Councillor Nicholas Oliver

The Cabinet of Northumberland Council decided to recommend to Council that it approves changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme for working age claimants, effective from 1 April 2027. These changes include disregarding 100% of the Housing Cost Element of Universal Credit and reducing discount bands 2, 3, and 4. The Cabinet also noted that incremental amounts of income bands may need amendment following the HM Government Budget Statement.

The Cabinet of Northumberland Council approved expenditure of £0.820 million for the Corbridge Station Link and £0.495 million for the Coastal Mitigation Service on 27 October 2026. The Cabinet granted delegated authority to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration for both schemes.

The Cabinet of Northumberland Council decided on 06/10/2026 to approve the award of a revenue grant of up to £3.744 million to Advance Northumberland (Commercial) Limited. This decision approves an initial allocation of up to £1.301 million from the Strategic Management Reserve, with the remainder to be met from future business rate retention income. Authority is delegated to the Executive Director of Transformation and Resources and the Executive Director of Place and Regeneration to approve the Full Business Case, final grant award, and enter into the grant funding agreement.

Northumberland Council Cabinet decided on 06/10/2026 to approve changes to the operating model of the Telecare service. The council will provide a monitoring-only service with charges to recover full operating costs and cease the Mobile Warden Response element. The Executive Director of Adults Ageing & Wellbeing was delegated authority to consult staff on proposed changes and develop the implementation plan for the new model and charges.

The Cabinet of Northumberland Council decided to approve the commencement of a six-week public consultation on proposed changes to the Education Transport Policy. This decision was made on 06/10/2026. The consultation seeks views on removing the discretionary policy of providing free school transport for children attending a school outside their priority area due to parental preference for a school's ethos based on faith or belief.