The Durham County Council Cabinet met to discuss a range of issues, including the approval of a new council plan, public health initiatives, support for children in care, and strategies for revitalising high streets. Councillors agreed to publish the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025, and approved the new Durham Family Strategy 2025-2029, renaming the Corporate Parenting Panel to the Durham Family Panel. Additionally, the cabinet agreed to consult on designating areas in Bishop Auckland and Stanley for High Street Rental Auctions.

Council Plan 2025-2030

The Cabinet considered and agreed the new Council Plan 2025-2030, which outlines the council's strategic direction for the next five years. The plan is built around five ambitions: reforming the council, supercharging the economy, building better communities, caring for the people, and a practical environmental stewardship.

The plan sets out the council's objectives and priorities, and includes key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure progress. Councillor Andrew Husband, Leader of the Council, emphasised that the plan focuses on the immediate, tangible needs of County Durham's residents and delivering efficient, effective services. Councillor Darren Grimes, Deputy Leader of the Council, highlighted the importance of delivering value for money and efficiency savings to protect frontline services.

The council received feedback from a four-week service engagement and public consultation exercise, which was used to further develop the plan. According to the Council Plan 2025 – 2030 Consultation Feedback, the consultation feedback showed that the majority of respondents agreed with the high-level ambitions.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025

The Cabinet received the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025 and agreed to publish it. The report outlines the health and well-being of the people in County Durham and sets out six key ambitions for future health and well-being over the next 10 years:

• Reduce self-reported high anxiety to 10% or less.
• Reduce the number of people living with obesity to less than 1 out of 5.
• Reduce the number of people smoking to 5%.
• Reduce alcohol-specific deaths by 20%.
• Reduce under 18 conceptions by half.
• Increase levels of breastfeeding at 6 to 8 weeks to 2 out of 3 mothers.

Councillor Howard Brown, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Adult and Health Services, thanked Amanda Healy, Director of Public Health, and her team for producing the report and emphasised the importance of continued focus on the board's four priority areas. Councillor Cathy Hunt, Cabinet Portfolio Holder for Children and Young People Services, expressed her support for the work being undertaken to improve the health and well-being of children and young people across County Durham.

Sufficiency Statement for Children in Care and Care Leavers 2025-2029

The Cabinet approved the new Sufficiency Statement for Children in Care and Care Leavers 2025-2029, which sets out Durham's strategic approach to securing sufficient accommodation to meet the needs of children in care and care leavers. The statement outlines the policy context, a summary of needs, increasing budget pressures, and work programmes aligned to the Durham Cares Board.

The statement identifies increasing pressures in this area, with the number of children in care rising by 33% over the past 5 years. Councillor Hunt noted that the statement focuses on local accommodation provision and stronger support to enable more children and young people to build their lives around familiar places and community activities.

Durham Family Strategy

The Cabinet approved the new Durham Family Strategy and agreed to change the name of the Corporate Parenting Panel to the Durham Family Panel. The strategy outlines the council's corporate parenting responsibilities and its commitment to providing the best possible care and safeguarding support for children in care and care leavers.

The strategy was co-produced with children and young people, who identified six key priorities: feeling safe, emotional and physical well-being, positive people in their lives, being listened to, understanding things better, and being the best they can be. Councillor Hunt was pleased to propose the recommendations to Cabinet to support its approval. Councillor Karen Allison, Cabinet portfolio holder for Leisure, Tourism, Regeneration in High Street, seconded the report, highlighting that leisure centres, libraries, parks and high streets are vital spaces where children and families come together.

Modern Parish Meeting, Application for Order, Conferring Functions of a Parish Council

The Cabinet approved an order under section 109 of the Local Government Act 1972 to confer upon Mordon Parish Meeting those of the powers available to a parish council to incur expenditure set out in the draft order. Councillor Grimes moved the recommendations to confer the powers, which will enable the parish meeting to continue to support the village.

The relevant provisions of the Local Government Act of 1972 are not widely known and seldom used. Councillor Grimes thanked the council's legal team for working with the Mordon Parish Meeting and facilitating their application.

County Durham Plan Review Paper

The Cabinet approved the publication of the County Durham Plan Review Paper, which provides a summary of the review of the County Durham Plan (CDP). The review paper identifies that the existing County Durham Plan is in a good place, largely in line with national policy, and that it will continue to be effective in delivering its visions and aims. However, the review also recognises the challenges posed by increased housing numbers and the need to produce a new plan.

Councillor Quinn seconded the report, noting that the review paper provides context to the second publication.

High Street Rental Auctions

The Cabinet approved the commencement of consultation to designate areas in Bishop Auckland and Stanley for the enactment of High Street Rental Auctions (HSRAs). The new powers available through the HSRA will support the economy ambition and provide support to address persistent vacancies that affect High Street fatality and contribute to anti-social behaviour.

Councillor Alison responded to a question from Councillor Kathryn Rooney, stating that Stanley has suffered from years of underinvestment and that the council is confident it can achieve a positive change, including through the recently announced Pride in Place programme. Councillor Hunt seconded the report, noting that the opportunity to pilot the High Street Rental Auction powers in Bishop Auckland and Stanley will enable the council to evaluate and consider if this approach will be effective.

Councillor Tony Hanson, Corporate Director of Regeneration, Economy and Growth, noted that like many places nationwide, County Durham is dealing with the high retail vacancy rates in its town centres. In June 2025, the county-wide average was 22.73%, compared with the National High Street average of 14%.