The Cabinet of County Durham Council met on Wednesday 14 October 2026, discussing a range of important issues including the Director of Public Health's Annual Report, international partnerships, and the SEND Strategy. Key decisions included the approval to publish the Director of Public Health's Annual Report, the establishment of new town twinning relationships with Castiglione dei Pepoli, Italy, and the reinstatement of the historic twinning relationship between Bishop Auckland and Ivry-sur-Seine, France, and the approval of the SEND Strategy 2026-2029.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026

Cabinet received and agreed to publish the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2026. The report, a statutory requirement, provides an overview of the Public Health Grant, the health of the local population, and outlines six long-term ambitions developed in 2025 to improve health and wellbeing across the county. This year's report focused in detail on two of these ambitions: enabling a healthy weight for all and making smoking history. Councillor Howard Brown, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services, welcomed the report, noting its focus on turning ambitions into action and reducing health inequalities. Councillor Cathy Hunt, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People's Services, highlighted the report's update on planning policy being used to support healthier food environments and the introduction of the Tobacco and Vapes Act in January 2027, which will make it illegal to sell tobacco products to anyone born after 1 January 2009.

International Partnerships and Town Twinning

The Cabinet considered a report on Durham County Council's current international partnership and town twinning arrangements, endorsing the County Durham International Partnerships Framework (CDIPF) and the council's strategic approach. They approved the establishment of a new town twinning relationship between Durham and Castiglione dei Pepoli, Italy, and the reinstatement of the historic town twinning relationship between Bishop Auckland and Ivry-sur-Seine, France. Responsibility for coordinating these partnerships will continue to be delivered through Visit County Durham (VCD), working collaboratively with Democratic Services and other council services within existing resources. Cabinet also noted an emerging opportunity to explore closer cultural and heritage links with Tauranga, New Zealand, agreeing that officers should continue exploratory discussions.

SEND Strategy 2026-2029

Cabinet approved the SEND Strategy 2026-2029, recognising the need for sustained partnership ownership and corporate oversight. The strategy aims to deliver an inclusive, fair, and financially sustainable SEND system where children and young people with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) are supported early, feel a strong sense of belonging, and achieve positive outcomes in education, wellbeing, and preparation for adulthood. Councillor Cathy Hunt, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People's Services, presented the strategy, emphasizing its co-production with children, young people, families, schools, and partners. Councillor Howard Brown, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services, seconded the report, welcoming the strategy's clear framework for improving outcomes and responding to increasing demands and complexity.

Public Space Protection Orders: Town Centres including Bus Stations and face coverings

The Cabinet agreed to undertake a full public consultation exercise regarding the potential introduction of Public Space Protection Orders (PSPOs) within County Durham towns. The consultation aims to establish the evidence base and need for PSPOs, assess public and stakeholder support, identify any additional behaviours for inclusion, and seek views on a potential county-wide PSPO in relation to the deliberate misuse of face coverings to conceal identity for the purpose of causing alarm, harassment, or distress. Councillor Kyle Genner, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Police Relations, responded to a question from Councillor Stephen Bowron, Chilton Ward, agreeing that the proposals were important and that government needed to step up its efforts to deal with crime and anti-social behaviour. He stated that the council was doing all it could in Durham, but needed a government with more backbone.

Adoption of the North Pennines National Landscape Management Plan 2026-2031

Cabinet approved the North Pennines National Landscape Management Plan 2026-2031. They noted the change in legislation, which places a statutory duty on the Council to seek to further the purpose of conserving and enhancing the natural beauty of the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Councillor Kyle Genner, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Neighbourhoods, Environment and Police Relations, welcomed the plan, thanking officers and the North Pennines National Landscape team for their work. Councillor Tim McGuinness, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Rural, Farming and Transport, seconded the report, highlighting the plan's support for practical environmental stewardship and its incentives for farmers rather than penalties.

Quarterly Procurement Forward Programme and Delegated Approval Report (Quarter 3 2026/27)

Cabinet approved the establishment of a quarterly procurement forward programme reporting process. They noted the procurement activity and contract awards detailed in the report, including those authorised under urgency provisions during the transition period. Cabinet authorised the relevant Portfolio Holder and Corporate Director to approve the final award of planned contracts, the exercise of contractual extensions, and a contract modification, subject to completion of procurement processes and all required legal, financial, and governance checks. Councillor Darren Grimes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Finance, moved the report, thanking Paul Derby and his team for bringing it forward. Councillor Tim McGuinness, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Rural, Farming and Transport, seconded the report, highlighting its clear and proportionate governance framework.

Adult Social Care Update

Cabinet noted the Adult Social Care Update report, which provided an overview of service improvement and performance following the Care Quality Commission (CQC) assessment in 2024. The report highlighted good progress across all areas of the Service Improvement Plan, with several key performance measures showing significant improvement since the last assessment, particularly in safeguarding and assessing need. Councillor Howard Brown, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services, thanked Michael Laing and his team for producing a positive report, noting that Durham performs well in terms of overall satisfaction. Cabinet acknowledged the notification of a CQC comprehensive local authority assessment of the council, scheduled to take place in November 2026.