Councillor James Pickard

Area Planning Committee (South and West) - Thursday 18 September 2025 1.00 pm

The Area Planning Committee (South and West) met on 18 September 2025, to discuss planning applications in the region. Councillors approved plans to demolish buildings on Market Place in Bishop Auckland to make way for a 59-bed hotel, and also approved advertisement and listed building consent for Central Buildings in Staindrop.

Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Monday 15 September 2025 9.30 am

The Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 15 September 2025, and members reviewed the work of the County Durham Economic Partnership, the progress of Strategic Place Plans, the council's financial performance, and the latest performance data against the Council Plan 2024-28. The committee agreed to note the reports and presentations provided.

Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 23 July 2025 9.30 am

The Environment and Sustainable Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee were scheduled to discuss a range of topics, including an overview of the Neighbourhoods and Environment service, the Quarter Four Performance Management Report for 2024/25, and a refresh of the work programme for 2025-26.

Charter Trustees for the City of Durham - Wednesday 16 July 2025 11.30 am

The Charter Trustees for the City of Durham were scheduled to meet to discuss governance, finance, and honorary appointments. The meeting included reviewing and approving the risk assessment for governance arrangements, the annual governance statement, the revenue outturn for the year ending 31 March 2025, the annual return for the year ended 31 March 2025, and honorary freedom arrangements. Councillors were expected to discuss and approve these items.

County Council - Wednesday 16 July 2025 10.00 am

Durham County Council met on Wednesday, 16 July 2025, for a meeting that included a report from the leader, questions from the public, and discussion of the Corporate Parenting Panel Annual Report. Councillors also voted against extending the time allocated to motions, and ultimately voted to rescind the Climate Emergency Declaration made in 2019, in favour of declaring a County Durham Care Emergency.