The Adults, Wellbeing and Health Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Friday 01 May 2026. The meeting agenda includes a review of the financial outturn for Adult and Health Services, an update on the progress of the Shotley Bridge Hospital redevelopment, and a report on the council's performance in the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year.

Shotley Bridge Hospital Update

The committee is scheduled to receive an update on the redevelopment of Shotley Bridge Community Hospital (SBCH). This project, part of the New Hospital Programme (NHP), has been ongoing since 2020. Following a review of the NHP, SBCH was approved as a wave 1 scheme with a completion target of 2029/30. The budget for this development has increased to £63.4 million. Planning approval is in place for the identified land in Consett. The report outlines planned progress, including the approval of a Short Form Business Case to progress land acquisition and soft strip of the site, and the expected approval of the Outline Business Case (OBC) by the Trust Board in June 2026.

Q3 Revenue and Budget Outturn 2025/26

The committee is to be presented with the forecast outturn budget position for the Adult and Health Services (AHS) service grouping for the year ending December 2025. The report indicates an anticipated underspend of £0.895 million against a revenue budget of £162.808 million, representing a 0.55% underspend. This is a decrease from the quarter two underspend of £1.540 million. The report details reasons for variances in spending against budget heads, with the Head of Adult Care projected to be under budget by £0.765 million, largely due to staff turnover. The AHS capital budget for 2025/26 is reported as nil following the completion of the Hawthorn House respite centre upgrade, which resulted in a refund.

2025/26 Q3 Performance Management Report

A report on the council's performance during the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year (October to December) is scheduled for discussion. This report provides an update on progress towards the strategic ambitions and objectives set out in the Council Plan 2025-30, which was revised following the May 2025 council elections and the Reform UK administration. The report uses Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor progress, with data available as of 31 December 2025. The report highlights areas that are going well, such as a reduction in permanent admissions to residential or nursing care for adults aged 65+ and an increase in service users achieving their desired outcomes from the adult safeguarding process. It also addresses issues we are addressing, including rates of self-reported anxiety and suicide rates in County Durham.

The meeting will also cover the minutes of the previous meeting held on 16 March 2026.