Minutes:
Acknowledgement of Service – The Mayor announced that the following Councillors would not be standing as candidates in the Local Government Elections on 2 May 2019:-
Councillor Lyonette, with 43 years’ service on Darlington Borough Council between 1973 and 1976, and 1979 and 2019;
Councillor Tony Richmond, with 42 and a half years’ service on Darlington Borough Council between May 1976 and May 1979, and December 1979 and 2019;
Councillor Dixon, with 40 years’ service on Darlington Borough Council between 1979 and 2019;
Councillor Crichlow, with 32 years’ service on Darlington Borough Council between 1987 and 2019;
Councillor Copeland, with 20 years’ service;
Councillor Nutt, with 16 years’ service;
Councillor Jan Taylor, with 16 years’ service between May 1987 and May 1995, and May 2011 and 2019;
Councillor Lawton, with 14 years and eight months service;
Councillor York, with 12 years’ service;
Councillor Cartwright, with 11 years and one months’ service between May 2007 and May 2011, and April 2012 and May 2019;
Councillor Joe Kelley, with eight years’ service;
Councillor Carson, with eight years’ service;
Councillor Wright, with eight years’ service;
Councillor Chris Taylor, with eight years’ service;
Councillor Grundy, with eight years’ service;
Councillor Knowles, with eight years’ service;
Councillor Katie Kelly, with four years’ service; and
Councillor Rahman, with one and a half years’ service.
A total of 292 years and nine months service.
RESOLVED – That the cordial thanks of the Council be extended to these Councillors for the valuable service they have rendered to the Borough during their terms of office.
Retirement of the Head of Democratic Services – The Mayor announced that Linda Todd, Head of Democratic Services, was attending her last meeting of the Council, ahead of her retirement following the Local Government (Borough) Elections. The Mayor highlighted that Linda had worked for the Council for 34 years, serving Members on all sides of the Council Chamber, and had provided impartial and professional guidance and support.
RESOLVED – That the cordial thanks of the Council be extended to Linda Todd for the valuable support provided to Members during her time with the Council.