Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairman of the County Council with great sadness reported the deaths of former Durham County Councillor Patrick Nolan, who represented the Belmont Division from 1989 to 2001 and was made an Alderman in 2001; and former Wear Valley District Councillor, Margaret Jones who represented the Bishop Auckland Town Ward on the District Council from 1995 to 2007 and was Chairman of the Council in 2004/05.
The Council stood for a moments silence as a mark of respect.