The Cabinet of County Durham Council met on Wednesday 22 April 2026 to approve updated delivery plans for the County Durham Housing Strategy and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy. The Cabinet also agreed to receive annual updates on the Finance Durham Fund and approved proposed changes to the Council's Constitution following its annual review.

County Durham Housing Strategy and Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy Delivery Plans 2026/27

The Cabinet approved the updated 12-month delivery plans for both the County Durham Housing Strategy (CDHS) and the Homelessness and Rough Sleeping Strategy (HRSS). These strategies, adopted in January 2025 and July 2024 respectively, aim to ensure good quality, affordable housing for all residents and to eradicate homelessness and rough sleeping in County Durham. The delivery plans outline the actions and outcomes required to achieve these goals, with annual reviews to adapt to policy, funding, and demand changes. The plans include ongoing actions, updated actions reflecting progress, and new workstreams aligned with partners' priorities. The Cabinet also delegated authority to the Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth, in consultation with relevant portfolio holders, to make minor modifications and adopt future updates to these plans.

Annual Review of the Constitution

The Cabinet reviewed proposed changes to the Council's Constitution, which sets out how the Council operates and makes decisions. Key changes include the introduction of financial thresholds for key decisions, with executive decisions involving £2 million or more in expenditure or savings now requiring Cabinet approval. The report also detailed proposed amendments to officer delegations, establishing financial thresholds for contract awards delegated to Heads of Service (£500,000) and Corporate Directors (£5,000,000), with Cabinet retaining purview over decisions of £5 million or more. Other significant changes include the formalisation of the Director of Legal and Democratic Services' sole authority to institute legal proceedings, aligning with the Legal Services Act 2007, and the designation of the Head of Pensions as the statutory Senior LGPS Officer. Amendments were also proposed to the Council Procedure Rules to ensure time-sensitive business is dealt with at meetings, and new codes of practice for members and officers dealing with licensing matters were introduced. The Cabinet recommended these changes for approval by the full Council.

Finance Durham Fund Update

An update was provided on the performance of the Finance Durham Fund (FDF), established in 2016 with an investment of £20 million to provide equity and loan finance to County Durham-based businesses. The fund, managed by Maven Capital Partners UK LLP, has made 57 investments totalling £17.28 million into 37 companies, leveraging an additional £40 million in investment and supporting nearly 1,500 jobs. The fund has successfully navigated economic challenges and has seen two profitable exits, demonstrating the effectiveness of the evergreen fund model. The Cabinet noted the update and agreed to receive an annual report on the FDF's performance going forward.

Exclusion of the Press and Public

The Cabinet resolved to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting to discuss exempt or confidential information. This decision was moved by Councillor Stephen Gray, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Digital and Customer Services, and seconded by Councillor Cathy Hunt.