At the Annual General Meeting of Durham County Council (DCC), members re-elected Cllr Joan Nicholson (Independent) as the council’s Chair for 2024-25. Cllr Patricia Jopling (Conservative) was elected Vice-Chair.
At the meeting, Cllr Amanda Hopgood (Liberal Democrat), Leader of Durham County Council, confirmed that the members of the DCC Cabinet would continue in the same roles for the year ahead. Cllr Richard Bell (Conservative) remains Deputy Leader and all other Cabinet members retain their portfolios. The other Cabinet members are Cllr Alan Shield (Independent), Cllr John Shuttleworth (Independent), Cllr Mark Wilkes (Liberal Democrat), Cllr James Rowlandson (Conservative), Cllr Chris Hood (Independent), Cllr Elizabeth Scott (Liberal Democrat), Cllr Ted Henderson (Conservative), and Cllr Susan McDonnell (The North East Party).
During the AGM, county councillors also made a series of committee appointments for the year ahead, which will be listed in full on the DCC website – www.durham.gov.uk/news
On behalf of the Joint Administration, Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, comments: “After the formation of the Joint Administration in May 2021, there were a lot of pundits and opposition councillors who confidently claimed that the partnership would only last weeks. Despite the many challenges and the relentless attacks from County Durham Labour that we have faced over the last three years, we’re still here and we’re still delivering a positive and ambitious agenda for the benefit of everyone, in sharp contrast to many local authorities.
“The financial circumstances for the county council are tougher than ever, but we will continue to serve all of our residents, and play a full role in the new combined authority, taking advantage of the opportunities that the devolution deal presents to County Durham and the wider North East. It is a huge privilege to lead Durham County Council and I look forward to working with all of my colleagues in the Joint Administration and other members who are prepared to cooperate in a constructive manner for the greater good, during what will be another busy and productive year.”
Full details of the agenda and reports can be found on the DCC website. Agenda for County Council from Wednesday 22nd May 2024, 10.00am – Durham County Council.