A refreshingly honest view
Oct 22 2008 by John Mowbray, The Journal
AS County Durham draws nearer to the launch of the new unitary authority in April 2009, the North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC) has seen a reinvigorated Durham committee. Members in the county have been called to action to help support the new authority bed in.
Last month, Councillor Simon Henig as the new leader of the authority spoke to the Durham Committee to explain what has been happening with the reorganisation and his vision for the future. It was a refreshingly honest view of strengths and weaknesses.
What was most heartening was the news Coun Henig has recognised the important role that economic success needs to play to improve productivity and quality of life in the county. He is adamant that the business community can and should play its full role in improving the economic health of the county and to inspire the next generation to greater entrepreneurial heights.
With George Garlick as newly appointed chief executive and Coun Henig as leader, there is sound leadership within the new authority both at officer and elected levels.
Durham County Council has now started to advertise its key jobs and interviews are taking place this month. The new team can work on the strengths, particularly Durham's location in the centre of the region with transport corridors throughout.
It is uniquely placed between the two city regions, a geographically important position which it will look to make a strength rather than a weakness – particularly as the new unitary authority becomes the fourth largest in the country.
It is against this backdrop that the business community of Durham now has a real opportunity to be listened to and to get involved with shaping the vision and direction of the economy.
These are exciting times for County Durham both in terms of the move to a unitary authority – a move backed by NECC – and in the sporting arena Durham County Cricket Club were crowned county champions after only 16 years as a first class county.
Congratulations go to David Harker, their chief executive, Geoff Cook as coach and all the players and staff. It was the vision of Don Robson that set the club up and I spoke to him earlier this month when he was very proud of the team.
They are now looking to the future with plans to develop the ground and take the county to a new level. We look forward to more good fortune at the Cricket Club and wish them well both on and off the field.
John Mowbray, NECC Durham committee chairman and director of corporate affairs at Northumbrian Water Ltd
