Minutes:
The Chair extended a warm welcome to Councillor June Watson, the recently elected Member for the Dawdon Division.
The Chair informed Council that since the last meeting she had attended various events, including a visit by a Japanese delegation to Durham Town Hall in October and in November the launch of the Future Business Magnates scheme. The Chair had also been in attendance at Remembrance Services at County Hall, Haswell, Durham Cathedral and Stanley and the Spanish Apprenticeship Awards at the Spanish Gallery, Bishop Auckland.
The Chair was also pleased to announce that:
· footpath improvements between Old Pit Lane in Newton Hall and Rivergreen at Aykley Heads had been completed.
An ‘Excellent’ grading had been received for the DurhamEnable service who had been commended in all areas of their work following an audit carried out by the British Association for Supported Employment after receiving a total score of 92 per cent. The DurhamEnable service provided a specialist service for people with disabilities and mental health needs, aged 18 and over find work.
DurhamEnable's job coaches worked with people who faced significant barriers to entering work because of the long-term impact of a disability or deteriorating mental health, helping them to find and stay in work.
Finally the Chair invited all Members join her for a Christmas Celebration on 7 December to be held in the Durham Room at 1.00 p.m.