This week in Northumberland:

Food Waste Collection Faces Funding Shortfall

Northumberland County Council is grappling with how to roll out mandatory weekly food waste collections to all households by April 2026, as required by the Environment Act 2021. The Northumberland Council cabinet was scheduled to discuss the issue at their meeting on Tuesday.

• The stakes: Without a clear plan, Northumberland risks failing to meet national recycling targets. This could lead to increased landfill waste and potential fines.
• The problem: The council estimates it needs £4.49 million to provide the service to all 148,862 households, but faces a £1.54 million funding gap.
• The options: The council presented three options, each with different levels of coverage:
  1. Focus on densely populated areas like southeast Northumberland, leaving out many rural communities.
  2. Serve the twelve main towns in Northumberland, potentially excluding smaller villages.
  3. Cover most of the county, except for remote areas already excluded from garden waste collection.
• The decision: The cabinet was asked to confirm a preferred model for implementation in April 2026, and to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration and the Cabinet Member for Environment, Rural and Farming, Councillor John Riddle, to determine the most appropriate areas for further expansion of the food waste collection service.

Read more about the food waste collection plans.

Council Overspend Offset by Debt Restructuring

The Northumberland Council cabinet was scheduled to receive an update on the council's financial performance for 2024-25. The report pack noted a projected General Fund underspend of £0.079 million.

• The details: A modification gain of £3.066 million would be recognised in 2024-25 following restructuring of £44.100 million of the Council's long-term debt, and the net re-profiling to the Capital Programme of £62.706 million from 2024-25 to 2025-26.
• The impact: The cabinet was asked to approve the creation of a new earmarked reserve to carry forward unspent funding for Plan for Neighbourhoods, and the drawdown of £0.879 million from the Homes for Ukraine Scheme earmarked reserves, and £1.159 million from the Dedicated Schools Grant¹ (DSG) reserve to offset the in-year deficit of £8.868 million during 2024-25.

Read more about the council's financial performance.

Highways Resurfacing Contract Awarded

The Northumberland Council cabinet was scheduled to approve the award of a Highways Resurfacing Contract to DSD Construction Ltd following a procurement exercise using the NEPO 210 Framework.

• The contract: The value of the contract is anticipated to be over £2.5 million per year, for an initial term of two years, with the option to extend for two additional one-year periods.
• The impact: This contract aims to improve the quality and safety of Northumberland's roads.

Read more about the Highways Resurfacing Contract.

Other matters

• County Partnership Update: Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of the Council, was scheduled to present a report updating the cabinet on the work of the County Partnership to tackle inequalities in Northumberland over the last year. The report pack noted that the overall aim of the County Partnership was for key partners to develop, agree and take forward a shared 'mission' and plan for tackling social, economic and health inequalities in the county. Read more about the County Partnership Update.
• MS365 Enterprise Agreement Licence Renewal: Councillor Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, was scheduled to present a report seeking delegated decision to enable Digital and IT and Procurement to carry out a tendering process to identify a supplier for the provision of a new MS365 Enterprise agreement for licenses and services, as well as to award the contract to the successful supplier. Read more about the MS365 Enterprise Agreement Licence Renewal.
• Summary of New Capital Proposals: Councillor Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Corporate Services, was scheduled to present a report summarising proposed amendments to the Capital Programme considered by the Capital Strategy Group on 29 April 2025. Read more about the Summary of New Capital Proposals.
• Northumberland Skills Ofsted Inspection: Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, was scheduled to share a summary of the outcomes of the Ofsted Inspection of Northumberland Skills, Northumberland County Councils Post 16 education provider, which was conducted 21st to 24th January 2025. Read more about the Northumberland Skills Ofsted Inspection.
• Nominations to Outside Bodies: Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Council, was scheduled to present a report to agree Cabinet's nominations to outside bodies. Read more about the Nominations to Outside Bodies.

Upcoming Meetings

Here's a list of meetings scheduled for the next 7 days:

• The Licensing Hearing on Tuesday 17 June 2025, will discuss an application for a premises licence for The Butterchurn Guesthouse in Otterburn.

This week in Northumberland:

• The Northumberland County Council meeting was scheduled to elect a chair and deputy chair, and to discuss the council's constitution.

Northumberland County Council - Wednesday 21 May 2025

The Northumberland County Council meeting was scheduled to elect a chair and deputy chair, appoint a leader, establish committees, and discuss the council's constitution. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss the timetable of meetings for 2025-26, appointments to outside bodies, and a report from the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP).

Establishment of Committees and Political Proportionality

The council was scheduled to discuss the appointment of committees and members, ensuring political proportionality as required by the Local Government and Housing Act 1989¹. The council was scheduled to establish committees, agree on the number of members, and appoint chairs and vice chairs. They were also scheduled to appoint members to working groups and approve their terms of reference.

The report pack noted the number of councillors in each political group: Conservative (26), Reform (23), Labour (8), Independent (7), Liberal Democrat (3), and Green (2). The council was scheduled to confirm the political proportionality of the groups and agree to continue using the current method for determining allocations to committees.

The council was scheduled to approve the proportional allocation of places on committees and the allocation of seats to principal/decision-making committees and working groups. The Director of Law and Corporate Governance was to be authorised to implement the wishes of group leaders in filling committee places.

The report pack set out the four principles that the council must follow when allocating seats to political groups: not all seats are allocated to the same political group, a group with a majority of seats on the council should have a majority on each committee, the number of seats allocated to each group should be proportional to its membership on the full council, and seats will be allocated on each committee in the same ratio as exists on the full council.

Appointments to Outside Bodies

The council was scheduled to agree on nominations to outside bodies, including the Environment Agency's Northumbria Regional Flood & Coastal Committee, Kielder Water & Forest Park Development Trust, and the North Pennines National Landscape. A full list of the outside bodies is included in the meeting summary above. The Director of Law and Corporate Governance was to be authorised to implement any in-year changes to appointments.

Constitutional Review

The council was scheduled to discuss setting up a cross-party group to review, consolidate, and simplify the constitution and committee structure, in light of the recent election. This follows a pattern of constitutional reviews after local elections, as seen in other councils like Tower Hamlets. The proposed review was to relate to all aspects of the constitution, including the committee structure and procedure rules. The working group was not to be subject to the rules on proportionality, with each group represented by its leader or a nominee.

The group's remit was to include assessing the adequacy of the constitution's provisions for committee structure, procedure rules, and any other relevant provisions.

Timetable of Meetings for 2025-26

The council was scheduled to approve the annual timetable of meetings for the 2025-26 municipal year. The report pack proposed that meetings of the full council between October and March begin at 2pm, while meetings between April and September remain at 3pm. Non-decision-making committees and working groups would agree on their own timetables.

Report of the Independent Remuneration Panel

The council was scheduled to receive an update on the report of the Independent Remuneration Panel (IRP). The report pack recommended that current levels of allowances be retained pending review by the cross-party Constitutional Review Group.

The council is required to have a Members’ Allowance Scheme and to consider the recommendations of an IRP when determining the scheme. The IRP had conducted a review of Northumberland’s Member Allowance Scheme, gathering feedback from elected members and benchmarking data across regional and similar local authorities.

The report pack noted that considering the IRP report would be premature, given that the Constitutional Review Group may recommend changes to the committee structure that affect the members allowance scheme.

Return of the Persons Elected as Councillors on 1 May 2025

The council was scheduled to receive the return of the persons elected as councillors on 1 May 2025. The list included the names, electoral divisions, places of residence, and descriptions of the elected councillors.

This week in Northumberland:

• The Rights of Way Committee was scheduled to review alleged rights of way in Alwinton, Callaly, Togston and Wooler.

Rights of Way Committee - Wednesday 23 April 2025

The Rights of Way Committee meeting was scheduled to convene to review the definitive map and statement of public rights of way in Northumberland. The committee was expected to consider evidence related to alleged rights of way in Alwinton, Callaly, Togston and Wooler. These reviews are part of the council's duty to keep the definitive map and statement under continuous review, as required by section 53 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981¹.

Alwinton: Alleged Restricted Byway No 74

The committee was scheduled to review evidence concerning alleged public vehicular rights over a route in the parish of Alwinton, known as Restricted Byway No 74. The route begins on the U4023 road, east of Bygate Hall Cottages, and proceeds north-westerly to rejoin the U4023 road, north of Bygate Hall Cottages.

In March 2021, Diane Holmes of Ulgham applied to modify the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way by adding a public bridleway. Ms Holmes stated that the route:

follows a wide ledge path along the side of the River Coquet and marks the line of the old road up the valley. As a public path it would enable non-motorised users to leave the narrow tarmac road, which is used by army vehicles as well as by local residents and visitors.

The report pack notes that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC Act 2006)² may have extinguished public motorised vehicular rights over the route, potentially leaving only restricted byway rights.

Callaly: Alleged Public Bridleway No 2

The committee was scheduled to assess evidence regarding alleged public bridleway rights over existing Public Footpath No 2, also known as Yetlington Lane, in the parish of Callaly. The route runs between the C172 road, 306 metres north west of Yetlington Lane Farm Cottages, Whittingham, and the C174 road, 335 metres west of Callaly High Houses, Whittingham.

In April 2022, Ms D Holmes of Ulgham applied to modify the Definitive Map of Public Rights of Way to upgrade existing Public Footpath No 2. The report pack notes that in the Yetlington Tithe Award of 1842, the alleged route is clearly shown as a road and is annotated as Bridle Road on the Yetlington tithe map.

Togston: Alleged Byway Open to All Traffic No 17

The committee was scheduled to consider evidence concerning alleged public vehicular rights over the U3046 road in the parish of Togston. The route runs between the A1068 road, 165 metres south of Togston East Farm, and a point 75 metres north of 2 Togston Low Hall.

The report pack notes that the route of alleged Byway Open to All Traffic No 17 is identified on the County Council’s current List of Streets as being the U3046 road.

The British Horse Society responded to the consultation, stating that:

As it stands this route presents no value to horse riders but if the old road to the colliery that used to be there, which joined alleged BOAT 18, was recorded then a useful link would have been created.

Wooler: Alleged Byway Open to All Traffic No 38

The committee was scheduled to review evidence pertaining to alleged public vehicular rights over the U1075 road in the parish of Wooler. The route runs between the B6348 road south of Way to Wooler and the B6525 road at Wooler Garden Centre.

The report pack notes that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 (NERC Act 2006) would not appear to have extinguished the public’s motorised vehicular rights over the route.

The report pack also notes a letter from Mary and Andrew Logan of Way to Wooler, who stated:

This is an impossible route as it means crossing rough unstable river flood land and crossing the river where there is no way of crossing even in a tractor.

This week in Northumberland:

• The Strategic Planning Committee approved plans for a renewable energy scheme, the demolition and rebuild of a school, a cinema, and the Blyth Energy Central Campus Institute.
• The Staff and Appointments Committee were scheduled to discuss interim appointments in Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service.

Strategic Planning Committee - Tuesday 15 April 2025

The Strategic Planning Committee meeting approved plans for a renewable energy scheme at Whittonstall, the demolition and rebuild of Cramlington Learning Village, a cinema in Ashington, and the Blyth Energy Central Campus Institute. The committee discussed concerns around local amenity, ecology, and heritage assets, but ultimately approved all applications subject to conditions and agreements.

Highfield Energy Park, Whittonstall

The committee considered application 23/01717/FUL from Exagen Development Ltd for a renewable energy scheme at Whittonstall in Consett, comprising ground-mounted photovoltaics, battery storage, and associated infrastructure.

The proposed development consists of a solar farm with a maximum generation capacity of 43.5MW, a battery energy storage system (BESS) with a capacity of 12.5MW, and a substation for grid connection. The solar farm would be located on approximately 91 hectares of agricultural land, while the substation would be located on a separate 8.25 hectare site within the Green Belt.

The committee heard objections from Shotley Low Quarter Parish Council, Durham County Council, the Campaign to Protect Rural England (CPRE), and the Northumberland Wildlife Trust, raising concerns about fire and rescue access, cumulative impact, visual impact, and ecology.

Despite these objections, the committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions and a Section 106 agreement to secure ecological monitoring, off-site skylark mitigation, and woodland management. Councillor Trevor Thorne, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee, and the Director of Housing & Planning were delegated authority to agree on the final wording of condition 68, relating to community involvement in the communications strategy.

Cramlington Learning Village

The committee then considered application 24/04328/FUL for the demolition of nine existing buildings at Cramlington Learning Village and the construction of a new learning village complex, with associated access, parking, landscaping, and PV canopies.

The committee heard that the existing school buildings are in need of repair or replacement. The proposed development would include a new three-storey teaching block, as well as improvements to the site's access, parking, and landscaping.

The committee heard that Active Travel England supported the scheme.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to a Section 106 agreement securing on-site biodiversity net gain enhancements and a biodiversity net gain monitoring fee, and relevant planning conditions.

Portland Park, Ashington

Next on the agenda was application 24/04452/FUL for the erection of a cinema with ancillary leisure space, two restaurant units, associated landscaping, parking, and access on land to the east of Lintonville Terrace, Portland Park, in Ashington.

The committee heard that the proposed development would include a five-screen cinema and two food and beverage units, as well as associated landscaping and parking. The site is located within Ashington town centre, near the new train station.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions.

Keel Row, Union Street, Blyth

Finally, the committee considered application 24/04300/CCD for full planning and demolition in a conservation area for the construction of the Blyth Energy Central Campus Institute ('Blyth ECCI') alongside demolition of 1, 3-5, 7-9 Bridge Street and 2, 4, 6, 8 Regent Street in Blyth.

The committee heard that the proposed ECCI building would be a two-storey property that would measure a maximum 63.2 metres in length, by 30.5 metres in width, with an overall height of 11 metres from ground level. The site is located within Blyth Central Conservation Area, and the buildings proposed for demolition include locally listed buildings.

The committee voted to approve the application, subject to conditions.

Staff and Appointments Committee - Wednesday 16 April 2025

The Staff and Appointments Committee were scheduled to meet on Wednesday 16 April 2025 to discuss interim appointments in Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service¹. The meeting was also scheduled to confirm the minutes of the previous meeting.

Interim appointments in Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service

The Staff and Appointments Committee were scheduled to discuss and confirm the interim appointments of Lynsey McVay as Chief Fire Officer and Stephen Kennedy as Deputy Chief Fire Officer, with effect from 18 March 2025.

According to the report pack, the substantive Chief Fire Officer and Deputy Chief Fire Officer had not been at work since 12 March 2025. In order to maintain operational leadership, two temporary appointments were made to backfill the roles in their absence.

Lynsey McVay was appointed on secondment from Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service (TWFRS), where she is substantively the Assistant Chief Fire Officer. The Chief Fire Officer of TWFRS agreed to formally second Lynsey McVay until processes relating to the substantive postholder have been concluded. The report pack states that Lynsey McVay is an experienced Fire Leader and Gold/Strategic Commander.

Stephen Kennedy's credentials were known to the committee, as they had previously agreed to his appointment as Assistant Chief Fire Officer. There was no intention to backfill the Assistant Chief Fire Officer post on an interim basis, and other management arrangements were being considered by the interim Chief Fire Officer.

The report pack noted that these appointments had been made under emergency delegated power by Dr Helen Paterson, Chief Executive. It also noted that the Chief Executive and Chief Fire Officer of TWFRS had discussed and were assured of the availability of ‘mutual aid’².

The report pack set out two options for the council:

• Agree the interim appointment of Lynsey McVay to Chief Fire Officer and the acting up of Stephen Kennedy to Deputy Chief Fire Officer. This was the recommended option, as both candidates are appropriately qualified and experienced and are available to address an immediate operational need.
• Reject the interim appointment of Lynsey McVay to Chief Fire Officer and the acting up of Stephen Kennedy to Deputy Chief Fire Officer and commence a recruitment process to recruit to these roles on an interim basis. The report pack stated that a recruitment process would be time consuming, may not attract candidates of the standard secured under option 1, and would not address immediate operational needs.

The report pack also noted the following implications of the interim appointments:

• Financial: The substantive postholders are in receipt of full pay, so the interim appointment of a Chief Fire Officer is additional to the current pay bill. The interim Deputy Chief Fire Officer appointment will also represent additional cost (the difference between substantive salary and interim salary). The decision not to backfill the ACFO post will mitigate some of these additional costs.
• Legal: The functions of the Staff and Appointments Committee are to discharge the council’s functions as the employer in relation to the Chief and Deputy Chief Officers. The Chief Fire Officer is a Chief Officer, and the Deputy Chief Fire Officer is a Deputy Chief Officer, as defined under s2 of the Local Government and Housing Act 1989.
• Human Resources: The interim appointments have been made in line with appropriate employment processes.

Previous Minutes

The committee was scheduled to confirm as an accurate record the minutes of the meeting held on Wednesday, 5 February 2025 [https://northumberland.moderngov.co.uk/documents/s25369/02.+Previous+Minutes+5+Feb+25.pdf]. During that meeting, members were informed about the requirement on the County Council to prepare and publish a Pay Policy Statement.