The Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee is scheduled to meet on Monday, 2 February 2026. The meeting's agenda includes a review of the council's budget and financial plans, as well as the committee's own work programme.

Budget 2026-27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2026-2029

A significant item for discussion is the proposed Budget for 2026-27 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026-2029, which also includes a 30-year Business Plan for the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). This report details the financial strategy for the upcoming years, outlining projected income and expenditure for the council's housing services.

The report indicates a proposed increase in social housing rents by 4.80% from 1 April 2026, in line with the Government's Rent Standard. This increase is intended to support revenue-funded activities, including essential growth initiatives, and to maintain existing services and the Decent Homes Standard. The document also details planned investments in the HRA Capital Programme, totalling £26.539 million over four years for the Affordable Housing Investment Programme and £52.461 million for the Major Repairs Programme to improve the housing stock.

Several growth items are included, such as additional budget provisions for damp and mould repairs, council tax on void properties, consumable materials for electrical testing, and an Assistant Project Manager post to coordinate energy efficiency programmes. Non-recurrent growth items, funded from reserves, are also detailed, including a significant allocation for Stock Condition Surveys to comply with The Regulator of Social Housing. The report also addresses the impact of increased borrowing costs due to interest rate rises and higher pay awards.

The plans also reflect changes to the Right to Buy (RTB) scheme, with updated estimates for capital receipts from RTB sales contributing to the HRA Capital Programme. The report highlights ongoing work to attract external funding for energy efficiency measures and details various new build residential schemes and refurbishment projects planned to improve the housing stock.

Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme and Monitoring Report 2025-26

The committee will also review its own Work Programme and Monitoring Report for the 2025-26 council year. This report outlines the committee's terms of reference, which include maintaining an overview of the council's annual budget and budgetary management, scrutinising policies proposed or adopted by the council, and reviewing the performance and strategy of Advance Northumberland. The report details areas of focus for the committee, including strategic policy, finance, and business growth and regeneration.

The committee's previous work from the 2024-25 year is also summarised, highlighting discussions on economic development initiatives such as the Energising Blyth Programme and the Borderlands Place Programme. Updates on the Cambois Hyperscale Datacentre proposals, financial performance, debt recovery, and budget proposals were also noted. The committee's oversight of the BEST programme, focusing on the best use of council assets and new ways of working, is also mentioned.

Forward Plan of Cabinet Decisions

The committee is also scheduled to note the decisions made by Cabinet since the previous meeting and review the latest Forward Plan of key decisions. This section provides an overview of upcoming significant decisions that Cabinet is expected to make, offering insight into the council's future strategic direction.