The All Together for Spennymoor board was scheduled to meet on Friday 16 October 2026 to discuss the progress of various regeneration projects within the town. The meeting was scheduled to review updates on key initiatives, including the development of a new car park, employment and skills projects, and town centre vibrancy.

All Together for Spennymoor Programme Update

The board was scheduled to receive a comprehensive update on the All Together for Spennymoor programme, which aims to regenerate the town. This update was expected to cover progress across several individual projects following the allocation of place funding in April 2026.

Key projects that were scheduled for discussion included:

• Car Park Development: An agreement was scheduled to have been reached with a private landowner for the acquisition of a site adjacent to the former library. A planning application was scheduled to have been submitted, with construction costs anticipated to remain within the approved budget. Discussions were also scheduled to cover access arrangements and potential impacts on traffic movements around the nearby GP surgery, as well as future management of the car park, including the possibility of time restrictions.
• Spennymoor Employment and Skills Community Navigator Project: The grant funding agreement for this post was scheduled to have been formally issued, allowing the recruitment process to proceed. It was noted that project costs had reduced, with the savings scheduled to be returned to the revenue allocation.
• Sports, Leisure and Activities Diversionary Fund: A soft launch of this fund was scheduled to have taken place, with several applications already received. The creation of an assessment panel to consider applications was scheduled to be proposed, with meetings to be held remotely and supported by officer pre-assessment and agreed criteria.
• Business Working Group: The first meeting of this group was scheduled to have taken place on 28 September 2026 at Spennymoor Town Hall. The session was intended to formally launch business support opportunities available through the programme, including the High Street Investment Fund and the Industrial, Manufacturing and Office Fund. Businesses were also scheduled to be invited to identify priorities for future support and engagement.
• Town Centre Vibrancy and Market Activity: An update was scheduled to be provided regarding proposals to support future events, including Halloween and Christmas activities. Discussions were also scheduled to take place regarding opportunities to reintroduce market activity within the town centre, with a view to investigating the suitability of seasonal or specialist market models.
• Heritage and Culture Project: A grant offer letter was scheduled to have been issued to Spennymoor Town Council to undertake a feasibility study relating to heritage and culture opportunities.
• A688 Merrington Lane Crossing Project: The board was scheduled to consider the feasibility study for this project, which had seen an increase in costs due to additional survey requirements, traffic management, and revised design costs. Options for proceeding were scheduled to be discussed, including whether to continue on the current basis, investigate additional funding, or consider identifying funding from within the existing programme budget. An alternative option to utilise the Merrington Lane underpass for a safer route into Spennymoor Town Centre was also scheduled to be discussed, alongside proposed CCTV improvements.
• CCTV Project: The Merrington Lane underpass was identified as a priority location for CCTV improvements, with the Police and Crime Commissioner scheduled to provide match funding. Further discussions were scheduled regarding future years and a wider review.
• Health and Wellbeing of Children and Young People: Further engagement work with young people was scheduled to be taking place to identify priorities and inform future project development. The creation of a grant assessment panel to consider applications was scheduled to be proposed, mirroring arrangements for the diversionary activities fund.
• Spennymoor Town Hall Theatre / Main Hall Infrastructure Works: The board was scheduled to consider a request from Spennymoor Town Council for a capital contribution towards Phase 1 infrastructure improvements within the Town Hall Theatre and Main Hall. Available capacity within the capital programme was scheduled to accommodate the request, subject to confirmation of the remaining funding.

Communications and Branding

A presentation was scheduled to be given regarding communications and branding arrangements for the Pride in Place programme. This was to outline the importance of establishing a consistent communications approach across all four County Durham Pride in Place Boards, while ensuring each Board maintained its own local identity. The appointment of a dedicated Communications and Marketing Officer to support all four Boards was scheduled to be proposed.

Forward Plan and Next Steps

The board was scheduled to review its forward plan, with future meetings expected to place a greater emphasis on forward planning, communications, project delivery, and monitoring. Forthcoming activity and engagement opportunities were scheduled to be noted, including events such as a Halloween event, a Christmas market, and the development of the Young Minds project addressing mental health with young residents. The schedule for future board meetings over the next two years was also to be confirmed.

The meeting was scheduled to take place at Livin', Farrell House, A2 Arlington Way, Spennymoor, DL16 6NL.