The Cabinet Shareholder Committee of Northumberland Council was scheduled to meet on Tuesday 8 September 2026. The primary item on the agenda was a discussion regarding the remuneration of directors at Advance Northumberland.

Advance Northumberland Board Remuneration

The committee was scheduled to consider a request from the Chair of Advance Northumberland concerning the remuneration for the company's Executive Directors and Non-Executive Directors for the 2026/27 financial year. This matter is considered a reserved matter, requiring approval from the Cabinet Shareholder Committee.

The report outlined several recommendations:

• An interim pay award of 3.6% for the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Governance and Sustainability, effective from 1 April 2026.
• A note that further consideration would be given to a subsequent pay award for these roles after the completion of Advance Northumberland's refinancing exercise in the autumn. Any further approved award would also be effective from 1 April 2026.
• Approval for the continuation of the performance-related incentive scheme (PRIS) for the Chief Executive and the Executive Director of Governance and Sustainability for the 2026/27 financial year. This scheme is subject to the achievement of objectives set by the Advance Northumberland Board, with performance assessed after the financial year concludes and payments expected in autumn 2027.
• A pay award of 3.6% for the Chair and Non-Executive Directors (Board Members), also effective from 1 April 2026.

The report indicated that other staff pay awards, including a 3.6% cost of living increase for the majority of staff and additional increases for Operational Directors following a benchmarking exercise, had already been determined by the Advance Northumberland Board. These latter awards did not require the committee's approval as they were not reserved matters.

The recommendations were presented as a reasonable interim pay award, aligning with cost of living increases, with a commitment to further review following the refinancing of the company. The report stated there were no direct financial implications for the Council, as the proposed pay awards were within Advance Northumberland's agreed budget for the financial year. The financial sustainability of Advance Northumberland was highlighted as crucial for delivering the Council's objectives.

The committee was also scheduled to review the minutes from the previous meeting held on 9 June 2026. Additionally, standard procedures regarding disclosures of members' interests were to be followed. The agenda also included a provision for considering any urgent business that the Chair deemed necessary due to special circumstances.