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The Forward Plan

The North East Combined Authority is committed to open government and encouraging local people to have their say on the decisions that affect them, their families and community as a whole.

The Combined Authority recognises that it is therefore important to provide as much information about these decisions as possible. One way in which we do this is by publishing a Forward Plan for decisions.

To further assist with openness and transparency, our Cabinet meetings can be attended in person or viewed online here. Cabinet papers can also be found here.

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 clear 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
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	Appointments to Cabinet, Committees and other bodies  The report details the appointments to Cabinet, the Authority’s committees and other bodies. It also sets out the recommendations of the Independent Remuneration Panel following their review of the allowances payable to the Chair of the Audit and Standards Committee and the Independent Person appointed for the purposes of the standards regime.	Alan Reiss, Director of Operations alan.reiss@northeast-ca.gov.uk John Softly – Monitoring Officer John.softly@Northeast-CA.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	Audit and Standards Committee Annual Report 2024/25 The Annual Report documents the role played by the Audit and Standards Committee in reviewing and scrutinising the Authority’s financial affairs, including the risk management, internal control and corporate governance arrangements, and promoting and maintaining high standards of conduct by members of the Authority.	Alan Reiss, Director of Operations alan.reiss@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	Overview and Scrutiny Committee Annual Report 2024/25 The annual report documents the role played by the Overview and Scrutiny Committee in reviewing and scrutinising the decisions taken by the North East Mayor and the North East CA Cabinet, monitoring delivering of its programmes and contributing to the development of its policy and strategies.	Alan Reiss, Director of Operations alan.reiss@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	Delivering for the North East: Year One delivery and Priorities for Year Two A report providing an overview of key achievements in year one of the North East Mayor and Combined Authority and an outline of the priorities for year two to deliver the short-term pledges set out in the Corporate Plan.	Alan Reiss, Director of Operations alan.reiss@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	Delivering the Mayor's Transport Plan A report seeking approval for capital investment in various transport projects funded through the North East CA’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS), and to allocate revenue funding to prepare future transport projects. The activities will continue the delivery of the Mayor’s Local Transport Plan.	Tobyn Hughes, Director of Transport, Tobyn.hughes@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	Opportunity for Everyone - Annual Equalities Report ’24-25 The report celebrates progress with creating opportunities for everyone and includes the statutory annual equalities report for 24-25 and sets the Combined Authority’s objectives for 25-26.	Charlotte Carpenter, Director of Skills, Inclusion & Public Service Reform charlotte.carpenter@northeast-ca.gov.uk Leigh Mills, Head of Skills & Inclusion Skills leigh.mills@northeast-ca.gov.uk Emma Patterson, Inclusive Economy Policy Development Officer emma.patterson@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	A new regional approach to fulfil ambitions for our Visitor Economy To receive proposals for a regional approach to support the growth and development of the visitor economy.	Phil Witcherley, Director of Economy and Innovation phil.witcherley@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	SHINE Employer Accreditation Launch To endorse the launch of the Employer Accreditation programme SHINE, part of the New Deal for North East Workers	Alan Reiss, Director of Operations alan.reiss@northeast-ca.gov.uk Caroline Preston, Economy and Policy Advisor caroline.preston@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public	Brownfield Housing Fund Programme To provide the allocation of additional capital resources to extend delivery of the current North East Brownfield Housing Fund Programme.	Phil Witcherley, Director of Economic Growth and Innovation phil.witcherley@northeast-ca.gov.uk Heather Orton, Principal Manager – Housing and Infrastructure heather.orton@northeast-ca.gov.uk
Cabinet	10/06/25	Public/Private	Home of the Green Energy Revolution: Newcastle College Energy Academy Expansion To update on delivery of the North East Investment Zone; and seek approval for the Newcastle College Energy Academy expansion project. The appendices to the report are confidential.	Phil Witcherley Director of Economic Growth and Innovation phil.witcherley@northeast-ca.gov.uk Rob Hamilton, Head of Strategy & Innovation Rob.hamilton@northeast-ca.gov.uk Paul Carbert, Policy & Economy Adviser Paul.Carbert@northeast-ca.gov.uk

* Decision is expected to be made on the following date (or within 60 days of the date).

Download the forward plan (PDF)

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.