The agenda for Northumberland County Council's meeting on 5 November 2025 included discussion of the Berwick Maltings Theatre project, annual reports from several cabinet members, an annual report from the Audit Committee, an interim report from the Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee, and a review of polling districts and polling places. Councillors were also scheduled to discuss political proportionality on the council and proposed updates to the constitution.

Review of Polling Districts and Polling Places

Councillors were scheduled to consider the recommendations from a review of polling districts and polling places. The council is required to review its polling districts and polling places every five years, with an interim review having been conducted following the May 2025 local elections to assess the suitability of the new arrangements.

The report before the council included proposed changes to polling places in several county divisions, including:

• Bebside & Kitty Brewster: It was noted that the Tynedale Sports Centre provides a central location for most electors within the division, and a move to Asda would result in a much longer journey for some electors.
• Berwick North: It was noted that St Mary's C of E First School was unavailable due to works taking place, and no alternative had been identified. It was recommended to continue to use Engage Ed Ltd, but to review car parking arrangements for polling day.
• Choppington and Hepscott: A recommendation was made to combine polling districts B017CHP and B022CHP, with the polling place being Choppington Social Welfare Centre.
• Cramlington East and Double Row: A recommendation was made to use Seaton Delaval Spiritualist Church as a polling station for electors in C004DR.
• Croft: A recommendation was made to return to the Buffalo Community Centre as a polling place, and to continue using the Central Methodist Church but to clarify whether the Market Pavillion could be used instead.
• Haydon: A recommendation was made that polling district B014HAY1 is designated the polling place until further clarification is obtained, and to continue to use Seaton Hirst Veterans Institute for electors in polling district B015HAY.
• Morpeth Kirkhill: A recommendation was made that the Wansbeck pub is to be used as a polling place.
• Pegswood: A recommendation was made that the St George's Dragon Bowling Club is to be used as a polling place.

The report also included a proposal to alter polling district references to a format that would more easily identify the electoral division.

Berwick Maltings Theatre

The council was scheduled to consider a report regarding the Berwick Maltings Theatre project. The report requested that the council approve a capital funding allocation of £4,045,786 to temporarily cashflow Borderlands funding, which would subsequently be reimbursed subject to approval of the Full Business Case (FBC).

The report stated that the Berwick Maltings Theatre is a cornerstone of cultural life in Northumberland and the wider Borderlands region, and that a major capital investment project is planned to transform the theatre. The project has secured approval 'in-principle' of £25,500,000 grant funding from the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, but this funding is predicated on the approval of a Full Business Case (FBC) by the Borderlands Partnership Board.

The report noted that failure by the Borderlands Partnership to approve the Full Business Case and award the grant would require the council to fund £2,706,719 of the £4,045,786 from revenue.

Political Proportionality

Councillors were scheduled to discuss a report to determine the political proportionality of the registered political groups on the council and to allocate seats on committees.

The report noted that the total number of councillors in each political group on the council was now:

• Conservative 27
• Reform 20
• Labour 8
• Independent 7
• Liberal Democrat 3
• Green 2

There were also two non-aligned councillors.

The report recommended that the council confirm that the political proportionality of the groups is as follows:

• Conservative 39.13%
• Reform 28.99%
• Labour 11.59%
• Independent 10.14%
• Liberal Democrat 4.34%
• Green 2.90%
• Non Aligned 2.90%.

Constitution Update

The council was scheduled to consider proposed updates to the constitution following consideration by the Constitution Working Group. The proposed updates included:

• Amendments to the terms of reference of the council's Overview and Scrutiny Committees.
• Amendments to the terms of reference of the council's Employment Appeals Committee and Officer Employment Procedure Rules.
• Amendments to the table of Proper Officers to include provisions relating to vacancies in the office of councillor.

Cabinet Member Reports

The council was scheduled to receive annual reports from Councillor Richard Wearmouth, Deputy Leader, Councillor Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, and Councillor Guy Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People. The reports contained issues that set the context for delivery of the portfolio, highlighted achievements over the past year, and outlined the areas of focus for the coming year.

The Deputy Leader's report set out the achievements to date and the future direction and focus of the council's activity and resources to ensure Northumberland continues on its trajectory of growth and prosperity.

The Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money's report highlighted that despite ongoing financial pressures on councils, Northumberland continues to be financially sound and able to sustain the services and facilities which its residents value most.

The Cabinet Member for Children and Young People's report noted that the portfolio includes all the specialist services and support teams within Children's Services, and that statutory services frame much of the team's focus and approach on a day-to-day basis.