Here is a summary of the scheduled discussions for the upcoming North Tyneside Council Cabinet meeting. The cabinet will consider updates on the council's financial performance, transport strategy, and carbon reduction plans. Also to be discussed are the council tax support scheme, handling of complaints, and educational strategies.

Carbon Net-Zero Action Plan

The cabinet will consider an update to the North Tyneside Carbon Net-Zero 2030 Action Plan. The report includes a performance update since July 2024 and seeks approval for an updated action plan, which is included as Appendix 1. The report pack states that the council's carbon footprint has reduced by 60% since 2010/11, while the borough's has fallen 49% since 2005. The updated plan is scheduled to include:

• Performance updates for all workstreams
• A more focused version of the action plan for wider public engagement
• An emphasis on the co-benefits of workstream projects

The report pack mentions that the authority has been participating in the development of the North East Combined Authority's Carbon and Nature Market, which aims to facilitate carbon trading for local and regional projects. The report also lists a number of Authority Achievements for 2024/25 in Appendix 2.

North Tyneside Transport Strategy Annual Report

The cabinet will consider the North Tyneside Transport Strategy Annual Report 2024/25. The North Tyneside Transport Strategy, which was updated in 2021, sets out the council’s vision for transport in the borough. The strategy aims to ensure that North Tyneside has a transport infrastructure that is safe, easy to use, healthy, affordable, accessible and integrated. The annual report provides information on the progress made towards achieving these principles. According to the report pack, since the adoption of the Transport Strategy, policies and strategies that have been revised include:

• Supplementary Planning Document Transport and Highways
• North Tyneside Parking Strategy
• Highway Asset Management Plan (HAMP)
• North Tyneside Cycling Strategy
• North Tyneside Travel Safety Strategy
• North Tyneside Network Management Plan
• North Tyneside Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEV) Strategy
• North Tyneside Home to School/College Transport Policy
• North Tyneside Hackney Carriage and Private Hire Licensing Policy

The Annual Report, attached as Appendix 1 to the report, sets out progress made toward the five principles of the North Tyneside Transport Strategy. The report pack states that cycling levels in the borough have increased by 38% since the adoption of the North Tyneside Transport Strategy. The report also notes that the Authority continues to work with Nexus¹ and Northumbria Police on Operation Coastwatch, which supports personal security on the Metro network.

Review of Council Tax Support Scheme

The cabinet will consider the outcomes of a consultation on proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme for working age claimants for the financial year 2026/27. The consultation took place with the public and the Major Precepting Authorities² for a six-week period. Cabinet will consider whether to recommend to full Council that changes be made to the scheme, with effect from 1 April 2026. The report pack notes that the proposed changes include a banded scheme, which would:

• Improve support for the poorest households in the Borough, giving 100% to those on the lowest incomes
• Create a simpler Scheme for customers to understand
• Reduce multiple changes in entitlement due to monthly changes in income
• Reduce administration time and cost The report pack also notes that the new scheme will contain additional provisions to protect individuals who experience exceptional hardship, and that those customers will be encouraged to apply to the Exceptional Hardship Scheme.

Annual Complaints Report

The cabinet will consider the Annual Complaints Report, which summarises the compliments and complaints received and resolved between 1 April 2024 and 31 March 2025. The report pack states that the number of complaints the authority receives each year continues to be a very small proportion of the total number of transactions and services delivered by it. The report also notes that the authority sees each and every complaint as an opportunity to listen and show how it cares and acts upon the views and concerns of its customers, and that the authority use complaints and compliments to learn and make improvements to the services it delivers. The report pack includes the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman Complaint Handling Code Self Assessment September 2025 and the LGSCO Annual Review Letter.

Annual Report from Audit Committee

The cabinet will consider the Annual Report from Audit Committee, covering the work performed by the committee during 2024/25. The report sets out how the Audit Committee has discharged its responsibilities within its terms of reference, the outcome of its self-assessment of effectiveness against recommended practice and an overview of the activity it has undertaken during the year. The Audit Committee Annual Report 2024/25 is appended to the report.

Family Friendly Sub Committee Task and Finish Group - Reading Attainment

The cabinet will consider the report and recommendations from the Family Friendly Sub Committee Task and Finish Group on reading attainment. The Task and Finish Group was appointed to examine reading outcomes across North Tyneside, assess the effectiveness of current initiatives, and formulate recommendations for further improvement. The report and recommendations from the Task and Finish Group are attached to the report for consideration by Cabinet. The report pack notes that the Task and Finish Group met on four occasions, and that key activities undertaken by the group included:

• In-depth analysis of reading attainment data for North Tyneside schools
• Review of the report Enhanced Reading Support and Monitoring in North Tyneside Schools
• Presentation from the Libraries team on their reading offer for children and young people
• Presentation from Employability and Skills on the reading offer for adults in North Tyneside
• Case study presentation by Jill Shaw, Headteacher of New York Primary School, on their exemplary whole-school approach to reading

Thriving Sub Committee Task and Finish Group - Derelict Properties

The cabinet will consider a report on derelict properties in the borough. A Task and Finish Group was appointed in Autumn of 2024 to review the Authority's processes and procedures with regard to derelict properties in the Borough. The report has been produced by the Task and Finish Group and contains findings and recommendations for consideration by Cabinet. The report pack notes that the Task and Finish Group met with officers on four occasions and received a draft Member Briefing Note from the Head of Public Protection on the statutory and discretionary powers available to the Authority in relation to derelict properties.

2025/26 Performance and Financial Management Report

The cabinet will consider the 2025/26 Performance and Financial Management Report to 31 July 2025. The report provides an overview of both service performance and financial position across the Authority. It sets out the key areas of service delivery for Cabinet to note, including where this impacts in budgetary terms, and shows the forecast outturn position to 31 March 2026 for both revenue and capital. The report also sets out the forecast outturn position in relation to schools' finance, the Authority's Investment Plan, developers' contributions, treasury management and prudential indicators. In addition, it provides details of additional revenue and capital grants received up until 31 July 2025 for Cabinet to approve.

Recruitment of the Director of Children's Service

The cabinet will consider a report seeking agreement to commence the recruitment of the statutory position of Director of Children's Services. The Job Description and Person Specification for the role are appended to the report. The report pack notes that once Cabinet has agreed to commence the recruitment and agrees the Job Description and Person Specification, the formal recruitment and appointment process is referred to the Appointments and Disciplinary Committee.

SACRE Constitution

The cabinet will consider a report regarding the Standing Advisory Council for Religious Education (SACRE) Constitution. The Authority has a statutory duty under the Education Act 1996 to establish a SACRE which is responsible for overseeing religious education in schools in the Borough. The report pack notes that the adoption of a new or an amended Constitution can only occur with the agreement of Cabinet. The proposed replacement SACRE Constitution is appended to the report for approval by Cabinet. The proposed Constitution proposes that representatives of non-religious world views, including, but not limited to a Humanist become a voting member of Committee A of the SACRE.

Ambition for Education Update

The cabinet will consider a report outlining the local context and the key strategic challenges currently facing the education system in North Tyneside, the work already underway as part of the Strategic Education and Inclusion Review, and the further work required to tackle these challenges in partnership with educational leaders.

Strategic Education Review Update

The cabinet will also receive a Strategic Education Review Update report, to note the update and the challenges faced, and agree next steps. The report pack notes that this item will be discussed in private, as it contains commercially sensitive information.