Councillor Mark George Mather

...to approve Option 3a, involving separate collection of fibre (paper, card, cardboard) in a black bin with a burgundy lid, as the preferred method for expanded household recycling collections to comply with Simpler Recycling requirements, noting a challenging implementation timeframe of October 2026 and delegating authority for contract amendments.

...to amend the capital programme by delegating authority to the Chief Executive to enter into a contract for a flood warning system, approving the adoption and refurbishment of the Eden Hill Railway Bridge, and contributing to the restoration of the Woodhorn Narrow Gauge Railway.

...to progress the Berwick Maltings Theatre redevelopment, the Cabinet delegated authority to submit the Full Business Case, accept £25.5 million in Borderlands funding, enter into contracts, allocated an additional £500,000, authorised expenditure of up to £6,883,201 for improvement works, and requested full Council approval for a £4,045,786 capital funding allocation to temporarily cashflow the Borderlands funding, as well as additions to the 2026-27 Capital Programme.

...to support Northumberland's Local Employer Commitment, the Cabinet noted the council's contribution, agreed to report its contents to the County Partnership, and will receive annual updates from the Chief Executive.

...to support the Energising Blyth Programme, the Cabinet agreed to participate in the UK Government's Plan for Neighbourhoods initiative, endorsing the Blyth 10 Year Regeneration Plan and 4 Year Investment Plan, accepting £19.537m in funding, adding £14.936m to the Capital Programme and £4.599m to the revenue budget, and agreeing to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.