Securing millions of pounds of investment, safeguarding jobs, improving access to broadband, diverting waste from landfill and supporting County Durham’s most vulnerable people.

These are just some of the achievements members of Durham County Council’s Cabinet will be updated on when they meet next week.

Cabinet will discuss a report outlining the progress made against objectives set out within the Council Plan 2025-30. The report focuses on performance across the council’s five strategic ambitions: Reforming the Council; Supercharging Our Economy; Building Better Communities; Caring For Our People; and A Practical Environmental Stewardship. Highlights include:

  • Over the last 12 months, 1,377 businesses have received support, four inward investment opportunities have been secured, £4.8 million of investment has been obtained for County Durham companies and 1,411 jobs have been safeguarded.
  • County Durham’s tourism economy recorded its strongest year in 2025, attracting 21.98 million visitors, generating a record £1.49 billion and supporting more than 14,000 jobs. County Durham remains the most visited destination in North East England.
  • Just over 91 per cent of properties across the county can now access gigabit-capable broadband, compared to just over 80 per cent this time last year.
  • More than 4,400 people have registered with the council’s online consultation and engagement platform, Let’s Talk, with more than 33,000 interactions recorded.
  • A Special Educational Need (SEND) Local Area Reform Plan has been co-produced with children and young people, families, schools and other educational settings and professionals. More than 700 views have shaped the plan, which sets out a three-year programme to strengthen early intervention, mainstream inclusion, workforce capacity, family confidence and financial sustainability.
  • Demand in children’s statutory social care continues to be a key source of pressure with more older children with complex needs entering care. The Durham Cares Plan is responding through more prevention, expanded in-house fostering, specialist children’s homes and the creation of Regional Care Co-operatives. Plans are also being progressed to expand capacity of council-run children’s homes from 32 to 52 beds.
  • Almost 97 per cent of waste collected has been diverted from landfill, surpassing the target of 90 per cent.
  • Durham remains the best performing council in the North East for recycling, re-use and composting.

 

Cllr Andrew Husband, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “When we agreed the Council Plan, we were not only clear about what we wanted to achieve, but about the steps we would take to ensure our ambitions become a reality.

“It’s fantastic to see so many positive results across such a wide range of service areas – from boosting the economy and safeguarding jobs to ensuring our most vulnerable residents have the support they need.

“While this progress is something to be celebrated, we recognise there is more to do, and I can assure you we remain absolutely committed to delivering the best possible services for our communities.”

Cabinet will be asked to note the contents of the report at a meeting at Salvus House in Aykley Heads at 10am on Wednesday 16 September. The meeting will also be streamed online on the Durham County Council YouTube channel.