County Planning Officer - Stuart Timmis

A last minute commitment prevented Stuart Timmis from attending this evening meeting but his boss - Ian Thompson, Corporate Director of Regeneration & Economic Development with the County Council - stood in for Stuart.
In addressing the subject of this talk, Ian started by reflecting on the rate of change most of us have experienced in our lifetime but he was unwilling to project this for our grandchildren. Instead, he summarised the work the County Council is doing to ensure a sustainable future for the county's inhabitants.  Summarising some of the many successes, Ian highlighted examples such as the Hitachi train manufacturing plant being developed near Newton Aycliffe, the new national bank to be sited at Aykley Heads, a new pharmaceutical company and, of course, the growth in tourism to the region.  All of this points to a future where the county will be a safe place to live, work and play.