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive in respect of representation on outside organisations. (For copy see file of Minutes) RESOLVED : That representation on outside organisations for 2008/09 be as follows : Strategic Leadership (Councillor Mrs. A.M. Armstrong) | Organisation | Additional Membership/ Substitution/Notes | | Association of Councillors (Northern Branch) | | | Association of North East Councils | Deputy Leader acting as substitute | | Association of Public Service Excellence. | | | County Durham Association of Local Authorities | Together with the Deputy Leader | | Local Government Association (Assembly) | | | Local Government Association (Rural Commission) | | | Local Government Association Special Interest Group (New Towns) | | | North East Regional Assembly | | | North East Regional Assembly - Regional Development Forum | | Community Health Portfolio (Councillor Mrs. K. Conroy) | Organisation | Additional Membership/ Substitution/ Notes | | Council for Age Concern (Durham County) | | | North Regional Home Safety Council | | | Sedgefield Partnership Board for Services to Vulnerable Adults | Substitute Councillor Mrs. A. M. Armstrong | | Supporting People Cross Authority Members’ Group | Together with Cabinet Members for Safer Communities (Councillor J.M. Khan) and Housing (Councillor W. Waters) |
Leisure & Culture Portfolio (Councillor Mrs. B. Graham) | Organisation | Additional Membership/ Substitution/ Notes | | Durham County Sports Association for the Disabled | | | National Playing Fields Association (Northern Steering Committee) | | | MLA North East | | | North East Sport | | | Northern Arts Local Authority Forum | | | Northumbria Tourist Board (Local Authority Meeting) | | | Sedgefield Arts and Recreation Community Association (Ceddesfeld Hall). | | Housing Portfolio (Councillor W. Waters) | Organisation | Additional Membership/ Substitution/ Notes | | National Council for Housing and Planning (Regional Executive Committee) | Together with Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration & Partnership (Councillor V. Crosby) | | Northern Housing Consortium Ltd | Appointed as ‘observer’ | Safer Communities Portfolio (Councillor J.M. Khan) | Organisation | Additional Membership/ Substitution/ Notes | | Local Police/Public Consultative Committee | Together with Councillor G.C. Gray |
Learning & Employment Portfolio (Councillor Mrs L. Hovvels) | Organisation | Additional Membership/Substitution/ Notes | | Aycliffe Learning Town Partnership | | | County Durham Life Long Learning Partnership | | | ITeC North East Limited | Together with Councillor D. Chaytor | | Newton Aycliffe Town Centre Forum | Together with Councillor Mrs. J. Gray | | Spennymoor Town Centre Forum | Together with Councillors A. Gray and A. Smith | | Be Enterprising Franchising Co. | | | | | Social Regeneration & Partnership Portfolio (Councillor V. Crosby) | Organisation | Additional Membership/ Substitution/ Notes | | Coalfield Communities Campaign | Councillor Mrs. L. Hovvels acting as substitute) | | Cornforth Partnership (Management Committee) | Together with Councillors A. Hodgson and T.D. Brimm | | County Durham and Darlington SRB Programme Partnership Board | | | County Durham Compact Implementation Group | | | County Durham Strategic Partnership | | | Fishburn Community Skill Centre Project | Together with Councillor T. Ward | | Groundwork East Durham (Board) | Councillor A. Hodgson | | Local Area Agreement Interim Board | | | Sedgefield and District Advice and Information Service (Management Committee) | Together with Councillors B. F. Avery, J.P.. G.C. Gray, J.M. Khan and Mrs. C. Potts | | Sedgefield Borough Local Strategic Partnership | | | Trimdon 2000 Partnership Steering Group | | | | | Environment Portfolio (Councillor A. Hodgson) | Organisation | Additional Membership/ Substitution/ Notes | | Institute of Solid Wastes Management | | | Investigation of Air Pollution (Standing Conference) | | | ENCAMS (Formerly Keep Britain Tidy Group) | Together with Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration & Partnership (Councillor V. Crosby) | | National Society for Clean Air | Together with Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration & Partnership Councillor V. Crosby) | | Sustainable Waste Management Strategy for County Durham Joint Steering Group | | Additional Representation | Organisation | Membership | | Chilton Community College Association (Management Committee) | Councillors for the Chilton Ward (Councillors B.F. Avery, J.P., T.F. Forrest and Mrs. C. Potts) | | County Durham and Tees Valley Strategic Health Authority (Strategic Alliances Group) | Cabinet Member for Community Health (Councillor Mrs. K. Conroy) Cabinet Member for Environment (Councillor A. Hodgson) acting as substitute as and when necessary. | | County Durham E-Government Partnership Joint Committee | Councillor J.M. Khan with Councillor Mrs K. Conroy acting as substitute. | | Durham County Councils Health Scrutiny Committee | Councillors A. Gray and Mrs. P. Crathorne | | Durham County Overview and Scrutiny Member Network | Councillors J.E. Higgin and A. Gray | | Durham Rural Community Council | Councillor A. Hodgson | | Durham Tees Valley Airport Consultative Committee | Councillor J. Robinson, J.P. | | Housing, Regeneration and Development Company - Shadow Board | Councillors Mrs. A.M. Armstrong and V. Crosby | | Greenfield School (Newton Aycliffe) Shared Use Scheme (Management Committee) | Councillor Mrs. B. Graham | | Joint Durham Councils Transport Scrutiny Review Group | Councillors J.E. Higgin and A. Gray | | Joint Overview and Scrutiny Working Group (NEETS) | Councillor Mrs. P. Crathorne | | Jubilee Fields Community Association | Councillor V. Chapman | | Koolkash Management Board | Councillor Mrs. L. Hovvels Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture (Councillor Mrs. B. Graham) and Councillor J. Robinson, J.P. | | Locomotion Management Board | Cabinet Member for Leisure and Culture (Councillor Mrs. B. Graham) Cabinet Member for Social Regeneration and Partnership (Councillor V. Crosby) Director of Leisure Services Plus 3 Representatives of the National Railway Museum | | Middlestone Moor Youth Centre Committee | Councillor C. Nelson | | Nature Reserve Management Committee - Cow Plantation, Spennymoor | Councillor A. Smith | | Newton Aycliffe Youth Centre (Management Committee) | Councillor G.C. Gray | | North East Region Employers’ Organisation | Councillors A. Gray and V. Crosby | | North East Regional Employers Organisation - Member Development Forum | Councillor A. Gray | | Northern Regional Brass Band Trust | Councillor W. Waters | | Sedgefield Borough Twinning Association | Mayor Councillor J.Robinson, JP. (President of the Association) Councillors Mrs. D. Bowman, G.C. Gray, Mrs. L. Hovvels, Mrs. S.J. Iveson B. Lamb, and T. Ward | | Spennymoor Youth and Community Association (Management Committee) | Councillor A. Gray | | Trimdon Community College Association (Management Committee) | Councillors J. Burton, D. Chaytor and T. Ward | |
| 28. | FREQUENCY OF MEETINGS 2008/20009 PDF 80 K Report of Chief Executive. Minutes: Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive regarding the programme of meetings for the 2008/09 Municipal Year. (For copy see file of Minutes). RESOLVED : That Cabinet, Committees, Panels, Forums and Working Parties meet on the dates and times set out in the report for the Municipal Year 2008/09. ACCESS TO INFORMATION Any person wishing to exercise the right of inspection, etc., in relation to these Minutes and associated papers should contact Liz North 01388 816166 ext 4237 email: enorth@sedgefield.gov.uk |
| 29. | LOCAL GOVERNMENT REVIEW PROPOSALS - IMPLICATIONS - PROPOSED SINGLE TIER AREAS: PROTECTION OF HISTORIC TRADITIONS AND CEREMONIAL ARRANGEMENTS - UPDATE PDF 93 K Report of Chief Executive and Solicitor to the Council. Minutes: N.B. In accordance with Section 81 of the Local Government Act 2000 and the Members Code of Conduct Councillors Mrs S.J. Iveson, J. Robinson JP, W.M. Blenkinsopp, Mrs D. Bowman, Mrs J. Gray, G.C. Gray D. Farry, Mrs E.M. Wood, Mrs E. Maddison,and W. Waters declared an interest in this item. All Members referred to above remained in the meeting and took no part in the discussion and voting thereon. Consideration was given to a report of the Chief Executive (for copy see file of Minutes) giving an update following the release of a discussion paper prepared by the Department of Communities and Local Government, containing proposals for the protection of ceremonial rights and privileges in areas affected by Local Government Reorganisation. It was explained that secondary legislation and regulations were to be prepared to protect those rights and privileges. Cabinet had already approved a decision to inform the Department of Communities and Local Government and the County Council that Sedgefield Borough Council would seek to protect existing rights and privileges belonging to the Council following the grant of a Royal Charter in 1996. RESOLVED : 1. That the Chief Executive of Durham County Council (in its capacity as Transitional Authority) be informed that Sedgefield Borough Council wishes to retain the privileges and rights belonging to the Council following the grant of a Royal Charter in 1996. 2. That the suggestion made by the DCLG , following consultation with Sedgefield Town Council, that the privileges and rights be transferred to Sedgefield Town Council be approved and the DCLG be requested to make appropriate regulations under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007 accordingly. 3. That the DCLG be informed of the Council’s wishes. |