The Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee met to discuss the future direction of the County Durham Plan, a proposed selective licensing scheme for private rented properties, and the council's performance in the final quarter of the 2025/26 financial year. The committee also reviewed its work programme for the upcoming year and received minutes from the County Durham Economic Partnership Board.

County Durham Plan Scoping Report

The committee was scheduled to consider the scoping report for the new County Durham Plan (CDP). This plan is being updated due to significant changes in national planning policy, updated government guidance, and an increase in assessed housing need. The scoping report outlines the strategic priorities, key issues, and overall direction for the new plan, inviting feedback from residents, businesses, and stakeholders to shape its foundations. The report detailed early thinking on themes such as housing, economic development, infrastructure, environmental protection, and place-based priorities. It also outlined the timetable for the plan's preparation, aiming for adoption by March 2029. The committee was recommended to note the report and provide comments to inform the emerging direction of the plan.

Selective Licensing Scheme

A report was presented detailing a proposed selective licensing scheme for privately rented homes in County Durham, intended to continue beyond March 2027. The scheme aims to address issues such as low housing demand, anti-social behaviour, poor property conditions, high levels of migration, deprivation, and crime within designated areas. The report outlined the strategic context, including the County Durham Housing Strategy, and detailed the benefits of selective licensing, such as providing tenants with safer, better-quality homes and improving community relations. The proposal included designating 87 Lower Super Output Areas (LSOAs), covering approximately 20,000 properties, with a proposed licence fee of £700 per property, offering an early bird discount. A statutory consultation period was planned from June to August 2026, with a final decision expected from Cabinet in October 2026.

Quarter Four 2025/26 Performance Management Report

The committee was to receive an update on the council's progress towards achieving the strategic ambitions and objectives set out in the Council Plan 2025-2030. The report, containing data as of 31 March 2026, was structured around the council's five key strategic ambitions: Supercharging Our Economy, Building Better Communities, and Caring For Our People. Key performance messages indicated positive progress in supporting businesses, attracting investment, job creation, and planning application turnaround times. Improvements were also noted in town centre footfall and leisure centre visits, although challenges remained in housing delivery and the proportion of licensed private rented properties. The report highlighted an increase in homeless assessments and households with a 'priority need', leading to increased costs for temporary accommodation.

Refresh of the Work Programme 2026/27

The committee was asked to consider and agree a draft work programme for the Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee for 2026/27. The proposed programme was framed around the County Durham Vision 2035 and the Council Plan, focusing on themes such as 'Supercharging our Economy', 'Building better Communities', and 'Caring for our People'. The work programme was designed to be flexible to accommodate emerging issues throughout the year. Areas for consideration included the refresh of the County Durham Plan, the revised Selective Licensing Scheme, Place Plans, business engagement, the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority, transport linked to employment, and the management of DCC leisure centres. The committee was also to receive minutes from the County Durham Economic Partnership Board.