The Cabinet of Northumberland Council is scheduled to meet on Tuesday 27 October 2026 to discuss proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme for 2027, and to review new capital proposals. The meeting will also cover a summary of new capital proposals considered by the Capital Strategy Group.

Council Tax Support Scheme 2027

A significant portion of the meeting is expected to be dedicated to a report from Councillor Nicholas Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, concerning the Council Tax Support Scheme (CTSS) for 2027. This scheme is a crucial element of the Council's budget setting process, determining the level of financial support provided to residents and impacting future council tax revenue.

The report outlines proposed changes to the existing scheme, which was implemented for the 2026/27 financial year. This new approach introduced a banded system for working-age residents, with support for pension-age residents continuing to be set nationally. The current scheme already increased the maximum support to 100% of council tax due, compared to a previous maximum of 92%, with an aim to deliver a budget saving of £2 million.

The upcoming discussion will include the outcomes of a consultation exercise with the public and Major Precepting Authorities regarding proposed alterations to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme. If the proposed changes are agreed by the Cabinet, they will be presented to the full Council on 4 November 2026 for formal approval. The report details specific recommendations for changes to discount bands, including a proposed reduction in discount levels for bands 2, 3, and 4, and the continued disregard of 100% of the Housing Cost Element of Universal Credit. The consultation responses indicate a mixed reaction to these proposals, with concerns raised about the impact on low-income households and suggestions for alternative approaches.

Summary of New Capital Proposals

The Cabinet will also consider a summary of new capital proposals that were previously reviewed by the Capital Strategy Group. This report, also presented by Councillor Nicholas Oliver, will detail proposed amendments to the Council's capital programme.

Two specific projects are highlighted for discussion:

• Corbridge Station Link: This proposal seeks approval for expenditure of up to £0.820 million in 2027-28 to create a safer and more accessible travel route between Corbridge village centre and Corbridge Railway Station. The funding is expected to come entirely from the Consolidated Active Travel Fund. This initiative aims to improve connections and encourage active travel, aligning with the Council's transport, economic growth, and climate objectives.

• Coastal Mitigation Service: The Cabinet is being asked to approve expenditure of up to £0.495 million in 2026-27 for the creation of three habitat projects. These projects are intended to provide ecological mitigation for housing and tourism developments that may affect protected nature conservation sites along the Northumberland coast. The funding for this service is to be provided by Section 106 developer contributions. The proposed projects include wetland restoration at Newton Pools and Hartley East Farm, and coastal grazing marsh restoration at High Chibburn. This service is considered essential to support rising housing targets and protect coastal ecosystems.