This week in Northumberland:

Licensing Decisions: Oldgate Tavern and Private Hire Driver Applications

Northumberland Council's Licensing Hearing convened on Tuesday, 14 July 2026, to consider a significant application for a premises licence for the Oldgate Tavern in Morpeth. The Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittee also met on Thursday, 16 July 2026, to discuss a private hire driver's licence application.

Oldgate Tavern Premises Licence Application

The Licensing Hearing focused on an application for a premises licence for the Oldgate Tavern, located at 13 Oldgate, Morpeth, Northumberland, NE61 1QF. The applicant, Oldgate Tavern Ltd, sought permission to supply alcohol both on and off the premises between 11:00 and 23:00 daily.

The meeting was scheduled to address objections from interested parties concerning:

• Prevention of public nuisance: Concerns were raised about potential noise from customers and waste disposal, impacting nearby residents and a local primary school.
• Protection of children from harm: The proximity to a school was a stated concern.
• Prevention of crime and disorder: Worries were expressed about potential anti-social behaviour and security.

The applicant proposed measures to uphold the four licensing objectives, including CCTV, age verification policies like Challenge 25, and waste management plans. However, representations from interested parties highlighted specific concerns about proposed licensing hours and the potential for noise disturbance, sleep disruption, and personal safety issues, particularly from the use of a back court area. Residents requested conditions such as an outside curfew, structural soundproofing, and a prohibition on live or amplified music. The outcome of this application will directly affect the local amenity and the operations of the Oldgate Tavern.

Read more about the Licensing Hearing meeting.

Private Hire Driver's Licence Application

The Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittee met on Thursday, 16 July 2026, to consider an application for a private hire driver's licence (Case Number 160726/471). The report detailing this application was marked as restricted and not for publication, meaning specific details were not publicly available. The agenda indicated that this item would be discussed in private, with the press and public excluded, in accordance with Section 100A (4) of the Local Government Act 1972. This exclusion is typically applied when discussions are likely to involve the disclosure of exempt information, where the public interest in disclosure is outweighed by the public interest in maintaining the exemption. The decision on this licence will impact an individual's livelihood and the availability of private hire services.

Read more about the Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittee meeting.

Financial Performance and Transformation Programmes Under Scrutiny

The Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) met on Wednesday, 15 July 2026, to review the council's financial performance and progress on key transformation initiatives.

Financial Outturn for 2025-26

The committee received a report on the provisional financial outturn for the 2025-26 financial year. This report detailed projected revenue outturns across various service areas, including Adults, Ageing & Wellbeing; Chief Executive; Children, Young People & Education; Place and Regeneration; Public Health, Inequalities & Stronger Communities; and Transformation & Resources. It also covered the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) and the Housing Revenue Account (HRA). Understanding the council's financial performance is crucial for ensuring that public money is spent effectively and that services remain sustainable, particularly for vulnerable residents who rely on council support.

BEST Programme Update

An update was provided on the BEST programme, a significant initiative aimed at improving resident and customer outcomes, enhancing staff experience, and driving efficiencies. The programme encompasses six key transformation projects: Ways of Working, Customer Experience Transformation, Property Transformation, Category Management Transformation, Data-Led Performance and Data Architecture, and PACT (Culture, Vision, and Values). The committee reviewed the progress of these projects, which are designed to modernise council operations and improve service delivery.

Debt Recovery Performance

The committee also examined the level of outstanding debt owed to the council as at 31 March 2026. This included sundry debt, Council Tax arrears, Non-Domestic Rates arrears, Housing Benefit overpayments, and Housing Rent and Other Debt. The report detailed amounts written off and compared collection rates and enforcement methods. Effective debt recovery is essential for the council's financial health, ensuring that funds are available to provide vital public services.

Read more about the Corporate Services and Economic Growth OSC meeting.

Other Matters

• The West Planning Committee and the Joint Consultative Committee meetings scheduled for Tuesday, 14 July 2026, and Wednesday, 15 July 2026, respectively, were cancelled.
• The South East Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Monday, 13 July 2026, was also cancelled.

This week in Northumberland:

Youth Justice and A1 Safety Dominate County Council Discussions

The County Council met on Wednesday, 8 July 2026, tackling crucial issues from the safety of our roads to the support provided to young people in the justice system. The meeting saw the Leader of Council present his annual report, alongside discussions on the Youth Justice Plan and important motions concerning the A1 and the reintroduction of the Eurasian lynx.

Youth Justice: A Child-First Approach Amidst Rising Concerns

Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, presented the Northumberland Youth Justice Service's Annual Plan for 2026-2027. This plan is mandated by Section 40 of the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, a key piece of legislation aimed at reducing crime and disorder. The strategy prioritises a Child First approach, focusing on reducing offending and reoffending.

However, the plan highlights a concerning trend: a recent rise in First Time Entrants (FTEs) into the youth justice system in Northumberland, which contrasts with a national downward trend. This is coupled with increased concerns about exploitation and a growing prevalence of motoring and arson offences among young people.

Key priorities for the coming year include:

• Improving the quality of case management for young people.
• Strengthening support for victims.
• Developing the Youth Justice Service (YJS) Management Board.
• Expanding early intervention programmes like the Turnaround programme.
• Embedding a comprehensive quality assurance framework.

The report emphasised the strong partnerships the YJS has with the police, health services, education providers, and the voluntary sector, which are vital for delivering effective support.

Read more about the County Council meeting.

A1 Safety and Dualling: A Call for Urgent Action

A motion moved by Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Council, highlighted the persistent safety issues on the A1 in Northumberland. The motion pointed to the road's history of high numbers of deaths and serious injuries, particularly where it transitions between dual and single carriageways. While National Highways has planned local safety schemes, the motion argued these do not fully address the fundamental problems of overcapacity and the lack of continuous dual carriageway.

The council called for:

• Urgent correspondence to the Secretary of State for Transport to reconsider the cancellation of the A1 dualling scheme.
• An urgent cross-party meeting with the Secretary of State to discuss the issue.
• Engagement with key partners to advocate for the full dualling of the A1.

This issue directly impacts the safety of all road users and the economic connectivity of the region. Residents have long expressed concerns about the A1's safety, and this motion signals a renewed push for government action.

Opposition to Eurasian Lynx Reintroduction

Councillor Steven Bridgett was scheduled to move a motion formally opposing any proposals to reintroduce the Eurasian lynx within Northumberland. The motion aimed to protect the interests of Northumberland's rural communities, farmers, and livestock. It proposed writing to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, and Natural England, to outline the council's opposition. The motion also called for transparent engagement with all affected parties. This reflects a common tension between conservation goals and the concerns of rural communities regarding potential impacts on livelihoods and safety.

Leader's Annual Report: Focus on Growth and Value

Councillor Glen Sanderson, Leader of Council, presented his annual portfolio report, outlining the council's achievements and priorities. Key themes included driving economic growth, tackling inequalities, and ensuring value for money. Despite ongoing challenges like rising costs and increased demand for services, the report highlighted successes such as the Northumberland Line project and the creation of the Northumberland Growth Fund. For the coming year, the focus remains on delivering essential services while investing in areas like children's services and affordable housing.

Appointment of Housing Scrutiny Chair

The council was also scheduled to appoint the Chair of the Housing Overview and Scrutiny Committee, a crucial role for overseeing the council's housing services.

Hexham School Site Disposal and SEND Unit Formalisation

Northumberland County Council's Cabinet met on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, making decisions that will impact housing development and support for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND).

Former Hexham Middle School Site to be Developed

Cabinet agreed to move forward with the procurement process for the disposal of the former Hexham Middle School site. A key condition is that the listed Fellside building must be refurbished and repurposed as an arts studio and gallery for community use. This decision aims to bring a derelict site back into productive use while preserving a heritage asset. The disposal will be by freehold title transfer to a preferred bidder, who will be selected through a procurement process.

Specialist SEND Units to be Formalised

The Cabinet approved the formalisation of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) Units at Cambois Primary School, Newsham Primary School, and Seaton Sluice First School. These sites currently operate as Special Support Bases (SSBs) and will now become permanent SEND Units. This move follows a statutory consultation and aligns with Department for Education guidance. The formalisation aims to better meet the needs of children with Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs) within their local communities, reducing travel times and fostering local friendships. This is a positive step for families seeking local, accessible support for their children.

A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme Gets Revised Funding

A revised scheme cost of £13.488 million was approved for the A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme. This represents an increase from the previously approved £9.688 million, with the majority of funding coming from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority grant. This investment aims to improve active travel infrastructure along the seafront, encouraging walking and cycling, which has benefits for public health and the environment.

Financial Performance and Capital Proposals

Cabinet also reviewed the council's financial performance for 2025-26, noting projected overspends on the Dedicated Schools Grant and the Housing Revenue Account. Several new capital proposals were approved, including the construction of a new public car park at the former Morpeth Leisure Centre site, a flood alleviation scheme in Longhorsley, and affordable housing development on the Greyfield Estate in Embleton.

Blyth Sports Centre Pool Hall Refurbishment

Capital expenditure of £1.600 million was approved for refurbishment works to the swimming pool hall at Blyth Sports Centre. This investment will improve facilities for residents and is crucial for maintaining leisure services.

Northumberland Cultural Strategy Endorsed

The refreshed Northumberland Cultural Strategy 2026–2036 was endorsed, aiming to strengthen the county's cultural sector and its contribution to economic growth, health, and community cohesion.

Read more about the Cabinet meeting.

Adult Social Care and Health Services Under Scrutiny

The Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) met on Tuesday, 7 July 2026, to examine key strategic documents for Adult Social Care and review the annual report on complaints.

Adult Social Care Strategy and Commissioning Intentions

The committee was set to review progress on Next Steps for Adult Social Care and the council's commissioning intentions. These documents are vital for ensuring the continuous improvement of services and the development of the care market to meet future needs, particularly for Northumberland's growing ageing population. The Northumberland Market Position Statement provides an overview of the current social care market and the council's future commissioning plans, aiming to guide providers on opportunities for service development. The council has an ambitious plan to deliver up to 600 units of Extra Care Housing by 2030, offering a valuable alternative to traditional care settings and promoting independence for older residents.

Complaints Report Highlights Increased Concerns

The committee was also scheduled to receive the annual report on complaints relating to Adult Social Care and Continuing Health Care (CHC) services for 2024-25. The report indicated an increase in the number of complaints received, with the majority of Adult Social Care complaints relating to assessments and care planning, followed by finance and the quality of service. For CHC, assessments and care planning were also the primary subject matter. While most complaints were resolved locally, the report noted the importance of learning from feedback to improve services.

Read more about the Health and Wellbeing OSC meeting.

This week in Northumberland:

Emergency Preparedness and School Funding Take Centre Stage

Northumberland County Council's Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday, 29 June 2026, to bolster the council's readiness for emergencies. Meanwhile, the Schools' Forum convened on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, to finalise the financial framework for schools in the upcoming academic year.

Strengthening Emergency Response Capabilities

The Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee reviewed the council's robust arrangements for emergency preparedness, response, and business continuity. This is crucial for ensuring the safety and well-being of all residents, especially the most vulnerable, during unforeseen events. The committee examined the work of the Civil Contingencies Team, which operates under the statutory duties of the Civil Contingencies Act 2004.

Key areas of focus included:

• Comprehensive Planning: The council maintains a suite of plans, including the Northumberland Incident Response Plan, Severe Weather Plan, and a Pandemic Preparedness and Response Plan. A new Assistance Centres Plan has been developed to better support residents displaced by incidents.
• Business Continuity: Significant progress has been made in strengthening Business Continuity Management, ensuring essential services can continue even during disruptions.
• Community Resilience: The establishment of Community Resilience Forums aims to empower local communities to prepare for and respond to risks, fostering a stronger, more connected Northumberland.

Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Safety, highlighted the importance of partnership working through the Northumbria Local Resilience Forum and the new political Resilience Board. This collaborative approach ensures a coordinated response across various agencies.

The committee also reviewed its work programme, considering topics such as the Local Plan Scoping, Destination Management Plan, and the Public Toilet Improvement Plan.

Read more about the Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Finalising School Funding for the Year Ahead

The Schools' Forum met on Wednesday, 1 July 2026, to discuss the Scheme for Financing Maintained Schools for the 2026/27 academic year. This is a critical process that dictates how funding is allocated to schools, directly impacting resources available for teaching, support staff, and educational programmes.

The proposed changes to the scheme are minor, focusing on clarifying procurement procedures. However, the forum also received an update on maintained school balances, noting a significant drop in overall balances. This trend, against a backdrop of rising costs, could place financial pressure on schools, potentially affecting their ability to deliver services. The report also indicated an increase in the number of schools facing deficits, a concern that could impact educational provision for students.

The forum also reviewed its operational and governance arrangements, aiming to ensure a balanced and representative composition to effectively serve the needs of all schools across Northumberland.

Read more about the Schools' Forum meeting.

SEND Strategy and Inspection Findings Under Scrutiny

The Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday, 2 July 2026, to address crucial issues surrounding Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) provision and the findings of a recent area inspection.

Enhancing SEND and Alternative Provision

The committee reviewed the rewritten Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) and Alternative Provision (AP) Capacity and Place Planning Strategy for 2025-2030. This strategy is vital for ensuring that children and young people with SEND receive the appropriate support and educational opportunities. The strategy acknowledges a sustained increase in Education, Health and Care Plans (EHCPs), particularly for Autistic Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Social, Emotional and Mental Health (SEMH), and Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).

To meet this growing demand, the council is investing in creating additional specialist places through special school expansion and the development of Specialist Support Bases (SSBs) within mainstream schools. This approach aims to provide local support, reducing travel times for students and fostering inclusion.

Addressing Area SEND Inspection Findings

The committee also received a report on the Ofsted and Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection of the Northumberland Local Area SEND Partnership. The inspection found that the local area's arrangements led to inconsistent experiences and outcomes for children and young people with special educational needs and/or disabilities (SEND).

While effective practices were noted, areas for improvement included:

• Variability in EHCP Quality: The consistency and quality of Education, Health and Care Plans need enhancement.
• Communication Gaps: Inconsistent communication between agencies can hinder effective support.
• Waiting Times: Lengthy waiting times for neurodevelopmental assessments are a significant concern for families.
• School Engagement: Strengthening engagement with schools is needed to ensure consistent identification and meeting of SEND needs.

The committee's scrutiny of these findings is essential for driving improvements and ensuring that all children and young people with SEND receive the support they deserve.

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

This week in Northumberland:

Senior Officer Salaries Under Review: Ensuring Fairness and Affordability

The Staff and Appointments Committee met on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, to examine the council's approach to senior officer salaries. The committee reviewed a report on a senior officer salary benchmarking exercise, aiming to ensure that pay for top roles is aligned with affordability, the council's capacity, and what other similar local authorities are paying.

This exercise is part of the council's Corporate Plan and involved comparing Northumberland's senior management pay and headcount with ten other local authorities, including Durham County Council and Lancashire County Council. The findings suggest that Northumberland's senior pay is generally in line with these comparators, though variations exist due to factors like organisational size and complexity.

The report referenced the council's Pay Policy and the Local Government Association's (LGA) job evaluation scheme, which guide senior remuneration. Pay awards are applied annually in line with national guidance. The committee was asked to note the report's contents, with no direct financial implications arising as salary costs are already budgeted. This process is crucial for maintaining transparency and ensuring public funds are used responsibly, especially when considering the council's overall financial health and its ability to deliver services to residents.

Read more about the Staff and Appointments Committee meeting.

Taxi and Private Hire Licensing Policies Undergoing Review

The Licensing & Regulatory Committee met on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, to discuss the ongoing development of policies for taxi and private hire licensing. The committee also received an update on the council's licensing activity over the past quarter.

The Taxi Policy Development Working Group has been actively reviewing regulations, with a focus on areas like licensee safeguarding training and accessibility. This work is vital for ensuring the safety and quality of taxi services for passengers across Northumberland.

A key discussion point was the government's consultation on potentially transferring taxi licensing functions from local councils to local transport authorities. Northumberland County Council submitted a response advocating for a hybrid model, where a strategic authority would set policy, but local councils would continue to manage the licensing process. This approach aims to balance regional transport strategies with the practical realities and unique challenges faced by local authorities like Northumberland. The outcome of this consultation could significantly impact how taxi and private hire services are regulated in the future.

The committee also reviewed licensing data for the period January to March 2026, covering a range of licences including hackney carriages, private hire vehicles, and animal boarding. This data provides insight into the council's regulatory workload and the sectors it oversees.

Read more about the Licensing & Regulatory Committee meeting.

Gambling Act Policy Refresh Underway

The Licensing Committee also met on Tuesday, 23 June 2026, focusing on the refresh of the council's policy for the Gambling Act 2005. This policy sets out the principles the council will apply when regulating gambling premises, aiming to prevent crime and disorder, ensure fair conduct, and protect vulnerable individuals.

The committee reviewed the timetable for this refresh, which involves several stages including Cabinet and full Council approval, with a public consultation period scheduled to begin in September 2026. The council's approach to gambling regulation is crucial for maintaining public safety and preventing harm, particularly for those susceptible to gambling addiction. The report highlighted the involvement of Public Health Managers to strengthen the strategic approach to health and wellbeing, demonstrating a commitment to addressing potential harms associated with gambling.

The committee was invited to agree to an extraordinary meeting during the consultation period to ensure its views are fully considered. The refresh of the Licensing Act 2003 policy, which governs alcohol sales and entertainment, is also planned, with work set to begin in April 2026.

Read more about the Licensing Committee meeting.

Other Matters

• The Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Monday, 29 June 2026. The committee received an update on the Civil Contingencies Team, focusing on emergency preparedness and resilience. They also reviewed the committee's work programme and noted recent Cabinet decisions. Read more about the Communities and Place OSC meeting.