The Cabinet at Northumberland County Council were scheduled to discuss the Q3 & Q4 Corporate Performance, the Northumberland Local Plan Evaluation Report, and the Financial Performance for 2024-25, among other items. They were also scheduled to discuss new capital proposals and corporate risk management. Some of the information relating to corporate risk management was expected to be discussed in private.

Here's a breakdown of the key topics from the agenda:

Financial Performance 2024-25

The Cabinet were scheduled to review the final outturn position, subject to audit, against the budget for 2024-25. The report included details of directorate performance, key movements in the financial position since the provisional outturn, and the use of reserves and contingency funds.

The report also provided an update on the capital programme, including details of project re-profiling and financing. Councillors were asked to approve the net re-profiling of £67.286 million to the 2025-26 financial year.

The report also provided updates on treasury management activities, including borrowing and investment activity, and debt restructuring.

The report also detailed the financial benefits delivered through the BEST programme¹, including recurrent revenue savings, non-recurrent contract savings, and improved debt collection processes.

Northumberland Local Plan Evaluation Report

The Cabinet were scheduled to consider a report evaluating the Northumberland Local Plan and outlining the next steps. The Local Plan provides a framework for future development in the county until 2036.

The evaluation found the plan to be effective, but identified that some strategic policies may become less effective in the coming years, particularly those relating to housing requirements. The report recommended commencing preparation of a new Local Plan.

The Cabinet were asked to approve the evaluation report and to delegate authority to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration and the relevant portfolio holder to give formal notification of the intent to start Local Plan making, undertake early public participation and engagement, and formally start Local Plan making in due course.

The report noted several changes in circumstances since the adoption of the Local Plan, including:

• The re-introduction of passenger services on the Northumberland Line
• Increased demand for large employment sites in the south-east of Northumberland
• The formation of the new North-East Combined Authority
• Significant changes to national planning policy, including a significant increase to the County's Local Housing Need target and changes to green belt policy with the introduction of the 'grey belt' concept.

The report stated:

A new Local Plan is an opportunity to take advantage of opportunities for economic growth, improved prosperity and higher living standards for Northumberland's communities, including affordable and healthy housing. It is also a key means of influencing and aligning the delivery of critical infrastructure such as healthcare facilities, highways, schools and open space.

Q3 & Q4 Corporate Performance Report

The Cabinet were scheduled to discuss the Corporate Performance Report, which provides a summary of progress against the council's three Corporate Plan priorities: achieving value for money, driving economic growth, and tackling inequalities.

The report included key performance indicators and supporting narrative to show the activity of services across the council. It highlighted achievements such as the £110 million Northumberland Growth & Investment Endowment Fund, community empowerment initiatives, and the delivery of a balanced budget.

The report also detailed progress on various projects and initiatives, including:

• The BEST programme
• The new Commissioning Framework
• Digital service improvements
• The People and Culture Strategy
• Town centre transformation projects in Alnwick, Prudhoe, Bedlington, Newbiggin, Bellingham, Haltwhistle and Rothbury
• The Accelerate Ashington business support programme
• The Cramlington Regeneration Programme
• The Energising Blyth Programme
• The Northumberland Small Business Service (NSBS) Programme
• The Northumberland Line
• Highway maintenance works
• Active travel route upgrades in Bedlington and Tynedale
• The £50,000 Environment and Climate Fund
• The Warm Homes Programme
• School expansion projects
• SEND support
• Early years and wraparound childcare
• Football Foundation PlayZones
• Adult social care improvements
• Affordable housing developments
• Waste management initiatives
• Litter reduction initiatives

Summary of New Capital Proposals

The Cabinet were scheduled to discuss proposed amendments to the Capital Programme, including:

• Seghill Campus ISO Containers: Approval to spend £0.027 million in 2025-26 for the purchase and installation of three ISO containers at the Northumberland Skills Seghill campus, funded from the Strategic Management Reserve.
• Concordia Leisure Centre Roof Replacement: Approval to spend £0.500 million in 2025-26 for the replacement of the flat roof above the bowling alley, bar and studios at Concordia Leisure Centre, funded from the existing Concordia Capital Improvement project.
• City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS): Approval to spend £9.688 million for the A193 Seafront Active Travel Scheme and £5.166 million for the Ashington A1 Active Travel Scheme, funded by a combination of council resources and North East Combined Authority (NECA) grant funding.
• Borderlands Place Programme: Approval to spend £0.182 million to deliver the Bailiffgate at Northumberland Hall enabling works in Alnwick and £0.090 million to develop the concept designs for the Alnwick Bus Station building, funded from the existing Borderlands Place Programme project.

Corporate Risk Management

The Cabinet were scheduled to be informed of the latest position of the County Council's corporate risks, following review by the Executive Management Team and Cabinet portfolio holders.

The report included a summary of each corporate risk, and information relating to changes in the corporate risks as a result of the most recent review. The detailed risk register was attached as a confidential appendix.

The corporate risks included:

• Financial Sustainability
• OD/Workforce
• Civil Contingency & Business Continuity
• Corporate Compliance
• High-profile Capital Projects
• Response to Climate Change
• Wholly-owned Companies
• Cyber Security
• BEST
• Social Housing (Regulations) Act 2023