The Castle Morpeth Community Partnership and the North Northumberland Community Partnership held a joint meeting on Thursday, 26 February 2026. The meeting was scheduled to include discussions on local traffic concerns in Longhirst and Ponteland, as well as the promotion of Northumberland as a tourist destination.

Traffic Calming in Longhirst

A petition regarding road safety in Longhirst was scheduled for discussion. The petition highlighted concerns about vehicle speeds, particularly on the B1337, and the perceived lack of safety for pedestrians. Residents had expressed worries about the speed of traffic, damage to parked cars, and the safety of crossing points, such as the one near the church. The report pack indicated that a speed survey had been conducted, and the Highways Improvement Team Manager, Neil Snowdon, was expected to report on the findings. The report pack noted that while some traffic calming measures had been previously implemented and appreciated, residents felt further action was needed. The report pack also mentioned that countdown markers were planned for implementation in the spring of the following year. Councillor Ed Dungait, the Ward Councillor, was noted as being supportive of exploring further improvements and potentially using his Member Local Improvement Scheme funding.

Parking Issues in Ponteland

The meeting was scheduled to address indiscriminate parking in Ponteland related to Newcastle Airport. This included discussions on advisory signs placed to direct drivers to the Callerton parking facility and the installation of birdsmouth fencing to prevent verge parking. The report pack indicated that double yellow lines and blips were being installed, with some work paused due to weather conditions. Additional road markings were planned for the residents' permit area at Prestwick Road Ends, and 'kerb defenders' were due to be installed. The report pack also mentioned ongoing discussions regarding weekend parking at Ponteland Leisure Centre, with plans to limit stays to 24 hours to address issues of vehicles being left while owners were on holiday. This change was intended to be introduced in early 2026.

Visit Northumberland and Destination Management

The meeting was scheduled to include an informal discussion session on the Destination Management Plan for Northumberland. Sarah McMillan, Director of Economy & Growth, and Neil Carney, Strategic Tourism Project Manager, were expected to present information on the work of the Visit Northumberland Local Visitor Economy Partnership. This partnership aims to promote Northumberland as a visitor destination at local, regional, and national levels. The strategic aims of the Destination Management Plan include ensuring Northumberland provides a high-quality and distinct visitor experience, is respectful of local communities and the environment, and fosters the development of the tourism industry. The report pack indicated that the partnership works with over 200 businesses and that community partnerships were to be given a voice in shaping the plan. The report pack also noted that members had raised concerns about the late addition of this item to the agenda and the need for more notice. Issues such as lobbying for the dualling of the A1 Road, parking in Morpeth, the lack of public toilets in Morpeth, and a developing statutory registration scheme for short-term holiday lets were also mentioned in relation to the tourism discussion.

Other Scheduled Discussions

The meeting was also scheduled to include an informal discussion session on Amble Town Council, the Northumberland Library Service, and the Community Governance Review. Additionally, the Turner Street Car Park & Coble Quay Walkway and James Calvert Spence College were listed for informal discussion, with Councillor G Renner-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, expected to attend to answer queries regarding the college.

The agenda also included standard items such as apologies for absence, disclosure of members' interests, notes of previous meetings, public question time, and the consideration of petitions. The report pack detailed the procedures for disclosing interests, which included Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs) and Other Registrable Interests, as outlined in the Council's Code of Conduct. The guidelines for public question time were also provided, outlining the criteria for question acceptance and rejection.