The Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on 15 September 2025, and members reviewed the work of the County Durham Economic Partnership, the progress of Strategic Place Plans, the council's financial performance, and the latest performance data against the Council Plan 2024-28. The committee agreed to note the reports and presentations provided.

County Durham Economic Partnership

The committee received an overview of the County Durham Economic Partnership (CDEP), including its role, governance, and recent activities, from Glyn Llewellyn, Chair of the County Durham Economic Partnership, and Sue Parkinson, CDEP Vice Chair. The CDEP is one of five thematic partnerships within the County Durham Partnership, bringing together representatives from business, the voluntary sector, education, and public agencies to drive economic development and regeneration.

The CDEP's key activities include:

• Identifying and contextualising opportunities
• Informing partners
• Influencing policy makers
• Coordinating responses
• Overseeing the Inclusive Economic Strategy (IES)

The committee noted that the CDEP is currently refreshing its IES Delivery Plan and that a workshop for Economy and Enterprise Overview and Scrutiny Committee members has been arranged for 20 October 2025.

Strategic Place Plans

The committee received an update on the rollout and delivery of Strategic Place Plans (SPPs) from the Economic Development Manager. SPPs have replaced masterplans and are designed to be defined by local communities. The plans involve engagement with the local community and stakeholders to define a vision for each place, which is then used to develop spatial, investment, and delivery plans.

The pilot phase of the SPP programme includes Durham City, Shildon, Newton Aycliffe and Spennymoor. Initial findings from Newton Aycliffe highlight its strengths as a green and community-minded town, while challenges persist in the town centre, transport connectivity, and infrastructure. In Shildon, residents see the town as a friendly community that embraces its railway heritage, but public transport and connectivity are concerns.

The committee noted the ongoing development of SPPs and the emerging priorities from the co-design process in Shildon and Newton Aycliffe.

Quarter Four: Forecast of Revenue and Capital Outturn 2024/25

The committee reviewed the final revenue and capital outturn position for the Regeneration, Economy and Growth (REG) service grouping in 2024/25. The service reported a cash limit underspend of £0.959 million against a revised budget of £61.011 million. Capital expenditure incurred in 2024/25 was £139.242 million, representing 82% of the revised REG capital budget of £168.902 million.

Quarter One: Forecast of Revenue and Capital Outturn 2025/26

The committee also considered the forecast outturn position for Quarter 1 of 2025/26. The position is that there is a forecast overspend of £0.194 million, against a revised budget of £42.778 million. The revised service capital budget is £85.195 million with expenditure of £13.850 million as at 30 June 2025.

Quarter Four 2024/25 Performance Management Report

The committee reviewed the latest performance data against the Council Plan 2024-28. Key highlights include:

• A 9% increase in available jobs across the county since 2016.
• Securing £6.7 million of investment for companies, exceeding the £5 million target.
• Better than target attendances at all cultural venues.
• The condition of main roads performing well compared to national and regional averages.
• Bus punctuality increasing within the quarter.

However, the report also noted that the proportion of households assessed as homeless across the county remains higher than both the regional and England averages, and processing times of major and non-major planning applications have decreased slightly and are lower than target.

County Durham Economic Partnership Board Minutes

The committee noted the minutes from the County Durham Economic Partnership Board meetings held on 8 April and 24 June 2025.