Prior
to the commencement of the meeting the Chairman of the Council with
great sadness reported the following deaths:
-
Former Member of Parliament for the
Easington Constituency, and District of Easington Councillor John
Cummings. John was one of the youngest
ever Councillors elected to the District Council in 1970 and was
Chairman in 1975-1976. He went on to
become Leader of the Council in 1979 until he stepped down in 1987
to become elected Member of Parliament for the Easington
Constituency which he went on to serve for 23 years. He was elected as an MP with one of the highest
majorities, 24,639, and served his Constituency though some
extremely difficult times. His contribution to the Easington Constituency and
beyond would never be forgotten;
- Former
Teesdale District Councillor and
Evenwood and Barony Parish Councillor
Raymond Gibson who had served local government for in excess of 25
years; and
- Former
Chester-le-Street District Councillor
and Alderman, Peter Hopkins.
The
Council stood for a moments silence as a mark of
respect.