Here's a summary of the Newcastle City Council Cabinet meeting:

The cabinet addressed key issues including the city's financial health, future financial planning, transport strategy, play areas, housing complaints, building safety, youth justice, and urban regeneration. They approved actions to address budget concerns, endorsed a new transport strategy, and moved forward with plans for improving play spaces and housing standards.

Quarter 1 Projected Outturn

The cabinet reviewed the council's projected financial performance for Quarter 1, noting a projected £5.547 million overspend against the agreed budget of £293.1 million. Pressures were identified in adult social care, children and families, and investment and growth.

Councillor Paul Frew, Cabinet Member for Resources and Performance, highlighted that the £600k underspend demonstrated responsible and effective budget setting. He also noted the challenges in social care and special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) transport.

The cabinet agreed to:

• Note the General Fund revenue and capital outturn position.
• Note the amendments to the General Fund revenue budget.
• Note the Collection Fund outturn position.
• Note the Housing Revenue Account revenue and capital outturn position.
• Approve the proposed write-offs of uncollected debt totalling £3.9 million.
• Note the performance monitoring.

The report also highlighted key financial systems performance, including:

• General Fund sundry income: 87.5% recovered within 90 days, below the 90% target.
• Council Tax collection: 96.9%, slightly below the 97% annual target.
• Commercial property income: 94.3% collection rate, below the 95% target.
• Housing rents: 96.9% in-year collection rate.
• Invoices paid: 96.5% of invoices paid within 30 days, above the 95% target.

Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) Update

The cabinet discussed the medium-term financial challenges facing the council for 2026-27 to 2028-29. The report noted that while funding has increased, cost pressures have risen faster due to inflation and increased demand for services. The council has had to achieve savings of £400 million since 2010.

The report highlighted a projected budget gap of £15 million in 2026-27, with cumulative savings of £43.4 million required over three years. The MTFP approach has been developed to address the main financial challenges facing the council and supports the council's overarching priorities and all Cabinet portfolios.

The report was provided as an update, and no decision was required.

Newcastle's Movement Strategy: Policy Framework

The cabinet formally adopted Newcastle's Movement Strategy Framework, a long-term vision for sustainable, inclusive, and healthy transport in the city. The strategy aims to reduce car dependency and prioritise sustainable transport modes. It supports key council priorities, including Net Zero, inclusive economy, and anti-poverty.

Councillor Dr Juna Sathian, Cabinet Member for Climate and Transport, said the strategy was clear policy to reduce car dependency and prioritise sustainable transport modes.

The strategy is based on evidence and informed by public consultation, with almost 80% of respondents supporting the vision for an inclusive, sustainable, healthy, and thriving Newcastle. Key priorities identified in the consultation included better public transport, safer roads, improved facilities for disabled people, cleaner air, and better facilities for walking, wheeling, and cycling.

The Overview and Scrutiny Coordination Committee made several recommendations, including working closely with schools to implement travel plans, setting interim targets, and producing an easy-to-read version of the strategy.

Play Spaces

The cabinet discussed the 'Newcastle Accessible and Inclusive Play Area Plan (2025)' and the 'Newcastle Play Space Plan 2024', which outline recommendations for investment in play spaces across the city.

The cabinet agreed to:

• Invest in enhanced, accessible play sites at Blakelaw Park, Riverside Country Park, Elswick Park and City Stadium (Ouseburn).
• Invest in play sites in Parklands, Castle, Chapel, Arthurs Hill, Benwell and Scotswood, Byker, and Walkergate wards.
• Accept the Newcastle Enhanced, Accessible and Inclusive Play Area Plan (2025).
• Accept the Newcastle Play Space Plan 2024 and adopt its nine recommendations.
• Draw down £1,285,878 from the Estate Management Fund reserve, £179,311 Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) and £34,811 Section 106 contributions to fund the Newcastle Play Space Plan 2024.
• Agree the preferred procurement route to appoint a delivery partner.

Housing Complaints: Annual Report and Self-Assessment

The cabinet reviewed and approved the updated self-assessment of compliance with the Housing Ombudsman's Complaints Handling Code for 2024-25. The report noted a decrease in the number of housing complaints received compared to the previous year.

Councillor Paula Maines, Cabinet Member for Housing, said the report reflected an improved compliance position with the Complaint Handling Code, but acknowledged that there were still areas requiring improvement.

The cabinet approved the response from Cabinet and agreed to publish it on the website alongside the self-assessment and annual report.

Social Housing Building Safety

The cabinet received an update on activities undertaken to comply with building safety legislation, including Awaab's Law (damp and mould), new electrical safety standards, and residential emergency evacuation plans (PEEPs).

The cabinet approved a confidential annex regarding the award of contracts for fire compartmentation surveys and remedial works, and a contract extension for structural surveys to multi-storey, High Risk Buildings.

Youth Justice Plan 2025/26

The cabinet endorsed the Newcastle Youth Justice Strategic Plan 2025-26 for approval by full council. The plan outlines priorities and potential future challenges for the Youth Justice Service Partnership.

Councillor Lesley Storey, Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said she was proud of the interventions offered and the positive feedback received from families involved.

The plan sets out how the service will work collaboratively with partners to prevent offending and reoffending, reduce the use of custody, and contribute to multi-agency protection and safeguarding.

Urban Core Regeneration

The cabinet discussed regeneration and development activity in the Urban Core, including the Founders Place, Stephenson Quarter, Helix, Pilgrim Place, and City Gateway East projects. The report highlighted the scale and ambition of projects that are actively reshaping the city.

The cabinet agreed to:

• Endorse the principle of a new investment strategy for Accelerated Development Zone (ADZ) income.
• Approve funding of up to £350,000 to prepare a regeneration framework and development pipeline.
• Endorse the development of a joint Strategic Regeneration Framework with Gateshead Council and other partners.
• Delegate to the Chief Executive the establishment of a strategic regeneration board.
• Endorse engaging the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and Homes England in jointly developing a future pipeline of projects.
• Note government approval of a £121.8 million funding package to support the regeneration of Forth Yards.
• Delegate authority to the Assistant Director Planning to prepare and consult on any necessary supplementary planning documents/masterplans and supporting evidence to support the Strategic Regeneration Framework.
• Approve the Forth Yards Vision Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and delegate authority to the Assistant Director Planning to undertake further consultation on the draft SPD.

The cabinet also approved the Forth Yards Vision Supplementary Planning Document (SPD) and delegated authority to the Assistant Director Planning to undertake further consultation on the draft SPD.

Planning - Planning Advisory Service Independent Peer Review

The cabinet noted the Planning Advisory Service (PAS) Peer Review report and approved its publication on the council's website. The report highlighted the planning service's strengths, including strong performance, partnership working, and a track record of delivery. It also identified areas for improvement, such as the development management structure and community engagement.

The cabinet agreed to publish the Action Plan, which responds to the 10 recommendations in the Peer Challenge report.

In addition to the items above, the cabinet also:

• Approved the schedule of non-confidential decisions made under delegated authority.
• Approved the public minutes of the previous meeting held on 2 June 2025.
• Agreed to exclude the press and public from the remainder of the meeting to discuss confidential items.