The Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting scheduled for Wednesday, 25 February 2026, was set to discuss a range of important topics impacting the county. Key agenda items included a significant service redesign for Libraries and Customer Services, an update on the integration of Northumberland's museum services into the North East Museums partnership, and the final draft of the Community Risk Management Plan for 2026-30. Additionally, the committee was scheduled to review Section 38 agreements for highways development.

Service Redesign - Libraries and Customer Services

Councillor Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, and Councillor Nick Oliver, Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, were expected to present proposals for a new integrated Library and Information Service. This initiative aims to create a universal front door for accessing council services, combining face-to-face staff from Customer Services and the Library Service. The report outlined a revised area-based 'hub and cluster' model for libraries, with proposals for consistent opening hours across seven hub libraries (45 hours per week), seven primary libraries (28 hours per week), and seven secondary libraries (12 hours per week). The plan also included extending the network of Community Access Libraries (CALs), which are volunteer-managed, and redesigning the mobile library service to visit locations every six weeks instead of three. The report highlighted the legal framework under the Public Libraries and Museums Act 1964, which mandates a comprehensive and efficient library service. An eight-week public consultation was proposed to commence on 16 February 2026, with a further report to follow detailing the findings.

North East Museums Partnership

Councillor Wendy Pattison, Cabinet Member for Culture, Leisure and Tourism, was also scheduled to provide an update on the integration of Northumberland County Council's museum services into the North East Museums (NEM) partnership. This report followed a Cabinet decision in October 2024 to join the partnership, which saw Woodhorn Museum, Hexham Old Gaol, and Morpeth Chantry Bagpipe Museum become part of NEM from 1 April 2025. The report indicated that 2025/26 was designated as a transition year to fully embed new governance and operating models. The presentation accompanying the report was expected to detail progress from April to December 2025, including visitor numbers, learning activities, exhibitions, and early evidence of benefits from the regional partnership. An update on the Living Barracks Project in Berwick was also anticipated, detailing construction works and community engagement programmes.

Community Risk Management Plan 2026-30

Councillor Gordon Stewart, Cabinet Member for Public Safety, was due to present the final draft of the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2026-30. This plan is a requirement under the Fire and Rescue National Framework for England and outlines how Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service will deliver its priorities. The report detailed that the plan had been developed using extensive data and stakeholder engagement, with a public consultation period running from 19 December 2025 to 30 January 2026. The committee was asked to consider the draft plan and analysis of consultation responses prior to its publication on 1 April 2026. The plan aims to reduce fires, road traffic collisions, and other emergencies, minimise deaths and injuries, mitigate economic and social costs, safeguard the environment and heritage, support community resilience, develop the workforce, and provide value for money.

Highways Development - Section 38 Agreements

Councillor Mark Mather, Cabinet Member for Roads and Highways, was scheduled to present a report consolidating information on Northumberland County Council's (NCC) statutory duties, Section 38 processes, developer responsibilities, and potential causes of delay in highway adoption. The report highlighted that Section 38 agreements under the Highways Act 1980 are voluntary and developer-led. NCC cannot compel developers to enter agreements, accelerate works, or adopt incomplete roads. Delays can arise from issues with street lighting, utility adoption by Northumbrian Water Ltd, and developers not signing agreements. The report included an example from the Seaton Vale Estate in Ashington, illustrating how issues with a link road and drainage adoption had stalled the adoption process. The recommendations included endorsing improved engagement with developers, supporting NCC's lobbying efforts for legislative reform, and encouraging developers to commission more NCC-led design and construction.

Communities and Place Overview and Scrutiny Committee Work Programme

Sean Nicholson, Scrutiny Coordinator, was expected to present the committee's work programme for 2025-26. This included outlining the committee's terms of reference, which cover areas such as public safety, culture, leisure and tourism, roads and highways, environment, rural and farming, housing and planning. The work programme detailed specific items scheduled for discussion, including the Library Service Review, the Community Risk Management Plan, Section 38 Road Adoptions, and the North East Museums Partnership. The report also provided a summary of topics the committee had examined in the previous year, such as highways maintenance, transport, fire and rescue service performance, storm resilience, tree and woodland strategy, library service redesign, and leisure provision by Places for People Leisure.