Councillor Chris Foote-Wood

Standards Committee - Friday 12 September 2025 9.30 am

The Durham County Council Standards Committee met on 12 September 2025 to discuss several key issues, including updates to the Code of Conduct, the national standards picture, the Debate Not Hate campaign, and the recruitment of independent persons. The committee agreed to extend the term of one independent person, noted that another was stepping down, and agreed to proceed with shortlisting candidates for two new independent persons at a meeting on 1 December 2025. The committee also discussed the recruitment of town and parish council co-opted members and reviewed the committee's work programme for 2025/26.

Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee - Wednesday 10 September 2025 9.30 am

The Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the latest performance data for the council, and to evaluate the impact of Operation Trailblazer, a project designed to tackle anti-social behaviour. The committee noted the Quarter Four Performance Management Report, which highlighted both positive achievements and areas needing improvement, and reviewed the findings of the Operation Trailblazer evaluation, which will inform future strategies for tackling anti-social behaviour.

General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee (3) - Monday 8 September 2025 9.30 am

The General Licensing and Registration Sub-Committee (3) convened to address a single application concerning a private hire and Hackney carriage driver's license. The committee resolved to exclude the public from the discussion due to the confidential nature of the information to be reviewed.

Corporate Parenting Panel - Friday 5 September 2025 9.30 am

The Corporate Parenting Panel met to discuss the Durham Family Strategy, updates from Ofsted, and annual surveys from children in care and care leavers. The panel approved the new Durham Family Strategy 2025-2029 and agreed to change the name of the Corporate Parenting Panel to the Durham Family Panel. They also agreed to a Care Leavers Council representative and a housing representative taking co-opted positions on the panel.

Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee - Friday 1 August 2025 9.30 am

The Statutory Licensing Sub-Committee of Durham County Council met on Friday 1 August 2025 to consider a representation against interim steps that had been taken against The Aviator Gin Bar. These steps were taken following an application for a summary review of the premises licence by Durham Constabulary. The committee was scheduled to determine whether to withdraw or modify the interim steps taken.