Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairman of the County Council with great sadness reported the deaths of:
· Councillor Leo Taylor. Leo had served on Easington District Council from 2002 to 2009 and was the final Chairman of Easington District Council prior to LGR. Leo had also been a Councillor on Wingate Parish Council. He had been heavily involved with Wingate Community Centre, Wingate Juniors and Wingate Infants and had a deep affiliation with Castle Eden Cricket Club, which he had been involved with since 1965. Leo devoted the vast majority of his life to his community and this was recognised in 2013 when he received the British Empire Medal.
· Former Durham City Councillor and Alderman, Jeff Young and former Easington District Councillor, Stan Bishop. Jeff and Stan both served their respective District Council’s for 22 years each.