The Cabinet of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday, 10 March 2026, to discuss a range of significant issues including the Borderlands Energy Programme Funding, the Northumberland Economic Strategy and Investment Framework, and the Council's financial performance. Other key topics on the agenda included the sale of former school sites, biodiversity planning, the Local Transport Plan, and the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) policy.

Borderlands Energy Programme Funding

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider the use of £0.808 million of revenue funding held in an Earmarked Reserve by Northumberland County Council on behalf of the Borderlands Partnership. This funding is intended to provide development support to projects within the Borderlands Energy Programme. Northumberland County Council, acting as the Accountable Body for the Deal in England and the employing authority for the Borderlands team, was required to approve the use of these funds. The proposed approach had been agreed by the Borderlands Partnership.

Northumberland Economic Strategy and Investment Framework

A report was presented seeking Cabinet endorsement of a new 10-year Northumberland Economic Strategy. This strategy outlines the approach taken to its development and its key components, including the economic framework, priorities for intervention, and performance indicators. Additionally, the Cabinet was asked to approve the mobilisation approach for the Northumberland Investment Fund, which is seen as a key lever to support the delivery of the Economic Strategy.

Northumberland Business Support Framework

The Cabinet was scheduled to consider and agree investment into the North East Rural Growth Programme (NE-RGP), with Northumberland County Council acting as the lead delivery partner. The agenda also included discussion on the emerging North East Business Support framework, both aimed at supporting economic growth across the county. This included noting proposals for the NE-RGP and the framework, delegating authority for entering into Grant Funding Agreements and Partnership Agreements, endorsing the principles of the emerging framework, and accepting additional funding for the extension of the current Northumberland Small Business Support programme and the North East Business and Innovation Centre (BIPC) Northumberland Contribution.

Sale of the Former Astley High & Whytrig Middle School Site

A report sought consent for the disposal of the vacant Astley High & Whytrig Middle School site, following the school's relocation in summer 2025. The disposal was planned to be split between a commercial developer and a housing developer. The proposed disposal aimed to secure the delivery of commercial development offering community amenities, the construction of up to 135 new homes (including 20 affordable homes), and a significant capital receipt for the Council. Consent was sought for the commercial offer from Derwent Manor Ventures and the residential offer from Miller Homes. The Council would also acquire the 20 affordable homes via the Housing Revenue Account Affordable Housing Investment Programme upon completion.

Financial Performance 2025-26 – Position at the end of December 2025

The Cabinet was to be informed of the Council's financial position against the Budget for 2025-26 as at the end of December 2025. Recommendations included approving the re-profiling of £33.904 million to the Capital Programme from 2025-26 to 2026-27 and the creation of a new earmarked reserve to offset the cumulative Dedicated Schools Grant (DSG) deficit. Members were also asked to note projected overspends on services, the Dedicated Schools Grant, and the Housing Revenue Account budget. The report also detailed the transfer of £6.285 million from Newcastle Airport to the Strategic Management Reserve and noted supplementary estimates, savings delivery, use of contingency and reserves, and virements.

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Capital Strategy Group

This report summarised proposed amendments to the capital programme that had been considered by the Capital Strategy Group on 27 January 2026. Specific proposals included approving spend for remedial works at the Pegswood Training Facility, approving spend for the Northumberland Bus Stop Programme and the Community Transport Investment Programme, both funded by the Bus Service Improvement Plan capital grant, and approving spend for the acquisition of three Section 106 houses for Riverbrook Gardens Phase 3. Cabinet was also asked to approve the spend for the replacement of Virtual Infrastructure, funded from existing Hardware Infrastructure and Desktop Refresh projects.

Biodiversity Planning and Reporting

The Cabinet was presented with the Council's first report detailing actions taken to conserve and enhance biodiversity between 2023 and 2025, and its plan for action for the period 2026-2030. This was in accordance with Section 40A of the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006. The report outlined the Council's policies and objectives related to biodiversity, actions completed that benefit biodiversity (including regulatory functions, Local Nature Recovery Strategy development, activities on Council-owned land, the Great Northumberland Forest initiative, climate change activities, and partnerships), and future plans for action. It also included details on Biodiversity Net Gain obligations and outcomes.

North of Tyne Local Nature Recovery Strategy

The Cabinet was asked to agree, as a statutory Supporting Authority, the draft Local Nature Recovery Strategy (LNRS) for the North of Tyne area. This draft had been amended following a public consultation and was scheduled for subsequent approval by the North East Combined Authority (NECA). The report highlighted the urgency of this matter, with a deadline of the end of March 2026 set by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) for all LNRSs to be in place.

Environment Policy Statement and Action Plan Update 2026/27 to 2028/29

This report provided an update on the progress made in implementing the Environmental Policy Statement Action Plan, which was agreed by Cabinet in October 2023. Cabinet was asked to approve key priorities and actions identified for the updated action plan period covering 2026/27 to 2028/29. The report detailed the Council's commitments to environmental matters, including climate change, nature recovery, renewable energy, waste management, transport, water quality, parks and green spaces, and public health.

Local Transport Plan Highway Asset Structural Maintenance Programmes 2026-29

The Cabinet was presented with the details of the Local Transport Plan (LTP) Highway Asset Structural Maintenance Programmes for the three-year period from April 2026 to March 2029 for approval. The report outlined the proposed expenditure across various scheme types, including Sustainable Transport, Safety, Roads, and Bridges, Structures, and Landslips. It also detailed the funding allocations from the North East Combined Authority (NECA) and the Council's own capital resources.

Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) Policy

Cabinet was required to review and approve the current Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000 (RIPA) policy, in accordance with current codes of practice. The report noted that the policy needed to be reviewed and approved annually and that there had been minimal use of RIPA powers by the Council in recent years. Minor revisions were proposed to reflect the roles of the Senior Responsible Officer and the RIPA monitoring officer, and to include additional paragraphs on online covert surveillance and the use of drones.

Community Risk Management Plan 2026-30

This report presented the Community Risk Management Plan (CRMP) for 2026-30 for consideration and approval. The plan outlines how Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service will identify and manage risks, and deliver its priorities for prevention, protection, and response. The report detailed the Service's risk profile, including areas of increasing risk such as climate change, cyber threats, and the built environment, as well as frequently attended incident types like outdoor fires and automatic false alarms. The plan also reflected feedback from a public consultation process.

Urgent Business

The agenda included a standing item to consider any other business that, in the opinion of the Chair, should be considered as a matter of urgency due to special circumstances.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The Committee was invited to consider passing a resolution to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the consideration of Agenda Item 18, as it was expected to involve the likely disclosure of exempt information relating to the financial or business affairs of any particular person. The public interest in maintaining the exemption was considered to outweigh the public interest in disclosure.

Sale of the Former Astley High and Whytrig Middle School Site

This confidential agenda item related to item 7 in Part I of the agenda. Unless Cabinet decided to exclude the press and public, the confidential appendix would be taken as read, and the debate would proceed in public as far as practicable. The report sought consent to dispose of the site, with a portion allocated for commercial development and the remainder for residential development.

Disclosure of Members' Interests

Members were reminded of their requirement to declare any interests that directly relate to Disclosable Pecuniary Interests (DPIs) or Other Registrable Interests as set out in the Council's Code of Conduct. They were also advised on the procedures to follow if they had such interests, including non-participation in discussions and votes, and notification to the Monitoring Officer.