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County Council - Wednesday, 2nd July, 2025 3.00 pm

July 2, 2025 View on council website
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Summary

The Northumberland County Council meeting on 2 July 2025 was scheduled to cover a range of topics, including the Leader's annual report, a constitutional review, and a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP). Additionally, a motion was put forward concerning the constitutional review process itself.

Constitutional Review

The Constitutional Review Group (the Group) was expected to present its recommendations to the council, following a review of constitutional matters that began at the council meeting on 21 May 20251. The group's focus included the structure of planning committees, Local Area Committees (LACs), and the potential amalgamation of the Audit and Standards Committees.

Planning Committees

The council was asked to consider reducing the number of planning committees to one Strategic Planning Committee and three local planning committees. The report pack noted that since 2017, planning committees had been aligned with the five area committees, alongside a Strategic Planning Committee. The Constitutional Review Group recognised that this structure posed challenges in ensuring adequate training for all members, as all members were part of planning committees. Additionally, the volume of applications varied significantly across committees. The proposed change aimed to address these issues and achieve savings in special responsibility allowances, staff resources, and meeting costs.

The geographical remit of the three proposed committees would align with the three Development Management Teams. Membership would be proportional to the political groups, with members selected by their respective groups.

Local Area Committees

The report pack noted that the Constitutional Review Group felt that the LACs had been less successful than anticipated, citing limited public interaction and an unclear purpose. As a result, the council was asked to consider replacing the five LACs with five Community Partnership Meetings.

These partnerships would aim to foster dialogue between the community and stakeholders, including the NHS, police, and town and parish councils. The chair and vice-chair would develop the meeting agendas, with a minimum of four and a maximum of six meetings per year. The Community Chest fund would continue to be administered through the Community Partnerships, with each partnership managing one-fifth of the total amount.

Audit and Standards Committees

The council was asked to consider amalgamating the Audit and Standards Committees, with the Standards Committee being abolished and its responsibilities transferred to the Audit Committee. The report pack noted that both committees require independent members, which can pose recruitment challenges. Additionally, the Standards Committee had experienced limited business in recent years. The proposed amalgamation aimed to reduce duplication, save resources, and ensure strength and depth within the committee.

The report pack proposed creating an additional independent co-opted member position on the Audit Committee for the current chair of the Standards Committee, who would chair any subcommittees dealing with standards matters.

Motion Concerning the Constitutional Review

Councillor Denise Nicholson put forward a motion expressing concerns about the constitutional review process. The motion stated that the review process had involved:

  • Insufficient notice of meetings.
  • Lack of timely access to the updated constitution for all members.
  • Absence of governance training for newly elected councillors.
  • Concerns about transparency, fairness, and inclusivity.

Councillor Nicholson's motion requested that the council defer any constitutional amendments scheduled for the 2 July meeting. Instead, the motion proposed that the amendments be brought to the September meeting, after all councillors had received governance training, members had been supplied with the correct version of the constitution, and the Standards Committee had concluded its investigations into the review process.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel

The council was scheduled to consider the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP) and decide whether to adopt its recommendations. The IRP conducted a review of the Members' Allowance Scheme, including basic allowances, special responsibility allowances (SRAs), and allowances paid to co-opted members.

The IRP's recommendations included:

  • Freezing the basic allowance at the current rate.
  • Inviting the IRP to review the report, any changes to council committees resulting from the Constitutional Review Group's work, and provide a further report to the council in November 2025.

The IRP's report, included as an appendix to the meeting documents, provided a detailed analysis of the Members' Allowance Scheme and benchmarking data from regional and national authorities. The report noted that Northumberland's basic allowance was significantly higher than comparable authorities.

The IRP also made recommendations regarding special responsibility allowances, suggesting that the council review its scrutiny committee model, reconsider SRAs for working groups, and eliminate SRAs for group secretaries. Additionally, the IRP recommended that the council consider combining the Audit and Standards Committees and changing the structure of Local Area Committees.

Leader's Annual Report

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Council, was scheduled to present his annual report, outlining the key issues, achievements, and areas of focus for his portfolio. The report highlighted the ongoing financial pressures on councils and the importance of value for money. It also emphasised the council's focus on tackling inequalities and driving economic growth.

The report detailed the council's achievements over the past year, including securing a significant investment by QTS and the successful opening of the Northumberland Line. It also outlined the council's plans for the coming year, including delivering a balanced budget, using BEST to deliver savings, and continuing to drive improvement across frontline services.


  1. The Minutes 210525 from the May meeting detail the initial steps taken in establishing the review group. 

Attendees

Profile image for CouncillorJohn Victor Allen
CouncillorJohn Victor Allen  Reform UK •  Hirst
Profile image for Councillor Scott Amery
Councillor Scott Amery  Reform UK •  Bothal
Profile image for CouncillorBen Audsley
CouncillorBen Audsley  Reform UK •  Newbiggin-by-the-Sea
Profile image for Councillor Trevor Michael Austin
Councillor Trevor Michael Austin  Reform UK •  Bedlington East
Profile image for Councillor Antonia Azocar-Nevin
Councillor Antonia Azocar-Nevin  Green Party •  Humshaugh
Profile image for Councillor Rick Baker
Councillor Rick Baker  Reform UK •  Cowpen
Profile image for Councillor Caroline Susan Ball
Councillor Caroline Susan Ball  Labour •  Ashington Central
Profile image for Councillor David Lee Bawn
Councillor David Lee Bawn  Conservative •  Morpeth North
Profile image for Councillor John Ace Beynon
Councillor John Ace Beynon  Conservative •  Morpeth Stobhill
Profile image for CouncillorLes Bowman
CouncillorLes Bowman  Labour •  Holywell
Neil Bradley
Profile image for CouncillorSteven Christopher Bridgett
CouncillorSteven Christopher Bridgett  Non Aligned •  Rothbury
Profile image for CouncillorNicole Brooke
CouncillorNicole Brooke  Reform UK •  Berwick North
Profile image for Councillor Daniel James Carr
Councillor Daniel James Carr  Conservative •  South Blyth
Profile image for CouncillorGordon Castle
CouncillorGordon Castle  Conservative •  Alnwick Castle
Profile image for Councillor Trevor Cessford
Councillor Trevor Cessford  Conservative •  Hexham North
Profile image for CouncillorEve Louise Chicken
CouncillorEve Louise Chicken  Conservative •  Seghill with Seaton Delaval
Profile image for Councillor Patricia Anne Mary Dale
Councillor Patricia Anne Mary Dale  Independent Group •  Stocksfield and Bywell
Profile image for Councillor Wayne Daley
Councillor Wayne Daley  Conservative •  Cramlington North
Profile image for CouncillorLyle Robert Darwin
CouncillorLyle Robert Darwin  Conservative •  Ponteland East with Stannington
Profile image for Councillor Pauline Davidson
Councillor Pauline Davidson  Reform UK •  Amble West with Warkworth
Lynsey Denyer
Profile image for CouncillorScott James Dickinson
CouncillorScott James Dickinson  Labour •  Druridge Bay
Profile image for Councillor Richard Robert Dodd
Councillor Richard Robert Dodd  Conservative •  Ponteland North
Profile image for Councillor Ed Dungait
Councillor Ed Dungait  Conservative •  Longhirst
Profile image for Councillor Elizabeth Dunn
Councillor Elizabeth Dunn  Labour •  Lynemouth
Profile image for Councillor Barry Elliott
Councillor Barry Elliott  Reform UK •  Newsham
Profile image for CouncillorPaul Devadoss Ezhilchelvan
CouncillorPaul Devadoss Ezhilchelvan  Conservative •  Cramlington South East
Profile image for Councillor Suzanne Holly Fairless-Aitken
Councillor Suzanne Holly Fairless-Aitken  Liberal Democrats •  Hexham East
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Gary FitzGerald
CouncillorDavid Gary FitzGerald  Reform UK •  Choppington & Hepscott
Profile image for CouncillorStephen Charles Flower
CouncillorStephen Charles Flower  Reform UK •  Hartley
Stephen Gerrard
Profile image for Councillor Karl Andrew Green
Councillor Karl Andrew Green  Reform UK •  Seaton with Spital
Profile image for Councillor Georgina Emma Rowley Hill
Councillor Georgina Emma Rowley Hill  Independent Group •  Berwick East
Profile image for CouncillorColin William Horncastle
CouncillorColin William Horncastle  Conservative •  South Tynedale
Profile image for Councillor Michaela Jane Horncastle
Councillor Michaela Jane Horncastle  Conservative •  Ponteland South with Heddon
Profile image for Councillor Arty Hume
Councillor Arty Hume  Reform UK •  Amble
Profile image for Councillor Isabel Hunter
Councillor Isabel Hunter  Liberal Democrats •  Berwick West with Ord
Philip Hunter
Profile image for Councillor Martin Jackson
Councillor Martin Jackson  Reform UK •  Stakeford
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Johnson
CouncillorDavid Johnson  Reform UK •  Isabella
Profile image for Councillor Veronica Jones
Councillor Veronica Jones  Conservative •  Ponteland West
Profile image for CouncillorDerek Kennedy
CouncillorDerek Kennedy  Independent Group •  Hexham West
Audrey Kingham
Profile image for CouncillorShaun William Knowles
CouncillorShaun William Knowles  Reform UK •  Cramlington South West
Profile image for Councillor Patrick Henry Lambert
Councillor Patrick Henry Lambert  Reform UK •  Norham and Islandshires
Profile image for CouncillorScott Lee
CouncillorScott Lee  Independent Group •  Cramlington East & Double Row
Neil Masson
Profile image for CouncillorMark George Mather
CouncillorMark George Mather  Conservative •  Wooler
Profile image for Councillor Rachel Jane Mathieson
Councillor Rachel Jane Mathieson  Labour •  Haltwhistle
Lynsey McVay
Profile image for Councillor Mark Morris
Councillor Mark Morris  Conservative •  Cramlington North West
Simon Neilson
Profile image for Councillor Denise Nicholson
Councillor Denise Nicholson  Reform UK •  Bebside & Kitty Brewster
Profile image for Councillor Lawrence O'Donnell
Councillor Lawrence O'Donnell  Labour •  Prudhoe North & Wylam
Gill O'Neill
Profile image for Councillor Vicky Oakley
Councillor Vicky Oakley  Labour •  Pegswood
Profile image for CouncillorNicholas Oliver
CouncillorNicholas Oliver  Conservative •  Corbridge
Helen Paterson
Profile image for CouncillorWendy Pattison
CouncillorWendy Pattison  Conservative •  Longhoughton
Profile image for CouncillorMark Peart
CouncillorMark Peart  Reform UK •  Croft
Profile image for Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson
Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson  Conservative •  Bamburgh
Profile image for Councillor John Robert Riddle
Councillor John Robert Riddle  Conservative •  Bellingham
Profile image for CouncillorSteven Roberts
CouncillorSteven Roberts  Reform UK •  College & North Seaton
Profile image for Councillor Malcolm Robinson
Councillor Malcolm Robinson  Independent Group •  Bedlington West
Profile image for Councillor Natalie Rolls
Councillor Natalie Rolls  Reform UK •  Wensleydale
Michelle Rose
Profile image for Councillor Hugh Glen Howard Sanderson
Councillor Hugh Glen Howard Sanderson  Conservative •  Longhorsley
Profile image for Councillor Angie Scott
Councillor Angie Scott  Labour •  Prudhoe West & Mickley
Profile image for Councillor Alan Sharp
Councillor Alan Sharp  Liberal Democrats •  Haydon & Hadrian
Profile image for Councillor Sonia Simm
Councillor Sonia Simm  Reform UK •  Haydon
Profile image for Councillor Alan Smith
Councillor Alan Smith  Conservative •  Cramlington Eastfield
Profile image for Councillor Roger Gordon Spriddell
Councillor Roger Gordon Spriddell  Reform UK •  Sleekburn
Profile image for Councillor Gordon Stewart
Councillor Gordon Stewart  Conservative •  Prudhoe South
Profile image for Councillor Martin Philip Swinbank
Councillor Martin Philip Swinbank  Green Party •  Alnwick Hotspur
Profile image for Councillor Mark David Swinburn
Councillor Mark David Swinburn  Conservative •  Cramlington Village
Profile image for CouncillorDavid Swinhoe
CouncillorDavid Swinhoe  Reform UK •  Plessey
Profile image for Councillor Christine Anne Taylor
Councillor Christine Anne Taylor  Independent Group •  Bedlington Central
Profile image for Councillor Trevor Norman Thorne
Councillor Trevor Norman Thorne  Conservative •  Shilbottle
Profile image for Councillor Richard Watson Wearmouth
Councillor Richard Watson Wearmouth  Conservative •  Morpeth Kirkhill
Jan Willis

Topics

No topics have been identified for this meeting yet.

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