Minutes:
The Chair informed Council that the meeting would be the final full council meeting for the council’s Chief Executive, Terry Collins who was retiring at the end of the year. Terry had served a successful 43-year career in local government at the City of York, Redcar and Cleveland, Brighton, Eastleigh, Darlington and South Tyneside Councils.
Terry joined the council in February 2009 as Corporate Director for Neighbourhoods, two months before the new unitary authority became operational.
Terry had been the council’s Chief Executive for the past five years and had racked up a number of notable achievements during his time including the development of the council’s culture-led regeneration programme into one of the most extensive and ambitious in the country, in turn increasing Durham’s national and international reputation as a great place to invest and visit, increasing visitors to the County and boosting job creation and the economy. This had included Lumiere, the UK’s largest light festival, which attracted its one millionth visitor in November 2019.
Terry had provided robust financial management during years of austerity to ensure that the council could continue to provide strong frontline services and had been instrumental in the development and delivery of a countywide investment programme including the new Integra 61 development and the expansion of NETPark. He also led the team responsible for bringing the Amazon facility to County Durham, which was one of the largest in the country.
More recently Terry had led the Council through its response to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Chair placed on record her personal appreciation to Terry for his time as Chief Executive. The Council’s achievements under his leadership spoke for themselves and the Chair was sure all Members of the Council would associate themselves with her remarks.
Councillor Henig, Leader of the Council thanked Terry for his service to the council as both Corporate Director of Neighbourhood Services and as the council’s Chief Executive. He wished Terry all the best for a long and happy retirement.
Councillor Amanda Hopgood, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Group, Councillor J Shuttleworth, Leader of the Durham County Council Independent Group, Councillor R Bell, Leader of the Conservative Group, Councillor A Shield, Leader of the Durham Independent Group and Councillor L Maddison, Leader of the Spennymoor Independent Group all added their thanks to Terry for his service to the council, particularly for his leadership during the pandemic, and wished him all the best for a long and happy retirement.
Terry Collins, Chief Executive thanked Members for their kind comments. He thanked all Members for their help and support during his service with the council, his CMT colleagues for their support and all staff who worked for the council.
The Chair informed Council that the meeting had a lengthy agenda and sought agreement from to waive standing orders to allow for the extension of the meeting should it go beyond 2 and a half hours, and if time allowed for motions goes beyond 30 minutes. Seconded by Councillor O Johnson.
Resolved:
That standing orders be waived to allow for the extension of the meeting should it go beyond 2 and a half hours, and if time allowed for motions goes beyond 30 minutes