The Bishop Auckland Stronger Town Board was scheduled to discuss programme updates for several key regeneration projects, including the Heritage Walking and Cycling Route, PRF, and South Church Enterprise Park. The meeting was also set to cover financial updates, wider town developments, and communications strategies.

Programme Updates

The board was scheduled to receive updates on several significant regeneration initiatives.

Heritage Walking and Cycling Route

A substantial overview of the funding for the Heritage Walking and Cycling Route was anticipated. It was noted that the project had been re-scoped to create a loop connecting various investments and linking them to the Stockton-Darlington Railway. A detailed update was requested for the next meeting.

PRF (Property Reuse Fund)

Graham Wood was scheduled to provide an update on the Property Reuse Fund. The report pack indicated that the second phase of the fund had received 14 applications, with £1.2 million committed, and some projects already subject to grant awards.

South Church Enterprise Park

Tony Hanson was due to provide an update on the South Church Enterprise Park. The board was aware that Durham County Council had withdrawn funding for this project following a review of its capital programme, and alternative funding and delivery options were being explored. Two options under consideration were gauging interest from private investors for a joint venture or selling the land with planning permission. Soft market testing was planned for early 2026, with a decision expected by March 2026. It was noted that any unspent UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF)¹ funding had to be returned by March 2026, and depending on the market testing outcome, the board might need to reallocate a £1.7 million underspend. The board was advised to consider projects that could be delivered within a short timescale to maximise funding before the deadline.

Finance Update

The board was scheduled to be provided with full details of the Stronger Town Fund and up-to-date costs. It was noted that local authorities had increased flexibility to move funding between projects in their portfolios without seeking approval from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG)², provided specific conditions were met.

Wider Bishop Auckland Update

Various projects within Bishop Auckland, some falling outside the Stronger Town Board Programme, were scheduled for discussion. Regarding the Bus Station, the Transport and Infrastructure Manager was expected to report that surfacing work on the bus lanes was scheduled to be completed by mid-February. The board was to consider the need for clear communication, as the public had been informed of a January opening date.

Communications Update

A report was scheduled to be considered, providing an overview of communications activity and recent public developments linked to the Stronger Towns programme, along with proposals to strengthen external engagement. Given the scale of activity and projects reaching key milestones, the board was asked to consider releasing a small amount of revenue funding to increase physical marketing visibility across the town. Any revenue contribution would be subject to funding becoming available from the South Church Enterprise Park project. Potential activities included town-centre display boards, large-format posters or vinyl wraps, branded hoardings, pop-up information points, printed project maps and updates, and street banners or lamp-post graphics. Businesses and organisations were to be encouraged to share positive news with the Council's Communications, Marketing & Design Strategic Manager.

Matters to Share with the Public

The board was scheduled to agree on promoting several items of public interest, including the Artist Hub story, new board members, revised arrangements for the Strategic Advisory Panel, and an update on the Bus Station.