At the Annual General Meeting of Durham County Council (DCC) today, members elected Cllr Beaty Bainbridge (Conservative) as the council’s Chair for 2022-23. The election followed custom, with the previous year’s Vice-Chair stepping up to the role of Chair. Cllr Joan Nicholson (independent) was elected Vice-Chair. Going against tradition, the opposition Labour group had nominated a candidate for the role.
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 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 Paul Sexton (independent), Cllr Elizabeth Scott (Liberal Democrat), Cllr Ted Henderson (Conservative), and Cllr Susan McDonnell (The North East Party).
Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council, comments: “Along with all partners in the Joint Administration, I am proud of what we have achieved over the last year for residents throughout County Durham. We have directly tackled the big issues that were raised before the 2021 election and by working together in a genuine, equal partnership, we have set out an ambitious and positive vision for both the council and this wonderful county. After the AGM, I am delighted that we can now proceed with our programme, and especially the development of our inclusive economic strategy.
“Clearly, there are some big challenges ahead, particularly in the context of the cost of living crisis, and other pressures on budgets and services. However, by continuing to work in a true partnership, as we have done so effectively during the first 12 months of the Joint Administration, we can deliver on the promises that we have all made to residents.
“I was disappointed that the Labour group ignored the council custom and tradition that they introduced, which sees the sitting Vice Chair become the next Chair. However, I wasn’t particularly surprised, as this was typical of the last 12 months of opposition, which have been characterised by a complete lack of appetite to do anything constructive or collaborative. As long as Labour members continue to behave in this way, they will also continue to be ineffective and simply obstructive, which is to the detriment of the council and does nothing to serve the residents of County Durham. Perhaps they should reflect a little more on that attitude, which made a significant contribution to them losing control of the council.”
Cllr Richard Bell, deputy leader, adds: “The first year of the Joint Administration of DCC has been a genuine partnership, with equal input from all of the groups involved. We have achieved a lot together and the working arrangements have been very effective. To keep delivering our programme for the people of County Durham, we all agree that continuity is important and changing roles was unnecessary and potentially disruptive.
“I am delighted that Cllr Beaty Bainbridge was elected as Chairman of DCC. Beaty is a true community champion, an experienced councillor and a very sociable person, who will be very well suited to the role, within and outside the council chamber.”
Cllr Alan Shield, cabinet member and leader of The Durham Group, comments: “I am proud of the pivotal role that independent councillors have played in the Joint Administration of Durham County Council. Together with our partners, we have started tackling some big challenges through open discussion and a spirit of collaboration. There are often different views among partners, but we have managed to reach a consensus on the major issues for the good of all residents in County Durham and I look forward to continuing that approach over the next three years.
“Huge gratitude is due to Cllr Watts Stelling. He was a trailblazer as the first ever independent Chair of the county council and took on that role with relish, both in the chamber and at civic events. He has demonstrated dignity, fairness and energy, during what has been a very unusual and challenging year, particularly with many new councillors and issues relating to the ongoing pandemic.”
Cllr John Shuttleworth, cabinet member and leader of the County Durham Independent Group, comments: “After the council’s 2021 AGM, the opposition was adamant that the Joint Administration would not last. Not only was that assumption very wide of the mark, but together we have thrived and from day one we started delivering on our promises to the people of County Durham. That’s what voters demanded and we will continue to tackle the issues that matter, on behalf of every resident in the county.”
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. The Labour group forced a vote on every committee appointment, unnecessarily extending the length of the meeting despite the fact that each post was clearly going to be elected along political lines.
