Councillor Mark Wilkes

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.

Cabinet - Wednesday 9 July 2025 9.30 am

The Durham County Council Cabinet met to discuss the local council tax reduction scheme, performance management, budget outturns, the planning and infrastructure bill, school budgets, and adult social care. The cabinet agreed to consult on changes to the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme, noted the Quarter 4 Performance Management Report, and approved amendments to the capital programme. They also discussed the Planning and Infrastructure Bill and the financial challenges facing maintained schools.

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.