Here is a summary of the items scheduled for discussion at the County Durham Council Cabinet meeting on 19 November 2025.

The cabinet was scheduled to consider the 2026/27 budget and medium-term financial plan, the local council tax reduction scheme, the council tax base, an apprenticeship strategy and a review of the council's use of investigatory powers. The meeting was to be held in two parts, with some items considered in private session.

Medium Term Financial Plan

The cabinet was scheduled to discuss the updated financial forecasts for the council's Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) (16) 2026/27 – 2029/30. A report prepared by Paul Darby, Corporate Director of Resources, noted that the council was facing a budget deficit of £27.567 million in 2026/27 and £82.137 million across the four-year planning period, if council tax levels remained the same. The report stated that these figures took into account £10.057 million of new savings proposals. The report also set out options to increase council tax to reduce the budget deficit. The report noted that the council was facing escalating budget pressures in the Children Looked After placements budget, and particularly high-cost external residential care placements. The report stated that the council was aiming to deliver around £20 million of savings through its Transformational Change Programme.

Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme

The cabinet was scheduled to consider a report from Paul Darby, Corporate Director of Resources, regarding the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme (LCTRS) for 2026/27. The report outlined proposals to make changes to the scheme for working age residents from 1 April 2026. The report summarised feedback received from a public consultation, which ran from 18 July 2025 to 26 September 2025 and had 1,856 responses. The report stated that the proposed changes were:

• implement an income banded Local Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age residents from 1 April 2026
• reduce the maximum level of support available to working age residents from 100% to 90%
• cease the provision of council tax support for working age residents in the form of Second Adult Rebate (2AR)
• apply one set rate for non-dependant deductions, at £10.00 per week, for each non dependant regardless of their earnings
• reduce the maximum capital limit for working age residents from £16,000 to £10,000.

Council Tax Base

The cabinet was scheduled to discuss the council tax base for 2026/27, the forecast surplus or deficit on the council tax collection fund, and grant payments to town and parish councils. The report stated that the council tax base for 2026/27 had been calculated to be 151,633.6 Band D equivalent properties, an increase of 2,873 (1.93%) on the council tax base set for 2025/26. The report also set out proposals to cease Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme grant payments to town and parish councils from 2026/27.

Apprenticeship Strategy

The cabinet was scheduled to consider the updated Apprenticeship Strategy for the period 2025-2028. The report stated that the strategy was aligned to the Council Plan and specifically linked to the council's ambitions for 'reforming the council' and 'supercharging our economy'. The report detailed key achievements up to 31 March 2025, as part of the implementation of the previous strategies, including:

• 951 new apprenticeships and 1,140 upskilling opportunities created (services and schools) as at 31 March 2025 (since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in May 2017)
• working with 53 different training providers to deliver 139 different apprenticeship standards
• annual recruitment campaign established
• over 70% of apprentices retained in employment with the council (excluding schools) The report stated that the vision for the updated Apprenticeship Strategy was:

To develop and grow a skilled workforce through apprenticeship opportunities that support career progression and meet the council's future needs.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000

The cabinet was scheduled to consider the annual review of the council's use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA). The report stated that, for the period between 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2025, there were twelve directed surveillance authorisations and one Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) authorisation. The report also stated that an annual review of the Corporate RIPA Guidance and the abridged guidance had been undertaken. The report proposed minor amendments to paragraph 16.3 of the guidance, to refer to the specific wording contained within the legislation, and to change all references to Neighbourhoods and Climate Change to Neighbourhoods and Environment .

County Durham Partnership Update

The cabinet was scheduled to receive an update on issues being addressed by the County Durham Partnership (CDP) across the county. The report outlined the work of the CDP and was framed under the County Durham Vision 2035 three strategic ambitions:

• More and Better jobs
• People live long and independent lives
• Connected communities The report covered the six-month period from March 2025 to September 2025 and highlighted areas of work including:
• The North East Combined Authority (NECA) will have overarching control of the new UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) fund for our region, with local authorities being delegated to manage their allocation. Over £1 million of funding has been allocated to Durham for the transition year.
• The annual Durham Brass Festival took place in July 2025 as part of a festival and events programme, which aims to deliver experiences for residents, while supporting the growth of the county's £1.38 billion visitor economy.
• Following an Ofsted Inspection Durham Local Authority Children's Services has been rated with an overall grading of 'outstanding'.
• Durham County Council formally adopted auto-enrolment for Free School Meals as standard practice in July 2025 ready for the new school year. As a result, 410 additional pupils were enrolled, unlocking over £538,000 in pupil premium funding for schools and saving families more than £200,000 in meal costs.
• The Fun and Food Programme continued to be delivered in 2025, with the Easter and Summer holidays funded by the Department for Education. Nearly 50,000 sessions were delivered across both school holidays attended by more than 5,000 children.
• The Home Office has provided additional funding to support sessions being offered in schools which seek to upskill young people who might be exposed to harmful online content in relation to radicalisation and cybercrime.
• Work has started which will see the construction of more than 30 new council houses as part of our programme to deliver 500 affordable properties for residents.

Investment in Oracle Fusion

The cabinet was scheduled to discuss investment in Oracle Fusion, a financial management and human capital management system. This discussion was scheduled to take place during the part of the meeting that was not open to the public.