Programme Boards

Most of the work to reorganise the councils will be undertaken through six programme boards, each of which will be led by a member of the Joint Implementation Team.

The boards will undertake research, consider options and develop recommendations for councillors to consider. They will set up and commission work from a number of service or topic-specific workstreams. They will also consult and engage key stakeholders in developing proposals for how the new unitary council should be set up and work.

Children and Young People

This board focuses on what needs to be put in place for the unitary council to deliver improved outcomes for children and young people in the county.

The board comprises:

David Williams, Corporate Director of Children and Young People's Services, Durham County Council (Lead Officer).
Gordon Elliott, Director of Corporate Administration and Policy, Derwentside District Council.
Nick Whitton, Head of Strategic Commissioning, Adults, Durham County Council.
Roger Goodes, Programme Manager, Durham County Council.
Fiona McGlone, Durham County Council (Business Manager).
Nick Tzamarias, Assistant Director of Development Services, Chester-le-Street District Council.

Adults, Wellbeing and Health

This board focuses on what needs to be put in place for the unitary council to deliver improved outcomes for adults, general wellbeing and the health of people in the county.

The board comprises:

Rachael Shimmin, Corporate Director of Adult and Community Services, Durham County Council (Lead Officer).
Michael Banks, Assistant Chief Constable, Durham Constabulary.
Glyn Hall, Director of Neighbourhood Services, Sedgefield Borough Council.
Rosemary Laxton, Head of Libraries, Learning and Culture, Durham County Council.
Anna Lynch, Locality Director, Public Health, County Durham Primary Care Trust/Durham County Council.
Carole Payne, Head of Strategic Commissioning, Children and Young People's Services, Durham County Council.
Roger Goodes, Programme Manager, Durham County Council.
Peter Appleton, Durham County Council (Business Manager).
David Marshall, Risk Manager, Durham County Council.

Environment and Neighbourhoods

This board focuses on what needs to be put in place for the unitary council to deliver improved outcomes for the environment and neighbourhoods.

The board comprises:

Roger Elphick, Acting Corporate Director of Environment, Durham County Council (Lead Officer).
John Richardson, Acting Chief Executive, Durham County Council.
Mike Clark, Chief Executive, Derwentside District Council.
David Marrs, Acting Chief Executive, Durham City Council.
Jeff Riddell, Head of Environment and Leisure Services (Street Scene Workstream Lead), Durham City Council.
Oliver Sherratt, Director of Community Services (Waste Management Workstream Lead), District of Easington.
Vivien Wiley, Acting Director Service Direct, Durham County Council.
Roger Goodes, Programme Manager, Durham County Council.
Sue Kelley, Durham City Council (Business Manager).
Adrian White, Highways and Transportation workstream lead.
Maggie Bosanquet, Natural and Built Environment and Sustainability workstream lead.
Peter Reynolds, Better Regulation workstream lead.
Phil Ball, Community Sport and Recreation workstream lead.
Paul Burr, Directly Provided Contract Services workstream lead.
Colin Steel, Housing Landlord workstream lead.
Mike Thompson, Housing workstream lead.
Anthony McDermott, Civil Continguencies workstream lead.

Corporate Support

This board focuses on what needs to be put in place to provide administrative, business and corporate support to the new unitary council.

The board comprises:

Stuart Crowe, County Treasurer, Durham County Council (Lead Officer).
Brian Allen, Chief Executive, Sedgefield Borough Council.
Lesley Davies, Acting Director of Corporate Services, Durham County Council.
Roger Goodes, Programme Manager, Durham County Council.
Chris Rolle, Durham County Council (Business Manager).

Place Shaping

This board focuses on what needs to be put in place to enable the new unitary council to support the development of County Durham and its communities as places in which people can look forward to living, working and investing in.

The board comprises:

Janet Johnson, Chief Executive, District of Easington (Lead Officer).
Mike Clark, Chief Executive, Derwentside District Council.
Bob Hope, Director for the Environment and Regeneration, Wear Valley District Council.
John Pearson, Director of Development and Asset Management, Derwentside District Council.
Peter Coe, Director of Regeneration and Development, District of Easington.
John Richardson, Acting Chief Executive, Durham County Council.
Bob Ward, Head of Economic Development and Regeneration, Durham County Council.
Adrian White, Head of Transport and Design, Durham County Council.
Roger Goodes, Programme Manager, Durham County Council.
Sue Wild, Durham County Council (Business Manager).

Challenge

This board focuses on what needs to be put in place to enable the new unitary council to develop as an organisation and communicate and engage with residents, businesses and local communities.

The board comprises:

Neil Stokell, Chief Executive, Teesdale District Council (Lead Officer).
Rachel Bowles, Assistant Chief Executive, Teesdale District Council.
Joy Brindle, Assistant Chief Executive, District of Easington.
Ann Campbell, Head of Corporate Policy, Durham County Council.
Chris Dunn, Head of Access to Services, Durham County Council.
Kevin Edworthy, Corporate Communications and Media Relations Officer, Durham County Council.
Kim Jobson, Head of Human Resources, Durham County Council.
Roy Templeman, Chief Executive, Chester-le-Street District Council.
Julie Underwood, Performance and Improvement Manager, Chester-le-Street District Council.
Sheila Owens, Strategic Manager - Learning and Outreach, Durham County Council.
Roger Goodes, Programme Manager, Durham County Council.
Jonny Tew, Durham County Council (Business Manager).
Susan Johnson, Chief Executive, County Durham & Darlington Fire & Rescue Service.