Councillor Mark Wilkes

Special Meeting, Cabinet - Wednesday 9 July 2025 12.00 pm

Durham County Council's Cabinet met to discuss a number of issues, including the transfer of trusteeship for the Plawsworth and Kimblesworth Community Centre and Recreation Ground and the local council tax reduction scheme. The Cabinet agreed to appoint the Plawsworth and Kimblesworth Community Group as Trustee of the Plawsworth and Kimblesworth Community Centre and Recreation Ground, and following their appointment, to approve the retirement of Durham County Council as Trustee. The Cabinet also agreed to launch a consultation on potential changes to the local council tax reduction scheme for working-age residents.

Area Planning Committee (Central and East) - Tuesday 8 July 2025 1.00 pm

The Area Planning Committee (Central and East) were scheduled to discuss two planning applications relating to changes of use for properties in Durham. Both applications concerned the conversion of dwellinghouses into houses in multiple occupation[^1] (HMOs).

County Planning Committee - Wednesday 2 July 2025 1.00 pm

The County Planning Committee met to discuss three planning applications, including a solar farm with battery storage, a standalone battery energy storage system, and the redevelopment of a school. The committee approved the Durham Academy redevelopment, but voted to refuse the solar farm application, against officer recommendation, citing landscape harm. A motion to approve the battery energy storage system was then carried.

Special, Area Planning Committee (Central and East) - Tuesday 24 June 2025 1.00 pm

The Area Planning Committee (Central and East) met to consider planning applications for a retail development at Thinford Park and the removal of a planning condition at a boutique bed and breakfast.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board - Monday 23 June 2025 9.30 am

Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board meeting. It is important to note that this summary is based on the agenda and associated reports, and therefore does not reflect actual discussions, decisions, or outcomes of the meeting.