Minutes:
The Leader of the Council reported that next month the new DLI Collection Gallery would open on Palace Green in the heart of Durham City. ‘Courage, Comrades and Community’ would bring the story of the Durham soldier to a wide audience, within the UNESCO World Heritage Site. The gallery, with modern interpretation boards and displays, would help engage audiences of all ages and would be free to visit.
The new gallery would complement the DLI Research and Study Centre which opened last year at Sevenhills near Durham Gate. This was set in a spacious location which allowed more items to be viewed from the collection than was the case previously, the research and study centre had already received in excess of 100 hours volunteering a week as well as many visitors able to access the collection to follow their research. Councillor Henig urged all Members to visit this excellent facility if they had not already done so.
The story of the DLI had also been brought to life in a series of exhibitions and events over the past year, including Somme 1916: From Durham to the Western Front, which brought over 30,000 visitors to Durham University’s Palace Green Library. In addition at the Gala around 5,000 people were transported to the First World War trenches and back again by what visitors described as an “incredible,” “superb” and “deeply moving” immersive experience, 1916: No Turning Back.
Many others turned out to see the specially commissioned Fighting Bradfords play, the Durham Hymns within the Cathedral and screenings of the Battle of the Somme film. Meanwhile educational sessions around the collection, experience and play had involved over 100 schools and more than 3,000 children, further widening access.
Councillor Henig thanked all of the partners involved, including the DLI Trustees, Friends and the University. It was thanks to their efforts that the story of the DLI had now reached more people than was the case in the previous year. The Council had been recognised by both the Arts Council and the Army Museums Ogilvy Trustas an example of innovative and sustainable approach to important collections.
Councillor Henig reported that Members were updated by email last week on the joint review of Teaching Assistant roles and responsibilities, being carried out by the Council, in conjunction with recognised trade unions. The review of Teaching Assistant roles, functions, job descriptions and activities was to establish whether current job descriptions adequately described and valued the requirements of the role.
A project team had been established to lead the review, consisting of council officers and recognised trade union representatives. This was supported by a Teaching Assistant Workstream and a Head Teacher Workstream.
The Teaching Assistant Workstream was made up of fifteen Teaching Assistants who worked across a variety of school settings. This group was considering the range of duties and responsibilities across the variety of Teaching Assistant roles. A Head Teacher Worksteam would also support the Project Team and ensure the views of headteachers were incorporated as the review progressed.
The Council was committed to progressing the review as quickly as possible, considering all of the options available. As well as being directly involved in the review process, ultimately, all Teaching Assistants would be individually consulted on its outcome.
Further information would be shared with members as the review develops.
The Chief Officer Appointments Committee last week appointed Amanda Healy, who was Director of Public Health in South Tyneside, as Director of Public Health, a joint appointment made with Public Health England. Councillor Henig thanked Gill O’Neill who had been interim Director of Public Health for all of her work.