Prior to the commencement of the meeting the Chairman reported with great sadness the deaths of:
· former Durham City Councillor Stuart Walton who served the Shadforth and Sherburn Ward from 2003 to 2009;
· Honorary Alderman and former Easington District Councillor Frank Shaw who served the Dawdon Ward on the District Council from 1973 to 2009;
· Roger Kelly, who started his local government career as a Highways Solicitor at Durham County Council. He later became Deputy Director of Legal Services at Gateshead Council and went on the be their Chief Executive before retiring in 2012. Following his retirement he became the driving force behind the relaunch of Ushaw College in Durham as a cultural centre and visitor attraction and Chaired the County Durham Cultural Partnership.
The Council stood for a moments silence as a mark of respect.