The Cabinet of Northumberland Council met on Tuesday 12 May 2026, approving updates to the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, including the appropriation of land at The Maltings Theatre in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and endorsing new policies for housing enforcement and civil penalties. The meeting also saw decisions made regarding the expansion of regional fostering services, the adoption of Adult Social Care commissioning plans, and amendments to the capital programme for school heating systems.

Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal - Update

Cabinet noted the progress of the Borderlands Inclusive Growth Deal, which aims to generate economic growth across the England-Scotland border. Key decisions included the appropriation of Council-owned land at The Maltings Theatre, Berwick-upon-Tweed for planning purposes, enabling the use of powers under the Housing and Planning Act 2016 to potentially override third-party rights, such as rights to light, in exchange for statutory compensation. This move is intended to mitigate risks and facilitate the redevelopment of the theatre, a significant regeneration project for Berwick-upon-Tweed.

The Cabinet also supported the submission of the Full Business Case for the Northumberland Hadrian's Wall Visitor Exploration Project to the Borderlands Partnership for appraisal. Subject to a positive appraisal outcome, authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources (s151 Officer) to accept funding from the Borderlands Partnership for its delivery. Approval was also confirmed for the Borderlands Energy Programme Business Case and the Hadrian's Wall Programme Business Case, both of which have been approved by the Borderlands Partnership Board. Furthermore, authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to undertake necessary procurement activities for the Hadrian's Wall Visitor Exploration Programme, pending the approval of its full business case. A subsequent report on the Northumberland Borderlands Energy Programme will be brought back to Cabinet, with delegated authority for preparatory and development activities. As part of the Borderlands 'Reset', authority was delegated to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources to approve project drawdowns, programme reallocations, change controls, and statutory financial returns, aligning with the Council's Local Assurance Framework.

Expansion of the regionalisation of mainstream fostering and development of Regional Care Cooperatives

Cabinet agreed for Northumberland County Council to join the expanded North East Regional Fostering Hub, aligning with national policy and guidance, subject to the Director of Law and Governance agreeing to the terms and conditions. This expansion builds upon the existing 'Foster with North East' pathfinder programme and aims to move towards an 'End-to-End' model covering all aspects of the fostering process.

Additionally, Cabinet agreed to support a North East Regional bid to become a 'Wave 2' Regional Care Cooperative national pathfinder, with a bid to be submitted to the Department for Education by 22 May 2026. Authority was delegated to the Executive Director for Children, Young People and Education, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, the Director of Transformation and Resources, and the Director of Law and Governance, to implement these recommendations. This initiative is part of a national effort to recruit an additional 10,000 foster homes and address the dysfunctional market of children's social care external provision, which drives up costs and delivers poor outcomes. The proposed model integrates the Fostering Hub with a future North East Regional Care Cooperative, operating through three locality delivery teams.

Housing Enforcement and Civil Penalty Policies

Cabinet approved and adopted a suite of policies designed to enhance housing enforcement and civil penalty measures, in line with the Housing Act 2004, the Housing and Planning Act 2016, and the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The approved policies include the Housing Enforcement Policy, the Civil Penalty Policy, Mandatory HMO Licensing Conditions, and Selective Licensing Conditions. These policies are crucial for the Council to meet its statutory duties and implement enforcement options effectively, particularly in light of the expanded civil penalty framework introduced by the Renters' Rights Act 2025. The Civil Penalty Policy outlines a matrix for determining penalty amounts based on the severity of the breach, culpability, harm caused, and financial considerations, aiming to ensure penalties are proportionate and act as a deterrent. The adopted conditions provide clear standards for Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs) and selectively licensed properties, covering aspects such as safety, management, and tenant rights.

Adult Social Care - Progressing our Next Steps and Commissioning Intentions

Cabinet approved the publication of three key strategic documents for Adult Social Care: the Adult Social Care Next Steps – One year Update addendum, the Adult Social Care Commissioning Plans 2025-27, and the Northumberland Market Position Statement. These documents outline the Council's strategy for improving service delivery, engaging with stakeholders, and developing the external care market to meet future needs. The Next Steps addendum highlights progress in prevention and early intervention services, aiming to manage demand and support independent living. The Commissioning Plans detail intentions for services such as older persons care homes, care at home, specialist services, supported living, day services, direct payments, and the workforce. The Market Position Statement provides an overview of the current care market in Northumberland, future commissioning intentions, and opportunities for innovation and collaboration, aligning with the Council's corporate priorities of tackling inequalities, achieving value for money, and driving economic growth. The report also noted the Council's 'Good' rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in August 2024, with specific areas for improvement identified, including support for unpaid carers and access to Extra Care housing.

Summary of New Capital Proposals considered by Capital Strategy Group

Cabinet approved expenditure of £0.485 million in 2026-27 for capital works on the heating system for Seahouses Primary School and Busy Bees Nursery. This funding will be Council-funded, reallocating £0.350 million from the Estate Decarbonisation Allocation project and £0.135 million from the Estate Energy Efficiency project within the capital programme. The works are necessary to rectify ongoing operational issues with the current heating system, which has experienced periods of being non-operational, leading to reliance on temporary heating and incurring revenue costs. The proposed solution involves improving the building's thermal performance, decentralising the nursery onto a separate Air Source Heat Pump (ASHP) system, and improving the existing Ground Source Heat Pump (GSHP) system for the school. This approach is considered the preferred option for providing the best value for money, reducing utility costs, and resolving health and safety issues associated with the current substandard heating and hot water provision.

Nominations to Outside Bodies

Cabinet agreed its nominations for various outside bodies. These appointments are made to ensure the Council maintains effective partnerships and discharges its non-executive functions in line with its corporate priorities. The nominated councillors will represent the Council on organisations such as ANEC Limited, the Association of North East Councils, the County Councils Network, the LGA, and various NHS Foundation Trust governing bodies. The specific nominations are detailed in the appendix to the report.