The Cabinet of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday 10 February 2026 to discuss a range of important financial and service-related matters. Key topics included the proposed Budget for 2026-27 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan for 2026-2029, alongside updates to Revenues and Benefits policies. The meeting also covered proposals for the redesign of Libraries and Customer Services, the redevelopment of Foundry House for complex care services, and school admission arrangements for the 2027/28 academic year.

Budget 2026-27 and Medium-Term Financial Plan 2026-2029

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider the formal budget recommendations for 2026-27 and the Medium-Term Financial Plan (MTFP) for 2026-2029. This included the Revenue Budget and Capital Budget for these periods. The report detailed the impact of the Local Government Finance Policy Statement, the Government's Autumn Statement, and the provisional Local Government Finance Settlement. A key element of the discussion was expected to be the proposed increase in general Council Tax for 2026-27, which was in line with the Government's assumptions and within the referendum limit. The report also outlined proposals for efficiencies totalling £18.539 million for 2026-27 and noted the significant reliance on BEST efficiencies to balance the budget. Recommendations were sought for the approval of the Reserves Policy, the use of various reserves, the Fees and Charges Policy, the Inflation Schedule, and the Recurrent Growth and Pressures Schedules. The Capital Strategy and revised Capital Programme for 2026-27 to 2028-29 were also scheduled for consideration, along with the Annual Minimum Revenue Provision Policy and the Treasury Management Strategy.

Revenues and Benefits Policies 2026-27

The Cabinet was due to receive an update on the policies governing the administration of Revenues and Benefits, with approval sought for highlighted updates and amendments. This included changes to the Council Tax Discount Policy, with the implementation of an empty homes premium after one year and a 100% premium on second homes. Amendments were also noted for the Care Leavers section, extending the discount to the 25th birthday. A new Council Tax Support Exceptional Hardship Fund for 2026-27 was also detailed. The report also covered updates to the Corporate Debt Policy, including increases to court costs and fees, and amendments to the Sundry Debt Policy regarding reminders. The Rate Relief Policy was updated to reflect changes in legislation, including the doubling of mandatory rural rate relief to 100% from April 2024, and the introduction of new reliefs for pubs and investment zones. The policy also detailed the extension of the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Business Rates Relief Scheme for 2025-26 and the introduction of a Transitional Relief Scheme and Supplement for 2026.

Corporate Fraud Policies for 2026-27

The Cabinet was scheduled to review and approve the County Council's policies governing counter-fraud activity for 2026-27. This included the Anti-Money Laundering Policy and the Anti-Fraud, Bribery and Corruption Policy, which were reported to reflect current best practice and relevant legislation.

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Capital Strategy Group

The Cabinet was presented with a summary of proposed amendments to the capital programme considered by the Capital Strategy Group. These included a grant of £0.150 million to support the Queen's Hall Theatre and Arts Centre's capital investment programme, the approval of capital spend totalling £0.092 million for the creation of a new public park at the old Lindisfarne Middle School site in Alnwick, and the approval of spend totalling £1.850 million for the Northburn Sports and Community Centre Masterplan Phase 1 (3G Football Pitch and Car Park) and the Cramlington Alexandra Park Skatepark redevelopment.

Service Redesign - Libraries and Customer Services

Proposals were presented for the transformation of the operating model for face-to-face library and customer services to create a 'universal front door'. This included the development of a revised area-based 'hub and cluster' model with consistent opening hours, the extension of the network of Community Access Libraries (CALs), the redesign of the Mobile Library Service to visit halts every six weeks, and the exploration of digital solutions such as 'open access' libraries and automated bookshelves. The report also outlined the statutory obligations under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964 and detailed the planned public consultation programme.

Foundry House - Redevelopment for Complex Care services

The Cabinet was asked to approve the redevelopment of the Council-owned Foundry House site in Bedlington to accommodate a 36-bed specialist residential care facility. The proposals also included continued investigation for the development of semi-independent Dementia and complex care bungalows, and the commencement of a procurement exercise to identify a Design and Build partner. The report highlighted the challenges in securing complex care provision within Northumberland and the potential for direct provision to offer a higher quality service at a more predictable cost.

School Admission Arrangements

The Cabinet was informed of the outcome of the consultation on the proposed School Admission Arrangements for Northumberland Community and Voluntary Controlled Schools for the 2027/2028 Academic Year and the Home to School Transport Policy for Children of Compulsory School Age for September 2025. The report also included a directive from the Schools Adjudicator requiring amendments to oversubscription criteria in the Council's Admissions Policies for primary and secondary schools for 2026/2027 and 2027/2028. Recommendations were sought for the approval of the co-ordinated admissions scheme, the final admissions arrangements for 2027/28, the reduction of the Planned Admission Number (PAN) at Swarland Primary School, and the School Transport Policy.

Urgent Business

The agenda also included a provision for urgent business to be considered if, in the opinion of the Chair, special circumstances warranted it.

The meeting also included standard agenda items such as apologies for absence and the confirmation of minutes from the previous meeting. Details regarding the disclosure of members' interests were also provided.