The County Council meeting on 22 October 2025 saw the approval of a new Council Plan for 2025-2030, which outlines the council's priorities and ambitions for the next five years. A significant debate also took place regarding an amendment to the Member Code of Conduct concerning freedom of expression, which was ultimately carried.

Council Plan 2025-2030 Approved

The council formally approved its new Council Plan for 2025-2030, a document that sets out the authority's strategic direction and priorities. The plan is organised around five key ambitions: Reforming the council, Supercharging our economy, Building better communities, Caring for our people, and A practical environmental stewardship. These ambitions have been refined following extensive public consultation, with a strengthened focus on environmental stewardship, tackling anti-social behaviour, improving public transport, and supporting children with special educational needs and disabilities. The plan also includes a refreshed performance management framework with Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to measure progress. Councillor Andrew Husband, Leader of the Council, highlighted that the plan is practical, fiscally responsible, and firmly focused on what residents tell us matters. ¹

Amendment to Member Code of Conduct on Freedom of Expression Carried

Following a robust debate, the council voted to amend the Member Code of Conduct to include specific reference to members' rights to freedom of expression under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights. The amendment, proposed by Councillor Darren Grimes, Deputy Leader and Portfolio Holder for Finance, Policy and Communications, states that in a political context, a degree of immoderate, offensive, shocking or provocative expression, is acceptable. ² The decision was met with strong opinions from various councillors, with arguments focusing on balancing freedom of speech with the need for respectful discourse and the protection of public trust. The amendment was carried with 63 votes in favour, 28 against, and one abstention.

Youth Justice Plan 2025-2026 Noted

The County Durham Youth Justice Plan for 2025-2026 was presented and noted by the council. The plan outlines the service's commitment to a child first ethos, aiming to reduce first-time entrants to the youth justice system and the use of custody. It highlights a 16% reduction in first-time entrants in the past year and a 4.8% reduction in re-offending rates. The plan also details priorities for the coming year, including embedding the child first approach, driving service improvements, and promoting the safety, health, and well-being of children involved in the youth justice system. Councillor Cathy Hunt, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People's Services, commended the plan as a reflection of hard work and teamwork across the youth justice service. ³

Middridge Neighbourhood Plan Adopted

The council formally adopted the Middridge Neighbourhood Plan, which now forms part of the statutory development plan for the area. The plan, which was overwhelmingly approved by voters in a referendum on 31 July 2025 with 97.5% in favour, introduces policies for a protected rural setting for Middridge village, designates seven important local green spaces, and identifies two valued community assets: Middridge Village Hall and The Bay Horse Public House.⁴ The adoption was made under delegated authority due to meeting regulatory deadlines.

Appointment of Charter Trustee

Councillor Howard Brown was appointed as a Charter Trustee for the City of Durham, representing the Easington & Shotton division. This appointment follows the resignation of the previous councillor. The selection was based on the number of votes received in the May election, with Councillor Brown being the candidate with the second-highest number of votes.⁵

Audit Committee Annual Report Noted

The Audit Committee's annual report for the period September 2024 to August 2025 was noted by the council. The report details the committee's work in overseeing good governance, internal control, and risk management across the council. It highlights the committee's role in promoting the work of Internal Audit, Corporate Fraud, and Risk Management, as well as scrutinising financial statements and the Annual Governance Statement.⁶

Motions on Notice

Several motions were presented, with some being withdrawn or carried forward.

• Hazardous Waste Incinerator Motion Withdrawn: Councillor M Stead withdrew his motion concerning the hazardous waste incinerator at Heighington Lane, Aycliffe Business Park, following a disappointing response from the government to the council's letter of objection.
• Shotley Bridge Hospital Motion Carried (as amended): A motion moved by Councillor K Rooney calling for government intervention to halt the overnight closure of the Urgent Care Unit at Shotley Bridge Hospital and to ensure funding for a new hospital and A&E department was carried after being amended. The amendment, moved by Councillor H, added significant detail regarding the current closure, staff shortages, bed allocation, and the need for immediate action from central government and NHS leadership.
• Maya's Law Motion Carried (as amended): A motion moved by Councillor A Hopgood, supporting the campaign for Maya's Law to address failures in inter-agency information sharing, was carried after being amended by Councillor C Hunt. The amended motion commits the council to lobbying the government and implementing policies to safeguard children at a local level, rather than solely waiting for national legislative change. Councillor Hunt stated, We don't have to wait for Westminster. Let's make it mandatory here, in our county, in our communities. ⁷
• Myers Law Motion Carried (as amended): Councillor Amanda Hopgood's motion supporting the campaign for Maya's Law was amended by Councillor C Hunt. The amended motion was carried, with Councillor Hopgood accepting the amendment. The amendment focused on the council taking immediate action at a local level to implement policies to safeguard children, rather than solely lobbying for legislative change.
• Motions Carried Forward: Due to time constraints, motions from Councillor J Elmer and Councillor C Foote-Wood were carried forward to the next full council meeting.

Questions from Members

• Revenue Savings: Councillor A Hopgood questioned Councillor Darren Grimes, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Resources, about the amount of revenue savings identified since July 2025. Councillor Grimes responded by detailing various cost-saving measures implemented by the new administration, including challenging the Milburn Gate deal, scrapping the net-zero by press release initiative, and maximising national funding. He stated that the administration is chasing savings, and we're not done quite yet. ⁸
• Asylum-Seeking Children: Councillor Lesley Mavin asked Councillor Cathy Hunt, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People's Services, to confirm that all children, including unaccompanied asylum-seeking children, would be treated with equity. Councillor Hunt assured that all children in the council's care would be treated equally and safeguarded, stating, all children, all children in our care will be looked after. ⁹