The County Council of Northumberland Council met on Wednesday 14 January 2026 to discuss a range of important issues, including the annual safeguarding update, portfolio reports on public safety and adults' services and health, and the proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme. The meeting also included discussions on setting the council tax base for the upcoming year and the appointment of independent persons.

Annual Safeguarding Update - January 2026

The meeting was scheduled to receive an update on the council's Corporate Safeguarding Policy, which was introduced on 1 April 2024. This report, the second annual progress report, was expected to summarise activity over the preceding 12 months. It was intended to highlight progress made, acknowledge revisions to the policy, and detail actions related to Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks for elected members and cabinet members, as well as safeguarding training for officers, members, and volunteers. The report was also set to cover the role of Designated Managers within directorates, procurement and contracting processes related to safeguarding, referral data, and initiatives to strengthen the safeguarding culture across the council.

Annual Portfolio Report: Public Safety

Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Safety, was scheduled to present an annual report on his portfolio. This report was intended to highlight achievements over the past year and outline future priorities for fire and rescue, public protection, safer communities, registration and coroner services, and civil contingencies. Key areas of focus were expected to include food and feed safety, pollution control, health and safety enforcement, port health, trading standards and animal health, licensing, and civil contingencies. The report was also to detail progress on the Safer Northumberland Partnership, counter-terrorism strategies, anti-social behaviour policies, domestic homicide reviews, and the work of Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service.

Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health Annual Report

Councillor Eve Chicken, Cabinet Member for Adults' Services and Health, was scheduled to present her annual report. This report was expected to cover achievements and future areas of focus for adults' services and health. For adults' services, key topics were anticipated to include the role of Prevention Hubs, progress on Extra Care Housing schemes, support for unpaid carers, co-production with people with lived experience, the Intensive Social Work Mental Health Team, and the dementia strategy. In public health, the report was likely to address sexual and reproductive health, drug and alcohol services, tobacco control, health protection, and initiatives related to living and ageing well. The report was also to cover public health intelligence, joint strategic needs assessments, healthy weight programmes, and the work of the Safe & Resilient Communities team.

Interim Reports of Overview and Scrutiny Committees

The council was scheduled to receive interim reports from two Overview and Scrutiny Committees: Communities and Place, and Health and Wellbeing. The Communities and Place Committee's report was expected to cover their review of food waste services, Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service's annual performance, the Food & Feed Safety & Standards Service Plan, and People for Places Leisure's annual service review. The Health and Wellbeing Committee's report was anticipated to include an overview of Adults' Services, the Healthwatch Annual Report, and an overview of the NHS.

Approval of the Council Tax Support Scheme 2026-27

Councillor Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, was scheduled to present a report recommending the approval of a revised Council Tax Support Scheme to take effect from 1 April 2026. The report was intended to explain the need for changes to reduce costs and administrative burdens, particularly in light of Universal Credit. The proposed scheme was to be an income-banded/grid model, with recommendations for specific discount levels, disregards for certain benefits, and adjustments to the capital limit. The report was also expected to detail the projected impact of the changes on different households and outline transitional arrangements, including an exceptional hardship scheme.

Setting of the Council Tax Base 2026-27

Councillor Nick Oliver was also scheduled to present a report seeking approval for the council tax base calculation for 2026-27. This calculation is a statutory requirement and is used in setting the council tax amount. The report was expected to present two options for the tax base, one based on the current Council Tax Support Scheme and another reflecting the proposed changes. The report would detail the methodology for calculating the tax base, including adjustments for discounts, exemptions, and premiums, and would highlight changes from the previous year.

Appointment of Independent Persons

Councillor Nick Oliver was scheduled to present a report on the appointment and renewal of Independent Persons. The report was intended to update members on the recruitment process for a vacant Independent Person role and seek an appointment. It was also to seek council's endorsement for the continued appointments of the current Independent Persons. The report was expected to outline the legal requirements for appointing Independent Persons and the role they play in assessing complaints and supporting the Audit and Standards Committee.

Hexham Fire Station - Call In

Councillor Mark Swinburn, Chair of the Corporate Services and Economic Growth Overview and Scrutiny Committee, was scheduled to present a report regarding a call-in of a Cabinet decision concerning the Hexham former Fire Station. The report was to comply with a resolution of the Overview and Scrutiny Committee and present options for the Council to either endorse the Cabinet's decision or provide comments and recommendations to the Cabinet. An update regarding a statement from Sir Antony Gormley concerning his proposal for the Old Fire Station was also expected to be included.

Motion

A motion was scheduled to be moved by Councillor Peart, in accordance with Council Procedure Rule No.9. The motion, submitted by Reform UK councillors, called for the council to scrap the Community Partnership model and transfer responsibility for community engagement directly to Town and Parish Councils. The motion argued that this would avoid duplication, reduce bureaucracy, improve efficiency, and place decisions at the most local and accountable level of government.