This week in Northumberland:

Bus Reform and Library Overhaul: Shaping Future Services

Northumberland County Council's Cabinet met on Tuesday 8 September 2026, tackling significant decisions that will reshape how residents travel and access vital information. The most impactful discussions centred on the proposed franchising of bus services across the North East and a comprehensive redesign of library and customer services.

Bus Reform: A New Era for Public Transport?

The Cabinet received and acknowledged the Franchise Scheme Assessment Consultation document from the North East Mayoral Strategic Authority (NEMSA). This marks a crucial step towards potentially franchising the region's bus network. The decision to delegate authority to the Executive Director for Place and Regeneration to submit Northumberland's response to the statutory consultation means the council is actively engaging in shaping the future of public transport.

What's at stake? Franchising could lead to more integrated and potentially more frequent bus services, benefiting commuters, students, and those reliant on public transport for essential journeys. However, concerns have been raised by some about the potential for increased costs for passengers and the impact on existing operators. The outcome of this consultation will be closely watched by thousands of residents who depend on bus services daily.

Further reports on the consultation's outcome will be presented to Cabinet, indicating that this is a developing situation with significant implications for connectivity across the county.

Read more about the Cabinet meeting.

Libraries and Customer Services: A Universal Front Door

A new operating model for libraries and customer services was approved, aiming to combine and future-proof these essential community resources. Set to go live in January 2027, this model will encompass 21 statutory libraries, a mobile library, and new arrangements for six further sites.

What does this mean for you? The aim is to create a universal front door for residents, integrating services and making them more accessible. This includes:

• 21 statutory libraries and a mobile library: Ensuring core library services remain available.
• New arrangements for six further sites: Potentially expanding access to services in new locations.
• Community Led Libraries (CLLs): Enhanced support for existing CLLs in Heddon and Haydon Bridge, and a move towards a Community Led Library model for Seaton Sluice and South Beach Libraries from April 2027. This empowers local communities to manage their library services.
• Smart Lockers/Bookshelves: These will be introduced in Kielder Village, Astley Park Pavilion, East Bedlington Community Centre, and Guidepost, offering greater access to resources outside of staffed hours.
• £491,000 investment from Arts Council England: This funding will boost digital infrastructure, improving engagement and reach.

While the report states no compulsory redundancies are planned, the shift to a new operating model will undoubtedly bring changes to how and where residents access library and customer services. The focus on digital infrastructure and community-led models signals a move towards modernising service delivery.

Read more about the Cabinet meeting.

Council Tax Support Scheme Review: Protecting Vulnerable Residents

The Cabinet also agreed to authorise a public consultation on proposed changes to the Council Tax Support Scheme (CTSS) for working-age applicants for 2027-28. This scheme is a vital safety net for residents on low incomes, helping them to meet their Council Tax obligations.

Why is this important? Any changes to the CTSS can have a direct impact on the financial stability of vulnerable households. The consultation process is crucial to ensure that the scheme continues to provide adequate support while balancing the council's budget. The Executive Director of Transformation & Resources, in consultation with the Cabinet Member for Finance and Value for Money, will finalise the new draft scheme after the consultation, with a final draft to be presented to Cabinet on 27 October 2026, and then to Full Council for approval on 4 November 2026.

Read more about the Cabinet meeting.

Other Matters

Advance Northumberland Director Remuneration

The Cabinet Shareholder Committee met on the same day, Tuesday 8 September 2026, to discuss the remuneration of directors at Advance Northumberland. The committee considered recommendations for interim pay awards for the Chief Executive and Executive Director of Governance and Sustainability, as well as for the Chair and Non-Executive Directors. These proposed awards are within Advance Northumberland's agreed budget and are intended to align with cost of living increases, with further review planned after the company's refinancing.

Read more about the Cabinet Shareholder Committee meeting.

Gambling Act Licensing Policy Refresh

The Licensing Committee met on Thursday 10 September 2026 to discuss initial proposals for refreshing the council's licensing policy under the Gambling Act 2005. The refreshed policy aims to place a greater emphasis on gambling-related harm, safeguarding, and public health, aligning with a public health-focussed Gambling Strategy for the county. This is a significant step towards addressing the potential negative impacts of gambling on vulnerable individuals and communities.

Read more about the Licensing Committee meeting.

This week in Northumberland:

Children's Services and Early Years Support Under the Spotlight

The Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee met on Thursday 3 September 2026 to review crucial reports on school improvement, early years development, and school attendance. These discussions are vital for ensuring that Northumberland's children receive the best possible start in life and have access to the support they need to thrive.

School Improvement: Navigating Funding Challenges and Educational Standards

The committee examined the annual report for the School Improvement Team, detailing their work throughout the 2025-2026 academic year. The report highlighted the team's efforts to support and develop leadership in schools, while also noting the ongoing impact of funding changes imposed by the Department for Education (DfE). The current Ofsted Education Inspection Framework, which assesses schools on safeguarding, inclusion, curriculum, achievement, attendance, behaviour, personal development, and leadership, was also discussed.

The School Improvement Service encompasses teams for Early Years, Equalities, Music, Governance, IT, and School Improvement itself, managing 40 statutory responsibilities. Despite the removal of the School Improvement Monitoring & Brokering Grant, the team provided support to schools, with three Northumberland schools participating in the Department for Education's Regional Improvement for Standards and Excellence (RISE) programme. Specific successes were noted, including support provided to Beaufront First School and Cambois Primary School. The report also touched upon the impact of academisation and the role of school alliances.

A Best Start in Life for Northumberland's Youngest

A significant focus was the new Best Start in Life Plan for 2026-2028. This plan aligns with the council's core priorities of tackling inequalities and ensuring value for money. It aims to transform early years services and ensure children have the best possible start from conception to age five, building on the national Giving Every Child the Best Start in Life strategy.

The plan outlines Northumberland's approach to integrating services and strengthening the role of Family Hubs. It details local data on children under five, including those eligible for Free School Meals (FSM) and those with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). The plan's five key priorities are:

• Narrowing the attainment gap for disadvantaged children.
• Supporting children's communication and language development.
• Promoting the emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual wellbeing of under-fives.
• Building a shared commitment to inclusive practice for children with SEND.
• Improving data and intelligence sharing across local partners.

Specific targets are set for the Good Level of Development (GLD) for all children and for those eligible for FSM by 2028. This plan is crucial for ensuring that all children, regardless of their background, have the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Tackling Attendance: Progress and Challenges in Schools

The committee received an overview of attendance performance in Northumberland during the 2024/25 academic year, with provisional data for 2025/26 also presented. While overall absence, authorised absence, and persistent absence saw reductions, severe absence unfortunately increased. Northumberland's attendance figures were noted to compare favourably with regional comparators.

The Local Authority's attendance improvement activity includes reviews, workshops, monitoring, and multi-agency support. Planned service development for 2026/27 includes targeted interventions with primary schools and a training programme for school governors. Strengths identified include strong partnership working and data-led monitoring. However, challenges remain, particularly with increasing levels of severe absence, lower attendance in specialist settings, and attendance barriers linked to SEND and anxiety. Addressing these issues is paramount to ensuring all children receive consistent education.

Read more about the Family and Children's Services Overview and Scrutiny Committee meeting.

Telecare Service Review and Healthwatch Report Highlight Community Needs

The Health and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee (OSC) met on Tuesday 1 September 2026 to discuss the future of the NCC Telecare Service, review the Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Report, and receive an update on Berwick Hospital.

Reforming the NCC Telecare Service: Towards Cost Recovery

A draft report on the NCC Telecare Service proposed significant changes to its delivery model. The review identified an inconsistent charging structure, with some residents receiving the service free of charge, leading to a substantial annual shortfall. The proposals aim for the service to be delivered at no cost to the council by introducing service charges to recover delivery costs.

Key proposed changes include:

• Ceasing the Mobile Warden Response Service in the former Blyth Valley locality, offering a monitoring-only service county-wide.
• Implementing an installation charge for equipment fitted by the Warden Team.
• Encouraging self-installation of equipment.

It is important to note that Telecare is not a statutory service under the Care Act 2014. These changes could impact vulnerable residents who rely on the service for safety and reassurance, and the committee's feedback will be crucial in shaping the final proposals.

Healthwatch Northumberland: Amplifying Resident Voices

The committee was scheduled to receive the Healthwatch Northumberland Annual Report for 2025/26. Healthwatch acts as a vital champion for local health and social care, ensuring residents' voices are heard by decision-makers. The report details their work in gathering feedback on services, with a focus on audiology, urgent dental treatment, and the experiences of unpaid carers. Their independence is key to building trust with those who share their experiences.

Berwick Hospital Update

A discussion was also scheduled regarding the current Berwick hospital site.

Read more about the Health and Wellbeing OSC meeting.

Other Matters

• The Strategic Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday 01 September 2026 was cancelled.

This week in Northumberland:

Rights of Way: Navigating Public Access and Landowner Concerns

The Rights of Way Committee met on Wednesday, 26 August 2026, to consider proposals for modifying the Definitive Map and Statement of Public Rights of Way. These decisions are crucial for defining public access across the county and can significantly impact landowners and recreational users alike. The committee examined three alleged routes: a proposed public footpath in Haydon Bridge and two alleged restricted byways in Melkridge.

Haydon Bridge Footpath: Balancing Access and Private Road Safety

A key focus was the proposed public footpath (No. 75) in Haydon Bridge. The application was supported by evidence from 32 local residents who claimed to have used the route for over 20 years. However, landowners raised significant concerns about safety on the adjacent private road, Brigwood, which they described as a single-track road with no footway. They also highlighted issues with land ownership and potential obstruction of access to a Northumbrian Water manhole if a stile were installed.

Haydon Bridge Parish Council noted that the Environment Agency's recent flood defence work had complicated access, and they were seeking to establish the public right of way to address this. While the Hexham Ramblers viewed the proposal positively, the report presented historical Ordnance Survey maps showing varying representations of a path, noting that such maps are indicative but not definitive proof of a public right of way. The committee was recommended to agree that sufficient evidence existed to suggest public footpath rights had been reasonably alleged.

Melkridge Byways: Historical Rights and Modern Access

The committee also considered two alleged restricted byways in Melkridge. The first, Alleged Restricted Byway No. 42, was described in an 1783 Inclosure Award as a public highway, 45 ft in width. Historical maps supported this, but later documents suggested the middle section might not be part of the publicly maintainable highway. Landowners objected, citing concerns about notification, property access, and potential devaluation. The British Horse Society supported the route being recorded as a restricted byway.

The second Melkridge route, Alleged Restricted Byway No. 43, was similarly described in an 18th-century Inclosure Award as a public highway sixty foot in breadth. Again, later documents did not identify it as part of the publicly maintainable network. The report noted that the Natural Environment and Rural Communities Act 2006 may have extinguished public motor vehicular rights over these routes, leaving them as restricted byways. Objections from a landowner, Dr NC Fox, raised concerns about rights of way along their property boundaries. The British Horse Society also supported this route being recorded as a restricted byway.

These discussions highlight the complex interplay between historical land use, modern legal frameworks, and the rights of both landowners and the public to access and use the countryside. The decisions made can have lasting impacts on local landscapes and community access.

Read more about the Rights of Way Committee meeting.

Other Matters

• The Staff and Appointments Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, was cancelled.
• The Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, was also cancelled.

This week in Northumberland:

Homes on Former School Site and Developer Contributions Under Scrutiny

The North Planning Committee met on Thursday, 20 August 2026, to consider a significant planning application for new homes on the former St Mary's C of E Middle School site in Belford. The committee also received an update on Section 106 agreements, which are crucial for ensuring that new developments contribute to local infrastructure and amenities.

New Homes Proposed for Belford School Site

A key item on the agenda was the application to demolish existing buildings and redevelop the former St Mary's C of E Middle School site at Williams Way, Belford, Northumberland, NE70 7NX. The proposal, application number 25/01298/FUL, seeks to construct 23 new dwelling-houses. The former school, which closed in 2018, has been vacant since June 2023.

While statutory consultees like Highways, Natural England, and the County Ecologist raised no objections subject to conditions, Belford & Middleton Parish Council expressed concerns about flooding risks and vehicle access. The NHS North East & Cumbria ICB requested a contribution of £16,500.00 towards healthcare services.

The committee was recommended to grant permission, subject to a legal agreement securing principal occupation restrictions and developer contributions towards play and open space (£38,846.53), coastal mitigation (£14,145.00), healthcare (£16,500.00), and a Biodiversity Net Gain monitoring fee (£1,248.00). Numerous conditions were proposed to ensure the development is carried out responsibly, covering aspects from construction methods to biodiversity protection and sustainable drainage.

This decision has the potential to provide much-needed housing in Belford, but also raises questions about the impact on local infrastructure and the environment. The inclusion of developer contributions aims to mitigate these impacts and ensure the community benefits from the new development.

Read more about the North Planning Committee meeting.

Section 106 Agreements: Funding Local Improvements

The committee also received an update on Section 106 (S106) agreements. These legal agreements are vital tools for local authorities to secure contributions from developers towards the costs of providing local infrastructure and services that are, or will be, needed as a result of new development. The report detailed new legal agreements completed in June 2026, including contributions towards coastal mitigation and biodiversity net gain across various sites in Northumberland. These contributions are essential for maintaining and improving the quality of life for residents by funding projects that might otherwise not be possible.

Other Matters

• The Staff and Appointments Committee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, has been cancelled.
• The Licensing and Regulatory Subcommittee meeting scheduled for Thursday, 27 August 2026, has also been cancelled.
• The Strategic Planning Committee meeting scheduled for Tuesday, 01 September 2026, has been cancelled.