Minutes:
The Chairman paid tribute to the services of Councillor Kellett during his term of office and presented a Past Chairman’s Medal to Councillor Kellett incorporating the Council’s Coat of Arms as a token of the Council’s appreciation of his services during his period of office. The Chairman also paid tribute to Councillor Kellett’s consort, Councillor Chaplow, who had been a great support to Councillor Kellett during his period of office.
Further tributes to Councillor Kellett’s ambassadorial service, the diligent, exceptional, professional and dignified way he had conducted himself during his term of office both locally, regionally, nationally and internationally were given by Councillor Henig (Leader of the Labour Group), Councillor Hopgood (Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group), Councillor Shield (Leader of the Durham Independent Group), Councillor R Bell (Leader of the Conservative Group), Councillor Shuttleworth (Leader of the Durham County Council Independent Group), Councillor Maddison (Leader of the Spennymoor Independent Group) and Councillor Hawley (Leader of the North East Group).
In response, Councillor Kellett thanked both the incoming Chairman and all Councillors for the presentation and expressed his appreciation to all who had supported and assisted him during the year and thanked Councillor Lethbridge for his support as Vice-Chairman throughout the year.
Councillor Kellett offered his congratulations to Councillor Lethbridge and his consort and wished him well for his year in office. Finally, Councillor Kellett thanked his consort, Councillor Chaplow, for her unwavering support throughout the year.
The Chairman then presented Councillor Chaplow with a gift in appreciation of her efforts in supporting Councillor Kellett during his term of office.
Councillor Kellett informed Council that, to date, £16,000 had been raised for his chosen charity, the Great North Air Ambulance, during his term of office.