Durham County Council is scheduled to meet to discuss a range of topics, including a petition to reduce the speed limit in Neville's Cross from 40mph to 30mph, a mid-year review of treasury management, and the Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme for 2026/27. Councillors will also consider motions on waste incineration, poverty, and support for local farmers.

Here's what the report pack says will be up for discussion:

Petition to Reduce Speed Limit in Neville's Cross

A petition is to be presented calling for the council to reduce the speed limit on the A167 through Neville's Cross from 40mph to 30mph. The petition highlights that the A167 runs through a busy residential area and is a heavily used pedestrian and cycling route, with three schools either on or just off the A167. The petitioners argue that lower speed limits bring benefits including:

• Safety: Pedestrians are five times more likely to be killed if hit at 40mph than at 30mph.
• Air quality: Lower speeds reduce harmful emissions.
• Noise: Reducing speeds can cut traffic noise levels significantly.

Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026/27

The council is scheduled to discuss proposals to change the Local Council Tax Reduction (LCTR) scheme for working-age residents from April 2026. The report pack notes that the current scheme, which has been unchanged since 2013, provides up to 100% uncapped support, meaning most claimants pay no council tax. Rising costs, welfare reforms, and the migration to Universal Credit are said to have prompted a review.

The proposals include introducing an income-banded scheme and capping maximum support, requiring all working-age residents to contribute towards council tax. A public consultation was held between July and September 2025, and key findings included strong support (65.8%) for an income-banded model. There were mixed views on capping support, and majority agreement on removing second adult rebate, reducing the capital limit, and introducing a fixed non-dependant deduction.

The report pack notes that an equality impact assessment highlighted that changes would disproportionately affect women and disabled residents, as these groups represented a higher share of claimants.

The Cabinet has recommended that the County Council:

• Introduce an income banded Local Council Tax Reduction scheme for working age residents from 1 April 2026.
• Reduce the maximum support level from 100% to 90%, meaning that all working age residents in County Durham who are liable for council tax will have a liability to pay from 1 April 2026.
• End council tax support for working age residents in the form of Second Adult Rebate.
• Introduce one set deduction for non-dependent deductions set at £10.00 per week for each non dependant.
• Reduce the maximum capital limit for working age residents from £16,000 to £10,000.

Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025

The council is scheduled to receive the Director of Public Health Annual Report 2025. The report, titled Healthier futures: our ambitions and actions, focuses on six key ambitions:

• 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.

Motions on Notice

Councillors are scheduled to discuss three motions:

• Councillor Jonathan Elmer is to move a motion regarding waste incineration, requesting Cabinet to withdraw from the Tees Valley Energy Recovery Facility (TVERF) project and revise the council's Municipal Waste Management Strategy. The motion expresses concern about the council's domestic waste recycling rate, the environmental impact of incineration, and the financial implications of the TVERF project.
• Councillor Chris Foote-Wood is to move a motion calling on Durham County Council to help make sure that nobody in County Durham dies in poverty, by helping those living with a terminal illness and experiencing poverty, by reviewing Council Tax Support schemes and discretionary support.
• Councillor Tim McGuinness is to move a motion recognising the contribution of local farmers and the food and drink industry to the local economy, environment and rural communities. The motion commits the council to supporting local farmers and sourcing food and drink from local suppliers, including meat and dairy.

Mid-Year Review Report on Treasury Management

The council is scheduled to discuss the Mid-Year Review Report on Treasury Management for the period to 30 September 2025. According to the report pack, as at 30 September 2025, the council held £460.735 million in borrowing and had £142.002 million in cash balances invested with counter-party financial institutions. The net debt position was therefore £318.733 million.

The report pack states that all investments made over the first half of 2025/26 were undertaken in line with both the CIPFA Code and government guidance, which requires the council to invest its funds prudently, and to have regard to the security and liquidity of its investments before seeking the highest rate of return, or yield.

Report from the Cabinet

The council is scheduled to note a report from the Cabinet which provides information on issues considered at its meetings held on 15 October and 19 November 2025. These issues include:

• The Durham County Council Plan 2025–2030
• The Annual Report of the Director of Public Health
• The Sufficiency Statement for Children in Care and Care Leavers 2025–2029
• The Durham Family Strategy
• An application from Mordon Parish Meeting for an order conferring functions of a parish council
• The County Durham Plan Review Paper
• High Street Rental Auctions
• The Local Council Tax Reduction Scheme 2026/27
• The Council Tax Base 2026/27
• The Medium Term Financial Plan
• The Apprenticeship Strategy 2025-2028
• The Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 - Annual Review of the Council's Use of Powers

Appointment of Town and Parish Co-opted Members to the Standards Committee

The council is scheduled to agree the appointment of the Town and Parish Council co-opted representatives to the Standards Committee. The Executive Committee of the County Durham Association of Local Councils (CDALC) has recommended Councillors Susan Walker and John Hirst to be appointed to the vacancies.

Councillor Susan Walker is a Parish Councillor sitting as the Chair on the City of Durham Parish Council. Councillor John Hirst is a Parish Councillor sitting on Brandon and Byshottles Parish Council.