The Safer and Stronger Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee of County Durham Council is scheduled to discuss a range of important topics at its upcoming meeting. These include an annual update on the Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership, an overview of consumer protection enforcement activities, and an update on open water safety initiatives. The committee will also review the council's performance for the first quarter of the 2026/27 financial year.

Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership in County Durham Annual Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an annual update on the work of the Combatting Drugs and Alcohol Partnership (CDAP) for the 2025/2026 period. The report details how the CDAP aligns with national strategic priorities, including breaking the supply chain, delivering world-class treatment and recovery systems, and shifting demand for recreational drug and alcohol use. It highlights that the ringfenced Drug and Alcohol Treatment and Recovery Improvement Grant (DATRIG) for County Durham totals £12,452,452, though this funding is set to decrease gradually over the next three years. The report notes that while alcohol-specific mortality rates in the North East remain higher than the national average, County Durham's levels have plateaued. However, harm from drug use is increasing due to the complexity and synthetic nature of substances. The report also details activity to reduce drug and alcohol harms from a criminal justice perspective, including the expansion of the 'Clear, Hold, Build' strategy and tackling serious and organised crime. The County Durham Drug and Alcohol Recovery Service (CDDARS) has seen an increase in people accessing support for opiate, non-opiate, and alcohol use, with successful completion rates for treatment being above the England average. The report recommends that the committee note the reduction in alcohol-specific mortality in the most recent year, the changing harm profile of drugs, the existence of a detailed plan for prevention, treatment, and recovery, and the upcoming gradual decrease in funding.

Consumer Protection Enforcement and Intervention Activity

The committee is set to receive an overview of the enforcement and intervention activities undertaken by the Consumer Protection Service, which encompasses Trading Standards, Animal Health, and Licensing. The report indicates that this service works in partnership with various enforcement agencies on both reactive enforcement and proactive advice and education. The presentation will focus on the key priorities and demands of the service. The report highlights that the Licensing Enforcement team has dealt with numerous taxi-related complaints, leading to licence suspensions and revocations. There have also been actions taken regarding unlicensed private hire operators and vehicles. The Licensing Act enforcement has involved complaints about licensed and unlicensed activity, joint visits with police and immigration, and the issuing of suspension notices for non-payment of fees. Prosecutions have been brought against businesses for failing to comply with licensing conditions, including those related to CCTV and employee right-to-work checks. The report also details activity targeting unlicensed scrap metal collectors, with prosecutions being brought, although fines have remained low. The committee will also be presented with data on licensing applications, including Temporary Event Notices, Premises Licences, and Personal Licences. In Animal Health, Welfare, and Feed, there have been numerous inspections, with penalty notices issued for issues such as illegal dog breeding and animal by-products. Trading Standards has conducted test purchase operations involving underage volunteers, resulting in sales of alcohol, vapes, and corrosive substances. The report also covers work on illegal tobacco, including the execution of warrants and referrals to HMRC. Education initiatives with Public Health have included visits to care homes to inform staff and residents about the risks of smoking illicit tobacco and toy safety campaigns.

Open Water Safety Update

An update on open water safety initiatives during the first two quarters of the 2026/27 financial year is scheduled for discussion. The report indicates that the City Safety Group (CSG) and the county-wide Open Water Safety Group (OWSG) continue to meet to review interventions and risk mitigation. A proactive approach to education and awareness remains a key focus. Statistically, there has been a positive trend in reducing open water fatalities in the Durham City Centre location, while fatalities across County Durham have remained at a similar level to previous years. The report highlights ongoing partnership working, with new partners being identified. The CSG, which includes Durham County Council, Durham Constabulary, Durham University, Durham Cathedral, and County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service, has reviewed a water safety assessment of the River Wear in Durham City. The Open Water Safety Group (OWSG) continues to manage and monitor county-wide risks, with reassessments of high-risk locations taking place. An event delivered by the County Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (CDDFRS) and supported by Durham County Council (DCC) aimed to raise public awareness of water safety, demonstrating the correct use of throw lines and reinforcing key safety messages. This event attracted media interest, generating coverage of prevention and partnership working. A water safety awareness assembly was also held at Cestria Primary School, which was covered by Tyne Tees Television and DCC's social media channels. The report notes a fatal incident in the sea off Seaham and two fatal incidents at Seaton Carew beach, and that Durham County Council has engaged with the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) to review and reassess coastal water safety controls along the Durham coastline. The committee is recommended to note the progress made by the CSG and OWSG.

Quarter One, 2026/27 Performance Management Report

The committee will review the council's progress towards its strategic ambitions and objectives as outlined in the Council Plan 2025-30. This report presents Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) using dashboards to show trends, improvements, and comparisons with other councils. The data is the latest available as of 30 June 2026, accompanied by information on key activities from the first quarter of the financial year. The report indicates a mixed but broadly positive performance across strategic ambitions. For 'Building Better Communities', there has been positive progress in reducing First Time Entrants to the Youth Justice System, with a 28% reduction following a partnership improvement plan. Reports of fly-tipping remain low, environmental cleanliness is high, and anti-social behaviour reports are at their lowest level in three years. The target to repair highway defects within set timescales was met. The report also highlights that 72% of privately rented properties within the selective licensing scheme are now fully licensed, being processed, exempt, or subject to legal proceedings. The report recommends that the committee note the overall position and direction of travel during the first quarter, including actions being taken to address challenges.

The meeting is also scheduled to cover:

• Apologies for Absence
• Substitute Members
• Minutes of the Meeting held on 7 September 2026
• Declarations of Interest
• Any items from Co-opted Members or Interested Parties
• Operation Ford Introduction by Force Elected Official Advisor (FEOA), Durham Constabulary