The Durham County Council met on Wednesday 18 February 2026, where a significant portion of the discussion and decisions revolved around the council's financial future, including the approval of the Medium Term Financial Plan and the setting of Council Tax. The council also debated and voted on a motion concerning the re-industrialisation of County Durham and addressed concerns regarding healthcare provision at Shotley Bridge Hospital.

Budget and Council Tax Setting

A major focus of the meeting was the council's financial planning for the upcoming years. The council considered and noted the updated 2026/27 budget and Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026/27 to 2028/29. This plan incorporated the impact of the Provisional Local Government Finance Settlement published in December 2025. A key finding was that a 0% increase in Council Tax would result in a forecast budget deficit of £9.344 million in 2026/27 and £51.792 million over the MTFP period. To address this, the council noted that a circa 3.1% increase in Council Tax would need to be considered for 2026/27. The council also noted the outcomes of two budget consultations regarding proposed savings totalling £12.941 million for the next year and £15.719 million over the four-year MTFP period.

Furthermore, the council approved the proposal to fully align the existing Council Tax Section 13A(1)(c) Reduction Policy with Government regulations from April 2026. This means no additional discretionary relief will be offered for empty properties and second homes beyond statutory requirements, with relief limited to a maximum of 12 months.

Re-industrialising County Durham

A significant debate took place regarding a motion put forward by Councillor Kyle Genner, which aimed to position County Durham as the Industrial heartland of Britain and commit to an economy first approach to regeneration, including exploring resource and energy exploration. An amendment, moved by Councillor Elizabeth Scott, sought to reframe the motion to focus on continuing economic resurgence and building on existing growth, while ensuring economic growth and environmental sustainability work in harmony.

Arguments in favour of the original motion emphasised reversing decline, building a strong local economy, and exploring all industrial opportunities, including energy exploration, to make Durham great again. Opponents of the amendment, and supporters of the original motion, argued that the council should move away from a protect at all costs approach to the environment and instead explore options and weigh pros and cons. They also stressed the importance of local economic strength and job opportunities for community empowerment.

Arguments for the amendment highlighted continuing economic resurgence, building on growth seen from 2021 to 2024, and utilising innovation and technology for economic growth and environmental sustainability. It also proposed continuing a diverse clean energy programme.

Following a named vote, the amendment was lost. Subsequently, the original motion was carried, with a significant majority voting in favour.

Shotley Bridge Hospital Healthcare Provision

Councillor Kenny Hope moved a motion expressing serious concerns about the sustained reduction in access to urgent healthcare due to the extension of overnight closure of the Urgent Treatment Centre (UTC) at Shotley Bridge Hospital¹ until the beginning of March 2026. The motion highlighted the absence of a published, time-bound recovery plan for workforce recruitment and service restoration, and the continued failure to release approved capital funding for the new Shotley Bridge Hospital.

The council considered that the prolonged withdrawal of overnight urgent care risked breaching the statutory duty under the National Health Service Act 2006² to provide comprehensive and accessible health services. It was also considered that repeated extensions of temporary service closures without formal consultation risked being unlawful, and that the failure to engage affected communities undermined transparency and public confidence.

The council resolved to formally record its view that the continued failure to restore overnight UTC provision and progress the new hospital build risked placing both Central Government and NHS bodies in breach of their statutory obligations. It called upon the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care and NHS leadership to restore overnight UTC provision at Shotley Bridge without further delay, publish a clear, time-bound plan for workforce recruitment and service stabilisation, and release capital funding immediately to commence construction of the new hospital. The council also resolved to require the NHS to convene an in-person public meeting with affected residents and to instruct the Chief Executive and Leader of Durham County Council to write formally to the Secretary of State, the NHS Integrated Care Board, and the relevant NHS Trust, setting out the council's concerns. The motion was carried unanimously.

Other Discussions and Decisions

The council also received and noted a report from the Cabinet, which provided information on issues considered at its meeting on 21 January 2026. This included updates on the Medium Term Financial Plan, Adult Social Care, Housing Allocations Policy review, and the Corporate Peer Challenge Final Report. The Cabinet had approved the Adult Social Care Strategy 2025-2028 and the Adult Social Care Service Improvement Plan 2025-2027. They also approved an eight-week public consultation on a draft housing allocations policy.

The council adopted the Startforth Neighbourhood Plan, making it part of the statutory development plan. An updated Local Code of Corporate Governance was also approved and adopted.

A debate took place regarding the appointment of Political Assistants, with an amendment to the recommendations eventually becoming the substantive motion and being carried. This approved the principle of establishing Political Assistant posts for qualifying political groups, the amendments to the Constitution required, and the creation of two political assistant posts for the Reform Group and the Liberal Democrat Group.

The council also discussed concerns regarding proposed regional Police Forces and the abolition of Police and Crime Commissioners, with Councillor Kyle Genner sharing concerns about potential loss of resources and accountability for County Durham. The council also addressed revised governance arrangements for Local Networks, with Councillor Chris Lines raising concerns about reduced influence for local residents and equitable distribution of funding. Councillor Stephen Gray responded by outlining plans for refreshed engagement programmes and community forums.

Finally, the dates for Ordinary Council meetings for 2026/27 were confirmed.