Key decisions
The Forward Plan for the North East Combined Authority is published in accordance with the requirements of the Combined Authorities (Overview and Scrutiny Committees, Access to Information and Audit Committees) Order 2017 (as amended) and the North East CA Constitution and gives 28 days notice of the key decisions that are planned to be taken by the Cabinet or by a Chief Officer under delegation.
Decisions are either key or non-key. A key decision is defined as a decision which is likely to:
a. Result in the Authority or the Mayor incurring significant expenditure, or the making of significant savings, having regard to the Authority’s budget for the service or function to which the decision relates; or
b. To be significant in terms of its effects on persons living or working in an area comprising two or more electoral wards or divisions in the Authority’s area.
The Forward Plan also gives notice of non-key decisions that are planned to be taken by Cabinet. A non-key decision is a decision that is legally within the power of the Cabinet to make and can be taken by a Cabinet Member, a subcommittee of Cabinet or an Officer.
In relation to private meetings the reason an item is expected to be considered “in private” will be identified in accordance with the following exempt information categories, which are set out in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended):
- Information relating to an individual.
- Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.
- Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including to authority holding that information).
- Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown and employees of, or office holders under the authority.
- Information in respect of which a claim to legal and professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.
- Information which reveals that the authority proposes (a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or (b) to make an order or direction under any enactment.
- Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation of prosecution of crime.
Forthcoming Decisions
Unless otherwise indicated, if you require any further information or wish to make representations about any of the matters contained in the Forward Plan please contact the appropriate officer as detailed against each entry, at least 7 days before the meeting.
* The most recent entries are referred to as ‘New’. Updated entries are referred to as ‘Update’. Items withdrawn since the last publication are referred to as ‘Withdrawn’ and following that will be removed altogether.
| Decision maker | Decision expected* | Public or Private | Details of the decision to be taken | Contact Officer |
Chief Executive | 20/11/25 | Public | Create Talent Programme To approve a three year Create Talent Skills Programme supporting the North East’s creative sector – specifically music, arts, writing & publishing, and screen industries. | Charlotte Carpenter Director of Skills, Inclusion & Public Service Reform charlotte.carpenter@northeast-ca.gov.uk |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | The North East CA’s Performance Management Framework and Integrated Settlement outcomes framework. To seek agreement to the proposed outcomes framework for the North East CA’s Integrated Settlement and its Performance Management Framework as they stand in December 2025.
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Mags Scott, Director of Finance and Investment mags.scott@northeast-ca.gov.uk mitch.marshall@northeast-ca.gov.uk
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| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | Draft Budget 2026-27 and Medium Term Financial Strategy To present the draft 2026-27 budget and Medium Term Financial Strategy for the period 2026-27 to 2028-29 to be subject to consultation. | Mags Scott, Director of Finance and Investment mags.scott@northeast-ca.gov.uk Eleanor Goodman, Head of Finance, Eleanor.goodman@northeast-ca.gov.uk |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | Budget monitoring update 2025-26 Quarter 2 To update Cabinet on the Quarter 2 position against the Corporate budget and Programme Delivery budgets. The report also includes a mid-year update on the Authority’s Treasury Management activity. | Mags Scott, Director of Finance and Investment mags.scott@northeast-ca.gov.uk Eleanor Goodman, Head of Finance, Eleanor.goodman@northeast-ca.gov.uk |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | The North East Local Growth Plan To seek approval of the Final version of the North East Local Growth Plan, following public consultation on the Interim Plan. | Rob Hamilton, Assistant Director of Innovation and Strategy |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | The Mayors Fares To seek approval of the proposed changes to the Mayor’s Fares range from 1 April 2026. | Heather Jones Head of Transport Customer Experience, heather.jones@northeast-ca.gov.uk |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | North East Rural Growth Programme To seek approval to the delivery of an integrated rural growth programme encompassing support for businesses, land-based industries, and the food and drink sector. | Phil Witcherley, Director of Economy, Innovation and Culture. Ross Lowrie Title: Head of Clean Energy and Environment |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | North East Local Remediation Acceleration Plan To seek Cabinet's approval for the North East Local Remediation Acceleration Plan, to support national plans to acclerate residential cladding remediation (external walls) of high rise and mid rise buildings in givernment funded cladding remediation programmes. | Heather Orton, Head of Housing and Regeneration heather.orton@northeast-ca.gov.uk |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | Governance Update To consider and agree proposed changes to the North East CA's Constitution, the procurement of technical support for the appraisal of business cases relating to the Investments Finds and the appointment of a non-executive director to the Nexus Executive Board. | John Softly, Assistant Director Legal and Governance john.softly@northeast-ca.gov.uk |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | Riverside Sunderland – Creative Mayoral Development Zone | Mags Scott, Director of Finance and Investment |
| Cabinet | 09/12/25 | Public | North East Visitor Economy – Update and Next Steps | Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation Phil.Witcherley@northeast-ca.gov.uk |
* Decision is expected to be made on the following date (or within 60 days of the date).
Privacy and exemptions
In relation to private meetings, the reason an item is expected to be considered “in private” will be identified in accordance with the following exempt information categories, which are set out in Part 1 of Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972 (as amended):
- Information relating to an individual.
- Information which is likely to reveal the identity of an individual.
- Information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person (including to the authority holding that information).
- Information relating to any consultations or negotiations, or contemplated consultations or negotiations, in connection with any labour relations matter arising between the authority or a Minister of the Crown
and employees of, or office holders under the authority. - Information in respect of which a claim to legal and professional privilege could be maintained in legal proceedings.
- Information which reveals that the authority proposes (a) to give under any enactment a notice under or by virtue of which requirements are imposed on a person; or (b) to make an order or direction under
any enactment. - Information relating to any action taken or to be taken in connection with the prevention, investigation or prosecution of crime.