Minutes:
Photographs during proceedings
The Chairman informed Members that photographs would be taken during the course of the meeting and that the traditional Council photograph would be taken at the end of the meeting.
Retirement of Corporate Director, Resources
The Chairman informed Council that Don McLure, the Councils Corporate Director, Resources was to retire form the Council on 31 May 2016. Don joined the Council in 2010 after an eight-year career with Derby City Council, and prior to that worked for Gateshead Council. Since coming to Durham he had headed the financial, legal and democratic, human resources and ICT teams through one of the most difficult times in local government history. He had managed the finances for the largest council in the region during a period in which it had to make £153m in budget cuts and had played a significant role in helping manage the council during this difficult time.
The Corporate Director, Resources thanked the Chairman for his words and informed Council that he was honoured to be ending his 41 year career in local government at Durham County Council. He thanked his colleagues on the Corporate Management Team and wished the Chief Executive well in building his new Management Team and thanked Resources Management Team and all staff for their support. He thanked all Members for their support and added that it had been a privilege to serve a Cabinet with such strategic vision, values and priorities. He considered Councillor Napier, Portfolio Holder for Finance, to be the most astute and passionate portfolio holder he had worked for.
Councillor Henig, Leader of the Council, thanked the Corporate Director for his work for the Council, which he had carried out with the utmost integrity and professionalism during a period of huge financial challenge. The robustness of the Council’s financial position owed a lot to the work of the Corporate Director.
Councillors Hopgood, May and R Bell all thanked the Corporate Director for his service to the Council during a challenging financial situation and praised his even-handed approach to all Members.
Councillor Napier, Portfolio Holder for Finance informed Council that every plaudit and accolade for the Corporate Director was fully deserved.