The joint meeting of the Castle Morpeth Community Partnership and North Northumberland Community Partnership was scheduled to discuss a range of local issues, including traffic calming measures, parking concerns in Ponteland, and the promotion of Northumberland as a tourist destination. An informal discussion session was also planned to cover topics such as Amble Town Council, the Destination Management Plan, and the Northumberland Library Service.

Traffic Calming in Longhirst

A petition regarding pedestrian safety and traffic speed in Longhirst was scheduled for consideration. The petition highlighted concerns about vehicle speeds, particularly on the village's main road, and the perceived lack of adequate pedestrian safety measures. Residents had reportedly conducted an online survey indicating that a significant percentage of vehicles exceeded the speed limit. The report pack indicated that the Highways Improvement Team Manager, Neil Snowdon, would present findings from a speed survey and accident data. The report noted that while some traffic calming measures were appreciated, residents felt that motorists' needs were prioritised over pedestrians. A recommendation was made to note the report and support proposed actions, though it is not known if this recommendation was followed.

Parking Issues in Ponteland

The meeting was scheduled to address indiscriminate parking related to Newcastle Airport and weekend parking at Ponteland Leisure Centre. Neil Snowdon, Highways Improvement Team Manager, was expected to report on steps taken, including the placement of advisory signs for airport parking facilities and the installation of double yellow lines and other road markings in Prestwick village. The report indicated that the issue of parking tickets at Ponteland Leisure Centre was ongoing and would be discussed further, with plans to limit car park stays to 24 hours in early 2026.

Visit Northumberland and Destination Management

The promotion of Northumberland as a visitor destination was a key item, with Sarah McMillan, Director of Economy & Growth, and Neil Carney, Strategic Tourism Project Manager, expected to present information on the Visit Northumberland Partnership and the Destination Management Plan (DMP). The DMP aims to develop and promote Northumberland as a high-quality, integrated, and environmentally responsible destination. The presentation was intended to outline how the partnership works with national and regional bodies and engages with over 200 tourism businesses. The report pack noted that members had queried the late addition of this item to the agenda and raised concerns about parking in Morpeth, the availability of public toilets, and the development of a registration scheme for short-term holiday lets.

Other Discussions

An informal discussion session was scheduled to cover several topics:

• Amble Town Council: No specific details were provided in the report pack regarding what was scheduled for discussion.
• Destination Management Plan: This topic was also listed for informal discussion, likely relating to the presentation by Visit Northumberland.
• Northumberland Library Service: No specific details were provided in the report pack regarding what was scheduled for discussion.
• Community Governance Review: This refers to a review of the structure and boundaries of local government within the community.
• Turner Street Car Park & Coble Quay Walkway: No specific details were provided in the report pack regarding what was scheduled for discussion.
• James Calvert Spence College: Councillor G Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, was scheduled to be in attendance to answer queries on this topic.

The meeting agenda also included standard items such as apologies for absence, disclosure of members' interests, public question time, and the consideration of petitions. The report pack also contained notes from previous meetings of both the Castle Morpeth Community Partnership and the North Northumberland Community Partnership.