The Cabinet of Durham County Council met on Wednesday 10 June 2026, approving the publication of the County Durham Plan Scoping Report for public consultation and endorsing the application to introduce a Lane Rental Scheme across the county. The meeting also noted progress on the Quarter Four 2025/26 Performance Management Report and endorsed the Health Protection Assurance Annual Report for June 2026.

County Durham Plan Scoping Report

Cabinet approved the publication of the County Durham Plan (CDP) scoping report for public consultation, which will run from 22 June to 17 August 2026. This marks the first formal stage in preparing a new CDP, which is necessary due to significant changes in national planning policy, updated government guidance, and an increase in assessed housing need. The new plan will be prepared under the revised system introduced by the Levelling Up and Regeneration Act 2023. The consultation aims to gather views from residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape the emerging direction of the plan, ensuring it reflects local priorities. Cabinet also delegated authority to relevant officers to agree and implement any amendments arising from the consultation. Councillor Wilkes raised concerns about potential Green Belt deletion and the need for associated road infrastructure improvements, to which Councillor Quinn responded that it would be premature to assume Green Belt deletion would be required and that any implications would depend on the specific location and scale of development.

Highway Network Management Section Road and Street Works – Lane Rental Update

Cabinet endorsed the application to the Secretary of State to introduce a Lane Rental Scheme across County Durham. This scheme, underpinned by the Transport Act 2000, aims to reduce congestion and disruption caused by roadworks by charging statutory undertakers for occupying traffic-sensitive areas of the road network during peak times. A six-week consultation was carried out between June and August 2025, which indicated strong public support for the scheme, despite some negative responses from utility companies. The scheme is expected to generate approximately £2.3 million annually, with revenue reinvested into highway network improvements. Cabinet delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Neighbourhoods and Environment, in consultation with the Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Rural, Farming and Transport, to implement the scheme should the Secretary of State approve Durham County Council's submission during Summer 2026. Councillor Quinn, seconding the report, highlighted the thorough consultation and strong public support for the scheme, emphasizing its potential to improve journey times and network management.

Quarter Four, 2025/26 Performance Management Report

Cabinet noted the Quarter Four Performance Management Report, which provides a balanced year-end assessment of the council's progress against its corporate plan ambitions. The report highlighted strong delivery in many areas, including support for businesses, inward investment, job creation, and improvements in planning performance. However, it also identified continuing pressures in critical services such as children's social care, housing, and aspects of corporate performance like information governance and sickness absence. Actions are underway to address these challenges, including the Durham Cares Programme focusing on prevention and stability in children's social care, and efforts to increase council-owned accommodation for homeless households. Councillor Husband thanked officers and employees for their hard work, emphasizing the council's continued focus on delivering practical improvements for residents.

Health Protection Assurance Annual Report June 2026

Cabinet endorsed the Health Protection Assurance Annual Report, acknowledging the robust arrangements in place to fulfil the council's statutory public health duties. The report detailed health protection activities over the year, including responses to communicable and non-communicable disease incidents, participation in national emergency planning exercises, and improvements to screening programmes. Key achievements included work to improve vaccination uptake and behavioural insights to increase screening programme take-up. Areas for improvement identified for the coming year include enhanced assurance and oversight in screening, infection prevention control, emergency planning, and communicable disease management. Councillor Brown, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services, highlighted the strong partnership working across the system and welcomed the report's focus on addressing identified areas for improvement. Councillor Hunt, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People Services, seconded the report, acknowledging the broad assurance of effective processes in place for health protection functions.

The meeting also included public questions regarding the Horton Master Plan, where Councillor Quinn responded to concerns about refurbishment versus demolition and rebuild options, stating that the council remains committed to the regeneration programme as set out in the plan. Apologies for absence were received from Councillor McGuinness and Councillor Gunner. The minutes of the previous Cabinet meeting held on 6 May 2026 were confirmed as a correct record. Declarations of interest were noted as none.