Subscribe to updates
You'll receive weekly summaries about Northumberland Council every week.
If you have any requests or comments please let us know at community@opencouncil.network. We can also provide custom updates on particular topics across councils.
Summary
Open Council Network is an independent organisation. We report on Northumberland and are not the council. About us
The Cabinet of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday 7 July 2026, approving several key financial and infrastructure projects. Decisions included the disposal of the former Hexham Middle School site for redevelopment, an increased budget for the A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme, and the formalisation of specialist support bases at three primary schools.
Former Hexham Middle School Site Disposal
Cabinet approved the progression of the procurement process for the disposal of the former Hexham Middle School site in Hexham. The preferred bidder will be appointed to develop the site, with a specific stipulation that the listed Fellside building must be refurbished and brought back into use as an arts studio and gallery space. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director – Place and Regeneration to appoint a developer and enter into necessary agreements. Additionally, a maximum of £20,000 per unit of capital funding was allocated from the Adults Ageing and Wellbeing (AA&W) Fund for an Extra Care scheme, subject to eligibility and viability assessments. The entire site will be disposed of by way of freehold title transfer to the preferred bidder.
A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme
The revised scheme cost for the A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme was approved at £13.488 million, an increase from the previously allocated £9.688 million. The funding package will comprise £11.740 million from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority grant funding and £1.748 million from Council resources. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to finalise funding arrangements and enter into necessary contracts. Delivery remains subject to the confirmation of external funding, with the Council's contribution profiled towards the latter stages of the scheme. This Council contribution is not new budget provision and is comprised of previously approved funds and existing Local Transport Plan commitments.
Formalisation of Specialist Support Bases
Cabinet approved the establishment of SEND Units at Cambois Primary School, Newsham Primary School, and Seaton Sluice First School by formalising the current Special Support Bases at these sites. This decision follows statutory consultation and aligns with the Department for Education's guidance on making significant changes to maintained schools. The formalisation will make these bases permanent SEND Units, effective immediately.
Financial Performance 2025-26 - Final Outturn
Cabinet approved the net re-profiling of £60.971 million to the Capital Programme from 2025-26 to 2026-27 to reflect expenditure levels during the financial year. Cabinet also approved the use of reserves as detailed in Appendix K. Cabinet noted that the final outturn is based on the draft Statement of Accounts and is subject to external audit. Cabinet noted the net change on the General Fund compared to the Provisional Outturn of £0.183 million, the total net expenditure budget increase of £69.433 million, the projected overspend on the Dedicated Schools Grant of £12.061 million, and the projected overspend on the Housing Revenue Account (HRA) budget of £0.102 million. Cabinet also noted the delivery of approved savings and the details of capital project reprofiling.
Summary of New Capital Proposals
Cabinet approved the expenditure of £1.500 million for the construction of a new public car park on the former Morpeth Leisure Centre site, funded from the existing Car Parks General project. Delegated authority was granted for detailed design and construction. Expenditure of £0.055 million was approved for the Longhorsley Flood Alleviation Scheme, funded entirely by the Flood Defence Grant, with an amendment to the capital programme to add £0.003 million in external funding. Additionally, expenditure of £1.170 million was approved for the development of affordable housing on the Greyfield Estate in Embleton, funded from the approved budget within the Medium Term Financial Plan (MTFP). Delegated authority was also granted for entering into a JCT Design and Build Contract for this development.
Alnwick Bus Station Improvements
Cabinet agreed, in principle, to progress towards entering into a lease arrangement for Alnwick Bus Station to enable the delivery of the improvement scheme. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to negotiate and enter into lease arrangements and finalise all necessary legal and commercial agreements. Cabinet noted that full financial implications are not yet quantified and will be subject to appraisal, and that ongoing revenue costs will be managed within existing budgets where possible, with recovery through operator charging.
Blyth Sports Centre - Pool Hall Refurbishment Works
Capital expenditure of £1.600 million was approved for refurbishment works to the swimming pool hall at Blyth Sports Centre, funded from the Leisure Buildings Improvement Works budget. Cabinet also approved the use of contingency up to £0.745 million for compensation payments to Places Leisure and delegated authority to the Executive Director for Public Health, Inequalities and Stronger Communities to manage these financial adjustments. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to enter into contracts for the project, subject to funding confirmation and compliant procurement.
Northumberland Cultural Strategy
Cabinet endorsed the refreshed Northumberland Cultural Strategy 2026 – 2036. The strategy recognises the strength of partnership delivery by the Northumberland Strategic Culture Network in attracting strategic cultural investment. The strategy aims to create cultural opportunities for people, improve places, build partnerships, and grow prosperity, aligning with the Council's Corporate Plan and the Northumberland Economic Strategy 2035.
Urgent Business
Cabinet approved the recommendation concerning urgent business, the details of which were contained within a confidential report.
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.
-
Urgent Business
Recommendations Approved -
Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by the Capital Strategy Group
Recommendations ApprovedCabinet approved recommendations for new capital proposals on 07/07/2026. These included expenditure for a new public car park in Morpeth, the Longhorsley Flood Alleviation Scheme, and the Greyfield Affordable Housing Development. The Cabinet granted delegated authority for detailed design, planning, procurement, and construction activities for the Morpeth car park and the Greyfield development.
-
A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme
Recommendations ApprovedNorthumberland Cabinet approved recommendations for the A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme on 07/07/2026. The Cabinet approved a revised scheme cost of £13.488 million and a funding package of £11.740 million from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority grant and £1.748 million from Council resources. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to finalise funding arrangements and enter into necessary contracts.
-
Financial Performance 2025-26 - Final Outturn
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet approved the financial performance for 2025-26 on 07/07/2026. This included approving the net re-profiling of £60.971 million to the Capital Programme from 2025-26 to 2026-27 and the use of reserves.
-
Outcomes of Statutory Consultation on proposals to formalise (make permanent) Specialist Support Bases at Cambois Primary, Newsham Primary and Seaton Sluice First Schools
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet decided to approve the formalisation of Specialist Support Bases at Cambois Primary, Newsham Primary, and Seaton Sluice First Schools as permanent SEND Units. This decision was made on 07/07/2026. The approved proposal will establish SEND Units with specific pupil capacities and age ranges at each school, effective from 8 July 2026.
-
Blyth Sports Centre - Pool Hall Refurbishment Works
Recommendations ApprovedNorthumberland Cabinet approved recommendations for Blyth Sports Centre pool hall refurbishment works on 07/07/2026. The decision approved capital expenditure of £1.6 million and the use of contingency up to £0.745 million for compensation payments. Authority was delegated to Executive Directors to manage financial adjustments and enter into contracts for the project.
-
Update on former Hexham Middle School site disposal
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 and conditions are intended to improve housing standards for tenants by providing updated enforcement tools for landlords.
-
Northumberland Cultural Strategy
Recommendations ApprovedThe Cabinet of Northumberland approved the refreshed Northumberland Cultural Strategy on 07/07/2026. The strategy sets out aims for People, Places, Partnerships, and Prosperity. It will be delivered through the Northumberland Strategic Culture Network.
-
Alnwick Bus Station Improvements – Delegation to Enter into Lease
Recommendations ApprovedNorthumberland Cabinet decided to approve recommendations on 07/07/2026. The council agreed in principle to enter into a lease arrangement for Alnwick Bus Station and delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to negotiate and enter into lease and associated legal and commercial arrangements.
-
Corporate Risk Management
Recommendations Approved (subject to call-in)The Cabinet decided to approve the Corporate Risk Management report on 07/07/2026. The report included an updated corporate risk register with eleven risks. The Cabinet agreed to manage eleven risks at a corporate level.
Attendees
Topics
Meeting Documents
Reports Pack
Additional Documents