Minutes:
The Chairman paid tribute to the services of Councillor Lethbridge during his term of office and presented a Past Chairman’s Medal to Councillor Lethbridge 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 Lethbridge’s consort, Mrs Lethbridge, who had been a great support to Councillor Lethbridge during his period of office.
Further tributes to Councillor Lethbridge’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 Shuttleworth (Leader of the Durham County Council Independent Group), Councillor R Bell (Leader of the Conservative Group), Councillor S Zair (On behalf of the Durham Independent Group), Councillor Maddison (Leader of the Spennymoor Independent Group) and Councillor McDonnell (On behalf of the North East Group).
In response, Councillor Lethbridge 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 Corrigan for her support as Vice-Chairman throughout the year.
Councillor Lethbridge offered his congratulations to Councillor Corrigan and her consort and wished her well for her year in office. Finally, Councillor Lethbridge thanked his consort for her unwavering support throughout the year.
The Chairman then presented Mrs Lethbridge with a gift in appreciation of her efforts in supporting Councillor Lethbridge during his term of office.
Council then viewed a video of a recent parachute jump undertaken by Councillor Lethbridge in support of his chosen charity, the Royal British Legion.