Agenda item

Leader's Report

Minutes:

Councillor Henig provided the Council with an update report which included the following:

  • Lumiere would be returning to Durham City between 17 – 20 November with new exhibits to bring an even more spectacular festival of light.  Landmarks would be transformed with the river, buildings and bridges all forming the backdrop for the event, with exhibits from the best regional, national and international artists.  Those visiting the event were urged to use the Park and Ride or Park and Walk facilities.
  • Locomotion at Shildon, which was the only example of a partnership between a Local Authority and a national museum body, was on target to achieve 200,000 visitors, making it the second largest museum in County Durham.  Since it had opened in 2004 the museum had achieved 15 awards for excellence and housed over 80 vehicles from the national railway collection.  It was a major events venue, hosting over 40 events a year.
  • Last week had seen the first anniversary of the Government’s Comprehensive Spending Review.  A map produced by Newcastle City Council was displayed that showed the North East region had been hit harder and deeper by the cuts resulting from the Spending Review.
  • Members were urged to lobby MP’s over Government proposals to change the way local government was funded by introducing retention of business rates, which would lead to a transfer of resources to the Home Counties.

 

The Leader then invited Councillor N Foster, Cabinet Portfolio Member for Economic Regeneration, to provide the Council with an update on bus services in Upper Teesdale.  Councillor Foster informed the Council that other operators had been invited to come forward with proposals for the operation of bus services, but none had been forthcoming.  The County Council was continuing to work with communities to address key priorities for the area.