Minutes:
Death of the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Alasdair MacConnachie – The Mayor announced the death of the Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Alasdair MacConnachie, who had passed away on 25th December 2024. The Mayor referred to Mr. MacConnachie’s years of service as Vice Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham, Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of County Durham and High Sheriff of Durham, and noted that Mr. MacConnachie had been awarded the Freedom of the Borough of Darlington in 2012.
Death of the ex-Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson- The Mayor announced the death of the ex-Lord Lieutenant of County Durham, Sir Paul Nicholson, who had passed away on 18th January 2025. The Mayor referred to Sir Paul’s years of service, noting that he was knighted in 1993 for services to industry and the public in the North-East, and that he had served as Lord Lieutenant of County Durham between 1997 and 2013.
Members stood and observed a short silence in respect of these individuals who had contributed and demonstrated such a commitment to the Borough.
King’s New Year’s Honours 2025 – The Mayor advised Members that awards were conferred on two individuals who resided or worked in Darlington. Members were informed that John Arthur Evans, Executive Chair of Beanies the Flavour Company, based in Darlington, had been awarded with the Officer of the Order of the British Empire (O.B.E.) for services to Entrepreneurship, and that Calvin Kipling, Head of the Virtual School, Darlington Borough Council, had been awarded the Member of the Order of the British Empire (M.B.E.) for services to Education.
RESOLVED – That the congratulations of the Council be conveyed to those who received awards.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 - The Mayor acknowledged Holocaust Memorial Day, which had taken place on Monday, 27th January 2025, and marked the 80th Anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, and the 30th Anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
Members stood and observed a short silence to remember those murdered and reflect on the atrocities of genocide.