A new chair of Durham County Council has been elected, as colleagues paid tribute to Beaty Bainbridge after her death in an emotional meeting. 

Cllr Joan Nicholson, of Annfield Plain, was sworn in as Chair at a meeting on Wednesday (March 29) following the death of Councillor Bainbridge in February. Her new role will see her carry out duties on behalf of the council, while 'flying the flag' for County Durham in neighbouring authorities and beyond.

The decision to elect Cllr Nicholson is especially poignant given she was one of Cllr Bainbridge’s best friends, she told the meeting. 

“Beaty was one of my best friends, she was County Durham to the heart of her; she ate and slept County Durham,” Cllr Niocholson said. “In the short time I’ve been doing the circuit, Beaty has been held in the greatest esteem. Her service to this county is just impeccable. She will be an absolute huge miss to Durham County Council and to the people who were able to call her their friend.”

The Northern Echo: Emotional tributes were paid to former councillor Beaty Bainbridge Emotional tributes were paid to former councillor Beaty Bainbridge (Image: DURHAM COUNTY COUNCIL)

Cllr Bainbridge had served as a councillor since 2008, most recently representing the Chester-le-Street East division, and was elected as Chair of the authority in May last year. 

Her legacy on the council will be remembered for years to come, colleague and friend Cllr Patricia Jopling said. 

She added: “Beaty has left a huge hole and we are going to find it difficult to fill that. We shared a history, although I’m a southerner and she’s a northerner, we had a lot in common. She was fun to be with; a laugh a minute. She was a lady with a huge heart, she would help anybody. She loved Chester-le-Street, she lived for that job. 

“Beaty was formidable, she was down to earth. Beaty was a star, she was my friend, my pal and my sister. I love that lady and I’m going to miss her a lot.”

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Members from across the political divide pledged to put politics to one side, and instead paid tribute to her career in the community.

Council Leader, Cllr Amanda Hopgood, said: “It was an honour to know Beaty. She was the life and soul of anywhere she attended. She was an inspiration to many and there is a lot of people who can learn a lot of things for how that lady worked within her community, how she represented people, and the passion and compassion she had as a person.”