The Northumberland County Council meeting scheduled for 14 January 2026 was set to cover a range of important local government matters. Key discussions were expected to include the annual safeguarding update, portfolio reports on public safety and adults' services and health, and interim reports from overview and scrutiny committees. The council was also scheduled to consider the approval of the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2026-27, the setting of the Council Tax Base for the same year, and the appointment of Independent Persons to standards committees.

Annual Safeguarding Update - January 2026

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy, which was introduced on 1 April 2024. This report, the second annual progress report, was expected to summarise activity over the preceding 12 months. It was intended to highlight progress made, acknowledge revisions to the policy, and detail actions related to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for elected members and cabinet members, as well as safeguarding training for officers, members, and volunteers. The report was also to cover the role of Designated Managers within each directorate, procurement and contracting processes related to safeguarding, referral data, and initiatives to strengthen the council's safeguarding culture.

Annual Portfolio Report: Public Safety

Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Safety, was scheduled to present an annual report on his portfolio. This report was intended to highlight achievements over the past year and outline future priorities for services including fire and rescue, public protection, safer communities, registration, coroner services, and civil contingencies. Key areas of focus were expected to include food and feed safety, pollution control, health and safety enforcement, port health, trading standards and animal health, licensing, and civil contingencies. The report was also to detail progress on making communities safer through initiatives like the Safer Northumberland Partnership, counter-terrorism efforts, anti-social behaviour policies, domestic homicide reviews, and the work of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service. The Registration and Coroner Service's performance, including the number of ceremonies conducted and the timeliness of birth and death registrations, was also to be reviewed.

Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health Annual Report

Councillor Eve Chicken, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, was scheduled to present her annual report. This report was intended to highlight achievements and outline areas of focus for the coming year within her portfolio. Key areas covered were expected to include the transformation of Care and Support Teams to embed a preventative approach, the development of Extra Care Housing schemes across the county, and the implementation of the Commitment to Carers Strategy. The report was also to detail efforts in co-production with people who have lived experience, the establishment of an Intensive Social Work Mental Health Team, and the multi-agency dementia strategy. Public health initiatives, including vaccination engagement, stop smoking services, sexual health strategies, and efforts to tackle inequalities through the Joint Strategic Needs and Assets Assessment, were also to be discussed. Furthermore, the report was to cover the work of the Safe & Resilient Communities team, including community hubs, the Active Through Football programme, and initiatives supporting veterans. The report was also to detail the council's approach to welfare support and assistance, including the distribution of funds and the impact of the Low Income Family Tracker Tool.

Interim Reports of Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The council was scheduled to receive interim reports from two Overview and Scrutiny Committees: Communities and Place, and Health and Wellbeing. The Communities and Place Committee's report was expected to cover their review of food waste services, expanded kerbside dry recycling collections, the Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service's annual performance, the Food & Feed, Safety & Standards Service Plan, and the annual service review from People for Places Leisure. The Health and Wellbeing Committee's report was anticipated to include an overview of Adults' Services, the Healthwatch Annual Report, and an overview of NHS services in the region.

Approval of the Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-27

Councillor Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, was scheduled to present a report recommending the approval of a revised Council Tax Support Scheme, to take effect from 1 April 2026. The report was intended to explain the requirement to review the scheme annually and the need to make changes to the working-age applicant scheme to reduce costs and administrative burdens associated with Universal Credit. The proposed scheme was to be an income-banded/grid model, aiming to improve support for the lowest-income families. The report was expected to detail the potential impact of the proposed changes on individual households, including those who might receive more or less support, and outline transitional arrangements and the exceptional hardship scheme. Consultation responses on the proposed changes were also to be presented.

Setting of the Council Tax Base 2026-27

Councillor Nick Oliver was also scheduled to present a report seeking approval for the council tax base calculation for 2026-27. This calculation is a statutory requirement and is used in setting the council tax. The report was to explain the formula for calculating the tax base, which involves converting dwellings into Band D equivalents and adjusting for discounts, exemptions, and premiums. Two options for the tax base were to be presented, one based on the current Council Tax Support Scheme and another reflecting the proposed changes. The report was to detail changes from the previous year, including an increase in the number of dwellings, adjustments to single person discounts, and the impact of the new second homes premium.

Appointment of Independent Persons

Councillor Nick Oliver was also scheduled to present a report on the appointment and renewal of Independent Persons for the council's standards committees. The report was intended to update members on the recruitment process for a vacant role and seek an appointment, as well as endorse the continued appointments of current Independent Persons. The council was required to appoint at least one Independent Person under the Localism Act 2011, and the report highlighted the benefit of having multiple individuals in this role for practical compliance with statutory duties and in line with best practice guidance.

Hexham Fire Station - Call In

Councillor Mark Swinburn, Chair of the Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was scheduled to present a report regarding a call-in of a Cabinet decision concerning the Hexham former Fire Station. The report was to comply with a resolution of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and present options for the council to either endorse the Cabinet's decision or provide comments and recommendations to the Cabinet. An update regarding a statement from Sir Antony Gormley concerning his proposal for the Old Fire Station was also to be included.

Motion

A motion was scheduled to be moved by Councillor Peart, calling on Northumberland County Council to scrap the Community Partnership model and transfer responsibility for community engagement directly to Town and Parish Councils. The motion argued that this would avoid duplication, reduce bureaucracy, improve efficiency, and place decisions at the most local and accountable level of government.