This meeting included a performance update for the first half of the financial year 2024-25, and a discussion about the county's housing strategy, and the initial plans for the 2025-26 budget.

Housing Policy

The Cabinet were scheduled to discuss a report on how the county's housing strategy could be reviewed. The report highlights that while Northumberland is meeting its housebuilding targets, there are still issues around the affordability of homes. The report suggests that the Council could:

• Target interventions at areas that are experiencing the most significant levels of health and social inequality.
• Improve the quality of the housing stock both through new housebuilding, and by carrying out refurbishment work on existing homes.
• Focus on delivering affordable housing.
• Collaborate more effectively with private sector landlords.
• Work with colleges and training providers to develop construction and housing repairs skills.
• Develop community-led housing initiatives.
• Work more closely with Homes England and the North East Combined Authority to deliver new homes. The report also describes the impact of the government's proposed changes to the National Planning Policy Framework.¹ In particular, the changes to the standard method for calculating housing need could increase Northumberland's housing target from 549 new homes per year to 1,769 per year. # Budget 2025-26 This report provides the first look at the budget for 2025-26, and the initial plans for the Medium Term Financial Plan from 2025-2029. It projects an £80 million budget gap over the four years to 2029, and outlines the steps that are being taken to close it. This includes:
• A proposed 2.99% rise in Council Tax in each of the four years.
• A 2% rise in the Adult Social Care precept in 2025-26, followed by a 1% rise in each of the three subsequent years.
• £34 million in efficiency savings. These will come from a range of sources, including the BEST initiative, contract savings, income generation, and demand management. The report says that a number of the assumptions on which the draft budget has been based could change as a result of the Comprehensive Spending Review expected in 2025.

Q1 & Q2 Corporate Performance Report

This report provided an update on the council's progress against the Corporate Plan priorities:

• Achieving Value for Money: The report indicates that, according to the council's resident survey, 70% of respondents reported being satisfied with the council's services, that 54% of respondents had positive experiences using the council website, and that the employee net promoter score was 2.47 as at June 2024.
• Tackling Inequalities: There was discussion of the attainment gap between children receiving free school meals, and those who are not. There was also discussion of the number of children in care, and the type of care setting they are living in.
• Driving Economic Growth: The report notes that 10.1 million tourists visited Northumberland in 2023-24, and that £63.4 million in external investment was secured in the same period. 97% of properties in the county had access to broadband with speeds above 30Mbps in July 2024. The report also included updates on several other projects, including:
• Project Shield: This initiative, funded by the Office of the Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, was launched to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour in the county. It has seen a 46% reduction in anti-social behaviour in targeted areas.
• Community Hubs: The council's community hubs continue to deliver activities across the county.
• The Northumberland Mobilise carers support project: This project has reached 15,708 unpaid carers in Northumberland, and has helped them to access over £253,946 in carers' allowance.
• The Heart of Blyth project: This project is helping to develop a more connected community in Blyth.
• Northumberland Skills: This service provides vocational training for adults. It had 1,933 enrolments in 2023-24.
• Energy Central Learning Hub: This new STEM facility opened in September 2024 at the Port of Blyth.
• The Northumberland Line: This railway line will reopen to passenger services in December 2024.
• The Rural Asset Multiplier Pilot (RAMP) Programme: This programme has delivered 14 projects across the county.
• The Berwick Maltings redevelopment: This project will deliver a new cultural venue for Berwick.
• The Climate Change Action Plan: This plan was approved by Cabinet in June 2024.
• The North of Tyne Local Nature Recovery Strategy: This strategy is being developed with Newcastle City Council, North Tyneside Council, and the Northumberland National Park Authority.
• Fly-tipping: The number of fly-tipping incidents has decreased by 17% so far in 2024-25.

Financial Performance 2024-25

This report provides a snapshot of the council's financial performance in the first half of 2024-25, and projects a £5.996 million overspend for the whole year. The overspend is largely due to increased costs in adult social care and children's services, both of which are experiencing significant demand. The report also provides a summary of the capital programme. The most significant change to the capital programme is a re-profiling of £69.689 million from 2024-25 to 2025-26.

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Officer Capital Strategy Group

The Cabinet were scheduled to make decisions on two proposals:

• Blyth Market Place Improvement Works: This project will involve carrying out essential works adjacent to the new Culture Hub and Market Pavilion that are being delivered as part of the Energising Blyth Programme. The £0.583 million cost of the works will be met from the Energising Blyth budget.
• Cramlington Regeneration Active Travel Corridors Phase One: This £0.3 million project will deliver a number of improvements to cycle paths and walking routes in Cramlington. The money will come from the Cramlington Regeneration budget.

Education, SEND & Skills Annual Report Academic Year 2023-24

This report provides an annual update on the performance of schools, colleges and other education providers in Northumberland.

• Performance: The report highlights a number of positive performance indicators, including the proportion of schools judged 'good' or better by Ofsted, which has remained above the national average. However, the report also acknowledges the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their peers, and the challenges faced by the education sector in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.
• Priorities: The report sets out the priorities for education and skills development in Northumberland, including expanding the early years and childcare sector, and developing vocational training opportunities that meet the needs of the local economy.
• Other initiatives: The report also summarises the impact of a number of other initiatives, such as the Inclusion Summit, the Northumberland SEND Employment Forum, and the first multi-agency attendance strategy, ‘Improving attendance to give children the best start in life’.