Minutes:
The Leader congratulated Locomotion, The National Railway Museum at Shildon, a joint National Railway Museum and County Council enterprise, on the staging of their Great Goodbye event which gave rail enthusiasts the opportunity to see six historic locomotives line-up together for possibly the last ever time. The event, which had attracted almost 120,000 visitors over a ten day period, had received positive press coverage both regionally and nationally. This was an example of a small County Council contribution to a museum reaping benefits to the County, similar to Beamish Museum which attracted nearly 600,000 visitors last year.
The Leader reported the opening of the Customer Access Point located in The Witham at Barnard Castle and new Citizen’s Advice Bureau offices at Seaham.
The Leader congratulated those involved with the successful Heritage Lottery Fund bid for a scheme to transform Durham City’s historic Wharton Park.
The Leader reported that the Bishop of Durham had been enthroned on Saturday 22 February and that he and Chief Executive had met yesterday with the Bishop.
The Leader referred to the Council’s Fixed Play Strategy which had been the subject of a consultation process in 2012. A draft framework had now been developed and consultation would take place with Town and Parish Council’s on this before a report would be considered by Cabinet later in the year. In the meantime, any Member who had a play related issue should approach Councillor Plews, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Leisure, Libraries and Lifelong Learning or the Corporate Director for Neighbourhood Services.