Decision
Analysis
outcome: Recommendations were approved by the Cabinet.
summary: The decision involves approving adjustments to resources for the delivery of the Council's Capital Programme for 2025/26.
topline: The Leader of the Council has decided to approve adjustments to resources for the Council's Capital Programme for 2025/26.
reason_contentious: This issue is not particularly contentious as it mainly involves financial and operational updates on ongoing projects.
affected_stakeholders: ["Council members", "Executive Directors", "Construction project teams"]
contentiousness_score: 2
political_party_relevance: There are no mentions or implications of political parties or political influence on the decision.
URL: https://democracy.darlington.gov.uk/ieDecisionDetails.aspx?ID=2022
Decision Maker:
Outcome: Recommendations Approved
Is Key Decision?: No
Is Callable In?: Yes
Purpose:
Content: The Leader of the Council introduced the report (previously circulated) of the Executive Director of Environment, Highways and Community Services and the Executive Director of Resources and Governance providing information to Members on the delivery of the Council’s Capital Programme; the financial outturn position as at 31st March 2026; proposed financing of the 2025/26 capital expenditure; the current status of all construction projects currently being undertaken by the Council; and requesting that consideration be given to a number of changes to that programme. The submitted report stated that significant enhancements had been made to the Council’s assets in the three major programme areas of schools, housing and transport, mostly using external funding; those investment were delivering a wide range of improvements to the Council’s assets and services; capital expenditure in 2025/26 totalled £48.073M; there were 19 live projects currently being managed by the Council with an overall value of £151.564M; the majority of those projects were running to time, cost and quality expectations with no foreseeable issues; and that the projects were managed either by the Council’s in-house management team, a Framework Partner or by Consultants sourced via an open/OJEU tender process. RESOLVED- It is recommended that Cabinet: (a) Note the delivery and financial outturn of the 2025/26 Capital Programme. (b) Note projected capital expenditure and resources. (c) Approve the adjustments to resources as detailed in paragraph 25. REASON – The recommendations are supported by the following reasons: (a) The recommendations are supported to enable Members to note the progress of the 2025/26 Capital Programme and to allow the capital spend to be fully financed. (b) To inform Cabinet of the current status of construction projects. (c) To maintain effective management of resources.
Date of Decision: July 13, 2026