The County Council met for its final meeting at County Hall, addressing a range of important local issues. Key decisions included the adoption of an interim policy to manage Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) across the county and the approval of significant changes to the Council's committee structure in response to new national legislation.

New Interim Policy for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs)

The Council adopted an interim policy aimed at managing the growth and impact of Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) outside of the existing Durham City Article 4 areas. This policy, which will be used as a material consideration in planning applications, introduces stricter controls to prevent over-concentration of HMOs in neighbourhoods. Key measures include a 1 in 10 threshold, meaning proposals will not be permitted if any of the ten nearest properties are already HMOs, and a sandwiching rule to prevent dwellings from being located between an HMO and a non-dwelling property. The policy also strengthens amenity standards for both HMO occupants and neighbours, requiring detailed management plans and contributions towards local open spaces. The decision to adopt this interim policy comes ahead of the new County Durham Plan, which will revisit the approach to HMOs county-wide.

Changes to Planning and Highways Committee Structure

In response to the Planning and Infrastructure Act 2025, the Council approved significant changes to its committee structure. The existing four Planning Committees and the Highways Committee will be amalgamated into a single Planning and Highways Committee. This move is intended to ensure compliance with new national legislation, which includes officer delegation for certain types of applications and a cap on committee size. The new committee will meet monthly for planning matters and quarterly for highways matters, reducing the total number of committee meetings by 36 per year and leading to anticipated resource and cost savings. The size of the new committee was set at 11 members, with a quorum of four, to ensure decisive decision-making while maintaining political balance. Members expressed widespread concern about the implications of the new legislation, particularly the perceived reduction in local democratic control over planning decisions.

Kinship Care and Council Tax

Councillor Cathy Hunt, Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People's Services, responded to a public question regarding the consultation of the Kinship Care team on new Council tax rules. Councillor Hunt acknowledged the vital role of kinship carers and stated that while the Council values their contribution, introducing discretionary Council tax exemptions would have significant cost implications. She explained that the Council balances support for specific groups with fairness across all residents and the need to fund essential services. The Council currently targets support directly to families through financial assistance and services, rather than a blanket Council tax exemption. However, she assured that policies are kept under review and that the Council is aware of government pilot programmes to increase financial support for foster and kinship carers.

Traffic Safety Concerns in Leadgate

Councillor Tim McGuinness, Portfolio Holder for Rural Farming and Transport, addressed concerns raised by residents of Leadgate Village regarding safety issues, specifically the impact of scaffolding on pedestrian access to a Pelican Crossing. Councillor McGuinness confirmed that the adopted highway is maintained in a safe condition and that inspections are carried out regularly. He explained that scaffolding was erected due to structural concerns and that protective fencing is in place. While acknowledging the current footway closure, he stated that a suitable diversion route is in place and inspected regularly. He offered to meet with the resident after the meeting to discuss the matter further.

Treasury Management Outturn Report 2025/26

The Council received the Treasury Management Outturn Report for 2025/26. The report detailed the Council's borrowing and investment activities, showing a net debt position of £398.2 million at the end of March 2026. The Council was noted to be in a strong position, having fully complied with its Treasury Management Strategy and policies. The average interest rate paid on external debt remained at 3.31%, while the average rate earned on investments decreased slightly to 3.87% compared to the previous year, reflecting changes in the Bank of England base rate.

Annual Report of the Standards Committee 2025/26

The Annual Report of the Standards Committee for 2025/26 was presented, highlighting a significant increase in the number of Code of Conduct complaints received against Members, rising from 66 in the previous year to 288. Despite this increase, only 30% of complaints engaged the Code of Conduct, a decrease from 56% in the prior year. The report detailed the introduction of a revised procedure for handling complaints, including the establishment of a Standards Assessment Board. The Committee also noted a significant increase in external costs incurred for investigations commissioned in previous years, but anticipated fewer future investigations under the new procedure.

Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report 2025/26

The Overview and Scrutiny Annual Report for 2025/26 was received. The report detailed the work undertaken by the Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board and the five thematic Overview and Scrutiny Committees throughout the year. It highlighted the committees' focus on strategic matters, including the review of new Council policies and strategies, performance management, and budgetary control. The report also noted the ongoing review of scrutiny arrangements to enhance their effectiveness and value.

Motions on Notice

Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme Eligibility: Councillor Cathy Hunt moved a motion urging the government to review and widen the eligibility criteria for the Holiday Activities and Food (HAF) Programme to include children from low-income working families experiencing financial hardship, not solely those eligible for benefits-related Free School Meals. The motion was seconded by Councillor Richard Bell and received broad support from across the Council, with members highlighting concerns about in-work poverty and the need for fairer eligibility. The Council resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Education and local MPs to advocate for these changes.

Stalled Housing Developments: Councillor Elizabeth Scott moved a motion calling for stronger government powers to address stalled housing developments and land banking. The motion proposed urging the government to consider measures such as use it or lose it planning permissions, financial penalties for unreasonable delays, and compulsory purchase powers for long-stalled sites. The Council resolved to write to the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government and seek support from local MPs and relevant bodies.

Transparency on Asylum Seeker Accommodation: Councillor Dawn Bellingham moved a motion expressing concern over the lack of transparency from the government and its contractors regarding the procurement and placement of accommodation for asylum seekers in County Durham. The Council called for immediate disclosure of relevant data and an immediate halt to further procurement until this information is provided. The Council committed to resisting arrangements imposed without proper consultation and instructed the Leader of the Council to write to the Home Secretary.

Removal of Aykley Woods Nature Reserve from County Durham Plan Consultation: Councillor Mark Wilkes moved a motion requesting the Cabinet to immediately remove Aykley Woods Nature Reserve from the County Durham Plan scoping consultation.

Government Energy Policy and Renewable Energy Developments: Councillor Richard Bell moved a motion deploring the government's energy policy and its impact on renewable energy developments in County Durham. The motion resolved to write to County Durham's MPs and the Secretary of State demanding amendments to the National Policy Planning Framework, cessation of certain energy contracts, and a focus on offshore wind, domestic premises, and brownfield sites for renewable energy.

Questions from Members

Traffic Concerns in Barnard Castle: Councillor Chris Foote-Wood asked about traffic noise and heavy goods vehicle (HGV) movements on Newgate in Barnard Castle, and requested a meeting with residents and council officials. Councillor Tim McGuinness, Portfolio Holder for Rural, Farming and Transport, responded that officers had investigated the matter and concluded that proposed restrictions on HGVs would have wider network impacts and that current speed limits remain appropriate based on evidence. He stated that he did not consider a further public meeting would be productive at this time but agreed to meet with Councillor Foote-Wood.

Council Land Submitted for Housing: Councillor Mark Wilkes questioned whether the Leader and Cabinet had checked the suitability of council land submitted for housing as part of the County Durham Plan review. Councillor Andrew Husband, Leader of the Council, stated that the Leader and Cabinet were not directly involved in the submission of land through the call for sites, and that the current focus is on the scoping document consultation. He assured that the plan guides development in sustainable locations and that Cabinet will continue to work with officers to understand site suitability. He also addressed concerns about specific sites, including Aykley Woods Nature Reserve, stating that the plan is a scoping exercise and there are no current intentions to build on such sites. Councillor Husband also responded to a supplementary question regarding the inclusion of Aykley Wood Nature Reserve and other sites, reiterating that the plan is a scoping exercise and that stirring up public concern prematurely is not helpful.

The meeting concluded with the Chair thanking everyone for their participation.