The Charter Trustees for the City of Durham were scheduled to meet to discuss a range of financial and ceremonial matters relating to the City of Durham. The meeting was due to include discussions on the arrangements for the appointment of Freemen and Freewomen of the City, and the adoption of the budget for the 2025/26 financial year. The meeting was also scheduled to receive the External Auditor's annual review of the financial year 2023/24.

Honorary Freedom Arrangements

The Trustees were scheduled to consider a report on the arrangements for dealing with the potential appointment of honorary Freemen and Freewomen of the City of Durham.

This report was prepared because The Local Government Act 1972 allows the Charter Trustees:

…to bestow the honorary freedom of the city upon “persons of distinction” and “persons who have, in the opinion of the authority, rendered eminent services to that place or area.”

Honorary Freedom Report

The report notes that, although the award is honorary, it is the highest honour that the Trustees can bestow.

The report recommends that:

…the initial consideration of any applications for an honorary award, whether from the person/organisation themselves or someone on their behalf, be delegated to the Clerk, in consultation with the Mayor and the Deputy Mayor.

Honorary Freedom Report

2025/26 Budget

The Charter Trustees were scheduled to review and adopt a budget for the 2025/26 financial year.

The report to the trustees notes that the Council has previously decided to maintain a precept of £2.00 at Band D. The report reminds the Trustees that Durham County Council requires notification of the Charter Trustee's precept by 17 January 2025.

The report sets out two budget options for the Trustees to consider. The first maintains a £2.00 precept at Band D. The second increases the precept at Band D by 5% every year.

The report notes that:

The Charter Trustees should note that it is possible that the Charter Trust’s financial position could change.

Charter Trust Budget 25-26

External Audit Annual Review of the Return for the year ended 31 March 2024

The Charter Trustees were scheduled to review the External Auditor's Annual review of the financial year 2023/24. The review was carried out by PKF Littlejohn LLP.

The Auditor's report stated that:

…the return has been completed in accordance with proper practices and there is no cause for concern that relevant legislation and regulatory requirements have not been met.

Charter Trust External Audit Annual Review year ended 31 March 2024