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Summary
Here is a summary of the topics that were scheduled for discussion at the Northumberland Council Cabinet meeting. The meeting included discussion of the County Partnership, the financial performance of the council, a highways resurfacing contract, and the provision of food waste services. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss an MS365 Enterprise Agreement licence renewal, new capital proposals, and the Ofsted Inspection of Northumberland Skills.
Provision of Food Waste Services
Cabinet was scheduled to discuss the provision of food waste services to households, as required by the government's Simpler Recycling policy. The report before the cabinet outlined the progress being made towards providing weekly food waste collections to all households in Northumberland by 1 April 2026, as required by the Environment Act 2021.
The report detailed the level of service coverage that could be provided using the new burden capital funding received from DEFRA for the purchase of food waste collection vehicles and containers, highlighting a shortfall in funding. Two collection models were presented for consideration:
- Option 1: Maximising efficiency and effectiveness by delivering collection services to the maximum number of properties using available funding, concentrating on areas with the highest density of housing, such as southeast Northumberland, and limited parts of central Northumberland.
- Option 2: Providing a wider geographic coverage by delivering collection services to the twelve main towns of Northumberland, as identified in the Local Plan.
The report recommended that Cabinet approve Option 1 as the preferred option, as it offered the most effective and efficient approach to providing food waste collections to the maximum number of households in the county. It also requested that Cabinet grant delegated authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Rural and Farming to determine the most appropriate areas for further expansion of the food waste collection service.
The report stated that to deliver weekly kerbside food waste collection services to all 148,862 households across Northumberland, it was estimated that a capital investment of £4,491,929 would be required, and that the council had submitted an appeal to DEFRA for the additional £1,541,989 required.
Financial Performance
Cabinet was scheduled to be informed of the provisional outturn for the council against the budget for 2024-25. The report stated that the forecast provisional outturn was based on the position at the end of February 2025, due to the council's year-end accounts timetable.
The report asked that members approve:
- the creation of a new earmarked reserve to carry forward the unspent Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) funding for Plan for Neighbourhoods
- the drawdown of £0.879 million from the Homes for Ukraine Scheme earmarked reserves
- the drawdown of £1.159 million from the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) reserve to offset the in-year deficit of £8.868 million during 2024-25
Members were also asked to note:
- the projected General Fund underspend of £0.079 million
- that a modification gain of £3.066 million would be recognised in 2024-25 following restructuring of £44.100 million of the Council's long-term debt
- the net re-profiling to the Capital Programme of £62.706 million from 2024-25 to 2025-26
- the delivery of the approved savings
- the use of the contingency
- the schedule of movement in the Council's reserves
- the virements requested by services within delegated limits
- the details of capital project reprofiling
The report also included a schedule of supplementary estimates, a review of the delivery of savings and efficiencies, and a schedule of all items released from contingency.
Highways Resurfacing Contract
Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report seeking approval to award a Highways Resurfacing Contract to DSD Construction Ltd following a procurement exercise using the NEPO 210 Framework solution. The value of the contract was anticipated to be over £2.5 million per year, with an initial term of 2 years and the option to extend for two additional 1-year periods.
The report stated that the existing contract was due to end in June 2025, and that the renewal of the contract was key to delivering the council's Local Transport Plan capital programme and ensuring competitive rates for resurfacing works.
County Partnership Update
Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Council, was scheduled to present a report updating Cabinet on the work of a County Partnership to tackle inequalities in Northumberland over the last year.
The report detailed the activity and achievements of the partnership, including:
- working with the Institute of Health Equity
- conducting deep dives into housing, employment, and starting and growing up well
- establishing a Northumberland Anchor Institution network and Local employer commitment
- reducing inequalities events
- creating a living archive of Northumberland Experiences
The report recommended that Cabinet note the report and agree to continue receiving an annual update from the Chief Executive, Dr Helen Paterson.
Northumberland Skills Ofsted Inspection
Cabinet was scheduled to receive a report from Councillor Guy Renner Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, sharing a summary of the outcomes of the Ofsted Inspection of Northumberland Skills, which took place in January 2025.
The report stated that the Ofsted report judged the provider as 'Good' for Overall Effectiveness and 'Good' in all specific areas of inspection.
MS365 Enterprise Agreement Licence Renewal
Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report seeking delegated decision to enable Digital and IT and Procurement to carry out a tendering process to identify a supplier for the provision of a new MS365 Enterprise agreement for licenses and services, as well as to award the contract to the successful supplier.
The report recommended that the council proceed to facilitate a competitive exercise through KCC SOFTWARE PRODUCTS AND ASSOCIATED SERVICES - FRAMEWORK Y23065 to identify a supplier to procure Microsoft 365 Enterprise Agreement, and that authority be delegated to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources to approve the award of the contract.
New Capital Proposals
Cabinet was scheduled to consider a report summarising proposed amendments to the Capital Programme considered by the Capital Strategy Group on 29 April 2025.
The report recommended that Cabinet approve:
- the spend of £0.048 million in 2025-26 to create two new native woodlands in Hadston and Redrow, funded by the Forestry Commission
- the spend of £3.364 million (£1.658 million in 2025-26 and £1.706 million in 2026-27) for the replacement of roof coverings and roofline to 424 Council-owned homes, funded from the HRA Major Repairs Reserve
Nominations to Outside Bodies
Cabinet was scheduled to agree its nominations to outside bodies, as detailed in the appendix to the report.
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