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Summary
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The Cabinet of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday 9 June 2026. Key decisions included noting progress on the Corporate Performance Report, authorising the publication of notices for the appropriation of land for the Blyth Relief Road, agreeing to use the Strategic Management Reserve for specialist advice for Advance Northumberland Limited, and approving several financial measures for the 2025-26 provisional out-turn. Cabinet also approved new capital expenditure proposals for Holywell Village First School and the Residential Homes for Children Programme, and for the Hartford Bridge Travellers Site Kitchen Refurbishment project. They noted the report on the Integrated Sexual Health Service for Northumberland and authorised the Executive Director of Public Health to proceed with commissioning and procurement. Cabinet noted progress on the delivery of Sustainable Visitor Economy Growth and endorsed the refreshed Northumberland Destination Management Plan and its Action Plan. Finally, Cabinet noted progress on the Northumberland Food Strategy and endorsed the Northumberland County Council Food Action Plan and its governance arrangements, and approved recommendations in a confidential report regarding land acquisition in South East Northumberland.
Q3 & Q4 Corporate Performance Report
Cabinet noted the progress made against the Corporate Plan priorities as summarised in the report.
Blyth Relief Road - Appropriation of Land
Cabinet accepted that the NCC Open Space Land is no longer required for its current purpose as open space. They authorised the publication of notices required by section 122(2A) of the Local Government Act 1972 and recorded their intention to appropriate the land for planning purposes to facilitate the construction and operation of the Chase Farm Link, part of the Blyth Relief Road Scheme. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director – Place and Regeneration to undertake the statutory advertising process, consider any objections, and take all necessary steps to implement the appropriation. This decision is crucial for the delivery of the Blyth Relief Road. The appropriation process will engage the statutory override mechanism under section 203 of the Housing and Planning Act 2016, subject to consideration of any representations received.
Advance Northumberland Update
Cabinet agreed to use the Strategic Management Reserve to fund specialist advice required for a review of Advance Northumberland Limited's (AN Ltd) current arrangements. This review aims to ensure AN Ltd's objectives remain optimally aligned with the Council's interests. The cost for this specialist advice is capped at £0.130 million.
Financial Performance 2025-26 - Provisional Out-turn
Cabinet approved several financial measures for the 2025-26 provisional out-turn. These included the creation of new earmarked reserves for the Northumberland Children and Adults Safeguarding Partnership (NCASP) and for demolition costs within the Housing Revenue Account. They also approved the drawdown of funds from reserves to cover voluntary redundancy and severance costs associated with the Ways of Working
restructure, and for the Homes for Ukraine Scheme. A transfer of £2.000 million was approved for the Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) Deficit reserve. Amendments were made to the funding package for the Northumberland Line and Newsham Railway Bridge, reallocating £0.500 million from the Northumberland Line project to the Newsham Road Bridge project, and reallocating £0.500 million from the Strategic Management Reserve to fund benefits realisation studies. Authority was delegated to the Section 151 Officer to authorise the utilisation of any remaining balance upon finalisation of the Statement of Accounts. Cabinet also noted the projected breakeven position on services, the provisional out-turn position, the projected overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the projected overspend on the Housing Revenue Account budget. Furthermore, a re-profiling of £60.940 million to the Capital Programme from 2025-26 to 2026-27 was noted. Finally, a transfer of £0.818 million to the Restructuring Reserve was approved to meet future costs linked to the Voluntary Exit Scheme in 2026-27.
Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by the Capital Strategy Group
Cabinet approved several new capital expenditure proposals. For Holywell Village First School, £0.076 million will be spent in 2026-27 on a new kitchen, funded by £0.063 million from Council resources and £0.013 million from the school. For the Residential Homes for Children Programme, £2.134 million will be spent in 2026-27 to purchase and develop Fairwinds in Ulgham, funded by £0.458 million of Council resources and £1.676 million from the Department for Education. Delegated authority was granted to the Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education to purchase the property for £1.343 million. Additionally, £0.044 million will be spent in 2026-27 on phase 2 of the Hartford Bridge Travellers Site Kitchen Refurbishment project, funded from Council resources within the existing capital programme.
Integrated Sexual Health Service for Northumberland
Cabinet noted the report's contents and authorised the Executive Director of Public Health, Stronger Communities and Inequalities to proceed with the commissioning and procurement exercise for an Integrated Sexual Health Service via the Public Sector Regime Direct Award C route. Authority was also delegated to the Executive Director to approve the award of the contract.
Update on the delivery of Sustainable Visitor Economy Growth : Visit Northumberland.
Cabinet noted the progress made in growing the volume and value of Northumberland's visitor economy. They also endorsed the development and direction of the refreshed Northumberland Destination Management Plan and its resulting 2026/27 Action Plan.
Northumberland Food Strategy - Food Action Plan Update
Cabinet noted the progress made in promoting Northumberland's local food story through the Taste of Northumberland
initiative and wider activities related to the Northumberland Food Strategy. They also endorsed the Northumberland County Council Food Action Plan and its proposed governance arrangements.
Land acquisition in South East Northumberland
Cabinet approved the recommendations detailed in the confidential report regarding land acquisition in South East Northumberland. This acquisition aims to consolidate Council land holdings and accelerate the delivery of the Northumberland Strategic Investment Site (NSIS).
Delegated decisions linked to this meeting
Decision summaries below are AI-generated from the council’s published record. Check the council source or the full decision page before relying on them.
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Land acquisition in South East Northumberland
Recommendations ApprovedNorthumberland Council Cabinet approved the acquisition of a site in South East Northumberland. This decision was made on 09/06/2026.
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Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by the Capital Strategy Group
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Northumberland Council approved expenditure for a new kitchen at Holywell Village First School, the purchase and development of residential homes for children with complex needs, and kitchen refurbishments at Hartford Bridge Traveller Site on 09/06/2026. Cabinet approved the expenditure of £0.076 million for Holywell Village First School kitchen, £2.134 million for residential homes for children, and £0.044 million for Hartford Bridge Traveller Site kitchen refurbishment. Delegated authority was granted to the Executive Director of Children, Young People and Education to purchase the proposed property for the residential homes.
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Q3 & Q4 Corporate Performance Report
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the Q3 & Q4 Corporate Performance Report on 09/06/2026. The report summarises progress against the Council's three Corporate Plan priorities. The decision included considering and commenting on this progress.
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Northumberland Food Strategy - Food Action Plan Update
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the Northumberland Food Action Plan and its proposed governance arrangements on 9 June 2026. The decision included noting progress on promoting Northumberland's local food story through Taste of Northumberland and endorsing the Food Action Plan and its governance approach.
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Integrated Sexual Health Service for Northumberland
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve recommendations for the Integrated Sexual Health Service for Northumberland on 09/06/2026. The decision maker authorised the Executive Director of Public Health to proceed with commissioning and procurement via Public Sector Regime Direct Award C and to approve the award of contract.
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Financial Performance 2025-26 - Provisional Out-turn
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding the financial performance for 2025-26 on 09/06/2026. This included the creation of new earmarked reserves for safeguarding and demolition costs, the drawdown of funds for voluntary redundancies and the Homes for Ukraine Scheme, and the transfer of funds to the Dedicated Schools Grant Deficit reserve. The decision also involved reallocating funding for the Northumberland Line and Newsham Railway Bridge projects, and delegating authority to the Section 151 Officer for reserve utilisation.
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Blyth Relief Road - Appropriation of Land
Recommendations ApprovedNorthumberland County Council Cabinet decided on 12 May 2026 to approve the appropriation of land for the Blyth Relief Road. The Cabinet authorised the Council to change the purpose of specific open space land to highway use. The Executive Director Place and Regeneration was delegated authority to undertake the statutory advertising process, consider objections, and implement the appropriation, including settling compensation claims.
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Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by the Capital Strategy Group
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet approved and adopted the Housing Enforcement Policy, Civil Penalty Policy, Mandatory HMO Licensing Conditions, and Selective Licensing Conditions on 12 May 2026. These policies are intended to improve housing standards for tenants by providing tools to deal with landlords who do not meet legal obligations.
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Update on the delivery of Sustainable Visitor Economy Growth : Visit Northumberland.
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve recommendations regarding the delivery of Sustainable Visitor Economy Growth: Visit Northumberland on 09/06/2026. The Cabinet noted progress and endorsed the development and direction of the refreshed Northumberland Destination Management Plan and its resulting 2026/27 Action Plan.
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Advance Northumberland Update
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Northumberland Council approved and adopted the Housing Enforcement Policy, Civil Penalty Policy, Mandatory HMO Licensing Conditions, and Selective Licensing Conditions on 12 May 2026. These policies are intended to improve housing standards for tenants by providing tools to address rogue landlords. The council will develop a separate debt recovery policy and procure a debt recovery service using civil penalties revenue.
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Land acquisition in South East Northumberland
Recommendations ApprovedNorthumberland Council's Cabinet approved and adopted the Housing Enforcement Policy, Civil Penalty Policy, Mandatory HMO Licensing Conditions, and Selective Licensing Conditions on 12 May 2026. These policies aim to improve housing standards for tenants by providing tools to deal with landlords. The adopted policies include specific conditions for selective licences, detailing requirements for occupancy, safety certificates, and tenant communication.
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