Councillor Scott Woodhouse

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.

Combined Fire Authority for County Durham and Darlington - Tuesday 15 July 2025 10.00 am

The Combined Fire Authority for County Durham and Darlington were scheduled to meet to discuss the Community Risk Management Plan, Local Government Legislation Subscription, and Pay Awards, alongside other internal matters. The meeting was due to take place at the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service Headquarters. Councillors were also expected to discuss items that were exempt from the public.

Highways Committee - Thursday 10 July 2025 9.30 am

Here is a summary of the items scheduled for discussion at the Highways Committee meeting on 10 July 2025. The main item for discussion was a report regarding an application to modify the definitive map and statement for three public footpaths in Esh. The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes from a previous meeting.

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.