This week in Northumberland:

Children's Services and Early Years Support Under the Spotlight

The Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 3 September 2026 to review crucial reports on school improvement, early years development, and school attendance. These discussions are vital for ensuring that Northumberland's children receive the best possible start in life and have access to the support they need to thrive.

School Improvement: Navigating Funding Challenges and Educational Standards

The committee examined the annual report for the School Improvement Team, detailing their work throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. The report highlighted the team's efforts to support and develop leadership in schools, while also noting the ongoing impact of funding changes imposed by the Department for Education (DfE). The current Ofsted Education Inspection Framework, which assesses schools on safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, behaviour, personal development, and leadership, was also discussed.

The School Improvement Service encompasses teams for Early Years, Equalities, Music, Governance, IT, and School Improvement itself, managing 40 statutory responsibilities. Despite the removal of the School Improvement Monitoring & Brokering Grant, the team provided support to schools, with three Northumberland schools participating in the Department for Education's Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme. Specific successes were noted, including support provided to Beaufront First School and Cambois Primary School. The report also touched upon the impact of academisation and the role of school alliances.

A Best Start in Life for Northumberland's Youngest

A significant focus was the new Best Start in Life Plan for 2026-2028. This plan aligns with the council's core priorities of tackling inequalities and ensuring value for money. It aims to transform early years services and ensure children have the best possible start from conception to age five, building on the national Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy.

The plan outlines Northumberland's approach to integrating services and strengthening the role of Family Hubs. It details local data on children under five, including those eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The plan's five key priorities are:

• Narrowing the attainment gap for disadvantaged children.
• Supporting children's communication and language development.
• Promoting the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing of under-fives.
• Building a shared commitment to inclusive practice for children with SEND.
• Improving data and intelligence sharing across local partners.

Specific targets are set for the Good Level of Development (GLD) for all children and for those eligible for FSM by 2028. This plan is crucial for ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Tackling Attendance: Progress and Challenges in Schools

The committee received an overview of attendance performance in Northumberland during the 2024/25 academic year, with provisional data for 2025/26 also presented. While overall absence, authorised absence, and persistent absence saw reductions, severe absence unfortunately increased. Northumberland's attendance figures were noted to compare favourably with regional comparators.

The Local Authority's attendance improvement activity includes reviews, workshops, monitoring, and multi-agency support. Planned service development for 2026/27 includes targeted interventions with primary schools and a training programme for school governors. Strengths identified include strong partnership working and data-led monitoring. However, challenges remain, particularly with increasing levels of severe absence, lower attendance in specialist settings, and attendance barriers linked to SEND and anxiety. Addressing these issues is paramount to ensuring all children receive consistent education.

Read more about the Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Telecare Service Review and Healthwatch Report Highlight Community Needs

The Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to discuss the future of the NCC Telecare Service, review the Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Report, and receive an update on Berwick Hospital.

Reforming the NCC Telecare Service: Towards Cost Recovery

A draft report on the NCC Telecare Service proposed significant changes to its delivery model. The review identified an inconsistent charging structure, with some residents receiving the service free of charge, leading to a substantial annual shortfall. The proposals aim for the service to be delivered at no cost to the council by introducing service charges to recover delivery costs.

Key proposed changes include:

• Ceasing the Mobile Warden Response Service in the former Blyth Valley locality, offering a monitoring-only service county-wide.
• Implementing an installation charge for equipment fitted by the Warden Team.
• Encouraging self-installation of equipment.

It is important to note that Telecare is not a statutory service under the Care Act 2014. These changes could impact vulnerable residents who rely on the service for safety and reassurance, and the committee's feedback will be crucial in shaping the final proposals.

Healthwatch Northumberland: Amplifying Resident Voices

The committee was scheduled to receive the Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Report for 2025/26. Healthwatch acts as a vital champion for local health and social care, ensuring residents' voices are heard by decision-makers. The report details their work in gathering feedback on services, with a focus on audiology, urgent dental treatment, and the experiences of unpaid carers. Their independence is key to building trust with those who share their experiences.

Berwick Hospital Update

A discussion was also scheduled regarding the current Berwick hospital site.

Read more about the Health and Wellbeing OSC meeting.

Other Matters

• The Strategic Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 01 September 2026 was cancelled.

This week in Northumberland:

Rights of Way: Navigating Public Access and Landowner Concerns

The Rights of Way Committee met on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, to consider proposals for modifying the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way. These decisions are crucial for defining public access across the county and can significantly impact landowners and recreational users alike. The committee examined three alleged routes: a proposed public footpath in Haydon Bridge and two alleged restricted byways in Melkridge.

Haydon Bridge Footpath: Balancing Access and Private Road Safety

A key focus was the proposed public footpath (No. 75) in Haydon Bridge. The application was supported by evidence from 32 local residents who claimed to have used the route for over 20 years. However, landowners raised significant concerns about safety on the adjacent private road, Brigwood, which they described as a single-track road with no footway. They also highlighted issues with land ownership and potential obstruction of access to a Northumbrian Water manhole if a stile were installed.

Haydon Bridge Parish Council noted that the Environment Agency's recent flood defence work had complicated access, and they were seeking to establish the public right of way to address this. While the Hexham Ramblers viewed the proposal positively, the report presented historical Ordnance Survey maps showing varying representations of a path, noting that such maps are indicative but not definitive proof of a public right of way. The committee was recommended to agree that sufficient evidence existed to suggest public footpath rights had been reasonably alleged.

Melkridge Byways: Historical Rights and Modern Access

The committee also considered two alleged restricted byways in Melkridge. The first, Alleged Restricted Byway No. 42, was described in an 1783 Inclosure Award as a public highway, 45 ft in width. Historical maps supported this, but later documents suggested the middle section might not be part of the publicly maintainable highway. Landowners objected, citing concerns about notification, property access, and potential devaluation. The British Horse Society supported the route being recorded as a restricted byway.

The second Melkridge route, Alleged Restricted Byway No. 43, was similarly described in an 18th-century Inclosure Award as a public highway sixty foot in breadth. Again, later documents did not identify it as part of the publicly maintainable network. The report noted that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 may have extinguished public motor vehicular rights over these routes, leaving them as restricted byways. Objections from a landowner, Dr NC Fox, raised concerns about rights of way along their property boundaries. The British Horse Society also supported this route being recorded as a restricted byway.

These discussions highlight the complex interplay between historical land use, modern legal frameworks, and the rights of both landowners and the public to access and use the countryside. The decisions made can have lasting impacts on local landscapes and community access.

Read more about the Rights of Way Committee meeting.

Other Matters

• The Staff and Appointments Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, was cancelled.
• The Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, was also cancelled.

This week in Northumberland:

Homes on Former School Site and Developer Contributions Under Scrutiny

The North Planning Committee met on Thursday, 20 August 2026, to consider a significant planning application for new homes on the former St Mary's C of E Middle School site in Belford. The committee also received an update on Section 106 agreements, which are crucial for ensuring that new developments contribute to local infrastructure and amenities.

New Homes Proposed for Belford School Site

A key item on the agenda was the application to demolish existing buildings and redevelop the former St Mary's C of E Middle School site at Williams Way, Belford, Northumberland, NE70 7NX. The proposal, application number 25/01298/FUL, seeks to construct 23 new dwelling-houses. The former school, which closed in 2018, has been vacant since June 2023.

While statutory consultees like Highways, Natural England, and the County Ecologist raised no objections subject to conditions, Belford & Middleton Parish Council expressed concerns about flooding risks and vehicle access. The NHS North East & Cumbria ICB requested a contribution of £16,500.00 towards healthcare services.

The committee was recommended to grant permission, subject to a legal agreement securing principal occupation restrictions and developer contributions towards play and open space (£38,846.53), coastal mitigation (£14,145.00), healthcare (£16,500.00), and a Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fee (£1,248.00). Numerous conditions were proposed to ensure the development is carried out responsibly, covering aspects from construction methods to biodiversity protection and sustainable drainage.

This decision has the potential to provide much-needed housing in Belford, but also raises questions about the impact on local infrastructure and the environment. The inclusion of developer contributions aims to mitigate these impacts and ensure the community benefits from the new development.

Read more about the North Planning Committee meeting.

Section 106 Agreements: Funding Local Improvements

The committee also received an update on Section 106 (S106) agreements. These legal agreements are vital tools for local authorities to secure contributions from developers towards the costs of providing local infrastructure and services that are, or will be, needed as a result of new development. The report detailed new legal agreements completed in June 2026, including contributions towards coastal mitigation and biodiversity net gain across various sites in Northumberland. These contributions are essential for maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents by funding projects that might otherwise not be possible.

Other Matters

• The Staff and Appointments Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, has been cancelled.
• The Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, has also been cancelled.
• The Strategic Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 01 September 2026, has been cancelled.

This week in Northumberland:

Health Services and Child Development Take Centre Stage

The Health and Well-being Board met on Thursday, 13 August 2026, to review progress on the Sexual Health Strategy and the annual report for the 0-19 (25) Growing Healthy Northumberland Service. These discussions are vital for ensuring the health and well-being of residents across the county, with a particular focus on young people and vulnerable groups.

Boosting Sexual Health Across Northumberland

The Board received an update on the Northumberland Sexual Health Strategy (2024-2029). This strategy is a cornerstone of the council's commitment to tackling inequalities and ensuring value for money, as effective sexual health interventions are known to be cost-effective in the long run. The strategy focuses on four key areas:

• Teenage Pregnancy and Young People: Aiming to reduce unintended pregnancies and provide comprehensive support.
• Education Across the Life Course: Ensuring accessible and age-appropriate sexual health education for all.
• Reducing STIs and HIV Prevention: Implementing measures to prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
• Contraception and Reproductive Health: Providing access to a range of contraceptive methods and reproductive health services.

The report indicated that progress is being made across all these priorities, with a high percentage of planned actions either in progress or completed. This strategy directly impacts the lives of residents by promoting healthier choices and reducing the burden of preventable health issues.

Supporting Young People's Development: The Growing Healthy Northumberland Service

The Board also reviewed the 0-19 (25) Growing Healthy Northumberland Annual Report for 2025-2026. This service is crucial for delivering the Healthy Child Programme, a national framework designed to ensure children and young people receive essential health and developmental support from birth up to age 19 (and up to 25 for those with special educational needs).

Key achievements highlighted in the report include:

• Extensive Reach: Nearly 40,000 contacts were made with children, young people, and families.
• High Performance: Over 90% of Healthy Child Programme Key Performance Indicators were met.
• Reducing Inequalities: Initiatives like the Baby Box programme and a pilot for the Great Start in Life Pathway in Ashington are specifically designed to address health inequalities.

However, the report also acknowledged challenges, including workforce recruitment and retention, and the impact of rurality on service accessibility. These are critical issues that can affect the quality and reach of services, particularly for those in more remote areas.

The Board was asked to comment on the strategy's direction and priorities, ensuring that these vital services continue to meet the evolving needs of Northumberland's children and families.

Read more about the Health and Well-being Board meeting.

Planning Applications and Developer Contributions Under Review

The South East Planning Committee met on Monday, 10 August 2026, to consider planning applications and receive an update on Section 106 agreements. These decisions shape the development of our communities and ensure that new projects contribute positively to local infrastructure and amenities.

Community Shop Proposed for The Trap Inn

A key planning application discussed was for the change of use from a snooker room to a shop and the alteration of existing windows to doors at The Trap Inn, Station Road, North Broomhill, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE65 9UT. This application was brought before the committee because the applicant is Councillor Scott Dickinson, a member of the council.

The proposal aims to create a small, community-focused retail unit selling convenience goods and local produce, integrated into the wider redevelopment of the former public house site. This could provide a much-needed local facility for residents and visitors. The report recommended granting planning permission, subject to conditions including specific opening hours (07:00–20:00 Monday to Saturday, and 09:00–16:00 on Sundays and Bank Holidays).

Section 106 Agreements: Funding Local Improvements

The committee also received an update on Section 106 (S106) agreements. These legal agreements are crucial for ensuring that developers contribute to the local infrastructure and services impacted by their developments. The report detailed new S106 agreements and unilateral undertakings completed in June 2026, including contributions towards:

• Coastal Mitigation Service: Protecting coastal environments.
• Biodiversity Net Gain: Enhancing local wildlife habitats.

These contributions are vital for maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents, funding projects that might otherwise not be possible.

Read more about the South East Planning Committee meeting.

Other Matters

• The West Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 11 August 2026, was cancelled.