The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board of Durham County Council is scheduled to meet on Monday 22 June 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the council's use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000, an update on the annual poverty progress report, and a performance management report for the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Other items for discussion include a request for call-in regarding land at Sniperley Park, the proposed work programme for 2026/27, the overview and scrutiny annual report for 2025/26, an update on petitions, and a notice of key decisions.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA)

The board is scheduled to receive a report detailing the council's use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) for the fourth quarter of the 2025/2026 financial year. This report, presented by Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, will inform members about the council's activity in exercising powers related to Directed Surveillance (DS) and Covert Human Intelligence Surveillance (CHIS). The report is expected to confirm that the council's use of these powers during the period of 1 January 2026 to 31 March 2026 was consistent with the council's policy. During this quarter, there was one directed surveillance application and one CHIS application related to an operation investigating the sale of illicit tobacco products. Although these applications received judicial approval, the surveillance ultimately did not obtain evidence to support the alleged sale of illicit tobacco. The report will recommend that members receive the quarterly report and resolve that the powers are being used consistently with the council's policy and that the policy remains fit for purpose.

Annual Poverty Progress Report 2025/26

The board is set to consider the Annual Poverty Progress Report for 2025/26, presented by the Corporate Director of Resources. This report provides a consolidated overview of the council's efforts in addressing poverty and financial insecurity throughout the year, highlighting the scale and impact of activities undertaken. It will also outline the strategic shift from crisis-led funding to a more preventative and resilient approach from 2026/27, informed by learning from sustained demand and the transition from the Household Support Fund to the new Crisis and Resilience Fund. The report indicates that poverty and financial insecurity remain significant challenges in County Durham, with households continuing to face cost-of-living pressures. The council and its partners delivered a sustained response, combining crisis support with income maximisation, homelessness prevention, employability, digital inclusion, and targeted support for vulnerable groups. Demand for support remained high, underscoring the structural nature of these pressures. The report recommends that the board note the delivery, outcomes, and learning from the council's poverty response, the strategic direction towards prevention and resilience, and the planned transition to the Crisis and Resilience Fund.

Quarter Four, 2025/26 Performance Management Report

A report from the Chief Executive, John Hewitt, will provide an update on the council's progress towards achieving its strategic ambitions and objectives as outlined in the Council Plan 2025-30. The report uses Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) presented through dashboards to show trends, direction of travel, benchmarking, and performance against targets. Data available as of 31 March 2026 will be presented alongside contextual information on activities during the fourth quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. Key performance messages will be aligned with the council's five strategic ambitions, highlighting areas that are going well and those that are issues we are addressing. For instance, under Reforming the Council, the report notes that almost 60% of employees recorded no sickness absence, but sickness rates have increased compared to the previous year. Under Supercharging Our Economy, it highlights support for 1,429 businesses and the creation or safeguarding of 1,643 jobs. For Building Better Communities, town centre footfall saw a slight increase, and gigabit-capable broadband is now accessible to almost 90% of properties. In Caring For Our People, children's social care continues to face high demand, leading to a forecast £5 million overspend on children in care placements. For A Practical Environmental Stewardship, 97.5% of municipal waste was diverted from landfill, exceeding the target. The board is recommended to note the overall position and direction of travel for quarter four performance and the actions being taken to address areas of challenge.

Request for Call-in: Sniperley Park Options Assessment, Surplus Declaration, Disposal and Deed of Release

The board will consider a report from Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, concerning a call-in request related to a Cabinet decision made on 22 April 2026 regarding land at Sniperley Park. The report details the outcome of this call-in request, which was made on 30 April 2026. The call-in raised concerns about the valuation methodology, compliance with the council's duty under Section 123 of the Local Government Act 1972, the historical and community value of the former Caterhouse Pit, and the potential impact of Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SuDS) on land value. The Chair, in consultation with the Vice-Chair and statutory officers, concluded that the call-in request did not establish sufficient grounds to be considered reasonable under the council's constitution. The report will advise the board to note this outcome.

Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board Work Programme 2026/27

A report from Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, will present a draft updated work programme for the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board (COSMB) for 2026/2027. The work programme is developed annually to align with the objectives and actions identified in the Council Plan 2025-2029 and the County Durham Vision 2035. It is designed to be flexible to accommodate emerging issues throughout the year. The programme is structured around the three overarching ambitions of the County Durham Vision 2035: 'more and better jobs', 'long and independent lives', and 'connected communities', as well as the 'Our Council' theme from the Council Plan. The board is recommended to receive and comment on the proposed work programme and agree to its inclusion on the agenda for each meeting to enable ongoing review and adjustment.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26

The board will be presented with the Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025/26 by Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services. This report, prepared in accordance with the council's constitution, outlines the work of the overview and scrutiny function during the past municipal year, demonstrates its impact, and informs the development of future work programmes. It includes information on the activities of COSMB and the five thematic Overview and Scrutiny Committees, covering in-depth reviews, performance management, and budgetary reporting. The report also references the council's statutory scrutiny roles in relation to health and crime and disorder, as well as its involvement in regional scrutiny. The board is recommended to consider and comment on the annual report and agree to its submission to the County Council meeting in July 2026.

Update in relation to Petitions

A report from Michael Turnbull, Democratic Services Manager, will provide a quarterly update on the status of various petitions received by the authority. Since the last update, four new e-petitions have been submitted, with two now closed and awaiting responses, and two rejected. No new paper petitions have been submitted. A list detailing the current status of all active petitions is attached to the report. The board is recommended to note this update.

Notice of Key Decisions

Michael Turnbull, Democratic Services Manager, will present a report reviewing the list of key decisions scheduled for consideration by the Executive. In line with statutory requirements, the council must provide at least 28 days' notice of key decisions through a published notice. The current notice, covering decisions expected up to October 2026, complies with these requirements and includes details on Overview and Scrutiny involvement. Members are invited to review the listed items and consider any issues arising before the Executive makes its decisions. The board is recommended to give consideration to the items listed in the notice to Cabinet.