The Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, 26 October 2026. The meeting's agenda includes an update on the North East Transport Plan and a review of the Corporate Feedback Annual Complaints Report for 2025/26. The committee will also consider its work programme for the upcoming year.

North East Transport Plan

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the North East Transport Plan. This plan outlines the region's transport priorities up to 2040, aiming to create a greener, safer, and more integrated transport network that is accessible to everyone. The plan was developed following extensive public consultation, with 81% of respondents supporting the Mayor's ambition. The update will cover progress made to date and planned future developments, with a focus on delivery specific to Northumberland. Key initiatives include the Mayor's £2.50 single bus fare cap, bus reform, the re-opening of the Northumberland Line, and plans for the Angel Network, which aims to create a publicly controlled transport network across the region. The report also details the North East Rail Vision, which seeks to shape the future rail network, and a study on the safety of women and girls on public transport.

Corporate Feedback Annual Complaints Report 2025/26

The committee is set to review the Corporate Feedback Annual Complaints Report for the period of 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026. This report summarises the demand for feedback services, the outcomes of complaints, their timeliness, common themes, and lessons learned. It also details activity from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman. During the reporting period, Corporate Feedback received 8,037 cases, with 1,907 classified as corporate complaints. The majority of these complaints were concentrated in frontline services, particularly within the Place & Regeneration Directorate. The report highlights that 55.5% of formal complaint outcomes were upheld or partly upheld, indicating areas where service delivery or complaint handling can be improved. Timeliness for Stage 2 complaints remains an area for improvement, with 57.6% completed within the target timeframe. The report also details learning from Ombudsman findings, with the council achieving 100% compliance with Ombudsman recommendations in cases where compliance outcomes were recorded. Improvement priorities for 2026/27 include strengthening complaint scoping, improving data quality, and enhancing action tracking.

Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Monitoring Report

The committee will consider its work programme for the 2026/27 council year. This includes reviewing terms of reference and cabinet member responsibilities within the committee's remit. The work programme will outline items to be timetabled or considered for inclusion, as well as a summary of the committee's activities in the previous year. Provisional items confirmed for the work programme include discussions on the North East Transport Plan and regulation and enforcement, with a specific focus on planning. The committee will also review its monitoring report, which details past decisions and their outcomes.