Darlington Council met to discuss a range of reports, including the electoral review, asset management opportunities for the Dolphin Centre, and the climate change and nature restoration strategy. Councillors agreed to submit a proposed council size of 41 members to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England, approved a plan for essential repairs and upgrades to the Dolphin Centre, and adopted a combined Climate Change and Nature Restoration Strategy. Additionally, the council approved updates to the Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area and the designation of a new conservation area at Middleton St George.

Here's a more detailed look at the key discussion points:

Electoral Review - Council Size Submission

The council discussed a report on the future size of Darlington Borough Council, ahead of a submission to the Local Government Boundary Commission for England (LGBCE). A cross-party working group, consisting of the four group leaders, prepared a draft submission based on a survey of member workloads and activity.

The working group concluded that the recommended council size should be 41, although a minority view of 42 members was also reflected in the submission.

The council agreed to submit a proposed council size of 41 members to the LGBCE, while also including the minority view of 42 members. The Electoral Review - Council Size Submission Covering Report was approved, and the chief executive was given delegated powers to make any necessary amendments before the final submission on 3 October 2025.

The report noted that Darlington was selected for review due to the time that has elapsed since the last review, which was undertaken between 2012 and 2014, and which came into effect in May 2015.

The purpose of an Electoral Review is to consider the number of Councillors elected to the Council, the names, number and boundaries of the wards, and the number of Councillors to be elected to each ward. The LGBCE will attempt to ensure that each Councillor represents approximately the same number of electors as his or her colleagues on that Council. The LGBCE will aim to make recommendations which improve electoral equality, while at the same time trying to ensure that communities in the area are reflected and that convenient and effective local government is provided for.

The outcome of this review will be implemented at the Local Government (Borough) Elections in 2027.

Dolphin Centre Asset Management and Investment Opportunities

The council considered a report requesting approval and release of capital funding for the delivery of the Dolphin Centre asset management programme of works and investment opportunities. The Dolphin Centre is the council's only indoor leisure facility and is seen as a key asset in contributing to the council's vision for residents to live well and stay healthy.

The council approved the proposed asset management programme and the release of £6.742 million to continue the programme of repairs and maintenance. They also approved the refurbishment of the space that used to be used for marriage and civil ceremonies, to create an indoor golf, interactive darts and shuffleboard area, and approved the release of £1.456 million for the project, based on the expectation that it will generate a surplus of funding from income. A further £0.752 million was approved for the creation of a new spinning studio, with spinning equipment, based on the same expectation of generating a surplus.

The report noted that the Dolphin Centre opened in November 1982 and will have been open for 43 years this year and is a key council asset. It is a substantial venue having been built around a much older listed building, Central Hall. As with any building, and older listed buildings there is a need to undertake periodic investment to keep the facility operating and compliant with statutory requirements.

Climate Change and Nature Restoration Strategy

The council approved the adoption of the combined Climate Change and Nature Restoration Strategy, following a resolution in May 2025 declaring a nature restoration emergency and combining it with the existing climate change emergency. The strategy sets out the council's approach to dealing with the challenge of both emergencies.

The council's target of a net zero council by 2040 remains. Separate action plans will be developed for the climate change and nature restoration actions, with clear linkages where an action will benefit both sides of the emergency declaration. The existing Cross Party Climate Change Working Group will be expanded to also provide supportive review of the nature restoration actions, and the six-monthly climate change progress reports will expand to include reporting on the nature restoration actions.

The report noted that the predicted impacts of climate change in Darlington include more frequent and intense flooding, drought, episodes of extreme heat and stormier conditions. These impacts are expected to lead to an increase in heat-related deaths, particularly amongst the elderly, damage to essential infrastructure, reduced availability of drinking water, increased cost and scarcity of food, disruption to supply chains and service provision, sea level rises, greater coastal erosion and impact on habitats from rising temperature and weather events and from invasive species.

Adoption of Finalised Appraisal for the Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area

The council approved the adoption of the finalised appraisal for the Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area, including changes to its boundary and name. The document that has been submitted is called Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area Appraisal. Finalised document. March 2025.

The report provides justification for adopting the finalised appraisal for the Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area. The draft version of the appraisal (September 2024) had been subject to a six-week public consultation period. Amendments have been made in light of the comments received.

The council agreed to adopt the finalised appraisal, the finalised boundary, and the name change from Northgate Conservation Area to Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area. The council also authorised the amendment of the finalised Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area Appraisal with regards to the text marked in yellow, to reflect the adopted status of the document. The adopted appraisal will be named: Stockton & Darlington Railway: Northgate Conservation Area Appraisal. Adopted document. March 2025.

The report noted that the Northgate Conservation Area is a designated heritage asset of international significance due to its structures and associations directly linked to the birth/early years of the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) of 1825. Despite its high importance, it has been on the national Heritage at Risk Register since 2010.

Designation of New Middleton St George Conservation Area and Adoption of Finalised Appraisal

The council approved the designation of a new conservation area at Middleton St George and to adopt the corresponding appraisal. The submitted document was titled Stockton & Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area Appraisal. Finalised document. May 2025.

The report provides justification for the designating a new conservation area at Middleton St George and adopting the corresponding appraisal. The draft version of the appraisal (December 2024) had been subject to a six-week public consultation period. Amendments have been made in light of the comments received.

The council agreed to adopt the new conservation area boundary at Middleton St George, the new conservation area's name: Stockton & Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area, and the finalised appraisal for the new Middleton St George Conservation Area. The council also authorised the amendment of finalised appraisal with regards to the text marked in yellow, to reflect the adopted status of the document. The adopted appraisal will be named: Stockton & Darlington Railway: Middleton St George (Fighting Cocks) Conservation Area Appraisal. Adopted document. May 2025.

The report noted that Fighting Cocks was an original stopping point (station) along the Stockton & Darlington Railway (S&DR) of 1825. The presence of the railway led to the establishment of the Middleton Iron Works in 1864, which sparked the development of the village of Middleton St George.

Updated Statement of Community Involvement - Part 1 (Local Plan)

The council approved the adoption of an updated version of its Statement of Community Involvement (SCI) Part 1 (Local Plan). It was stated at the meeting that this update must commence every 5 years.

Cabinet Urgent Decisions

The council noted the urgent decision taken by Cabinet.

Scrutiny Reports

The Scrutiny Committee Chairs each submitted a report on the main areas of work undertaken by their relevant Scrutiny Committee during the last cycle of Committee meetings, and responded to any questions thereon.

Membership Changes

The council approved the following membership changes to Committees, Subsidiary Bodies and Other Bodies for the remainder of the Municipal Year 2025/26:

• Councillors Neil Johnson and Kevin Nicholson replace Councillors Sajna Ali and Mohammad Mahmud on the Police and Crime Panel.
• Councillor Jim Garner replace Councillor Sajna Ali on the Joint Audit Committee.
• Councillors Mrs Pauline Culley and Jamie Bartch replace Councillors Mrs Heather Scott and Scott Durham on the Council Decision Making and Scrutiny Process Working Group.
• Councillor Matthew Snedker was appointed to the Combined Fire Authority's Appeals Committee.

Leader of the Council Overview

Councillor Stephen Harker, Leader of the Council, provided an overview of his portfolio, including updates on the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) Transport Portfolio, the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) funding, and the Transport for City Regions (TCR) funding. He also mentioned the Cross Party Climate Change Working Group and external meetings and engagements.

Economy Portfolio Overview

Councillor Chris McEwan, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Economy, presented an overview of the Economy Portfolio, including updates on environmental health, climate change, building control, development management, business investment, estates, towns fund, and planning policy.

Adults Portfolio Overview

Councillor Anne-Marie Curry, Cabinet Member for Adults, provided an overview of the Adults Portfolio, including updates on operational services, safeguarding, commissioning and contracts, and the Darlington Safeguarding Partnership.

Children and Young People Portfolio Overview

Councillor Nick Wallis, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented an overview of the Children and Young People Portfolio, including updates on tackling child poverty, early intervention and front door services, the Young People's Engagement and Justice Service, safeguarding assessment and care planning, looked after children and care leaver information, fostering and supported lodgings, education, and youth unemployment.

Health and Housing Portfolio Overview

Councillor Matthew Roche, Cabinet Member for Health and Housing, provided an overview of the Health and Housing Portfolio, including updates on public health, the Health and Well Being Board, housing services, lifeline services, tenancy enforcement, universal credit, the Dolphin Centre, the Inclusion Programme, and the Sport England Place Partnership.

Resources Portfolio Overview

Councillor Mandy Porter, Cabinet Member for Resources, presented an overview of the Resources Portfolio, including updates on revenues and benefits, climate change, artificial intelligence, DBS applications for members, capital projects and design services management, the revenue budget monitoring report, and the investment fund update report.

Stronger Communities Portfolio Overview

Councillor Jim Garner, Cabinet Member for Stronger Communities, provided an overview of the Stronger Communities Portfolio, including updates on crime and anti-social behaviour, environmental crime, begging incidents, the Plan for Neighbourhoods, trading standards, houses in multiple occupation, the Renters' Rights Bill, the Warm Homes Local Grant, and licensing.

Adults Scrutiny Committee Overview

Councillor Andrew Anderson, Chair of Adults Scrutiny Committee, provided an overview of the Adults Scrutiny Committee, including updates on the CQC assurance framework, the assessment of services commissioned from out of area, performance indicators, and the work programme.

Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee Overview

Councillor Hilary Allen, Chair of Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, provided an overview of the Children and Young People Scrutiny Committee, including updates on performance indicators and the work programme.

Communities and Local Services Scrutiny Committee Overview

Councillor James McGill, Chair of Communities and Local Services Scrutiny Committee, provided an overview of the Communities and Local Services Scrutiny Committee, including updates on the deployable camera policy, the public safety overview report, performance indicators, and the work programme.

Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee Overview

Councillor Rebecca Baker, Chair of Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee, provided an overview of the Economy and Resources Scrutiny Committee, including updates on the consultation on a homes strategy for the borough, the climate change and nature strategy, performance indicators, complaints, compliments and comments annual reports, complaints made to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman and the Housing Ombudsman Service, the project position statement and capital monitoring report, the revenue budget monitoring report, and the investment fund update report.

Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee Overview

Councillor Neil Johnson, Chair of the Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee, provided an overview of the Health and Housing Scrutiny Committee, including updates on the consultation on a homes strategy for the borough, the Darlington Better Care Fund, the Director of Public Health Annual Report, health and safety compliance in council housing, chronic illness prevention, performance indicators, and the work programme.