Minutes:
The Leader of the Council welcomed Members to the first full council meeting of 2024.
In 2024, the Council would look to strengthen its position as The Culture County, building on the legacy of the UK City of Culture bid. In early summer, The Story would open its doors at Mount Oswald. This new, world class attraction would bring together the Council’s archives and registrar services.
A new exhibition space was due to open at Locomotion in Shildon in the spring. New Hall would create the largest collection of historic rail vehicles, under cover, on one site, anywhere in the world.
Major developments were also due to be completed at Raby Castle and Beamish Museum and first division County cricket would be welcomed back after a great season last year for Durham County Cricket team.
The Council’s world class festivals and events would continue to bring communities together and attract thousands of visitors into County Durham towns and villages. From Bishop Auckland and Seaham Food Festivals to the musical extravaganza that was Brass these festivals and events did more than just entertain. They boosted County Durham’s visitor economy, raised its profile as a place to live, work and invest and inspired young people. The Leader hoped that all Members would join her in looking forward to maximising the benefits for communities.
Councillor C Marshall asked whether the Leader agreed, given the precarious financial position of the Council, that a full cost benefit analysis should be undertaken at the earliest opportunity on the art gallery and restaurant at the former DLI Museum.
The Leader of the Council replied that budgets were kept under constant review and Councillor Marshall had the opportunity to attend Cabinet meetings where such questions could be asked. A report was agreed by Cabinet last week which contained a fully programmed paper about creating a CIO which would enable cultural projects to access other forms of funding and not be reliant on the public purse. This was a way forward to ensure that both current and future residents were protected.
Councillor Marshall did not consider that the Leader of the Council had answered his question. Questions on the Leaders report were to allow the Leader to provide a response to Council rather than at Cabinet meetings. The Leader of the Council responded that questions should relate to matters contained within the Leaders report and this question was on a topic not contained within the report, adding that she was happy to speak to Councillor Marshall outside of the meeting on this matter.
Councillor P Sexton referred to The Story at Mount Oswald and asked the Leader how late the project was in being delivered and at what cost. The Leader of the Council replied that she did not have this information to hand but would provide Councillor Sexton with the information after the meeting.