The Corporate Overview and Scrutiny Management Board met on Thursday 12 February 2026 to review the Council's use of investigatory powers, discuss the Medium Term Financial Plan, and consider the findings of a Corporate Peer Challenge. The Board received updates on the Council's financial position, including a significant underspend forecast for the current financial year, and noted the progress on the action plan developed in response to the Corporate Peer Challenge.

Q3 2025/26 RIPA Report

The Board received the quarterly report on the Council's use of powers under the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) for the period of 1 October 2025 to 31 December 2025. Helen Bradley, Director of Legal and Democratic Services, presented the report, which detailed that there had been one directed surveillance application authorised during this quarter, with no applications for Covert Human Intelligence Surveillance (CHIS). The report confirmed that the Council's use of its powers under RIPA during this period was consistent with the Council's policy. The Board resolved to receive the report and agreed that the powers were being used consistently with the Council's policy, and that the policy remained fit for purpose.

Medium Term Financial Plan (16) 2026/27 to 2029/30

The Board received a report from Paul Darby, Corporate Director of Resources, providing an update on the development of the Budget for 2026/27 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026/27 to 2029/30. The report detailed proposals for the 2026/27 Revenue Budget, including feedback from a two-stage consultation process, and outlined savings proposals totalling £12.914 million for 2026/27 and £15.719 million over the next four years. The report also detailed new capital investments totalling £263.666 million over the next four years. The Board was asked to consider and comment on the report, with these comments to be reported to full Council.

Corporate Peer Challenge Result and Recommendations

The Board received a report from John Hewitt, Chief Executive Officer, and Councillor Andrew Husband, Leader of the Council, presenting the final report and recommendations of the Corporate Peer Challenge (CPC) which took place from 7 to 10 October 2025. The CPC, conducted by the Local Government Association (LGA), assessed the Council against five core areas: local priorities and outcomes, organisational and place leadership, governance and culture, financial planning and management, and capacity for improvement. The report highlighted that Durham County Council is a financially stable organisation with a strong, unified culture and a motivated workforce delivering high-performing services. Key recommendations included embedding changes to the council plan into the MTFP, continuing to build relationships between officers and members, establishing a comprehensive transformation programme, developing a refreshed council-wide digital strategy, further developing place leadership, and recognising the council's role in promoting social cohesion. The Board noted the report and the council's response to the recommendations, and agreed to receive a future report on progress.

Poverty Strategy 2026/2030

The Board received a report and presentation by the Corporate Director of Resources regarding the Poverty Strategy 2026/2030. This item was discussed in more detail in the minutes of the meeting held on 30 March 2026.

Q3 2025/26 Corporate Revenue and Capital Budget

The Board considered a report providing an update on the forecast revenue and capital outturn for the General Fund, Dedicated Schools Grants, Capital and Treasury Management, and the Council Tax and Business Rates collection fund for the quarter ending 31 December 2025. The Head of Corporate Finance and Commercial Services reported a £14.213 million forecast underspend for the financial year, largely due to one-off dividends. Concerns were raised about the overspend in children's social care and the reliance on agencies. The report also detailed adjustments to the capital programme, including the removal of budgets linked to the Milburngate Development. The Board noted the decisions made by Cabinet and the comments made by the Board on the quarter three position.

Q3 2025/26 Chief Executive Revenue and Capital Budget

The Board reviewed a report detailing the forecast revenue and capital outturn budget position for the Chief Executive's Office service grouping. The service was forecasting an underspend of £0.151 million against a revised budget. Variances included an underspend in Corporate Affairs due to staff vacancies and an overspend in Legal and Democratic Services due to increased postmortem fees. The Board noted the forecast outturn budget position.

Q3 2025/26 Resources Revenue and Capital Budget

The Board considered a report on the forecast revenue and capital outturn budget position for the Resources service grouping. The service was forecasting an underspend of £3.352 million. Variances included underspends in CPAL due to vacant posts and high staff turnover, and additional income from a car park lease. The report also detailed increased costs for the Oracle Fusion system, which led to a discussion about project management and oversight. The Board resolved to note the forecast outturn budget position and to set up a scrutiny working group to examine the Oracle Fusion project.

Q3 2025/26 Performance Management Report

The Board received a report providing an overview of progress towards the council's strategic ambitions and objectives. The Corporate Performance Manager highlighted strong performance in several areas, including employee sickness and apprenticeship enrollment. However, an increase in average sick days per employee was noted, and work was ongoing to understand the reasons and increase uptake of mandatory training. The Board resolved to note the overall performance position and the actions being taken to address challenges, and to set up a scrutiny working group to examine the trends in staff sickness.

Update in relation to Petitions

The Board received a quarterly update on petitions received by the Authority. The Democratic Services Manager advised that three new e-petitions had been submitted since the last update, with one rejected and two closed. No new paper petitions had been submitted. The Board noted the report.

Notice of Key Decisions

The Board considered a report listing key decisions scheduled to be considered by the Executive. One new item had been added to the plan: Land at Sniperley Park – Options Assessment, Surplus Declaration, Disposal and Deed of Release . The Board noted the content of the report.