The Council of Gateshead Council met on Thursday 24 September 2026. The Council passed the Tackling Poverty Together strategy and the Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report. The Treasury Annual Report for 2025/26 was endorsed. The meeting also saw the carrying of a motion calling for ambition for a clean River Tyne, while a motion on communicating council policy making was defeated.

Tackling Poverty Together Strategy

The Council adopted the Tackling Poverty Together Strategy, a comprehensive partnership initiative developed through extensive engagement with residents, community organisations, and public sector partners. The strategy aims to address the root causes of poverty and reduce inequalities across Gateshead over the next decade. It is built on five priority areas: financial resilience and inclusion, skills and employment, participation and voice, accessible services, and strategic system change. The strategy aligns with the Gateshead Health & Wellbeing Strategy and the Corporate Plan, and its delivery will be supported by existing resources, including £10.9 million from the Crisis & Resilience Fund. The Health & Wellbeing Board will act as the strategic home for this work.

Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report

The Council approved the Audit and Standards Committee's Annual Report for 2025/26. This report provides an overview of the committee's work during the year, highlighting its positive impact on the oversight of corporate governance, financial management, reporting, and audit issues. The committee also provided challenge and independent assurance on the council's risk management framework and internal controls.

Treasury Annual Report

The Treasury Annual Report for 2025/26 was endorsed by the Council, confirming compliance with financial regulations and best practices recommended by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA). The report detailed the council's treasury management activities, including its investment and borrowing strategies, risk management approach, and performance for the financial year. The council generated net savings of £2.452 million against its budget for treasury management activities. No prudential indicators were breached during the year.

Ambition for a Clean River Tyne

A motion was carried to express ambition for a clean River Tyne. This motion was prompted by the significant plastic pellet (nurdle) spill from the Port of Tyne in July, which highlighted wider issues of plastic pollution and sewage discharges. The motion acknowledges the work of volunteers and council officers, welcomes ongoing collaboration between authorities, and resolves to investigate the feasibility of convening a Tyne Water Summit. It also proposes evaluating the creation of a Water Quality Champion from within the council's membership to strengthen Gateshead's voice in regional efforts to improve water quality.

Communicating Council Policy Making

A motion proposed by Councillor Ron Beadle, aiming to clarify how council policy is made and communicated to residents, was lost. The motion sought to ensure that a statement was issued to residents confirming that no single party makes policy for the council and that nothing becomes council policy until it has gone through the proper processes. Despite support from some councillors who argued for greater transparency and clarity, the motion was not passed.

Petition Regarding Trees in Dodds-Dean

Councillor Ron Beadle presented a petition from residents of Deanside Avenue in Lofell concerning the trees in Dodds-Dean. The petition requested seven actions, including tree inspections, risk assessments, removal or management of dangerous trees, pruning, ongoing maintenance, communication with residents before works, and inspection of stream and foul water culverts. Residents have experienced property damage due to worsening tree-related issues and are concerned about potential compromise to culverts.

Questions from Members of the Public

Two questions were received from members of the public. The first, from a resident of Beaconsfield Road, questioned why Gateshead Council has lacked a functioning process for considering new or amended residents' parking schemes since 2011 and when a clear process would be reintroduced. Councillor Graham Keating, Cabinet Member for Roads and Transport, responded that work was underway to address parking issues across Gateshead, with consideration by the end of the year.

The second question concerned council employees working from home post-COVID-19. Councillor Nick Allan, Leader of the Council, explained the council's hybrid working policy, which requires line managers at grade L and above to work from a designated location for a minimum of 60% of their contractual week, and other employees for a minimum of 40%. This policy is partly due to insufficient desk space within the Civic Centre, with more employees requiring desks than are available.

Appointment of Independent Person

The Council appointed an Independent Person for standards of conduct issues. The specific name and duration of the appointment were not detailed in the provided evidence.

Council Procedure Rules Review

There was no evidence found to support the claim that the Council approved proposed changes to the Council Procedure Rules.

Ukraine Flag

There was no evidence found to support the claim that an amendment to a motion regarding the flying of the Ukrainian flag was passed.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Checks for Members

There was no evidence found to support the claim that the Council resolved to adopt a policy requiring all elected members to undertake a Basic DBS check.