In a meeting of the Northumberland County Council cabinet, councillors approved a new kerbside recycling collection model, several amendments to the capital programme, and a sales strategy for renewable electricity. The cabinet also decided to progress with plans for depot expansion at the Tyne Mills Depot in Hexham, and to continue discussions with the artist Sir Antony Gormley about a potential art store and gallery in Hexham.

Simpler Recycling

The cabinet approved Option 3a as the preferred model for expanded household recycling collections, in compliance with Simpler Recycling requirements¹. The new recycling bin for paper, card and cardboard will be black with a burgundy lid. Implementation is expected by October 2026, but this timeframe is subject to change pending PFI contract negotiations. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Environment, Rural and Farming, to finalise commercial terms and contract amendments with Northumberland Energy Recovery Limited (NERL).

The council is legally obliged to collect dry recyclable materials and food waste separately from household residual waste from 31 March 2026. This includes collecting plastic pots, tubs and trays, glass bottles and jars, tetra packs and flexible plastics. Managing this increased range of materials will require a major capital investment/rebuild of the existing MRF² at West Sleekburn.

Capital Programme Amendments

The cabinet approved several amendments to the capital programme³, as considered by the Capital Strategy Group on 30 September 2025:

• Hexham Middle School Site: £0.300 million in 2025-26 was approved to acquire the freehold mines and minerals rights under the former Hexham Middle School. This will be funded from the existing Property Stewardship Fund project.
• Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal – Place Programme:
  • £0.196 million (£0.023 million in 2025-26 and £0.173 million in 2026-27) was approved for the wayfinding and interpretation project in Penrith. This will be externally funded from the Borderlands grant.
  • £1.700 million (£0.123 million in 2025-26, £1.257 million in 2026-27 and £0.320 million in 2027-28) was approved to restore the Grade 1 listed Northumberland Hall. This will be externally funded from the Borderlands grant.
• Tynedale House Structural Works: £0.105 million in 2025-26 was approved for remedial plymer-resin injection works for Tynedale House. This will be funded from the existing Property Stewardship Fund project.
• Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service Estate Essential Maintenance Programme: Up to £0.959 million in 2025-26 was approved for essential health and safety works across the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service estate, subject to approval of the full scope of works by the Strategic Estates Manager and the Corporate Health and Safety Manager. This will be funded from the existing NFRS Fire Station Upgrade Programme.

Hexham Fire Station Site

The cabinet agreed to progress with plans for depot expansion of the Tyne Mills Depot in Hexham, subject to the 2026-27 Budget and MTFP⁴ process. Preparatory activity, such as demolition works on the site, will continue. The former Fire Station site in Hexham is not for sale, as it has been identified as critical for required Depot development and expansion in the west of the county. The cabinet also agreed to continue discussions with the artist Sir Antony Gormley to progress plans for an art store and gallery in Hexham at a suitable location, and requested that the Leader seek an urgent discussion with Sir Antony Gormley to progress these opportunities.

Sale of Renewable Electricity

The cabinet authorised the council’s Waste PFI Contractor (Suez) to enter an online energy auction to sell electricity generated at the Line 3 Energy from Waste Facility (EfW) during 2026/27 for a one-year fixed price. The first available date to do so is 12 November 2025, with subsequent dates being monthly from January 2026. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to set the reserve price, and to amend it based on the latest market analysis advice received up to the auction date. If the reserve is not met, they will consider negotiating with the highest bidder or re-auctioning the electricity at the next available on-line auction. The aim is to maximise income secured by NCC and ideally deliver at least a breakeven position in terms of the expected income levels to be built into the council’s MTFP. This stance will be subject to market analysis until the end of October 2025.